Haltwhistle Academy Newsletter

VE Day: 80 Year Anniversary

For VE Day, the children took part in a range of meaningful activities to help them understand and reflect on this important moment in history. They began the day by watching a live assembly hosted by the Sanctuary Foundation, which explored the significance of VE Day and helped set the tone for the rest of the day. Later, they observed a respectful two-minute silence to remember those who served. The children also sang our special remembrance song, previously performed for Remembrance Day, which added a thoughtful and familiar touch to the occasion. To bring the past to life, they enjoyed playing a variety of wartime games and listened to popular songs from the era, helping them to connect with what life was like during the Second World War.

This week at Haltwhistle Academy, we’ve had a fantastic time celebrating Attendance Week! The children have explored the importance of good attendance and learned when it's appropriate to take time off school. They worked together to strengthen their sense of belonging and what it means to be part of the Haltwhistle Team. Each class got creative by making their own videos and messages to promote good attendance, and we had lots of fun dressing up in crazy clothes to mark the occasion. The week also included an exciting competition where pupils designed their own perfect tools to help improve attendance. Well done Team Haltwhistle!

Fantastic attendance this week! - 96.22%

All of our students participated in an exciting competition where each Key Stage had a unique challenge. Key Stage 1 students were tasked with designing creative watches, while Key Stage 2 students came up with inventive ideas for a device that could help wake children up for school. The entries were judged by our School Parliament and Attendance Ambassadors, who had the tough job of selecting the winners. There were both runners-up and overall winners, and the level of creativity shown by all the children was truly impressive. A big well done to everyone who took part — your ideas were fantastic!

KS1 had a lovely time at the Hexham Book festival this week. We met the author of 'one cheeky octopus' and listened to him as he read his story to us. The boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed the story and laughed from start to finish. We then had the opportunity to colour in our own cheeky octopus, and were set a challenge to try and remember and draw all of the items the cheeky octopus stole in the story!

Congratulations

Attendance - Hot Chocolate Friday!

Pupils who are in school everyday for a week (100% attendance) are entered into a hat and chosen by random. 2 lucky winners from Years 1-6 are chosen to enjoy a hot chocolate and a biscuit or two!

Who will it be next week?

School driveway

Please could we remind parents that the school driveway can be used at the following times only:

• To drop off for breakfast club (before 8.20am)

• To collect from after school care (after 3.45pm)

The drive is closed to vehicles from 8.20 - 9am and 3pm - 3.45pm to ensure the safety of the young children walking to and from school.  Only school taxi's and drivers with a blue badge can use the driveway during these times and must observe the 5mph limit.  

Thank you for your support.

Citizen's Advice

Internet Safety & Mental Health

Healthier Together App

Haltwhistle Family Hub

Attendance Matters

Every second in school counts, as missing school, whether by being late or taking unnecessary days off, creates more new learning gaps which need to be addressed.  The best way you can support your child to recover from the lost school time of recent years is to ensure they are in school and ready to learn every day. 

We are always available to support with attendance. Please come to the office and someone will be happy to help. 

We want every child's attendance to be good or better.  This means 96%+

Please check your child's attendance (see our app) against the class and national data.  School staff are able to offer support if your child's attendance is of concern.    

Please do not take your child out of school during term time as it disrupts your child’s learning and you risk financial penalties.   Any term time leave of absence must be applied for more than 2 weeks before the date of leave and can only be authorised by the Headteacher in the case of EXCEPTIONAL circumstances.  Please could we urge parents to book holidays during the 13 weeks of annual school holidays which are available each year.    In line with our attendance policy, we are required to refer all qualifying absences due to holidays during term time to the Education Welfare Officer at Northumberland County Council.  

If leave has not been authorised and your child is out of school then you may receive a minimum fine of £60 per child, per parent.  If the time out of school makes your child’s attendance drop below 90% then they are known as persistently absent under the governments attendance definitions.  This means that you may face prosecution through the courts. 

Please help us to help your child catch up by ensuring they are in school and ready to learn every day.

Pupil illness - Please note that in line with the new attendance guidance, we need a clear reason for absence for the school register.  If your child is 'poorly' their absence is registered as unauthorised until a reason is provided. Please contact the school office as soon as possible so that the illness reason can be authorised.   

Under the new government policy, if one parent takes their child on an unauthorised term time holiday, both parents with parental responsibility could be subject to a fine issued by Northumberland County Council.  This includes when parents are separated.  

Before and After School club bookings

Calendar of Events - Please scroll to see all dates

If reading this on your phone, please turn your phone sideways to be able to scroll through our planned dates.  You can also add our calendar to your own phone calendar to be sure you don't miss a date.  

Our school designated safeguarding leads are Susie Drake, Alex Wood, Vicki Ridley, Robyn Brockman - Crow and Shirley Phillips

Everyone is responsible for safeguarding children.  Please speak to a member of this team if you are concerned about the safety of a child.