Mailbag 17 June 2022
Mailbag 17 June 2022
It was an absolute pleasure to get so much positive feedback from both parents and children at the Yr 5 and Yr 6 discos this week. The children were a credit to the school, and to all of you, which makes the decision to put the discos on next year’s calendar a resounding Yes! Friends have organised discos for every year group this year - a big thank you to them and to the staff for attending.
I have recently received a number of applications for exceptional leave for family holidays. Please be aware that I am unable to authorise family holiday during term times.
Whilst I understand that holiday prices rise significantly in the school holidays and that families have not had a chance to travel abroad for several years, these do not constitute 'exceptional circumstances'.
Good attendance at school is vital for all children to make good progress and reach their potential. Schools, and particularly Head Teachers, are under significant pressure from the Government and the Local Authority to ensure that the attendance of all pupils is good.
If families decide to go ahead with ‘unauthorised’ travel plans, the school can choose to pass the matter to the Local Authority who will issue fixed penalty notices. This is not necessarily something that I want to do but, in some cases, I will have no choice.
And so I don't end on a moan - there is a dedicated member of the school team who turns 6 years old on Monday. Can you guess who it is?
News for Everyone
Diary Dates
23 June KS 2 Latin Day - Dress up as a Roman or your favourite Latin word!
RCB Farm trip
24 June Yr 6 Mini Enterprise day - bring pocket money to spend at their stalls.
RLN Farm trip
29 June Yr 4 Van Gogh exhibition trip
1 July Sports Day
2 July Summer Fair
8 July Hillcrest Pride Day
13 July Yr 6 performance PM - Treasure Island
14 July Yr 6 performance AM
15 July Hillcrest Poetry Day
18 July Yr 6 Treat
20 July Hillcrest’o’Vision!
21 July Yr 6 Leavers’ Assembly
End of term for the children
22 July Inset Day - staff training
1 September Inset Day - staff training
2 September Inset Day - staff training
5 September Children return to school
Bona Fortuna to Miss Wilson, our Language Specialist, who has been nominated for the Classics for All National Teacher of the Year Award!
Mike Beer from the Bristol Classics Hub nominated Hillcrest as a 'school that stands out', saying that Miss Wilson goes that 'extra mile' to implement Latin in our school and to make it fun for our children.
The winner will receive £300 for their school. Fingers crossed! Results are out on 11th July.
Roman Recipes - Do you fancy dining like a Roman? Miss Wilson has shared some authentic recipes you can try making at home HERE!
Free School Nurse Webinars for Parents and Carers - Practical and informative online sessions from your expert team of local School Health Nurses. Flyer HERE.
The webinars last between 30 and 45 minutes, with the opportunity to ask questions throughout. They're suitable for parents and carers of children and young people of all ages:
Keeping your child happy and healthy - Healthy eating and physical activity - Supporting your child's emotional wellbeing - Eating disorder awareness - Dental health - Sleep
Find out more and book your free place: cchp.nhs.uk/schoolnursewebinars
Chicken pox - We have a case in Yr 1 again. You can find information on the NHS website HERE. If you're pregnant and have never had chickenpox and you either develop symptoms, or have been near someone who has it, seek advice from 111.
News for Year Groups
Key Stage 2 - Thursday, 23rd June is Latin Day. You can choose to come to school dressed as an ancient Roman, or as your favourite Latin word! There’s a reminder of some of the words we’ve been learning HERE. If you really want to get into the spirit, you could try making one of the authentic Roman recipes Miss Wilson has shared with us HERE!
Yr 4 Van Gogh Exhibition letter
Homework
Look in your child’s year group ‘satchel’ under Homework on the website for this week’s Retrieval Questions.
Friends News
The Parents Big Quiz & Curry Night has been postponed to the autumn. Apologies for any confusion last week.
Hillcrest Summer Fair 2nd July 12-3pm
We are pleased to report that the summer fair will be going ahead!
Join us for Iive music, BBQ, bar, stalls, games, crafts, cakes, tombola, glitter hair...and more!
Heart-felt thanks to all those who have volunteered to organise particular elements of the fair.
We will still need people to volunteer on the day. Please give some time if you can - look out for the volunteer sign up details in the next Mailbag.
Check out the Community Notice Board on the website...
- Parker’s Adventure Trail - Bristol Animal Rescue’s interactive trail around central Bristol. This looks a fun thing for the whole family to do this summer!
Look out for your next Mailbag on Friday 24th June.