Mailbag 24 May 2021
Mailbag 24 May 2021
The term continues at pace and it is hard to believe that we are approaching half term already. As always, there are a multitude of wonderful things going on in classrooms. Please try to find time each day to talk to your children about their learning, as this makes such a difference to them and helps keep you in touch with what is going on.
As children continue to wear their PE kits on PE days, we would like them to wear their house T-shirts. This has become somewhat haphazard in recent weeks. House PE t-shirts can be purchased from the school office for £3. If your child needs to wear a jumper over their PE kit, this should be their school jumper or cardigan, please.
Huge congratulations to our Year 6 pupils who have completed some tests this week for internal assessment purposes. Your teachers have all reported how sensibly and calmly you approached these. As you will know, the Government do not require schools to undertake statutory assessment this year, but like many other schools, we have chosen to use some of the past papers with our Year 6 children in a more relaxed and calm way. This will help teachers in making assessment judgements.
Two weeks ago we sent you a link to a talk about our 'Recovery Curriculum’ - a chance for me to share our priorities for the rest of the school year with you. In it, I outlined how we have identified those priorities for your children and some of the assessment strategies we apply in terms of finding out what children may need help with. If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet you can view it here: https://youtu.be/KPuSruXh5Mw The term ends on Friday. There is an Inset day on Monday 7th June so the children will come back to school on Tuesday 8th .
I hope you have a lovely half term
Communications Survey - We are reviewing how effectively we keep you informed and are planning to refresh the look of the website. We would appreciate your feedback about the ways we communicate with you. Please would you take a few minutes to complete our on line survey? https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Gw-nrVjzI0iIIw1UFfn20rQjDa8PKZLoFjcjreBWy9UQjBMM1BWWk82RkpPQkVIWDhJRU9IUVE5Ni4u
Emailing teachers - In the interests of a healthy work/life balance, and as most of us nowadays use our phones for email, please can we ask you not to email teachers after 6pm? Thank you.
Children’s University Online is a brand-new digital platform from Children’s University. It has been designed to make Children’s University even better than ever! It’s a fun, safe and secure online space for children to record what they’re doing as part of Children’s University. They can use this alongside their Passport to Learning. They collect stamps in their passport that can then be posted online, where they’ll unlock additional information about the activities they’ve done. You can find out more about the Children’s University here: https://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/get-involved/parents-and-children/ and watch a video tour of the children’s dashboard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YybS3mpDWcE
CU Reminder for parents - Hours need to be added by the end of May for the children to receive their graduation certificates for 2021 before the summer holidays. If anyone has forgotten their log in information this can be resent.
Super Spellers - Prepare to get wet with the latest edition of Mr Mac’s Super Spelllers! https://youtu.be/KgO3MmNtzvo
Future Stars Holiday Club at Hillcrest - There’s still time to book places for half term, here. ‘Let’s Count’ Census Day competition - Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to Mrs Lamb for organising our entry. We didn’t win but Hillcrest’s entry was one of the top 5 in the South West region! You can see the message and certificate the organisers sent here.
Parking at pick up and drop off - If you come by car please help to keep everyone safe by parking well away from all the school entrances. Do not park on double yellow lines or yellow zig zags and please turn off your engine. Sorry this needs to be said; we know that most parents park safely and considerately.
Term 6 Enrichment Programme - Download here.
Guitar Tuition - Hazel Winter’s Guitar Club will be back in the room next term, after months on Zoom, with the first session on Wednesday 9th June. All being well, there will be five sessions before the summer break (no session on 7th July). Download the information here.
Spanish Club will be taking a break in Term 6 but plan to return in the Autumn. Adiós!
Let’s Pretend Drama - Christine Hagen-Bassett is resuming in-person teaching next term at the Redcatch Community Centre. Download her flyer here.
Photos - The Tempest school photographer will be coming to take class photos on 18th June, the second Wednesday of next term.
Bikeability Yr 6 - Sadly, our current Yr 6 children have missed out on doing this at school because of the pandemic. If you would like your child to do the training we suggest you contact the Family Cycling Centre to enquire about booking a place on one of their summer holiday courses.
Friends of Hillcrest Recycling Fundraiser - The next collection for electronics recycling and other items will be on the last day of term, Friday 28th May. Please bring unwanted (broken or working) computers, tablets, cameras, games consoles, mobile phones, sat navs and MP3 players; watches and jewellery (including plastic beads or broken gold chains); old currency (UK or foreign) and used stamps - and hand them to your child's teacher. Recycling for Good Causes will make a donation to the Friends of Hillcrest charity. Thank you.
Letters
Community Notices
Let’s Pretend Drama at Redcatch Community Centre - registration form
Homework
Check your child’s year group page under the Homework tab on the website.
Look out for your next Mailbag on Tuesday 8th June.