The Hillcrest Harriers lit up the ESFL Under-11 Football tournament this week, playing some silky football and scoring some amazing team goals.

Congratulations to this week's winners! 

 

 

Our new House and Vice Captains came up with an innovative way to reveal this week's housepoint winners - The Bin Reveal!

 

 

 

A very important message for all parents/carers

 

Hillcrest is continuing to work in partnership with parents, carers and Bristol City Council to help with children’s return to education following several very challenging months for families and education settings in the last academic year.

 

From January-March 2021, when the COVID-19 outbreak was increasing, the government made it clear that no parent would be penalised or sanctioned for their child’s non-attendance at school as schools were closed to all but a specific group of pupils; those of key workers and vulnerable children.

 

Now the circumstances have changed, school attendance is once again compulsory. This means that from September 2021, the usual rules on school attendance apply, including:

 

• Parents’ duty to send their child to school regularly where they are of compulsory school age;
• Schools’ responsibilities to record attendance and follow up absence;
• The availability of local authorities to use legal sanctions, including penalty notices and prosecution in court.

 

It is vital for all children to be in school for the benefit of their education, well-being and wider development as pupils with higher overall absence tend to achieve less well.

If you or your child are worried about attending school, please contact us to discuss your concerns directly. We will do everything we can to help. We work closely with health and council teams who also may be able to provide support.

 

Term-time holidays/absences
School terms are not the time to take your child out of school for a family holiday or other term-time leave. It is unlikely that any leave will be authorised by the Head Teacher after so much enforced absence from school. The more your child is in school, the more they will improve their learning and enjoy all the other benefits of their educational experience.

Family emergencies also need careful consideration, it is not always appropriate or in the best interests of the child to miss school for emergencies which are being dealt with by family members.

 

No school or local authority wishes to take legal action and every attempt to resolve parent and carers’ concerns and improve a child’s attendance will be made, including the implementation of our Attendance Review Action Plan (a written agreement made between parents/carers and school) before any formal action is considered.

 

Ultimately the most important thing is that we work together with our parents/carers to get all our children back into education.

 

We will always listen if you have any worries and we will try our very best to help you.

 

 

Punctuality

We would also like to remind parents/carers of how important it is that pupils arrive in school on time. Lateness can seriously disadvantage children and disrupt the learning of others.

 

The table below indicates how frequent lateness can add up to a considerable amount of learning being lost.

 

 

Any pupils arriving after 8.50am will be registered as 'L' for late.

Pupils arriving after 9.15am will be marked 'U' for unauthorised.

Where the school does not receive a message for an absence then pupils will be marked 'o.' This is also an unauthorised absence mark. Persistent unauthorised absences (8 in a 10 week period) can lead to a penalty notice of £60 per parent per child being issued. This can quickly mount up as this amount rises to £120 should it not be paid within 21 days.

 

Remember, BANG ON TIME, IN THE LINE, BY TEN TO NINE…

 

We wish you and all our children all the best for this academic year.

 

Kind regards

 

Bridget Norman
Head Teacher

 

 

 

We are delighted to have been awarded the 'Outstanding Skilled Teacher' award of the Rainbow Flag Award, which supports schools to become more LGBT inclusive.

 

The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for primary schools, secondary schools, SEND schools and colleges. The award focuses on positive LGBT+, (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, plus other related identities), inclusion and visibility. The Rainbow Flag Award encourages a whole organisation approach to LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to effectively challenge and combat LGBTphobic bullying.

 

Find out more about the award - https://youtu.be/zYdlfJKYzlw 

Last year was unusual, to say the least, but Hillcrest still managed to raise £129 for the Poppy Appeal last November.  

 

These Books are Rubbish

Come and learn simple book making techniques, using scrap and found materials with Art and Design students from University West of England’s Outreach Group.

This fun, expressive workshop will enable you to explore ‘the book’ as a way of expressing creativity, and revaluate waste materials by adding value to what would otherwise be discarded. All materials are provided, but feel free to bring any writing/ images/ found materials you’d like to include.

The workshop will take place in Arnolfini’s Reading Room on the second floor and last approximately 45 minutes for children aged five and above, with an accompanying adult (max. three children per adult). Please book early to avoid disappointment.

13:00 -13:45 max 12 participants
14:00 – 14:45 max 12 participants

 

Children - Don't forget to take your Children's University Passport with you, and ask for the Stamp Code, to log your learning hours.

 

Click on the link to book:

 

https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/uwe-these-books-are-rubbish-workshop

Supported by Children’s University and Future Quest

 

 

Congratulations to this week's Celebration Award winners!

On Monday, Hillcrest children took part in a democratic election for our Yr 6 House Captains. We had many brave candidates who prepared presentations and speeches to tell their peers why they would make a fantastic House Captain. After all of the candidates had been heard, the rest of the children took part in a blind vote.

We want to say well done to everyone who took part in the election - the voters were respectful, responsible, and kind. A huge well done to every Yr 6 child who had the courage to apply for the position. 

And, lastly, a massive congratulations to our winners! 

Victory House Captain: Mimi Jones

Victory Vice House Captain: Max Rodolfi 

 

Discovery House Captain: Phoebe Drane

Discover Vice House Captain: Otto Baddeley

 

Adventure House Captain: Joseph Tingay
Adventure Vice House Captain: Scarlett Tomlinson 

 

Endeavour House Captain: Alba Newton 
Endeavour Vice House Captain: Elliot Long

FRIENDS & REDCATCH COMMUNITY GARDEN COMPETITION WINNERS

With a bit of September sun, the entries are in! Well done to everyone who entered and for sharing your fine displays.

 

The winners are…

 

GURTEST, LUSHEST SUNFLOWER – Tallest entry

ORLA from 3EN. We’re not sure what you’ve been feeding your flowers but this was quite literally head and shoulders above the rest. You will receive a £100 FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT VOUCHER!

 

BEST IN BLOOM – Most impressive display

ADA from RLN came the closest to creating a meadow of Sunflowers amongst our cityscape. Some top notch Redcatch Community Garden merchandise will be coming your way.

 

POLLINATOR SUPERHERO – most attractive display to flying friends

ANGUS from 2KL also cultivated a beautiful cluster of flowers which have no doubt been treating a frenzy of flying friends. Some top notch Redcatch Community Garden merchandise will be coming your way too.

 

Congratulations to you all!