Dear Parents and Carers
What a year! If you had told me in September 2020 what was going to happen this academic year, I probably would not have believed you! However, despite the challenges and triumphs, Newtown C of E Primary School has overcome any adversity and our wonderful pupils, parents, staff and community have come together stronger than ever before.
This year has been one to remember for many reasons, not least because our wonderful school achieved our GOOD grading from Ofsted, which followed our GOOD SIAMS inspection in the same calendar year. Newtown C of E Primary School is now seen as a beacon of the Gosport community and among the other local schools in the area.
I hope you have all received my detailed correspondence yesterday detailing out full reopening plans. I will not blur my messages to you today revisiting that key information, but I urge you to read the risk assessment and all documents via ParentMail and via our website https://www.newtownceprimary.co.uk/covid-19-full-reopening-information-hub/
As a collective staff team, we can honestly say that we are unanimous in our delight in being able to welcome all pupils back in September as we have missed everyone very much.
At this time of the year it is sad to say goodbye to the members of our school community who are leaving us. Mrs. Girt is leaving Newtown as she has gained an opportunity to work in another local school office. We also say goodbye to Learning Support Assistants, Miss Haynes, Mrs. Toastivine, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Roantree-Roesch but we will continue to see Mrs. Roantree-Roesch during our lunchtime provision.
In addition, it is with pride and delight that we say goodbye to our year 6 pupils. It has certainly been an unusual year but I know I speak on behalf of the whole staff team when I say that we are so blessed to have played a small part in their future and how wonderful it has been to watch them grow and develop. We will now look forward to seeing each year 6 pupil flourish as they take the next step in their lives.
It is also my absolute pleasure to introduce our new leadership team to you for September 2020. Alongside myself as Headteacher, the Senior Leadership Team will consist of Mrs. W Mitchell, Deputy Headteacher; Mrs. S Stroud, School Business Manager & Operations; Miss K Wandless, KS2 Learning Leader & Maths Leader; Mrs. C Oakes, KS1 Learning Leader & English Leader; Mrs. C Watson, EYFS Learning Leader; Miss V Metcalf, Inclusion Leader & SENCo and Mr. J Bagley, Senior Teacher (Lunchtime & Afternoon Curriculum). The Senior Leadership Team will always be available to discuss any questions or queries you have regarding your child’s education at Newtown C of E Primary School.
I have enclosed the key dates and menus for the new academic term, as well as the Hampshire academic calendar. During the summer holidays, please keep up to date with everything at Newtown C of E Primary School via our Social Media accounts and our the website. With COVID-19 related guidance changing daily, we will communicate any updates with you via these channels and of course via ParentMail. I am aware that there are 7 weeks until pupils return to school, significant changes either in the R rate and/or guidance may mean that plans need to change or be tweaked prior to Monday 7th September.
On our return in September, please can I remind you to read the detailed correspondence sent yesterday and to adhere to social distancing on site. I would ask you to ensure you keep to the new drop off and collection times, dependent on your child’s year group, and leave the site immediately once your child is safely in school. The school reception will remain closed unless visitors have a pre-arranged appointment. Please call the school office or email adminoffice@newtown.hants.sch.uk to leave any messages or to arrange a telephone call from a member of staff.
I would like to finish my end of term message to you all by trying to put into words how utterly grateful and thankful I am for the tireless dedication of the staff here at Newtown C of E Primary School. This year has been a complex one yet it has been filled with many highs, which can be attributed in no small part to the inspirational staff that work with your children each and every day. In this unprecedented time, their passion and commitment to providing the best education to your children has remained paramount.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and unwavering support this year, it has been a complex planning time for us. Striving to ensure our Newtown community remains safe, healthy and happy remains our priority as it has been throughout the past 17 weeks.
Kindest regards
Mrs. E Howlett
Headteacher