Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Summer Holiday Ideas

  Fri 10 Jul 2020

  The Lennox Centre have created a summer holiday brochure that is packed with activity ideas and places to visit during the summer break, around the Gosport and Fareham area.

   

  The brochure can be found on our website under the Parents section, in useful links.

   

• Pupil Premium: Orders for free school jumper/cardigan & breakfast club space

  Thu 09 Jul 2020

   

  Due to the continued COVID-19 risk assessment we will only offer Breakfast Club spaces initially to children who qualify for Pupil Premium funding.

   

  We have sent a form via ParentMail to each parent that has a child who qualifies for pupil premium funding, please use this form to request a free place at breakfast club if you would like to access this service in September. Your child will ONLY be able to access this service if you have booked a place by Wednesday 15th July 2020.

   

  In addition, please also use this form to indicate what size jumper or cardigan your child will need for September 2020. All pupil premium funded children receive a free school jumper/cardigan each year. Orders received after Wednesday 15th July may not be ready for collection in time for the new academic year.

   

  Thank you

   

• Parent Consultation

  Wed 08 Jul 2020

   

  Please check your ParentMail for two important surveys that have been sent to all parents and carers.

   

  One is regarding After School Club (Tea-timers) provision in September and the other is regarding the parent consultation of the full reopening of school in September.

   

  Responses to these surveys will need to be received before 3.30pm on Friday 10th July 2020.

  Thank you for your continued support

• September Return to School

  Fri 03 Jul 2020

  We have today received the extensive document from the Government regarding the full opening of schools from September 2020. The Senior Leadership Team will be working through this and will communicate our plan and full risk assessment to parents by the end of term.

   

  Thank you for your continued support. 

• Summer Reading Challenge

  Thu 02 Jul 2020

  Are you up for a challenge?

  
  As we all know reading is such a vital skill and escaping into another world, or exploring the real world around us in fiction and non-fiction books is something that we all hold dear, especially at this difficult time.
  Every summer, Newtown C of E Primary School is pleased to support the summer holiday reading challenge at our local library. Responding to the fact that libraries are currently closed, Hampshire Libraries have made their annual summer reading challenge an online challenge this year.

  
  Summer Reading Challenge 2020

   

  https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

   

  Join the Summer Reading Challenge online this year. Use the link above to login and create an online summer reading account.
  As well as online books to read there are lots of super games and activities to take part in and online badges to collect. 
   

  

• Transition Update 2020

  Wed 01 Jul 2020

   

  What a GREAT first transition day we have had! The new Kingfishers class thoroughly enjoyed their time back at school.

   

  Next week the following transition sessions will take place. Please refer to your individual letter to check whether your child attends in the morning or afternoon.

   

  Monday 6th July - Miss Murray's new year 1 Ladybirds class
  Tuesday 7th July - Mr Bagley's new year 5 Badgers class
  Wednesday 8th July - Miss Daniels' new year 2 Robins class
  Thursday 9th July - Miss Hall's new year 4 Rabbits class
  Friday 10th July - Mrs Hatcher's new year 4 Otters class

   

  Please ensure your child only brings a water bottle and snack. No bags or anything else from home will be allowed.

   

  Please also do not forget that if your child is currently in Year R, 1 or 6 and you would like your child to return to school, please contact the school office.

   

• A message from Mrs Howlett - 19th June 2020

  Fri 19 Jun 2020

   

  Dear Parents and Carers

   

  I hope you are well and are continuing to stay safe at home as much as possible. It is really important to continue to adhere to the Government guidelines to reduce the risks of COVID 19. Please therefore can I remind you to follow these key principles:

  1. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them. From the week commencing 1 June, we have also welcomed back all children in nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups.
  2. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
  3. Parents must do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially outside of school. They must observe the same social distancing principles as adults, as far as possible.

   

  Critical Workers

  Children of critical workers, and vulnerable children who are already eligible, will continue to be offered a place, regardless of the year group they are in. The definition of critical workers remains unchanged.

   

  If your work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed on the Government guidance attached, then please get in touch with the school to discuss your child returning. Your employer will need to evidence and give an honest account of your employment as per the strict Government guidelines to prevent fraudulent claims of critical worker status.

   

  Government summer & “Catch-Up” plans

  There has once again been much hype surrounding the Government’s proposed summer programme and catch up plans for the education sector and pupils affected by COVID 19. As has been the case throughout this process, I hear all announcements at the same time as the public, which includes the announcement this morning regarding the planned catch up programme. As yet I have received no details at all regarding what this will look like or what that will mean for our children and our school in particular. As soon as I do receive detailed guidance, the Senior Leadership Team will plan for how this will affect our children and I will then communicate this to all parents, as soon as possible.

   

  Free school meal provision in the summer holidays

  As per the Government announcement on 17^th June, there will now be a Covid Summer Food Fund, offering a six-week voucher to families with children eligible for free school meals in England during the holidays. As yet, no guidance has been sent to school about this specific fund but I will communicate this to all parents that are eligible as soon as I am able.

   

  Transition

  At this time every year, the Senior Leadership Team plan the arrangements for transition week here at school for the children’s new classes for next academic year. Obviously this will look different this year but I am still preparing for a socially-distanced transition programme for each new class. Full details will be sent to all parents shortly.

   

  Site reminders

  Please can I remind all parents that are coming onto site, whether that is to drop off or collect your children attending school or to collect home learning packs or hampers, that you MUST adhere to the 2 metre social distance guidelines and markers in place. Please depart the school site PROMPTLY, as soon as you are able to and return to the safety of your own homes. Please can I also ask you to not allow your children to use the play equipment during this time.

   

  Health & Well-being for all

  As you know, the health and wellbeing of pupils, parents and staff is one of the top priorities at Newtown C of E Primary School, especially through this COVID 19 period. If you or your children need further support, please visit our website to access the sections that can help support you and your children at home during the COVID period. The presentation in particular called “We are at home right now” which I have attached, is a very useful resource to use. I would also suggest you visit www.mentallyhealthyschools.or.uk which also have great resources for families to use.

   

  I would encourage all families to access as much fresh air as possible. Please do take regular socially distanced walks with your children to limit the amount of time your feel cooped up or restricted during this period.

   

  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff here at Newtown C of E Primary School. They are all managing their own personal circumstances, whilst having a full time teaching commitment with their COVID group, planning home learning for those in their original class, keeping in constant touch with families via phone calls, seesaw and parentmails, planning for the transition to next academic year and constantly adapting to new guidance and plans. Their health and wellbeing is also my priority and I cannot thank them enough for their commitment, as always, in keeping your children safe, happy and at the forefront of their minds.

   

  Throughout lockdown and this COVID 19 period I have talked frequently about the empathy and compassion we need to show towards others, through love, courage and friendship; recognising that for each of us, our lockdown experiences may be very different. I wish for your family to continue to remain safe, happy and healthy and for the home learning provided by the staff at Newtown C of E Primary School to give your children, our pupils, opportunities to remain academically active and engaged with their schooling.

   

  Thank you for your continued patience, positivity and support,

  Kindest regards

  Mrs. E Howlett

  Headteacher

   

  (For attachments, please visit the all school letters section of the website)

• Children in Need - Design a Duck Competition

  Tue 16 Jun 2020

  Children in Need Annual Duck Race is back and this year they want you to help complete our pun-tastic duck line-up.

   

  Children in Need are asking duck fans across the UK to grab their crayons and design a duck, with one lucky ducky featuring in our big race at the end of the year.

   

  Everything you need to take part is on their site, simply download the handy duck template and get quacking!

  • This competition is open to children 16 and under, and must have their parent or guardian enter on their behalf.
  • Download our handy duck template
  • Get creative and design and name your duck
  • Upload a scan or clear picture of your creation to our Uploader tool here
  • The competition is open from the 12th of June, and will be closing to entries on the 24th of June at midnight.
  • We’ll get in touch with the parent or guardian of the winner via email or phone, and the winning design will be shared on our social media channels, as well as in the race itself!

   

  For full details please visit the competition page in our Home Learning section.

  

• Gardening in Year R

  Fri 12 Jun 2020

   

  Today Year R spent the day planting flowers and plants to enhance their outside area and to learn about and explore the outside world and the world around them.

   

  The children also learnt about the different parts of the plants and what plants need to grow.

   

  Well done Year R it looks great!

  

• Year R Welcome Event

  Thu 11 Jun 2020

   

  What a wonderful welcome event we had yesterday for our new Year R children, starting with us in September 2020.

   

  Our wonderful EYFS team gave out goody bags and met so many of you starting school with us soon.

   

  For the small number that could not make it, there is a follow-up event next Wednesday 17th June between 4pm-4:30pm, so come and collect your child's goody bag and meet the wonderful teachers and staff.