Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Girls football team
Fri 19 May 2023Following on from their first game of the season last week and first triumph, the girls team played Alverstoke Junior School on Thursday evening.
The girls represented the school exceptionally well and are looking forward to their next game against Grange next week. Well done!
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HM King Charles III Coronation Celebration Day
Fri 05 May 2023We have had a lovely day here at Newtown celebrating King Charles III Coronation learning about royal history and completing fun activities. Many of the pupils came dressed as Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses as they enjoyed the festivities and the street party style lunch to mark the special occasion!
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PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE of Newtown C of E Primary School: 27/04/23 and 02/05/2023
Wed 26 Apr 2023Please find below further information regarding the industrial action by members of the NEU (National Education Union) tomorrow, Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023.
As in previous industrial action days, I have asked teachers to let me know if they intend to strike so that I could let you know in advance whether any classes would be closed. There is no legal obligation for staff to give advance notice of their intention regarding action, however, the large majority have done so.
As such, I now have a clearer picture of the extent of the impact of the industrial action on our school. I have also completed a risk assessment of our capacity to run the school safely and effectively without striking members of staff and those members of staff affected by the industrial action at their own children’s schools.
Based on the information to hand, I have decided to PARTIALLY CLOSE the school:
The school will be CLOSED to pupils in Year R, Year 1, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6 on both Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May 2023.
The school will be OPEN to all pupils in Year 2 and 4 as normal on both days.
Mrs. Whittle has also made contact with a very small number of families, whose children will also be attending school on those days.
Please note, as staff do not have to let me know in advance of their plans, this partial closure may change. If further year groups are impacted, I will let you know as soon as possible.
Pupils in Years R,1,3,5 and 6 and in receipt of pupil premium free school meals will also bring home with them today, their lunches for the two days, if ordered as requested. All pupils in years 2 and 4 will have the option as normal to order a lunch from the advertised menu or bring a packed lunch from home.
All pupils not in school, are invited to undertake home learning via The Oak Academy https://classroom.thenational.academy/ and BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary
Please can I reiterate that pupils in years 2 and 4 will be expected to attend school as normal on both days. Whilst I understand that it may be difficult for you to have one child at school and siblings at home, the expectation is that if classes are open, children should attend. Therefore, children who do not come to school because their sibling is at home due to strike action, will be marked as unauthorised absence. As part of our safeguarding procedure we will contact you to ask why your child is not at school unless you have let us know.
Other important information for years 2 and 4:
- The lunch option for all pupils in school will be as advertised or a packed lunch from home. Children will order in the morning in the usual way.
- Breakfast Club and After School Club will run as normal.
- Tutoring and extra-curricular clubs will be cancelled for both Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May.
- Music lessons, rock steady and family collective worship will also be cancelled.
- Please can we ask parents of children in years 2 and 4 with significant medical conditions, to contact the school today regarding your child’s care for the industrial action days.
I fully understand that this decision and the ongoing industrial action may be frustrating for all of us, but please be assured that no member of staff has taken the decision to strike lightly, and they are doing so to protest about the continuing and long term underfunding of our schools, education as a whole, working conditions, and the inadequate pay of all including support staff.
I will be on the gate if you have any questions or queries.
Mrs Howlett, Headteacher
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PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR 15/03/23 AND 16/03/23
Tue 14 Mar 2023Please see below the further information regarding the planned industrial action by members of the NEU (National Education Union) tomorrow, Wednesday 15th March, and Thursday 16th March.
As in previous industrial action days, I have asked teachers to let me know if they intend to strike so that I could let you know in advance whether any classes would be closed. There is no legal obligation for staff to give advance notice of their intention regarding action, however, the large majority have done so.
As such, I now have a clearer picture of the extent of the impact of the industrial action on our school. I have also completed a risk assessment of our capacity to run the school safely and effectively without striking members of staff and those members of staff affected by the industrial action at their own children’s schools.
Based on the information to hand, I have decided to PARTIALLY CLOSE the school:
The school will be CLOSED to pupils in Year R, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 on Wednesday 15th March and Thursday 16th March 2023.
The school will be OPEN to all pupils in Year 5 and 6 as normal on both days.
Pupils in Years R-4 and in receipt of pupil premium free school meals will also bring home with them today, their lunches for the next two days. The senior leaders remaining at the school tomorrow will be ensuring welfare checks are made by telephone to children and families identified as vulnerable by the education provider or local authority.
All pupils in Years R-4 will bring home a home learning pack today, for the next two days and this will also be sent via our school ping communication system.
Pupils in years 5 and 6 will be expected to attend school as normal on both days. Whilst I understand that it may be difficult for you to have one child at school and siblings at home, the expectation is that if classes are open, children should attend. Therefore, children who do not come to school because their sibling is at home due to strike action, will be marked as unauthorised absence. As part of our safeguarding procedure we will contact you to ask why your child is not at school unless you have let us know.
Other important information for years 5 and 6:
- Pupils in Year 5 will attend swimming as normal on Wednesday morning. Please ensure they bring their swimming kit into school.
- The lunch option for all pupils in school will be a prepared picnic lunch. There will be no hot lunch option for the two days.
- Breakfast Club and After School Club will run as normal.
- Tutoring and extra-curricular clubs will be cancelled for both Wednesday and Thursday.
- Please can we ask parents of children in years 5 and 6 with significant medical conditions, to contact the school today regarding your child’s care for the next two days.
I fully understand that this decision and the ongoing industrial action may be frustrating for all of us, but please be assured that no member of staff has taken the decision to strike lightly, and they are doing so to protest about the continuing and long term underfunding of our schools, education as a whole, working conditions, and the inadequate pay of all including support staff.
I will be on the gate if you have any questions or queries.
Mrs W Mitchell
Acting Headteacher
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SCHOOL CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR THURSDAY 2ND MARCH 2023
Wed 01 Mar 2023Dear Parents and Carers
Further to my previous communication to you on 23rd February 2023, regarding the industrial action by members of the NEU Teachers Union, I now have a clearer picture of the extent of the impact of the industrial action on our school. I have also completed a risk assessment of our capacity to run the school safely and effectively without striking members of staff and those members of staff affected by the industrial action at their own children’s schools.
As mentioned in my previous letter, I asked teachers to let me know if they intend to strike so that I could let you know in advance whether any classes would be closed. There is no legal obligation for staff to give advance notice of their intention regarding action, however, the large majority have done so. Our dedicated teaching team have thought long and hard about what to do in this situation with most keen to acknowledge their frustrations with the Government and significant, prolonged underfunding of schools and the education system. They value the strong and positive relationships with families and our local community. They have therefore been forthcoming with information regarding their intentions for the upcoming industrial action.
Based on the information to hand, I have decided to close the school to all pupils on Thursday 2nd March 2023.
With the support of the Chair of Governors, I have looked at various scenarios regarding a partial opening for specific groups of children, however we simply will not have the staff to meet our statutory safeguarding obligations.
Those pupils in receipt of free school meals will also bring home with them today, their lunch for tomorrow. The senior leaders remaining at the school tomorrow will be ensuring welfare checks are made by telephone to children and families identified as vulnerable by the education provider or local authority.
All pupils will bring home a home learning pack today, for tomorrow and this will also be sent via our school ping communication system.
I fully understand that this decision may be frustrating for all of us, but please be assured that no member of staff has taken the decision to strike lightly, and they are doing so to protest about the continuing and long term underfunding of our schools, education as a whole, working conditions, and the inadequate pay of all including support staff.
I will be on the gate if you have any questions or queries.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Mitchell
Acting Headteacher
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Y2 are building a bug hotel!
Tue 28 Feb 2023Year 2 are looking to build a bug hotel as part of their Science study. We are looking for donations of those things we need to help us build the bug hotel, which are on the list below.
If you can donate, please bring these to school by week commencing 13th March 2023.
Thank you so much!
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100 days for Mrs Mitchell!
Wed 08 Feb 2023We are today celebrating our wonderful Acting Headteacher being in role for 100 days!
Mrs. Mitchell was completely surprised by all the staff with a party popper guard of honour as she arrived in the staff room this morning.
Mrs Mitchell was presented with a cake, sash and tiara that she will be wearing for the day, so if you see her, please feel free to wish her congratulations!
The staff also read out some words and messages to thank Mrs Mitchell on behalf of the pupils, staff and governing body. As our school's Mental Health Leader and Champion we can think of no better person to celebrate in #childrensmentalhealthweek2023
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SCHOOL CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR WEDNESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2023
Tue 31 Jan 2023School Closure of Newtown C of E Primary School - Wednesday 1st February 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
Further to my previous letters to you on the 20th and 27th January 2023, regarding the industrial action by members of the NEU Teachers Union, I now have a clearer picture of the extent of the impact of the industrial action on our school. I have also completed a risk assessment of our capacity to run the school safely and effectively without striking members of staff and those members of staff affected by the industrial action at their own children’s schools.
As mentioned in my previous letters, I asked teachers to let me know if they intend to strike so that I could let you know in advance whether any classes would be closed. There is no legal obligation for staff to give advance notice of their intention regarding action, however, the large majority have done so. Our dedicated teaching team have thought long and hard about what to do in this situation with most keen to acknowledge their frustrations with the Government and significant, prolonged underfunding of schools and the education system. They value the strong and positive relationships with families and our local community. They have therefore been forthcoming with information regarding their intentions for the upcoming industrial action.
Based on the information to hand, I have decided to close the school to all pupils on Wednesday 1 February 2023.
With the support of the Chair of Governors, I have looked at various scenarios regarding a partial opening for specific groups of children, however we simply will not have the staff to meet our statutory safeguarding obligations.
Those pupils in receipt of free school meals will also bring home with them today, their lunch for tomorrow. The senior leaders remaining at the school tomorrow will be ensuring welfare checks are made by telephone to children and families identified as vulnerable by the education provider or local authority.
All pupils will bring home a home learning pack today, for tomorrow and this will also be sent via our school ping communication system. This can also be accessed via our Home Learning Pages on our website https://www.newtownceprimary.co.uk/home-learning-resources/
I fully understand that this decision may be frustrating for all of us, but please be assured that no member of staff has taken the decision to strike lightly, and they are doing so to protest about the continuing and long term underfunding of our schools, education as a whole, working conditions, and the inadequate pay of all including support staff.
I will be on the school gate today if you have any questions or queries.
Yours sincerely
Mrs. W Mitchell
Acting Headteacher
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Vote for Newtown at your local Tesco branch!
Mon 09 Jan 2023Newtown C of E Primary School needs your votes to get a share of Tesco’s Community Grants fund
Newtown C of E Primary School is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.
Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
Newtown C of E Primary School is one of the groups on the shortlist that members of the local community and Gosport residents can vote for when they shop at a local Tesco branch.
As part of our commitment to ensure the health and wellbeing of our school community and to enhance our outdoor learning opportunities, we are planning to build a Nature and Wildlife Safari on our school field. This will include a pond and wildlife walk as well as a spiritual garden. Any monies received from the Tesco Community Grants Fund will be used for planting, flowers and landscaping around our pond area within this project.
Voting is open in the following stores from mid-January through to end of March and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop. Please vote for Newtown C of E Primary School when you shop at:
- Rowner Gosport Tesco Express
- Alver Valley Tesco Superstore
- Lee on Solent Tesco Express
- Forton Rd, Gosport Tesco Express
Tesco’s Community Grants scheme has already awarded over £100 million to more than 50,000 projects across Britain. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every three months, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.
Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”
Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive. By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”
Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/communitygrants.
Please remember to vote Newtown C of E Primary School when you shop at Tesco!
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Christmas Lantern Competition
Mon 12 Dec 2022Congratulations to the following pupils who have designed and decorated the best Christmas lantern in their year group. This annual competition is set and judged by our very own Mr Christmas...Mr Newman!
Year R Winner: Summer
Year 1 Winner: Leo
Year 2 Winner: Hayden
Year 3 Winner: Luke
Year 4 Winner: Seth
Year 5 Winner: Sofie
Year 6 Winner: Megan
