Friday 13 January 2023
Headteacher's Update
Happy New Year to all of our children and families. the pupils have made an excellent start to the term.
Casa Clubs offer a Breakfast and After school club for all of our families, which will be running from St Thomas' from 30 January 2023.
Both are open to all Infant and Junior school children, with a walking bus from the Infants to the Juniors in the morning and in reverse in the afternoon.
The booking process is simple and easy. Register on Casa's website. Please book under the Junior School on the drop down list for the time being. www.casaclubs.co.uk
The Birdman
In keeping with our topic 'all creatures great and small', we were delighted to welcome The Birdman into school yesterday who showed the children some of his beautiful birds of prey - a Barn Owl, a Bald Eagle and a Harris Hawk.
"Many thanks for arranging this! My child was super excited seeing all those lovely birds and he kept telling us in the evening all the precious information that he learned from the Birdman. What a fantastic way to promote the love of nature for them!"
A Guide to Online Safety & Gaming
We understand that online gaming is increasingly popular amongst our pupils and we teach them to be safe when online. The South West Grid for Learning has published a pamphlet on how to best keep safe whilst using online software and games. With advice on reporting and blocking, online socialization and the considerations on online gaming, the pamphlet can be a useful resource for parents.
An Evening of Star Gazing
Earlier this year we changed our Federation Houses to the names of constellations that can be seen in the night sky above Woolton Hill. On 1st Feb we invite children and parents to join us on the playground at Woolton Hill Junior School to gaze up at the night sky and see what they can spot.
The event will be supported by Newbury Astronomical Society. They will be bringing along some telescopes, but families are invited to bring their own equipment, if they have it, for their own use. Children must be supervised by an adult for the duration of the event.
To register your place, please click below:
Book Sale
On Thursday 19th January after school there will be a book sale on the playground (or in hall if wet). We have a large number of ex Library books which need a new home! We would like them to find new home and continue to be read. Please visit with your child and make a donation to take as many books away as you would like. All funds will go to the PTA and will come back to school to support your child(ren).
Library Opening After school
From Monday 23rd January the school Library will open every Monday from 3:15 to 3:45pm so parents and children can visit the Library together to change Library books or just come in to read and enjoy a book together in our cosy Library. Parents should collect their child(ren) as normal then access the Library via its outside door (up the steps opposite the staff car park gate).
Our parent helper team have worked so hard to support the smooth running of the Library which is now accessed weekly by every class. The Library will be opened by a parent volunteer and is therefore subject to close at short notice if they are unable to support that week. It would be wonderful to have a few more parents (school DBS checked) who can offer to support. Let Debbie know if you can (we can give you some basic Library training!).
Attendance Autumn 2022
Here are our attendance figures for the Autumn term:
I would like to congratulate pupils in Year 2 for having the highest attendance. The Federation targets attendance of above 96%. The current national average is 93.3%.
High levels of attendance are an important ingredient in a child's success at school. We are committed to working in partnership with our families and a member of staff will make contact with you, if your child's attendance is causing a concern. They will talk about how we can support your family to increase a child's attendance at school.
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
Daisy Butler
Noah Goodwill
Evelyn Barnes
Coco Warren
Thomas Hannah
Dykan Kang
Zalie Warren
Elissia Skeath
Six Strands Awards
Arlo Brownell
Oliver Whitefield
Ellie Brittain
Fred Pocock
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