Junior Newsletter
- Mr Davies
- Sep 12
- 5 min read
Friday 12th September 2025
Headteacher's Update
Welcome back to school! I hope that you all had a wonderful summer and were able to catch up with friends and family. All of us are looking forward to working with your children over the course of the year and feel honoured to be a part of their education journey.
What a fabulous start we have had to the term! It has been lovely to see lots of smiling faces as they have got started with their work, catching up with friends and exploring their new classrooms. When walking throughout the school and visiting each class, the children are all settled in their work and taking great care with their presentation.
We have started the year with our Meet the Teacher Events. If you miss yours, you can view the PowerPoint presentations here.
Please follow this link to read our new Positive Relationships Policy (formally the Behaviour Policy)
Attendance Matters
There are 190 days in a school year, which leaves 175 days to spend on family time, holiday, appointments and other things.
Persistent Absentees
The government defines persistent absentees as pupils with attendance of less than 90%. This equates to just 2 days off per month. This much absence from school has a negative impact on pupils learning.
Statistics show that persistent absentees are less likely to achieve their full potential, and it can affect GCSE grades and a child’s future prospects. Pupils with no absence at Key Stage 2 are 4.7 times more likely to achieve 'Exceeding' at the end of KS2, than pupils that missed 15-20% of sessions. At Key Stage 4, pupils with no absence are 2.8 times more likely to achieve 5+ GCSEs A*-C or equivalent including English and Maths, than pupils missing 15-20% of KS4 sessions.
Your Legal Responsibility
Parents/carers are legally responsible for ensuring their child attends school on time every day. If your child has five days of unauthorised absence (usually because of term time holiday) the Local Authority can take action against you. This can be through a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) or a summons to appear at Magistrates Court. The fines have increased to £160 per parent per child; reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. If the £160 is not paid within 28 days a summons can be issued to appear in Magistrates’ Court. The Local Authority can decide to issue a summons to Magistrates’ Court, instead of a Penalty Notice fine, for families that repeatedly take holiday in term time.
There is a link between good school attendance and high levels of attainment. Regardless of the reason, if your child is absent from school it will impact on their learning.
Pupil Premium
If you are in receipt of any of the following your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium which may provide support to help you with the cost of uniform, school trips etc as the school will receive additional funding from the Government for your child. If you think you may be eligible please click here to check. Thank you.
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit.
Support from NASS (National Asylum Support Service) under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190
Working Tax Credit run-on
Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium which will provide support to help you with the cost of uniform, school trips etc as the school will receive additional funding. If you think you may be eligible please click here
Thank you.
Starting Infant or Junior School in September 2026?
Does your child start junior school in September 2026? Do you know someone who is looking for a school place starting in Year R at St Thomas' or in Year 3 at Woolton Hill Juniors next year? Come along to our open morning to meet staff and children and to see our brilliant Federation in action.
Tues 23th September @9am
Thurs 23rd October @9am
Weds 26th November @9am
Thurs 8th January 2026 @9am
Pupil Leadership Roles
We hope children from across each school will apply for Pupil Leadership roles this year. We are lucky to be able to offer a wide range of opportunities. The children have all learnt more about the roles in assembly this week and many are thinking about applying.
Children in Year 1/2 will bring home more details about Leadership roles in their Home Learning folder today and the details for Juniors are attached. We hope lots of children consider applying for a role.
We do explain to the children the process for selection (many are based on the quality/effort put into an application, we also bear in mind if they have had a role previously and some are a democratic vote often with a staff panel discussion too). We also talk with the children about the fact that not all children will be successful, this is all part of life and navigating disappointments plus learning to be resilient. Children in lower years will have opportunities every year to apply.
Harvest Festival
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
12th September: Erin D, Holly D, Archie, Sienna L, Matthew W, Lorenzo F, Scarlett M, Albie T, Ben R, Sebi H, Erin D, Artie E and Tyler W
Life Learning
Respect
12th September: Immy S, Ella M, Layla M, Summer I and Joshua L
Letting Our Light Shine
I wanted to share some fantastic news about Jack W – he recently sat his first drum exam and scored a Distinction, the highest mark you can receive! A brilliant achievement and a testament to his hard work and dedication this year.
Just before we broke up for the summer break, Brody C performed on the drums at HMV in Newbury alongside other "Drum with Alex" students from other schools. Well done Brody for flying the flag for the school!
Secondary School Applications
Applications can be submitted online or parents can request a form by emailing admissions.team@hants.gov.uk. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025.
Parents should remember:
Name three schools on your application to maximise your chances of being offered a place at one of your preferred schools.
Submit your application on-time, before the 31 October deadline.
Use the County Council’s school catchment area finder to check the catchment school for your address
Read the school’s admission policies to find out how many places are available and what criteria will be used to allocate places if the school is oversubscribed.
Think about how your child will get to school. See travel to school to help plan your journey and find out if you are eligible for help with transport. You must name your catchment school(s) if you have one, as a preference if you wish to apply for travel assistance.
Online Music Production Courses with Hampshire Music Service
Village Market
Aid for Ukraine
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