Friday 13th September
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.
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Meet the Teacher events. If you missed yours, you can view the PowerPoint presentations here.
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. Last year we had 14 pupils in the Federation who were persistent absentees. 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.
Music Lessons
Unlock your child’s potential with our engaging and fun piano or brass lessons!
Lessons are held in the school library during the afternoon; they last for 20 minutes each and are designed to be both enjoyable and educational.
At just £11.50 per lesson, billed monthly via direct debit, your child will receive 30 lessons per year, averaging 10 lessons per term. To start your child's musical journey email Becky Stevens: silverbeatsandtreats@gmail.com
Starting Infant or Junior School in September 2025?
Does your child start junior school in September 2025? Do you know someone who is looking for a Year 3 place for next year? Come along to our open morning to meet staff and children and to see our brilliant school in action.
Thurs 26th September @9am
Weds 23rd October @9am
Tues 26th November @9am
Register for any of these dates at this link:
Phonics Workshops
We will soon be holding parent workshops on how we teach phonics in the federation and how to support your child at home. Book your place here:
Young Journalists
We have a new team of Young Journalists for this year. Nina, Charlotte, Addie, Holly, Zara & Darcey are looking forward to bringing you all the latest news from across the Federation. They begin in this issue with a profile of Owls Teaching Assistant, Mrs. Fritz.
"This is the wonderful Mrs. Fritz, the teaching assistant at the infants we went to see Mrs. Fritz and this is what we found:
What is your best school memory?
Taking children on residential trips like Calshot and Stubbington; which the Year 4s and Year 6s also really enjoy.
Why did you choose to become a teaching assistant?
Mrs. Fritz has always worked with children, she stated that working with children has always has always been her forte. She loves children and used to be a nannie.
What class do you work in?
In Owls class with Mrs. Robinson-Slater.
Do you have a pet?
Yes, Mrs. Fritz has a cute puppy called Bow. Her puppy will turn 1 year old next Friday.
What are your favourite colours?
Pink, purple and blue.
If you could be an animal what would it be?
Mrs. Fritz said she loves rabbits so if she could be any animal it would be that.
Mrs. Fritz also said that, in her spare time she loves to walk her dog Bow, swim and on the weekend her and her children love to go to the beach and paddle board. When the young Journalists asked her what her favourite sweet was, she said that she preferred chocolate to sweets but if she had to choose she would have Haribo cherries. Her favourite books are autobiographies and she loves Disney films. Her best Pizza topping is pineapple."
The Young Journalists
Gateway Card
The Gateway Card and Gateway Card+ are for children and young people who:
have a disability and/or additional needs (supporting evidence required)
need support to take part in leisure activities
are between 0 and 17 years old
live in the Hampshire County Council authority area (excludes Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight and neighbouring authorities)
If your child is eligible there is further information on how to apply here.
Please speak to Miss Knapp regarding a supporting letter if your child is eligible and you wish to apply.
Parent Learning
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
Louis Sims
Hunter Walker
Autumn Wilson
Jack Toley
Oliver Merritt
Tereza Kalderas
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