Friday 27th September
Headteacher's Update
Thank you to all the parents who have been in school over the past couple of weeks. Our army of volunteers are back in school, supporting in the library and listening to children read. If you have a spare hour in the week to come into school you would be very welcome. Please do let Debbie know, in the office.
Many parents have attended the workshops that we have offered over the last fortnight. Thank you to those parents who attended the 'Meet the Teacher' events, as well as Miss Macdonald's Phonics Workshop. It was great to receive such positive feedback about all these events. Our Ambassadors have also led tours of prospective parents around our schools for our Open Days. We have further events coming up - details below.
Attendance Matters
School attendance, as always, is a focus for our school this year.
I am very pleased to see that we have started the school year off well and currently above national attendance rates at 98.1%. This is a great start as strong attendance is directly linked with stronger academic achievements as well as contributing to increased sense of belonging and strong social relationships. A big congratulations to Owls Class who has the highest attendance in September.
We have started to see some autumn colds, coughs and the like make themselves known. Your child is able to come to school with a cough or cold and is only advised to stay home if they have a temperature. More advice can be found on the NHS website .
Democracy in Action
A report from the Young Journalists...
On Tuesday 24th September, young journalist Adelaide with the help of Nina found out some information about democracy and voting.
Democracy means the belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief. On Thursday 19th September, Woolton Hill Junior School held a vote for our school councillors for each class (election of representatives). Polling station signs were set up around the school. We used black ballot boxes to put our voting slips in after we put a cross on the name of who we wanted. It is important to have our say in who we want to represent our classes and share our ideas with others. WE CAN DISCUSS, DEBATE AND DECIDE! We all want a part in making our school a better place!
We also had an assembly about British values led by Miss Knapp and found out about the five British values. Liberty means we are free to make choices for our self. Rule of law means we keep to rules. Respect (also a school value) means we look after each other and our school. Tolerance means we accept each other’s differences. Finally, democracy means OUR OPINIONS MATTER! At The Schools of Woolton Hill we all love to have our say and we all get the chance to do it, whether that’s voting, answering questions or suggesting ideas.
Harvest Festival
Please do join us on Wednesday morning at St Thomas' Church for our Harvest Festivals. The Infant celebration will take place at 9.15am and the Junior school's is at 11am. Children should being a donation on the day for the West Berks Food Bank.
Here is the Wishlist:
Some of our School Council will be visiting the Food Bank in October and the whole council will then be receiving a visit in school too. This will equip the group with some knowledge about food poverty which we will then be used for a project in school to raise awareness about this important issue.
Family Support
Come along to our Coffee afternoon where our team of Family Support Workers will be available to offer support and advice for any concerns that you wish to bring along. :Let us know you're planning to pop along via this link:
The Friends of Woolton Hill School Annual General Meeting
Our annual general meeting, to elect our trustees for the coming year and agree our constitution. This will take place at 5.30pm Please join us for this important event. by signing up using this link:
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.
Weds 23rd October @9am
Tues 26th November @9am
Register for any of these dates at this link:
Medicines & Allergies
Wherever possible parents/guardians should ensure that any prescribed medication be given at home e.g (3 times a day antibiotics may be taken in the morning, at the end of the School day, and the third dose in the evening before your child goes to bed). If your child requires medicine 4 times a day we will administer at lunchtime.
We do not administer over the counter medication (i.e. Calpol, Nurofen or Piriton) unless under exceptional circumstances which will need prior agreement with the Headteacher. If Calpol, Nurofen or Piriton is required then ideally arrangements must be made by parents to come to school and administer themselves.
A written consent form (from the school office) must be completed prior to any medication being administered.
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud. Well done!
Jasmine Samara
Ben Nesbitt
Ella Morgan
Albert Beverley
Evelyn Barnes
Matthew Whitbourn
Life Learning
Respect
Mia Millington
Felix Frost
James Rowe
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