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 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 attainment. Regardless of the reason, if your child is absent from school it will impact on their learning.
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:
Stubbington Parents Meeting
Parent of pupils in Year 4 are invited to attend an information meeting after school on Wednesday 25th September, starting at 3.45pm. Please sign up at this link:
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 profiles of Mr Scott & Mrs Owen.
On Monday 9th September, young journalists Adelaide and Holly found out some information about Mr Scott.
Mr Scott works in Oak class (a year 5/6 class) and he has been working in our school for the past four years. When he was little, Mr Scott wanted to be an astronaut or a palaeontologist, but he found out that a loud voice and a talent for drawing is helpful when it comes to teaching! He loves drawing mythical creatures such as Dragons and Ogres and his class agree he is truly brilliant at drawing these things. His favourite sandwich filling is cheese and pickle (go lightly on the pickle!) and he insists that it is underrated! His favourite sweet is fruit pastilles and he can fit over thirty in his mouth at once!
At Woolton Hill Junior School, we love art and Mr Scott leads it well. So far we have enjoyed many different artists in the past year including, Brianna McCarthy, John Piper, ancient Greek sculpture, and more. In year 5/6 we will be focusing on many more interesting topics including Anglo Saxon patterns and an artist called Kurt Jackson. We have recently introduced double page spreads and you have to show your response to the topic through decorating, sticking and colouring. WE LOVE ART!!!
On a Friday afternoon at two o’clock, a pair of the young journalists interviewed Mrs. Owen. Did you know that Mrs. Owen loves being a Teaching Assistant because she likes working one-to-one with children and helping them learn?
Back when she was at school she enjoyed Maths and she would still rather do Maths than English, even today. Mrs. Owen is having a baby later this year and she is very excited but also a little bit nervous. Everyone at Woolton Hill Junior knows she will be the best Mum because she is so good with the children here. Her hobbies are walking her dog and reading. She says that if she were an animal she would be a Labrador because they’re very friendly.
School Lunches
School lunches are £3.20 per day and your school lunch account should be kept in credit please. If you think you may be entitled to Free School Meals please use the online application form here to check. If you are entitled to Free School Meals there is also support available to help with the cost of school trips and the school can receive additional funding so if you are eligible please apply even if your child does not want school lunches.
Parent Learning
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.
Star Awards
The following children received Star Awards this week! They should all be really proud, well done!
13/09/24: Noah P, Kitty S, Archie C, Sebi H, Lily J, Poppy R, Daisy L, Harley H, Noah H, Alfie K, Aria B and Luey P
Life Learning
Respect
13/09/24: Mollie F, Lydia M, Nina H and Charlie M
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