Parents

Weekly Parent Bulletin - Friday 25th April 2025

Dear parents,

We hope you enjoyed a wonderful spring break! The sunny weather always makes such a difference. It's been noticeable in school this week how refreshed, happy and energised the children are.... staff too!

Over the holidays we discovered who our new 60 children would be joining us in September. This year a whopping 324 families applied for our 60 spaces, with the furthest successful non-sibling applicant living just 0.4 miles from Avonwood. At a time of low birth rates and many schools being under subscribed, I am very grateful for the continued demand we see for spaces here at Avonwood. Having full classes means that budget wise Avonwood remains in the best possible position to continue to first class education we have become so well known for. Your support in building this reputation has been a fundamental part of this success, so thank you to you for being such a positive and supportive parent community! #TeamAvonwood

The summer term is always a busy one. This week we kicked off trip season with Year 5 heading to Paultons Park today. In the coming weeks / months we have residentials, farm visits, trips to Winchester Science Museum and many more to look forward to. With Sports Days, Transition Events, the PTA Summer Fair and Year 6 Leavers events too... we look set for another brilliant term!

Next week we have our summer term parent evenings. Today you will receive a termly overview in your emails detailing pupil progress for your child in reading and maths for Years 1 to 5. I'd encourage parents to pay close attention to these reports as they are an excellent indication of current attainment. If your child is 'working towards' in any area, I'd encourage you to chat to staff about this as it indicates they are working below age related expectations.

A polite reminder that we ask all children with long hair to have this tied back. Details around uniform / hair styles can be found here.

On Friday 9th May the PTA are holding their annual quiz night. The last few team slots are available, for more details on how to enter see the section below.

With warm weather forecast next week, a reminder to send all children (EYFS to Year 6) in during the summer term with a navy cap and suncream applied.

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jackson

Whole School Reminders

Avonwood Calendar

You can find a PDF of our school term dates here and it is permanently hosted on our website on the parents' calendar section.

Pop Up Bookshop Updates

Parents Evening Fundraising Book Fair - Families will have the chance to shop for books and contribute to school book fundraising at Parents Evening on 30th April - visit
the Pop-Up Bookshop book stall to browse a wide selection of children’s fiction, non-fiction and activity books. Browse titles from our curated Year Group Reading Lists supporting our pupil Reading Rewards initiative:
Wednesday 30th April
Reception Foyer
3.30pm - 6.30pm
Cash, card & contactless payments accepted
National Book Tokens accepted
Reading Rewards - Don’t forget to claim your Reading Rewards discount vouchers as your child completes each reading at home milestone - check out our school page on the Pop-Up Bookshop website for full information: https://popupbookshop.net/avonwood-primary-school
*CLOSED* Book Vending Machine - Please note we are no longer running the Book Vending Machine as a shop; the contactless payment option has been removed so books cannot be purchased from the machine. Avonwood school staff will instead oversee use of the book vending machine to provide children with Pupil Rewards books.

Sports Days - Dates for Diaries

Thursday 19^th June 2025

Years 5&6 - 9:15-11:30

Years 3&4 - 13:00-15:00

Friday 20^th June 2025

EYFS, Years 1&2 - 9:15-11:30

PTA Updates

It's only 2 weeks until our Avonwood School Quiz so make sure you get your teams places booked for this fun event on May 9th 7:15pm. Remember it's bring your own snacks and drinks for the table too. Please see the posters or follow the collective link to book and pay.

https://pay.collctiv.com/avonwood-quiz-79589

Weekly Year Group Updates

EYFS

None this week

Year 1

Animal Dress Up Day - A reminder that Monday is "Animal dress up day". This could be whiskers drawn on the face, wearing animal patterned clothing or something more creative. We look forward to introducing our science topic. It was so lovely to see the children's smiley faces yesterday and hear about their Easter break.

Year 2

A reminder that on Thursday 1^st May, we have our class trip to Winchester Science Centre. The classroom doors will be open from 8:15am and all children need to be in school by 8:30am for the early coach departure.
Forest School - A reminder that it is our Forest School sessions this half term so all children need to be wearing sensible non-school uniform every Friday that is appropriate for all weather conditions.
Parent Reader Volunteers - If any parents would be happy to pop in to support with reading, please chat to the class teachers for more details.

Year 3

Swimming Lessons - A polite reminder that swimming lessons begin on Monday.

Parent helpers from Willow class can enter the classroom with the children at 8:40am as we will be departing at 8:50am. Parent helpers from Elm need to be at the front office 9:15am.

For their lessons, the children will need to bring in their swimming costume/shorts and a towel in a separate bag. Please can Willow arrive at school with their swimming costume/shorts underneath their school uniform.

Goggles are advised. A swimming hat is also advisory as it will stop the children from having wet hair all day. We can help them put this on before the lesson.

No jewellery, including earrings, should be worn in the pool. We will not have time for showers so no toiletries will be needed. Please ensure that all belongings are named.

Year 4

Parent Reader Volunteers - If any parents would be happy to pop in to support with reading, please chat to the class teachers for more details.
WW2 day - now Tuesday 29^th April, dress up is welcomed - think evacuee style!
Friday 2^nd May - Tank Museum trip, normal school uniform please but just water bottle and lunch in a bag. If your child is booked in for a hot lunch, a packed lunch will be provided for them.