Parents

Weekly Parent Bulletin - Friday 13th March

Dear parents,

It's not often that you can't find me out and about at drop off and pick up, but you may have noticed I've not been around this week. Last weekend I was struck down with an unfortunate case of shingles. I’m not a very good patient, but in this instance I have had to admit defeat and spend the week in bed getting better. I’m grateful to Mrs Williams, Mr Jackson-Taylor & Miss Sloane for doing a top job of running the school in my absence. You'll see me back out in the car park, rain or shine, on Monday morning!

Next Friday we are supporting Comic Relief by recognising Red Nose Day. Children are welcome to come into school wearing suitable non uniform, including a red item if they have one. If you can afford to donate, £1 donations can be made in advance via this link - Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2026

You will have noticed in the news the impact of technology on young people is increasingly high profile. Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of children wearing expensive feature packed smart watches to school. Back when we consulted with parents in 2022 about our smart phone ban, we agreed to permit smart watches as some parents felt devices like 'fit-bits' promoted healthy living. Where technology changes fast, we are seeing a shift to pupils wearing Apple Watch style devices that offer features that are not appropriate for the school environment. As per our official guidance, smart watch devices are permitted but cellular capabilities must be deactivated. For safeguarding and privacy reasons, we have never permitted wearable devices that have image capture or voice recording functionality (e.g. Apple Watches). Should we spot a device in school, we will speak to parents and explain it needs to remain at home in future. Your support with this is appreciated and importantly helps avoid unnecessary conflict around this matter in school. You can see our guidance on smart watches at the link below:

https://www.avonwoodprimaryschool.org.uk/school-information/mobile-free-site

Lastly, a plea to avoid hummus in packed lunches and snacks. Whilst it's a brilliant healthy food, many hummus products include sesame and we have some children with an allergy to this. Guidance around our allergies can be found at the link below:

https://www.avonwoodprimaryschool.org.uk/parents/food-health/allergies

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jackson

Whole School Reminders

PTA Updates

Two upcoming events for you to enjoy as parents. Invite your friends and family to enjoy them too!!

Quiz night tickets: https://pay.collctiv.com/avonwood-quiz-79589

Golf day tickets: https://buytickets.at/avonwoodschoolcharitygolfday/2084845

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Whole School Updates

OPAL

This week the children watched a video (A Perfect (every day) playtime at St Michael's, Ashford) about how another school has implemented OPAL play at their school. The children also had an assembly where they were shown the different activities that will be available at Avonwood after the Easter holidays. There was lots of excitement about the new equipment they will have access to.

Please continue to bring in any donations of previously requested items as we still need more of these resources such as material for den building and dressing up clothes for the older children (hats, feather boas etc). This week we are asking for donations of :

Plastic flower pots
Small trowels or spades
Any lengths of plastic guttering (for our water wall)
Brooms adult and child size (long or short handled)

If any parent works for a company that uses milk bottle crates or bread crates (pics below) we would be very grateful for any donations.

Thank you for your support with OPAL.

The OPAL team

Reading Competition Winners!

A huge congratulations to our top 3 winners!

3rd place goes to Keat in Owls who read in a swimming locker.

2nd place goes to Emilie in Snowdown who read in a dentist chair.

1st place goes to Elsie in Eagles for reading in the fridge.

A big thank you to everyone who entered the competition - you have all received a token for your house.

Q&A with Aidan Dunn - Wednesday 18th March

The new chief executive of BCP Council, Aidan Dunn, has now been in his new role for 6 months and ward Councillors Bobbie Dove & Lawrence Williams have invited him to a Q&A with local residents. We would love it if any parents or carers would like to come along and find out more about Aidan’s plans for the area. And of course, use this opportunity to ask him any questions that they may have.

Teas and coffees will be served from 6pm in time for a 6.30pm start on Wednesday 18th March, at Iford Golf Centre, Riverside Avenue, BH7 7ES.

To find out more or to book a place, please email Bobbie.dove@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Aladdin Panto at The Regent

Some of our pupils are currently rehearsing for our pantomime Aladdin at The Regent in Christchurch. We've been told they’re doing a brilliant job. Poster below for more information.

Weekly Year Group Updates

EYFS

Red Nose Day - Next Friday 20^th March will be mufti/dress in red day.

Spring in our Step Planting Finale- A reminder that parents are invited in for an afternoon of planting fun on Tuesday 24^th March from 2-2:45pm!

Year 1

Beaulieu Trip - A letter regarding our Beaulieu trip was sent earlier this week. If you did not receive this, please contact the office.
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check (PSC) Presentation - This presentation will inform you about the Year 1 PSC that is administered to every child in Year 1 in the Summer Term. This presentation will take place on 20/03 at 9:15am.

Year 2

We are looking forward to seeing the children in their outfits on Monday (please don't worry if your child doesn't want to dress up). We have an exciting day planned.
A reminder to continue making your cars for our DT vehicle race on Thursday 26^th March
Red Nose Day next Friday, children can wear mufti on this day

Year 3

On Wednesday 25^th March, please send the children into school in non-school uniform that you do not mind getting potentially dirty. Excitingly, we will be completing our volcano unit by painting and exploding our own volcanoes! If possible, it would be amazing if we could be dressed in the colours of erupting volcanoes (reds, oranges, yellows and browns) but do not worry if this is not possible!
We are really excited for our Sleepover next Thursday! Please arrive back at school for 6:30pm outside the Year 3 classrooms and sign in with your teacher. Please read the letter sent out last week if you are unsure on what to pack or speak to a member of the Year 3 team. Also, please check Parent Pay for payment details if you have not yet done so. We can't wait for this super experience!

Year 4

None this week.

Year 5

Well done to all children for their assessments this week.
Next week, we have lots of activities planned:
Monday - Children will be taking parent in our talent show auditions. They may want to practice over the weekend. We can't wait to see some fantastic performances!
Thursday - We will be going over to Avonbourne to use their kitchens to make our pasta sauces. Please ensure each child is sent in with a leak-proof container and a portion of dried pasta. The children have designed their own sauces within their group and have written down the ingredient that they are responsible for bringing in on a post-it note. This should only be 1 or 2 ingredients, for example a tin of chopped tomatoes or a pepper.
Friday - We will be having our half-termly R.E day!

Year 6

A huge well done to Year 6 for all their hard work during mock SATs week this week!
On Wednesday 18^th March we have our visit from the Ancient Technology Centre to complete our learning about Vikings. Please check Parent Pay for payment details if you have not yet done so. A reminder that children are able to dress up for this Viking experience - they are welcome to come in in Viking inspired clothes or simply in 'muted' mufti (dark colours/white/beige).
Year 6 are planning to hold their talent show auditions on Friday next week. If children would like to enter then they must ensure that they bring in any resources that they need for their act.