Parents

Weekly Parent Bulletin - Friday 24th October

Dear parents,

What a super first half term for the new academic year! Pupils of all ages have blown me away with their hard work, polite manners and determined efforts to start the year in such a successful manner. I've never had so many visits to my Headteacher reward shop so early in an academic year!

I'm aware most year groups have a parent WhatsApp chat that is very helpful for year group reminders and community engagement. These groups are not run by the school or moderated by staff, but we are often made aware of concerns that might arise through them. Please can I make a polite plea that these groups are always used in a positive manner, as its very easy for comments to be misinterpreted negatively. If in doubt, please always chat to me or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

You'll see in our whole school message section below a super opportunity to enter the United Learning Christmas Card competition. If stuck for a half term activity, submitting an entry into this competition would make for a great filler.

After half term it's our Fireworks display. I'm sure everyone has their tickets by now, but if not then I would urge you to act quick as we expect the event to sell out once again.

https://buytickets.at/avonwoodprimarypta/1795535

Wishing you a great half term break!

Mr Jackson

Whole School Reminders

PTA Updates

Fireworks - 2 weeks to go!

We are getting very excited about our upcoming fireworks event and are looking forward to seeing everyone there! We need a few more volunteers mainly to help clear away (we don't want to leave Mr Baz to do it all) and to man the inflatables for half an hour. If you are able to help out sign up on the link below. Remember you will be rewarded with a drink, a bounce or priority seating at a KS1 Christmas play.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CACAC29A6FCC16-58472961-fireworks

Tickets are also on sale. Please remember this event has sold out the last few years so don't leave it until the gate to get yours. Get your tickets here - https://buytickets.at/avonwoodprimarypta/1795535

Eldridge's is back!

You may have seen the very exciting news that Eldridge's is back for 2025! Our wonderful elves have started their work and will let us know how we can help soon!

Children in Need

We have a onesie swap shop in the front foyer. Please do come and use it ready for Onesie Day on Friday 14th November.

Whole School Updates

KS2 Interhouse Cross-Country Competition (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6)

We have our annual Cross Country Interhouse Event on Friday 7^th November. Please send your children into school on that day in PE kit. Due to the wet weather we have had recently, the field is a little muddy, so please ensure your child/children are wearing trainers they don't mind getting a bit muddy. Thanks for your support!

UL Christmas Card Competition

There is an optional UL Christmas card competition for the children to enter. This year’s themes are as follows:

Joy to the World
A Christmas Story
Following a Star

They should hand their designs (no bigger that A4) to their class teacher on the first day back after half term. Please ensure that their name, year group and house are written on the back.

Miss Keates and Mr Jackson will select a winner from each year group who will recieve a prize. All those that take part will earn a house token for the tubes in the hall. The top three designs will then be entered into the United Learning competition. The overall winner in UL will recieve a £50 Amazon voucher.

Term Time Holidays and Attendance Expectations – BCP Guidance

Please be reminded that holidays taken during term time will not be authorised under any circumstances. Following guidance from BCP, any illness reported immediately before or after a term-time holiday will require supporting evidence, such as flight confirmation or travel documentation, to verify the dates of travel. From August 2024, under the national framework for school attendance, parents may be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice if their child has 10 or more sessions (equivalent to 5 school days) of unauthorised absence within a 10-week period. The fine is £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days. A second fine within three years will be charged at the full £160 rate, and further offences may lead to prosecution and fines of up to £2,500. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain high standards for all pupils and ensuring every child benefits from consistent school attendance.

Free activities for families during half term

Click on the link below to see what's on across BCP libraries this half term!

BCP libraries half term activities

FREE chess webinars from CSC

These are starting on Tuesday 18th November with webinars for beginners, intermediate and advanced. The webinars are open to all (including adults!) Link below.

Click Here for FREE Chess Webinars

Weekly Year Group Updates

EYFS

The foundation team are so proud of how well the children have settled into life at Avonwood this half-term. We hope you all enjoy some lovely quality time with your friends and families over the break.
Please practice our focus sounds and common exception words (CEW) with your children.
Doodle maths, reading records and phonics books will be sent home after the half-term.
Please follow the EYFS Instagram for an insight into what we have been up to @eyfsavonwoodprimaryschool
Please can you make sure that children do not bring any toys into school with them. We have had some children become very upset when they have lost them.
After half term we will be learning about all things Autumn! We will be setting up a Pumpkin Patch outside and using lots of pumpkins in our activities. If you would like to donate any pumpkins (we don't mind used ones for our mud kitchen!) please can you send them in for the first week back.
The Bournemouth Echo are currently preparing a special print edition of their paper to celebrate the children in their first year at school, to be published on Tuesday 4th November. As part of this picture special, they have asked all local schools to send in a photo of their reception classes. This has been taken by teachers today and sent over - we can't wait to see ourselves in the paper on the 4^th November!

Year 1

Wow! What a brilliant first half-term we have had - we are so proud with how the Squirrels and Owls have settled into life in Year 1 and all the learning they have achieved during this first half-term. We hope you all have a wonderful half-term break and see you back on Monday 3rd November!
Letters detailing more information about our Grandparent Afternoon Tea and Kings Park Walk have been sent via email to you today.

Year 2

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on Wednesday afternoon, it was a fantastic turn out. The children loved reading their published stories to you.
If possible, could the children bring one piece of fruit or vegetable on Friday 7^th November as we are having a food DT morning.
Have a wonderful half term!

Year 3

A reminder that the first day back (Monday 3^rd November) is our school trip to Stonehenge. Children need to be at school for 8:10am as the coach is departing at 8:30am.
A reminder that if you have not booked a school packed lunch for the Stonehenge trip, that you must provide your child with a packed lunch.
After half term, it is our turn for Forest School on a Friday. Every Friday, children can wear sensible clothes that they do not mind getting dirty.
On Friday 7^th November, we are taking part in a KS2 cross country tournament for house points so children must be in their PE kit. As it is our Forest School session as well, children need to wear PE kit with additional layers and a change of shoes for Forest School.

Year 4

Online Reading Record - A polite reminder that our new online reading platform: Learning with Parents, will start on Monday 3^rd November. Keep a close eye on your emails where you will receive a link taking you to your child's reading account. To learn more about how to use the platform, watch the step by step video Parent Introduction to the Reading Log (video) - Learning with Parents
PE - Change of Day - After half term, our PE days will be on a Tuesday and Wednesday due to changes in our weekly timetable.
On Friday 7^th November, we are taking part in a KS2 cross country tournament for house points so children must be in their PE kit.

Year 5

Thank you for all of your support over this half term. The children have settled in wonderfully and have worked exceptionally hard.
After half term, our PE days will be on Monday and Wednesday. Please make sure children wear P.E kits on both days.
Please could we ask that all uniform is named, particularly PE hoodies and school jumpers. This makes it easier to get the correct jumpers back to the children. Thank you.
Please note that on 6^th November, Year 5 will be holding a 'Narnia' themed day to introduce our new book. Children should still wear their school uniform and are not expected to bring anything different to a normal school day. We will be doing exciting activities and children will have a chance to try a small amount of Turkish Delight and hot chocolate - just like Edmund in the book. Please speak to Miss Wilkes if you have any questions.
On Friday 7^th November, we are taking part in a KS2 cross country tournament for house points so children must be in their PE kit.

Year 6

Well done to everyone in Year 6 for a fantastic first half term! We hope you all have a lovely break.
Check out this week's Taskmaster session on this padlet. Feel free to add some encouraging comments! You will also be able to see how other United Learning schools got on with their challenges.
Current Taskmaster Prize Task for groups: The most intriguing news story. This could be something historical, current or completely made up! It is up to groups how they wish to present their ideas. Remember it is all about how to intrigue the Taskmaster - the way the story is presented has the potential to make even the dullest of stories intriguing!
For our next Taskmaster session (Thursday 6^th November), we require newspapers for one of the tasks. If you have any that you would be able to donate to us then they would be greatly appreciated!
On Friday 7^th November, we are taking part in a KS2 cross country tournament for house points so children must be in their PE kit.
As you are no doubt aware, the closing date for applying for Secondary School in September 2026 is next Friday 31st October. Click here for the form.