Parents

Weekly Parent Bulletin - Friday 16th May 2025

Dear parents,

It's been a busy week at Avonwood with our Year 6 SATs taking place. We could not be prouder of our pupils for tackling them with such a positive can-do attitude. With these exams out the way, they can now look forward to a final half term with us full of memorable adventures... starting with their residential trip next week!

Next week is the annual BCP 'Walk to School' week where pupils are surveyed daily for how they travel to school. Schools across the conurbation are included in a competition, with points awarded for walking, cycling, scooting or park & striding.

Additionally, please complete our travel survey below.

Parent Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AvonwoodSchoolParentTravelSurvey2025

With the summer term upon us, we are experiencing a jump in requests for holiday leave. I'd like to thank the vast majority of parents for always sticking to school holidays and not needing time out of term time. Whilst there are sometimes understandable reasons for needing leave, the government have really tightened expectations and restricted our ability to authorise requests. One example is work imposed restrictions (e.g. not permitted leave in holidays) no longer being applicable. If you ever do need to take term time leave, I'd encourage you to speak to a member of SLT before booking anything. With these tighter restrictions, it's better to talk together to avoid the risk of fines and even prosecution.

We are approaching that point in the year where we are organising classes for September. Whilst we can never promise certain groupings, if you have any strong feelings about classes it's worth making staff aware of your wishes by chatting at pick up / drop off.

Lastly, we have a growing pile of lost property in our reception foyer. Please pop by to take a look next week. Over half term, any left over items will be popped in the second hand uniform shop or our clothes recycling bin.

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jackson

Whole School Reminders

Walk to School Week

This week is Walk To School Week (19th - 23rd) Please remember to get your Eco Counsellors to gather your daily date and take it up to the Year 6 children to record the info. Please find the record sheet in your pigeon holes for the Eco Counsellors to use to record the data. Remember there will be a winning house and winning class.

PTA Updates

We have 3 exciting events coming up to tickle your fancy:

Summer Fair - 21st June 4-7pm

A family affair with summer festival vibes. There will be games, food and music to be enjoyed! You should have had your raffle tickets for sale in the book bags and seen the communication about tombola donations in exchange for mufti next Friday. See the poster for more details.

Marwell Zoo - 2nd June

Heavily discounted tickets for a great family day out. Prices are: £15 for an adult, £12 for children over age 3 and FREE for Under 3's. Deadline to book is the 28th May. Link to pay via collectiv: https://pay.collctiv.com/eldridges-72222 Please see Facebook or Class WhatsApp for further info on how to book.

Summer Blowout Silent Disco - 4th July

An evening of fun and dance! Grab your friends (not just Avonwood parents allowed!) and book your headsets for this first time event being held in our school hall. Outback Brewing Company will be there too. See the poster for more info. Collective link for tickets: https://pay.collctiv.com/silent-disco-41284

Weekly Year Group Updates

EYFS

No updates this week.

Year 1

RE Day - On Wednesday 21st May please can the children in Year 1 come to school wearing party clothes.

Year 2

As this half term has been a 5 week half term, our sixth and final Forest School Friday will take place after May half term on Friday 6^th June.

Year 3

A polite reminder that ingredients for sandwiches need to be brought into school on Tuesday 20^th May. Please ensure that the ingredients are put into a small sealable bag or small container with your child's name written clearly onto it. Breads and spread (butter, margarine) will be provided by the school unless your child has chosen a bread/spread that was not on the list. If this is the case, please provide the bread/spread alternative.

Year 4

Both classes have won their reading reward so we will do these on Friday 6^th June. Each class has selected a slightly different reward so please read details below.

Hawks - reading cafe and PJ day for reading reward - children may bring one sensible-sized teddy with them.

Eagles - sports clothes and a sensible-sized teddy.

Year 5

Reminder to read the Year 5 trip letter about the River Piddle.

Year 6

A huge congratulations to you all for completing your SATs this week! You've all done an amazing job handling them with such calm and confidence. Remember, it's not just about the results, but the effort and resilience you've shown. Be proud of yourselves!

We hope everyone is looking forward to Buddens next week! A final reminder letter (including kit list) was emailed out a couple of weeks ago. If you have any last minute questions, please contact your child's teacher. During our residential information meeting, we provided a mobile phone number which could be used to contact us in case of emergency. We will be using a different number than the one on the slides. The emergency contact number will now be: 07731 023463.

Lastly... a poem from us:

Tests don’t measure sports,

Tests don’t measure art,

Tests don’t measure music

Or the kindness in your heart.

Tests don’t see your beauty,

Tests don’t know your worth,

Tests don’t know the reason

You were put upon this Earth.

Tests don’t see your magic,

How you make others smile,

Tests don’t time how quickly

You can run a mile.

Tests don’t hear your laughter,

Or see you’ve come this far,

Tests are just a tiny glimpse

Of who you really are.

So sitting at your table

With your pencil and your test,

Remember tests aren’t who you are,

Remember you're the best!