Whole School
Newsletters
Autumn Term 2
Friday 8th November 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back after the half term break. I hope you have all enjoyed some rest and recuperation ready for another busy half term ahead.
Parent Consultation Evenings: Our first Parent Consultations of the year for Y1 – Y6 took place during last half term. Reception classes have had theirs this week. If you were unable to attend an appointment, please contact school to arrange a meeting or phone call with your child’s class teacher.
Book Fair: A massive thank you to anyone who managed to buy books and stationery last half term when the book fair visited. A fantastic £839.38 was spent by you which translated into £412 worth of books for school! What a gift!
PTA: The PTA AGM was held last half term. Thank you to those who were able to attend and share some great ideas for raising funds this year. We have a PTA disco to look forward to on Friday 22nd November and the Christmas Fair has been scheduled on a different day of the week this year, Friday 6th December! Hopefully you and your families will be able to come along between 3.30pm and 5.30pm and support the event.
PTA funds offer the added extras that the school budget unfortunately cannot afford. Its continued efforts to raise money for school is so very much appreciated and vitally important.
Year 5 Celebration Event: Last half term, Year 5 parents and carers enjoyed a wonderful celebration of the children’s learning so far this year, which included their experiences on their residential to Buckden. Well done to Year 5!
Year 6 Bikeability: Our oldest pupils are improving their cycling proficiency this week as they participate in Bikeability training led by Road Safety staff. So far the trainers are very impressed by our pupils’ behaviour, attitude and capability. Well done Year 6!
Open Evening: We will be opening our doors to prospective parents on Thursday 16th November at 6.15pm. Parents of children born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021 are able to apply for their child’s Reception place. Parents have until 15th January 2025 to complete their application. Please look at Leeds City Council’s website for more information.
Christmas Activities: Can you believe it is that time of year again! During w/c 9th December, Reception and KS1 will be putting on their performances. Each year group will do two performances, one in the afternoon at 2.30pm and one in the evening at 6.00pm:
Tuesday 10th December Reception
Wednesday 11th December Year 2
Thursday 12th December Year 1
On Tuesday 17th December KS2 pupils will be holding their Christmas Concert at St Margaret’s Church at 6pm.
During w/c 16th December classes will be having their Christmas parties:
- Monday 16th - Year 4
- Tuesday 17th - Year 3
- Wednesday 18th - December Rec and KS1
- Thursday 19th December Y5 and Y6
More information will follow for these events in the near future.
Breaktime Snacks: Please be reminded that KS2 children are permitted to bring in a piece of fruit or vegetable to eat during morning break, which is in line with what is provided for Reception and KS1 pupils. Sugary snacks, biscuits and crisps are not permitted.
Waterbottles: Please ensure your child brings a named water bottle to school each day. This will need to be returned home each day to be washed.
Reading Information for Parents: If you want to find out more about reading in your child’s year group please follow this link https://www.newlaithes.co.uk/parents/additional-support or visit the school website.
Free School Meals: Children may be eligible for free school meals (FSM) if their parents or carers receive any of the following benefits:
- income support
- income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- income based Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190
- the guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7,400
If you get Working Tax Credit your child will not qualify for free school meals. For more information regarding FSM please follow the link: Apply for free school meals (leeds.gov.uk)
Punctuality: Being on time for school is vitally important for children’s education. Being frequently late adds up to lost learning:
Arriving 5 minutes late every day adds up to over 3 days lost a year.
Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 2 weeks a year.
Arriving 30 minutes late every day is the same as being absent for 19 days a year.
School doors are open to Reception and KS1 at 8.50am and for KS2 children, 8.45am. If your child arrives later than these times they will need to enter school via the front entrance instead of their classroom doors, where they will be asked to sign in at the office. Please remember that punctuality helps your child to start the school day in an orderly and organised way and ensures that no vital learning is missed.
Job Advert: If you know anybody who is interested in applying for the post of Admin Assistant in the school office, please advise them to contact school on office@stf.newlaithes.co.uk for more details and information on how to apply. Thank you in advance for your patience while the school office continues to run with a reduced staffing level.
Safe and Sensible Parking: We have a PCSO who routinely checks parking at school drop off and collection times on Victoria Crescent and the nearby roads. Please be reminded that fines will be issued on the spot for inappropriate parking. If you see inconsiderate parking, please report it to outernorthwest@westyorkshire.police.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne Blacoe
Headteacher
Dates for Your Diary
11 Nov
- Anti-Bullying Week
- Bikeability Week for Y6
- School Council members attend Remembrance Ceremony at Horsforth Cemetery
14 Nov
- Y5 and Y6 Fire Safety talks
- Open Evening 6.15pm
18 Nov
- Open the Book assembly by Churches Together
22 Nov
- PTA Non uniform
- PTA Disco
28 Nov
- Y3 and Y4 Internet Safety presentation by the police
- Y5 police presentation
4 Dec
- Christmas Jumper Day
- Christmas Dinner Day
5 Dec
- Characteristics of Effective Learning meeting for Reception parents
6 Dec
- PTA Non uniform
- PTA Christmas Fair 3.30 – 5.30
10 Dec
- Reception Christmas performances
11 Dec
- Year 2 Christmas performances
12 Dec
- Year 1 Christmas performances
- KS2 church rehearsal for Christmas Concert
16 Dec
- Puppet show for Reception & KS1
- Year 4 Christmas party
17 Dec
- Year 3 Christmas party
- KS2 Christmas Concert at St Margaret’s Church 6pm
18 Dec
- Reception and KS1 parties
19 Dec
- Y4 – Y6 Enrichment Morning
- Y5 & Y6 parties
20 Dec
- Reception, KS1 & Y3 Enrichment Morning
- School closes for Christmas break
6 Jan
- School opens to pupils
Remaining Training Days
2024 - 25:
Mon 2nd June 25
Mon 21st Jul 25
Tues 22nd Jul 25
Other letters to parents
Curriculum drivers launch for parents
Whole school letter re chicken pox shingles and measles April 2022