Letter to parents: 4th January 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a National Lockdown and the closure of schools, Hadleigh Community Primary School will be closed for all pupils tomorrow, Tuesday 5th January 2021.
No children should attend school and no remote learning will take place. This overrides any earlier communication from school made today. This decision has been made to allow us to prepare remote learning for all pupils and to arrange provision for children of key workers and vulnerable children. Remote learning for all children and provision for children of key workers and vulnerable children will commence on Wednesday 6th January 2021.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Mr G Pilkington
Christmas 2020 Video!
🎄 We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! ☃️ https://youtu.be/tkUnMoTLa3M
Letter to parents: 9th December 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Contrary to recent press reports, HCPS will still be closing for the Christmas holidays at your pick up slot on Friday 18th December.
Informing school of symptoms and subsequent test results during the holiday:
Please continue to inform us if your child develops symptoms on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December and/or you have booked or taken a COVID test, by using the email address askus@hadcps.uk by 3pm on Monday 21st December at the latest. DO NOT PHONE THE SCHOOL.
This is because current guidance says that if someone tests positive for coronavirus, those who were in close contact with them 48 hours before the symptoms emerged are likely to need to be told to self isolate. Public Health England is relying on schools to provide information regarding who may need to isolate.
From Tuesday 22nd December and until we return to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021, please use the normal national track and trace system either by using the app or by clicking on this link - https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Newsletter: 30th November 2020
Thank you
Thank you for your continued support this term as we continue to grapple with the pandemic and all consequences. As we move into the final 3 weeks of the Autumn term and head towards the Christmas holidays at HCPS pupil attendance has remained extremely high (97.7%). I sincerely hope this will continue for the remainder of the term and into the Spring term. Thank you. Please continue to adhere to all our dropping off and picking up arrangements. In particular, please remember that only one adult per family should be entering the school grounds to drop off/pick up children.
Christmas information
Unsurprisingly, we are unable to enjoy a normal Christmas period in school this year. Our traditional events: Nativities, Christmas Carol Concert and Christmas Lunch have been cancelled. However, we do have a number of alternative Christmas treats for our children.
- Children will be decorating their classrooms and bubbles this week and sharing their results with other classes online.
- Mrs Broadbent is busy composing, conducting and directing a Christmas piece to be shared closer to the end of term.
- Christmas lunch and Christmas jumper day will be held on the last day of term, Friday 18th December.
- You should have already received correspondence from the school office with details regarding school lunch and the school council will be sending out information regarding Christmas jumpers soon. The HSA are also supporting our final day of this term with some Christmas treats for all our pupils.
- If your child wishes to bring in a Christmas present for their teacher/support staff, they are welcome to, but please only bring the gift into school on the last day of term.
- Unfortunately, there can be no exchange of Christmas Cards between children this advent. Please do not let your child bring Christmas cards into school.
Mini Reports
Teachers are busy writing “mini report cards” which will be distributed during the final week of term. In addition to the Seesaw/Tapestry message you received instead of parent consultations in October, your mini report will support you in understanding your child’s progress this term.
The cold weather – and SEVERE weather
As we enter Autumn/Winter, due to Covid19 measures, we have to maintain good ventilation in school. This will mean windows and doors remaining open. Please ensure your child is suitably prepared for the chilly weather…both outside and inside… and... of course, we are also entering the period of potential severe weather. If we have to close due to severe weather, please listen to local radio stations and consult this website, http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk, for updated information.
Applying for a Reception Place 2021/22
If you have a child whose date of birth is between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017 you need to apply for a Reception school place by the deadline of Friday 15th January 2021.
All applications can be made online via this link: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-places/
Term Dates
Autumn Term Ends: Friday 18th December 2020
PD Days: 4th January
Spring Term Begins: Tuesday 5th January 2021
Half Term: Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February
Spring Term Ends: Friday 26th March 2021
PD Days: 7th June
Summer Term Begins: Monday 12th April 2021
Half Term: Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June
Summer Term Ends: Tuesday 20th July 2021
Letter to parents: 2nd November 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are looking forward to welcoming all pupils back to school tomorrow.
As it stands currently, “The Government will continue to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of our young people and will not be closing schools, colleges or universities. It remains very important for children and young people to attend, to support their wellbeing and education and help working parents and guardians. Senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be, and so they should continue to go to school. Schools have implemented a range of protective measures to make them safe.”
Therefore, the expectation is that all pupils will return to school tomorrow.
Early Birds and Owls club, Band Academy and Strikers will continue until further notice.
Staggered start and finish to the school day
In addition to the previously issued guidance below, I have decided to implement two additional measures to help keep everyone safe.
- As it is challenging to stay at least 2 metres apart, please wear a face-covering when dropping off and collecting your child and maintain at least a 1-metre distance from other waiting adults.
- Please do not wait or loiter in the yellow marked zone (see image).
- Please arrive at your allotted time – REMEMBER: one parent/carer per family (child)
- If you arrive before your allotted time, please form a socially distancing queue along the front of the school, staying inside the red line.
- Please do not wait in the area in front of the staff car park entrance. Find a socially distanced space elsewhere.
- Please do not loiter outside the school after drop off/collection – move on quickly.
- PLEASE REMEMBER – there are several free car parks in Hadleigh. We are receiving an increasing number of complaints from our neighbours where parents are blocking driveways etc. Please be considerate.
Ventilation
As we enter Autumn/Winter, due to Covid-19 measures, we have to maintain good ventilation in school. This will mean windows and doors remaining open. Please ensure your child is suitably prepared for the chilly weather… both outside and inside!
Newsletter: 16th October 2020
Staggered start and finish to the school day
Thank you for your help and cooperation with the beginning and end to every school day. When I wrote to you at the start of the school year I suggested that: “this will be a significant challenge for us all. We are a large school: 520 children arriving and leaving school, maintaining social distancing, will be tough.” This continues to be the case. It is vitally important that we all adhere to the following…
When dropping your child off in the morning and collecting in the evening please remember the following points:
- Please arrive at your allotted time – one parent/carer per family (child)
- If you arrive before your allotted time, please form a socially distancing queue along the front of the school, staying inside the red line.
- Please do not wait in the areas in front of the pupil entrance, the entrance to Playstation and in front of the staff car park entrance. Find a socially distanced space elsewhere.
- Please do not loiter outside the school after drop off/collection – move on quickly.
- PLEASE REMEMBER – there are several free car parks in Hadleigh. We are receiving an increasing number of complaints from our neighbours where parents are blocking driveways etc. Please be considerate.
Seesaw and Tapestry
Next week your child’s class teacher will be writing to you via Seesaw/Tapestry detailing how your child has settled back into school this half term. This is in lieu of parent consultations which would have taken place next week.
Birthday treats
If your child is celebrating a birthday and would like to share a little something with their classmates please ensure this is in the form of sealed, small treat packs of sweets (for example, Haribos).
Learning Posters
This term’s Learning Posters are available here - https://hadleighcp.school/learning/year-groups/
The cold weather
As we enter Autumn/Winter, due to Covid19 measures, we have to maintain good ventilation in school. This will mean windows and doors remaining open. Please ensure your child is suitably prepared for the chilly weather…both outside and inside!
Soggy, wet feet
Rain, rain, and more rain! When will it ever stop? At HCPS we have a clear commitment to outdoor PE and getting outside at playtimes, even in inclement weather. We also have playgrounds with lots of puddles! Consequently, feet can become cold and wet. Please ensure your child has a spare set of footwear and socks should they need to change. This may well be the additional pair of trainers children need to bring in to school for any extra PE and outdoor sessions, but on the day they come to school in PE kit, please provide additional footwear as well.
Only a piece of fruit or veg for break time snack
In Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 please only provide a real piece of fruit or veg for a break time snack. A piece of fruit/veg is provided for Year 1, 2 and Reception. Some children are starting to bring in items such as fruit winders and fruit snacks in packets (such as yoghurt coated fruit).
Toys
Please remember that children can bring to school 1 hand sized toy.
Applying for a Reception and High School Place 2021/22
If you have a child whose date of birth is between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017 you need to apply for a Reception school place by the deadline of Friday 15th January 2021.
If your child is currently in Year 6, you need to apply for a High School place by the deadline of Saturday 31st October 2021. All applications can be made online via this link - https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-places/
Term Dates
Link here - https://hadleighcp.school/news-events/term-dates/
Reminder from Mr Pilkington
Dear Parents/Carers
Thank you for your patience, understanding and co-operation this morning. As I write all children are settled in class and have begun lessons with their new teacher.
To help alleviate overcrowding on Station Road, please remember to arrive at school at your child's allotted drop off and pick up time.
Remember: if you are dropping off more than one child, arrive at the earliest drop off time and your other child/children will be directed to the supervised waiting zone on the oval playground.
Thank you.
Quick Reminders & Changes: School re-opening 3rd September 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Here are some quick reminders to help you in preparation for sending your child to school on Thursday 3rd September.
Items in bold/italics are in addition to, or an amendment of, the letter dated Thursday 13th August.
Start and finish times
- Please follow the one way system around the school site – observing social distancing
- Do not park too close to school
- Do not loiter before and after school
- Do not use the staff car park
- Do not enter the school buildings except visiting the office via the staff car park. Please wear a face covering if visiting the school office.
- If you are dropping off more than one child, you will be able to leave the child who is due to enter school at the later time in a supervised waiting zone on the oval playground. You will not be able to wait with them. If this is difficult for you and your child then please leave the school grounds and re-enter the one-way system at the specific drop off time for your child listed below.
- You will not be able to collect children from different year groups at the same time at the end of the school day.
| YEAR GROUP | START TIME | FINISH TIME |
| Nursery | 8:15 | 11:15/3:25 |
| Reception | 9:00 | 3:30 |
| Year 1 | 8:50 | 3:20 |
| Year 2 | 8:45 | 3:15 |
| Year 3 | 8:40 | 3:10 |
| Year 4 | 8:35 | 3:05 |
| Year 5 | 8:30 | 3:00 |
| Year 6 | 8:25 | 2:55 |
What to bring to school
- Water bottle (named)
- Packed lunch (if you are not having a school lunch)
- One small backpack
- Change of footwear for short PE sessions and field use - trainers
- One small “child’s hand sized toy” of zero value – if you choose to
- Sun hats/sun cream (applied before school)/coats if cold or raining – children will not be able to enter school prior to their specific drop off time – we will be waiting in the rain
- A small healthy snack of fruit or vegetables – we are a nut free school
- Medication – if you took it home for the summer holidays/lockdown
PE Kit
From Monday 7th September 2020…
On the days listed below, children can attend school in FULL PE KIT. (Tracksuits may be worn over PE kits – shorts must be worn underneath)
| Reception | Tuesday |
| Year 1 | Thursday |
| Year 2 | Monday |
| Year 3 | Tuesday |
| Year 4 | Wednesday |
| Year 5 | Wednesday |
| Year 6 | Monday |
Children will be expected to attend school in school uniform on all other days.
See you all very, very soon!
Newsletter: 13th January 2020
Welcome back!
A happy new year to everyone, and a warm welcome to our new pupils and their families, Leah-Mae Duncan in 1HA, Edward Davidson in 5G and Archie Davidson in RBGL.
As we start a new year, we would like to take this opportunity to provide some information for the term and to remind you of a few routines to help the school to continue to run smoothly.
Learning Posters
A year group specific learning poster is attached to give you a feel about curriculum content this term. I hope you find the information useful. Please note: included on the posters are opportunities for additional, optional, engaging homework activities. Nursery and Reception also produce a newsletter which you will also find attached.
Shared classroom sessions
Last term we hope you enjoyed our programme of “shared classroom activities.” Each term you will be invited by your child’s class or year group to pop into school and share what your child’s class has been learning. This will be complemented by termly viewing of work sessions.
Parking at and around school
Due to the large numbers of pedestrians on the school site and very limited space, the governors have taken the decision that cars can no longer access the top playground to park during or after school events, or use the staff car park. Please make alternative parking arrangements when you collect children from or are attending an after school event.
I would also like to take this opportunity to ask you that if you drive to school we would be grateful if you parked in a safe and legal place and showed courtesy to our many neighbours. Thank you.
Reminders
- Please do not use the staff car park and staff entrance to enter school during normal pick up and drop off times.
- Please remember to abide by school uniform guidance which is available on the school website at the following link - https://hadleighcp.school/parents/school-uniform/
- Please remind children to refrain from playing chase and running games in the playground before school.
- Please remind children to walk with their bicycles and scooters when on the school playgrounds, this includes no tricks or spinning their scooters as they go. Please remind your child that they must be careful when riding scooters down the hills that surround school as we have had some near misses recently.
- Please remember to inform the office if your child is not attending an after school club or activity. Also please ensure that your child is picked up promptly once the club has finished.
- If you arrive late for school please take your child to the office to be signed in.
Thank you
Many thanks for your kind generosity during advent. The HSA Christmas fair raised approximately £1000 and the collection at the carol service raised £289.12. I would like to add a personal note of thanks to the HSA members who braved the weather to sell raffle tickets for the hamper raffle. Thank you!
Severe Weather – Emergency Closure Information
If the temperature should plummet over the next few weeks, it is important we remind you of the procedure if the school has to shut because of snow. However, our bottom line is that the school will always stay open if we can and it is safe to do so. When bad weather compromises the safety and security of the site, supervision of students or affects transport to and from the site, the school will close.
If the school has to shut, then this information can be found in a number of ways:
- On the Suffolk County Council, School closures website https://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk/
- Broadcast by BBC Radio Suffolk 103.9FM
- Broadcast by Heart Radio 97.1 and 96.4 FM
- If able to or if the school was to close early, we would send out a text or email via school gateway. To do this we must have your current email address and mobile telephone number. If we don’t, then please contact the office with this information.
Change to May Day Bank Holiday
This year's early May bank holiday will be moved back by four days for the whole of the UK to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day. May Day is traditionally held on a Monday but will be put back to Friday 8th May 2020.
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe. The holiday will form part of a three-day weekend of commemorative events.
They will include more than 20,000 pubs encouraging people to toast the heroes of the war, while churches will take part in a Ringing Out For Peace.
Announcing the change, Business Secretary Greg Clark said: "It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation."
Sir Andrew Gregory, chief executive of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said the government's decision was "fitting".
"It is our duty to keep the events of the past alive in collective memory, including future generations - this is how we ensure that such a conflict never happens again," he said.
"It is our hope that the nation takes a moment to reflect on the significance of this date, as a milestone that changed the course of history for the whole world," he added.
The May Day bank holiday has been moved only once before. It was changed from 1 May to 8 May in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
Newsletter: 13th September 2019
Welcome back!
We are coming towards the close of our first full week of the autumn term and it is great to see all children settled in their new classes and arriving into school raring to go. We extend a warm welcome to all our new pupils in nursery, reception and right across the school. We also welcome Mrs Austin, Ms Hunter, Mrs Lant, Miss Smith and Mr Templey to the staff. As we start a new school year, we would like to take this opportunity to provide some information for the term and to remind you of a few routines to help the school to continue to run smoothly.
Be the best you can be: attitudes to learning and life
We are determined at Hadleigh Community Primary School that all pupils achieve well and “Be the best they can be”. We encourage pupils to try hard and take pride in all aspects of their work. In classrooms and on the sports field, all staff will be praising pupils for their attitude to learning and their efforts to be the best they can be when they flex their learning muscles! We also want to affirm being the best person you can be. Throughout school, we will be celebrating the personal qualities of respect, honesty and kindness.
Learning Posters
A year group specific learning poster (or newsletter for nursery) is attached to give you a feel about curriculum content this term. I hope you find the information useful. Please note: included on the posters are opportunities for additional, optional, engaging homework activities. These, along with “shared classroom sessions”, replace our Tic, Tac, Toe programme.
Shared classroom sessions
Following feedback, and as mentioned previously in the paragraph above, we are replacing our Tic, Tac, Toe programme by adding optional homework activities to our learning posters and replacing the opportunity to attend Tic, Tac, Toe sessions in school with “shared classroom” sessions. Each term you will be invited by your child’s class or year group to pop into school and share what your child’s class has been learning. This will be complemented by a termly viewing of work sessions. Dates and times to follow.
Accelerated Reader
Year 3 pupils’ will be experiencing Accelerated Reader for the first time. If you would like to find out more please visit the following link - https://help.renlearn.co.uk/AR/ARParentGuide
Please take note of AR Bookfinder, which is a great resource to use when selecting books at home and in the library. We are always grateful for book donations - please place in the north lobby if you have good quality children’s books you are looking to rehouse! Thank you to all families who have donated so far.
Parking at and around school
Due to the large numbers of pedestrians on the school site and very limited space, the governors have taken the decision that cars can no longer access the top playground to park during or after school events, or use the staff car park. Please make alternative parking arrangements when you collect children from or are attending an after school event.
I would also like to take this opportunity to ask you that if you drive to school we would be grateful if you parked in a
safe and legal place and showed courtesy to our many neighbours. Thank you.
Quick reminders!
- Please remember to “name” all clothing and personal equipment.
- Lost property will be held up until the end of every half term. It will then be sent to a clothing charity. Lost property is located on the top playground.
- Water in drinking bottles that have a top that pulls up to allow the water through and then can be pushed down to close and seal it. Some bottles have screw tops which are easily spilt over books and work.
- Healthy snacks at break, such as fruit
- We are a nut free school so no nut based products
- PE kits in school for PE lessons – with shorts and t-shirts under tracksuits at all times. Remember, earrings must be removed for PE. If your child finds this difficult please do not wear earrings on PE days. If the earring is new, tape must be applied.
- Please supervise your children before and after school to ensure they are not climbing on any railings, walls and benches or disappearing into flower beds and hedges.
- It is essential that you inform us of your child’s medical needs or any changes to their medical needs as soon as possible.
- Please remember to walk with bicycles and scooters when on the school premises.
- Our woodland area and our sports field are learning spaces; please do not allow your children to play in the woods or on the field as considerable time is lost, particularly by Mrs Lee, putting the woodland resources back where they belong.
- Squishies are not allowed in school