Knockhall Academy Newsletter

Knockhall Academy Newsletter
24th April 2015
Issue No. 2 of Term 5
From The Principal
Parents evenings this week were very positive, successful and well attended. I hope all parents found the meetings useful and
teachers will follow up on any issues raised. Children across the Academy are making very good progress and it was good to hear
positive feedback from parents.
During May and June we have KS 1 and 2 SATs Tests and Year 1 Phonics Screening. Details and timetables for the tests are in this
Newsletter. Please read them carefully as these are important milestones for children and the results tell us how well children
are doing in relation to all children nationally. This enables parents and the Academy to plan the next steps in their learning
appropriately and helps children to measure their success. Results last year were very good and we are expecting to improve
further this year. This doesn’t happen by accident and is the result of hard work by children, the support of parents and the skill
and dedication of our staff.
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of our new Vice Principal. Following a very thorough application and two day
interview process Mrs Sukjinder Tiwana has been appointed as permanent Vice Principal at Knockhall Academy. She will take up
her duties as VP from 1 September. We have already advertised for teaching staff for September and are expecting to conduct
interviews throughout May and June. I will inform all parents of any new appointments before the end of the summer term. At
Knockhall we are committed to quality and we will only appoint staff that meet our high standards. Our policy is that qualified
teachers teach all classes and teachers are very well supported by our well trained, experienced and dedicated team of Teaching
Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants.
We had a great response to the Writing Competition and it was very difficult to decide the final winners and runners up. The
selection panel was the Academy Leadership Team and after much discussion to following children won first prize in each
category:
Dennis Hughes – Year 5, Paris Valentine – Year 6, Luca Gupta – Year 3, Rafa Gupta – Year 2, Max Heasman – Year R,
Sophia Atkins – Nursery, Grace Marsh – Nursery, Jessica Greenwood – Nursery
I am very grateful to the PTFA, HP Printers and the Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust for sponsoring the prizes that included tablet
computers, an i-Pad Mini, an i-Pod and numerous other prizes. In all 20 children won a prize, all will get a certificate of entry and
we are in talks with a publishing company about publishing a cost price book of Knockhall writers! We think this will cost
between £3 and £5 per copy on a not-for-profit basis and I will let parents have more details as soon as they are confirmed. What
is clear is that we have a lot of very gifted writers!
Next week the Academy Trust is conducting filming for this year’s Lilac Sky Innovation Awards. We have three entries and hope
to win of course! We have already written to parents of any children involved and I hope we will be able to put the completed
films on our website for all parents to see. The projects we have initiated include the Sensory Garden in Early Years, The Edmodo
online learning platform in Year 5 and the !Th?nk Google Chrome Book Brain Training in Year 4. Fingers crossed for a great result!
The School Council invited the NSPCC in this week to talk to all children in assembly. Details are in this newsletter and it was very
good to raise all children’s awareness of the work of the NSPCC. If you are feeling charitable you might also want to support one
of our pupils, Tianna, who is cutting off her hair for the Little Princess Trust charity next weekend and also Coleen Austin, a
member of staff, who is doing the Race for Life on 17 May.
You will have seen at parents evening the Healthy Schools stand and advice. We are preparing for Enhanced Healthy Schools
Assessment and hope to be accredited by September 2015. The purpose is to ensure that we promote healthy lifestyles, diet,
physical and mental fitness and emotional well-being. We already provide healthy meals for children, milk and fresh fruit and
vegetables. If your child brings a pack lunch it is very important that this meets the standards for a healthy diet so no chocolate,
biscuits, peanut butter or sweets should be in the box. We will be promoting further guidance on what should be in a pack lunch
and what constitutes a healthy diet each week so please look out for further updates.
Very best wishes,
Stephen.
1
Important Dates for your Diary
Star Pupils
Daniel O’Neill - Year 6
Lloyd Holland - Year 6
Henry Stevens - Year 5
Amber Reville - Year 5
Gracie Read - Year 4
David Ayles – Year 4
Kyle Moseling – Year 3
Alexander Christie - Year 3
Oliver Argent - Year 2
James Taylor - Year 2
Emily Whybrow - Year 1
Kevelle Atkinson - Year 1
Katylin Robertson - Year 1
Eva Piper - Year R
Myah Hinds - Year R
Emmanuel Olusoga – Year R
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
27 April
28 April
29 April
30 April
1 May
Table Tennis
Club (after
school)
School
Nurse in for
Yr R hearing
tests (AM)
Don’t Sit Get
Fit Club
(after
school)
Parent
MUST be
present
Irish Dancing
Club (after
school)
Groovy
Movers
(after
school)
‘Make A
Movie Club‘
Yrs 3 - 6
(after
school)
Chess Club
(after
school)
Vancols
taking
class
photos
Groovy
Movers
(after
school)
Boom
Academy
(after
school)
Nursery
Sophie Terrell - AM
Elis Hulusi - PM
Gym Club
(after
school)
Don’t Sit Get Fit Club
Photographs
Vancols, our Academy photographers, will
be here on Thursday 30th April to take
class photographs. If the weather is kind
to us the photographs will be taken out
on the field.
Application forms have been sent home with your child this
week. As this Club is run by Dartford Borough Council we
must make you aware that if you would like your child to
attend the 10 week club an adult family member MUST ALSO
ATTEND the programme with them.
Illness
Please be advised that the Health Protection Agency guidelines clearly state that children suffering from
vomiting are recommended to be kept away from school or nursery for 24 hours from the last episode of
vomiting.
Children suffering from diarrhoea are recommended to be kept away from school or nursery for 48
hours from the last episode of diarrhoea.
Charity Event
Please show your support.
Tianna is one of our pupils here at Knockhall Academy and she is fundraising for the Little Princess Trust, a
charity very close to her heart, by having 14 inches of her hair cut off at their charity event on Sunday 3rd
May at the Royal British Legion in Greenhithe from 1pm to 4pm.
There will be a raffle with some fantastic prizes, face painting, a DJ and much more.
A fun afternoon for the whole family!
To donate via her JustGiving page please follow the link:
http://www.justgiving.com/Katie-Steve-Martin
2
Year 2 SATs
Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th May 2015 – please see more details in attached leaflet
Year 6 SATs
As mentioned on the last Year 6 newsletter, the children will be sitting their SATs exams on the week
beginning May 11th. The table below gives details about what exams will be being done and when.
If you have queries regarding the SATs please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Year 2
We are pleased to introduce Mrs Barbara Frikstad (Woodpeckers) and Mrs Fiona CrosbieHarris (Owls) who will be teaching in year 2 until the end of this academic year.
We are very pleased to welcome two such talented and experienced colleagues to
Knockhall.
Contact Details
Please ensure we have your correct contact details. We have had a few instances recently where we
have been unable to reach parents/carers as we have not been given up-to-date contact details.
If you are in any doubt, please contact the office to check which current contact details we have for your
child.
knockhall.lilacskyschools.co.uk
3
Times of the Academy Day
Arrival
Morning Break
Reception
KS1
KS2
Lunch
Reception
KS1
KS2
Afternoon Break
Reception
KS1
KS2
Home
Children depart
Academy Term Dates 2014/2015
Term 4
23 February – 30th March
Term 5
th
13 April – 22nd May
Term 6
1st June – 24th July
rd
8.40am
10.15am to 10.45am
(child initiated)
10.30am – 10.50am
10.30am – 10.50am
Staff Development Days will be on:
23rd and 24th July 2015
11.50am – 12.50pm
12.00pm – 1.00pm
12.00pm – 1.00pm
Academy Term Dates 2015/2016
Term 1
1 September – 16th October 2015
Term 2
nd
2 November – 18th December
Term 3
4th January 2016 – 12th February 2016
Term 4
nd
22 February – 24th March
Term 5
th
11 April – 27th May
Term 6
6th June – 26th July
Child initiated
None
None
st
3.15pm
Writing Competition Results
What a fantastic response we had to our
Principal’s Writing Competition.
Congratulation to the following winners and
runners up:
Winners
Dennis Hughes – Year 5
Paris Valentine – Year 6
Luca Gupta – Year 3
Rafa Gupta – Year 2
Max Heasman – Year R
Sophia Atkins – Nursery
Grace Marsh – Nursery
Jessica Greenwood – Nursery
Runners Up
Olivia Ray – Year 5
Jodie Gilman – Year 5
Tom Atkinson – Year 3
Harry Johnson – Year 3
Eleanor Cross – Year 2
Alice Polley – Year 1
Jan Klimasara – Year 1
Charlotte Polley – Year R
Ellis Yeboah-Afari – Year R
Marc Barrac – Year R
Samuel Oreyeni – Year R
Dylan Sey – Year R
Staff Development Days will be on:
1st September 2015
2nd September 2015
4th January 2016
8th April 2016
8th July 2016
Academy Uniform
Please note the following important information:



Summer dresses can be worn during Terms 5
and 6.
Children may only wear a grey V-neck pullover
with their summer dress. Coloured jumpers and
cardigans are not part of the uniform and must
therefore NOT be worn.
Blazers remain part of the uniform throughout
the year and must therefore be worn to school
every day.
4
Thank you for your continued support.
Cool Milk Scheme
Our academy provides a milk scheme that is available to all of our pupils and we would like to invite you to
register your child. School milk is free for all under-fives and is subsidised for pupils aged five or older at around
£15.00 a term.
Each pupil that registers with Cool Milk will receive a carton of semi-skimmed milk every day, which is delivered
fresh and chilled to the classroom. Their school milk will not only provide them with essential nutrients, but as it
is rehydrating and energy boosting it also bridges the gap between breakfast and lunch to help children stay
focused.
Find out the top ten reasons to drink school milk at www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk
How to register
Milk is completely free for all children aged under five and is subsidised for children aged five and older. Simply
register at www.coolmilk.com or complete the registration form sent home with your child this week.
My child is under five
 Just register by Tuesday at 5pm for your child’s free milk to start the following week.
 Free milk will continue until the Friday before your child’s fifth birthday. You will receive a payment
request three weeks before this time - if you wish your child to continue to receive school milk simply
make a payment.
My child is five or older
 Complete the registration form or register online as soon as possible. Shortly after registering your will
receive a payment request.
 You can pay Cool Milk either online, over the phone, at a local PayPoint or by cheque in half-termly,
termly or annual instalments.
 Please pay by Tuesday 5pm for your child’s milk to start the following week.
If you have any questions regarding school milk please visit www.coolmilk.com or contact Cool Milk directly on
0844 854 2913.
Stride4Life
In association with Valley Park Radio
Sunday 12th July 2015
Sponsored Walks from 11am
By taking part you will be helping many men, women and children fighting cancer.
Balloon Release
Celebrate and remember the life of someone you have lost. Celebrate the recovery of someone and give thanks
for a saved life. Celebrate a new life.
Family Funday from 12 noon in the grounds of the hospital. Admission and parking FREE. Everyone welcome.
Many attractions:
 Entertainment
 Various Stalls
 Dog Show (Registration 12.30pm)
 Beer Tent
To take part please contact Darent Valley Hospital Fundraising on 01322 428392
www.dvh.nhs.uk/stride4life
5
Dear Parents
We need your help!
As many of you are aware we are currently in the process of renovating our outdoor learning
environment. It is our goal and vision to create a stimulating sensory garden for our Reception
pupils and we need your support.
We are looking for any kind and generous donations you would be willing to give us to aid in the
construction of our garden.
The types of things we are looking for are:








CD’s
Old pots and pans
Plants e.g.; Herbs, flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits
Old wellie boots
Old keys for hanging from trees
Wind chimes
Solar lights
Garden sculptures/gnomes
If you have any of these items lying around and you are willing to donate them, please pass them on
to your child’s class teacher.
Many thanks in advance for your support with this project and with all the projects we run as a
Reception team. It is through our partnership with you that we can ensure the children receive the
best possible experience at school.
Best wishes
The Reception Team
Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
We now have over 2,000 vouchers!
Please keep sending them in, they are available from the tills in Sainsbury’s until the beginning of May.
6
NSPCC Assembly
The Student Council invited Katie Fudge from the NSPCC to talk to the children in assembly today
about their important work. These were both informative and inspirational assemblies, and the
children heard some very important messages.
During the assemblies, the children were also invited to help other children by raising vital funds to
support the work of the NSPCC, which includes the special helpline service for children – ChildLine.
This year alone, ChildLine aims to answer over half a million calls from children and young people
who need someone to turn to, while the NSPCC helpline will continue to provide advice and support
to thousands of adults who are concerned about a child’s safety and wellbeing. The NSPCC needs
your help to make sure that every child receives the help they need. I truly hope that you will
support this special cause.
Your child has been given an activity sheet and sponsor form. If you would like to help make a
difference and participate in this activity, please ensure that the form and sponsor money are
returned to school by Thursday 7th May.
You may be aware that charities are able to claim Gift Aid on contributions from UK tax payers. The
sponsor form should be completed giving the sponsor’s full name and address, including the post
code, and a tick put in the UK taxpayer box.
Every day in the UK, children face overwhelming problems. For many of these children, the NSPCC
and ChildLine are their only hope. The money that we raise at Knockhall Academy will make a real
difference to children’s lives.
We would also like to draw your attention to the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign:
www.nspcc.org.uk/UnderwearRule and to their new campaign Share Aware, helping parents and
carers to keep their children safe online www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware
Your support is very much appreciated.
7
Exploring the Engineering, Science and Maths
Involved in Theme Park Rides – A STEM Project Update
The children in Years 3 and 5 have had a very exciting time working with two visiting
engineers.
Sarah Leggett, a Civil Engineer from Laing O’Rourke came in and spoke to the children about
what engineering involves and the different forms it can take. She then set the children the
very sticky but tasty engineering challenge of constructing the tallest and strongest tower
that they could from pasta and marshmallows.
Robin Trow, a retired Mechanical Engineer, supported the children with researching how
rollercoasters work and using paper models to illustrate the children’s own ideas for building
a rollercoaster.
Both of our visitors where very impressed by the children’s knowledge and enthusiasm.
8
Knockhall Academy
Attendance Percentages for Week 20/04/15 – 24/04/15
Authorised
Unauthorised
Class
Caterpillars
Bumble Bees
Butterflies
Foxes
Badgers
Rabbits
Woodpeckers
Owls
Attendance %
92.2
98.1
95.2
91.4
96.4
91.9
87.3
89.3
Absence %
2.3
1.9
4.8
6.1
2.9
5.6
12.0
10.0
Absence %
5.5
0
0
2.5
0.7
2.6
0.7
0.7
Lates
0.5
2.9
0
1.4
2.5
3.0
0
1.0
Squirrels
Deer
Hawks
Hedgehogs
Leopards
Giraffes
Lions
Tigers
98.6
94.8
97.4
97.4
96.9
95.4
97.1
93.9
0.7
3.7
2.6
2.6
2.4
4.7
1.9
6.2
0.7
1.5
0
0
0.7
0
1.0
0
0.3
1.9
3.7
1.3
0
0.7
1.0
0.4
Academy Attendance Target 96.3%
Summary of Attendance since September 2014
2014/2015
Date Week
Ending
20/04/15
17/04/15
27/03/15
20/03/15
13/03/15
06/03/15
27/02/15
13/02/15
06/02/15
30/01/15
23/01/15
16/01/15
09/01/15
19/12/14
12/12/14
05/12/14
28/11/14
21/11/14
14/11/14
07/11/14
17/10/14
10/10/14
03/10/14
26/09/14
19/09/14
12/09/14
05/09/14
Number
On Roll
417
413
408
410
410
405
405
405
402
411
411
411
413
411
412
415
417
416
416
414
405
406
407
408
409
408
404
Overall
Attendance
95.0
94.9
95.1
94.8
94.7
95.1
94.2
93.7
94.1
94.7
95.1
95.2
95.1
95.3
95.5
95.5
95.8
95.9
96.1
96.3
96.3
96.3
96.6
96.7
96.6
95.8
95.1
Weekly
Attendance
94.4
93.7
94.8
92.7
94.6
95.3
94.8
93.2
95.5
93.6
95.7
95.8
95.3
92.9
94.5
92.1
94.2
94.7
94.7
96.2
96.1
94.9
96.2
97.2
96.0
96.2
95.1
Unauthorised
Absence
Persistent Absentees
Under 85%
1.0
1.2
1.6
1.0
1.0
1.4
1.6
1.6
2.0
0.6
0
0.2
1.0
0.7
1.7
3.9
2.6
2.1
1.6
0.7
1.3
2.0
0.9
0.6
1.3
1.2
1.9
4.8
6.1
6.1
6.3
5.9
5.9
5.2
6.7
7.0
6.2
6.3
6.1
6.8
4.6
5.6
5.5
5.7
5.0
4.3
5.5
4.9
3.9
4.7
6.1
8.1
5.6
7.9
Persistent
Absentees Under
80%
2.4
2.4
3.7
3.7
3.9
3.2
3.5
3.2
3.0
5.3
5.4
3.2
3.4
2.7
2.4
2.6
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.9
2.2
3.2
3.2
2.2
4.6
5.1
6.9
9