The New Islington News – Edition 1
Edition 1
Friday 9th September 2022
Mrs Tabitha Smith, Head Teacher
We are all devastated by the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Born on 21st April 1926, and ascending to the throne just after the Second World War, Queen Elizabeth II lived a life of service to her country. The longest-ever reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II showed strength, dignity and grace for 70 years. The qualities she chose to live her life by are ones that we can all admire and aspire to.
Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories; she is all so many of us have ever known. The passing of such a famous lady – whose face and name is known across our globe – will take time for the nation, the world, to process.
In line with guidance, we will respect this period of national mourning whilst the Crown passes on to King Charles III, to whom we say, in line with tradition “God save the king”
Queen Elizabeth II 1926 to 2022
Welcome to a new school year! It has been so lovely to see everyone again after all this time, and to catch up on your news. And of course a very special welcome to our new families – in Reception and across the school.
For our new families – this weekly newsletter is a way to communicate key messages, reminders, news and celebrations to everyone. Sent out on Fridays, it is an important way to link our families with what is going on in school. Please do read it!
If there is ever anything that you don’t understand, or want to know more about then please email me directly on tabitha.smith@coopacademies.co.uk or pop in to see me, or any of our team.
A lot of information has been shared in the Meet the Teacher Powerpoint – please look out for it in your emails and keep as a reference point.
In other news:
Year 6 Transition
Our Year 6 families should now have a clear idea of which school you want your child to move on to. The council application process is now open and closes on October 31st 2021. Please come in and talk to me if you have any questions.
Booking into Wraparound:
Please book a place via the School Gateway App. It is a ‘pay as you go’ system; please do not send your children without making a booking first.
Inhalers
Please can all inhalers be returned to school – they must be ‘in date’ and clearly labelled. Paperwork will need to be completed for each inhaler – please ask in the office.
Birthdays
Whilst we recognise it is lovely to celebrate birthdays, we ask that cakes, sweets, chocolates or small gifts are not brought in to be shared with classmates.
We will of course sing Happy Birthday and make them feel special, but please do not bring in gifts or food to share.
Communication
We want you all to feel welcomed and valued in school. We are here to help answer questions and to resolve any worries. We want a great working relationship with all our parents and carers. An important part of this is making sure all interactions with all our staff, including our amazing office, are respectful, considerate and calm in your interactions.
Staffing Changes
We thought that it would be useful for you to have an overview of the whole staff team
| Year 6 | Miss Harper | Mrs Soo and Ms Visser |
| Year 5 | Ms Peeks & Ms Dixie | Ms Gumiel, Mr Roberts, Mr Nightingale and Mrs Khan |
| Year 5 | Ms Bowers | |
| Year 4 | Miss Bevan | Mrs Khushtar, Mrs Luhar, Miss Cunningham, Miss Magda |
| Year 4 | Ms Otu | |
| Year 3 | Miss Morris | Mrs Halaciuga and Ms Nolan |
| Year 3 | Miss Carter | |
| Year 2 | Miss O’Mahony | Ms Santana, Mrs Cullen, Mr Robertson and Ms Ruso |
| Year 2 | Mr Jackson | |
| Year 1 | Miss Marshall | Mrs Yousaf, Mrs Hitchen and Mr Collister-Brown |
| Year 1 | Miss Oleksak | |
| EYFS | Miss Streeter | Miss Collyer, Miss Pearson and Mrs Hallam |
| EYFS | Miss Ellison | |
| Office team | Mrs Kenny-Roberts, Miss Kenny & Miss Nixon | |
| Forest school team | Mrs Mirazi & Madame Flo | |
| PPA cover team | Mr Hedley, Mrs Mirazi, Ms Gumiel, Mr Nightingale and Mrs Khan | |
| Breakfast & Wraparound Team | Mrs Uddin & Mr Soares, Miss K and Mr Roberts plus other members of our team |
Term dates
The following list gives an outline of the term’s events. They are not set in stone! New additions or alterations will be highlighted. Greater details will be given as appropriate nearer the time.
| Tuesday 13th September | Football Team Training starts – those who are on the team will have been notified. The session will be run by Mr Jackson and Mr Roberts. Please collect promptly at 4:20 round on the field side of the school. |
| Thursday 15th September | Year 4 swimming starts: Miss Bevan and Miss Otu’s class start swimming lessons on Thursday 15th. Boys MUST wear swimming trunks and not the looser, baggier shorts – they will not be allowed in the water in the wrong trunks. Anyone with long hair (boys and girls) must have a hat. No goggles are allowed. The children need to bring their costume, towel and hat (if required) in a bag. They can bring a healthy snack to eat when back at school. |
| Friday 16th September | Our new Reception parents are invited into a ‘New to New Islington Q&A’ session. We are very aware that as parents new to the school system, you will have many questions about the school day and what your child is doing. Miss Streeter will lead this session that starts at 9:00 and will end at 10:00. Come along to the school hall with your questions! |
| Friday 16th September | Squash coaching starts at 1:30. We are employing the squash coach from the National Squash Centre to come and teach our pupils squash. Our Year 3 pupils have the first block of coaching. They need to come to school in the correct PE kit. |
| Wednesday 28th September | Coffee morning for parents from EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 at 9:15 to 10:15. Please book on via the Google Form that will be sent out nearer the time. |
| Monday 3rd October | All parents are invited to join our staff meeting at 3:30 to 5:00. The focus is on mental health, understanding our emotions in order to develop a resilience to cope with life. The session will be run by a company called Chimp Management.https://chimpmanagement.com/ |
| Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th October | Year 6 Residential |
| Wednesday 12th October | Year 4 concert at the Manchester Grammar School – parents are invited to come along to the performance at around 5:00. More details will be sent out nearer the time. |
| Monday 17th October | Nasal Flu vaccinations |
| Friday 21st October | Last day of school before the half term holiday |
| Monday 31st October | Final date for our Year 6 families to make your online application for a Secondary school place |
| Tuesday 1st November | Return to schoolSign up for Parents Evening |
| Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th November | Parents evening with appointments from 3:40 to 6:20 |
| Thursday 8th December | Whole School Pantomime x 2 performances |
| Friday 9th December | EYFS nativity at 9:30 |
| Tuesday 13th December | Key Stage One Carol Concert at 9:30 |
| Wednesday 14th December | Christmas Jumper and Christmas Dinner day |
| Thursday 15th December | Music Concert at 9:30 |
| Friday 16th December | Toy day / end of term |
| Tuesday 4th January 2023 | Spring Term begins for all pupils |
| Mondays Whole Class Forest School with Teacher and TA’s 12th Sept – Year 6 19th Sept – 2AO26th Sept – 2JJ3rd Oct – 5LB10th Oct – 5IP17th Oct – RNE |
Fridays Whole Class Forest School with Teacher and TA’s 9th Sept – 3JM16th Sept – 3FC23rd Sept – 4AO30th Sept – 4LB7th Oct – 1EM14th Oct – 1MO21st Oct – RCS |
Notes Children should come to school on Forest School days in the appropriate clothing and footwear. As the winter approaches, a warm waterproof coat is essential as the children go out in any weather. Please refer to letters previously sent home or ask your child’s teacher for clarification. |
As always, contact me any time: tabitha.smith@coopacademies.co.uk