There will be several school improvements being made over the summer holidays. We are delighted to be having a much needed new school roof to the front of school above classes 4, 5 & 6. This project starts on Monday. We are having new flooring in classes R & 1, again this is much needed and will make better use of the space and enhance the learning environments in both rooms. We are also upgrading our office space and making space for two people to work together in the office. Work on our new KS2 library area has already started and will be further developed over the summer holidays.  Lastly, our grounds maintenance team will be making further improvements to our outdoor environment areas around school.

We look forward to seeing the finished results of all these busy projects when we return in September.

As we come to the end of this academic year, we would like to thank our children for their hard work, kindness and positive learning attitudes. Our children have engaged in their learning and the wider opportunities on offer in school with diligence and pride, and we are incredibly proud of them.

I would also like to thank our families for consistent and valuable support for school. We have a strong sense of community at Hodnet school, something which we are again very proud of. We value working together to ensure the best for our young people, and thank those who work with us.

We are incredibly lucky to have a highly skilled and dedicated team of staff at Hodnet, who work tirelessly to ensure our children can achieve socially and academically, and I want to thank them for another successful year. Many of our dedicated staff have been long standing members of our team and our community, Hodnet is definitely a place where people want to stay! The trust have acknowledged the greatness within our team, showing an awareness of the contribution that many of our staff can bring to the trust, and always speaking highly of us as a school, which has been a pleasure to hear and makes me feel very privileged in my role as Headteacher. Hodnet really is a very special place!

I’d also like to thank our governors and our PTA, both teams of dedicated volunteers who give up their time to support and guide our school. Our PTA has organised many events to raise money for our children, ensuring that they can have fun at discos, performances and treasure hunts whilst raising money to equip school with ipads, dictionaries, books and much more. Our governors have driven us through positive changes this year whilst continuing to strive for success for all children.

There have been many highlights this year;

• developing wider partnerships through our academisation and the opportunities for our children and staff as a result,
• our enrichment clubs offer, ensuring that all children have opportunities to thrive and feel successful, from lego, choir, sewing, reading to chess and beyond, we’ve tried to cater for all,
• the outcomes that our children have achieved in all year groups, from end of unit tests to statutory national assessments, they have given their all, as have the staff, and the children have blown us away with their outcomes,
• our brilliant trips, visits and visitors, London being a magical highlight once again,
• our sporting success and more importantly sporting attitude – our children are always the first to shake hands after a game, congratulate others or nominate others for sporting awards, showcasing their respectful attitudes, something to be very proud of.

After a very busy year, I’d like to wish you all a wonderful summer break. Hopefully we can enjoy some sunshine and family time and refresh ready for the new term.

Stay safe, have fun, see you in September.

Mrs Lyall, Headteacher.

A reminder that school reopens to pupils on Tuesday 3rd September.

Other key early dates for diaries:

• DEAR  – Friday 6th September 3pm
• Curriculum & Coffee meeting for Y5&6 on Monday 9th September at 8.45 – 9.15 in classes.
• Curriculum & Coffee meeting for Y3&4 on Tuesday 10th September at 8.45 – 9.15 in classes.
• Curriculum & Coffee meeting for Y1&2 on Thursday 12th September at 8.45 – 9.15 in classes.
• Curriculum & Coffee meeting for YR on Friday 13th September at 8.45 – 9.15 in the hall.
• Cookery club starts – Tuesday 10th September, 3.15 -4.15 (fully booked)
• Activsports clubs begin on Wednesday 11th September and will run on Wed & Thursdays. Book directly with Activsports.
• Swimming starts for Y3&4 on Monday 16th September for 6 weeks.
• Reception class Phonics workshop – Monday 16th September  2.15-3.15pm
• MacMillan coffee afternoon – Friday 27th September from 2pm.
• Book fair from Friday 27th September – Wednesday 2nd October, after school in the hall.

From this September onwards the PTA will purchase a suitable school bag for all Reception children as they start school. The blue reading book bags will then be expected to be used throughout KS1. No other bags will be required.

Our school building simply doesn’t have the space or capacity to store large rucksacks, the cloakrooms are bursting! Large backpacks are not required for school, children only need a small bag, ideally a reading folder style bag as these store very easily in bespoke storage boxes, leaving space in cloakrooms for coats. Every day, children need to bring their reading book, reading diary, any homework and spellings plus their water bottle. These relatively small items do not require a large bag and we will be clamping down on large bags from September, so we ask that parents support us and think twice before purchasing any large school bags for September.

Children in our current reception class or other classes who currently have a school book bag, please continue to use this next academic year.  Any children without a school book bag, who wish to purchase one can do so from stitchdesign.co.uk, they are a much cheaper and more manageable option for school.

A reminder that school uniform details are on our website. Uniform is expected to be worn by all pupils daily as per our uniform policy. Trainers and boots are not acceptable uniform choices and should not be worn, likewise leggings and cycling shorts should not be worn instead of trousers, shorts or skirts. Earrings should be a simple stud. New uniform can be purchased from stitchdesign and delivered to your home address. We have a large selection of donated uniform available for free for families, please pop into school to take a look if you would like to make use of this.

Thank you for your continued support.

After a few queries, we would just like to clarify the situation on shorts under dresses. Some children choose to wear small cycling shorts under their summer dresses or school skirts, this is their choice. It is to prevent them showing their knickers when spinning around on the bars or hanging upside down on the large equipment. Please be assured that this is not enforced by school, it is the children and their families choice. Spinning on bars is a completely usual childhood thing to do and it is perfectly fine to do with or without cycling shorts! Whatever makes the children feel the most comfortable should be the preferred option and we should all respect their choice. Thank you.

Our whole school attendance target for this year was 96%. Many of our children have managed to achieve this or exceed it. Well done to those pupils and families. Our current whole school attendance is 96.5%

• 17 pupils have achieved 100% attendance. A fantastic achievement.
• 46 pupils achieved 98% or more, again a brilliant achievement, all above target.
• 112 pupils achieved our target of 96% or above. Well done everyone.

Overall attendance sorted by class:

1.  Class 1 with 97.51%
2. Class R with 96.94%
3. Class 2 with 96.46%
4. Class 6 with 95.87%
5. Class 3 with 95.79%
6. Class 5 with 95.5%
7. Class 4 with 94.98%

A huge well done to our youngest learners, Reception and KS1 who collectively achieved or exceeded our target. The majority of our KS2 collectively were very close to target and by the power of rounding would achieve it.

Attendance will remain a whole school focus for 2024/25, as we are still quite a way below pre-pandemic attendance levels. Missed sessions are missed learning. These create gaps for our children, which are proving very difficult to fill due to the extent of our curriculum and the pace at which it is delivered.

If there are any changes to collection times or any urgent messages for the wraparound staff, please leave a message on our main school answer phone if phoning after 4pm. The staff check the messages periodically so should receive them, but there is not always someone available to answer the phone after 4pm.

Thank you.

Please see a list of upcoming diary dates below and the link to the diary dates on the school website

https://hodnetschool.co.uk/home/parents-area/calendar/term-dates-and-pd-days/

• 15th July – Y5 trip to Bishops Wood
• 15th July – Y6 Retreat day at St Peters Church
• 15th July – Y6 rounders team final after school *
• 15th – 19th July – work experience students in school
• 16th July – Y5 secondary experience day at Grove school
• 17th July – Y6 performance 6pm
• 18th July – Y6 trip to West Mids Safari Park
• 19th July – Y6 leavers assembly 9am, Y6 parents welcome
• 19th July – Break up for the summer holidays.

Uniform bank, lost property and old books in need of a new home will be displayed on the playground next week weather permitting. Lost property will not be kept when we break up, it will be donated. Please come and have a look and feel free to take items.

*The rounders match will be confirmed on Monday lunchtime – the weather isn’t looking great, so a provisional date has been set for Wednesday afternoon 2-4pm at Market Drayton Junior School. We will confirm any changes when we are updated by the team organising this final. School staff can transport pupils on Wednesday if this is the chosen date. More information to follow.

Dates for the new academic year:

• Monday 2nd September – PD day, school closed to pupils
• Tuesday 3rd September – New school term starts for all pupils.