HEADTEACHER'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! An especially warm welcome is extended to our new families in Nursery, Reception and across the school. It is lovely to be back in school and to see all of the children in their classrooms and with their friends both old and new.
The children in our older year groups have settled in very quickly and have got straight back into learning. Nursery and Reception have also settled really well and it has been a delight being in the EYFS unit with the children as they play and learn – I may have even learnt some of the new names and faces…
This is a bumper edition of the newsletter with lots of important information and lots of reminders. Please remember to pass these key messages on to family, friends and child-care providers who will not receive this directly.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Our School Values
- Courageous
- Mini Runners
- Polite reminders
- We are a Healthy School
- Safeguarding & Safeguarding Leaders
- Birthdays
- Sustainable September
- Dates and Letters
OUR SCHOOL VALUES
At Archibald, our school community worked collectively to develop our school vision. Our vision is that our children leave Archibald as curious, caring, creative, and courageous young people and it is these values that are at the centre of what we do and which form our curriculum offer.
This half term we will be focusing on the value 'Courageous'. In school we will be thinking about what 'Courageous' means; we will explore how we and others can be courageous in our every day lives. Key stories and assemblies linked to the value will be shared with the children and the grown-ups will be looking to capture the children being courageous in their work, play, friendships and attitudes.
We are sure that the children will be courageous at home too. If you have any images or examples of the children being courageous, please do share these on Tapestry and Seesaw. We would love to hear about what they have been up to and how they have shown this value. We will be adding photos and messages of courageousness on our display board in school as a celebration of our school value.
COURAGEOUS
Courageous wears a cape and is poised as a superhero: This is to show that we are brave, willing to have a go and how we are ready to learn! At Archibald, we always try our best and aim to learn from our mistakes: The springs on Courageous’ feet represent bouncing back and being resilient (as well as leaping into action). Its bigger feet show that we go forwards into new adventures and experiences, and how we aim to be ready for our next steps.
POLITE REMINDERS
UNIFORM: The most important thing about school uniform is that it is labelled! Every year we dispose of huge amounts of uniform, coats, hats, shoes, gloves etc which have been lost and which are not labelled. Please ensure that you have at least have been lost and which are not labelled. Please ensure that you have at least initialled labels in all clothes with a marker pen – expensive iron-on, stick-in or sewn-in labels are great but a marker pen will do the same job!
NO DOGS ON SITE: Dogs are NOT permitted on site at any time (not even if carried). Please do not tie dogs up on or near the school gates as we do have children and family members who are anxious around dogs. If you do tether your dog to the railings, you must be confident that he or she will not be aggressive or too distressed.
GREET YOUR CHILD WITH A SMILE - NOT A MOBILE: As you arrive on school premises, please put your phones away. NO photographs or videos may be taken on the school site or of the children/staff at anytime.
PLAY EQUIPMENT: All equipment on the school site belongs to school. Please do NOT let children use / play with any equipment before or after school. Children should not climb on walls or railings, or be standing on our seats - please make sure you are supervising your child. Everyone is asked to vacate the site as soon as possible at 3.15pm; the local park is a great place to head to for snacks, chats and play.
COATS: Children need a coat in school every day, even if there is no rain in the forecast. We take the children outside for learning and play in almost all weathers.
NUTS AND NUT PRODUCTS: We are a nut free school! Please do not send any whole nuts or foods containing nuts into school. We have several children with severe nut allergies. Thank you.
WE ARE A HEALTHY SCHOOL
FRUIT/VEG SNACKS: All children in Reception and KS1 are offered a piece of fruit or veg each day and so do not need to bring other snacks. If you would rather send in your own snacks then ONLY fresh fruit or veg is permitted. The same applies to KS2 snacks. All grapes sent into school should be cut in half ‘longways’ so that they do not represent a choking hazard.
WATER BOTTLES: We ask all children to bring a water bottle every day. ONLY water is allowed - no juice or cordial please. Water bottles should be named so that they don’t get lost and should be taken home and washed each night so that they are clean and hygienic.
HEALTHY PACKED LUNCHES: As a healthy school all meals prepared are balanced. We ask that parents supplying packed lunches from home consider this carefully and provide a balance of savoury and sweet along with fruit. No pop or fizzy drinks should be included. We ask that all chocolate spread, sweets / confectionary are kept for treats at home. No nuts or nut based products (including Nutella) please!
SAFEGUARDING
We take safeguarding children very seriously. All children have the right to be happy and safe. All of our staff receive regular, face to face training as well as follow up online training as appropriate. Within school we use a system called CPOMS (Child Protection Online Monitoring System) to record any issues and this allows all adults to report concerns which all of our Designated Safeguarding Leaders can see and follow up on as required.
SAFEGUARDING LEADERS
Within school our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Rebecca Turner – Headteacher. Our additional Safeguarding Leaders are:
- Kimberley Mullick – Deputy Headteacher
- Nicola McNally – Early Years Leader
- Kathryn Howard – Key Stage 1 Leader
- Sarah Graham – Key Stage 2 Leader
- Angela Ward – SEND Leader
SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER
September is a big month for environmental awareness and collective action. Whether you’re just beginning your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your impact, here’s what’s coming up this month and how you can get involved!
Second-hand September encourages people to say no to new clothes for 30 days and take a stance against fast fashion.
In school we have our pre loved uniform which needs good homes to go to, contact archibaldchair@yahoo.com to request a bag of uniform. There is also a parent page on Facebook - The Archibald Exchange - for you to share toys and goods with each other.
World Car Free Day: 22nd September: Join cities around the world in ditching your car for the day. Whether you walk, wheel, take public transport, reducing car use is great for the environment and your health. Map out a car-free route to school and give it a go!
School strongly advocates all of our families walking, scooting and cycling to and from school. If you must take the car, please park away from school and walk the last part of the journey.
Recycle Week: 22nd – 28th September: This is a national campaign which reminds us all to keep recycling correctly. It’s a great time to brush up on what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, and to explore local recycling services.
Our Planet Protectors in school collect recycling on a weekly basis. In our lunch hall, we separate food waste from other waste whilst the staffroom has a collection of recycling points for the grown-ups in school.
Great British Beach Clean: 19th – 28th September: Join a group or go out as a family to help clean up our local beaches.