Today marks the end of week 4 of school - the half way point for our first half term. The children are all very settled into their classes and are working really well together. #AFSProud
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Apps and Websites for Archibald
- Reception and Year 1 Parents
- Tesco - Vote for Us!!!
- Traffic Management Request - Newcastle City Council
- The Big Draw 2025 - #AFSCreative
- European Day of Languages
- Polite reminders
- Heath - NHS Pharmacy First
- Middle School Places
- School Training Days
- Safeguarding - Show Me 5 & Trusted Adults
- Individual School Photographs
- Food Boxes
- Dates and Letters
- Wake Up Wednesday - What parents need to know about age ratings
APPS AND WEBSITES FOR OUR SCHOOL
Now our new pupils have started, we have completed the process of rolling the children over into their new classes on our digital platforms (below) and getting everyone set up. Take a look at the images below to make sure you have access to everything that you need.
TOP TIP: A generic email for the household that each of the grown-ups can access ensures that everyone sees all the important letters and can access the key messages. E.g. TheTurners@XXXXX.co.uk
RECEPTION AND YEAR 1 PARENTS
Thank you so much for coming along to the phonics and reading information evening. If you could not join us, lots of information can be found here https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
TESCO - VOTE FOR US
Archibald First School - Outdoor Play and Learning - Gosforth
We’re in the customer vote for a Tesco Stronger Starts. It’s a scheme which gives community projects like us grants of up to £1,500.
Help us enhance our outdoor space and equipment for our children so that they can learn, play, create, develop and have more fun together in our school environment.
From the start of October to mid January in the following Tesco stores, you can pop a token in the 'Archibald OPAL Play' box to cast vote for us. If we win, the school will be rewarded with £1500 which we plan to use toys and play equipment for our children.
- Newcastle Upon Tyne Benton Road Esso Express
- Jesmond Express
- Gosforth Newcastle Express
- Newcastle Chillingham Road Express
Please share this information with friends and family with a 'pretty please' to always vote for us each and every time they shop at one of the above stores.
#tescostrongerstarts @Tesco.news @GroundworkUK
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MESSAGE
The traffic management team of Newcastle City Council have recently had some complaints from local residents and councillors for the area. The main issue is parking around the school.
School finishes at 3.15pm. There is NO parking on Archibald Street beyond 3pm, and bringing your car to find a spot at 2.45pm still doesn't mean that it is okay to park...
Please leave the cars at home or at least away from our school street. Instead of sitting in your car after bagging a space, walk from home and enjoy some fresh air. The walk home with your child/children is the perfect time to talk and to focus on each other as opposed to concentrating on driving.
You also cannot block driveways, park on the kerb or idle.
#AFSrespect
THE BIG DRAW 2025 #AFS CREATIVE
Can you and your family be creative throughout October? We would love to see your drawings, sketches and doodles; send them into to school via Tapestry and Seesaw.
Roll out a piece of old wallpaper and get creative as a family together. Will you each be creative in your own space and way or will you come together to create a family master piece?
For inspiration or guidance, http://www.robbiddulph.com/draw-with-rob is a great place to start.
EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES
Today is European Day of Languages! Did you know that in our school there are 26 different languages from across the world spoken which is amazing, especially as some of our children speak more than 2 languages fluently!!!
We continue to teach Spanish as our Modern Foreign Language in school. It is mandatory that a language is taught from year 3 onwards, however, all our children from Nursery to Year 4 take part in weekly Spanish sessions.
Today all the children have learnt about a cultural aspect of life in Spain - have a look at our Instagram page @archibald_1st to see what we have been up to.
POLITE REMINDERS
BIKES AND SCOOTERS IN SCHOOL: It has been lovely to see so many bikes and scooters coming to school - let's keep going with the active travel! Please remember to dismount any bikes or scooters before the main gate and walk them on to the school site to avoid any bumps or accidents. Please also remind children to walk them out of the school site; no cycling or scooting in the yard at anytime please.
PARKING: If it is essential that you use the car to travel to/from school, please park away from Archibald Street. Archibald Street is permit parking only from 9am and from after 3pm. If you do park on the street, please do not idle, park on pavements or block our neighbour's driveways.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PLACES
If your child is in Year 4, now is the time to get your application for middle school submitted. The process is known as applying for a 'transfer place' and the deadline for applications is 31st October 2025.
More information can be found on the Newcastle Local Authority Website via this link: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/schools-learning-and-childcare/apply-school-place/applying-transfer-places��
SCHOOL TRAINING DAYS
SHOW ME 5
In school we regularly ask the children to 'Show me 5'. We use this strategy to help recall learning and facts across the curriculum. We also use this as a part of our safeguarding strategy with our children...
Curriculum Examples:
- 5 facts about the stone age
- 5 words to describe the setting
- 5 parts of the body
Safeguarding Examples:
- 5 adults who you trust
- 5 ways to be a good friend
- 5 ways to stay safe online
- 5 ways to be safe in the house
- 5 ways to keep a healthy body and mind
TRUSTED ADULTS: We advocate for our children to use their voice and we talk to the children about having trusted adults who they would go to if they had a worry, a question, a problem... These adults can be grown-ups at home or school or a professional such as a police officer. Do you know who your child would feel safe talking to? Ask them if they can tell you about who their trusted adults that could help / listen to them are...
FOOD BOXES
We are working with a company called Feeding Families who provide prepacked boxes of food. They supply boxes which would feed 2 people for 3-5 days. The boxes are filled with ambient food which does not require refrigeration and foods usually have a shelf life of a month minimum. E.g. 19 to 20 items such as UHT milk, canned goods, cereal...
We have boxes in school ready to collect so please do make contact if this would make a difference to you :) No questions, no forms, no proof of need, no judgements and total confidence
DATES & LETTERS
- 29 Poetry Week - 'Play'
- 01 SEND Coffee morning 8.45-10am
- 03 Ways to Wellbeing 8.45-10.45am Inclusion
- 08 Year 2 Quayside Visit (am)
- 09 Class 5 Parent Lunch
- 09 Year 4 to Lilidorei
- 10 Ways to Wellbeing 8.45-10.45am: Communication and Conflict
- 13 Cycle to School Week
- 14 Class 10 Assembly
- 16 Class 9 Assembly