Headteacher's Letters
9th March 2018
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
As I am sure you are aware we have been trying to increase the attendance at school over the last year.
In honesty this has not been successful as we have lower attendance so far this year than last year.
Just to be clear we have very few unauthorized absences and I do feel families and carers work well
with us to try to improve our attendance.
I do need to follow the national guidelines and have adapted the ‘Nexus’ policy on attendance.
This has a number of implications for us all at school
• I would ask you to ring the school office before 9am to let us know if your child is not able to attend
• If your child has a medical appointment please could you send in the appointment card or letter before so we can record the absence due to a medical appointment.
• If you do have an appointment could you try to get it in the morning or afternoon so your child can come
to school before or afterward.
• We can no longer authorize absences in term time for holidays unless there is an exceptional reason.
• If you feel you need a day off for a religious festival or family occasion then just get in contact with us beforehand.
• Pupils who have more than 10% not at school are counted at ‘persistent absentees’ and we have to have a plan as a school to address this. At the moment this is 30 students and some of you I will be writing to in the near future to discuss a plan to tackle this.
• I am asking the office and class teachers to monitor attendance more closely and we will have half termly action plans to try to improve attendance.
• We usually send out attendance certificates at the end of every term.
• We are planning to have certificates for improved attendance for all our pupils.
• We are considering a reward scheme for pupils with high and improved attendance – if you have any ideas for you and your child as an incentive this would be very useful to all of us.
• If we are unable to contact you or you don’t provide us with proof of an appointment we will have no choice but to record the absence as unauthorized.
If you have any suggestions around helping to improve our school attendance please contact me or someone at school.
Yours sincerely
David Burdett
Headteacher
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
As I am sure you are aware we have been trying to increase the attendance at school over the last year.
In honesty this has not been successful as we have lower attendance so far this year than last year.
Just to be clear we have very few unauthorized absences and I do feel families and carers work well
with us to try to improve our attendance.
I do need to follow the national guidelines and have adapted the ‘Nexus’ policy on attendance.
This has a number of implications for us all at school
• I would ask you to ring the school office before 9am to let us know if your child is not able to attend
• If your child has a medical appointment please could you send in the appointment card or letter before so we can record the absence due to a medical appointment.
• If you do have an appointment could you try to get it in the morning or afternoon so your child can come
to school before or afterward.
• We can no longer authorize absences in term time for holidays unless there is an exceptional reason.
• If you feel you need a day off for a religious festival or family occasion then just get in contact with us beforehand.
• Pupils who have more than 10% not at school are counted at ‘persistent absentees’ and we have to have a plan as a school to address this. At the moment this is 30 students and some of you I will be writing to in the near future to discuss a plan to tackle this.
• I am asking the office and class teachers to monitor attendance more closely and we will have half termly action plans to try to improve attendance.
• We usually send out attendance certificates at the end of every term.
• We are planning to have certificates for improved attendance for all our pupils.
• We are considering a reward scheme for pupils with high and improved attendance – if you have any ideas for you and your child as an incentive this would be very useful to all of us.
• If we are unable to contact you or you don’t provide us with proof of an appointment we will have no choice but to record the absence as unauthorized.
If you have any suggestions around helping to improve our school attendance please contact me or someone at school.
Yours sincerely
David Burdett
Headteacher
| Attendance.pdf |
Wednesday 24th January 2018
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
Happy New Year – I have just realised I have not written out to anyone this year – sorry!
So welcome back to school to all our students. It has been good to see how well all have been doing and
we are pleased with the progress we can see everyone has made last term.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus), Shaz Biggin (chair of governors) & Myself – Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Thursday 25th January where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Our Futures Night – just a reminder about Our Futures Night. We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations from a number of providers. It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February 5pm-8pm and it will be a drop in and informal chat.
Library Area – Nexus have secured funding for a new school roof which we are thrilled about.
We are now in the middle of the new roof project. As part of the work they are putting a roof on our outdoor quad area and turning it into a library. We have been ‘making do’ with a small space for 3 years now.
Plans are being made to create an exciting and positive space to reading and learning in the new library – so watch this space!
Weather warning – Just to be aware there is the risk of snow or ice at this time of year.
If the school needs to close for pupils’ safety we will let you all know by text by 7am. Just make sure we have your correct mobile phone number. We will let you know through Rother FM, BBC Radio Sheffield and on our Website or Facebook page. We will close the school if it is not safe to have your child in school.
Please, just be sensible and don’t send your child to school if it is dangerous near home.
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
Happy New Year – I have just realised I have not written out to anyone this year – sorry!
So welcome back to school to all our students. It has been good to see how well all have been doing and
we are pleased with the progress we can see everyone has made last term.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus), Shaz Biggin (chair of governors) & Myself – Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Thursday 25th January where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Our Futures Night – just a reminder about Our Futures Night. We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations from a number of providers. It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February 5pm-8pm and it will be a drop in and informal chat.
Library Area – Nexus have secured funding for a new school roof which we are thrilled about.
We are now in the middle of the new roof project. As part of the work they are putting a roof on our outdoor quad area and turning it into a library. We have been ‘making do’ with a small space for 3 years now.
Plans are being made to create an exciting and positive space to reading and learning in the new library – so watch this space!
Weather warning – Just to be aware there is the risk of snow or ice at this time of year.
If the school needs to close for pupils’ safety we will let you all know by text by 7am. Just make sure we have your correct mobile phone number. We will let you know through Rother FM, BBC Radio Sheffield and on our Website or Facebook page. We will close the school if it is not safe to have your child in school.
Please, just be sensible and don’t send your child to school if it is dangerous near home.
Dates for your diary
February 2018
Tuesday 1st February between 5pm and 8 my Futures night
Tuesday 6th Feb Upper School parent and carer meetings.
Wed 7th Feb ‘Open day’ where anyone is welcome to look round school at 10am or 1:30.
Wed 7th Feb Lower school disco 3:30- 5pm. Thursday 8th Feb Lower school parents and carers meetings.
Fri 9th February Valentines Coffee Morning at 10am
Fri 9th Feb Friendship Day followed by an Assembly.
Holiday from Fri 9th Feb & return Mon 19th Feb.
Tues 20th Feb Upper School Disco.
Wednesday 21st February informal Chinwag with parents at 10am.
David Burdett
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 24.1.18.pdf |
Tuesday 19th December 2017
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
Parents and Carers of new pupils/students – If any of you didn’t get chance to meet me before Christmas you are welcome to come in on Thursday 18th January. I am free all day and I would suggest 10am, 1pm and 5pm if you want to come along and have an informal chat. It would help if you could let me know beforehand.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus), Shaz Biggin (Chair of Governors) & Myself – Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Thursday 25th January where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Parent links roles – We will write to you all in the new year but just for information now. Jayne Spalding
starts her 4 day family support worker post in January and will be making contact and begin supporting parents. Vic Harrop is key to this work and we expect many of you to still seek advice and support from her.
That is absolutely fine, and she is very keen to continue to do this. Adele Alderson who is a parent governor, and now works part time at school has been given a role to support parents of EYFS children (who she works with) and those with more complex medical needs.
We hope in the new year you will be able to talk to whoever you feel most comfortable getting advice and support from,
Christmas Activities – I have been fortunate to be around to see lots of the panto performances which were great and we really enjoyed. Rob and I enjoyed ‘dressing up’ for our walk on parts.
I also had the opportunity to see the lower school performances and nativity which was such a great experience. Well done to all our students and staff who worked so hard to make everything so successful.
Our Futures Night – just a reminder about Our Futures Night. We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations from a number of providers.
It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February between 5pm and 8pm and it will be a drop in and informal chat.
Dear Families, Parents & Carers
Parents and Carers of new pupils/students – If any of you didn’t get chance to meet me before Christmas you are welcome to come in on Thursday 18th January. I am free all day and I would suggest 10am, 1pm and 5pm if you want to come along and have an informal chat. It would help if you could let me know beforehand.
Meeting with Warren (CEO of Nexus), Shaz Biggin (Chair of Governors) & Myself – Vic Harrop has organised an informal question and answer session at 10am on Thursday 25th January where all parents are welcome to chat to us to raise any issues.
Parent links roles – We will write to you all in the new year but just for information now. Jayne Spalding
starts her 4 day family support worker post in January and will be making contact and begin supporting parents. Vic Harrop is key to this work and we expect many of you to still seek advice and support from her.
That is absolutely fine, and she is very keen to continue to do this. Adele Alderson who is a parent governor, and now works part time at school has been given a role to support parents of EYFS children (who she works with) and those with more complex medical needs.
We hope in the new year you will be able to talk to whoever you feel most comfortable getting advice and support from,
Christmas Activities – I have been fortunate to be around to see lots of the panto performances which were great and we really enjoyed. Rob and I enjoyed ‘dressing up’ for our walk on parts.
I also had the opportunity to see the lower school performances and nativity which was such a great experience. Well done to all our students and staff who worked so hard to make everything so successful.
Our Futures Night – just a reminder about Our Futures Night. We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations from a number of providers.
It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February between 5pm and 8pm and it will be a drop in and informal chat.
Dates for your diary
January 2018Thurs 11th Jan Hilltop ‘Open day’ where anyone is
welcome to look round school at 10am or 1:30. 10am Wednesday 17th Jan chin wag for parents 10am Thursday 18th January new parents meetings 10am, 1pm & 5pm 10am on Thursday 25th January meet the CEO. Tues 23rd Jan Upper school disco. Thurs 25th Jan ‘Computing Day’ Friday 26th Jan Proud Assembly |
February 2018Tuesday 1st February Our Futures Night between 5pm and 8.
Tuesday 6th Feb Upper school parent and carer meetings. Wed 7th Feb ‘Open day’ where anyone is welcome to look round school at 10am or 1:30. Thursday 8th Feb Lower school parents and carers meetings. Fri 9th Feb Proud Assembly. Holiday from Fri 9th Feb & return Mon 19th Feb. Tues 20th Feb Upper school disco. |
David Burdett
Headteacher
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 19.12.17.pdf |
Wednesday 22nd November 2017
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
Family Support Worker – I am so pleased to confirm that we have appointed to the post Jayne Spalding who already works with us on work experience and leading 'Person Centred Reviews' for our older students.
She will be starting her new role in the next few weeks and we are so pleased for her and the school as a whole. We just need to find a replacement for the excellent work she has been doing!
Parents & Carers of New Pupils/Students – I would really like to meet parents and carers who have joined the school in the last six months or so. I am writing separately to all those parents and I would really urge any of you to come and talk with me. I would also welcome any parent who would like to meet me for the 1st time or once again. Please be aware you are welcome to ask any questions or voice any concerns at that meeting or at any time by contacting myself at school. Needless to say, any parents or carers are welcome to the informal meeting, just let me know. These will be Fri 24th Nov at 11am, 1pm & 5pm and also Mon 27th at 2pm & 6pm,
Christmas Activities – We will soon be starting our Christmas events and we would like to invite all parents and carers along. It is always a fun and positive time of year and we would love to see you.
Our Futures Night – Every year we hold this for our older students to begin to look at options when leave Hilltop school. It is really helpful to think about where you child may be once they leave us.
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations
form a number of providers. It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February between 5-8pm.
Dear Families, Parents and Carers
Family Support Worker – I am so pleased to confirm that we have appointed to the post Jayne Spalding who already works with us on work experience and leading 'Person Centred Reviews' for our older students.
She will be starting her new role in the next few weeks and we are so pleased for her and the school as a whole. We just need to find a replacement for the excellent work she has been doing!
Parents & Carers of New Pupils/Students – I would really like to meet parents and carers who have joined the school in the last six months or so. I am writing separately to all those parents and I would really urge any of you to come and talk with me. I would also welcome any parent who would like to meet me for the 1st time or once again. Please be aware you are welcome to ask any questions or voice any concerns at that meeting or at any time by contacting myself at school. Needless to say, any parents or carers are welcome to the informal meeting, just let me know. These will be Fri 24th Nov at 11am, 1pm & 5pm and also Mon 27th at 2pm & 6pm,
Christmas Activities – We will soon be starting our Christmas events and we would like to invite all parents and carers along. It is always a fun and positive time of year and we would love to see you.
Our Futures Night – Every year we hold this for our older students to begin to look at options when leave Hilltop school. It is really helpful to think about where you child may be once they leave us.
We would encourage you to get involved and attend this very useful meeting with informal presentations
form a number of providers. It will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 1st February between 5-8pm.
Dates for your diary
NovemberThurs 23rd Nov Hilltop ‘Open day’
where anyone is welcome to look round school at 10am or 1:30pm Fri 24th Nov ‘Welcome’ meeting for parents with David Burdett 11am, 1pm & 5pm. Fri 24th Proud assembly. Monday 27th Nov ‘Welcome’ meeting for parents with David Burdett 11am, 2pm or 6pm. |
DecemberThurs 7th Christmas Fair PM
Tues 12th Panto AM Wed 13th Panto PM Thurs 14th Panto AM Fri 15th Xmas dinner & party Post 16, Upper 1 & 2 Mon 18th 10am Coffee morning. Mon 18th Nativity PM Tues 19th Nativity AM Tues 19th Xmas dinner and party Blossom, Larch ,Yellow and Orange classes. Wed 20th Nativity AM Wed 20th Xmas dinner and party Blue, Pink, Lime and Green classes Fri 22nd Proud Assembly |
David Burdett
Headteacher
Headteacher
| Headteachers Letter 21.11.17.pdf |
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