Headteacher's Message!

Good Afternoon Parents & Carers, 

Welcome back to the new half term and St David's day!

I hope that you had a good half term despite the weather. During this half term, we continue to explore the value 'courage'. There will be further discussions around what children and staff think of when 'courage' is mentioned and who they think of. It would be lovely to create a display of moments when our school community has been courageous, so if you have a photograph you would like to share please email it to parents@ashley.surrey.sch.uk. 

Last week I attended the FOA open house meeting and passed on my thanks to everyone involved with organising and attending events, on behalf of the staff and children at Ashley. The support and fundraising is very much appreciated. 

Please can I urge you to make an appointment for parent consultation evening, if you haven’t already done so. Please do contact the office if you are experiencing any technical difficulties and they will be happy to help you.

I am delighted to share the news that Mrs Lewis is expecting a baby in August 2024. I hope that you will join us in wishing Mrs Lewis and her family many congratulations on this very exciting news. She will continue to teach Woodpeckers until the end of this academic year.

Finally, a reminder that next Thursday the whole school is celebrating World Book Day, where children are invited to dress up as a book character and bring in the associated book.   

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that even with older children, hearing them read aloud regularly is very important. It enables them to develop their fluency and expression and to engage more fully in all areas of the curriculum and develop their vocabulary. Thank you for your support with this.

Wishing you a good weekend. 

Mrs Ratcliff

New Absence Reporting - StudyBugs

We’re pleased to announce that Ashley is introducing a new, more efficient and secure system for reporting your child’s absence due to illness, called Studybugs.

If you haven’t already, please get the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child’s ill and unable to attend school.

Get the app or register now (https://studybugs.com/about/parents)

Top 3 reasons to use Studybugs

1. It helps us know sooner if your child is unaccounted for.
2. It’s quick and easy to register and use and automatically reminds you to keep us posted.
3. You’ll be helping the NHS and other public health organisations improve children’s health. (https://studybugs.com/about/schools)

Important Information - We are a NUT, SESAME, KIWI, HUMMUS Free School

Despite many reminders we are still finding that children are bringing in food items that may contain nuts. Please can you double check all ingredients as many snack bars may appear to not contain nuts when they may have traces. This will be written on the pack.

We have many children who have a severe NUT, KIWI and SESAME SEED allergy,  and although some may not need to come into direct contact with nuts they can still have a severe reaction, even if its air borne.

We would also like to remind you we are HUMMUS free too, due to sesame seed being in the ingredients of this food item. Thank you.

Spring Dates - 

End of Year School Reports - a survey 

We have a responsibility to share an end of year summary with our parents about the progress their child has made in the past year and historically, we have used a similar lay out. As the recipients of these reports, we'd like to hear your feedback about what you'd like to know in these end of year reports that will hopefully we coming to you in the first week of July.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QJzJmlG4rk22dTSZyZDJs-q2sJ7301BDvU365B469ZVUMEhHTkVMMVlYWVhCVFNHTU8yOTZPTTI2NC4u

The Past Fortnight- 

Year 6

Last Friday (23rd) Year 6 were treated to a presentation from Jo, a renewable-energy planner (and a parent!). Jo explained why renewable energy is important and the different types of renewable energies there are. During Jo's presentation, we took notes before making a windmill: you can see all of this fantastic work in our Year 6 corridor the next time you breeze through! Thank you, Jo, for sharing your knowledge.

-Miss Bardel 

Year 6 had the opportunity recently to take part in a 'Young Writers' competition to have a chance to see their writing published in a book. The theme was 'once upon a dream' and required the children to create a poem based on this. We are proud to announce that all the children who entered have been chosen to have their work published! We want to say a big well done to: Dylan, Niamh, Isabelle K, Alice, Isabelle H, Tilly, Poppy, Beatty, Rose, Amaya, Holly, Nathaniel and Dayun. 

-Miss Casley 

 

Year 5

Year 5 have been busy gardening this week as part of their world caretaker project. They have been measuring out and beginning to plant a no dig garden beside the Hive. They have also been propagating plants and planting seeds. It will be exciting to see how the garden progresses through the year. 

- Miss Hood 

 Year 3

Y3 had a great trip to Butser Farm and learnt a lot about what life was like during the Stone Ages. Did you know it took 6 months to spin and weave 1 item of clothing? It was a fun packed day with lots of Stone Age activities  like chalk carving and spinning.

-Mrs Nawaz 

 

Year 1

Year 1 have been learning about how the seasons change and went on a walk around the school grounds to see what signs of spring they could find Y1 have loved exploring. We found daffodils, willow, crocuses and two snowdrops! We can't wait to do gardening with Mrs Winstanley Fisher next week. 

-Miss Hughes & Mrs Rayner 

  

Cake Sale - Thank you!

BIG thank all those who came and bought some cakes from our bake sale on Monday. Members of the Guinea pig club past and present worked hard to bake and sell their cakes, raising a total of £95 for a new outdoor enclosure. 

- Mr Denman

ASHLEY CELEBRATES-

Maha Shivaratri 

On Friday 8^th March, this special Hindu festival takes place in honour of the deity Shiva. The name of the festival means "Great Night Of Shiva."

Ramadan

On the night of Sunday 10^th March, this holy month of fasting, reflection, and prayer for Muslims starts. Fasting is one of the five pillars, the fundamental principles of Islam. Muslims do not eat or drink during this holy month from dawn to sunset.

 - Mrs Harris

Poetry Battle! - 

poetry battle 2024.pdf

 Reading - 

wbd 2024 primary poster reading for pleasure 1 .pdf

Using Restorative Practice at Home -

using restorative practice at home.pdf

Online Safety - 

self regulation.pdf

Healthy Snacks - Plastic Waste - 

As a Healthy School and an Eco-School, we cannot ignore the types of snacks being taken onto our playground during playtimes. Whilst we acknowledge the large majority of our pupils bring in healthy snacks (ideally a piece of fruit) for eating at playtime, there are some others that are causing a plastic waste issue with plastic wrappers flying all over the playground. We will help remind the children (especially those with packed lunched) to take something healthy out of their lunch boxes for a snack rather than other items of food. (veg/fruit). We would appreciate your support. 

Update! Caterlink - New Catering Company

The new menus have had mixed reviews, but we have had regular meetings with Caterlink to discuss these issues and they have been able to adjust the menus according to the feedback from the children and also whilst monitoring the waste.

This will be an ongoing review and we will continue to meet with Caterlink until the school, children and the kitchen are satisfied with the menus and food offered

 FOA News - 

 💚Friends of Ashley Eco Stall online orders💚

From next week we are offering online ordering again. Please fill in the order form at https://forms.gle/Pjtve25qy44Xheso7. Collection on Fridays from the preloved stall.

All proceeds go directly to fundraising for the children of Ashley School.

Thank you for your continued support 💚 

 

 May Ball - Saturday 18th May

 How does your ticket and fundraising help the school?

The return of the May Ball takes place on Saturday May 18th at Sandown Racecourse. You'll be treated to a night of fabulous food, music and a live auction. Since the last May Ball the school has been through alot of change, and funding has become harder. Under the excellent leadership of Mrs Ratcliff and her team, the school has continued to invest in its outdoor space to enrich and enhance every child's learning.

We are hoping to raise £15,000 from this year's May Ball. The money raised will go towards supporting the investment of a new interactive nature trail which will include a pond, a bird hide linked up to a camera, benches and sensory apparatus.

There will be a competition coming soon for the children to name the trail. Hosting events for the community is a great way to fundraise and support the school.

 Auction and Raffle prizes

We have already secured some great ‘money can’t buy’ auction and raffle prizes. So if you work for a well known brand, or have your own unique products or services you could donate to the auction and raffle, please get in touch thefriendsofashley@gmail.com

To get your tickets click here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ashley-may-ball-2024-tickets-824000887837?aff=oddtdtcreator

 If you can't make the May Ball or would rather make a donation, you can do this by bank transfer to the FOA:

Payment by cheque or BACS to Friends of Ashley

LLoyds Bank

Sort code: 30-99-09

A/C: 00212982

The money raised and donated will go towards supporting the schools plans to create a new nature trail at Ashley, which will be a legacy for every child at the school.

 Well Done! - 

 

A big well done to Ollie (Y5) who raced for Ashley and came in 5th in the Y5 boys race. All schools from all over Surrey took part.  - WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT! 

Felix (4) and Ted (3) were invited to join the U9 Surrey county tennis squad. They train together at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Community Centre in Raynes Park every other Saturday, with about sixteen other boys - WELL DONE FELIX & TED!