Ashley C of E Primary School

Headteachers Message!

 Good Afternoon, 

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank you out FOA Committee for working so hard to make our Fireworks such a great event again this year and for all of you who joined us on the field. I loved it and I know you did too! 

Last Monday, we began the week with a moment of remembrance, reflecting on the sacrifices of soldiers in past conflicts. At 11 o’clock, Year 6 led the Remembrance Service and we observed a two-minute silence. It was a moving moment, and I was incredibly proud of the children’s behaviour and respect during this time. A huge thank you to the children who sang at the Walton on Thames Remembrance Service, they sounded beautiful.

Last week was both busy and productive. On Thursday, we welcomed Maria Roberts, GST Senior Education Officer with responsibilty for quality assurance in all GST schools. She carried out a learning walk focused on two curriculum areas (mathematics and art and design). We were pleased that the children demonstrated excellent attitudes toward their learning and were confidently able to discuss our school values. More feedback will be shared once the report is received.

We also been visited by the school photographer which brought plenty of excitement as the children posed for their school photos—a memorable moment they all enjoyed! The proofs were sent home on Friday so you can now order your child/children photos via the details included.

On another note, I’m sure many of you have seen the recent news about Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation following the Makin Review. I want to reassure you that as a church school, we remain fully committed to the highest levels of safeguarding and training, with the safety and well-being of our students as our top priority. For more information, you can find a statement on the Diocese of Guildford website: Diocese of Guildford News.

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of regular attendance. The Department for Education has made it clear that students are expected to attend school consistently, with very few exceptions. While occasional absences due to illness or special circumstances (such as a secondary school open day or a private music/dance exam) may be authorised, we are unable to grant most other absence requests. Your support in ensuring your child’s regular attendance is greatly appreciated.

 Mrs Ratcliff

Dates for your diary - 

Friendly Reminders - 

Attendance -  

Attendance is another of our key priorities this year. The research is very clear that excellent attendance helps to support excellent pupil outcomes. Please support us with this mission by ensuring your child’s attendance is excellent. You can see your child's attendance on the Arbor App, anything over 96% to be good attendance. Mrs Ratcliff is unable to authorise any holiday during term time as all families are expected to arrange this during the school holidays.

If your child is unwell, please report their absence via study bugs or call before 8.30am

Ashley are solely moving to Studybugs as its a more efficient and secure system for reporting your child’s absence due to illness. 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)

Lunches - 

The Autumn/Winter 2024/25 menu, is here: Menu

If your child/ren normally has a school meal, please can we remind you to order a school meal in advance. Ordering now closes on the Friday before and meals cannot be ordered after this time.

Should you forget to book a meal for your child/ren, we will call you and you will be required to bring in a packed lunch for your child going forward. You will not be able to book a meal on the day.

The current cost of a school meal is £2.75 for those children in KS2. Please ensure that payments are kept up to date at all times.

Payment should be made on-line via www.scopay.com/ashley  We do not accept cash or cheques. our registration code for Scopay will have been sent home with your child.  This can also be obtained from the school office.

Christmas Lunch - 

 A reminder that our Christmas lunch will be on Wednesday 18^th December. If you wish to book your child in for a Christmas lunch on this day, please book before 2^nd December via scopay.

christmas menu poster 2024 gst.pdf

Bicycles and Scooters left at overnight - 

Should you wish to leave your child's bike / scooter at school, please could you ensure that it is locked with a robust lock in the bike racks situated at the front of the school.  The School will not be liable for any unlocked bikes or scooters left at school.

Zones of Regulation - 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55BC8gUqlCM - please click the link for more information. 

THANK YOU FOA - 

Thank you to the FOA for the generous donation received to resurface an area of the playground with rubber mulch.  This project was completed during the October half term.  The playground size has been increased significantly and will benefit all children at break and lunchtime.  New play equipment and apparatus will follow in due course as funds are made available.  

- Mrs Rudman 

The Past Fortnight - 

 Year 6 - 

On Monday, the 11^th of November, at the eleventh hour, Year 6 led a poignant Remembrance Day Service by the Harmony Centre. The children led the service, speaking clearly and confidently to pay a respectful tribute to those whose names are inscribed on Walton's War Memorial alongside many, many others who lost their lives in wars and conflicts around the world. Thank you to Year 5 who attended the service and to all the parents, grandparents and great grandparents who joined Year 6 to commemorate the war dead. We will remember them.

 - Miss Bardel 

Year 5 -

This week, Y5 students have been learning about and preparing to write their own adventure story. We've looked at many examples, highlighted the key features of this genre, and added ideas to our class story. We have also learned how to build suspense and tension to grab the reader's attention and keep them wanting to turn the next page. The students are looking forward to writing their own adventure story next week. 

- Miss Courtney 

Year 3 - 

We also had an African dance workshop this week! This terms learning is based around Africa as we are studying the Kingdom of Benin and creating fact files on different countries in Africa. The children were taught different traditional African dances and the meaning behind each movement. Then created fantastic freeze frames in their tribes!

- Miss Hoseason  

 

 Skylark Mini Olympics- 

On Friday afternoon, Skylark Class walked to Cleves to take part in Olympic style activities ranging from ball activities, running and obstacles races. The children showed excellent teamwork, great courage and were a real asset to Ashley. The competition was tough, so we were overjoyed to be the runner ups! In Year 2 the class came in 5^th place, so this truly was an amazing feat! Congratulations Skylark Class!

Sikh Workshop

We learnt about the Sikh faith, how to tie a turban, the significance of the 5 K’s and even had a go at playing the tabla and harmonium.

- Mrs Nawaz  

Year 2 - 

Year 2 started the week off with an exciting puppet workshop. The children were entertained by Joe- the puppeteer, they then attended a workshop where they were taught certain skills to get the audience engaged when performing and to end the day off, all the children had the opportunity to make a sock puppet. 

-Mrs Van Der Schaff 

 

Reception - 

Reception have been learning about the police this week. When they came back from lunch, they found a crime scene in the outside classroom. Using their detective skills, they had to work out who had left the mess. They pieced the clues that the culprit had left behind together and were all shocked to find that it was Mrs Ratcliff.... 

- Miss Key 

Faith Club -

On Wednesday 13^th November, Year 6 were lucky enough to have their Collective Worship lead by a guest speaker - Mrs. Christabel Bacchus - a member of Walton Baptist Church, who came to speak to the children as part of our 'Inter Faith Week' activities. The children listened beautifully as she told them about her experiences of - as a child, just after WW2 - being brought up within the Catholic Faith;  being both baptised and confirmed as a Catholic. However, as an adult, she felt that God lead her 'to a different church' - the Baptist Church. After hearing Mrs Bacchus'  experiences of being part of two different types of Christian churches, Year 6 pupils asked her many pertinent questions, including 'What's the difference between the Baptist Church and the Catholic Church?', 'What is the most meaningful passage in the bible for you?' and 'Which testament did you prefer reading, the Old Testament or the New Testament?' Mrs Bacchus was able to answer all the children's excellent questions in a clear and engaging way and afterwards, commented on both Year 6's wonderful questions and exemplary behaviour. Her visit allowed our Year 6 pupils to deepen their understanding of the key similarities and differences between two different Christian denominations and churches within our local community in a really memorable and meaningful way, and the pupils thanked Mrs. Bacchus with a warm round of applause before she concluded our Collective Worship by leading our Ashley School Prayer with the children. 

 - The RE Team

Ahead of Sunday's Remembrance Services we asked children during a lunch time pop up prayer space to colour in a poppy and include a message or word of thanks. The Infants children took part asked very respectful questions about the meaning of poppies and participated sensibly. Thank you.

 - Mrs Harris

This week we welcomed a speaker from the Sikh community to lead our junior collective worship on Monday. On Tuesday the children participated in an interfaith pop up prayer space and were led in Worship by Reverend Cathy of St Mary's Walton. On Wednesday we welcomed a member of Walton Baptist church to speak to Year 6 about how they worship in their church.

-Mrs Harris  

Gardening News - 

Last Tuesday, our KS2 World Caretaker children headed to the Halfway Green, Walton to help out again with one of Elmbridge Councils Community bulb planting scheme. The children all did a fantastic job and thought it was a great project to be involved with. The ground was hard, but using the bulb planters and spades they showed great resilience and determination to plant the daffodil bulbs. Please keep a look out early Spring to see all their hard work.

Thank you to our staff and parent helpers, for the  morning -  Mrs Pockett, Mrs Fasolino, Mr Tanghe &  Ms Hall.

'Bulb planting was really fun and a bit hard.  I really enjoyed it because we were helping the environment and was something we can all do' Neevie Year6 

'I loved it so much and I can't wait until we do our next thing as World Caretakers together'

Nevi Yr5

'Gardening was amazing - i had so much fun! The best part was digging the holes for the daffodils' Raiden Yr5

- Mrs Winstanley Fisher 

 

 SMILES 2 SMILES - DONATIONS 

smiles 2 smiles.png

Walton Charity - 

stripey stork 24 flyer.pdf

 THANK - YOU FROM RENT START 

Thank you so much for coming in with the children and the donations – it was so good to see you all, and the enthusiasm of the children was wonderful!!  Be sure that everything donated will be received with thanks. To find out about all the excellent work Rent start do and events they hold please have a look at their website - http://www.rentstart.org/our-events

Christmas Performances

Please keep an eye out in your emails this week for details about the Christmas performances including details on how to book tickets.

Panto -  

It's panto time again... oh yes it is! This year's amazing St Mary's and St John's Youth Fellowship pantomime is Fearless Prince Rupert and is full of Ashley School alumni. It's a fantastic way to end the Christmas holidays and is fun for the whole family. For November only, there is an Earlybird discount meaning tickets, including a free hot or soft drink at the interval, are just £4 per person. To book please email youthfellowship@waltonparish.org.uk or contact Zoe Byrne on 07950 932623. 

Performances will be at St Mary's Church Hall in Walton on:

Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 7pm

Friday 3rd January 2025 at 4pm

Saturday 4th January 2025 at 2pm

Saturday 4th January 2025 at 7pm