Friday 24th April 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we enjoy the sunshine in this summer term, let us remember the values that guide our school community:

perseverance, responsibility forgiveness, acceptance, honesty and respect

These values help our children to care for others, and we hope they will shape them throughout their lives.  Living out these values extends beyond the classroom and into our daily interactions as a school family.

With this in mind, we value our neighbours and I’d like to draw attention to drop‑off and pick‑up within the Church car park and Devonshire Street.  Please ensure that you are in a designated space and not on any yellow chevrons.  These are very busy moments in the school day and we’re all juggling a lot, so treating one another with patience and kindness helps to keep everyone safe and calm.

Today we also say goodbye to Miss Ward, who has been supporting in our After‑School Club.  We are very grateful for the care, energy and kindness she has brought to the children each day.  We wish her every success in her new role.

We’re pleased to share that attendance across the whole school was above the National Average last week.  Thank you to all families for your continued support.  A reminder that the school day starts at 8.50am.  Registers for ‘latecomers’ are checked and whilst we appreciate mornings can be busy at home, it is important to be on site, ready for the school day.

Multiplication Tables Check

Our Class 4 children will be taking the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) in June, and regular practice at home makes a huge difference.  Knowing their times tables quickly and confidently helps them in so many areas of maths — from division and fractions to problem‑solving and general confidence in lessons.

A little bit of practice every day really does help things stick.  It doesn’t need to be long; short bursts work best and can easily fit into daily routines. Great practice tools for Class 4 include ‘Times Table Rock Stars’, ‘Hit the Button’, and the official ‘MTC practice site’.

School Development: Academisation

Behind the scenes, the school continues to engage in the formal process of academisation.  This involves working through the necessary legal steps, governance requirements and due‑diligence processes that ensure a smooth and secure transition.  Although much of this work is administrative, the purpose is clear: to strengthen our school’s long‑term stability and to create even more opportunities for our children, staff and community.  We will continue to keep families updated as the process progresses.

Looking ahead with a focus on Play: Loose‑Parts Donations

We are always mindful of the challenges placed on family life, and we truly appreciate the support you give the school in so many ways.  As we move towards an exciting new project to develop our lunchtime provision, we are beginning to gather resources for our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) play scheme.  This approach uses loose parts to inspire creativity, teamwork and imaginative play outdoors.

If you happen to have any of the following items at home, or have connections who may be able to donate them, we would be extremely grateful:

• Large reels - wooden or plastic cable reels
• Crates - milk crates or sturdy storage crates
• Pipes and tubes - guttering, plastic tubing, downpipes
• Tarpaulins - any size, for den‑building
• Fabric and sheets - curtains, blankets, large pieces of material
• Pallets - in good condition
• Baskets and containers - for sorting and carrying
• Tyres - clean and safe
• Small world items - toy vehicles, animals, figures
• Natural materials - logs, sticks, pebbles
• Costume items - hats, scarves, capes
• Kitchen utensils - pots, pans, ladles for mud‑kitchen play

Any contributions, big or small, help us create a richer, more joyful play environment for all children.

Summer Fayre

The date is set!

Thursday 9 July 2.30pm.

If you would like to have a stall or know anyone who would let please let the office know.

It is a school based event and we are reliant on volunteers to help oversee stalls, help with refreshements and ensure it is a success.

The School Council are already on the ball and are looking for soft toys for their stall. If you have any that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school office. 

Eco Club

Eco club have been busy building bird boxes in the hopes of encouraging more birds into the school grounds as part of their eco school award action.

The Eco-Committee would like to invite you to join them in celebrating David Attenborough's 100^th birthday on 8^th May.

We will be celebrating by dressing as animals, nature or in bright colours- a donation of £1 is requested, which will be donated to a wildlife charity.  We will also be hosting a celebration cake competition- judged by the Eco-Committee.  We would love to sell these at the end of the school day in the hall, so please indicate on your box any allergens that may be in your cake. (Cake entries should be brought to the main office or classroom doors, where they will then be placed in the meeting room for judging).

🌈 Wraparound Care

Week Commencing: Monday 27^th April 2026

Contact: 01909 473 223 Option 2

💌 Welcome to another lovely week at wraparound care!  Our team are so happy to be spending time with your children. Here’s a peek at all the fun, food, and special activities that we have planned.

🍎 Food & Tasty Treats

🥣 Breakfast Options

Day	Cereals (Low Sugar Options)	Toast Options	Drinks	Fruit Option	Optional Extra	Allergens
Monday	Weetabix Cornflakes Shredded Wheat Rice Krispies Oats (porridge)	50/50 toast with flora buttery and jam	Milk / Water / Apple juice / Orange juice	Banana	Low sugar yogurt or fromage frais	Milk, Gluten
Tuesday				Tinned peaches in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten
Wednesday				Tinned pears in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten
Thursday				Frozen mango		Milk, Gluten
Friday				Tinned oranges in fruit juice		Milk, Gluten

Breakfast is either cereal or toast with yoghurt and fruit as optional extras.

🍌 After School Snacks

Day	Snack	Allergens
Monday	Jacket potato & beans, carrot, apple	None
Tuesday	Ham & cheese toastie, cucumber, banana	Milk, Gluten
Wednesday	Tuna mayo pitta, tomatoes, orange	Fish, Gluten, Egg
Thursday	Cheese wrap, sweetcorn, pear	Milk, Gluten
Friday	Scrambled egg on toast, peppers, fruit salad	Egg, Gluten

🎨 This Week’s Afterschool Activities

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
3:20–3:40	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social	Snack & Social
3:40–4:00	Reading	Reading	Reading	Reading	Reading
4:00–4:30	Plant Pots	Plant Science	Garden Games	Mindful Gardening	Nature Bingo

Due to rising running costs, we need to inform you of an increase in our fees for Wrap Around Care provision, effective from September 2026.

From this date, the charges will be as follows:

• Breakfast Club: £3.50 per child
• After School Club: £11.00 per child

We have worked hard to keep our prices as low as possible over the years, but unfortunately, increasing costs mean that this adjustment is now necessary.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

News from the Classes

Reception

This week, Class Reception have been thinking about, how changing the setting can help them create a new story.  They have been retelling ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and adapting it to make their own exciting version, ‘We’re Going on a Dinosaur Hunt’.  The children have explored different human and physical features, carefully thinking about which ones a dinosaur might have seen and which ones they would not have.  In PE they have been practicing more team games and moving in different ways. 

Class One

This week, Class 1 have been learning about the ‘Parable of the Lost Sheep in RE’. They made thoughtful links between this story and our school value of Responsibility. Throughout the day, each child was given their own sheep to look after, whilst also keeping a careful eye out for the hungry wolves who were trying to take them!  The children showed fantastic responsibility as they looked after their sheep, making sure to keep them safe and remembering to check on them regularly.  They really engaged with the activity and took their roles seriously, which made the learning very fun.  During their lesson, the children reflected on the message of the story and what it teaches us about caring for others. They created “lost sheep” posters and thought carefully about what they are responsible for in their everyday lives. 

Class Two

In Class 2, the children have looked at their new maths topic of measurement, focusing on length and height.  They have compared, ordered and measured the length and height of objects.  In their English sessions, the children have really enjoyed reading more of ‘The Koala Who Could’, looking at nouns, how they describe them, focusing on sound, colour, emotions and movement.  In Geography, they used their ipads and atlases to look into the 7-continents, which one is the largest and which one is the smallest, and ordered them in size. In Art, the children have worked on collaging, looking at Pete Cromer who is an Australian artist.  In gymnastics, Emma our coach, helped the children explore their ability to do a tuck jump, they also had the opportunity to use the apparatus again which they were very happy about.  In Computing this week, the children were excited to explore making their own music using Chrome music lab.  At lunchtime and playtimes, the children have been loving the nicer weather, playing football on the field, dancing with their friends and even learning a new game they can play with their friends.

Class Three

This week in Class 3, the children have been exploring some exciting topics across the curriculum.  In Geography, they have been learning about the structure of volcanoes and the different types of tectonic plates; helping them understand how the Earth changes over time.  In Science, they have been investigating push and pull forces through practical activities. In English, the children have been writing non-chronological reports about volcanoes, focusing on organising information clearly using headings and facts.  In Maths, they have been developing their understanding of mass and capacity by weighing objects and measuring liquids accurately.  In RE, they have been learning about the key features of religious buildings and why they are important to different faiths.

Class Four

Class 4 have thoroughly enjoyed their recent learning about the water cycle, making strong links to their previous Geography studies on South America.  The children demonstrated a clear understanding of key processes such as evaporation and condensation, confidently explaining these concepts and applying their knowledge in a range of impressive written and creative tasks.  They have produced some fantastic pieces of work that showcase both their enthusiasm and growing scientific understanding.  This lesson marks the end of their “States of Matter” topic, and the class is now looking forward with excitement to beginning their next unit on animals and their habitats.

Class Five

Class 5 enjoyed a visit to Outwood Academy Portland on Tuesday, to watch their performance of ‘Shrek’.  It was a fantastic experience and they all thoroughly enjoyed it.  The quality of singing, dancing and acting was exceptional, as was the music from the orchestra.  During Young Leaders this week, they have been thinking about what makes a good leader and whether skills are personal qualities, or leadership qualities. They thought about their own personal role models and the leadership skills they have that they can learn from.  Chronology was their focus in history, with particular emphasis on the similarities and differences between Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.  Their writing focus this week, was to write a character description of either Theseus or the Minotaur, making sure that they included parenthesis, relative clauses, fronted adverbials, commas for clarity, emotions and feelings.  In reading sessions, they have been focusing on making a point and finding evidence from the text.  In French, they have become more confident with the names of Olympic Games sports. What a busy week!

Class Six

Class 6 have had a very productive week, continuing their work on building up a narrative inspired by our class text ‘Holes’.  The children have been developing their ideas around character, setting and plot, and it’s been great to see their confidence growing as they prepare to write their own stories.  In maths, the focus has been on shape and angles.  The children have been exploring different types of angles and applying their knowledge in a range of problem-solving activities.  This has been a tricky area at times, but the class have worked hard and shown great perseverance. In science, they have started their new unit on the circulatory system.  The children have been fascinated learning about the heart, blood vessels and how their bodies transport oxygen and nutrients.  Lots of sensible questions and thoughtful discussions have taken place.  In PE, the class have been developing their gymnastics skills, working on balance, control and sequencing movements.  Alongside this, the children are continuing to work extremely hard on their SATs revision, showing real determination and commitment.

Congratulations to our Stars of the Week this week

Well done to all pupils who received certificates this week.  Your hard work, positive attitudes, and kindness continue to make our school a wonderful place to learn.

 

Class Reception – Everleigh & Thomas

Class One – Frederick & Azra

Class Two – Eva Ann & Teddy

Class Three – Isla & Riva

Class Four – School Trip

Class Five – Elsa

Class Six – Jack

Tidy Classroom Award: Class 4 – Well done!

Lunchtime Stars: Lily-Rose

Gymnastics

Explore Apparatus Level 1: Henry (6), Alex (2), Lily (2), Amilia (2), James (2), Julien (2), Eva Ann (2)

Explore Apparatus Level 2: Adam and Ruby (6)

Out of School Achievements:

Cup Game Winners and in Semi-Final, both Man of the Match - Harrison (5) and George (5)

Man of the Match SJR - Jacob (6)

Supporters Player of the Match - Ava (6)

Gymnastics Award – George (2)

Well done to all!

Church Services

10.00 StA@10Together with HC inc SS, led by Rev Dave

6.00pm StA@6, led by Rev Nigel

2025-2026 Attendance

Class	Attendance
R	94.64%
1	96.67%
2	99.6%
3	99.21%
4	97.18%
5	98.52%
6	97.04%
ALL: 97.53%

Well done St Anne’s! This is above the 97% whole school which we aim for in Nottinghamshire.

Prayer from Abigail & James (6)

Dear God

May we look upon God to lead us to freedom, no matter what difficulty we are in.

Amen

Dear God

Help us to be respectful and embrace the ‘ow’, ‘wow’ and ‘now’s’.

Amen

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Mrs Middleton & the St Anne’s Team

Key Dates to Remember in the School Year
			Key Statutory Weeks (Assessment)
			Year 6 SATS Week – Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026 Year 1 Phonics Screening – Monday 8 June 2026 (2 weeks) Year 4 Multiplication Check – Monday 1 June 2026 (2 weeks)
Please ensure your children are in school during these times as their data will count even when absent.
Looking Ahead
May	4	Bank Holiday
	8	Eco Day (David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday) – dress up as an animal, nature or a bright colour. £1 donation to wildlife charity.
	14	Spring Bank Disco – KS! 3.30-4.30pm, KS2 4.45-6.30pm
	11-15	SATS Week – Class 6 Christian Aid Week
	21	Reception Class Assembly – 2:45 pm in the hall
	25-31	Half Term
June	1-4	Y6 Bikeability
	1-12	Y4 Statutory Timetables Test Fortnight
	8-12	Y1 Phonics Screening & Year 2 Assessments
	8	Admissions Governors Meeting
	9	Y5 Ancient Greek Workshop in school
	10	Meeting for New Starter Parents 6:00 pm
	15	Big Talk Day (RSHE Education) – whole school
	17	Finance Governors Meeting
	18	Y1 Class Assembly – 2.45 pm in the hall
	17-18	Father’s Day Secret Sale afterschool
	22	Drumming Concert (for parents / carers of children who do drumming in school) – 2.30pm
	22-26	Sports Week
	23	Sports Day – KS1 AM & KS2 PM
	25	Y6 London Trip
	30	School Photos Strategic and Development Governor Meeting
	1	Whole School Transition Day
	2	Y4 Class Assembly – 2.45pm in the hall
July	8	Full Governors Meeting
	9	Summer Fayre – 2.30pm
	16	Open Afternoon – 2.15 pm
	24	Leavers Assembly 2:00 pm in Church