Andoversford Primary School

Dear Oak Class Families, 

Those of you with children in year 1 will be aware that, later on in the year, the pupils will be sitting their year 1 phonics screening. This is an assessments which allows us to see which phonics sounds that the children are secure in and whether they may need some addidtional support in their phonics going into year 2. On Tuesday 2nd December, I will be holding a phonics meeting to answer any questions about phonics and to give some suggestions on how to further support your children. This will be straight after drop off and should only be about 20 minutes. 

The year 1s have been doing such a fantanstic job at picking up all of their new phase 5 sounds so far, so thank you for the addidional support that you have been giving at home. 

If you are unable to attend, please do ask me any questions via email or at pick-up. 

Best wishes, 

Miss DW

If your child is in the choir some of them are doing a solo or group singing part. These lyrics went home with the children today.

Here is the link to the music that we have been using.

https://youtu.be/zppNLaN-idE?si=31B7fh6Pllu-E3wf

Happy singing and thank you very much.

Happy Friday Willow Class families,

Next week, Willow Class will be completing their DT unit for this term around Cooking and Nutrition. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be using two different recipes to cook a variety of meals using seasonal ingredients. 

On both of these days, children will need a container in school so that they can bring home their goods. Without a container, unfortunately we will not be able to send home what they have made.

Thank you for your support. Have a lovely weekend!

Miss Packer 

Next week is December and time for some Christmas traditions to begin. From Monday the Christmas Post Box will be back and ready to receive cards. Please make sure any cards posted have the name and class clearly marked so that the post elves can deliver them.

Children can post cards into the box at the start of the day or breaktime. Deliveries will take place on the last day of term!

It is the time of year when our evenings are getting darker. Our school site is dark at this time of year as there is not a lot of street lighting locally. We have recently installed more solar lights along the pathways to help keep us all safe. Please take extra care when using the path and ensure your child walks sensibly so that the lights do not become damaged as they have in previous years. We expect everyone to respect all users of the paths by walking instead of running, riding bikes or scooting. 

Parents collecting their children from the later after school session are advised to use the path in front of the school building to get to the hall. This route has better lighting and motion sensor external lights. 

Thank you for your support. 

Friends of Andoversford will be selling the first Festive Friday treat THIS Friday 28th November afterschool.

The treat is £1 and can be given in CASH or CARD on the day or prepaid for children in clubs.

Pre-Payment: If you would like to prepay for your child's festive treats please make a bank transfer before Thursday the 27th November.

Andoverford School Parent teacher and friends association
30-99-50
28948868
Please use child's name (class) or child's name (club) as a payment reference.

Any questions please email us friends@andoversford.gloucs.sch.uk

Dear Parents and Carers, 

We are currently running very low on spare tights and socks in Ash Class.

As the weather gets wetter, we appreciate children may get wet socks and tights and we are always happy to offer spares to go home in when we have them available in the classroom.

If your child does come home wearing any spares we kindly ask that you return these to school in a clean condition, so that they can be kept in the classroom supply of spare clothing ready to be reused when needed. 

If you have a surplus of tights and socks at home that you are able to donate to Ash Class, please do not hesitate to bring these in - they would be gratefully received!

As always, thank you for your cooperation. 

Home-Start Cotswolds is a local charity that supports families with young children who are going through challenging times.  It is currently looking for volunteers with parenting experience to join its next free training course, which starts in January 2026.

If you are parent or carer that would like to start a new volunteering journey, please see the information attached for more details. 

The Holiday Activity Programme (HAP) will be running this winter after securing grant funding. This programme of free holiday activities is offered to all children between the ages of four and sixteen across the district, regardless of free school meal eligibility. Enjoy cinema tickets, pantomime tickets, ice skating tickets, swim passes, museum passes available and possibly even more. SEND sessions are also available.   

Visit the new Family Hubs booking system: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ to register for, view and book activities. 

More information about the programme is available at: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.    

Family support is also available through our Community Connectors, Bloodhound Education, as part of the Winter Holiday Activity and Food Programme 2025. Bloodhound Education are on hand to help with booking activities and signposting families to other agencies where a need has been identified.    

To get in touch with Bloodhound Education, please email accounts@bloodhoundeducation.com or phone 0208 150 3767 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 2:30pm).   

The programme will begin on Monday 22nd December, with bookings opening on Monday 1st December.

The Holiday Activity Programme (HAP) run alongside the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which is available to children from reception age up to year 11 who are recipients of benefits-related free school meals.  Food voucher applications open on the 25^th November and close on the 9^th December. To find out more about holiday free school meal vouchers, click here: Holiday free school meal vouchers | Gloucestershire County Council

If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals, please visit the Gloucestershire County Council website to see the eligibility criteria and a link to apply: Apply for free school meals | Gloucestershire County Council

As you will have seen we were recently successful in gaining a £500 grant to support our breakfast club. The money will go towards continuing to provide a nutritious and balanced meal at breakfast for those who need it most.

We will shortly be sending out the forms for parents to book their wrap-around options for next term. If you feel that a subsidised place would support your family, please get in touch before completing the form. 

Want to access your library books in a different way? Why not try listening to your library book with one of your local library's wide range of free eAudiobooks? Listen at home or on the go.

Why not carry an eBook in your pocket, ready to read when you have a spare moment?

eBooks and eAudiobooks are becoming more and more popular – your library card gives you access to a great free range of titles.

To find out more about how to access eBooks and eAudiobooks through Gloucestershire Libraries, click here: https://gloslibraries.uk/ebooks-and-eaudiobooks