 Spring Term 2 Newsletter  

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Year 1 have had a great half-term! In maths we have been learning the place value of numbers to 100 and have been counting and grouping in tens. In English we have been looking at Aesop's fable 'The contest between the sun and the wind' and creating our own versions of the story. In geography we have been looking at the seasons and how the weather changes, and in science we have been learning about plants. We have been labelling the parts of plants, planting seeds and researching which plants we can eat. We visited Woodland Valley Farm and had a great day learning about where our food comes from and how we can help by looking after our environment.&nbsp;

Year 3 have been working really hard this term on all things mechanic and magnetic! In English they have written two really interesting texts on the theme of inventions and machines - first they wrote an explanation text for their very own inventions and then they wrote a brilliant invention story about an inventor and their robot. We were so proud of their efforts to be creative and use all the text features. We have also enjoyed the story of the Iron Man by Ted Hughes. The children have been making some excellent predictions and used some challenging vocabulary in their written responses. In Science they have been exploring forces and magnets. We completed several investigations to test friction, forces, magnetism, magnetic attraction and repulsion and magnetic strength. We definitely have some future scientists in Year 3! Finally, we are bringing all this learning together to create a magnetic travel game in DT. Their designs and ideas have been really exciting. We can't wait for you to see the finished pieces.

Reception have been enjoying their topic 'Big Wide World!' They have created artwork inspired by traditional African fabric patterns, learnt about Lunar New Year, walked in the St Piran's Day parade and explored Arctic environments! In Maths, we have been learning about number bonds to 10, and consolidating our knowledge of shape. In Literacy, we have been working on writing independently using our knowledge from phonics. The children have enjoyed developing their gross motor skills through sessions on the bike track. We are looking forward to our next topic 'Food Glorious Food!' after the Easter holiday!&nbsp;

Over the past half term the children in nursery have been learning all about the world in which we live. They have learnt about continents such as Asia and Africa and also about places closer to home such as London and Cornwall. We have been busy trying new foods, creating African music, baking scones and learning all about the 'man engine'.&nbsp;

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We would be grateful for any offer of help no matter how big or small. If you are unable to attend meetings or school events, there are always tasks to do behind the scenes!

FOTLA&nbsp;meeting dates (2:00-3:00 pm at TLA): Please come and join us, everyone is welcome. 25th April 6th June

Thursday 20th June&nbsp;

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Newsletter - Spring Term 2

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Dear parents and carers, We've had a super spring term here at TLA and are delighted to share the children's learning with you in our end of term newsletter. Particular highlights have included Reception taking part in the Truro St Piran's Day parade, some of our pupils enjoying a trust-wide football festival and our UKS2 Lego league team winning a trophy at the competition at RNAS Culdrose. We have even made it onto the local news, twice! We are so proud of all of the learners in our community! We have been very happy to welcome two trainee teachers into our school this term, Mrs Biddle and Miss Hodgson, and we wish them every success in their next placement and future careers!&#160; The summer term is always a busy one, with assessments, sports days and residentials. We hope the children have a fun-filled Easter and come back refreshed for the new term.

Year 6 have worked fabulously hard this half term with all of their learning! They have been recapping everything that they've learned in preparation for their SATs tests next half term, programmed the Lego robot to complete their own obstacle courses, started planning their fundraising event for PSHE and they have also had fun rehearsing for their end of year production of 'The Ogres' Adventure' based on Shrek the Musical.

Saints Southwest are delivering Easter Holiday Courses and they are now available to book via our website between Tuesday 2nd April - Friday 12th April, we have camps being delivered across the Southwest so please use the link below to access of all our camps: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaints-southwest.classforkids.io%2Fcamps&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cella.knowles%40truroacademy.org.uk%7C38558304baee4513135308dc3f45dd83%7C199653adc1564a05bad3084c1a30b618%7C0%7C0%7C638454816502695567%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=EtsBKuaSlG1%2Br%2BY4v%2FUwqd7MorjOmBWkh9H5YlUXH%2Fg%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://saints-southwest.class</a> <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaints-southwest.classforkids.io%2Fcamps&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cella.knowles%40truroacademy.org.uk%7C38558304baee4513135308dc3f45dd83%7C199653adc1564a05bad3084c1a30b618%7C0%7C0%7C638454816502695567%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=EtsBKuaSlG1%2Br%2BY4v%2FUwqd7MorjOmBWkh9H5YlUXH%2Fg%3D&amp;reserved=0">forkids.io/camps</a>

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Support our&nbsp;Parent&nbsp;Code&nbsp;of&nbsp;Conduct&nbsp; By working in harmony together, we create a positive learning experience for all. We are fortunate to&nbsp;have a dedicated and supportive community who recognise that at the heart&nbsp;of&nbsp;each and every school's success, is a valued and trusted home/school partnership.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Aspire&nbsp;Parent&nbsp;Code&nbsp;of&nbsp;Conduct&nbsp;supports your child(ren) during their time in an Aspire school and sits on every website under the&nbsp;PARENTS&nbsp;heading.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Parent&nbsp;Code&nbsp;of&nbsp;Conduct&nbsp;can also be obtained by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspireacademytrust.org%2Fpolicies&amp;data=05%7C01%7Calison.morgan%40truroacademy.org.uk%7Ccc4c4eb1ef1148bec47508daf3f0ec82%7C199653adc1564a05bad3084c1a30b618%7C0%7C0%7C638090513334560780%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=nKtPJQrXPjzay%2B30UOrElJF6%2F58zWVxiu5swnGf2TMM%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.aspireacademytrust.org/policies</a>&nbsp;and a copy will be emailed to all&nbsp;parents/carers. Thank you for your continued support.&nbsp;

<a href="https://4905753ff3cea231a868-376d75cd2890937de6f542499f88a819.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/aspiretrust/uploads/key_information/Aspire-Code-of-Conduct.pdf?ts=1673014290479">Aspire-Code-of-Conduct</a>

With issues around online safety becoming more prominent for children and young people, we felt it was important to have a newsletter slot on this item. Look out for online safety events coming up throughout the academic year. We recently learned some interesting insights from the trust's digital safety and computing lead Giles Hill. His slides are below, and there are some useful, surprising and informative resources linked within them. A great website for more information for parents is Think U Know: <a href="https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/">Parents and carers | CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)</a>. We also have a range of leaflets available in the main school office. Please do not hesitate to speak to our computing lead, Miss Fox, or one of our safeguarding team (Mrs Humberstone, Mrs Lane, Mrs Masters, Miss Blake) should you have any concerns about your child's use of the internet or devices.

Internet Safety for Parents and Carers.pdf

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Calling all Parents/Carers and Friends. At TLA we have been extremely busy setting up an outdoor site for our WILD TRIBE outdoor learning classroom. Did you know, on average, an outdoor site takes about 60 hours to create not to mention the cost of the equipment needed for lessons? So far we have spent £0 and sourced everything for free thanks to writing to several companies, donations from local businesses and staff giving up their own time.&nbsp; As you can see, the children have been working really to hard to bring the vision to life and have already taken part in sessions with Miss Laity.&nbsp;Now we have reached a point where we need&nbsp;your help. We ask you kindly for donations or if you know anyone who would like to contribute to our project.&nbsp;Also we would be grateful if you would like to volunteer your time or expertise to help with the project. Please contact the school office if you can help. Here is a list of the things we need: Herbs (Thyme/basil/mint/rosemary/sage) Fruit plants (blueberries, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries). Edible flowers Bags of soil/compost daffodil bulbs Willow plants and or willow branches Please help us to complete our project. We look forward to hearing from you, Thank you kindly for all your support Miss Laity (Outdoor Learning Lead)

This half term, Year 4 have looked at the countries of North America, physical and human features of the Rockies, the eruptions of Mount St Helens and have compared&nbsp;New York and Truro. In Science, we have used classification keys to identify and name living things and thought about how changes in habitats can affect living things. Maths has been a half term of dividing with remainders&nbsp;and fractions. In English, we&nbsp;researched the plight of the Great Barrier Reef and wrote wonderful persuasive letters about it whilst in art we used different media to create a nest for the Cornish Chough.&nbsp;We have continued to enjoy our Wild Tribe sessions and have cleared and refilled planters ready for the summer.

All school lunches must be booked in advance using ParentPay. School lunches can be booked daily, weekly, monthly or termly on Parent Pay and cost £2.65 per child by midnight of the previous day. If your child is in Year R, 1 or 2 they are entitled to Universal Free school Meals. Please contact the school office if you need a reminder of your ParentPay details sent to you.

The new Aspens menu for Spring Summer 2024 can be viewed here <a href="https://www.truroacademy.org.uk/web/school_dinners/309994">Truro Learning Academy - School Dinners (truroacademy.org.uk)</a>

If you think you may be entitled to Free School Meals click <a href="https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/schools-and-education/schools-and-colleges/school-meals/#Apply">HERE</a> to check your eligibility and make an application.

Themed menu days 16th May - Take a trip on the dessert trolley menu 20th June - BBQ menu All menus will be added to ParentPay, please order on ParentPay as usual.

This half term Year 5 have been busy! In English, we have written our own narratives based on 'The Wind in the Willows' and used our understanding from our Geography lessons to compile a report about a famous mountain or mountain range. We have also been reading 'James and the Giant Peach' as our whole class text and had fun creating our own rhyming centipede menus! Our Science this half term has seen us exploring what makes something a 'living' thing, and how changes to a habitat can affect the food webs and population of animals which live there. We have also explored what life cycles are, and compared the three main types of mammal. In PSHE, we have looked at ways to keep our bodies healthy, including understanding how our own body image can be influenced by the media. We also looked at using emergency aid to help others stay healthy and safe, and&nbsp;practised putting each other into the recovery position. We dressed in red and cheered on Miss Fox as she set off on her leg of the Aspire Connect 40 relay challenge for Comic Relief! Well done to all involved.

Our overall school attendance is 92.2%. Thank you to parents and carers for working with us to achieve this. We are working towards the target of 96% across the school, so please do all that you can to support your child's good attendance.

If your child is absent from school without authorisation, you will be committing an offence under the Education Act 1996. We may submit a request to Cornwall Council for a Penalty Notice to be issued, in accordance with Sections 444A and 444B of the said Act. Penalty Notices are issued per liable parent, per child and each carry a fine of £60 if paid within 21 days or £120 if paid after this but within 28 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice may result in legal action. Absence not authorised by the school may result in a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court under Section 444(1) or Section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996, leading to a fine of up to £2,500 and/or a custodial sentence. Cornwall Council may also apply for the costs incurred in taking the matter to Court.

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The EWO working with our school Rachel Jarman appreciated the overwhelming positive response to our recent attendance clinics. She reports how receptive both parents and carers have been to any advice and guidance provided. Once again she would like to emphasise these clinics are here to provide support and are not meant in any way to come across as judgement on our families. Thank you for your continued support in our mission to improving our school's attendance.

Please support us by packing a healthy snack for your child at breaktime. Remember all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive a free piece of fruit.

Notifying change of circumstances Please tell us of any changes to you or your child's personal details (i.e name, address, telephone numbers, emergency contact&nbsp;details, medical&nbsp;details, email address or relationship change). Certain changes may be updated directly via the Arbor Parent Portal, however if you have any difficulty please email the school office at: hello@truroacademy.org.uk or call 01872 277635.

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Thursday 28th March - Children break up for Easter holidays at 1pm Summer Term Dates 2024 Monday 15th April - First day of Summer term Wednesday 1st May - Friday 3rd May - Year 5 Residential to Barton Hall Monday 6th May - School closed Bank holiday Monday 13th May - Thursday 16th May - KS2 SATs Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May - Half term Thursday 6th June - FOTLA meeting Monday 10th June - Friday 14th June - KS1 phonics screening check Wednesday 19th June - EYFS and KS1 sports day Thursday 20th June - KS2 sports day and FOTLA summer fayre Wednesday 10th July - Friday 12th July - Year 6 Residential to Camp Kernow Monday 22nd July - Children break up for Summer holidays

Handy Reminders and Information

Health advice - Following recent cases of Measles, The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) warns the virus can spread very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.&nbsp;Measles can be a very serious disease, leading to ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea, and damage to the brain. Measles can kill.&nbsp;Measles usually starts with cold like symptoms followed by a rash. Children are at risk of measles if they haven’t had the recommended 2 doses of the MMR vaccination. For more information on Measles and the MMR vaccination please see the link:&nbsp;<a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2Fconditions%2Fmeasles%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Calison.morgan%40truroacademy.org.uk%7C65a935d4d9f548e146fb08dc1da5f655%7C199653adc1564a05bad3084c1a30b618%7C0%7C0%7C638417845890135506%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qAEUoNkVITayya4%2F7UiUlwS5xRXr9Gfxpe%2BsHI6pa3k%3D&amp;reserved=0" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: white;">Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)</a> Communication - We send regular text messages and emails so please make sure all of your contact details are up to date. This can be done via the Arbor app or via the school office. Please do not reply to text messages; either email or phone the school office if you have a query. Newsletters are sent digitally via email at the end of each half term, and they can also be accessed via the newsletter tab on the website. Please download the eSchools app for a handy link to our website. It is a first stop shop for term dates, lunch menus, club lists and newsletters. You will get handy notifications when dates are updated on our school calendar. Please also check our Facebook and Twitter sites for up to date pictures of class learning. ParentPay - Please check your ParentPay account and clear any debt that may have been incurred. If you are booking wraparound sessions, funds must be added to your account in advance of any sessions being charged to your account. We will be contacting you if you have a debt on your ParentPay account.

On March 13th, a group of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils took part in the First Lego League regional finals at RNAS Culdrose. It was the first year that the school had entered and we were delighted to come 5th&nbsp;overall out of 28 teams from both primary and secondary schools. The children also enjoyed taking part in other STEM activities and we came away with the judges award trophy as the best newcomers! Well done #TeamTLA

In Year 2, we have travelled a long way from home through our topic, ‘Awesome Australia’.&nbsp;&nbsp; As writers,&nbsp;we have enjoyed innovating the aboriginal dreamtime story of ‘What Made Tiddalik Laugh’. We have also written letters to a school in Alice Springs to tell them about life in Cornwall. &nbsp; As mathematicians, we have made and drawn arrays to help us multiply numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp; As geographers, we have been comparing Truro to the Australian town Alice Springs. We have been noticing similarities and differences. &nbsp; As scientists, we really enjoyed investigating the changes in the properties of playdough when it was heated and cooled. In RE,&nbsp;we have learnt about Holy Week and why Easter is important to Christians. &nbsp; As artists, we have been learning about primary and secondary colours and creating expressive paintings as part of our new art curriculum.

From Monday 22 January 2024 there is an enhanced offer for young people and parents / carers to contact Health Visitors and School Nurses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. There are three advice lines as follows: <ul><li>young people aged 11-19:&nbsp;07312 263 096</li><li>parents / carers of children aged 0-5:&nbsp;07312 263 423</li><li>parents / carers of children and young people aged 5-19:&nbsp;07312 263 499</li></ul>Users can send a message, anonymously if they wish, to Health Visiting and School Nursing to get confidential help and advice about a range of health concerns, including: <ul><li>Sleep</li><li>Child development</li><li>Support with behaviou</li><li>Toileting</li><li>Feeding and nutrition</li><li>Keeping safe and healthy</li><li>Childhood illnesses and support with medical conditions at school</li><li>Emotional, mental&nbsp;health and wellbeing</li><li>Relationship</li><li>Smoking and vaping</li><li>Drugs and alcohol</li></ul>

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