 Autumn Term Newsletter  2

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Hi, I’m Mr Todd. I’m based in Year 2, and am looking forward to getting to know the children here. Outside of school I like to spend time reading, cooking and playing music, and enjoy the occasional pub quiz every now and then.

Hello I am Mrs O'Neill and I am joining Year 1 as the new teacher. I grew up in Cornwall and I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I love spending time with my family, either going for long walks or visiting theme parks! I'm really excited to join such a happy and friendly school and I can't wait to meet everyone!

Hello I am Miss Gamon and have been working as a Teaching Assistant for the past two years, generally supporting students with SEN. I am really excited to officially join year 1 at TLA as I have been working as a supply TA in the school for the past year. I like to find fun ways of adapting learning resources to help the children get the most out of their learning&nbsp;experience.

As part of our enchanted woodland topic Year 1 have been learning about the artist Andy Goldsworthy. We went outside to create some transient art using leaves, pine cones, sticks and stones. We created some fantastic art!&nbsp; We have been learning about different types of trees in Science. We went outside and searched for different types of trees. We found lots of Birch trees. We also learned about deciduous and evergreen trees.&nbsp; In Geography we have been learning about the United Kingdom. We learned about the countries that make up the UK and their capital cities. We also learned about some human and physical features in these cities and sorted photos of physical and human features.&nbsp;

Year 3 have had a fantastic term. I've been so impressed with their enthusiasm when learning about Ancient Greece. They have asked fantastic questions and used evidence from the past to help build an understanding of what life was like over 2000 years ago. They have completed lots of hands on activities, the most exciting being our trip to Truro museum where they represented the school brilliantly. In English they have written super Fact Files and made their own Greek Myths and in Whole Class Reading they have explore many different Greek myths. In Science we have been exploring plants and focusing on the role of each part of the plant and how it helps the plant survive and reproduce. Well done Year 3 on a great first Term, I'm so excited to see them in the Spring Term. Have a wonderful Christmas break.

Wow! What a busy half term in Reception! We have been learning about the weather and seasons this term, and have enjoyed spending lots of time outside, including a local walk to spot signs of Autumn, building hedgehog houses, and making a large-scale rangoli for Diwali. We have been working hard in phonics and writing, and are working towards reading and writing simple sentences, while in maths we have been focused on number and shape. On top of all of this busy learning, we have performed in both our World Nursery Rhyme Week performance and our Nativity performances. We have also raised £482.50 for new resources for our EYFS unit by taking part in a sponsored welly walk (keep an eye out for us in the West Briton!), and we have been on a trip to Truro Library, where we learnt all about how libraries work and borrowed books to bring home. Phew! Well done Reception - have a lovely and well-deserved winter break!&nbsp;

In nursery this half term we have been learning all about the seasons and the weather. To tie in with this learning we were lucky enough to take part in our very own forest school session. We have been very creative and &nbsp;enjoyed lots of Christmas crafts and activities for our parents and carers. Whilst in phonics we had a bit of a shock as phonics Fred was found to be making snow angels on the nursery table!

A massive thank you to you all for your support at the Christmas Fayre - we raised £341.60!

Proposed Event dates: Christmas Fayre - Friday 8th December Valentines Disco - Thurs 8th February Summer Fayre - Fri 5th July&nbsp;

Thank you to all pupils, parents and carers the recent disco raised £290!

Proposed&nbsp;FOTLA&nbsp;dates for this year are: FOTLA&nbsp;meetings (2-3pm at TLA): 25th January 7th March 25th April 6th June

Please don't forget the deadline for Reception 2024 applications is 15th January 2024.

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Newsletter - Autumn Term 2

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Autumn Term Dates 2023 Tuesday 12th December - Years 1-6 Peter Pan at the Hall for Cornwall, and EYFS treat in school Wednesday 13th December - Christmas lunch Wednesday 13th December - KS1 Nativity Performance (10am and 2pm) Thursday 14th December - Rocksteady concert in the hall (9am) Thursday 14th December - KS2 Christmas performance (6pm) Friday 15th December - KS2 Christmas performance (2pm) Monday 18th December - Christmas parties Tuesday 19th December Children break up for Christmas holidays (1pm)

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Dear parents and carers, It has been another jam-packed half term here at TLA, with all of our classes getting out and about in our local area and making use of the many amenities we have right on our door step. One such experience was the fantastic Proms for schools at the Hall for Cornwall. Years Two to Six all attended, with the sure highlight being the stomping rendition of Wellerman that brought the house down! Thank you to Miss Murray for organising this for us. As a Hall for Cornwall school, we are lucky enough to access and take part in great theatre throughout the year. We are looking forward to our visit to the panto this year, with thanks going to FOTLA for match funding the tickets for parents. We will also be putting on our own Christmas performances, which we hope you are looking forward to seeing next week! It feels like winter is suddenly upon us - we were even lucky enough to see a sprinkling of snow in Malabar last week! May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I look forward to welcoming your children back in January. Mrs Humberstone

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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

Year 4 have had a super half term. In history, we have learned about the might of the Roman empire and spent a lovely afternoon at the Royal Cornwall Museum taking part in the Roman workshop where we explored Roman artefacts and made clay oil lamps.&nbsp;In science, we have learned about the uses of electricity and built circuits as well as learning about materials that are good insulators and conductors. We have been lucky enough to take part in Wild Tribe outdoor learning and rugby training with Cornish Pirates.&nbsp;

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. 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 Autumn Winter 2023-2024 can be viewed <a href="https://www.truroacademy.org.uk/web/school_dinners/309994">here</a>

Themed menu days Wednesday 13th December - Christmas lunch

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.

This half term in Pentire class, our topic theme has been 'Stargazers'. In Science, we have begun looking at the planets and their movement in our solar system. Linked to this topic, we have written about the first British woman in space and the iconic first moon landing. In PE, the children have been enjoying a weekly rugby session with a representative of Cornish Pirates! We have learned how to hold and pass the ball correctly, what it means to pass behind, and we have also been developing strategies to help us be successful as a team. We have spent our History sessions looking at life in Tudor times, building on the knowledge we gained from reading our class text 'Treason' last half term. We found out what the word 'propaganda' means through considering how both Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I controlled their images so carefully that our impressions of them can still be influenced in the way they would have liked! In our PSHE lessons we have been looking at celebrating our differences, and exploring things we could do to help resolve conflict where it might arise, with a particular focus on finding ways to work positively alongside each other. We have been working hard on our contribution to the Christmas show, which we hope you will enjoy!&nbsp;

Our overall school attendance is 94.71%. 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.

Wording for Warning:&nbsp; 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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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.

Spring Term Dates 2024 Thursday 4th January - First day of Spring term Wednesday 17th January - Year 1 hearing check Thursday 25th January - FOTLA meeting at TLA (2pm) Thursday 8th February - FOTLA Valentines disco Friday 9th February - School closed INSET day Monday 12th - Friday 16th February - Half term Thursday 7th March - FOTLA meeting at TLA (2pm) Thursday 28th March - Children break up for Easter holidays Summer Term Dates 2024 Monday 15th April - First day of Summer term Monday 6th May - School closed Bank holiday Monday 27th May - Friday 31st May - Half term Monday 22nd July - Children break up for Summer holidays

Clubs - All current clubs will finish at Christmas. Please look out for communications at the start of the new term for new clubs Arbor consents - We have modified our consents for pupils on Arbor. Please log into the Arbor app to make sure we have your updated consents for your child. We need these consents to share photos and updates of your children and allow them to take part in local visits and have their photo taken by the school photography. We will be deleting all old consents in January. Please contact the school office if you need help in updating your child's consent. 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.

In Year 2, we have stepped back in time through our topic, ‘Magnificent Monarchs’. As writers, we have explored the story ‘The Paper Bag Princess’ then innovated and invented our own versions. We then learnt all about rhyme through the poem ‘From a Railway Carriage’ which is a Victorian poem about someone travelling on a steam train. We are now writing our own rhyming poems based on the view out a vehicle of our choice.&nbsp;&nbsp; As mathematicians, we continue to learn how to calculate efficiently. Knowing our number bonds has really helped us to ‘make ten’ when partitioning numbers to complete addition and subtraction equations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As historians, we have been comparing Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. We have learnt about coronations, changes in transport/inventions during their reigns and key events in their lives. We enjoyed handling Victorian artefacts and guessing their function.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As biologists, we have learnt that without the smallest of plants even the largest of carnivores could not survive. We made food chains to show how the energy from the sun is transferred from producers (plants) to consumers (animals) through predators and prey.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As theologians, we have questioned why Christmas is important to Christians. We have compared secular and scared celebrations and traditions, reflected on specials gifts we have received and are all now very familiar with the nativity story.&nbsp;&nbsp; As gymnasts, we have worked together to create different shapes and balances, which we are beginning to sequence.

In Year 6, we have fully immersed ourselves in our topic 'A Child's War' learning about many different aspects of World War Two. We have built our own replica Anderson shelters in DT, made food which people could have made with rationed ingredients for our homework and written diaries as if we were Willie from Goodnight Mister Tom. We even made the diary entries look like they had come from a real diary from the time by staining it with coffee!

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