Parents

Weekly Parent Bulletin - Friday 28th November

Dear parents,

Some exciting news... we should feature on ITV Meridian this evening as part of a news segment about the 'Mini-Medics' training that we put on for Years 3 & 5 recently. This training was kindly funded by local boxer Chris Billam-Smith as part of a goal to train 1,000,000 children with life saving skills. As part of the day they also shot a new promotional video which can be seen here. I have to say it really highlights our school development journey with oracy, as I'm blown away by the confident performances of the children that speak on this video. It's worth a watch!

I have an Avonwood community challenge for us to get behind if we can. Hope4Food, the charity that are behind our onsite food bank, are collecting tubs of celebrations / heroes for their Christmas food hampers. They also need around 1500 selection boxes for the children they support locally, we have so far collected 70 across a couple of year groups. They are asking for donations of these to supplement the hampers as a little Christmas treat. If any parents would like to donate a tub or a selcetion box, please drop them into school sealed as new by Friday 12th December. #TeamAvonwood

On the topic of donations, a reminder that we are also collecting suitable gifts for the PTA Elfridges event in our front office. It's a great way to pass on / re-gift any unwanted presents. We are also collecting new primary age toys that can be discretely gifted to Avonwood families in need of extra help this Christmas. With times financially tricky, there is no pressure to engage with this, but if you feel able to do so then please pop any unwrapped donations in our front office.

On Monday we have our annual pantomime show funded by the PTA which every child will watch for free. This year the show is Alice in Wonderland. The first showing starts at 9am and is for our EYFS and KS1 children. Please can you help by making sure these children are in school promptly at 8:50am on Monday so we can be in the hall ready for the show to start on time.

Lastly, a shout out to our Year 5 football team for winning 3-0 against Bethany School last night! I hear it was a brilliant performance, capped off by a stunning save from our goalie Zac A!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jackson

Headteacher

Whole School Reminders

PTA Updates

It’s time to get festive, and we would love to place a real Christmas tree at the front of the school for all children, parents, and staff to enjoy. We are looking for one or more businesses to sponsor either the tree itself or the decorations.

In return, your business is welcome to display a sign next to the tree for advertising purposes.

If you are interested, please email avonwoodpta@gmail.com, or pass your details to the school office and they will forward them to us.

Thank you very much!

ELFRIDGES DAY - TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER

It is such a special part of the schools festive season & such a special day for your children. As always we need your help and support to make it happen. You have been so generous, but we do need more gifts. You can donate anything you have (new, unused gifts) to the box in reception.

We also have our ever so popular Amazon Wishlist making it super easy to donate and gifts start from just a few pounds and get delivered straight to school - just follow the link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3310F7P94LRO2?ref_=wl_share

Whole School Updates

Plea from Home-Start Wessex Family Charity

Help Us Fill Our Empty Family Charity Shop for the Community!

Our new Home-Start Wessex family charity shop is taking shape — and we need your help to get it ready!
📅 15th–17th December
⏰ 9am–5pm
📍 Unit 11, Saxon Square, Christchurch, BH23 1QA

Drop off good-quality donations and help us transform this empty space into a welcoming shop for the whole community.

Interested in volunteering? Pop in for a chat! This is a brilliant chance to get involved from the very beginning of an exciting new project and make a real difference locally.

💛 Come along, say hello, and help us build something special together!

Interschool Photography Competition 2026

See the poter for more information on this great competition and click here for the competition rules.

Children's Christmas Art

🎄 Your child’s Christmas creations are here! 🎄

Our talented little artists have been busy making festive designs, and now you can turn their artwork into beautiful keepsakes! From Christmas cards, baubles, teddy bears, mugs, notepads, and so much more — these make perfect gifts for family and friends.

✨ The best part? Every purchase gives 20% back to the PTA, helping fund amazing things for our school!

Your child will bring home a leaflet with all the details, but you can also order online right now:

👉 Click here to order

https://mychildsart.co.uk/find-artwork?username=Avonwood1&access-code=sfq2p543

Username: Avonwood1
Access code: sfq2p543

🎁 Special offer: Order by 5 December, enter code Avonwood1X25, and enjoy 10% OFF your order!

Don’t miss out!

Christmas in Bournemouth’s Santa’s Workshop

This is a festive experience running throughout December in Bournemouth. With the end of term approaching, this is a wonderful opportunity for pupils, parents, and staff to enjoy some Christmas magic right here in Bournemouth.

It’s a lovely seasonal activity for families as the holidays begin, and we hope it brings some extra excitement to your school community. You can find more details here: https://www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk/santas-workshop

Weekly Year Group Updates

EYFS

Doodle Maths - this week we will set a baseline assessment for the children to complete. It is vital that the children complete this on their own without help as it will set the rest of the questions according to their level.
Reading - Please make sure that your child is reading to you every night, you also need to write on their reading record sheet so we can see that they have done this. This is so important for their development.
Library books - Please return library books on a Thursday. New ones will be issued on a Friday. Once your child has read their phonics book to you three times, they can read their library book to you. Ask them to spot common exception words(eg to, me, she) and simple CVC words (eg ship, chick).

Year 1

Nativity - If your child has brought home lines, please continue to practise these with them. If costumes could be sent in a named bag by Monday 1^st December we would much appreciate it.
Home learning - please send these in to school on a Thursday in order for previous weeks learning to be checked and so new sheets can be filed into folders.
Reading - phonics books are to be read at least three times a week to practise key reading skills, please. Don't forget you can also practise sounds and CEWs with your child. Or borrow a recommended read - just ask the class teacher on the door for these texts and reviews.

Year 2

A reminder that next Wednesday, 3rd December children are to come to school in their pyjamas/dressing gowns for our English immersion day. Please ensure the children still wear their school shoes.
Please continue to practise the lines for the nativity.

Year 3

None this week.

Year 4

None this week.

Year 5

Well done to our Year 5 children who took part in the filming for the Mini Medics video! You did a fantastic job of representing Avonwood and showing off your oracy skills.
A reminder that Year 5 have their D.T day on Thursday next week. They have already planned their project. They are welcome to bring in materials for their diorama if they would like to.

Year 6

Check out our final Taskmaster session on this padlet. Feel free to add some encouraging comments! You will also be able to see how other United Learning schools got on with their challenges.
A reminder that on Tuesday we have the NHS health and weight checks for Year 6 pupils.
On Friday morning next week we will be joined by local MP Tom Hayes who will be listening to a selection of our persuasive speeches (as voted for by each class). We can't wait for him to see the fantastic oracy skills the children are displaying and to hear their persuasive ideas.