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As we approach the end of another school year, our July newsletter brings together important summer information, celebrations and a chance to reflect on everything our school community has achieved this year.
Summer safeguarding and support
Safeguarding concerns
The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and school community remains our highest priority. During the school holidays, if you have an immediate concern about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact:
- Emergency services: 999 or local police on 101
- Starting Point Social Care: 01629 533190
- NHS health advisers: 111, selecting option 2 for mental health support
- Jigsaw Foodbank: 01629 584783
- Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Support: 08000 198 668
The school safeguarding email will be checked periodically during the break, but responses will not be as timely as during term time.
SEND support over the summer
Families of children with SEND are reminded that the Derbyshire Local Offer provides information about care and support services, childcare, community updates and activities throughout the summer.
Celebrating our children
New Reception children and Year 6 leavers
We are looking forward to welcoming 11 new and existing families into Reception in September. Our current Year 5 children are already preparing to become Year 6 buddies and have written letters to the new Reception children and met them during their visit.
At the other end of school, we will be saying goodbye to 19 Year 6 children and 16 families. We are incredibly proud of everything the children have achieved and know they are ready for their next steps.
Year 6 have a busy final few weeks ahead, including their reward trip to Carsington Water and Leavers’ Service. On the final day of term, families are invited to join our Year 6 clap out at 2.50pm on Thursday 23rd July.
Leavers’ Service
Our Year 6 Leavers’ Service will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 21st July in the Village Hall. All are welcome, and we particularly hope Year 6 families will be able to join us to celebrate the children’s time at Middleton.
Attendance
Our current attendance stands at 92.9%, compared with 95.12% nationally. At the end of term, we will celebrate children who have achieved yearly attendance of 96% or above or 100% attendance. Improving our overall attendance will remain a priority for the next academic year.
End-of-year events
Sports Day and Summer Fayre
We are looking forward to our annual Sports Day and Summer Fayre. Both events are currently planned to go ahead, with Sports Day beginning at 1.30pm.
We will adapt races where needed, ensure children have regular water breaks and provide shade. Please make sure your child has a sunhat, water bottle and sun cream applied, and comes to school wearing PE clothes.
Families are welcome to join us and are encouraged to bring a folding chair or picnic blanket and appropriate sun protection.
Year 4 and 5 brass concert
Our Year 4 and Year 5 children are excited to showcase their musical skills at their brass concert at 9am on Friday 17th July in the Village Hall. Families are warmly invited to attend.
End-of-year reports
Due to the postponement of Year 6 SATs results nationally, end-of-year reports will now be sent home on Friday 17th July. This will allow Year 6 children to receive their full results alongside teacher comments.
Clubs
After-school clubs will continue as normal for the next two weeks. During the final week of term, beginning 20th July, only Sports Club will run due to whole-school events and end-of-term commitments.
Breakfast Club will continue each day.
In September, Breakfast Club will begin on 7th September. Most after-school clubs will begin during the week of 14th September, allowing time to organise groups and resources.
Friends of Middleton and school fundraising
School budgets continue to face significant pressure, making the work of Friends of Middleton increasingly important.
This year, Friends of Middleton, with support from the School Council and staff, have raised more than £4,000 towards a new history timeline, books for class libraries, subsidised school trips, learning resources and more. They have also helped the school raise more than £1,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer.
Several active members will be leaving as their children move to secondary school, so we would welcome more parents and carers joining the group. Next year’s fundraising will focus on new IT equipment, outdoor resources and support for school trips.
Please contact the school office if you would like to get involved.
Summer Reading Challenge
Derbyshire libraries are once again taking part in The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, celebrating the connection between storytelling, words and sound.
The challenge runs until 12th September, with children encouraged to read six books or more. Children can collect six stickers and receive a medal and certificate when they complete the challenge.
Derbyshire libraries will also host activities linked to the challenge throughout the holidays.
Thank you
As another school year comes to an end, we want to say a huge thank you to our children for their enthusiasm, engagement and the wonderful contribution they make to our community.
Thank you to our families for the vital partnership between home and school, to Friends of Middleton for their fundraising and enrichment work, and to our staff team for their hard work, compassion and care throughout the year.
We also thank our governors for their continued expertise and support, with special thanks to John Reeve, Chair of Governors, and Nigel Garbett, Vice Chair, for the time and care they continue to give our school.
The photo collage on page 3 of the newsletter captures just some of this year’s experiences, from outdoor and residential activities to Roman learning, school trips and visits from local services.
Looking ahead to next year
There is already plenty to look forward to in the new academic year. Falcons will visit Whitehall, while Owls will return to Mount Cook for a Viking residential, with many more activities and opportunities planned.
Dates for your diary
- Friday 10th July: KS2 Golf Final
- Friday 10th July at 1.30pm: Sports Day and Summer Fayre
- Friday 17th July: End-of-year reports sent home
- Friday 17th July: Year 4 and 5 Trumpet Concert
- Tuesday 21st July at 2pm: Year 6 Leavers’ Service
- Wednesday 22nd July: Year 6 reward trip
- Thursday 23rd July: End of term and Year 6 clap out
Autumn dates
- Friday 4th September: Inset day – school closed to pupils
- Monday 7th September: Autumn term begins and Breakfast Club returns
- Week of 14th September: After-school clubs begin
- Thursday 17th September: Flu vaccinations
- Monday 21st and Wednesday 30th September: EYFS Stay and Play sessions
- Friday 16th October: Individual school photographs
- Wednesday 21st October: Falcons visit to the National Arboretum
- Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th November: Falcons visit to Whitehall
- Thursday 10th December: Whole-school pantomime trip
Further dates can be found on the school calendar.
