Dear Parents / Carers,

It is so lovely to be back in school now seeing all the children come to school smartly dressed. Now restrictions have changed we are able to do whole school assemblies which is great to all be back together again. Many things have changed in school over the summer and I am sure that you will notice these enhancements as you come into the building to the Meet the Teacher sessions.

Updated COVID Restrictions

Many of you have asked questions about how we are now dealing with COVID in school. Please see attached a frequently asked question sheet which I hope will address many of your questions.

Clarification on drop off times

Nursery Gates open at 8.45am

Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Gates open at 8.50am and close at 9.00am (Registers are taken at 9.00am)

Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Gates open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am (Registers are taken at 8.50am)

Meet the Teacher

These meetings will take place in person on Monday 13th September in the classrooms for Reception to Year 6. We would ask that you wear face masks whilst in the building. There will be two opportunities to hear the presentation, the first one starts at 5.30pm and the second at 6.00pm which will set out the year, classroom expectations etc and will help to iron out any misconceptions the children may have. If you are blessed like me to have more than two children we will make sure the presentations are on the website afterwards. Please use the main entrance.

Homework

Following positive comments last term about our refocus on key skills for homework we have decided to continue this approach for this year. This means that children are expected to complete homework on Reading and times tables / number skills. This will be explained more at the Meet the Teacher next week.

Reading Miles

This will continue again this week. Any parents who have recorded them before this week have been deleted to make it fair for everyone. Please use the links for your child’s new class.

Class Names

Children have been deciding on their class names this year based around the theme of trees. They are as follows:

Reception - Oak
Year 1 - Apple
Year 2 - Cherry
Year 3 - Willow
Year 4 - Ash
Year 5 - Hazel
Year 6 - Chestnut

Parent Helpers

If you have any free time and would like to volunteer in school to hear readers we would be delighted to have you in. Please speak with the class teacher then we will need to carry out the necessary safeguarding checks. It has been really hard to hear the children read and a great loss over the last 18 months not to have parental support in this way.

Uckfield Calendar / Photograph competition

Uckfield town council has a photograph calendar competition in which it would be great to see some photos from Harlands children appear. All the details are also attached and the closing deadline for this competition is Friday 24th September. More Details Here and Here

Tesco Scheme

There are still a few weeks to go. We are raising money for new robotics kits so that the children can develop their scientific and computer skills even further. You can participate at the main Uckfield Tesco store, and the Tesco Express stores in Uckfield and Heathfield, please ask your friends and family to support the school if they shop there too.

After School Club

Please continue to book places at our after school club which has now started. The club runs from the end of school until 5.30pm, with the option to have a light tea. For full details and to make a booking please use the following link which is also on our website.

Other Clubs

We are working without outside providers and when we have more information we will let you know.

Remaining INSET Days

Monday 1st November 2021
Tuesday 4th January 2022
Friday 1st April 2022
Thursday 21st July 2022

Many thanks

Richard Blakeley