Newsletters
Newsletter 22nd May
An update on Miss Walker and Mrs Carter, fantastic activities by the children, a countdown challenge and the latest instalment of the lockdown diaries.......
Newsletter – 15th May 2020
An update from Miss White, helping our neighbours with cards of kindness, children's gallery and the start of the lockdown diaries.
Newsletter – 7th May
VE Day Celebrations, the work of Wassily Kandinsky, an amazing look at the school of the future and a competition set by the Wombles.
Newsletter – 1st May
Information on a Lockdown Time Capsule and the home pentathlon challenge. Beautiful work by the children and 10 mindfulness tips.
Newsletter – 24th April
Welcome to the Summer Term! This week we are featuring a gallery of the children's pictures and activities, a fantastic poem by a member of Year 6 and feedback from the Hopelands community.
Newsletter 2nd April
Moving forward to virtual learning, stunning artwork, scary eyes and a great result at the mock trials!
Newsletter – 6th March
A fantastic World Book Day, a plea for litter pickers and the Easter Disco.
Newsletter – 28th February
Plans for World Book Day, great results at Cross Country, our new Head Pupils and Sporting Success!
Newsletter – 12th February
Beautiful art displays throughout school, an exciting day exploring Earth and Space for Year 5, and a thrilling entry to the 500 words competition.
Newsletter – 7th February
Two netball tournaments, recognising Childrens Mental Health week and the amazing creativity by Class 2!
Newsletter – 31st January
A week full of sporting activities with teams of children taking part in the Riddiford Shield Indoor Football tournament and a netball festival. Making zoetrope devices in Design Technology and writing superb poetry in English.
Newsletter – 24th January
Reception Class have been busy experimenting with porridge. Years 5 & 6 had a fascinating visit to Skillzone and a team from NSPCC came in to visit the children and provide a fun and interactive assembly.
Newsletter – 17th January
Cooking delicious pies, a trip to Skillzone, and an exciting night at Young Voices.
Newsletter – 10th January
Memories from The Grinch Day, introducing the new dance teacher and congratulations to our head pupils.
Newsletter – 12th December
This week was filled with Christmas celebrations and even a visit from Santa himself!
Newsletter – 6th December
Christmas Concert arrangements, Carol singing, Swimming gala, Stonehouse Goodwill and The Grinch!
Newsletter – 29th November
Singing at the Goodwill Festival, nativity fun at the Stonehouse Pensioners Group and a brilliant night at the Friends of Hopelands quiz event.
Newsletter – 22nd November
Some very important visitors this week - the Police and a member of the Queen's Guard. Sporting success for two of our Year 6, and an adventure rock walk for Year 3.
Newsletter – 15th November
Sport festivals, Remembrance Parade, a muddy teacher and some certain adults who are wanted!
Newsletter – 8th November
The winners of the poetry competition, the battle between Supertato and the Evil Peas, and the launch of an exciting new maths competition!
Newsletter – 25th October
And the winners of the poetry competition are..... Celebrating success, introducing Miss White, comic club and information about the FOH disco.
Newsletter – 18th October
Learning about the different school journeys made across the world, introducing the 'Great Bake Off' competition, fantastic fun with the daily mile and further information regarding the forthcoming Harvest Festival.
Newsletter – 11th October
Fantastic results at Key Stage 1 Cross Country, a Hopelands cartoon from a famous artist, an update on the charity abseil and crocus planting.
Newsletter – 4th October
An exciting visit from the Fire Service for Reception, welcome back to Mrs Prout and National Poetry Day.
Newsletter – 27th September
The world of Topology, fun in music lessons, meeting Mrs Carter and National Fitness Day.
Newsletter – 20th September
Rugby, football and table tennis - a busy week of sport. Cake making in Geography, introducing Mr Piper and the worlds' smallest banana!
Newsletter – 13th September
Great excitiment finding books in town and introducing our new head pupils and PE Teacher!
Newsletter – 6th September
Welcome back! In this week's newsletter we see the fantastic work done by the children to raise money for Make a Wish. Information about morning and after school care and some pictures of the lovely new Reception class.
Newsletter – 12th July
Legends, sports day, fete and prize giving - a busy week at Hopelands!
Newsletter – 28th June
Bonjour! Sporting success, Head Pupils, pictures from Viney Hill and our French Cafe!
Newsletter – 21st January
Baby dragons, tomb raiding, pop groups, excited Year 6 and a winner in the South West Junior Triathlon Series.
Newsletter – 14th June
This week key stage 1 had a brilliant trip to Berkeley Castle, there was a fantastic turnout at the Stonehouse Parkrun and we were visited by a fascinating Director from Silverback Films.
Newsletter – 7th June
A fantastic achievement by one of our pupils this week, a thoroughly enjoyable drum concert and information on the Junior Parkrun.
Newsletter – 24th May
Highlights this week are the music concert, ice lollies and our own wonderful Superheroes!
Newsletter – 17th May
Lovely pictures of Forest School, SATs celebrations and a fantastic visit by Renishaw.
Newsletter – 10th May
Well done to all the children who took part at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts!
Newsletter – 3rd May
This week has been all about nature, from pond dipping to holding a snake!
Newsletter – 26th April
Welcome back after the Easter holidays! In this weeks' we have cross country, taking over parkrun, a visit from horses, amazing bird feeders and baby birds.
Newsletter – 22nd March
The children have had a great time exploring Scandinavia and the Nordic Countries this week!
Newsletter – 15th March
Success at the mock trials, bones in Year 3 and fundraising for Comic Relief.
Newsletter – 8th March
Amazing creativity for World Book Day, competition winners & a visit from an England rugby player.
Newsletter – 15th February
The children loved exploring We The Curious in Bristol this week and the younger years had an adventurous day at Forest School.
Newsletter – 8th February
Fantastic Snowmen, fun exploring the school, amazing artwork and pupil achievements.
Newsletter – 18th January
From bird feeders to amazing art - a busy week of learning and fun!
Newsletter – 11th January
Welcome Back! This week's newsletter contains information regarding Christingle, swimming, the Primary Maths Challenge and the Primary Engineering Challenge.
Newsletter 13th December
What a busy festive week! Christmas Concert, Christmas Carols and a visit from Father Christmas himself!
Newsletter 7th December
A busy week filled with Christmas activities, amazing art and creating lamps.
Newsletter 23rd November
Pictures from the Bikeability training, a superb art display, a lovely poem from one of Year 2 and a collection of lost goodies in the office!
Newsletter 16th November
Pictures from the Remembrance Parade, a lovely poem by one of Year 2, quiz night and a reminder of Stonehouse Goodwill.
Newsletter – 9th November
A reminder that Academy Portraits are in next week, Forest School adventures and some of the fantastic entries to the Spiritual Arts Competition.
Newsletter – 2nd November
A creative week filled with Halloween pumpkins and erupting volcanoes!
Newsletter 19th October
Harvest Poems, Messy Church, Wycliffe STEM day and a return of some familar faces!
Newsletter 12th October
In this week we have World Mental Health Day, Remembrance Service, Friends of Hopelands and a fascinating insight into the Dissection Club.
Newsletter 5th October
Year 3 have been out hunting for prey, some great results at cross country, celebrating Sukkot and fantastic fun for our younger years at Forest School.
Newsletter 28th September
In this weeks we have sports day at Wycliffe, BBC Music Day, information about Stonehouse Remembrance Day and on events happening in the local area.
Newsletter 21st September
A busy week with a visit from the Fire Service, an exploration of the local area for rocks and a fascinating insight into the life of Mr Rousell.
Newsletter 14th September
This week we have information about morning and after school care together with pictures from the new quiet garden and the WW2 Evacuation trip.
Newsletter 7th September
Welcome back! In this weeks newsletter we have: information about swimming, an exciting new dissection club, lost property and a special thank you.
Newsletter – 6th July
This week we held our annual prize giving ceremony, which was filled with beautiful singing, dancing and acting.
Newsletter – 29th June
A lovely trip to Forest School for our children in Reception, Year 1 and 2, and some great feedback from the recent Engineering Leaders Awards.
Newsletter 22nd June
This week we have a Poem by Class 2 and an update with some pictures from the excellent evening at the District Athletics at Tewkesbury - well done Team Hopelands!
Newsletter – 15th June
This week we have contributions from Michael, Faith and Grace on their recent trips. There is also some Sports news and a Friends of Hopelands update.
Newsletter 8th June
Welcome back to the final term of 2017/18. Lots of exciting things planned including a camping trip for our Year 6 class, Sports Day and Prize Giving.
Newsletter 25th May
This term has flown by with the children all achieving so much. We all enjoyed the school concert this week where the children played and sang beautifully. We also had our sporting stars on the rugby field. It is a pleasure to see how they all represent Hopelands with confidence and brilliant sportsmanship.
18th May 2018
This week we have a reminder for snazzy sock day, some pictures of what the children have been up to including some new friends in Class 1, and a date for the Summer Social.
11th May 2018
Lots going on in school this week. The children enjoyed the Cheltenham Festival and a trip to the Edward Jenner Museum in Berkeley.
4th May 2018
Lots of fun things happening in school this week including our whole school trip to watch ‘Awful Auntie’ in Bristol. Also, Years Reception, 1 & 2 enjoyed their half termly pilgrimage to Ernest Cook Trust woodland in Slimbridge for an afternoon of Forest School. They were even lucky to have seen some sunshine! We hope you all enjoy the long weekend and see you next Tuesday.
Friday 27th April 2018
Welcome back to the summer term, I hope you all had a lovely Easter break. We have several exciting events coming up including a trip, next week, to the Bristol Hippodrome to see the fantastic ‘Awful Auntie’. The Choir will be singing at the Cheltenham Festival and we also have the School Concert, Sports Day, an Athletics evening and our Annual Prize Giving ceremony to look forward to.
Friday March 23 – 2018
In the gorgeous spring sunshine, Year 2 completed their Japanese activities by scribing their Tanabata wishes on coloured paper decorations and hung them from the bamboo in the school playground. They were encouraged to write wishes for themselves, for others and for the world.
Friday March 12 – 2018
Every year Hopelands engages in a Global Awareness Week, focusing on a particular country and using this to theme throughout the week in all lessons. This year our theme has been Japan and the pupils have been studying earthquakes and volcanoes in geography, building stable homes in DT, and creating their own performance production using Japanese dance and drama. Pupils also learned about a typical school day in Japan, respecting others and even how students clean their own floors in the whole school at lunchtimes!
Friday March 9 – 2018
Another successful afternoon and another soaking, these parents at Hopelands have jolly good staying power when I comes to supporting their children and our school! For their theme in the Fun Run, the children had decided to be super woman with their homemade capes. The year six girls made the most of their support for each other around the fun spiral course by tying themselves together.
Friday March 2 – 2018
On Wednesday morning, children in KS2 welcomed a visit by Rosamonde Birch of the Parliament Outreach Programme as part of their Citizenship curriculum.
Friday February 23 – 2018
First – a gentle reminder that at this time of year (in fact all year) pupils must have a spare pair of both socks and knickers in their PE bag and a small towel. Playing fields and footpaths can get very muddy and wet and sitting in damp clothing for the rest of the day can be very uncomfortable!
Friday February 9 – 2018
What a lovely way to spend a birthday! Another happy day spent at the Forest School on Tuesday for Reception class and Years 1 and 2; made extra special by celebrating Lily Williams’s birthday. With a cake to share, mud to play in and dens to build – who could ask for more.
Friday February 2 – 2018
The much-anticipated museum loan box from The Wilson was opened in Year 2 this week. It contained many artefacts to enhance the children's learning about going on Safari to Kenya. They have been honing their mapwork, compass and direction skills, learning about animals in the African Savannah and they look forward to being introduced to the Maasai tribe and the landscapes of Kenya in their forthcoming lessons.
Friday January 26 – 2018
If your child(ren) would like to come to this fun event, cost is £6 per child, payable by Friday 16 February at the latest please. This will include slices of Margherita pizza, a carton of drink, popcorn and some Haribo. In addition, we will be showing a variety of short films on the big screen in the hall. The children can wear their pyjamas if they wish, but home clothes, school uniform, PE kit etc are all fine if that's what they'd prefer!
Friday January 19 – 2018
Today our team of star swimmers, Grace Dann-Pastor, Jemima Ramsden, Beatrice Morley, Amy Jones, Phoebe Smart and Ellie Flaxman achieved something never before done at Hopelands – they won the District Swimming Gala; beating 7 other schools in the process. A Gold medal was awarded to each of the swimmers
Friday January 12 – 2018
We have a new hot meal lunch menu for the Spring – attached with this newsletter. If you have already handed your choices to the office, but now wish to change them, please inform Mrs Eccles as soon as possible. Please note that the dates now correspond to our school timetable too – so next week Monday 15th is Week 3.
Friday January 5 – 2018
We will be holding our annual pizza, popcorn and pyjama party on Friday 23 February. Time is yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be 5 - 6.30pm. Further details will be sent out by email next week, but please make a note of the date for now!
Wednesday December 13 – 2017
Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, he was originally part of an unrelated and much older English folkloric tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for centuries before then (thanks Wiki).
Friday December 8 – 2017
Seasonal flu vaccinations are being offered in schools to all children from Reception to Year 4 Children who missed their school clinic can attend a catch-up clinic by appointment only.
Friday December 1 – 2017
Our, now annual, Christmas Fair will be held on Friday 8th December. We have lots of professional craft makers setting up stalls as well as our own class crafts to sell. Mulled wine, mince pies and other goodies will also be on sale. And again, the Class Christmas Hampers will be up for secret auction. Keep the date free and bring lots of money...
Friday November 24 – 2017
The Scholastic Book Fair will be arriving in school on Thursday 30 November and will be open every day after school on Friday 1st, Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th December. An ideal opportunity for some early Christmas shopping. Should enough parents request it, I will be happy to open the Book Stalls on Tuesday morning from 8.30am for half an hour (for a little private browsing away from younger eyes….)
Friday November 17 – 2017
Hopelands welcomed David Drew MP to address Monday's whole school assembly on the topic of My Life as an MP, as part of UK Parliament Week. UK Parliament Week is ‘an annual festival that engages people from across the UK with Parliament, explores what it means to them and empowers them to get involved’.
Friday November 10 – 2017
Last Friday afternoon Years 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 participated in the Big First Aid Lesson Live provided by St. John Ambulance. The programme provided basic First Aid advice for children confronted by a burn injury or by someone who is choking, both very timely as Firework Night was fast approaching. "It was great. Now if there's anyone who hurts themselves, we know what to do" (Vandamai Y2) "It's good to know that if someone is choking, you can do something to help" (Daniel Y5)
Friday November 3 – 2017
On Tuesday, Year 2 brought their PSHE learning about 'What to do in an emergency' to a close with a visit to Skillzone in Gloucester. They toured The Village and learned how to stay safe at home, when crossing the road, when using a bus, at the building site, on the farm and on the riverbank.
Friday October 20 – 2017
On Tuesday, Years 2 and 6 spent an absorbing day at the GWR Steam Railway Museum at Winchcombe Station. In full WW2 dress, they enjoyed a full day experiencing something of what it was like to be an evacuee in 1940. The day included handling artefacts, singing WW2 songs outside the station accompanied by a banjo and accordion. The children listened and chatted to 80 year old evacuees who shared their experiences, put out incendiary bombs using a stirrup pump, were summoned to an air raid shelter to sit out a bombing raid by German planes and a doodlebug.
Friday October 13 – 2017
Class 1 and Year 2 attended their first Forest School session of this academic year at The Ernest Cook Trust near Slimbridge. After a drizzly start, eating their lunch under the outdoor shelter, the children enjoyed a ramble through the woods, collecting items for an autumn picture.
Friday October 6 – 2017
For No Pens Day Wednesday, Year 2 continued their studies about being a Child in WW2 by making replica Anderson Shelters, and pretty impressive they are too! Daniel and Toby decided to plant vegetables over the top of theirs to help Dig for Victory. Harry and Noah's corrugated iron Anderson shelter was covered in soil and grass and the boys planted seeds ready to help with rationing.
Friday September 22 – 2017
Last year our Mum's held a Macmillan Coffee morning and raised nearly £400! We were at school, so were unable to participate. (Although we saw all the lovely cakes) This year we've decided to hold one in school so that we can help organise it, sell cakes and try and beat last year’s total.
Friday September 15 – 2017
It may only be September but some things can’t wait! A part of our Christmas Fair on Friday 8th December we will be holding our Annual Class Christmas Hamper Auction.
Friday July 12 – 2017
Just a brief newsletter today to inform you of arrangements for the coming year ahead. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful summer holiday.
Friday July 7 – 2017
Thank you everyone for making our Prize-giving such a special event this week; it means such a lot to all the pupils not just the Year 6s to have their efforts over the year publically acknowledged in front of their families and friends. And with Mrs Eccles apologies….please note the date for the Christmas Concert (and other non-summer activities).
Friday June 30 – 2017
Thank you for making Sports Day such a great, fun event, one which was especially enlivened by the Fathers’ Race! As always our immense thanks go to Mrs McQuillan – how she thinks up her ideas for the races never ceases to amaze us – her hard work over the term has paid dividends. Remember, Prize-Giving on Tuesday. Enjoy the weekend.
Friday June 16 – 2017
We’ve had a fabulous few days, from a wet PGL to a gloriously sunny athletics meeting. Our Hopelands athletes excelled themselves – I am so proud of everyone who took part. Daniel Vaughan showed us what team spirit really means – see Mrs McQuillan’s report. Don’t forget to come and watch our drummers performing on Friday morning…..
Friday June 9 – 2017
Well, despite trying to fool the weather into being nice for us by going to PGL in June….it was very, very wet! We’ll tell you more about it next week. Remember the school photo is next week, .make sure you all look your best on Wednesday.
Friday May 26 – 2017
What a wonderful concert we had on Tuesday, the children all played so confidently and the choir sang beautifully at the end. Thank you to Mrs O’Dell and Mrs Ham for all their hard work, as ever. I would like to wish you all a very happy half term; make sure the lovely sunshine re-charges your batteries – but doesn’t fry them.
Friday May 19 – 2017
This has been a lovely week. The Years 1-3 Swimming Gala on Tuesday was both a display of sporting achievement and great fun and the Fund-Raising events for India today were entertaining and admirable; both for the hard work involved and monies raised. Thank you everyone. ..Don’t forget to put the Concert in your diaries for next week too.
Friday May 12 – 2017
Congratulations to our brilliant Year 6 Drama class who won the Steward’s Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. Mr Evans’ report below tells all. And this after the Choir’s glory there last week. I’m sorry that I have to remind everyone about School Care protocols again (on this page) but, for safety, please can I ask you all to adhere to the procedures.
Friday May 5 – 2017
Well done, once again, to our fabulous Choir. They sang so sweetly at the Cheltenham Festival and I was immensely proud of them all. Next week Year 6 will be at Cheltenham for the Drama Festival too – we wish them all the best of luck. Some very interesting school trips are coming up now that the weather is finally warming up – a busy term for us all.
Friday April 24 – 2017
Welcome back everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Easter break. We’ve hit the ground running, as usual, with the Cheltenham Festival Choir performing next Tuesday and Year 6 Drama performing on the 11th. There are quite a few trips planned too, please make sure to check the diary. Let’s hope the weather is good for us this term.
Friday March 24 – 2017
The pupils have had a super time this week, engaging in all sorts of Indian arts, crafts, baking and dance. Thank you to all those parents who were able to come and enjoy our display on the grass yesterday afternoon. As this is the last newsletter before the Easter holiday I would also like to wish you all a very Happy Easter and a lovely holiday break.
Friday March 17 – 2017
CONGRATULATIONS to our Year 6 Mock Trial Team who did superbly well this year. See the report below to see how well…. I would like to say a big, heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to all the pupils for the way they behaved today during our Open Day. Our Year 6s were perfect ambassadors for the school and everyone made the parents who came feel very welcome and at ease. Remember the Friends of Hopelands Easter Fair next week.
Friday March 10 – 2017
From the serious business of a court case – to the delights of an Indian Art Exhibition. In this newsletter you can read about both. Year 6 acquitted themselves extremely well in the Mock Trial competition, although an acquittal wasn’t the verdict we were aiming for…Mrs Barrett’s Art Display will be open for viewing the week after next – and don’t forget the Charity Jumble Sale next week. Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Friday March 3 – 2017
What a fabulous parade of book characters we saw today, thank you everyone for taking such care with your costumes – it really made the day feel special. And congratulations to our cross-country runners who have done outstandingly well. We really are so very lucky to have such an inspirational PE teacher in Mrs McQuillan.
Friday February 24 – 2017
What a fabulous time we all had on Tuesday. The Gate of India Restaurant made us all feel so welcome and the food we enjoyed was just delicious (as I’m sure you will have heard !).The children, as always, behaved impeccably. The workshops this week have been great fun, and very informative. Once again, a massive ‘thank you’ must go to Mrs O’Dell and Mrs Barrett for all their hard work in making Global Awareness Week such a great success.
Friday February 10 – 2017
Lots to read today in our newsletter (three pages); mostly good things but I must draw your attention to the problems we are having with (too) early drop-offs and parking. Please can we ask you all to take care in the mornings. We have rearranged Prize-Giving to be on Tuesday 4th July (not Friday 7th) – all other details remain the same. Have a lovely half-term everyone.
Friday February 3 – 2017
Despite ascertaining in the Autumn Term last year the dates for senior school induction days we have just been informed, by three schools to which we hope some of our pupils will moving, that their Induction Days will fall on Friday 7th July – our Prize-Giving Day. One school has yet to even schedule a date! Thus we must unfortunately move our date to accommodate theirs! We will, of course, let you know as soon as our Prize-Giving Day has been re-set.
Friday January 27 – 2017
Please could I ask you all to complete the forms that we have sent out with this newsletter, it is important that our records are always as up-to-date as possible. Two exciting activities are set to take place in March – World Book Day and the Pizza and Popcorn Party. You can tell Spring is not far away…
Friday January 20 – 2017
Our sporting stars have done it again! Read Mrs McQuillan’s report below of our prowess in the pool today and our skills on the football pitch. Well done everyone. Could I, again, remind everyone that although the ice and, small amount of, snow has apparently gone – it’s still very cold. Coats on please. Have a lovely weekend, the sun has come out.
Friday January 13 – 2017
The icy weather took a bit of a toll this morning, but, thankfully, nothing too bad happened. We have included an abridged version of the extreme weather policy in the newsletter, the full version can be found on the website. Congratulations go to our very talented Drama Teacher, Steve Evans, who won another international tennis match last month.
Friday January 6 – 2017
Welcome back. I hope you are all rested and refreshed and raring to go! Although this is a relatively short term we will be celebrating our annual Global Awareness Week (India this year) and participating in a host of sporting activities, so lots to look forward too. Remember, swimming starts on Tuesday for Years 1-3 and it’s cold – so coats on in the playground please.