Newsletters
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 29 – 2017
Last week the year 6 children were invited to Rendcomb College for the day for a body percussion workshop. This was led by Ollie Tunmer who runs the company ‘Beat Goes On’ and is a former cast member of the hit show STOMP. He welcomed around 100 children from various local schools onto the stage and quickly gained the children’s attention by getting them to copy quite tricky sequences of patterns using their bodies! It was certainly a fun and high-energy workshop.
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.