To all parents and carers,

Well last week was extremely busy. We had parent consultations for Nursery and Reception, trips out for Y3 and 4, a reading case study visit with our trust and federation schools and workshops for parents. This is what we love about Waterside – bringing our community together. A huge thank you to the staff for your hard work and dedication and also to all parents who attended.

On Saturday, a small group of pupils also represented Waterside dancing at the Regent Theatre. The children were incredible and simply shone on their performance. A huge thank you Mrs Dawson, Miss Bailey and Mrs Mason for your support and time.

This week we lead a case study review at Waterside with our federated schools. It was excellent to work with other schools. The feedback was exemplary and the teaching and learning was simply inspirational. Our children are sensational and show at all times excellent attitudes to learning. Positive feedback was given on the excellent parental support to reading so well done to all of you who are reading at home daily with your children. It is making a significant difference.

We would like to share a huge thank you to all parents who have used the school money. We are now fully embracing the new system and last week we were phoning and chasing arrears. We ask that all parents do pay on time as the arrears will mean that potentially resources cannot be brought in school. Through constant chasing we did reduce arrears from over £2300 to just 350.00.

Attendance has been lower the last two weeks and this is due to holidays. We do not authorise holidays in term time and the governors ratified the new attendance policy which will pursue in fines issued due to the importance of attendance for good educational outcomes. Can you please ensure you familiarise yourselves with the term dates on the school website to make sure term time holidays are not taken?

Mrs Knowles and the Waterside Team.