Newsletter - Friday 11th September 2026
Issue 1 - Autumn 2026
Proud to be ELSTON! Empowered, Listeners, Successful, Together, Open-Minded, Nurturing
As we come to the end of our first two weeks back at school, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our children and families for such a positive start to the autumn term.
It has been wonderful to see our children arriving each day looking so smart and taking great pride in wearing their school uniform. Thank you to those families for their support to ensure children are punctually in school, on time and ready for their learning. Children have settled quickly into their morning routines and have already immersed themselves into their new units of learning. A gentle reminder that being in school and on time each day helps children start their day positively and ensures that they do not miss any important learning. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Last week, I shared a communication letter outlining who to contact should you require assistance or information from school. To further support clear communication, which remains one of our school priorities, I am sharing a communication flowchart today which provides a clear guide on who to speak to should you have an enquiry or question regarding your child. Please do keep this information to hand and refer to it throughout the year.
Finally, I would like to personally thank our families for the warm welcome you have given me since joining Elston. The strong sense of community is already clear to see and I look forward to working closely with you all.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Mrs Wood Headteacher
Attendance
We track attendance weekly and monitor any pupils falling below 96%. From time to time you might receive letters regarding your child's attendance. These letters are sent to many families and are sent regardless of whether you have contacted school or not to inform us of the absence.
Winter bugs are going around. If you aren't sure whether to send your child into school, this information may be useful: Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
Please could we remind families to inform school of any absences before 9am. There are several ways you can do this:
By calling the school office on 01902 558866. If you are calling before 8am, please leave a voicemail and this will be picked up and reasons for absence recorded on Arbor.
By adding reasons for the day's absence on Arbor's Parent Portal
By emailing attendance@elston.org.uk explaining the reasons for absence
If your child has a medical appointment, please bring them to school before and after wherever possible.
Year group | Up to 10.9.26 |
Whole School (Without Reception children) | 94.8% |
Year 1 | 94.4% |
Year 2 | 95.5% |
Year 3 | 95.6% |
Year 4 | 94.9% |
Year 5 | 93.9% |
Year 6 | 94.6% |
Punctuality is vital to ensure that pupils have a calm and organised start to the day, and can make the most of every minute in school! Our doors open from 8:45 until 9am. Anyone arriving after this time should enter through the dining room doors where a Late mark will be recorded. Please note that any pupils arriving after 9:30am will receive a 'U' mark which affects their attendance.
Personal Development
Elston Voice
Last week, during assembly, we launched our ‘Elston Voice’ roles to the children. Our Elston Voice is made up of a range of ambassador roles that run across classes in Key Stage 1 and 2. Children from Year 1 - Year 6 are able to apply to be a member of the school council which will be voted for in classes supporting out British value of ‘democracy’.
Further Ambassador roles in KS2 include 'Junior Safety Ambassadors', 'Wellbeing Ambassadors', 'STEM ambassadors', 'Sports Ambassadors' and 'Behaviour Ambassadors' to name just a few. These roles will be chosen by class teachers and staff in school. We look forward to our new ambassadors getting into their roles in the coming weeks. To see what our Elston Voice representatives got up to last year, see our website Elston Voice | Elston Hall
Children in Y6 applying for House Captain and Head Boy or Head Girl roles need to return their application forms to class by Monday 14th September for consideration.
Manny's Mile
We are delighted that Elston Hall has been selected as one of 50 schools taking part in ‘Manny’s Mile’ to raise money for Dementia UK. Manny will be running one mile in 50 different primary schools across Wolverhampton over two days, and we are pleased that he will be visiting Elston Hall on Friday 18th September as part of his relay journey.
Children are welcome to support Manny’s fundraising efforts for Dementia UK by contributing £1 through Arbor. Cash donations will also be accepted on the day.
During Manny’s visit, the children will cheer him on as he completes his mile. We are sure this will be an exciting and memorable occasion for everyone involved, while also helping to support an important cause.
School notices
End of Day Arrangements
As it is the start the new academic year, we thank parents for their patience during dismissal as staff familiarise themselves with children’s end of day arrangements. We know that during these initial few weeks, this can take a little longer than usual. Please rest assure that the safe dismissal of all children to the appropriate adults is our priority.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
PE
Please find the PE day information for this academic year. Children should wear their PE uniform on these days. Children who have their ears pierced must remove their earrings to participate in PE lessons in line with our policy. Children cannot have their earrings taped for PE.
Parking
We kindly ask parents to park courteously in the surrounding areas around school. We have already had concerns about parking around residential areas raised.
Lunches
Our school new menus can be found here: Lunches | Elston Hall.
The school meal cost from September is £2.66 per meal.
For parents who pay for school meals, please could payment be made the week before meals are taken to prevent debts accruing. Please be aware that, should your child's debt reach £30, then school will no longer provide school dinners until the debt is cleared.
Please can we remind families to cut up grapes if they are sent into school for lunch or snack time.
Safeguarding
NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe Assemblies
This week, we delivered the NSPCC 'Speak Out Stay Safe' assembly. This is a programme for children aged 5-11 which aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a safe adult or Childline.
If you would like to know more about the Speak out. Stay safe. programme visit www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout
Arbor
As the new academic year starts, we kindly ask parents to review the information saved on your child's Arbor profile. This includes contact numbers and medical information. For children in Y5 and Y6, please ensure you have given consent for children to walk home via Arbor. Children will not be permitted to walk home without consent.
We require at least two emergency contacts per child. Please add on any contacts who you have given permission to collect your child and add this onto their information e.g. grandparents.
School will use email to send letters and in-app messages to send shorter reminders. Please enable notifications and check 'junk' to ensure emails are received. A reminder of our communication methods can be found here: Communication | Elston Hall
Staff News
Congratulations to Miss Hyde (now Mrs Cotterill) and Mr Terry who both got married over the summer holidays.
2026 - 2027 Key Dates
School will be closed on the following INSET days:
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Monday 4th January 2027
Friday 28th May 2027
Monday 7th June 2027
Autumn Term 2026
Term Time: Tuesday 1 September 2026 to Friday 23 October 2026
Half term: Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026
Term Time: Monday 2 November 2026 to Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term 2027
Term Time: Monday 4 January 2027 to Friday 12 February 2027
Half term: Monday 15 February 2027 to Friday 19 February 2027
Term Time: Monday 22 February 2027 to Thursday 25 March 2027
Summer Term 2027
Term Time: Monday 12 April 2027 to Friday 28 May 2027
Half term: Monday 31 May 2027 to Friday 4 June 2027
Term Time: Monday 7 June 2027 to Wednesday 21 July 2027
Date | Event |
Tuesday 15th September | Y6 Parent meeting 3.30pm |
Monday 21st September | NSPCC Pantosaurus assemblies |
Tuesday 22nd September | Individual School Photographs (all children to wear full school uniform) |
Tuesday 22nd September | Year 4 Laches Wood Residential Meeting |
Monday 28th September | Y6 Residential to Whitemoor Lakes |
Friday 2nd October | Y2 Harvest celebration (Details TBC) |
Monday 5th October | Vaccination UK – Flu vaccine programme Reception to Year 6 |
Monday 5th October | Reception Parents Workshop 1.20-3.10pm |
Wednesday 7th October | 2.15pm SEND coffee afternoon – invite only |
Thursday 8th October | Reception Parents Workshop 1.20-3.10pm |
Friday 9th October | Hello Yellow day (dress wearing yellow accessory) |
WC 12th October | No clubs all week due to parents’ evenings |
Wednesday 14th October | Parents Evening 4.00 – 6.00pm |
Thursday 15th October | Parents Evening 3.30 – 5.00pm |
Monday 19th October | Reflexions Parent Workshop 2-3pm: Understanding and supporting your child’s anxiety |
Tuesday 20th October | Nursery Family Group – parent invitations |
Tuesday 20th October | Year 3 Tanglewood trip – Class 10 and half Class 12 |
Wednesday 21st October | Year 3 Tanglewood trip – Class 11 and half Class 12 |
Thursday 22th October | Nursery Family Group – parent invitations |
Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October | Half term – School closed to all pupils |
