Newsletter - Friday 14th November 2025
- lfoster51
- Nov 14
- 12 min read
Issue 5 - Autumn 2025
Proud to be ELSTON! Empowered, Listeners, Successful, Together, Open-Minded, Nurturing
Dear families,
Welcome to the second half of the Autumn term! I hope that children enjoyed their half term breaks. We've had a very busy fortnight back in school with lots of learning and many exciting activities taking place.
Pupils marked Remembrance Day on Tuesday with an assembly followed by a silence in classes. Thank you to Year 6 pupils who decorated school to support us in marking such a significant day. Year 6 Poppies for Remembrance
Thank you to Year 2 families who were able to attend the meeting about the residential. The slides shared can be found here: Year 2 Residential
We've celebrated Children in Need today - thanks to everyone who contributed cash and/or cakes! We'll share our fundraising total in the next newsletter.
Next week, children will be reminded of our lockdown procedures. This is nothing to worry about and something that all education settings are required to practice, just like a fire drill. Children will practice an 'invacuation' where they will make their way into classes and remain until the all-clear is given.
A reminder that next week will be the final week for extra-curricular clubs.
We look forward to seeing some of you on Monday for the Reflexions Parent workshop 2-3pm. This will focus on understanding and supporting your child with anxiety. (Please complete the form sent out via email if you wish to attend.)
There is still lots to look forward to over the next few weeks, including trips and exciting learning opportunities. Its too early to mention the 'C' word, but I do have a sneaking suspicion that I may have heard some festive singing coming from Year 1 classrooms this week!
Thanks for your continued support. Have a great weekend,
Miss E Foster
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.
This week, attendance has dropped again to 95.4% - this is slightly below the current national average of 95.7%. This is mostly due to sickness absence and some holidays. Year 1 continue to have the highest attendance so far - well done!
Year group | Up to 10.11.25 |
Whole School (Without Reception children) | 95.4% |
Reception | 93.0% |
Year 1 | 96.4% |
Year 2 | 94.4% |
Year 3 | 95.8% |
Year 4 | 95.1% |
Year 5 | 95.6% |
Year 6 | 95.1% |
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
This week, we took part in Anti-Bullying week which began on Monday with assemblies and Odd Socks Day! Pupils and staff brightened up the day by wearing their most colourful, bold, and wonderfully mismatched socks to celebrate what makes each of us unique.
Odd Socks Day is a great reminder that it’s okay to be different and that our differences make our school community stronger. It also gives us the chance to talk about kindness, respect, and standing up for one another.
'How to Draw' Club Remember! This week in Drawing Club, the children took part in a special Remembrance Day activity. They followed step-by-step instructions to draw a soldier and a poppy, learning how simple shapes can come together to create a meaningful picture.
The children showed great focus and care as they drew, using their artwork to reflect on the importance of remembering those who have served.
A big congratulations to our amazing cheerleaders who represented Elston at the 35th City Diversity Celebration at the Halls in Wolverhampton! It was attended by 2200 people, with 600 children performing throughout the evening. The Elston All Stars thrilled the audience with an energetic mash-up of music, showcasing their talent, team spirit, and dedication. We couldn’t be prouder of their outstanding performance! The girls have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to learn a complex routine. Thanks to Jazzy and a team of staff who made this happen. More photos of the Diversity Celebration can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAx3U
The children really enjoyed playing a lively game of tag rugby this week! Through this activity, they are developing a range of important skills. Physically, they’re improving their coordination, agility, and reaction times. Socially, they’re learning teamwork, communication, and good sportsmanship. Cognitively, they’re building focus, quick thinking, and strategic decision-making. It’s wonderful to see everyone having fun while learning and staying active!
Teaching and Learning Opportunities
Lots of exciting learning opportunities have been taking place! Click the links for more photographs.
Reception children completed an egg-citing experiment, testing a range of materials to best protect Humpty-Dumpty! Reception’s Egg-citing Science Experiment! Fun in Class 2!
Early Years have had SO much fun celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week! We joined together as a Trust to sing our favourite nursery rhymes to each other via TEAMs — it was wonderful to see everyone joining in with such enthusiasm. The children looked absolutely fantastic in their costumes and loved every moment of their special day! Even the teachers got involved, dressing up as their favourite nursery rhyme characters.
Thank you to families who were able to join us for Nursery Parent Workshops. We hope you enjoyed the session and that it gave you a better understanding of what your child experiences during their nursery day. Your involvement and support mean so much to us, and we look forward to welcoming you to more events in the future.
Year 4 pupils applied a range of skills and knowledge from subjects across the curriculum in their recent Lego workshop!
Class 21 had a lovely morning at Aldersley this week, exploring chromatography using felt pens and plants. We then moved on to exploring household liquids and testing for acidity and alkalinity, learning to test and discuss their results. They also spotted where tests had been contaminated and results were affected as a result. We loved working in the Science labs and can't wait for Year 7 science now!
Thank you to the staff at Aldersley for our morning.
Pupil News
Aurelia from Year 4 has been selected to perform in this year's pantomime and Wolverhampton Grand! Aurelia will be playing the young Sleeping Beauty! Well done Aurelia.
Staff News
Sadly, Mr Humphries has decided to leave Elston Hall to pursue other ventures. We wish him every success for the futue. Class 5 are now taught my Mrs Bahia who we are delighted to welcome back to Elston Hall.
School Notices
Toys
Can we request that pupils do not bring personal items into school, including Pokemon cards. This can cause problems between friends and upset if something becomes lost/damaged. Thank you for your support with this.
Code of Conduct
Please can we remind families to drive and park respectfully on the carpark and around school. Please avoid confrontations on school site which can be distressing for children and others to witness. Our Code of Conduct sets out expectations for all adults to follow: 190abd_01f1535cec8b422bb2f8669f1ea445d6.pdf Thank you.
Football
Pupils should not play football on playgrounds before school. We have had several near-miss accidents as a result of stray balls almost hitting children/adults. Please share this with your children and ensure that footballs are not bought onto the playground at the start and end of the day. Thank you.
Shoebox Appeal
This year, we will be supporting the Wolves Foundation Shoebox Appeal. Last year, they distributed 500 gifts, an incredible achievement! This year, they're aiming even higher, supporting children and families through a range of local organisations as well as project participants and families. You can support this by dropping off donations following the instructions below. Alternatively, donations can be sent into school and school staff will arrange for donations to be delivered.
Reception Admissions September 2026
Parents can now apply for Reception school places for September 2026. Please see more information here: Apply for primary school places | City Of Wolverhampton Council. The deadline for applications is 15th January 2026.
DFE updates
Sports News
Elston Hall proudly participated in the latest Netball Hub event, joining 10 other schools at St Chads. The squad played 5 competitive games against St Mary's, St Stephens, Long Knowle, Trinity and Oak Meadow. Overall there were 3 narrow defeats and 2 wins - the best being a 6-0 victory with some super shooting from Freya! All the children played a range of positions showing great understanding of the game - for some it was their first time attending the tournament. Miss Willis, Miss Saunders and Mr Green were proud of them all.
We are so proud of our girls football team who competed at the Wolves training ground against 14 different schools across the city. The girls were excellent throughout the tournament playing 7 games, winning 5 and drawing 2. The girls made it all the way to the final without conceding a single goal where they met Perry Hall. Elston were leading the game 1-0 until the final second when Perry Hall scored an equaliser to send it to penalties. Unfortunately, the girls lost on penalties but we are unbelievably proud of their efforts! Well done girls, making Elston proud 💚
The girls were also lucky enough to meet Matt Doherty, the Wolves player, which made the day even more special!
Seven of our Year 6 children participated in a dodgeball competition at St Chads. The children played 8 games in their group against Christ Church, St Mary's, Bilston and Whitgreave, with 6 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. The children topped their group to progress to the quarter finals where they unfortunately lost in a competitive game against Wodensfield. The children showed excellent communication and teamwork skills and were excellent representatives for Elston Hall. A huge well done to the children.
Lunches
Our new school menus can be found here: Lunches | Elston Hall.
Thank you to families who were able to join us this week to sample the new menu!
On Friday 21st November, there will be a change to the advertised menu. Cook's Special Menu will be available, consisting of hot dogs, burgers, pasta, jacket potatoes and assorted puddings.
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.
Arbor
99% of our families use our Arbor Parent Portal! This enables payments to be made, messages to be received and key information to be updated.
Please could we request that families review the information to ensure that contact numbers and medical information are up to date. Please also ensure that all consents are complete so that staff know what permissions your child has. These include the publication of photographs and food tasting.
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
If you are having any issues accessing the Arbor app, please contact the school office.
Online Safety
Please find the latest newsletter here: Online Behaviours Autumn Term 2025 newsletter for parents
Key Dates
Please note, all dates are subject to change.
Inset days:
Monday 23rd February
Friday 19th June
Monday 20th July
School will be closed to all pupils on these days
Date | Event |
Monday 17th November | Last week for after school clubs. Reflexions Parent workshop 2-3pm |
Thursday 20th November | Y6 Blist’s Hill trip |
Monday 24th November | Y5 Swimming for Class 17 starts |
Tuesday 25th November | Flu immunisation catch up session |
Tuesday 25th November | Rocksteady Concert Year 3 trip |
Wednesday 26th November | Year 3 trip |
Thursday 4th December | Year 1 and 2 Christmas fayre |
Friday 5th December | Reception trip |
Monday 8th December | Reception height and weight (School nurses) |
Tuesday 9th December | Reception height and weight (School nurses) |
Wednesday 10th December | Reception height and weight (School nurses) |
Wednesday 10th December | Christmas Dinner day / Christmas Jumper day |
Thursday 11th December | Year 1 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm Year 2 Christmas Performances 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Friday 12th December | Nursery Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm Reception Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Monday 15th December | Y3 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm Y4 Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Tuesday 16th December | Y5 Christmas Performance 9.15am & 1.30pm Y6 Christmas Performance 10.15am & 2.30pm |
Friday 20th December | End of term |
Monday 5th January | School reopens to all pupils |
Monday 5th January | Swimming Y5 resumes (Class 17) |
WC Monday 12th January | After School clubs / Y6 Boosters Start |
Thursday 22nd January | Year 3 History workshops |
Friday 23rd January | Year 3 History workshops |
TBC | Reception Phonic parent workshops |
TBC | Year 1 care home visit |
TBC | Year 1 Community Day |
Tuesday 3rd February | Year 4 DT workshops |
Friday 6th February | Number Day |
Monday 9th February | Children’s Mental Health Week |
Tuesday 10th February | Safer Internet Day |
TBC | Reception Mother’s day assembly |
TBC | Year 1 Phonics workshops |
Friday 13th February | Dress to Express day (to celebrate children’s mental health week). Red Nose Day. |
Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February | Half term – School closed to all pupils |
Monday 23rd February | Inset Day – School closed to all pupils |
WC Monday 23rd February | After school clubs resume |
Monday 2nd March | Y5 Swimming for Class 18 starts |
Friday 6th March | World Book Day – fancy dress Year 4 Reading workshop |
WC 9th March | Last week for extra-curricular clubs (due to parents evening & Laches Wood) British Science Week |
TBC | Year 3 Mother’s Day workshop |
TBC | Reception Mother’s Day assembly |
TBC | Year 1 Dinosaur Day |
Friday 13th March | |
Tuesday 17th March | Rocksteady Concert |
Wednesday 18th March | Parents Evening (4.00pm - 6.00pm) |
Thursday 19th March | Parents Evening (3.30pm - 5.00pm) |
TBC | Nursery/Reception Easter bonnet parade Nursery parent Easter singalong |
TBC | Year 2 trip |
Monday 23rd March | Year 6 Mock SATs |
Wednesday 25th – Friday 27th March | Y6 Residential Visit to Laches Wood |
Friday 27th March | End of term |
Monday 13th April | School reopens to all pupils |
Monday 13th April | Swimming resumes (Class 18) |
WC Monday 20th April | Extra-Curricular After School clubs begin |
TBC | Year 4 Rainforest workshops |
Monday 4th May | Bank Holiday – School closed to all pupils |
WC Monday 11th May | Y6 SATs Week |
Monday 18th May | Y6 Top up swimming sessions start (selected pupils) |
Monday 18th May – Wed 20th May | Y4 Conwy residential – no extra curricular clubs this week |
Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May | Half term – school closed to all pupils |
WC Monday 1st June | After School clubs continue |
Monday 1st June | Y4 MTC window Reception trip Year 6 Bikeability |
Tuesday 2nd June | Year 6 Bikeability |
Wednesday 3rd June | Year 4 Bikeability |
WC Monday 8th June | Y1 Phonics Screening window |
Monday 8th June | Sports Day – Y4 – 9.15am, Y5 – 10.45am, Y6 – 1.45pm |
Friday 12th June | Sports Day – Y1 – 9.15am, Y2 - 10.45am, Y3 - 1.45pm |
Monday 15th June | Sports Day – Reception – 9.15am, Nursery am – 10.45am, Nursery pm – 1.45pm |
| Nursery trip |
Thursday 18th June | Year 1 Father’s day events |
Friday 19th June | Inset Day – School closed to all pupils |
Monday 22nd June | Year 4 Father’s Day events |
TBC | Year 1 trip |
Monday 29th June – Wednesday 1st July | Transition sessions (am only) Reception – Y6
|
WC Monday 29th June | Last week for After school clubs Transition week |
Tuesday 30th June | Rocksteady Concert |
Monday 6th July | Last Y6 top up swimming session |
Monday 6th July – Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th - Thursday 9th July | Y2 residential |
Thursday 9th / Friday 10th July | Y6 Summer Fete |
Friday 10th July | End of Year Reports sent home Reception colour festival |
Monday 13th July | Nursery graduation |
Wednesday 15th July | Y6 Leaver’s Performances |
Thursday 16th July | Y6 Leaver’s events (during school day & BBQ after school) |
Friday 17th July | End of academic year |
Monday 20th July | Inset Day – School closed to all pupils |
Community Links
The Best Start in Life campaign aims to increase awareness of the importance of early years in a child’s development and the role of early years education.
Catch up flu vaccination clinics for school aged children
Children from Reception to Year 11 who missed their free flu vaccine in school, or are home-educated, can attend catch-up clinics in Wolverhampton. Each school is visited twice, but clinics offer an extra opportunity for those who missed both dates or prefer a clinic setting.
Clinic dates and locations:
Graiseley Family Hub, Pool Street WV2 4NE – Saturday 22 November
Whitmore Reans Family Hub, Lansdowne Road WV1 4AL – Saturday 6 December
All clinics run from 9am to 1pm. Booking is essential – call Vaccination UK on 01902 200077. Clinics are also available in Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall – contact Vaccination UK for details.
Most children receive the vaccine via nasal spray. An injectable alternative is available for those who need a pork gelatine-free option or cannot have the spray for medical reasons, please request this when booking.
