Newsletter - Friday 16th January 2026
- lfoster51
- 6 days ago
- 11 min read
Issue 8 - Spring 2026
Proud to be ELSTON! Empowered, Listeners, Successful, Together, Open-Minded, Nurturing
Dear families,
Happy New Year! I hope that you enjoyed your Christmas breaks with your families. Its been lovely welcoming the children back over the past fortnight - they've settled back in brilliantly despite the challenges we've faced with the weather!
Thank you for your support last week when we had to close due to Storm Goretti. The amount of snow that fell meant we could not have opened the site to staff or children safely.
We've had two very busy weeks back with so many learning opportunities - some are featured in this newsletter. We've lots more coming up this term - please see the end of the newsletter for all our key dates.
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 further to 94.5% - this is below the current national average of 95.1%. This is mostly due to sickness absence and some holidays. We'd love to see attendance improve and thank you in advance for your support with this. Year 1 continue to have the highest attendance so far - well done!
Year group | Up to 9.1.26 |
Whole School (Without Reception children) | 94.5% |
Reception | 90.8% |
Year 1 | 95.0% |
Year 2 | 94.2% |
Year 3 | 94.6% |
Year 4 | 94.2% |
Year 5 | 94.2% |
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
Promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing throughout our school community is a vital part of our school life. The Reflexions team visited Year 2 to lead a workshop on understanding and managing feelings and emotions.
Year 3 recently welcomed our local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who visited the children to talk about stranger danger and the importance of recognising safer strangers. During the session, the children listened attentively and took part in thoughtful discussions based on everyday situations. Together, they explored what to do if they ever feel worried or unsure, and who they can turn to for help. The PCSO explained that not all strangers are unsafe and supported the children in identifying who a safer stranger might be.
Children across KS2 have made beautiful decorations for the Christmas tree in our school hall. We were so impressed by the effort, imagination and festive spirit that went into every entry!
After much deliberation, winners were chosen from each year group:
Year 6 – Hayden
Year 5 – Emma
Year 4 – Owen
Year 3 – Poppy
A huge well done to our winners, who each received a festive selection box. We would also like to congratulate all the children who took part—your decorations have helped make our hall look wonderfully Christmassy!
Our School Council pupils organised a wonderful opportunity for our school community to support The Well, a Wolverhampton charity that provides food parcels for people in need. Thanks to their efforts, and the generosity of our families, we were able to collect a fantastic number of donated items to help support local people during difficult times. Thank you to everyone who sent in items — your kindness and generosity will make a real difference.
Teaching and Learning Opportunities
Children in Reception are beginning their gymnastics learning journey through a fun and engaging space-themed approach. Children in Year 1 have been practising dribbling a ball in football FUNdamentals, developing control, coordination and spatial awareness.
Year 1 have been busy in maths learning all about 3D shapes! They have also made pentomino and tetramine arrangements! A tetromino is made from 4 squares joined edge to edge and a pentomino is made from 5 squares joined edge to edge.
As part of our inspiration day to launch their new topic, Unity in the Community, Year 1 enjoyed a local walk around the area surrounding our school, where they looked carefully for different road signs.
The children came dressed as people they might find within their community and explained how these individuals help others. They also took part in role play activities, sharing their ideas confidently. It was a fun, engaging day that helped the children make meaningful connections between their learning and the world around them. Click the links above for more pictures.
Year 1 became winter scientists! They wrapped up warm and went outside for a science winter hunt in the snow. The children explored their surroundings and used their senses to discover how winter changes our world.
As part of our new topic, You’re Not Invited, Year 5 brought the past to life with an exciting historical workshop led by Humph’s Histories. The children learned some Latin phrases, explored where key Roman events fit within British history, and investigated a range of weapons, armour and other historical sources. They also created their own Roman shields and recreated battle formations, giving them a real insight into life in the Roman army. A big thank you to Steve for delivering such a memorable and engaging day!
The Highwayman visited Year 5 to read the poem and kick start their writing unit!
Fantastic work in PE this week! The children showed excellent control, balance and coordination while practising moves. They listened carefully, worked safely and supported one another. We were especially impressed with their confidence and determination to improve their skills. Well done everyone – keep up the great work! Click the title above to see a fantastic routine from some of our girls.
Developing our pupils into fluent readers is a key priority and the key to ensure pupils become independent, life-long learners! Join us as we take part in the National Year of Reading. Any reading you can do at home will support your children.
Our Reading Ambassadors shared their love of reading with some of our younger children during Christmas week. Visiting classes across the school, they read a festive Christmas story, bringing the magic of storytelling to life. It was wonderful to see the older pupils reading with confidence and enthusiasm, and the younger children listening so attentively. A lovely celebration of reading, community, and Christmas spirit!
Mr Grayson has begun the process of retirement, and before Christmas, children and staff came together to wish Mr Grayson a very happy retirement. Mr Grayson has been part of Elston Hall Learning Trust since 2007, and his contribution to our school over the years has been truly remarkable. Our Head Boy and Head Girl led a wonderful farewell assembly, which celebrated Mr Grayson’s time at Elston Hall and the lasting impact he has had on our school community. The children shared personalised songs, thoughtful poems and incredible artwork. There was also a video showing children across the Trust singing a very special song for Mr Grayson. It was a wonderful assembly, and the children did Mr Grayson proud. He will be greatly missed by everyone at Elston Hall Primary School, but we wish him all the very best as he begins this new chapter. Thank you, Mr Grayson, for everything you have given to our school.
School Notices
Social Media misuse
We have recently managed a number of incidents where students have accessed social media platforms such as Snapchat (minimum age 13) and WhatsApp (minimum age 16). While these sites can offer useful communication tools, they have also been linked to misunderstandings and disputes that have spilled over into the school environment. To support a safe and focused learning atmosphere, we kindly ask that you ensure your child does not use these services until they reach the appropriate age thresholds. By doing so, we can help minimise potential conflicts and maintain a positive atmosphere for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Spare Clothes
If you have any spare uniform at home which your children have grown out of, we would really appreciate any donations for our spare clothes boxes. We have plenty of jumpers and cardigans, but would appreciate:
Pants
Tights
Socks
Skirts
Trousers
Thank you in advance for your support with this!
Sports News
Our boys team competed against schools across the midlands at Castle Vale stadium in Birmingham at the West Midlands County Finals. The boys won two, lost one and drew one match in their group meaning they topped the group with 7 points giving them a place in the semi-finals. The boys played brilliantly as a team in the semi-final but sadly lost to a last-minute goal sending them out of the competition. They were excellent representatives of Elston Hall and staff were proud of their performance and resilience.
10 of our Year 2 children represented Elston Hall at the Multiskills event held at St Chads. The children competed as a team to score points in a variety of events using skills such as throwing and catching, jumping, running and balancing. For the children, it was their first time competing in such an event and representing school. They worked amazingly well and were winners of the event meaning they move onto the finals, against other school across the city later in the term. Well done to all the children and good luck for the next competition!
Lunches
Our school menus can be found here: Lunches | Elston Hall.
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.
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
Monday 19th January | Reflexions: Talking about Mental Health- parent workshop 2-3pm |
Wednesday 21st January | Year 3 History workshops |
Thursday 22nd January | Year 3 History workshops |
TBC | Year 1 care home visit |
Monday 2nd February - Friday 8th February | National Storytelling Week |
Tuesday 3rd February | Year 4 DT workshops |
Wednesday 4th February | Y6 DT workshops am. Class 19: 9.15am, Class 20: 10.15am, Class 21: 11.15am |
Friday 6th February | Number Day |
Monday 9th February | Children’s Mental Health Week |
Tuesday 10th February | Safer Internet Day |
TBC | Year 1 Phonics workshops |
Friday 13th February | Dress to Express day (to celebrate children’s mental health week). |
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 |
Friday 27th February | EYFS Dino Discovery Day – Inspiration Day |
Monday 2nd March | Y5 Swimming for Class 18 starts |
Friday 6th March | World Book Day – dress as a book character Year 4 Reading workshop Author Visit Day 1 – Pep the Poet |
Monday 9th March | Author Visit Day 2 - Pep the Poet Reflexions: Year 6 Children’s workshops – Preparation for SAT’s |
WC 9th March | Last week for extra-curricular clubs (due to parents evening & Laches Wood) British Science Week |
Wednesday 11th March | Year 3 Mother’s Day workshops - afternoon |
Thursday 12th March | Reception Mother’s Day assembly (KS2 Hall 2.30pm) |
TBC | Year 1 Dinosaur Day |
Monday 16th March | Reflexions: Preparation for SAT’s - Parent workshop 2-3pm |
Tuesday 17th March | Rocksteady Concert |
Wednesday 18th March | Parents Evening (4.00pm - 6.00pm) |
Thursday 19th March | Year 5 PCSO visit Parents Evening (3.30pm - 5.00pm) |
Friday 20th March | Red Nose Day |
Monday 23rd March | Year 6 Mock SATs |
Wednesday 25th March | Year 2 trip - West Midlands Safari Park |
Thursday 26th March | EYFS Easter Bonnets Parade (in school) |
Thursday 26th March | Nursery Easter Sing Song (KS1 Hall 11am &2.30pm) |
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 |
TBC | Reception Trip |
WC Monday 8th June | Y1 Phonics Screening window |
Monday 8th June | Sports Day – Y4 – 9.15am, Y5 – 10.45am, Y6 – 1.45pm Reflexions: Transition - Year 6 Children’s workshops |
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 Reflexions: Transition – Parent workshop 2-3pm |
TBC | 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 |
Thursday 2nd July | Yr 5 trip to Safeside |
Monday 6th July | Last Y6 top up swimming session |
Monday 6th July – Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th - Thursday 9th July | Y2 residential |
Friday 3rd July | EYFS Colour Festival |
Thursday 9th / Friday 10th July | Y6 Summer Fete |
Friday 10th July | End of Year Reports sent home |
Thursday 16th 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
Stafford Grammar School
From Monday 23rd to Friday 27th February, Stafford Grammar School will be hosting an Open Week, welcoming families into school between 9.00am and 3.00pm. Parents will be invited to meet Headmaster, Mr Pietrek, and members of our Senior Leadership Team, enjoy a guided tour of our beautiful campus, and see teaching and learning taking place during a normal school day.
These visits are designed to offer an open and informative insight into life at Stafford Grammar School, with opportunities to observe lessons, explore our broad and balanced curriculum, and ask questions directly with senior staff. The aim is to help families gain a genuine understanding of the school and decide whether it could be the right environment for their child’s education.
