Newsletter - Friday 25th September 2026
Issue 2 - Autumn 2026
Proud to be ELSTON! Empowered, Listeners, Successful, Together, Open-Minded, Nurturing
As we begin our fourth full week of the school year, I would like to thank our children, staff and families for helping us make such a positive start to the term. It has been lovely to see the children settled back into school, working hard and fully engaged in their learning.
There has already been lots to celebrate. Our Year 6 children are looking forward to their residential visit next week, and we wish them a fantastic experience. We have also appointed our Head Girl, Head Boy and Deputy Head Pupils. The standard of applications was incredibly high and I am very proud of all the children who have taken on these leadership and ambassador roles for this year. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our new pupil leaders over a hot chocolate and biscuit this week, talking about how they can help make a positive difference across Elston Hall.
Children have also represented the school brilliantly during recent sporting activities, and it has been wonderful to welcome so many parents and carers into school for our recent parent information evenings. Thank you to everyone who attended and for the continued support you show your child's learning.
Another highlight was Manny's Mile, which was a fantastic afternoon and a real celebration of our school. Our children showed great pride in themselves and the school as they came together to support such an important cause. Thank you to all families for your generosity in helping us raise money for Dementia UK.
Next week, we are looking forward to our Year 2 Harvest Assembly. Thank you in advance for your generous Harvest donations and for the continued support you show our school community. I am sure the children will make us all very proud.
I look forward to another successful week ahead. Please pay particular attention to the key dates that are listed further along the newsletter.
Enjoy a lovely weekend in the sunshine!
Kind regards,
Mrs Wood
Headteacher
Personal Development
Elston Voice
In recent weeks, classes have been busy voting for their School Council representatives and applying for a wide variety of ambassador roles across school. We are delighted to have now appointed our House Captains, School Council members, Sports Ambassadors, STEM Ambassadors, Behaviour Ambassadors, Wellbeing Ambassadors, Junior Safety Ambassadors, Eco Ambassadors and Play Leaders. We look forward to them starting their new roles in the coming weeks.
After reading many well written application forms, Mrs Wood was delighted to appoint Alessandro and Jessica as our Head Boy and Head Girl along with Jesse and Isla as their deputies. Mrs Wood met with the team for a special treat to congratulate them on their new roles.
Our children thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Manny to Elston Hall as he completed his Manny's Mile challenge last Friday. The children cheered him and his team along during their visit. A huge well done also to our newly elected Sports Ambassadors who ran along with Manny and thank you to former student Arjan who played his dhol drum which created an amazing atmosphere.
In total, we raised £256.50 for Dementia UK.
Manny sent this message: Elston Hall was magical. The way the staff joined in too! Such a wonderful atmosphere!
For anyone who still wishes to donate, you can do so via this link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mkang
Our Harvest celebration will take place for Y2 parents on Friday 2nd October at 9.15pm. We are kindly asking for food donations for the Good Shepherd. Details can be found below:
Hello Yellow
On Friday 9th October, we will celebrate the Young Minds 'Hello Yellow' day. On this day, children are invited to wear a yellow accessory with their usual school uniform.
Further information will be sent about this day nearer the time.
After School Clubs
Thank you to parents who have already booked places on our after school clubs for the Autumn term. Clubs will begin on Monday 28th September (except any Y6 boosters that were scheduled for Monday due to the residential).
We do have some further after school club opportunities coming soon, keep an eye out for these in the coming weeks!
We kindly ask that parents collect children promptly from clubs at 4.10pm when they finish. Any parents who have children in Y5 or Y6 need to ensure they have given consent on Arbor for children to walk home at the later time of 4.10pm. Children without this consent will not be allowed to walk home or to a meeting point.
School notices
Scooters and Bikes
We ask that bikes, scooters and play equipment are not ridden or played on at the beginning and end of the day while on the school site. Due to the high levels of people and young children on site, this helps us to keep everyone safe.
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
Fire Alarm Evacuations During Drop-Off and Collection Times
From time to time, a fire alarm may sound while the school gates are open at the beginning or end of the school day. In these circumstances, we kindly ask for all parents, carers and visitors to move swiftly off the playgrounds and school premises when requested by staff.
This helps us to ensure the safety of all children by providing sufficient space for classes to assemble, be registered and for essential evacuation procedures to take place efficiently.
Thank you to all families who followed this request during the fire drill earlier this week. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated and help us to keep our school community safe.
Census Lunches
Please see details below for our Census Menu that will be available on Thursday 1st October.
On the day, children who enjoy a school meal will stand a chance of winning a prize if they find a winning 'golden ticket'.
Parents' Evenings
Our Autumn Parent's Evenings will take place on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th October. Details of these will be sent to parents soon. Parents will be able to book their appointments via Arbor. Please ensure you are signed up to Arbor to be able to book.
Safeguarding
Pantosaurus Assemblies
This week, children were reminded about the NSPCC Pantosaurus campaign which encourages conversations to help keep children safe.
If you would like to know more, parents can visit Talk PANTS: Conversation to help keep children safe | NSPCC
Curriculum
Thank you to parents who attended the Y4 meeting this week. The meeting gave details about the Y4 MTC check and the residential visit. If any parents missed the meeting, the information can be found on our website.
Our Y6 parent meeting took place earlier this month with details about Y6 SATs. For any parents unable to attend, all the details have been uploaded to our website.
Sporting News
Well done to the Y3 and Y4 children who played as part of a friendly against Perry Hall. The match resulted in a victory for the team who demonstrated great listening skills and team work.
Signed by West Bromwich
We are incredibly proud of Zuriel in Y4 who has signed for West Bromwich Albion FC U9. This is a testament to his talent and determination!
Well done Zuriel!
We were pleased to welcome back Prakash from Staffordshire Cricket to deliver some more 'table cricket' opportunities at Elston Hall. The children took turns developing their batting, bowling and fielding skills and demonstrated great team work!
We look forward to welcoming Prakash back over the next few weeks for more sessions.
Reminder - Earrings in PE
Please can we remind parents that children are unable to wear earrings during PE lessons and we ask that they are removed on days when children have PE. We cannot allow children to tape earrings as per our risk assessments which follow guidance from the AfPE. Children wearing earrings in PE lessons will not fully be able to participate in the lesson.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Daily Mile - Coming Soon
We are pleased to announce that we will soon be launching 'The Daily Mile' at Elston Hall. The Daily Mile is a completely free, non-competitive physical activity program where children run or walk outdoors for 15 minutes during the school day. More information coming soon!
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 |
Monday 28th September | Y6 Residential to Whitemoor Lakes |
wc Monday 28th September | After School clubs start |
Friday 2nd October | Y2 Harvest celebration 9.15am |
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 |
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 18.9.26 |
Whole School (Without Reception children) | 95.8% |
Reception | 93.4% |
Year 1 | 95.41% |
Year 2 | 97.77% |
Year 3 | 95.36% |
Year 4 | 95.76% |
Year 5 | 94.9% |
Year 6 | 95.65% |
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.
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