It has been a wonderful Autumn term in which we are officially and physically an all-through school, with students aged 3 to 16 attending. I can only look forward to watching our youngest learners continue to develop, learn and grow over time.

This term has seen some fantastic events run for our students, particularly in this last week. So far in the Autumn term secondary students have celebrated the European Day of Languages, attended Eco conferences, had a visit from the Bishop of Loughborough, attended careers fairs, experienced theatre trips (The Wizard of Oz), showcased their artwork in local galleries, challenged themselves on an IET Faraday trip and met with a famous environmental activist. It has been equally as busy for our primary pupils who have shared a reading workshop and a Diwali workshop with their parents, gone on autumn walks both in the school and to the local park, learnt about baking by making their own bread and gingerbread, watched a pantomime and visited Santa’s grotto and made Christmas cards with their parents. And finally, as a whole school community we have come together to celebrate Diwali, raised awareness of differences during Anti-Bullying week and have joined together for Christmas celebrations. I know that the Spring term will be equally as enriching for all of our learners.

Staff have been busy tying up any loose ends that they may have had with students or parents before the holidays to ensure they are able to enjoy the holidays and take time with their family and friends. Please be reminded that if you do email or contact the school over the holidays that a response will not be received until school resumes on Monday 9th January.

I would like to take this opportunity to bid a farewell to a few members of staff. Miss Sicotray will be beginning her maternity leave from January, so we wish her well and look forward to hearing about the little bub in the new year. Mrs Byrne, Mr Gadsby and Mr Bathia will also be moving onto pastures new in the new year. I know that they will each be successful in their next roles and wish them all the best.

And finally, I want to wish each family a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

The school does now have one confirmed case of scarlet fever and a separate confirmed case of croup within the nursery. Please continue to follow public health advice over the holidays and report any confirmed cases, even if they are in the holidays, to the school via [email protected]. At this stage, the school will monitor the situation and will work relevant health agencies if required.

Huge congratulations to six of our artists who have had their work selected for inclusion in the highly prestigious Open 33 art exhibition. Well done to Tiffany C, Mrugankshi R, Harshi P, Jasmin S, Kai Kand Aksayan U.

The Open 33 draws entries from all over the East Midlands and it is fabulous that our students’ work was selected. The exhibition is free to visit and will be open to the public until Friday 20 January 2023 at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, 53 New Walk, LE1 7EA.

School returns on Monday 9th January 2023 for the Spring Term

• Tuesday 10th January: Year 10 Oxford University Physics Trip
• Tuesday 10th January: Screening for reception (please return consent forms by Monday 9th January)
• Thursday 12th January: Year 7-11 flu vaccinations
• Monday 16th January: Primary mini beast visitor
• Wednesday 18th January: Year 8 Parent Consultation Evening
• Thursday 19th January: Nursery reading workshop

We will have adverts out over the Christmas period for known growth and expansion posts within the school. If you know of anyone interested in the below roles, please direct them to the Avanti Careers page: https://www.avanticareers.org.uk/consultants/avanti-fields?source=avanti.org.uk

• Primary class teacher
• Secondary science teacher
• Secondary English teacher
• Examinations officer

Avanti Fields will also have further recruitment opportunities coming up. If you know of anyone interested in joining our recruitment pool, please share with them this bulletin to have them sign up.

Avanti Fields school is proposing to change our admissions policy for 2024-25. To engage in the consultation, please visit the Avanti Schools Trust consultation page here.

Communications – Wherever possible please use the contact form on our website to get in touch. This is detailed on the website at https://avanti.org.uk/avantifields/contact-us/. The appropriate member of staff will pick up the message and get back to you as soon as possible.

Absence

To report an absence to the school, parents should contact us by 8:00am (primary) and 8.30am (secondary) 

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0116 326 6813 (Option 1 to leave a voicemail) 

Please remember to state your child’s full name, tutor group and reason for absence. If your child is unwell, please could you give a brief description of the symptoms. 

All education research highlights how crucial it is to a child’s academic progress and wellbeing they attend school , on time, all of the time. Therefore, a reminder that it is important that families organise events or holidays outside of school time to ensure that their child is at school as often as possible.   

The school works closely with the Education Welfare Officer at LCC, and we do seek to ensure that any requests for authorised absence are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, in a sensitive manner. However, the school can never authorise a family holiday or a trip abroad to visit family members during term time.   

This academic year, families will have two weeks at the October half-term, three weeks at Christmas and two weeks at Easter for extended family holidays. Please do ensure that if booking holidays, they fall within the holiday periods.