Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 19th September 2025
We are well into the first half term now, with students settling into new classes and for some a new school.
I wanted to talk a little about communication. Communication between home and school is important for all; so just thought I would cover some of the basics.
I regularly share the calendars, term dates and events especially if there are updates. The school website is the place you will find the most up to date information in this regard. I tend to put reminders in my blog and on the closed Facebook group too.
Your child has a home/school diary to share updates. The Facebook group has a mix of school, social and other FoPHS related information. The weekly blogs are shared with you by text, email and Facebook on a Friday during term time unless the last day of term is a Thursday. Text reminders of events are sent out, including coffee, FoPHS events and special days like Children in Need.
If you are coming in to school to attend a coffee event, I ask for names. This helps in that I can set up the Inventry sign in system in advance to make it speedier. The text site is not meant for communicating with school on other matters as replies are checked sporadically. If you need to contact me or a class please use the communication diary, email or phone the school. The school office is closed during school holidays and there is no one checking texts etc.
Remember too that I offer support via telephone, TEAMS, email and face to face by appointment. If there is something you would like to discuss, not class related please complete the following form and I will be in contact. I can offer face to face on Thursday/Friday when I do not share office space. If you need a different day, I will always try to find a space.
We had our first coffee morning/FoPHS introduction on Wednesday. We discussed potential things we may fund. Rosie, our fund-raising link was present; always useful as she has knowledge and suggestions too. We’ve had a few challenges regarding up-to-date fund records but hope that this will be less of an issue this year following a meeting I had with finance earlier this month. We would love to have more parents, family members involved. Contact me if you’d like an informal discussion.
Scholastics Book Fair
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair began on Wednesday and runs until Tuesday, 30th September. We hope that it will receive its usual, wonderful support and offer everyone the chance to either buy books for immediate use or for a future occasion. Every book bought will add to the commission that the school can spend on new titles for our library. Following the last fair, we were able to order free books worth hundreds of pounds!
During the fair, each class will be given a chance to visit and select titles that appeal to them. These preferences are taken home as a guide to what you might buy. There is, of course, no obligation to make any purchases. To get your books, simply send the cost in to school and the books will be sent home on the same day. Should any title sell out, we can order further copies that will arrive when the fair is collected. Here’s hoping for another enjoyable period of reading, gift-buying, fundraising and reminding ourselves of the importance of books.
Online Safety
I have been informed that blogs will be done as and when there is new information, updates or school feels there is a need to share information. This can be from events locally, nationally or in school. The information on the online safety section is invaluable and I urge parents/carers to read it.
You can find the link to previous online blogs below.
The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading “Parent and carers area”, then “online safety” from the dropdown menu.
Information
Activities
FoPHS News
Great North Run appreciation:
I want to pass on the thanks of the whole of Team Robinson to everyone who supported us, sponsorship and otherwise. We have exceeded our target of £700, with the total standing at £829 + £158 in gift aid. This will help FoPHS enormously.
FoPHS 100 Club:
Forms will be sent out in the next week. If we could get 100 people to take 1 number at £12 for the year and entry into 12 draws to win a percentage of the takings as follows:
50% to FoPHS
50% divided by 12 for each winner or:
If we have 100 subscribers
FoPHS receives £600.
Each winner receives £50.
You can pay by cash, BACS, Cheque or QR code. Here is the link:
Facebook page:
This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.
Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.
My thought for the week:
Contact details
Eileen Robinson: Family Liaison Officer
Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext. 3260.