Please be aware that we have received more complaints about the way that some families are choosing to park when they drop off and collect their children.  We are aware that the police and Gloucestershire County Council have been informed and are likely to be monitoring and responding to illegal parking in our surrounding roads.

You will find more information here -

Parking - Highways (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

We continue to urge everyone to be considerate of our neighbours (who regularly find their driveways blocked) and recognise that parking restrictions are in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.  

If you must drive to school, and cannot park legally close to school, please park in the safe spaces near to Central Cross Cafe and use the conveniently located pedestrian crossing on Evesham Road to come to and from school.

We have been busy on the football field, recently, with both girls and mixed football matches.

Our girls' team played away, persevering through the wind and rain, battling hard on a pitch that was more marsh than field to give Naunton Park Primary a tough test.  Unfortunately, they were not rewarded with a win or draw, losing 3-0.  Everyone played very well with Mimi voted as 'Player's Player of the Match.'  We hope our next match will be on March 8th.

Our Year 5 mixed team played at home this week against St. John's Primary.  The game was keenly contested with both teams defending solidly and attacking skilfully.  Finn scored a marvellous goal at the end of a super team move and despite both teams having lots of opportunity, no more goals followed.  1-0 to Dunalley! 

We move onto an away match at Prestbury St. Mary's Primary on Valentine's Day!

Huge congratulations to everyone involved; You were brilliant.

Children’s Mental Health Week started on 6th February, with the theme of ‘let’s connect’, looking at the importance that connections with others have on our mental health.

Healthy relationships with family, friends and others are vital for children and young people’s wellbeing, offering a strong protective factor against poor mental health.

The children learned all about Children's Mental Health week in last week's assembly.

We are also pleased to share some more useful tips for families below:

Useful videos for Parents & Carers HERE 

The children in Nursery and Pre-school have been enjoying some new areas in their rooms this week. One of these is our finger puppet theatre. Thanks to Ruth's family for a fantastic donation of finger puppets and our new purchase of a  mini theatre, the children have been performing for their friends, building their confidence and their storytelling skills. 

We've also been making bread rolls (or scones for our children with allergies). We hope the children have enjoyed eating their baking. Finally, we had a great afternoon engaging in some junk modelling! 

Young Minds Matter will be coming into school on the 1^st March, for an informal coffee morning at 9am

Parents and Carers are very welcome to join us.

We are pleased to share the following information from Cheltenham Borough Homes, who are offering families some valuable, free advice and help.

On Thursday morning, we welcomed teaching colleagues from Holy Apostles School.  The teachers and teaching partners were able to visit classrooms to observe lessons, stay to see OPAL play and meet with leaders to discuss our practices here at Dunalley.

The feedback from the Holy Apostles team was very complimentary indeed, it was lovely show casing our school.

"Thank you so much for today. Our staff left buzzing from the experience and they would all agree that you have a fantastic school!"

Our Class OPAL BINGO Game is really making a difference and has proved very popular with the children.

We are getting the 'Golden Welly' award ready to hand to the winning class very soon. 

Just to remind you of other items we are always on the look out to enhance our stock of loose parts as many people may start to have a spring clean now the days are seeming a little brighter.  Please feel free to bring in any of the items listed below:

• Saucepans
• Washing Up bowls
• Colanders
• Utensils
• Hats
• Handbags
• Wooden Planks
• Small Brushes (Dust Pan and brush)

We are having a 'Stay and Play' for Pippin's 4th birthday on Saturday March the 25th fom 10.30- 12.30pm.

Further details will follow soon, but we wanted you to be able to get the date in your diary as soon as possible.

https://www.worldbookday.com/

To celebrate World Book Day March 2^nd 2023, we would like to invite all children and adults to dress up as their favourite book character and bring along the associated book. The outfits can be as simple or as ornate as people desire. If you are lacking inspiration, have a quick Google online as there are lots of ideas out there. Many outfits can be simply made with items you may already have in the house.

We will be undertaking lots of reading activities on the day!

Many thanks to those of you who have been in touch to express your interest in joining us as a volunteer, in school, to hear the children read.

We do ensure that we follow all safeguarding guidance and procedures at Dunalley, so there is a process to get volunteers signed up. 

If you have availability and are interested in hearing children read in school please email [email protected] for further information or complete of application to volunteer form on our website: