September 2023 Starters Welcome

Admission Information for Children Starting at Dunalley in Reception September 2024

Welcome to Dunalley - A message from our Head Teacher:
Click the following link to see welcome email sent to all new starter families: New Starters - Head Teacher Welcome

Welcome to Dunalley - A message from our Early Years Team:
The Early Years team at Dunalley are delighted to welcome you to our school. This is the beginning of a very exciting journey and it is important that your child feels happy and secure as they begin their school life.

At Dunalley, we recognise the importance of the relationships we have with our families and value the information you share with us about your child. You have been your child’s first teacher since the day they were born and you know them best. By working together, we can help your child to become the best they can be. With this in mind, please know that you are welcome to ask us questions and please be as open as possible with the team, as this will help us to support your child.

Please take a look at the information below which will give you a taste of what you can expect when you join our school community.

We have put together a booklet for our families which provides lots of useful information, you are able to access the booklet by following the link below.

Communication:
At the beginning of June you will be sent log in details to Edulink One which is our new communication software and where you will submit admission data for your child’s school record.  It is imperative that you complete this in full and accurately when asked as it will provide us with important information required. 

We highly recommend you download the Edulink One app to stay upto date with school life.  Please find out more about Edulink One HERE.

Important dates:

Welcome ‘Tea Party’ – Thursday 20th June at 2pm-3pm
This will provide you with an opportunity to meet with our early years team and school leaders, we will also share practical information about starting school and discuss the ways in which we can work together to make the experience as positive as possible for your children.   

AiP, our catering provider will be at hand to offer a taster session of the lunches provided for the children.

Please ensure that you bring your child's birth certificate with you to the tea party for our admin team to certify.

Stay and Play Sessions - Tuesday July 4th and Monday July 10th from 2pm to 2.45pm
In addition to the welcome tea party, we would like to invite you and your child into school to enjoy ‘stay and play sessions’ with the EYFS teachers.  
These sessions will be held on our front field and further information will be provided for families nearer the time. 

Summer Fayre – Friday 5th July from 3pm
Families are welcome to join in us for our Summer Fayre hosted by our wonderful PTFA’ helping us raise money for our school. More details will be avalible via our weekly newsletters in the weeks ahead.

Starting school – Part time/Full time 
We realise the importance of knowing school term dates as soon as possible and are pleased to be able to inform you now about the part time/full time schedule for your children in starting in September. 

New Reception children will start PART TIME ONLY Tuesday 5th September to Friday 8th September, if the children are ready to attend school on a full time basis they will do so on Monday 11th September.  Exact times and more detailed information for morning or afternoon sessions will be provided later this term.

Additional Information:
Please complete the following information to complete your child's pupil record:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AdditionalAdmissionInformation2023/

Tapestry: ACTION REQUIRED BY FAMILIES
To help us begin to find out all about your child and their interests we would like to invite families to start using Tapestry straight away.  Tapestry is an online learning journal which will be used during the whole of your child's Reception year with us. Please register at the following link:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TapestryAgreementSeptember2023/

School Uniform:
Please find full details HERE

Earlies & Lates Registration:
Booking for our before and after school care will open at 7pm on Monday 24th June - you will receive an email with a link to the form at 7pm.  Bookings are taken on a first come, first served basis.  New starters are able to book sessions from the second week of the autumn term.

Further Information:
Further information can be found by following the links below:
Apply for Free School Meals here
Register for Free School Milk here

Parental Starting School Checklist:
Date Action Completed
18th April Receive and read Welcome Email
Around 5th June Receive Edulink One details and log in
Around 5th June Edulink One - click LINKS & COMMUNICATION Consents Explained document
Around 5th June Edulink One - click UPDATE INFORMATION and update yours and your child's information 
Between 14th June & 23rd June Complete Additional Admission Information Survey (link will be sent via Edulink One)
14th June - 1st July Complete Additional Dietary, Health & Asthma Survey (sent via Edulink One), if relevant
Between 17th April & 23rd June Complete Tapestry Declaration (link above)
20th June Attend Welcome Tea Party - bring along child's birth certificate
Beginning of July Receive Class information
4th & 11th July Attend Stay and Play Sessions
5th July Summer Fayre – at school from 3pm
23rd June - 31st Aug Buy school uniform (link above)
23rd June - 21st July Apply for Free School Meals (everyone - link above)
23rd June - 21st July Register for Free School Milk (free until your child is 5 - link above)
4th - 6th September Start School Part Time
9th September Start School Full Time

Coffee, Cake, Cheese & Wine - Thank you

18 Nov 2024

Thank you for joining us to discuss the work of Jonathan Haidt and his book The Anxious Generation, more information can be found HERE.

Winter Coats - Does your child need one?

15 Nov 2024

We have warm, winter coats for children of families struggling with the cost of living.
Please contact us for more details.

Dunalley Pantry

01 Nov 2024

We would like to remind our families about Dunalley Pantry.
Set up to help families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Donations for OPAL

25 Oct 2024

If you are thinking of having a pre-Christmas sort out please keep OPAL in mind for the usual donations.

OPAL Stay & Play

27 Sep 2024

We would like to invite all of our families to join us for an OPAL Stay & Play on Saturday 5th October from 10am - 12pm.

Free Uniform

01 Sep 2024

We have lots of unclaimed uniform items here at school, should you need anything for your child(ren) please pop along and see us.

Back to School

08 Aug 2024

We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday 4th September

Dunalley Pantry

31 Jul 2024

Our Dunalley Pantry will be open during the school holidays.
9am to 10.30am on Thursdays 1st, 8th & 29th August


Helping where we can.

Exceptional Learners

22 Jul 2024

Thank you to all of our children for their hard work and perseverance this year. Visitors to our school always comment on our focused learners.

Non-uniform Day

24 Jun 2024

We raised £300 from our non school uniform day on Friday.
£150 each for the Air Ambulance & The Cystic Fibrosis Trust