May already! I must start by wishing ‘Birkwood’ a happy 67th birthday! This lands tomorrow.
The changes in the school over these times have been immense and I’m sure unimaginable to the people who have known our school since its earliest days. Only this week, ground works have been completed for our new sports pitch/ play area. The whole project should be complete during June and marks an end to the extensive developments which have been ongoing for over a year. We even have a car park! In all seriousness, I hope that this shall help ease congestion around school and politely request that everyone parks thoughtfully and above all safely around Birkwood.
This week has been extremely interesting for me personally – I have had the opportunity to show LOTS of potential teachers around school as we are recruiting. This has highlighted just how attractive the chance to work at Birkwood is – based on levels of interest. More importantly, the many tours have enabled me to see an enormous amount of work in school. The quality of interactions between adults and children has been superb. I shall never tire of explaining just how proud I am to be in my role because working with our children is a joy and a privilege. They make Birkwood the special place that it truly is. With hard working and highly skilled adults guiding them, I am thrilled with what they are able to produce. A huge well done and thank you to everyone.
I also showed a fellow Headteacher around school and he was highly complimentary towards the children’s behaviour and attitudes.
In the classrooms we have also had a review of our Maths practice this week. Mr. Markham and Mr. Froggatt led on this and were impressed with the children’s knowledge of number. Of course, adaptations and suggestions were noted. Reviewing teaching is vital to improve. Mrs. Wilkie also worked with Mr. Steadman from Carlton Primary School in some exciting work around making our teaching even better.
I must also thank our Governing Body – we had a meeting this week and their support and challenge are greatly appreciated as well as being vital to the effective running of our school.
On Thursday 16th May @ 3.30pm Miss Sabin & Miss Betts are hosting a parents meeting, for all Year 1 parents, to discuss the upcoming Phonics Screening check, which takes place w/c 10th June.
Year 5/6 End of Year Production - After a request from several parents we have added an additional after school date/time. Please see the upcoming events calendar below.
Yesterday, our Year 5-6 girls football team were showcasing their skills @ the Dorothy Hyman Centre. The girls played an amazing game, which resulted in a 1-0 win for Birkwood. Well done girls, and some fantastic coaching from Mr Walton.
Tickets are now on sale for our Spring Disco. They cost £3 and includes a bag of crisps and a carton of pop. Hot dogs, buns and additional drinks/crisps will also be on sale during the event. Tickets will be available until 3.15pm on Monday 20th April. Please put the money in an envelope, with their name on the front, and pass on to their class teacher.
Please have a brilliant Bank Holiday Weekend. I am sure lots of you have exciting plans and others may just enjoy the extra day of rest. I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday where I am sure we’ll try to fit 5 days excitement into 4! Thank you for your support; it means everything to us all at Birkwood.
- Headteachers Superstar EYFS/KS1 - OK Y2 Seacole
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - OS Y6 King
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y2 Parks
- Music Maestro - DB Y4 Pankhurst
House Winners
- This weeks winners - Air
- Current Half Term Leaders - Earth
- Overall Leaders - Earth
- School Attendance Target for the Year - 96.50%
- School attendance this year so far - 94.8%
- School attendance this week - 95.6%
- EYFS2 Anning - 91.9%
- EYFS2 Sharman - 95.0%
- Year 1 Einstein -96.0%
- Year 1 Nightingale -91.5%
- Year 2 Parks - 97.7%
- Year 2 Seacole - 97.6%
- Year 3 Earhart - 93.9%
- Year 3/4 Holmes - 93.0%
- Year 4 Pankhurst - 97.1%
- Year 5 Attenborough - 97.0%
- Year 5/6 Wollstonecraft - 95.7%
- Year 6 Kings - 96.9%
Well done to Class Parks who are this week's winners with 97.7%. Congratulations.
Our suite of X (formerly Twitter) Handles is here for you. Below is a link for 'all things Birkwood.'
PE & Sport
Please ensure children in KS2, Years 3-6 come to school IN PE KIT on their allocated PE Days. Appropriate trainers must be worn. No crop tops – Sports t-shirts please and shorts. A tracksuit may be worn – please make a judgment on temperature. This will be until building work is complete as we have no access to discrete changing areas.
This Year's Term Dates
Next Year's Term Dates Below
Wednesday 4th September 2024 – Children return to school
Friday 25th October 2024 – School closes for Half Term
Monday 4th November 2024 – Children return to school
Friday 20th December 2024 – School Closes for Christmas Break
Monday 6th January 2025 - Children return to school
Friday 14th February 2025 - School Closes for Half Term
Monday 24th February 2025 - Children return to school
Friday 4th April 2025 – School Closes for Easter Break
Tuesday 22nd April 2025 - Children return to school
Monday 5th May 2025 – School Closed May Day Bank Holiday
Friday 23 May 2025 – School Closes for Half Term
Monday 2 June 2025 – INSET Day
Tuesday 3 June 2025 – Children return to school
Friday 18 July 2025 - School Closes for Summer
For current Year 6 children, their tests shall be Monday 13th May to Thursday 16th May 2024.
For current Year 5 children, their tests will be Monday 12th to Thursday 15th May 2025.
For current Year 4 children, their tests will be Monday 11th to Thursday 14th May 2026.