That's it - we're now in December! We have a super exciting 3 weeks left in school as we are planning many trips to Bethlehem! This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent and we've already enjoyed sharing our beautiful Advent Ring in Assembly - many thanks to Mrs. Birch's Mum for her fabulous creation.
I have some happy but sad news to share. Mr. Wattam will be joining the Fire Service in January. I am absolutely thrilled for him and his family (his Father served in the Fire Brigade with my cousin) and congratulate him on completing a very strict recruitment program. He will be a great asset to South Yorkshire Fire. He shall be missed greatly at Birkwood by all of us. In two stints here, Mr. Wattam has been a popular, hardworking and hugely successful member of our team. I am sure that everyone will join me in wishing him the most successful career possible. We send all of our love.
This week some of our Year 5 children took part in Bikeability cycle training. Bikeability is the government’s national cycle training programme, which helps children develop skills and understand how to stay safe on the road.
On Thursday the Year 6 children attended Crucial Crew. Crucial Crew provides children with an opportunity to acquire essential life skills and is all around staying safe. At Crucial Crew, children learn of the dangers of drugs, internet abuse and bullying, stranger danger, the effects of hoax calls etc. Our Year 6 children attend every year and always return saying what a fantastic experience it is. The emergency services and various community groups host a brilliant day with some key messages.
The children had a fabulous Movie night on Wednesday. A big shout out to all the staff who stayed and helped out. In particular a massive thank you to Miss Taylor and Mrs Whitfield for organising the event. The reviews were excellent.
This week Mr Walton appointed two WOW challenge ambassadors, who will be awarding the children from each class who took part in our November challenge.
After school clubs - next terms new after school clubs will be released by the end of today. Please check out Parentpay.
Next week is looking to be very busy, with the following events taking place. Please see below for a list of events.
We have also just received confirmation of how much we have raised for the Poppy Appeal. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Next week we are holding our Christmas Disco and Bingo. Tickets for the disco will be on sale until 3.15pm on the day of the event. If your child wishes to attend please put the money in a sealed envelope, with their name on the front, and hand it to their class teacher.
Please enjoy the weekend with your families. It seems winter has certainly arrived so please wrap up well!
- 5th Dec - Christmas Disco
- 7th Dec - Christmas Bingo
- 7th Dec - Christmas Rock Steady Concert (parents of participating children only)
- 8th Dec - Christmas Jumper Day
- 8th Dec - Non uniform day (Sweets please)
- 8th Dec - Y5-6 Winter Olympics
- Headteachers Superstars KS1 - AK FS2 Anning
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - To be revealed Monday
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y5 Attenborough
- Music Maestro - JL 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 - 94.4%
- School attendance this week - 94.3%
- EYFS2 Anning - 93.6%
- EYFS2 Sharman - 91.1%
- Year 1 Einstein -96.8%
- Year 1 Nightingale -91.9%
- Year 2 Parks - 94.9%
- Year 2 Seacole - 93.3%
- Year 3 Earhart - 93.6%
- Year 3/4 Holmes - 98.1%
- Year 4 Pankhurst - 98.1%
- Year 5 Attenborough - 91.9%
- Year 5/6 Wollstonecraft - 95.4%
- Year 6 Kings - 96.6%
Well done to Class Pankhurst who are this week's winners with 98.1%. 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.
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.