Hello again to everyone. February already! Last night, we held our first Bingo event of the year. What a great evening as ever. Massive thanks to the audience and as ever, a special thanks to Mrs. Whitfield and Miss Taylor for their hard work!
We have had a fabulous response to today's charity fundraising day. This is a special charity and something that means so much to our grateful families! Your help enables their sterling work and the fact that they have helped Birkwood families means so much to so many.
Birkwood's Got Talent - as Mrs. Porter nears a return to school, it's time to think BGT! For those who don't know - it is an event to which we all look forward each year. Children in years 1 - 6 audition to be in the BGT final. They can perform as a group (with their school friends) or as a soloist - whatever the talent - let it shine! There are 2 categories -
- Song and Dance,
- Music and Entertainment.
If your child would like to sign up, please go on to Parentpay and give consent.
Next week marks the start of childrens mental health week. Linked closely to this is eSafety. We are hosting a workshop for Years 5 and 6 PLUS families! This is next Thursday at 9am in the Hall. If you can join us please do!
At the end of the page (Communities section) we have added the Barnsley Museum flyer with some ideas to keep the children entertained in the February holiday.
Please click the button below - there are lots of opportunities at libraries around the area for half term too!
Finally, I have staffing news. I have good news, and I have sad news!
The good news is that we have been successful in appointing a new Early Years Leader. Stacey Hutchinson, who currently works at Monkwood Primary School in Rawmarsh shall be joining us after Easter. Ms Hutchinson will oversee both Nursery and Reception classes.
The bad news - sadly, Miss Cooke shall be leaving us! She has given me permission to share this news and the reasons why.
Miss Cooke has always made the claim, ‘I’ll be at Birkwood forever!’ However, due to relocating to Doncaster, having a baby, and spending over 2 hours per day in a car, the work/ life balance has become unsustainable.
Miss Cooke has secured a position at Warmsworth Primary School – crucially on her doorstep. Selfishly, I am sad BUT of course I support this family decision 100% as family comes first! I congratulate Miss. Cooke and thank her enormously for her hard work at Birkwood.
After February half term, until Easter, Miss Maya Cowood-Pierce will work with the Year 2 Seacole as teacher. She has already met the children and they made a great impression on her.
After Easter, Mrs. Rennison (our Assistant Headteacher) shall be the Year 2 Seacole Class teacher. She brings a vast array of experience and quality to the role. An exciting time!
As ever, I wish you all a lovely weekend. Take care and enjoy some family time!
ParentPay & After School Clubs
When we send an alert, via Parentpay, asking for consent/payment for your child to go on a trip out of school, could we kindly ask that you respond as soon as possible when you receive the alert. Many thanks for your co-operation.
New After School Timetable below
After school clubs are now on Parentpay. If your child wishes to attend a club, please use ParentPay to book places. Bookings can be made up to, and including Sunday 4th February. You will not be able to book places after this time to enable staff to send out acceptance slips.
Our latest Safeguarding information has been included in the link above.
- Headteachers Superstar EYFS/KS1 - MT Y1 Einstein
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - BM Y4 Pankhurst
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y5 Attenborough
- Music Maestro - LK Y4 Pankhurst
House Winners
- This weeks winners - Water
- Current Half Term Leaders - Fire
- Overall Leaders - Earth + Fire
- School Attendance Target for the Year - 96.50%
- School attendance this year so far - 94.8%
- School attendance this week - 95.2%
- EYFS2 Anning - 99.2%
- EYFS2 Sharman - 91.7%
- Year 1 Einstein -93.6%
- Year 1 Nightingale -96.1%
- Year 2 Parks - 97.2%
- Year 2 Seacole - 91.4%
- Year 3 Earhart - 95.6%
- Year 3/4 Holmes - 97.3%
- Year 4 Pankhurst - 97.0%
- Year 5 Attenborough - 93.8%
- Year 5/6 Wollstonecraft - 95.7%
- Year 6 Kings - 95.1%
Well done to Class Anning who are this week's winners with an amazing 99.2%. 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.