Welcome back to the final half term of the year - where did the time go? I know that I use that phrase often, but the time really has seemed to fly! It has been great to see the children again following a week away from school, and as ever they seem to have packed five days of action into four following a training day.
We've confirmed our date for Transition Day. Outwood Shafton has communicated that the 1st of July will be when our Year Six children visit them. We will also use that day for our pupils to meet their teachers for the upcoming academic year.
We have been asked to share the following opportunity for families of children with SEND.
Beat The Street has been launched. This is an initiative to encourage children to walk and exercise in general. We had a super assembly in school this week and I'm sure that children will get on board with this brilliant initiative.
In terms of walking, I again plead with everybody to abide by the rules of the Highway Code. Parking and the general business around school at the beginning and end of day remains extremely tricky and I ask for due care and attention to be paid at these times. I know that everybody is busy and pushed for time but would request that as many families as possible park in the Pinfold Car Park and then walk down to school. Thank you for your consideration.
We have again been asked to share the following Parent survey – click the button below and submit an entry no later than 13th June. There is even a chance to win £50 in their prize draw.
I wish also to issue a gentle reminder about PE. Children need kit on their class PE day and following extensive guidance, jewellery must not to be worn. We have to be clear around this – taping is no longer permitted in case of accidents during PE sessions.
Next week will be busy again. Our Year 4 children complete their multiplication tables check. They have worked extremely hard to improve their fluency and knowledge of times tables and I know they will do terrifically well. Thank you to all of the staff and of course the children for their hard work.
It is also Year 1 Phonics Check. We are very proud of our early reading offer at Birkwood and the way our children begin to learn to read. This activity is nothing new to them and is to check on their progress in reading. Miss Sabin leads our early reading offer, and I again thank everybody for the tremendous work that leads to our children being fluent and successful readers. We believe that reading holds the key to so many things and our commitment to this essential skill is huge.
Next week, we are also hosting a Consultation around our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, ensuring transparency and collaboration between school and our families. I have written separately to you regarding this, and the key message is ensuring safety and enabling our children to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. Thank you to Miss Keen for her work in this area. I have sent all lesson materials to families, and I am extremely grateful for your trust and support in this area. I again stress that keeping the children safe is our ultimate priority.
I am rather envious of our Y3 Hepworth children because they shall be visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park next week. I know that they will have a fantastic day.
For our Year 6 families - Leavers' Asssembly is on Wednesday 16 July at 2pm. This will be ticket only due to capacity of our Hall and there will be 2 tickets per child. We will record the presentation too so nobody will miss out.
As ever, I wish everybody a lovely weekend - I'm not sure that the weather will play its part this time. However, I have heard that it is National Fish & Chip Day today, so perhaps a treat would be appropriate for everyone!
- Headteachers Superstar KS1/EYFS - EB Y2 Kahlo
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - GN Y4 Burrow
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y4 Burrow
- Music Maestro - LC Y4 Burrow
- PE Star - JH Y6 Shelley
Half Term House Winners
Winners party - Monday 9th June. Winners are invited to a disco and a ice cream.
Congratulations to Team - WATER
- School attendance Target for the Year - 97.0%
- School attendance this week - 94.3%
- School attendance this year so far - 95.3%
- FS2 Donaldson - 93.3%
- FS2 Montessori -94.3%
- Y1 Potter - 95.8%
- Y1 Windsor - 94.4%
- Y2 Goodall - 93.4%
- Y2 Kahlo - 94.1%
- Y3 Hepworth - 91.7%
- Y3/4 Armstrong - 96.9%
- Y4 Burrow - 95.6%
- Y5 Kane - 94.4%
- Y 5/6 Sinfield - 94.9%
- Y6 Shelley - 94.4%
Well done to class Armstrong who have a good 96.9% attendance. Brilliant!!!
Our suite of X (formerly Twitter) Handles is here for you. Below is a link for 'all things Birkwood.'
PE & Sport
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. NO JEWELLERY.
Next Year's Term Dates Below
For current Year 6 children, the SATs tests are complete!
For current Year 5 children, their tests will be Monday 11th to Thursday 14th May 2026.
For current Year 4 children, their tests will be Monday 10th to Thursday 13th May 2027.
Summer Half Term 2 - After School Clubs
Important Website Links
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Created with images by takasu - "ニュースのロゴ" • ilolab - "Traditional Thai food papaya salad prepared with fine slices of papaya, tomatoes, green beans and peanuts." • dizain - "Community word cloud, heart concept"