Happy half term to everyone. As always, I seem to be struggling to find where the time has gone! Halfway through another year and Happy Valentine's Day too! I asked the children in Assembly, what they loved about our school. There were some fantastic answers! In terms of our school, at almost 68 years old, it looks fantastic. This was brought home to me this week as I was required to attend a health and safety course. It has taken me away from school which is something I find highly frustrating although needs must! What it did highlight was what a wonderful job Miss Cocking & Mr. Jones and all the team do to make our site the fantastic place that it is.
Staying in the theme of Valentine's, I wish to send love to Mrs. Sefton and Mrs. Edwards - both of whom have been very poorly recently. I am sure you will join me in wishing them the speediest possible recovery and we look forward to them returning to Birkwood at the earliest opportunity.
Well done to our girls football team who put up an excellent show including a penalty save in their game with Cherry Dale last night. Some superb defending was the highlight in our one nil defeat. Very well done to everybody who represented Birkwood with such enthusiasm and no little skill. Please see the photos below.
I wanted to congratulate our staff team for their dedication to the reading opportunities provided to all of our children at Birkwood. At the start of our journey with the Department of Education, we were tasked to ensure a love of reading flowed through the school. This was no easy challenge! However, thanks to the support of our Governing Body and then the sterling work of Mrs Wilkie, Miss Ward and Miss Sabin a Department of Education audit was incredibly positive. Reading provides the key to so much and I am thrilled that this priority area is now recognised as an enormous strength of our school. The children feel the benefit right now and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives.
Continuing with our reading theme, Mrs Wilkie would love all of our children to receive a Blue Peter Book Badge. To earn one, please see the link below.
The after school clubs have now been published on Parentpay. If your child wishes to attend one of our many clubs, please sign up as soon as possible as places are limited. Please see the timetable below for the clubs on offer.
Thank you to everybody who supported and attended our school disco. Led by our fantastic fund-raising team, we again managed to raise some greatly appreciated funds to enable us to offer discounted trips and visits and other exciting experiences. The children had a fantastic time as always - thank you to Miss Taylor, Mrs. Whitfield and all of the staff who made this possible.
Well done to our Eco Council who gave a fantastic presentation in assembly on Monday about the recycling they have been asking everyone to save. From now on they have decided to focus on collecting bread bags. These can be from any supermarket and include all types of bread such as white, brown, tea cakes, rolls, crumpets, wraps, bagels and croissants etc. Please empty out the crumbs put them in the recycling bins at the front of school. We need to collect 2kg before we can send them off to be recycled so please help!
Our Eco Council have also collected 41 tubs in total for the recycling scheme ‘Tub2Pub’ organised by Greene King Pubs! ♻️💚♻️
Thank you to everyone who brought their tubs in. We can’t wait to take part next year and raise even more money for Macmillan Cancer Support!💚
I have been asked to remind everyone about safety in general and in particular scooters. Some adults are riding on the road on scooters with our children. I would sincerely and politely request that we stop this. Thank you for your understanding. Scooters can be great fun in the correct environment of course, they do however present safety issues. Please try your best to keep our children safe at all times.
Remaining with safety, I again share an opportunity with you all. Our School Crossing Patrol is something that may interest you or an acquaintance of yours.
There is only ONE post available BUT I hope that there is interest in this opportunity.
Reminder - Non uniform Day
On Friday 28th February we will be ‘wearing red’ to support a charity that means a lot to us and our families, The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. There will also be things for sale after school to help raise funds for this amazing cause. It is a charity that has benefitted children from Birkwood and as many charities do, it conducts some sterling work for those affected. A brilliant cause!
A small cash donation would be appreciated
Don't forget that Grassroots after school care has begun and will shortly run until 6:00 PM.
Grass Roots are also running a club in February Half Term. Please see the details and book using the link below.
Have a fantastic holiday, I hope that you have managed to plan something exciting with the children. Take great care as always.
- Headteachers Superstar KS1 - KF Y1 Potter
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - LC Y3/4 Armstrong
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y4 Burrow
- Music Maestro - AK Y6 Shelley
- PE Star - MR Y6 Shelley
Half Term House Winners
- This week's winners - TBC
- Current Half Term Leaders - TBC
- Overall Leaders - TBC
- School attendance Target for the Year - 97.0%
- School attendance this week - 96.3%
- School attendance this year so far - 95.0%
- FS2 Donaldson - 99.0%
- FS2 Montessori -98.7%
- Y1 Potter - 97.7%
- Y1 Windsor - 98.3%
- Y2 Goodall - 99.2%
- Y2 Kahlo - 95.5%
- Y3 Hepworth - 93.8%
- Y3/4 Armstrong - 98.7%
- Y4 Burrow - 94.3%
- Y5 Kane - 95.3%
- Y 5/6 Sinfield - 96.8%
- Y6 Shelley - 93.2%
Well done to class Armstrong who all have a fantastic 99.2% attendance. Congratulations!!
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.
Next Year's Term Dates Below
For current Year 6 children, their tests will be Monday 12th to Thursday 15th May 2025.
For current Year 5 children, their tests will be Monday 11th to Thursday 14th May 2026.
Spring Term 2 2025
Important Website Links
Credits:
Created with images by takasu - "ニュースのロゴ" • BoOm - "Three shimmering disco balls reflecting vibrant colors, perfect for dance parties and festive celebrations." • WavebreakMediaMicro - "Close up view of balloon under football boots " • ilolab - "Traditional Thai food papaya salad prepared with fine slices of papaya, tomatoes, green beans and peanuts." • dizain - "Community word cloud, heart concept"