Hello to everybody again. As always, an extremely busy week. I know that I say this all of the time – it’s just true!
I hope that our lovely Mums enjoyed their cards last week and were treated on Mothering Sunday. Thank you for all that you do!
A huge highlight in the week was Parents’ Evening. Discussing how well our children are doing in their learning and, of course, chatting through which areas we can all help the children achieve the best possible outcomes, is vital!
Parents’ Evening was incredibly well supported so thank you very much to everybody who was able to attend; for those not able to attend, I hope you managed to secure a phone call to discuss your child/ren. I think that the flexible option of face-to-face meetings or a phone call seems to be working and we have communicated with so many parents. This is a fantastic thing, so again thank you. If you were not able to attend and haven’t received a phone call or indeed would like one, please remind the class teacher.
On Monday this week, our School Council participated in another Road Safety Campaign on behalf of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. This is a fantastic initiative and anything that helps to keep our wonderful families safe is fine by us! Thank you to the School Council for their excellent representation of the school. The day even made the Chronicle!
Of course, number one in terms of well-being is safety. I delivered 2 assemblies to EYFS2 and Key Stage 1 this week with material from the NSPCC. The children were excellent. Reassuringly, they were very keen to share who their trusted adults are and who they would speak to in case of difficulty. NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe campaign is something that we are extremely keen to support, and I look forward to next week when Years 5 and 6 shall receive workshop training.
Speaking of the children and their safety, some of them have formed a well-being champions committee this week. This work is to boost the mental and physical health of all children and will train our champions in how to pass this information on. Thank you to Mr. Davis for his organisation in this exciting development for the well-being of all of our children.
More exciting visits to school - I hope all of the families whose children enjoy Rock Steady music provision and were able to attend the concerts, had a fantastic time. The children were absolute rock stars quite literally! This is a fantastic programme and anybody that would like to get involved please contact school at your earliest convenience. A huge thank you to Aron for all of his hard work and of course congratulations to the Rock Stars themselves! They were sensational!
On Thursday the Key Stage 1 children were enthralled by their Science Animal Workshop. They were lucky enough to meet several varieties of different species!
Our girls football team travelled to Dorothy Hyman, to take on Brierley Primary School. Mr Walton and everybody were so proud of them as they secured a clean sheet in a tense 1-0 victory!
Thank you to those of you who were able to support the school bingo night. I love these evenings as they're great fun. Thank you again to the fund-raising team led by Miss Taylor and Mrs. Whitfield. These events are crucial in helping to provide exciting trips and visit opportunities for our children. A fabulous £425 was raised!
Thank you again to those who were able to support Red Nose Day today. We have tried doing this through a just giving link and hopefully you have found this easy to access.
Today finishes with Key Stage One Netball. I wish them all the luck in the world; I'm sure they will have a fantastic time.
Don't forget to 'Get Creative', following the request from some of our Year 3 children. Entries need to be in school by Friday 22nd March.
Next week brings more exciting events! Easter Disco and then BGT. Please secure tickets as I hope to see many of you there. BGT is always an amazing evening and I'm sure 2024 will provide yet more memories.
Don't forget that, if you wish your child to attend any of the after school clubs, please sign up on Parentpay. The closing date for signing up is Sunday 17th March.
Please vote for us in Tesco's 'Stronger Starts' campaign. Don’t forget to pick up your token and cast your vote @ Tesco Stairfoot. You can vote until 31st March
Easter egg raffle tickets are still on sale, at a cost of £1 per strip. Please see Mrs Rowbotham, who can be found outside the year 6 classroom after school each day, or you can send money in a sealed envelope (child's name on the front) with your child to their class.
Applications are still available to apply to be a parent governor. If you wish to apply, please see the school reception staff for a form. The closing date is 12pm 20th March.
Have a wonderful weekend please take care. I look forward to seeing everyone in the build up to Easter.
- Headteachers Superstar EYFS/KS1 - EW FS2 Sharman
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - MD Y5/6 Wollstonecraft
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y3 Earhart
- Music Maestro - EP Y4 Pankhurst
- School Attendance Target for the Year - 96.50%
- School attendance this year so far - 94.6%
- School attendance this week - 94.6%
- EYFS2 Anning - 94.4%
- EYFS2 Sharman - 94.4%
- Year 1 Einstein -93.9%
- Year 1 Nightingale -92.4%
- Year 2 Parks - 97.2%
- Year 2 Seacole - 96.8%
- Year 3 Earhart - 95.0%
- Year 3/4 Holmes - 97.3%
- Year 4 Pankhurst - 92.7%
- Year 5 Attenborough - 92.7%
- Year 5/6 Wollstonecraft - 96.3%
- Year 6 Kings - 94.5%
Well done to Class Holmes who are this week's winners with 98.9%. 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.