Well, the first half term is over. I honestly cannot believe how quickly the time has gone even though we in Barnsley seem to be a week later than everyone else around the UK. I honestly can't remember Bonfire Night being within half term which tells me that it's almost November already.
Tuesday night was our Halloween Disco. I was absolutely stunned and terrified in equal measure at the outstanding outfits that the children were wearing. We definitely have some very creative families at Birkwood. Yet another massive thank you to Mrs Whitfield and Miss Taylor who go above and beyond to ensure that the children have some fabulous experiences. They have raised an additional £403 to go towards subsidising children's trips and special events. Thank you to all staff who helped and of course to all of our attendees.
The Year 4 Roman March showed some amazing work from home and it was clear that the children have learned an awful amount and shared this perfectly with their families. A great way to end a half term.
As always, we were able to announce our first house party winners in Assembly. Team Earth were delighted! This Assembly also enabled me to present special prizes for fundraising and for a times tables winner from an open evening at Outwood Shafton. A huge well done to everyone involved. A special community for sure!
Please remember tomorrow is a staff training day so school will be closed to children. We are looking at the teaching of writing in school and as always, we will be attempting to make our lessons even better.
I would like to wish everyone a terrific half term holiday. Keep warm and stay safe if going to a Bonfire or partaking in Trick or Treat traditions.
- 6th Nov - Poppies go on sale
- 7th Nov - House winners event
- 8th Nov - Y3 & 4 parents/carers reading workshop
- 8th Nov - Year 2 visit to the National Emergency Service Museum
- 8th Nov - 5yo dental survey
- 9th Nov - Y1 visit to Eureka
- 9th Nov - Y6 Measurements
- Headteachers Superstars KS1 - IB Y1 Nightingale
- Headteachers Superstar KS2 - TM Y4 Pankhurst
- Class Times Table Rockstars - Y4 Pankhurst
- Music Maestro - LW Y4 Pankhurst
House Winners
- Half Term Winners - Earth
- School Attendance Target for the Year - 96.50%
- School attendance this year so far - 94.2%
- School attendance this week - 94.2%
- EYFS2 Anning - 94.9%
- EYFS2 Sharman - 96.1%
- Year 1 Einstein -92.8%
- Year 1 Nightingale -91.3%
- Year 2 Parks - 100%
- Year 2 Seacole - 96.4%
- Year 3 Earhart - 93.9%
- Year 3/4 Holmes - 97.3%
- Year 4 Pankhurst - 94.3%
- Year 5 Attenborough - 92.4%
- Year 5/6 Wollstonecraft - 96.0%
- Year 6 Kings - 95.3%
Last week's whole school attendance was 93.8%. This would have been 94.8% if not for children being taken out of school for holidays. We kindly ask that parents try to book holidays during school breaks.
Well done to Class Parks who are this week's winners with 100%. 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.