.png)
Weekly Newsletter
Barlaston First School
Let your light shine through family, friendship and faith
“Enabling our whole school community to flourish and let their light shine, preparing them for their role as gentle and humble agents for change in the world we share.”
New House System
In the new year we are introducing a new house system at school. Each class will be split into Green, Red, Blue and Yellow. We will use this to group the children on theme days and sports days. This will also form part of our reward system from January with children able to earn points for their house. We will provide more detail in the new year regarding how points can be earned and how this fits into our wider behaviour management and reward system.
In the meantime, on Wednesday (4th) we are going to trial using the houses to group the children. We would like the children, if possible, to wear an item of clothing with their colour on it. It does not need to be entirely that colour, and please don’t buy anything specifically for this purpose. It is simply a way of putting the children into groups at this stage.
On Wednesday the children will take part in activities in Art, Dance, Craft and Teambuilding in their house groups.
Teachers have allocated colours and these are displayed on classroom doors/windows. Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you are unsure.
Parking
Once again a big thank you to all those using the church carpark and the crossing patrol. This is helping to keep our children safe. I have, once again, this week had concerns raised with me by residents in Broughton Crescent about both driving and parking at pick up and drop-off times. Please take great care and show consideration to our neighbours at all times. Thank you for your co-operation.
Performances
Our Christmas performances take place as follows:-
Early Years Nativity 4.30pm Tuesday 10th December
Key Stage 1 Prickly Hay 2.15pm Wednesday 11th December
Key Stage 1 Prickly Hay 6.15pm Thursday 12thth December
Please note-there are no physical tickets. Your name will be checked at the door.
Doors will not open until 30 minutes before each performance.
Christmas Hampers
Thank you very much for the generous donations for our class Christmas Hampers. The draw will take place in family worship on Friday 13th December. Family worship on the 13th will begin earlier, promptly at 2.30pm.
Records of Achievement Awards - Postponed
Unfortunately we are having to postpone our records of achievement morning. We will now hold this in the new year. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Dougie Mac Christmas Jumper Day
We are taking part in Dougie Mac Christmas Jumper day on Friday 13th December. This will be a non-uniform day. Wear a Christmas Jumper and make an entirely voluntary donation in support of Dougie Mac if you wish to.
Bad Weather
In the event of bad weather causing us to close, we will text you at the earliest opportunity to advise you of this.
Theatre Trip
This year we are taking Years 1 – 4 to the theatre on Tuesday 17th December to watch The 3 Musketeers. Coaches will leave school promptly at 9am, as we are watching the morning performance. We will be back in time for a slightly late school lunch that day so please order as usual.
To ensure the trip can go ahead we are asking for a contribution of £15 per child. PTA and school will meet the cost of the transport.
Payment and consent can be given on Eduspot in the usual way.
Our Early Years children have activities planned back at school that day. Mr Peel will be in touch regarding this.
Regards,
Mr J Gordon
Dates for the Diary 2024/25
|
6 December |
Records of Achievement 9am – 10am Postponed |
|
10 December |
Nativity Performance by Early Years 4.30pm |
|
11 December |
Key Stage 1 Christmas Performance 2.15pm |
|
12 December |
Key Stage 1 Christmas Performance 6.15pm |
|
13 December |
Dougie Mac Christmas Jumper Day |
|
13 December |
Christmas Hamper Raffle Draw in Worship |
|
17 December |
School Theatre Trip – The 3 Musketeers |
|
18 December |
School Christmas Dinner Day |
|
20 December |
Christingle Service in Church 9am |
|
23 December – 3 January 2025 Christmas Break |
|
|
10 February |
Disco Years 2, 3 and 4 |
|
11 February |
Disco Early Years and Year 1 4.30pm – 6pm |
|
11 February |
Safer Internet Day |
|
17-21 February Half Term |
|
|
26 February |
Parents Evening |
|
27 February |
Parents Evening |
|
28 February |
Records of Achievement 9am – 10am |
|
6 March |
World Book Day |
|
11 April |
Easter Service in Church |
|
2 May |
Staff Development Day – School Closed to Children |
|
5 May |
Spring Bank Holiday – School Closed |
|
9 May |
Sports Day (1st Attempt) |
|
14-16 May |
Year 4 Residential Standon Bowers |
|
23 May |
Sports Day (Option 2 if necessary) |
|
26-30 May Half Term |
|
|
13 June |
Sports Day (Option 3 if necessary) |
|
20 June |
Records of Achievement 9am – 10am |
|
9 July |
Reports sent out |
|
15 July |
Key Stage 2 Summer Performance 1.45pm |
|
16 July |
Key Stage 2 Summer Performance 6.15pm |
|
18 July |
End of Year Service in Church 9am |
|
21 July |
Staff Development Day – School Closed to Children |
|
22 July – 29 August 2025 Summer Break |
|
|
1 September 2025 |
Staff Development Day – School Closed to Children |
|
2 September 2025 |
Staff Development Day – School Closed to Children |
|
3 September 2025 |
Autumn Term Starts |
|
2024/25 School Term and Holiday Dates |
|
|
Half Term |
28th October – 1st November |
|
Staff Development Day School Closed to Children |
Monday 4th November |
|
Christmas Break |
23rd December – 3rd January |
|
Spring 2025 |
|
|
School Opens |
Monday 6th January 2025 |
|
Half Term |
17th- 21st February 2025 |
|
Easter Break |
14th – 25th April 2025 |
|
Summer 2025 |
|
|
School Opens |
Monday 28th April 2025 |
|
Staff Development Day (School Closed to Children) |
Friday 2nd May 2025 |
|
May Bank Holiday |
Monday 5th May 2025 |
|
Half Term |
26th – 30th May 2025 |
|
Last Day of Summer Term |
Friday 18th July 2025 |
|
|
|
|
2025/26 School Term and Holiday Dates |
|
|
Staff Development Day (School Closed to Children) |
1 September |
|
Staff Development Day (School Closed to Children) |
2 September |
|
Autumn Term Begins |
3 September |
|
Half Term |
27th – 31st October 2025 |
|
Staff Development Day School Closed to Children |
3rd November Monday 3rd November 2025 |
|
Christmas Break |
22nd December – 2nd January 2026 |
|
Spring 2026 |
|
|
School Opens |
Monday 5th January 2026 |
|
Half Term |
16th- 20st February 2026 |
|
Easter Break |
30th March – 10th April 2026 |
|
Summer 2026 |
|
|
School Opens |
Monday 13th April 2026 |
|
Staff Development Day (School Closed to Children) |
Friday 1st May 2026 |
|
May Bank Holiday |
Monday 5th May 2026 |
|
Half Term |
25th – 29th May 2026 |
|
Last Day of Summer Term |
Friday 17th July 2026
|