Barlaston First School

Weekly Newsletter

9 January 2026

 

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.”

 

Dear Parents / Carers,

 

Happy new year! The weather has brought us some new year challenges this week, but hopefully we over the worst of that, for now at least.  Thank you very much for your patience this week.

 

As ever we have a busy term ahead, and I will add all dates for the diary for the spring term  in next week’s newsletter.

 

Staffing

As you know, Mrs Edge is now our Year 4 teacher.  Replacing Mrs Edge in her previous role have this week welcomed Miss Hegewald to our team.  She is very much looking forward to her new role.

 

Outdoor Gym

Next week we are having an outdoor gym installed near the edge of our playground where the old solar dome used to be.  The work is likely to take place over Tuesday and Wednesday.  This will be another fantastic enhancement to our outdoor area for our children to enjoy.

 

ClassDojo

Parents / Carers in Year 2 will know that Mr Mellor is piloting the use of ClassDojo.  This is part of a wider review of our communication approach and we will review its use later this term and make a decision on whether or not to adopt ClassDojo school-wide.

 

Newsletter

We are also looking revising the format of this newsletter, and some of its contents.  You will notice some changes imminently and we’ll also be asking for your views on frequency of newsletters and what you’d like to see covered in them.

 

Family Worship

Family worships this term will begin next week at 2.55pm on Friday (16th) afternoon.

 

 

Regards,

Mr J Gordon

 

Dates for the Diary 2025

 

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 4th May 2026

Half Term

25th – 29th May 2026

Last Day of Summer Term

Friday 17th July 2026

2026/27 School Term and Holiday Dates

Staff Development Day

(School Closed to Children)

Tuesday 1st September 2026

Staff Development Day

(School Closed to Children)

Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Autumn 2026 Term Begins

Thursday 3rd September 2026