NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 16 - Jan 2016
ONLINE SAFETY
DATES FOR YOUR
DIARY
WELCOME MRS PARKINSON
We would say a
huge welcome to Mrs
Joanne Parkinson who is
our newest member of
school staff.
She will be taking on the
role of HLTA, in place of Mrs White, and
together with Ms Offord will continue to
maintain high standards of T&L within
classes whilst teachers are out either on
PPA or attending forums/courses
etc. Having worked at a local Kirklees
primary school for thirteen years, Mrs
Parkinson brings a wealth of skills with
her and we look forward to working with
her in this role.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Many thanks to the parents and pupils for
attending our Christmas Fayre. As usual
there was a fantastic range of stalls
including ‘Guess where Santa is’, a lucky
dip, face painting, Christmas recipe books,
a raffle and the ever popular tombola
stalls, even Father Christmas made an
appearance to give out presents! Once
again, thank you to the staff for organising
the event. The fayre raised just over £1200
which will be put towards improving the
junior playground.
A COMMUNITY OF WRITERS
At Birstall, we seek to provide your
children with the very best education. One
of our school priorities last year was to raise
the profile of reading across school.
We would like to express our thanks to all
the parents who support us in trying to instil
a love of books in their children.
This year we are working hard to
accelerate pupil progress and raise
attainment in writing in all year groups
throughout school. We are asking parents
to support pupils at this time with any
spellings that go home as well as activities
to promote handwriting.
The internet and social network sites have
undoubted benefits but it is also important
that parents manage the risks that can be
posed to children. Just prior to Christmas,
we have been discussing games, sites and
apps that children access at home. It is
most worrying to see the violent and
inappropriate content, and the attitudes
promoted, in games such as Call of Duty
and Grand Theft Auto, which a number of
children including reception-aged children
have been talking about recently. These
games have an age 18 certificate. It may
be that some children are seeing or
playing these games with older siblings or
family members however the school and
governors take a very dim view of any
child at Birstall Primary Academy
accessing age-inappropriate games and
would ask that you ensure that your
children are not playing these games.
We would like to take this opportunity to
remind you to make sure that the safety
settings on your internet connection are as
high as possible to ensure children do not
access inappropriate material.
ATTENDANCE
Please take a look at your child’s class
figure for attendance during the last term:
REC
Y1
Y2
Y3
Y4
Y5
Y6
94.75
95.92
97.15
95.92
97.31
98.06
96.89
Congratulations go to Year 5 class who
have had the best attendance record last
half term and who are way above our
school target of 97%.
The term dates are now on the School’s
website for the next academic year. As
ever, please do not book holidays during
term time as it is disruptive to your child’s
learning. I would also like to remind
parents to ring the school absence line if
your child is ill and unable to attend that
day. Thank you for your continued support
in these matters.
Wed 13th January
Phonics Workshop for
Year 1 parents only
3.30pm-4.30pm
Weds 20th January
Themed lunch
“Super Hero Day”
Thurs 21st January
KS2 SATs meeting for
Year 6 parents only
3.30pm-4.30pm
Mon 1st February
Careers Week
Weds 3rd February
Deputy Mayor’s Visit
Weds 11th February
St Valentines Disco
4.30pm- 6.00pm
Friday 12th February
Break Up
Half term
Mon 15th Feb – Fri 19th
Feb
Pupils back
Mon 22nd February
World Book Day
Weds 2nd March
Where chn are invited
to come to school
dressed as their
favourite character
from a book
------------------------
ST VALENTINES
DISCO
Our
Valentines
disco will be held on
Wednesday 10th
February in
the school hall from
4.30-6.00pm
Tickets are on sale
from the main office
and cost £2.00