Important Note:
This is a text only webpage that can be used to easily translate important updates for those whose first language is not English.
Weekly Newsletter - 9th October 2026
“Excellent attendance is vital for children to flourish and achieve”
Our Vision relates to the parable of ‘The Lost Sheep’ and we do not want any child or adult to be left behind, we all work together and respect everyone. We believe all our children can flourish and achieve their potential to enable them to succeed in the future.
Something Mrs Wainwright has enjoyed this week was having Mr Holloway playing piano as we go into and out of the hall. He has a great talent and we are lucky he shares it with us. Let’s hope it inspires some future musicians!
Worship – Our current theme is generosity and this week we have been reflecting on what a wonderful world we live in and what a generous gift the world is and how we need to look after it for future generations.
British Values – we need to show respect to our world and look after it. This is a choice we can all make (Liberty)
Free Breakfast Club – If you would like a place in our free breakfast club which starts at 8am please see Mrs Wainwright or Miss Lawson for a form.
IMPORTANT UPDATES and REMINDERS
- PHOTOGRAPH DAY – Due to unforeseen circumstances the day has been changed to Friday 23rd October, we apologise for any inconvenience
- Holidays in Term Time – We cannot authorise any absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. As a school our attendance is monitored by Leeds and the DFE and we are being challenged on the high numbers of holidays taken in school time. Please stop taking holidays in school time, more importantly it also results in children missing important learning, catching up on a week’s work is very difficult. These are not school rules but the governments. You will be fined if the holiday is 5 days or more and if your children have 3 holidays it could result in you going to court.
- School Street – As some of you will be aware the Traffic Enforcement Officer has been round school this week and several parents have been fined. The restrictions have been in place a long time and as we have said just because we do not stand there it is still illegal to drive on Strawberry Lane during the restricted times. This is not a school initiative but was something Leeds introduced to make it safer for children and families at very busy times. They have said they will be doing more regular checks as they were very unhappy with the large number of parents who ignored the restrictions. Please park a little further away or where possible walk to school.
RESTRICTED TIMES
8.15-9AM
3-3.45PM
- Playground equipment – Children should not be playing on the equipment in the playgrounds before or after school. The school cannot be responsible for supervising the children at these times and are not responsible for any accidents or injuries. We have also had some damage due to misuse of the equipment and we cannot afford to keep having it repaired. If you send older children to collect your children, can you remind them of this please. We appreciate your support with this. Thank you
- Data sheets – We do need all the data sheets returned even if there are no changes. If you need another one, ask at the office.
Free Breakfast Club Survey – The DFE are asking all our parents to take part in a survey about our free breakfast club even if your child does not attend, you will be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher, please see details below and click the link to complete the survey.
Your voice matters, and you could win £100 by telling us about your family’s morning routines. St Bartholomew's CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School now run a free breakfast club, and we’re taking part in a national study to help inform how they are run both here and across the country.
Take the 10 Minute Survey: http://ipsos.uk/QKY9NJ
Attendance
We expect all children to be in school every day and on time. 8.30am for nursery, 12.30pm in the afternoon and by 8.50am for the rest of school. Thank you
Attendance Winners for last week:
- KS1 – Class 3 & 6 – 97.1%
- Years 3 & 4 – Class 7 – 99.6%
- Years 5 & 6 – Class 12 – 99.6%
Well done to the best classes:
- EYFS & Years 1 & 2 – Class 3
- Years 3 & 4 – Class 10
- Years 5 & 6 – Class 12
Weekly Round Up
Nursery - This week we have been learning about houses. We have been reading 'The Three Little Pigs' story. The children explored materials from the story: straw, sticks and bricks and used the puppets and masks to retell the story. In Maths we have explored basic shapes. In phonics we have been listening to animal sounds. The children have been busy creating their houses using materials from the story and painting characters too.
Reception – This week in Reception we have continued to learn the story 'The Three Little Pigs' using our story map and actions. We have enjoyed describing the wolf, practicing taking turns to talk and looking at the person speaking. We had a fantastic PE lesson this week using our balancing skills. We walked along the beam using our arms to balance, balanced a beanbag on our head whilst walking over the hurdles and jumped in and out of hoops. In Maths we have been looking at the number 3 and practiced counting out amounts carefully. We enjoyed setting up a picnic for the 3 bears, counting out 3 spoons, 3 bowls, 3 cups and 3 pieces of food.
Years 1 & 2 – This week children in Year 1 have been learning about how numbers can be split into parts and that when you add these parts, they make a whole e.g. 6 = 2+4. Children have used part whole models to help visualise this and then solved their own addition calculations.
In Year 2 the children have been learning about 3D shapes and their properties. They have looked at different shapes and identified their names, how many faces, edges and vertices they have.
Years 3 & 4 – Year 3 lessons - This week in History, we designed our own Anglo-Saxon villages, carefully considering the layout of homes, farms and other key features of early settlements. In English, we developed our non-fiction writing skills by creating informative texts about the Anglo-Saxons, using historical facts and organisational features to engage our readers. In Science, we explored seed dispersal, learning about the different ways plants spread their seeds and why this is important for survival and growth.
Year 4 lessons - In Maths, we have been developing our column subtraction skills, using a range of strategies to solve increasingly challenging calculations accurately. In Science, we investigated the relationship between vibration and sound, exploring how sounds are created and how vibrations travel to our ears. In History, we learned about punishments for Victorian crimes, comparing them with the laws and consequences we have today and discussing how attitudes towards crime and punishment have changed over time.
Armley Mills - Class 10 will be visiting Armley Mills next week on Thursday 15th October. Thank you to all families who have already made a voluntary contribution via ParentPay.
Website - To keep up to date with the exciting learning and experiences taking place in Years 3 and 4, please click on the links below to view our latest news and blog posts:
These pages are regularly updated with information about classroom learning, educational visits, special events, and pupil achievements.
Homework - This year, we will be continue using technology to support homework.
Children are expected to:
- Complete 21 minutes on Times Tables Rock Stars each week.
- Complete their spelling task on Oxford Owl.
- Read their school reading book every night.
Most families will have access to a device that can be used to complete these tasks. If you experience any difficulties accessing the online platforms, please contact Mr Needham, or pass on a message to the member of staff on duty during morning drop off. Children who are currently in a phonics group will receive a paper-based homework sheet instead.
Homework will be set on Monday and should be completed by Friday each week. Login details for the online platforms will be provided during the first few weeks of term. Children who consistently complete their homework will be rewarded with an additional break to towards the end of each half term.
Years 5 & 6 - In Science, we have been learning about the digestive system, exploring how our bodies break down food and absorb the nutrients needed to stay healthy. In History, we investigated the Battle of Britain, learning how Britain used radar technology to detect incoming aircraft and gain a vital advantage during the war. In English, we have been developing our narrative writing skills by writing an evacuee story, using rich descriptions and historical knowledge to bring our characters' experiences to life.
Lotherton Hall -We are delighted that Years 5 and 6 will be visiting Lotherton Hall during Autumn 2. Classes will attend on the following dates:
- Wednesday 4th November: Class 15
- Thursday 5th November: Class 14
- Monday 23rd November: Class 12
- Thursday 26th November: Class 13
- Friday 4th December: Class 11
The visits will provide an exciting opportunity to support and enhance learning beyond the classroom. Letters confirming visit dates and providing further details will be emailed to families shortly.
Website - To keep up to date with the exciting learning and experiences taking place in Years 5 and 6, please click on the links below to view our latest news and blog posts:
These pages are regularly updated with information about classroom learning, educational visits, special events, and pupil achievements.
Homework - Children are expected to read their reading book at home every evening.
Each week, children will be set homework on Emile (Grammar, Punctuation and Maths) and Oxford Owl (Spelling). Homework will be set on Monday and must be completed by the following Monday.
A Homework Club will run every Tuesday lunchtime for pupils in Years 5 and 6, providing an opportunity to complete homework during the school day. Children who complete all of their homework will be rewarded with either an extended morning break or an extended lunchtime on Friday.
Secondary School Applications - A reminder that the deadline for applications for secondary school places is 31st October. You can find useful guidance and submit your application using the link below:
Leeds Secondary School Applications
If you have any questions or would like support with the application process, please contact the school and speak to Mr Needham, who will be happy to assist.
Year 6 SATs Week - Year 6 SATs week will begin on Monday 10 May 2027. It is vital that all Year 6 pupils attend school throughout the week, as the tests are set nationally and must be completed on the specified dates.
The timetable for the week is as follows:
- Monday 10 May: Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
- Tuesday 11 May: Reading
- Wednesday 12 May: Arithmetic and Mathematics Reasoning
- Thursday 13 May: Mathematics Reasoning
We would appreciate your support in ensuring that Year 6 children arrive at school on time each day and avoid making any appointments during SATs week wherever possible.
School Dates 2026 -2027:
- Thursday 15th October 2026 Armley Mills Trip Class 10
- Tuesday 20th October 2026 Parent Consultation 3.40-6.30pm Nursery – Year 2 Meetings
- Tuesday 20th October 2026 Parent Consultations 3.40-5.30pm Years 3-6 Calls
- Wednesday 21st October 2026 Classes 5 & 6 Kings and Queens Day
- Thursday 22nd October 2026 Parent Consultations 3.40-6.30pm Years 3-6 Meetings
- Thursday 22nd October 2026 Parent Consultations 3.40-5.30pm Nursery – Year 2 Calls
- Friday 23rd October 2026 Photograph Day
- Friday 23rd October 2026 School Closes at 3.30pm
- Monday 2nd November 2026 School Opens at 8.30am
- Friday 27th November 2026 Training Day – No Children in School
- Friday 11th December 2026 Training Day – No Children in School
- Friday 18th December 2026 School Closes at 3.30pm
- Monday 4th January 2027 School Opens at 8.30am
- Friday 5th February 2027 Training Day – No Children in School
- Friday 12th February 2027 School Closes at 3.30pm
- Monday 22nd February 2027 School Opens at 8.30am
- Friday 26th March 2027 School Closed Good Friday Bank Holiday
- Monday 29th March 2027 School Closed Easter Monday Bank Holiday
- Friday 2nd April 2027 School Closes at 3.30pm
- Monday 19th April 2027 School Opens at 8.30am
- Monday 3rd May 2027 School Closed May Bank Holiday
- Monday 10th May 2027 SAT’s Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
- Tuesday 11th May 2027 SAT’s Reading
- Wednesday 12th May 2027 SAT’s Arithmetic and Mathematics Reasoning
- Thursday 13th May 2027 SAT’s Mathematics Reasoning
- Friday 28th May 2027 School Closes at 3.30pm
- Monday 7th June 2027 School Opens at 8.30am
- Friday 18th June 2027 Training Day – No Children in School
- Thursday 22nd July 2027 School Closes at 3.30pm