Newsletter 14th November 2025
Dear parents and carers,
It has been a lovely week in school: from the solemn and respectful whole school two minute silence for Remembrance Day on Tuesday; to the buzz and joy of the Key Stage Two discos on Thursday evening.
Celebration Assemblies
Well done to the chosen children for today’s certificates, many of which were given for showing our school value of Kindness; very appropriate during national anti-bullying week! It was, as ever, a pleasure to have Hot Chocolate Friday with the chosen children to discuss with them the highlights of their week in school. Well done to everyone who was chosen today.
Bartonian Blooms
A reminder to keep completing the passport activities at home if you can. Passports will be requested back into school before the Christmas holiday where we will have another Bartonian Blooms celebration assembly.
EYFS outdoor area
Unfortunately this work started later than we were promised and will therefore continue on well into next week. We will advise Reception parents of this separately and will return to using the front Reception door as soon as is safe and possible. Thank you for your patience.
Medical tracker
We have been using medical tracker for many months now to track first aid incidents, treatment and administration of medication. Many of you will have received notifications of this when your child has had what a first aider deems to be “more than a minor incident.” Based on parent feedback, we will now widen the use of Medical Tracker notifications to inform you of ALL first aid incidents and EVERY time medication is administered. These notifications will be sent to the email addresses we hold for priority contacts one and two for the child (they go via email NOT via ParentMail.) If there is a serious injury and significant first aid we will ALWAYS CALL YOU. There is no need to phone the school if you receive a Medical Tracker alert as your child will have been assesses as being safe to stay in school.
Cross-Country
Next week 48 Key Stage Two children will be representing the school in the cross-country event at Croyland Park. We have won the “large schools” trophy for the last four years consecutively so our expectations are high! Good luck to all runners and we will update you on the outcome next week.
Reading at home
Please continue to support your child reading at home five times every week for approximately 10 minutes each time. This makes such a massive difference to their learning across the curriculum and promotes healthy habits; as well as being a gateway to imaginary worlds and wonderful knowledge. Teachers in every class check children’s planners weekly and make a note of the number of reads, it is this which is counted towards our monitoring and allow us to target reading support where it is needed.
We are reviewing how we will incentivise and reward regular reading at home and will update you on this in due course. The term two reading reward will happen before the Christmas holiday.
Christmas
Christmas is not too far away... please see attached our Countdown to Christmas poster with lots of dates for your diaries and calendars – there is lots going on! If you would like a paper copy, please call into the school office.
MND Fundraising Stall
After school on Monday 17th November one of our pupils, Evie in Year Four, will be setting up a stall outside the KS1 building to sell items to raise awareness of and funds for Motor Nerone Disease. She will be selling crochet toys and bookmarks, some of which her family member, who has been affected by MND, was unable to finish themselves, along with some bracelets. This is a wonderful example of our SHREK values in action, so we are hoping you will be able to visit the stall and support Evie in this thoughtful and inspiring endeavour.
FSM winner
A name has been randomly chosen and this parent contacted privately and awarded their Co-Op voucher- this following our census day competition.
Parent Governor election
This is a reminder that the deadline for nominations of parent Governors is Tuesday next week, 18th November. Please do consider putting yourself forward as the Local Governing Body is looking to appoint two new governors and is looking for a variety of skills. If you would like more information, please just contact the school office.
Considerate parking
This is a reminder to please park considerately around the school when dropping off or collecting your children. We thank the majority of families who do consider our neighbours and the safety of children walking to school but remind the minority that parking on double yellow lines, the pavement or across the school’s neighbours' driveways is inconsiderate and dangerous.
This morning a fire engine with its blue lights and siren blazing on the way to an emergency call was prevented from driving down Broad Street due to parents’ cars being parked on the single yellow lines. This wasted precious minutes and was putting lives at risk. Please park safely and considerately for all.
Music opportunity
Does your child love music and the performing arts? This may be for them…On Saturday 22nd November NMPAT are opening the doors of the NMPAT Centre near you, and inviting any school age student interested to come along and see what we're all about for free! Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) are the lead partners in the Northamptonshire and Rutland Music Hub, and their staff visit most of the schools in the region to teach instrumental and vocal lessons each week. At the weekend, they offer ensembles and activities that are open to any child interested in taking part. The Centres meet on term-time Saturdays for 3 hours of ensembles and activities. You can find out which Centre is your nearest here. Please also see attached flyer.
Attendance
Attendance this week was 97.11%. The top three classes were Violet with 98.89%, Primrose with 99.13% and the winners this week were Ash class with 99.23%. Well done!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
Miss Lally & Mr Morris
Letters home this week
Lavender class PE kits, please
KS2 PTA disco reminders
Choirs singing at the PTA Christmas Fair
Choir concert – speaking parts – selected choir members
Y1 phonics invitation to parents
Y2 DT showcase invitation
Excellence in everything certificate – winners
HAF holiday activities – eligible families
KS2 cross country competition – selected runners
Attachments
Online safety – AI generated videos
MND fundraising stall
NMPAT flyer
Christmas countdown
AIR
Earth
FIRE
WATER