Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Thank you for such a wonderful Winter Fair. It was amazing. It was great seeing so many people helping and it really was a wonderful community event. I was so impressed. We raised an amazing £8136.19, which is the highest amount raised at a fair, that I know of, so far. Well done everyone.

 

We have kindly been donated a Christmas tree by Pines and Needles and they would love to offer parents and carers a discount on Christmas trees in their pop up stores. Our local pop up store is located in St Mary's Church at: Stoke Newington Church Street, N16

DISCOUNT CODE: [BETTY10 - 10%]

Keep an eye out on Pines and Needles social channels @pinesandneedles for fun activities at our local stores. Please visit www.pinesandneedles.com for more details and other locations as they are all around London.

 

Also a big thank you to the Spence Bakery who donated the rolls for the Fair and Oakwood estate agents who sponsored the boards. It was great seeing all the community coming together and what a lovely community it is.

We have lots of Christmas events coming up and we are really excited about seeing you there. Please remember we have Carol Concert tickets for sale in the office. It is a lovely evening so please join us. We have the Nativity and the performance in the church. I hope you received the flyer with all the details. There has been an email about the Carol Concert.

 

Please remember to go and see Constellations in Stoke Newington tomorrow. The project involves stars appearing in shop windows across the neighbourhood, star-themed light installations outside The Old Church arts centre and on St Pauls West Hackney, and star lights on the big tree by the fire station. These will be lit throughout December and January to bring cheer to the winter months. The Year 4 children have made their own star-shaped lanterns from willow and tissue paper and have been invited to join a lantern procession along Church Street on Saturday 3rd December from Stoke Newington Town Hall to a free community celebration outside the fire station. I am sure anyone can attend. The procession will be led by a samba drumming band, and at the fire station the Mayor of Hackney will turn on the lights on the big tree with some of the children, Vox Holloway choir will perform and there will be a chance to sing along. The street will be closed to traffic during the event, which will finish at 6pm.

 

On Wednesday 30th November children from year 4, 5 and 6 took part in an indoor cricket competition at Queensbridge Sports Centre. Betty Layward won both of their games against Mandeville and Kingsmead school. We will now play the quarter- finals, semi- finals and finals at Lords Cricket Ground. Well done everyone, we are very proud of you all.

 

We would like to give notice of the AGM of the Betty Layward PTFA to be held

on Tuesday 6th December at 5pm via video link. The PTFA plays a vital part in the school community and all parents and carers, as members of the PTFA, are invited to support the AGM. This is your chance to hear and see how the funds you have helped to raise have been used for the benefit of the children at our school. The AGM is also an opportunity for you to elect the PTFA Committee, who represent the association throughout the forthcoming year. If you would like any further information about being a Committee Member, please speak to Anne Sheedy. As our PTFA is a registered charity, all committee members automatically become Trustees of the Charity. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 6th December.

 

The Local Buyers Club is donating £5 to Betty Layward Primary’s PTFA for every new member who signs up this year using the code LAYWARDLOCAL. The shop-local club, which is run by a couple from Stoke Newington, promotes independent businesses in North and East London and members benefit from savings and perks at over 300 shops and restaurants, many of which are in N16. Among the local businesses offering savings to club members are: Earlybird Cards, Know & Love, La Rosetta, The Good Egg, Primavera, DabbaDrop, TopUp Truck, The Prince, The Red Lion, Hub, Re:Store, Jaines & Son, Clissold House Cafe, The Green Room Cafe, Push Cycles, The Arcola Theatre, Salut, Jarr Market and many more. Join for £7.49 for the first year (usual price £14.99 per year) at www.localbuyersclub.com/joinnow. Use coupon code LAYWARDLOCAL and they’ll donate £5 to Betty Layward! Or select a double membership and they’ll donate £10.

 

Have a lovely weekend and thank you again for the Fair. What an amazing result.

Jessica

Headteacher