Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back after half term. I hope you had a good break.

We have just recently been re-accredited with our PSQM (Primary Science Quality Mark) award. This is recognition of all the fantastic science teaching and learning that takes place at Betty Layward, and our progress in improving science over the last year. Well done Betty Layward staff and children.

On Tuesday 1st November the Betty Layward boys and girls football team took part in their first competitive match against St John and St James in the newly formed Hackney League. The boys kicked off the new season with an unlucky 3-2 defeat after being 2-0 down at half time. They then showed great resilience and came back with two goals. The Girls started incredibly well with a 6-0 victory with Eliza scoring a great team goal and a hattrick. Well done to all the children.

On Wednesday 2nd November, children from year 3 and 4 took part in a football festival at the Young Hackney sports hub. We started off with a few football drills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We then finished off with a football match against 3 schools from Hackney with a loss, a draw and a victory. Well done everyone.

Quiz night has been very popular and sold out very quickly. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Winter Fair is on Saturday 26th November and we need lots of helpers and support. We have not had one for a while and it is a great event. Each year, 100 Betty Layward families host an Estate Agent Board in their front garden for 3 weeks to advertise the Winter Fair. 100 Boards = £1,000 raised for the event! If you can have a board please add your details via this link (it only takes about a minute!) 
Thank you for supporting with this and please help the school by having a board.     

 https://forms.office.com/r/cJLWnWWygJ

We also need raffle prizes for the Christmas Fair and if you are able to donate anything or know a business that would like to donate please let me know as any donations are very welcome.

We will be having our school Christmas lunch on 16th December and this is also Christmas Jumper Day. I hope your child will be having a Christmas lunch. This is also the last day of the school term and we will be closing at 2pm. There will be no clubs or Fit for Sport on that day. I will be confirming other Christmas dates soon.

Grandparents Week is returning. We have not had this week since before Covid and we are thrilled it is returning. For those of you who have not experienced this yet, Grandparents can come in and talk about their own experience of school or read a story. If your child’s Grandparent cannot make it they can write their grandchild a letter and we can share it in class. We think it is important to involve Grandparents as they can be such an important part of a child’s life and it is a lovely opportunity for the children to show their Grandparents our school. This is taking place for the whole week beginning 23rd January 2023. You will book in with your child’s teacher nearer the time. I just wanted to give you the date well in advance so that you can let Grandparents know.

Every year the staff make a Christmas video for the children and they absolutely love it. We wondered if a parent or carer would like to film it for us. If you would please come and see me or email me. Thank you.

I hope you have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher