Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you had a good week. We have been busy, and Year 6 completed their SATs this week. They were amazing; not only did they work hard, but they did so with positivity and a fantastic attitude. I was so impressed, and we are incredibly proud of them. I tell them that they are much more than a SATs result. They are individual, independent people who are kind, thoughtful, and so much more. They can act, sing, and dance. They might shine at playing an instrument or in sports. There are countless reasons why they are more than just a SATs result.

This week, even in the midst of SATs, the children came together for Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme of Community. A strong sense of community can be a powerful support for our mental health, helping us feel connected, valued, and safe. Our brilliant Wellbeing Ambassadors led thoughtful activities across classes, encouraging everyone to reflect on who is part of their “circle” and what community really means to us. One of the highlights was the creation of our Kindness Chains, with each link representing an act of kindness. They're already growing long and colourful, serving as an excellent visual reminder of how caring and supportive our children truly are.

Our VE Day lunch was delicious this week. We have attached some photos. This week, Reception also began exploring an exciting new book, Faruq and the Wiri Wiri Pepper. The story sparked lots of curiosity, especially about different flavours and ingredients from around the world. They talked about our own families’ traditional dishes and the special memories they hold. It was lovely seeing the children take pride in sharing their food stories. From this book, the children in Reception made bread with Damian, and the results were great. Please see the photos. It looked delicious.

This weekend, the Hackney Half Marathon is taking place, and I am truly grateful to all the children, parents, and carers who are running to raise money for the school. I hope you have a great time and that the sun shines for you. An email with all the details was sent out yesterday. Please encourage friends and family to donate using this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/betty-layward-is-running-the-2025-hackney-half-marathon There are also other activities going on alongside https://www.hackneymoves.com/saturday-festival-lineup.

Thank you to all the organisers; you have done a marvellous job. Good luck, runners.

On Thursday, 22nd May, Year 6 will sell baked goods and bracelets after school to raise money for their upcoming trip to France. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing you there.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday for Blastonbury.  It starts at 2pm. Please stand where we ask you to so children can enter and exit. We hope you enjoy it.

Please remember we close at the normal school time on Thursday for half term. We hope you have a great week.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher