Dear Parents and Carers,

We cannot believe it's been so lovely and warm this week, and it feels like summer is lasting longer. It does make our playtimes lovely and we want to make the most of it. We have had a lovely week and hope you have too.

On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome Cantor Rachel to our school for a special assembly. We enjoyed her wonderful piano playing, which helped create a warm and engaging atmosphere. Cantor Rachel taught us about the significance of Jewish events. We learned about the traditions and celebrations associated with each event and had the opportunity to see special items used in these celebrations, including a shofar (horn). As a whole school, we also enjoyed singing a Jewish song together. It was a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn more about Jewish faith, traditions and culture in an enjoyable and meaningful way. A big thank you to Cantor Rachel for sharing her knowledge, music and traditions with us.

We have our PTFA AGM online on Monday from 5pm-6pm. I really hope you can join us. You should have been sent a link. We look forward to seeing you there.

On Friday 9th October, we will be celebrating Mental Health Day. This World Mental Health Day, let’s talk, listen, and support better mental health together. World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It reminds us why good mental health matters and how we can prioritise it in our lives and communities. It’s also a moment to talk openly and listen to what others are experiencing. The theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change” (World Federation for Mental Health). Conversations about mental health make a difference, and they matter most when we listen to people’s experiences. We are asking the children to wear yellow on Friday 9th October to recognise the importance of Mental Health Day. We want to encourage our children to talk and listen. This can be a yellow school uniform item or another yellow item of their choice. They do not need to wear school uniform. We just ask them to wear something yellow.

This term, the whole school is taking part in a project we are calling Honouring Our Hackney, and we are very excited. Our children will meet and record the memories of Black African and Caribbean elders who have lived in this part of Hackney for years: their childhoods, their journeys here, the streets and shops they remember, and the food they grew up with. Alongside this, every class from Nursery to Year 6 will design and create work inspired by what they learn. It all comes together after school on Friday 6th November, when we will open the school for music from our choir, food, an exhibition of the children's work and the interviews, with our elder guests of honour at the centre. Please do put it in your diary. We hope you can join us.

We would like to invite Reception and Year 1 Parents and Carers to a Phonics, Spelling and Early Reading workshop on Thursday, 8th October at 3.30pm. This workshop will give you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of how phonics and reading are taught and learned at Betty Layward. We look forward to seeing you there.

Please remember the school photographer will be at school on Monday 5th October and Tuesday 6th October to take individual and sibling photos. If you would like a sibling photo, please confirm this on Arbor by the end of today, Friday 2nd October.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher