Jessica's Newsletters

Newsletter Friday 6th March 2026

Fri 06 Mar 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have enjoyed a wonderful week celebrating reading and World Book Day. It was lovely to see children so engaged with the activities and dressed in their costumes. World Book Day was a great success and the children participated in a wide range of activities designed to foster their love of reading for pleasure. We started the celebrations with a visit from Ryan Crawford, author of the Cosmic Cadets series. Ryan led an exciting assembly, sharing how he became an author, inspired by his love of science fiction books. He kindly answered the children’s questions and signed copies of his books, which we have heard the children have been eagerly reading in class and at home.

On World Book Day, the children arrived dressed in wonderfully creative costumes inspired by their favourite book characters. Early Years and Key Stage 1 also enjoyed a visit from Polly Faber, author of Building a Home, who spoke to the children during a special assembly and signed copies for them. In class, the children spent the morning on a creative writing activity, rewriting the endings of stories. They produced some fantastic alternative endings to well-known stories, such as Goldilocks (who visited different planets that she found too cold and too hot) and The Day the Crayons Quit (where Duncan responded to the crayons to apologise for not using them). Later in the day, the classes shared and swapped books they had brought from home. This was a great success, giving children the chance to share and recommend books they love and discover new ones they might not have heard of before. We also held a class swap story time, where teachers shared favourite books and children visited different classrooms to enjoy stories read by different teachers. I have shared a picture of the books the children listened to; copies of these will be available in the school library. To finish the day, our Reading Ambassadors judged the class book corner competition. A big well done to Ruby, Chilli, Buttercup and Peach classes, who were chosen as the winners. These classes will receive new books for their book corners.

To end the week, we were delighted to welcome parents and carers who volunteered their morning to read with their children's classes. Thank you very much to those who were able to join us. Thank you to everyone who supported and contributed to such a fantastic celebration of reading. The children thoroughly enjoyed the week.

A few children and their mums from Cerise class went to see Neill Cameron talk about his Doughnut Squad books last Saturday: Teddy, Silas, Louis, Emma, Acer, and Tabitha. The children were very excited and really enjoyed drawing with Neil.

On Monday, Betty Layward School participated in the Hackney Chess Premier League. The event was held at William Pattern School, with six schools in attendance. The children were delighted to be crowned winners of the Hackney Chess League, finishing first among the six schools competing. They showed exceptional teamwork, focus and strategic thinking. Finishing top among such talented schools is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for the entire school community. Well done to Sacha, Gene, Luca, Cyrus, Al, Henry, Acer, George, and Jacob.

On Tuesday, Year 5 Buttercup delivered a fun and engaging assembly about the English Civil War, captivating the audience with lively explanations of the rivalry between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The children spoke with confidence and enthusiasm. Well done, Buttercup class.

We celebrated Safer Internet Day last week. The theme was The Safe and Responsible Use of AI. KS2 watched a BBC Live Lesson. The children explored the careful decisions behind responsible AI design, from selecting reliable, accurate, and unbiased training data to writing system prompts that prevent ‘bad’ AI behaviour. KS1 and Early Years looked at a story about a Voice Assistant and discussed how they worked. Continuing these conversations at home is really important, and the UK Safer Internet Centre has lots of useful resources for parents and carers: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2026/top-tips-for-parents-and-carers

This week, our school enjoyed a special Holi Festival Lunch to celebrate the vibrant Hindu festival of Holi, often known as the Festival of Colours. Holi marks the arrival of spring and celebrates joy, friendship, and new beginnings. The kitchen staff decorated the dining hall with bright, colourful festival-inspired decorations. At lunchtime, pupils enjoyed a delicious lamb curry and a selection of amazing Indian-style salads. This was a wonderful opportunity for our school community to learn about and celebrate a beautiful cultural tradition.

This week, we have added a selection of new puzzles and Rubik’s cubes to the Opal playground, offering children a fun way to challenge their thinking, practice problem-solving, and enjoy quiet moments of focus during outdoor play. The children have been enjoying reading our collection of magazines now that the weather is brighter, as well as creating fantastic construction projects. Please see the photos attached. We are inviting our wonderful parent community to help us expand the Opal Playground. If you have any skills, materials, or professional connections you are willing to share or donate, we would love to hear from you. We are calling on all knitters, plumbers, electricians, and parents involved in textiles, design, gardening, construction, or the creative industries — as well as anyone who can connect us with useful resources through their workplace or profession. Whether it’s spare materials, practical expertise, or a helpful introduction, every contribution can help us make the playground even more magical for the children. Thank you in advance. We truly appreciate your kind donations. The children so enjoy it.

We are going to take part in the Hackney School Challenge again. You need to sign up if you would like your child/children to participate in the Hackney Schools Challenge to represent Betty Layward. Please be aware that registration does not guarantee a place. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a great fundraising event for the school. Thank you to Richard, a parent, who is organising it. The event will be held on Saturday, 16th May at Hackney Marshes. Thank you for signing up. https://tinyurl.com/Hackney-Schools-Challenge

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 27th February 2026

Thu 26 Feb 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back. I hope you had a lovely half-term break. It is lovely to see you all back and the children have settled back in really well. Fingers crossed the sunshine is beginning to come out.

We are really excited about World Book Day on Thursday, and the children are welcome to dress up as a book character if they wish. Please, no footballers. Please can the children wear costumes so they can go to the toilet independently. Please have your child bring in a book they are happy to swap with another child. We will also ask them why they enjoyed it and why they would recommend it to someone else. There are many great activities happening next week for World Book Day, including visits from authors Polly Faber and Ryan Crawford. You can purchase their books on TRIPS on Arbor. We would also like to invite you to school on Friday, 6th March, for a short story-sharing session. Please bring a favourite children's book from home, or choose one from the class book corner to share with small groups of children in the classroom. The session will run from 9:10 am to 9:35 am. We really look forward to seeing you there.

Well done to all the children who took part in the Hackney Cross Country League on Tuesday. The team showed fantastic determination, resilience and commitment, representing the school with pride at every race. Special congratulations to Mia, Aurora, and Illy for their outstanding performances in the girls’ race, each finishing in the top 10. This is an incredible achievement. In the boys’ race, Otto ran brilliantly to secure a place in the top 20. We are extremely proud of all our runners for their commitment and effort throughout the league. Well done, runners.

The Junior Road Safety Officers led an engaging assembly to teach everyone about staying safe near roads and proudly promoted the “Be Bright, Be Seen” campaign to encourage wearing bright clothing for visibility. The children also launched a poster competition to inspire creativity and promote the “Be Bright, Be Seen” or “Be Bright Stay in Sight ” road safety campaign. We would like the children to design a poster to advertise road safety or the campaigns mentioned above. The poster will be printed and displayed in school for everyone to learn from. The children are aware of this competition and can bring posters to school next week if they wish.

Please check the school calendar on the website, as we are updating it regularly with new dates. The Year 6 dates are listed there. Please put them in your diary.

Please, can I remind you to pick your children up on time after school and after clubs. The children may become worried if their parent or carer is late, so please arrive on time.

Please remember that we can only give medicine if it is prescribed and needed four times a day. Please do not give your child any medication to bring to school, as this is not a safe approach. Instead, leave it at the office and complete the necessary form if it is prescribed and needed four times a day. Thank you.

Unfortunately, there has been another phone mugging in the local area. Please remind your children to stay vigilant. I am glad that the children do not bring mobile phones into school, as this helps protect them from potential risks.

I hope you have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Jessica Bailey

Headteacher
The Betty Layward Primary School

Newsletter Friday 13th February 2026

Fri 13 Feb 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I cannot believe we are at the February half-term break and already halfway through the year. Time is flying. I want to personally thank you for all your recent kindness and support. I have received some lovely emails during what's been a difficult time for the school and that support means a lot. Thank you. I do feel lucky to be the Headteacher of Betty Layward and I ensure your children receive the best in everything. They deserve it. They are a pleasure to be with and they put a smile on my face every day. Thank you for helping to create the wonderful community we are part of. I feel very fortunate.

On Tuesday, Emerald class delivered their assembly on Ancient Egypt. It was a lively and engaging performance, with fantastic music and interesting facts, presented brilliantly by everyone involved. The children’s performance was seamless and they spoke with confidence. It was the best episode of a Place in the Sun we had ever seen. Well done, Emerald Class.

Reception hosted their Family Friday today and thank you to those of you who attended. It was lovely to see parents and carers engaging with the children and we look forward to tasting the dumplings they made for the Lunar New Year.

We are offering a one-hour workshop for parents and carers about helping your child manage big emotions. Do you notice your child having intense emotional reactions, meltdowns, or worries? Are you unsure how to respond in the moment or what really helps over time? We have designed this workshop to support you. Some of our Key Stage 2 children have also participated in the school workshop 'Exploring & Managing Our Emotions,' and this session aims to help parents build shared understanding by offering practical, evidence-based strategies to support emotional regulation at home. It is caring, realistic, and focuses on connection, co-regulation, and “good enough” support rather than perfection. The workshop will take place online on Thursday, 26th February at 11am.

Happy Lunar New Year for next week. I wish you good health and may all your wishes come true.

Have a fantastic half-term break, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday, 24th February.

Jessica
Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 6th February 2026

Fri 06 Feb 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I want to thank you all for your kind words and support during such a sad week. It truly reflects the wonderful community we are, full of kindness and compassion. The children have been incredible and it is important that we give them the time and space they need. I cannot thank the staff enough for their support and kindness during this difficult time. Please look after yourselves and give your children a big hug. Thank you for all your kind words, emails ands support. It means a lot.

Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week. The theme for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week is "This is my Place." This means feeling like you are part of something, such as your family, school, group of friends, or a team. These joyful moments help us feel connected, valued and accepted. When we feel like we belong, we feel happy, safe and ready to learn and play. It helps us grow strong in our minds and bodies and makes it easier to make friends, do well at school and feel good about ourselves. During Children’s Mental Health Week, we will discuss how we can help everyone feel like they belong. We will share "This is my Place" with the children so we can learn from each other about what makes us happy. We will learn about the importance of kindness, including others and ensuring no one feels left out. We want children to know that everyone deserves a place where they are accepted, cared for, and loved.

In Year 4 Cerise's assembly this week, we travelled back in time to the royal courts of the Tudor dynasty. The children delivered a fantastic assembly in the style of a Horrible Histories episode. Through their brilliantly engaging presentation, we learned all about Henry VIII and his famous six wives, the unique style and structure of Tudor houses, pastimes in Tudor England, including the works of William Shakespeare, and how Queen Elizabeth I successfully defeated the Spanish Armada. The children spoke with confidence and clarity. Well done, Cerise class.

This week, we were delighted to welcome the North London Waste Authority for a whole-school assembly focused on the impact of food waste on our climate. Pupils learned just how much energy goes into producing the food we eat, and why it’s so important to take only what we can finish, do our best to eat what’s on our plate, and make sure any leftovers go in the correct bin. The NLWA has also been working closely with our Eco Committee to help us understand how much waste we produce as a school and how we can reduce it. This assembly supports our ongoing whole-school goal to reduce waste and make more sustainable choices as a community.

On Tuesday, Year 2 welcomed the Jewish Museum into school for a workshop about the Torah. They learned about the importance of the Torah in Judaism, how it is written and read and also had the opportunity to explore artefacts from the museum. Year 2 tried on a kippah and a tallit and examined a yad and a mezuzah. Finally, they attempted to write in Hebrew using calligraphy pens and did their best to write from right to left. Year 2 also went on a trip to St Mary's Church to learn more about Christianity and the Bible. The children got to explore the different areas of the church and noticed the story of Jesus in the stained-glass windows. After that, the children enjoyed acting out the Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm and listened to a piece of music about this story. Year 2 were brilliant during both the trip and the workshop. Well done, Year 2.

This week, Reception enjoyed an extremely successful visit to the London Canal Museum. The children explored the fascinating history of the canals, learning how canal boats were originally pulled by horses before tractors were introduced. They had the opportunity to step inside a section of a canal boat, which gave them a real sense of what life on board would have been like. The role-play ice cream shop was a particular highlight and the children were fascinated by the chance to peer into a large ice cave, once used to store ice transported by canal all the way from Norway. Throughout the visit, the children showed great curiosity and engagement, asking many thoughtful questions. Well done, Reception. I am so pleased you had such a lovely time and were so well behaved.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you once again for all your kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness this week. It truly means a lot.

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 30th January 2026

Fri 30 Jan 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We had a lovely, busy week filled with many trips. On Wednesday, Year 6 participated in the Hackney Junior Citizenship scheme at Forest Road Youth Hub to learn about staying safe and being responsible members of the community. The children gained insights from several organisations, including the Hackney Health and Wellbeing team, who focused on dental hygiene and mental health; Transport for London, which taught safe travel using a Zip Oyster card; the Metropolitan Police, who discussed robbery and knife crime; Hackney Road Safety, which provided lessons on crossing awareness and stopping distances; and the London Fire Brigade, which shared advice on fire safety and escape routes.

Year One enjoyed a fantastic trip to The Ragged School Museum. The children loved dressing up and taking part in a Victorian lesson led by a suitably strict teacher in an authentic Victorian classroom. They were fascinated by the artefacts on display and enjoyed comparing life in the past with the present. It was a brilliant and immersive day of learning.

In Year 2 Apricots assembly this week, they took an exciting trip to Australia, where the children explored famous sights and learned all about amazing Australian animals. As part of their learning, they have enjoyed discovering the Aboriginal Dreamtime story of Tiddalik the Frog, which helped them understand Australian culture and storytelling. Well done, Apricot class.

The Eco Committee began 2026 with a remarkable achievement, successfully launching their first Eco Refill Shop of the year. This initiative supports their aim to reduce waste across the school and the children showed genuine initiative, organisation, and teamwork throughout. A big thank you to everyone who supported them and helped make this event a success. We will have more Eco Refill Shops throughout the remainder of the academic year, so please keep an eye out for dates.

Hackney's Mayor Woodley and Speaker Cllr Patrick invited all children and young people aged 3-18 in Hackney to participate in two art competitions. They were to design the council's festive card or create a T-shirt design for Hackney to wear during the New Year's Day parade, with the theme of celebrating diversity. We were thrilled that Didem in Year 5 won the T-shirt competition and her design was made into a T-shirt worn at the New Year’s Day Parade. We also had some children who were runners-up in both competitions and received Amazon vouchers. We were really impressed with how many children took part. Well done, everyone.

We have received some lovely donations for OPAL. Thank you for them. The children truly enjoy using them.

We really need some spare clothes for children across all year groups. Accidents happen and children can also get wet in the rain. If you have any spare clothes, especially trousers and tracksuit bottoms suitable for all ages, we would appreciate any donations.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsetter Friday 23rd January 2026

Fri 23 Jan 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you have had a lovely week. We have had a good week despite all the rain. Year 3 enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Petrie Museum. The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring thousands of fascinating artefacts related to their topic, Ancient Egyptians, and were excited to see real historical objects up close. They participated in a treasure hunt around the museum and carefully examined a range of items, even noting down reference numbers so they could research them further at school. It was a fantastic morning of learning, curiosity, and discovery.

We’re delighted to share that Betty’s Refillery, our eco-refill pop-up shop, will return next Thursday after school in the playground. To join in, simply bring along empty 500ml plastic bottles and refill your essentials without additional packaging. It’s a small yet meaningful way for everyone to contribute to reusing and reducing waste together.

Please can I remind you to pay for the trips if you are able to, and ensure your Arbor account is up to date. We are still heavily subsidising trips, and if this continues, we will eventually need to reduce the number of trips. We really do not want to do this, so please help us by supporting this.

We are currently introducing children to a new spelling scheme called Active Spelling. Active Spelling is a progressive, research-based approach to spelling that gives pupils a thorough understanding of spelling and vocabulary, which they can then apply in their independent writing. It is a whole-school approach, beginning after the phonics phase and centred around core key skills that help children become lifelong spellers. We support children in understanding spelling by learning about sounds, letter patterns, and how words are formed. They will utilise a variety of spelling strategies to help them apply this knowledge in their writing.

Our aims are:

To ensure whole-school progression by teaching spelling rules in a structured manner, revisiting, building upon, and retaining them, and fully embedding them into all our lessons. This provides pupils with opportunities to develop the skills needed for secondary school.
To establish a consistent, rigorous approach that facilitates the transition from phonics to spelling.
For children to understand and be familiar with the language related to spelling, including morphology, phonology, orthography, and graphology, and to be equipped with a range of spelling strategies to help them apply this knowledge.

We are only just beginning to implement this, so it is very new to our children. We will organise a parent workshop soon, so you can become familiar with how this will work with your child and what the teaching of spelling will look like at Betty Layward.

Unfortunately, there have been some incidents in the park and on local buses involving phone theft. This is one of the reasons we do not allow smartphones at school, and we ask you to discuss with your child the importance of staying safe and being vigilant. We also want to inform you that similar incidents are occurring on buses in the area, so please stay aware. I am sorry to deliver bad news, but I want everyone to be aware of what is happening. These incidents are also occurring during the daytime, so please remind your child to stay safe when walking home alone. Thank you.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 16th January 2026

Fri 16 Jan 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you've had a good week. Ours has been lovely despite the rain; we've found our own sunshine every day.

This week, the Year 4 classes visited the Young V&A museum in Bethnal Green. The children participated in a workshop where they acted as architects and clients, helping to introduce the concept of user-centred design. They were tasked with creating a design brief for an animal’s home and experimenting with different materials to build a model of their client's shelter. The children also had the opportunity to explore the V&A galleries and learn about how children throughout history have played and how technology is changing young people's leisure activities. Year 4 were exceptionally well-behaved and served as excellent ambassadors for our school. Well done, Year 4.

On Monday, the reading ambassadors attended our first live Hackney Reading Ambassadors meeting at Hackney Town Hall. The children represented the school with confidence and maturity. They shared what they have been doing at Betty Layward Primary to promote reading across the school. They were also given additional ideas on how to excite and encourage their peers to read. They were also visited by the poet Christian Foley, who challenged the children to create their own tongue twisters.

I have shared our guidance on using school WhatsApp groups. Please ensure these messages are only about PTFA events and how you can support them. If you have any questions regarding the school, please come to me directly. Thank you for your cooperation. Parents and carers have mentioned that sometimes there are too many messages, too many complaints about minor issues, or content unrelated to the PTFA.

We are looking for new volunteers to take on roles within the PTFA. We will need a new secretary and someone to organise online raffles for the fairs. If you are interested in these roles, please let me know. There are some great school benefits associated with these roles and the money raised by the PTFA makes a significant difference to the school. We have a fantastic school community, and I am confident there are many excellent candidates out there. Please email me if you are interested.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 9th January 2026

Fri 09 Jan 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year. I hope you had a lovely break. It is wonderful to see everyone back. The children have arrived back with big smiles and very positive attitudes. The children had a great time playing in the snow.

Please remember to check the school calendar for any dates this term. You can link this to your own calendar, which can be helpful. There are many events to look forward to, including assemblies, parents’ meetings and many other dates which are all listed there.

Please remember not to bring mobile phones into the school when dropping off or collecting your child. Also, remember that Year 5 and 6 students are not allowed to bring smartphones to school. You can sign the pact at https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/parent-pact-results?school=england%2F131706, which supports delaying the introduction of smartphones to our children.

Please remind your child to bring a coat to school, as the weather can be cold. Please ensure all items are named, as we often find gloves, scarves, and hats left around the school.

We can only administer prescribed medication that needs to be taken four times a day. We cannot keep unprescribed medicines, creams, or lip balms at school. Please give any prescribed medicines directly to the office, not to your child and avoid leaving them in their bags, due to allergy and safety concerns.

We are now providing birthday treats for the children. To accommodate allergies and keep things straightforward, we no longer accept cakes. We think it’s lovely for children to receive something from us. Thank you for your support with this.

Below is some information about a cricket club in Stoke Newington and a tennis opportunity:

Come and play cricket at Stoke Newington Cricket Club. We are proud to have revitalised cricket in East London, creating a lively hub on Hackney Marshes. Since 1999, we’ve become one of the most successful junior clubs in the capital. Our mission is to give as many young people as possible the chance to enjoy and play cricket at the highest level they can. Our successful junior teams from Under 8s to Under 17s often win local leagues and compete for County honours. Last summer, two boys and three girls from the club were selected for Middlesex County Squads, and one of our former juniors made her first-class debut for the Middlesex Women’s team. Our team of professional coaches runs weekly training sessions year-round for children aged 5 to 17. Indoor training begins on the weekend of 9/10/11 January at four venues in Hackney: Bridge Academy, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, Britannia Leisure Centre, and COLA Shoreditch Park. All dates and times are listed at:

https://www.stokenewingtoncricketclub.com/training

No booking is required, and the first two sessions are free. After children settle in, there is an annual membership fee of £25 (which includes a free club shirt and cap) plus £75 for this term’s nine sessions, or a proportional fee if joining halfway through. For more information, contact Duncan Holden at sncc@btinternet.com or visit our website: stokenewingtoncricketclub.com

Calling All Future Tennis Stars (Under 8s)

Is your child the next Wimbledon champion, or do they love to run, jump, throw, and play? A special Tennis Talent ID & Fun Session is being held at Mossbourne Academy, and your child is welcome to join. This two-hour session will be energetic and inclusive. Whether your child is trying a racket for the first time or already has a solid forehand, our coaching team looks forward to seeing them.

Event Details

When: Saturday, 10th January 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Age Group: Under 8s (Red Ball Level)

Where: Mossbourne Academy

Cost: Free

Led by Coach Javier Lee, the session will include:

- Skill Activities: Developing coordination and ball skills.

- Action-Packed Games: Ensuring fun throughout.

- Mini Matches: Showcasing skills in a friendly setting.

This isn’t just a taster; it’s an insight into the Hackney Tennis Performance Programme. We aim to give everyone opportunities, and some players may be invited to join our specialised HT sessions for further development. Need more info? Contact Coach Javier at javier@hackneytennis.co.uk

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 19th December 2025

Fri 19 Dec 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of another term, and it has been a wonderful one. The Year 2 and Key Stage 2 children were fantastic during our Christmas performance on Tuesday. The children sang confidently and with smiles. The songs were not easy and they did exceptionally well. The children playing instruments, reciting poems, and hosting were also outstanding. Well done to all the children, and thank you for attending and for your support, especially those of you who stayed until the end. Your presence truly means a lot to the children.

The children enjoyed parties this week and had a special guest who gave each child a gift. They had a great time, and it was lovely to see their smiles.

We sadly say farewell to two teaching assistants, Oli and Maddison. Oli is pursuing a course in child mental health practice, which is fantastic, and Maddison is moving back to Canada. We thank them for their hard work and we will greatly miss them. We are pleased to welcome a new Year 5 teaching assistant, Admira. We are still looking for a new teaching assistant for Year 3. I am sure you will join me in thanking all our staff who work incredibly hard to give the children the best possible opportunities.

I want to thank you for being such wonderful families. We are very fortunate to have such kind and supportive parents and carers at Betty Layward. Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness.

I hope you have a very lovely holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Happy Hanukkah.

See you in 2026 (on Tuesday, 6^th January)

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter - Friday December 12th 2025

Fri 12 Dec 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you have had a good week. We thoroughly enjoyed the Year 1 and Reception nativity performances this week. The children were outstanding, singing and speaking with great confidence. I was very impressed. We are extremely proud of the children and they should be proud of themselves. They were truly amazing. The Nursery delivered a fantastic performance today, and it was lovely to see them singing with big smiles. They delighted everyone with their joyful Christmas singing this morning, filling the room with festive cheer. Their bright smiles, confident voices, and heartfelt enthusiasm made the performance a truly special moment for everyone. Thank you to our parents and carers for coming.

All the children enjoyed their Christmas lunch today, and their hats looked amazing. It’s wonderful to see the children having such a fantastic time.

Our Year 2 to Year 6 performance will take place at St Matthias Church on Tuesday at 10:15am. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Betty Layward Chess team performed exceptionally well at a chess tournament last week, finishing 2nd out of 12 schools. It was a brilliant performance and the whole school is very proud of them. Huge congratulations to the team. Well done to Sacha, Gene, Jacob, George, Al, Henry, Lorcan, Kevin, Cyrus and Lucas.

The Winter Fair was a great success on Saturday, and it was fantastic to see so many of you there. A big thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who donated. These events truly make a difference for the school, and it was a very memorable occasion.

The classes have been entertaining the children with Elf on the Shelf, and I have attached some photos for you to enjoy. The children love coming into school in the morning to see what the elf has been up to.

We have added a new area to our Opal Play. The children are full of excitement as they zoom around the playground on scooters. They have built imaginary tracks, take turns, cheer each other on, and find new ways to play together. We are currently asking for donations to restock our Opal resources. Donation crates are at the front of the school. We would especially appreciate wellies and waterproofs.

Our road safety officers are on site in the mornings to keep the entrance clear and ensure no one is using their mobile phones. They do an excellent job and are really helping. Please listen to them if they ask you to move. We need to keep the entrance free of obstruction. I appreciate your support with this.

We will finish on Friday at 1pm, and there will be no after-school club. Please collect your children at 1pm and please do not be late.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher