Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to school for a brand new academic year! We hope that you all had a wonderful, relaxing summer with your families.
We have enjoyed welcoming back our Year 1 and Year 2 children this week and are really pleased that the children have settled so well into their new classes!
Term Dates
Regular attendance is crucial for your child’s academic, social and emotional progress. We know that our children achieve their best when they are in school every day learning alongside their friends and classmates. School starts at 8:50am and all children must be in school by 9:00am when the doors close. After this time, the pupils are late for their learning. The most intensive lessons often begin first thing in the morning so it is important for all children to be at school on time.
Please find below a calendar showing when school holidays and INSET days will be taking place this academic year. In line with Department for Education guidance, we can not authorise term time holidays.
Nursery and Reception
Our Early Years team have been very busy this week getting ready for our new Nursery and Reception children starting from Monday! Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life and we do our best to ensure a smooth transition, making sure that children are happy and settled from the beginning of their time with us. If your child is starting with us next week, please talk to them about all of the new friends they are going to make and the fun they are going to have with us at school.
Reception children start on Monday at 8:50am and finish at 12:30pm. From Tuesday, they will be with us full time every day, 8:50am – 3:10pm.
Nursery children are starting in small groups over the course of the week. You will have received a letter detailing when your child is starting and their transition programme with us.
Children starting school is also a big moment for families. If you have any worries at all about your child starting school, please speak to your child’s class teacher as we will always work in partnership with you in your child’s best interests.
New Library – Sneak Peek!
Last year, we were very fortunate to win a nationwide competition for a brand new, state of the art school library! The building team have been in over the summer holidays creating an immersive magical woodland themed library for everyone to share and enjoy.
We will have a grand opening later this term and can’t wait to open this exciting new space for our children!
Meet the Teacher
Next week, we will host our Meet the Teacher meetings for Year 1 and Year 2. This is an opportunity for families to meet the staff working with their children and find out more about the year ahead, including how you can support your child at home. Please enter the school via the gate on Davington Road.
Year 1 – Wednesday 9th September 8:55am
Year 2 – Wednesday 9th September 2:30pm
Uniform
At Dorothy Barley Infant School, we have high standards regarding school uniform. Please ensure that your child is dressed in full school uniform, including plain black shoes and our school book bag. Unfortunately we do not have space in school to store larger bags and rucksacks. PE lessons will begin from next week, so please ensure that your child has their PE kit with them in school.
Have a lovely weekend!
Mrs S O’Hara
Head of School
