A warm welcome back and a very happy new year to you all! I hope you've had a wonderful festive season and are feeling refreshed and ready for the exciting term ahead.

It's been absolutely delightful to see our pupils return to school with such enthusiasm and positivity. Their eagerness to learn and engage with their studies has been truly inspiring, and it fills me with pride to see how well they've settled back into their routines. The buzz of excitement and chatter in the corridors is a testament to their joy in reconnecting with friends and teachers alike.

I'm thrilled to share some fantastic news about recent events and developments at our school. First and foremost, we had an incredible 55 children participate in the Young Voices concert. What an amazing opportunity for our pupils to be part of such a large-scale musical event! The experience of singing alongside thousands of other children is sure to have created lasting memories and fostered a love for music and performance.

As part of the PE curriculum, this term Years 1, 2, 3, and 5 will be having weekly yoga lessons with expert teacher Hannah. These sessions are designed to promote mindfulness, flexibility, and relaxation techniques that our pupils can use both in and out of school. It's wonderful to see our children embracing these practises with such enthusiasm and open-mindedness.

I'm also delighted to announce that after a long wait, our new boiler is finally up and running! The work, which began last summer, has now been completed, and we're reaping the benefits of our new ground-sourced heating system. This eco-friendly solution not only ensures a comfortable learning environment for our pupils but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.

As we embark on this new term, I'm filled with optimism about the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead for our school community. The dedication of our staff, the support of our parents, and the enthusiasm of our pupils continue to make South Milford Primary School a vibrant and nurturing place of learning.

Here's to a term filled with growth, discovery, and achievement. Let's continue to work together to make this year our best yet!

Reception: Maeve for writing words independently and exploring all areas of the classroom with enthusiam

Year 1: Hudson for amazing enthusiasm in your first week back.

Year 1 for everyone completing every challenge this week.

Year 2: Rosalie for working hard in exploration time and completing learning challenges well.

Year 3: William for being an amazing coach during learning and having a great week.

Arabelle H for being an absolute star at Young Voices!

Year 4: Oscar H for amazing writing including all the key features.

Year 5: Rory for a fantastic first week back, at young voices and in class. Your sense of humour is unmatched.

Year 6: Joseph for working so hard all week.

Charlie for being amazing all week producing some fantastic writing.

Staff- Mrs Wright for taking us on a fantastic trip and singing your heart out.

Noah (Y6) for fantastic effort in school and always trying your best, challenging yourself.

Ernest (Y2)for working really hard in Guided Reading

Emily (Y1) for determination in PE dribbling a basketball.

Harry S (R) for trying really hard with your reading, writing and letter sounds.

Welcome Back

• Welcome back to a new school term. Please see our newsletter for an update on fundraising so far and what your money has done for the children already!

• At the start of the new school year we also wanted to remind everyone about out WhatsApp groups and share our policy.

Nativity Costumes

• Did you know that the PTA collects used nativity costumes and rents them out for the nativity every year for a small fee? This is a budget and planet friendly way to get your costumes and raise money for the school.

• We are currently collecting costumes - there will be a collection box in school all week next week so please consider donating your child's used costumes.

Events for your diaries

Thank you all for your support last term. Below is a list of planned events this term:

• February Friendship Disco- Thursday 13th February

• Sponsored walk for Geography

• Lego competition

Bun Days

• Year 4 - 3rd February

• Year 3 - 3rd March

• Year 2 - 31st March

We are delighted to share some exciting news with our school community. We have recently been awarded the Healthy School Silver Award, a testament to our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of both our children and staff.

This recognition highlights our dedication to fostering a positive environment that prioritises the emotional health of everyone in our school family. We continue to strive for excellence in supporting the holistic development of our children, ensuring they have the tools to thrive both academically and emotionally. Thank you all for your continued support in making our school a nurturing place for all.

15.01.2025- 16.01.2025 Parents' Evenings

11.02.2025 E-Safety Day

13.02.2025 Stay and Play 2:15pm Reception

16.02.2025 School closes to pupils

22.02.2025 School re-opens to pupils

06.03.2025 World Book Day

14.03.2025 Comic Relief

28.03.2025 Mother’s Day Stay and Play

04.04.2025 School closes to pupils

When purchasing new school bags, please consider their size carefully. Our cloakroom space is limited, and children need to bring very little to school. A bag that can accommodate their PE kit should suffice for most needs.

Additionally, we kindly ask that all coats have hooks for easy hanging, and that all items are clearly labelled with your child's name. These small considerations greatly help in maintaining an organised and efficient school environment.

Reception: 95%

Year 1: 93.2%

Year 2: 94.1%

Year 3: 98.6%

Year 4: 98.9%

Year 5: 93.3%

Year 6: 92.4%

Whole school attendance this week 95.4%

Well done everyone!

This month’s edition of the StarMat’s parent safeguarding newsletter has a digital focus with the Christmas period coming. The key items this month are:

• New devices for Christmas
• Gaming
• App focus: Twitch

If you have any concerns or questions, please speak with a member of the school safeguarding team: Mrs Lawrence, Mrs Ward, Mrs Wright or Mrs Speake.

Best wishes and stay safe

Mrs Lawrence

Email: admin@sm.starmat.uk
Website: http://www.southmilfordprimary.co.uk
Location: South Milford Community Primary School, Sand Lane, South Milford, Leeds, UK
Phone: 01977 682359
Twitter: @southmilfordcp