Dear Families and Friends,

The summer term has brought more sun and fun at St Bart's, and this last week, with many across the country, we marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day: with a moment of silence as a school and various classroom activities. It has been fascinating to hear the questions and perspectives of the children. In many ways, life is very different for our children compared to 80 years ago, yet the world faces similar issues. Political tensions continue to exist, news of war is not far away, and many families have to budget carefully. In other ways, there are many freedoms that we may sometimes take for granted, and amazing access to resources and information - something that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago - that are within the grasp of even our youngest children. Remembering times, such as World War II, and listening to those who lived through those times, brings a valuable perspective to our lives today. How do we view the problems that we face? In the big picture of life, do they really matter so much? What can we learn from the past that helps us deal with our current issues and prevent future problems? There is wisdom that we should not ignore, and we should encourage and equip our children to be responsible and resilient citizens of the future.

Plans for our PTA Summer Fayre have been made. We will be holding it on Saturday 28th June, so put this date in your diary now! We'll be sharing more details in the coming weeks, but we really need your help. Let's build on the successes of recent events, and make some more enjoyable memories for our children.

If you haven't signed up for our summer term after-school clubs, many of which have either started or begin next week, you need to do so this weekend. Spaces are limited, so go to School Gateway and see what's still available.

Our school meals are both good quality and value. On Thursday, we'll be having a seaside-themed day (see below), so order something tasty and nutritious for your child(ren) on Appetite. We have kept meal prices low for a long time. Sadly, as costs have risen, we cannot absorb all of these for much longer. Therefore, there will be a slight increase in meal costs from September to £2.70 per day. Remember, if you are entitled to benefits-related Free School Meals, as well as getting your child's lunch for free, the school also benefits from extra funds to support all that we do. The process is very easy: just visit this North Tyneside page. If you are a Newcastle resident, click here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Restall & The St Bart's Team