Dear Families and Friends,

Firstly, before it slips down the agenda, our class photos are this Monday morning. Please make sure that all the children are in school, on time, and in their best uniform. For various reasons, we missed this opportunity last year, and I know that many families love to have a photo of the whole class. In my office, I am surrounded by these pictures, reminding me daily of who I serve and should focus on in all the decisions that I make.

As promised, let’s talk about school communication. At St Bart’s, we know how important good communication is between home and school. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been listening carefully to your feedback - through our online survey, conversations, and various parents' meetings - as well as reflecting on what works best for both staff and families. We've also taken time as a staff team to consider how we can communicate clearly, consistently, and warmly with all of our families, while making sure our focus stays on teaching, learning and pupil wellbeing. This isn’t the first time we’ve reviewed how we communicate. In the past, for example, we moved towards digital platforms like MarvellousMe and School Gateway in response to parent requests. A few years ago, we also introduced these regular email updates and reduced sending home frequent paper letters. Some of those choices worked well, but it’s clear that what our families need and prefer changes over time - and so, we’re adapting again.

Here’s a quick summary of what’s new or continuing:

   🔹 News Emails – sent out most weeks, with key dates and reminders.
   🔹 MarvellousMe – still used to share successes and updates from the classroom - but please note, it’s one-way only unless you Hi5 back!
   🔹 Text Messages – reserved for urgent or emergency information.
   🔹 Paper Letters – now only used when absolutely necessary.
   🔹 Face-to-Face Chats – staff will be out on the playground at the start and end of most days. We’re encouraging warm but brief conversations - please don’t be offended if teachers need to head inside to get started with the day.
   🔹 Phone Calls & Office Emails – always the main option for more complex or private matters. Emails sent to the office will be read by senior leaders first to ensure staff aren’t overwhelmed, and to help get you the right support.
   🔹 Parent-Teacher Consultations – held each autumn and spring, with written reports at the end of the year. You’ll also be able to request a brief meeting after your child’s report if you’d like to talk more.
   🔹 Clubs, Breakfast & Activities Club – these should be booked using School Gateway, and all updates will come via that system. Teachers will keep an accurate register, and we’ll aim to avoid unnecessary texts wherever possible.

All of this is part of our ongoing commitment to making school feel open, responsive, and connected. We know we won’t always get it perfect, but we’ll keep listening and adjusting. A full version of our communication strategy - and a handy decision tree for parents - will soon be available on our website and from the school office. Thank you again for your input - it really does make a difference.

It is only two weeks until our PTA Summer Fayre, and books of raffle tickets came home to each family (not each child) this week. More are available, and any unsold tickets should be returned to school asap. We know that the prizes will be keenly sought after.

New for St Bart's, we are also planning a Car Boot sale on 12th July - weather permitting. Look out for extra info coming out very soon.

This week, it was an absolute delight to watch our Performing Arts Club take the stage at Whitely Bay Playhouse. What a performance! I always enjoy watching and listening to the children from the various schools that take part, but I think that St Bart's definitely stole the show again.

Each summer term, we usually take part in the Cremona Shield football competition. As it was cancelled this year, we decided to take it on and host our own competition for the schools that have taken part in the past. The girls played last week, and the boys played on Wednesday - and won! Tremendous news and even more to be proud of. Read more about this on our PE and Sports page.

Upcoming dates:

• New Parents' Meeting: Thursday 26th June (Teaching Hall)
• Annual Reports Home: Friday 4th July
• Peter Pan Production: Thursday 10th and Friday 11th July (PE Hall)
• Car Boot Sale: Saturday 12th July (weather permitting)
• Move-Up Morning: Tuesday 15th July
• KS1 Sports' Day: Wednesday 16th July (afternoon)
• Leavers' Service: Wednesday 16th July @ 2pm (Church)
• Early Years Sports' Day: Thursday 17th July (morning)
• KS2 Sports' Day: Thursday 17th July (afternoon)

Next year's term dates are now available on our website, with the plan to share most of our other key dates with you in early September.

Have a restful weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Restall & The St Bart's Team