Dear Families and Friends,

What a positive start we have had to the new school year. The children have settled back remarkably well, and it has been lovely to see classrooms busy, friendships renewed and everyone beginning to find the rhythm of a new term.

Last week, we introduced our children to an idea that we will keep returning to throughout the year: Facing a Challenge with Courage leads to Confidence to Cope.

Winston and Willow are helping us to think about what bravery really looks like. And, with the Great North Run taking place today, we have a particularly good example right here on our doorstep.

Thousands of people made their way from Newcastle towards the finish line in South Shields. For some, the challenge was achieving a particular time. For others, it was simply reaching the end. There will almost certainly have been moments when runners felt tired, uncomfortable or tempted to stop. They don't complete the whole race in one enormous leap. They do it one step at a time.

That is a helpful picture of courage for our children too and the Bible uses exactly this image: “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Christian courage isn't about being the fastest, strongest or most fearless person in the room. It is about continuing faithfully, taking the next step and knowing that we do not face life's challenges alone.

We want children to understand that bravery at school will usually look quite ordinary. It might be putting your hand up when you aren't completely sure of the answer; walking into school confidently when you would rather hold on to Mum or Dad for another minute; reading aloud; joining a game; trying a piece of work that looks difficult; asking for help rather than pretending you understand; saying sorry; admitting a mistake; speaking kindly to somebody who is on their own; performing in front of others; trying again after getting something wrong; or telling a trusted adult when something is worrying you.

These may seem like small things to an adult, but for a child they can sometimes require real courage.

And that is how genuine confidence grows. We don't become confident first and then attempt difficult things. Very often, we attempt something with courage and discover afterwards that we were able to cope. So, if your son or daughter tells you this week that something at school feels difficult, you might ask: “What could one brave step look like?” It doesn't have to be a Great North Run. Sometimes the next hundred metres will do!

Thank you for your patience while the new meal arrangements have been settling in. The SwiftKitchen app has now been updated with allergy information and most Free School Meal information.

The council is continuing to work through a backlog of applications following the Government's new arrangements. If you receive Universal Credit and are unexpectedly being asked through SwiftKitchen to pay for your child's meals, please contact the school office. We will do our best to investigate and get things sorted for you.

It is also worth remembering that children registered for Targeted Free School Meals continue to receive the additional benefits linked to this, including Pupil Premium funding, free access to Breakfast Club and free milk. Please do contact us if you are unsure about your child's position.

Dates for the Year Ahead

We know how helpful it is for families to have important dates as early as possible, so here is our current calendar for the year. Some church dates remain provisional until they have been confirmed by the church, and there will inevitably be more trips, sporting events, festivals and special days added as the year develops.

• INSET / Training Days: Just one remaining. We intend to use our final INSET day to help staff prepare for the forthcoming National Curriculum changes, expected to be announced during the spring term.
• Harvest Church Service: Monday 19th October*
• Autumn Parents' Evenings: Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th November
• Christmas Nativities: Early Years – Tuesday 8th December (am); KS1 – Wednesday 9th December (am); KS2 – Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th December (pm)
• Christmas Church Service: Thursday 17th December*
• Spring Parents' Evenings: Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd March
• Easter Church Service: Wednesday 24th March*
• SATs Week: week beginning Monday 10th May
• Reports Home: Friday 9th July
• Class 6 Production: Thursday 8th and Friday 9th July
• Move Up Morning: Tuesday 13th July
• Sports Days: KS1 – Tuesday 13th July (pm); EY – Wednesday 14th July (am); KS2 – Thursday 15th July (pm)
• Celebration Church Service: Wednesday 14th July*

*Church dates remain provisional until confirmed.

Our lunchtime and after-school clubs will begin shortly and will generally run for around 10–12 weeks each term. Mrs Whitaker is currently confirming the programme with staff, and we will send details to families as soon as everything is ready.

You will also begin to hear more from FOBS – Friends of Bartholomew's School – the new name for our former PTA. There are events and opportunities to get involved coming soon.

And, of course, the dates above are only part of the year. There will be trips, sporting events, festivals, visitors, special days and plenty of other opportunities along the way. We'll keep you updated as these are confirmed.

Thank you for such a positive start to the year and for the encouragement you give your children and the school. Whether it is running 13.1 miles through Newcastle and Gateshead, tackling a difficult maths problem, walking through the school gate, making a new friend or simply having another go, the principle is much the same:

Face the Challenge.
Choose Courage.
Build Confidence.
Learn that you can Cope.

One brave step at a time...

Yours sincerely,
Mr Restall & The St Bart’s Team