Dear Families and Friends,

With football filling the headlines and England’s World Cup team battling through the tense play-off rounds, it has been a joy to celebrate success a little closer to home. Our boys’ school team have won the St Bart’s Community Shield against very strong competition.

As Mr Hitchings reported, we welcomed eight different schools for a fantastic day of competitive football and excellent sportsmanship. The morning saw two closely fought group stages, followed by exciting knockout rounds in the afternoon. St Bart’s performed brilliantly throughout and went on to win the competition, lifting the trophy for a third time and becoming the most successful team in the tournament’s history. A huge well done to all the children involved for their effort, teamwork and positive attitude. We are incredibly proud of how they represented the school..

With a confirmed very early Monday morning kick off at the Azteca Stadium, please do ensure that children arrive at school on time. It may feel like an extra time effort for some, but we will provide energy-boosting snacks and children will have the chance to enjoy some of the highlights together. Our older pupils, of course, will be straight into final rehearsals for our production of High School Musical this week. Tickets are still available for what promises to be a lively and uplifting show. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Our teachers have been working diligently to complete annual reports, which will be sent home on Friday. Thank you for your continued support in recognising the care and thought that goes into these. There has been a national delay in schools receiving SATs results, but we will share all relevant information with appropriate year group families as soon as it becomes available.

It was a real pleasure to meet some of our newer families at the Early Years parents’ meeting on Tuesday evening. As we begin to look towards the summer, I encourage us all to make time for reading: with our children, to our children, and for ourselves. Books have a wonderful way of opening minds and shaping hearts. As it says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is supreme – so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.” Reading is such a powerful place to begin.

Wishing you all a happy and restful weekend.

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