Dear Parents/Carers,
We are in the last week of yet another academic year and getting ready to say goodbye to our lovely Year 6 pupils!
Thank you!
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to you all for everything you have done to support our school over this year. Your support is always greatly appreciated and it helps us keep our school the happy learning environment we have all come to value.
A message to Year 6
What a great group of youngsters you are and how your resilience has grown this year — well done! You had an amazing time in London and you will have made some brilliant memories of that time together. On the last day of term, we will cheer and clap you down the school drive to encourage you in the next part of your journey. We will really miss you all but everyone at St Thomas's wishes you all the very best and good luck in your new school in September.
Mr Pemberton news
It is with great sadness that we will say goodbye to Mr Pemberton at the end of the autumn term. Mr Pemberton has been a valued member of the teaching team at St Thomas's for several years. He is now entering a new phase of his own teaching journey, as he is to become Headteacher of Broughton-in-Furness CE Primary School from January 2025. Mr Pemberton will remain the class teacher of Year 5 until the end of December. We will advertise and appoint a new teacher early into the new academic year and will inform parents of the appointment then.
Last day of term — Friday 19th July
We want to ensure that our Year 6 children get a good send off this year! The Year 6 Leavers' Service will take place in St Thomas's church on Friday morning. All parents of children in Year 6 are invited to join us.
- Lunch time will be a whole school picnic for the children outside.
- End of the day — the whole school will be outside on the playground at 1.45pm; Year 6 parents welcome to join us. We will then say our fond farewell to Year 6.
- The children will be dismissed from their door/gate as usual at 2pm, after we have said goodbye to Year 6.
Back to school for the new year
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to school for the start of our new academic year on Wednesday 4th September. September 2024 classes will be staffed as follows:
| Class | Staff |
|---|---|
| Nursery | Miss Bryson |
| Reception | Mrs Cunliffe |
| Year 1 | Mrs Beresford |
| Year 2 | Mrs Hope |
| Year 3 | Mrs Wright & Mrs Massara |
| Year 4 | Mr Parker |
| Year 5 | Mr Pemberton |
| Year 6 | Mrs Taylor & Mrs Massara |
Important information for 2024–2025
- School attendance is compulsory. We will follow up any non-attendance immediately through either Seesaw or telephone. Please make sure your child attends school every day unless they are ill. On no account am I allowed to authorise 'holidays' unless there are exceptional circumstances. Parents will need to set these out in a letter to me, as Headteacher, at least 6 weeks prior to any leave of absence being requested. Strict new attendance guidelines come into being on 19th August, and there is no longer an authorised code for holidays.
- Larks and Owls will resume in September to support working parents. Please remember to book your child's place in advance — it gets very busy and places may have to be limited.
- Larks opening times — Breakfast Club will now open from 7.30am following requests from parents. Please contact school as soon as possible if you wish your child to attend this earlier session. Additional charges will be shared shortly.
- All pupils are expected to wear full school uniform unless it is their class PE day, when they should come in their School PE uniform (available through Identity).
- Start and finish times for each class will remain staggered, helping all children — particularly those with SEND — come into school calm and ready to learn.
- Your child's new class teacher will share any essential information (through Seesaw/email) before the new academic year.
- Resources and equipment are provided for each child. Please do not send pencil cases, toys or other items from home — just a book bag and a refillable water bottle containing water only.
- Queries and concerns can be emailed or telephoned through to the School Office or Class Teacher, or shared through Seesaw.
- Safeguarding: no parents or carers will be permitted to enter the school premises/building without an appointment.
Finally, have a lovely Summer Break — when it eventually arrives! Enjoy family time together and cherish the memories you will make. Thank you for your continued support.
Maggie Cole, Headteacher