Year 2: News items
Online Safety Hub, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 28th Aug 2024 @ 11:24am
Dear Parent, Find out how to keep your child safe online. Don’t forget, that the Online Safety Hub is now live! You can access it for free here: https://marusbridge.onlinesafetyhub.uk The Online Safety Hub is a brand-new online resource with lots of expert advice and guidance to help you manage your child's safety online as a parent. It includes information on the latest hot topics when it comes to keeping children safe, such as how to manage your child's screen time, understand the latest gaming platforms, what they mean for your child’s safety and lots more. We’re also offering you as a parent, a free Qustodio account facilitating parental controls on any individual device and free premium access for 30 days. Gain more visibility on what’s going on in your child’s online world. Block dangerous content, introduce screen-free schedules, receive alerts for inappropriate content, keep tabs on their location and more. Follow the link to create your free account https://www.qustodio.com/en/30-days-school-special/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=OSHub &utm_campaign=marusbridge-uk If you have any questions on any of the above, please get in touch
We got GOLD!!!! School Games, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 19th Jul 2024 @ 11:12am
We have been awared the school games gold award for 2023-2024. Well done to everyone involved.
Online Safety Hub, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 18th Jul 2024 @ 8:29am
The Hub is better than ever with a new look and new features that make it easier to help parents keep their children safe online and it is now live.
Take a look at the redesign https://marusbridge.onlinesafetyhub.uk/ especially over the summer time when the chidlren will be spending more time on their devices.
MBPS Outstanding Enrichment, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 17th Jul 2024 @ 9:38am
OUTSTANDING ENRICHMENT
Dear Parents / Guardian
Please find attached a list of Enrichment Activities we have provided this academic year.
Throughout the year there are curriculum related educational visits or school-based workshops so that Marus Bridge’s curriculum remains innovative and meets the needs of every learner by deepening children’s learning experiences.
In addition, we give our pupils the opportunity to experience theatre, life education skills, an enormous variety of sports and activity clubs as well as contributing to the wider community through charitable support.
We appreciate that financially what we offer can be challenging for some families and value the contributions that you make to ensure that the various opportunities can go ahead. Transport costs, insurance and visit/workshop charges soon mount up these days. So, thank you again for your support.
As a school, we subsidise every enrichment activity. This is to try to keep the costs to parents/carers to a minimum and we are grateful to the Friends Of Marus Bridge Association for their considerable financial support in paying towards a number of the enrichment opportunities yearly. If we cannot meet the cost of visits, workshops or experiences then they would not be able to proceed.
We believe that the children of Marus Bridge deserve the best primary school experience possible, and we strive to ensure that their lives are enriched why they are with us. If you have any ideas on what activities, clubs, trips might further enhance our enrichment offer that we do not currently provide, please get in touch and we can look into this for the next academic year.
Thank you again for supporting our vision in providing outstanding opportunities for Marus Bridge Pupils.
Kind Regards
Mrs A. Atkinson & Mrs A. Hurst
End of Term Newsletter 24.05.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 24th May 2024 @ 1:52pm
Newsletter 17.05.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 17th May 2024 @ 11:40am
- Monday 20th May – Reception and Y6 Graduation Photographs
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WB Monday 20th May - Healthy Living Week
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Wednesday 22nd May EYFS & KS1 Sport's days - Reception Classes then 1.30 – 3.00 Y1 and Y2 (KS1)
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Thursday 23rd May KS2 Sport's days- Y3 and Y4 (LKS2) then 1.30 – 3.00 Y5 and Y6 (UKS2)
- Friday 24th May - Non-uniform day for Summer Fest and End of Term
- Monday 3rd June - School closed for staff INSET day
- Tuesday 4th June – School reopens for Summer Term 2
Newsletter 10.05.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 13th May 2024 @ 2:03pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
Success all round in Y5 today. Firstly, Mrs Bower’s Class took us on a whistlestop tour of their learning this year, from the glorious Greeks to some smelly science – a great performance by all involved. Well done to all the children who represented the school in the Y5 football tournament – we are super proud of you. Updates on Sky Sports News later! 😊
To our wonderful Y6 cohort – good luck with your SAT tests next week. We could not be prouder of how hard you have worked and the determination you have shown each and everyday. You will smash it next week! Don’t forget Y6 pupils can arrive from 8.30am onwards for a piece of toast and drink next week.
Hats and Water Bottles
Now we are (dare I say it) experiencing some warm weather, on sunny days please can children be sent with caps/sun hats for break-times and their water bottles. Some of the juniors have not had bottles this week.
Sports Day
You are invited to join us and spectate on the field – entrance will be at the gate from the corner of the school field near the Y6 classrooms. In the event of inclement weather, we may have to postpone and rearrange, but will let you know asap.
- Wednesday 22nd May at 9.30 – 11.00 Reception then 1.30 – 3.00 Y1 and Y2 (KS1)
- Thursday 23rd May at 9.30 – 11.00 Y3 and Y4 (LKS2) then 1.30 – 3.00 Y5 and Y6 (UKS2)
Please send children in PE kits.
Pupil Premium Funding
We would like to ask all of our parents/ carers from reception to Year 6 to consider whether they might meet the criteria for free school meals for their child(ren). This would help to ensure that the school does not miss out on additional pupil premium funding. A simple way to check to see if your child(ren) may be entitled to free school meals is via the link below or giving us a call in school.
Free school meals, pupil premium, and EYPP (wigan.gov.uk)
Also, there is a very good article on the Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert website which provides some useful information.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-school-meals/
Friday Attendance
Whilst analysing attendance data, we have noticed that Fridays are our most poorly attended day of the week. Please can I encourage you to avoid keeping children off school unnecessarily and support us in improving our Friday attendance. As a school, we celebrate pupils with 100% attendance by entering them into our Monthly prize draw to win a £10 shopping voucher.
Safer Roads Event
In partnership with Safer Roads Greater Manchester and Wigan Council, Good Egg Safety are running a FREE child car seat checking event at Wigan Tesco (WN1 1XS), between 10am-3pm, Friday 7th June 2024.
Please find the leaflet for the event attached to this email and here is the Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/459785479903747/?ref=newsfeed
New Starters 24
We are looking forward to seeing parents of our new starters to our welcome meeting on Tuesday 21st May. Please feel free to arrive from 5.30pm onwards, aiming to begin at 6pm. If you have not already done so, please email the office to accept your child's place at school. Admission forms were also sent recently via email and we kindly request that you complete and submit them by the 21st May We still have a few places available for September, so if friends or family are moving into the area etc, please ask them to get in contact with the school office for a tour.
Key Whole School Dates:
- Monday 13th to Thursday 16th May – Y6 SATS
- Friday 17th May - Mrs Hurst/Collier’s Class Assembly
- Monday 20th May – Reception and Y6 Graduation Photographs
- Wednesday 22nd May at 9.30 – 11.00 Reception Classes then 1.30 – 3.00 Y1 and Y2 (KS1)
- Thursday 23rd May at 9.30 – 11.00 Y3 and Y4 (LKS2) then 1.30 – 3.00 Y5 and Y6 (UKS2)
- WB Monday 20th May - Healthy Living Week
- Friday 24th May - Non-uniform day for Summer Fest and End of Term
- Monday 3rd June - School closed for staff INSET day
- Tuesday 4th June – School reopens for Summer Term 2
Many thanks,
Mr Aldridge
Digital Safety Meeting, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 3rd May 2024 @ 10:50am
Thankyou to the parents and family members that came today to our digital online safety meeting. I hope you found it very useful. The children presented brilliantly through, facts, song and poetry before Lyndsey from Smoothwall gave some fantastic information. Don’t forget to go onto our school website, go to the class pages and click the link for the online safety hub. You can search for how to secure your child devices as well as for information on apps and games they are using and don’t forget to sign up to the parent app (FREE) so you can keep a check on what your child is viewing on their electronic devices. https://marusbridge.onlinesafetyhub.uk/
Newsletter 26.04.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 26th Apr 2024 @ 3:17pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
Firstly, would you give your children a pat on the back from me to say well done for promoting and living out our school core values. We have had various visitors to school this week, and I have been complemented by them separately on how determined, polite and respectful our children were in class and around school.
New Starters 24
We are looking forward to seeing parents of our new starters to our welcome meeting on Tuesday 21st May. Please feel free to arrive from 5.30pm onwards; we are aiming to begin at 6pm. If you have not already done so, please email the office to accept your child's place at school. We still have a few places available for September, so if friends or family are moving into the area etc, please ask them to contact the school office for a tour – it would be great to meet them.
Healthy Living Week
WB Monday 20th May pupils will be taking part in lots of exciting activities delivered by experienced coaches, trainers, instructors & teachers including all with the main aim of promoting healthy lifestyles for our pupils. Please check out the separate PM next week from Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Heaton for all the details.
Marus Bridge Summer Fest 2024
Don't forget to keep Saturday 8th June free in your diary to come down to school and join in the fun – it is shaping up to be a cracking event! There is a non-uniform day on Friday 24th May for tombola items – Mrs Atkinson will send the details of that soon. If you can offer some of your time to help in any way at the Summer Fest, please let our FOMBA chair Adam know on 07730131000. Visit the FOMBA Facebook site too for all the details!
Football
We are proud of the Y6 football team, who beat St Paul’s comfortably this week – a talented bunch who gelled very nicely according to Mr Duncalf. Great feedback and onwards to the next match.
Finally
Thank you for the kind donations to the local family who suffered such loss in the house fire recently. A big shout out to Oliver in Y3, who purchased a giftcard to donate from his pocket money – immense kindness that really embodies our school core values.
Key Whole School Dates:
- Thursday 2nd May - Digital Safeguarding Day - Parent workshop at 2.15pm
- Friday 10th May – Mrs Bower’s Class Assembly
- Monday 13th to Thursday 16th May – Y6 SATS
- Friday 17th May - Mrs Hurst/Mrs Collier’s Class Assembly
- Monday 20th May – Reception and Y6 Graduation Photographs
- Wednesday 22nd May - Sports Day at 9.30 – 11.00 Reception Classes then 1.30 – 3.00 Y1 and Y2 (KS1)
- Thursday 23rd May - Sports Day at 9.30 – 11.00 Y3 and Y4 (LKS2) then 1.30 – 3.00 Y5 and Y6 (UKS2)
- WB Monday 20th May - Healthy Living Week
- Friday 24th May - Non-uniform day for Summer Fest and End of Term
- Monday 3rd June – School closed for staff INSET
- Tuesday 4th June – School Reopens for Summer Term
Many thanks,
Mr Aldridge
Measles update from Wigan Council, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 25th Mar 2024 @ 2:07pm
Please see infomration from Wigan Council regarding measels.
Newsletter 22.03.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 22nd Mar 2024 @ 3:02pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you to our Y2 children for a wonderful performance this morning, teaching us all about the maths you encounter each day in school. It was a pleasure to see all children speaking and singing their hearts out – you are a credit to us all!
Thanks also to FOMBA for arranging the film night which was a big hit!
Parents' Evening
Thank you for booking your parents’ evening slots for next week, we know how valuable they are and look forward to seeing you (please use the front entrance – there is no need to sign in). We will also be sharing our school survey throughout the week, so that we can take feedback and assess what we are doing well and learn how we can further improve our service to our children and families. There will be a QR code in the hall that takes you direct to the survey.
Autism Acceptance Week
Autism Acceptance Week is Monday 25th March-Thursday 28th March . TESS (Targeted Education Support Service) are offering some bitesize support sessions, these may be for those already on the pathway or for those who want to know more about autism. Similarly, if you have any questions you want to ask school , please call and arrange a discussion with Mrs Lloyd or Miss Evans who will be happy to spend time with you. Please see attachment for further details.
Education for Anxiety
Wigan Central Family Hub and the Mental Health Support Team are offering parent workshops that outline what anxiety is, the symptoms and strategies to help children manage it. Research tells us that this is something that is affecting a growing number of children and as a school we aim to grow our own expertise and strategies to support our children too. The links to book on the parent sessions are below. I would also ask you to contact Mrs Bish if you feel that your child is having such feelings or behaviours, so that we can coordinate further support in school should it be required. You can also pick up a leaflet compiled by our mental health leads from the office.
Session 1
Thursday 11th April, 1.00-2.30pm
Session 2
Thursday 11th April, 3.00-4.30pm
Session 3
Thursday 11th April, 5.00-6.30pm
Allergies
We would like to remind you that our school is a nut-free environment due to several students having nut allergies. We kindly request that you do not send any products containing nuts to school. This includes items such as peanut butter, chocolate bars with nuts, and Nutella-style chocolate spreads. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated as it helps us ensure the safety and well-being of all our students. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
SeeSaw
Please phone the office direct with messages about who is picking a child up, if you are running late or if pupils are ill etc. Due to being in class, teachers can only pick up messages following the end of the school day, when again there may be clubs, tutoring or meetings taking place. I appreciate your understanding.
Key School Dates:
- Monday 25th March - Tuesday 26th March - Parents' Evenings (NB Y4 Mrs Collier/Mrs Hurst run on Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Thursday 28th March - Close for Easter 3.15pm finish
- Monday 15th April - School opens for summer term
- Monday 13th May - Thursday 16th May - Y6 SATs
- Monday 20th May - Healthy Living Week begins - Details to follow
- Wednesday 22nd May - Sportsday - Reception AM - KS1 PM (times tbc)
- Thursday 23rd May - Sportsday - LKS2 AM- UKS2 PM (times tbc)
- Friday 24th May - Close for half term
- Monday 3rd June - School closed for INSET
- Tuesday 4th June - School opens for Summer 2
- Saturday 8th June – FOMBA Summer Fest
Many thanks for your continued support and kindness.
Mr Aldridge
Startwell Easter Activities, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 21st Mar 2024 @ 12:31pm
Please see below activities being offered by Startwell over the Easter break.
Easter Egg/Bonnet Competition Time, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 21st Mar 2024 @ 12:29pm
Please see attached information about the annual Easter competition.
Newsletter 15.03.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 18th Mar 2024 @ 8:51am
Dear Parents/Carers,
Following on from World Book Day and a sparkling assembly from Miss Foxwell's Class that taught us lots about the great fire of London last week, we have motored along with lots of learning over the course of this week too.
World Book Day
First of all, thank you for your help with the wonderful outfits and supporting the children to create their story spoons - there were some fantastic creations and some very lifelike representations of staff too! 🙂 Each class created a Little People, Big Dreams book inspired by the series that Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara has created. The potential for our very own little people to achieve such great things themselves in the future is endless!
Book Fair
The Book Fair is back in town next week! From Wednesday onwards you will be able to purchase books after school from the hall each day and also during parents' evening the following week.
Online Safety Hub
You may be interested in accessing our online safety hub https://marusbridge.onlinesafetyhub.uk/ - an online resource with lots of expert advice and guidance to support our families and their children online. It includes information on the latest hot topics when it comes to keeping children safe, such as how to manage your child's screen time, understand the latest gaming platforms and lots more. It also has a 'request' feature which allows you to contact the company if there is a particular platform, app or game your child is using that you may want further information about. Please take a look.
Baby News
Mrs Boffey and her family have welcomed a little baby boy into the world this week. They are now back at home, doing well and enjoying time their time together as a family. I know you will join me in sending all our love and best wishes.
Attendance
We have seen a rise in average attendance over recent weeks and so would like to say a big thank you for your commitment to this.
FOMBA
The FOMBA lottery is going from strength to strength - Robert Mann was our first winner last week and it could be you this week! Thanks again to the team and in anticipation of the movie night next week.​ https://forms.gle/sjWnWjbW4jo7M63G9
Finally, for those nostalgic amongst us or with family who used to attend the school, please have a look at the Wigan Today web pages who have run an article about the school over the years. Some fresh-faced staff on there as well if you look closely.
Key School Dates:
- Friday 22nd March - Miss Evans' Class Assembly 9am
- Monday 25th March - Tuesday 26th March - Parents' Evenings (NB Y4 Mrs Collier/Mrs Hurst run on Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Thursday 28th March - Close for Easter 3.15pm finish
- Monday 15th April - School opens for summer term
- Monday 13th May - Thursday 16th May - Y6 SATs
- Monday 20th May - Healthy Living Week begins - Details to follow
- Wednesday 22nd May – Sports Day - Reception AM - KS1 PM (times tbc)
- Thursday 23rd May – Sports Day - LKS2 AM- UKS2 PM (times tbc)
- Friday 24th May - Close for half term
- Monday 3rd June - School closed for INSET
- Tuesday 4th June - School opens for summer 2
Have a great weekend,
Mr Aldridge
World Book Day Competition Winners, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 8th Mar 2024 @ 8:30am
A huge thank you to all who participated in the Story Spoon Competition. The entries were fantastic and enormously difficult to judge. Thankfully, the Reading Ambassadors deliberated and decided on winners in each class.
Child |
Class |
Entry |
Juliette McGuire |
Mrs Holden |
The Colour Monster |
Dottie Royds |
Mrs Holden |
Bright Stanley |
Lottie Foulds |
Mrs Miller |
Humpty Dumpty |
Jenson Kelly-Rees |
Mrs Miller |
Tabby McTatt |
James Unsworth |
Mrs Riley |
The Gurffalo |
Willow McKeown |
Mrs Riley |
The Wobbly Bear Caterpillar |
Phoebe Settle |
Miss Foxwell |
3 Little Pigs |
Emmie Staziker |
Miss Foxwell |
Barbie |
William Dudley |
Mrs Fisher |
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
Florence Bristow |
Mrs Fisher |
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears |
Willow Flame Rive |
Miss Evans |
Harry Potter |
Toby Lavin |
Miss Evans |
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears |
Regan Morley |
Miss Johnstone |
Supertato |
Freya Pedder |
Miss Johnstone |
Singing Mermaid |
Jack Ryder |
Mrs Capstick |
Supertato |
Henry Winstanley |
Mrs Capstick |
Octopants |
Jamie Collins |
Mrs Hurst / Mrs Collier |
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears |
Emma Purvinska |
Mrs Hurst / Mrs Collier |
The Leaf Thief |
Esme Davies |
Mrs Carver |
Little Red Riding Hood |
Harry Tennant |
Mrs Carver |
The Avengers |
Pippa Wright |
Mrs Carver |
The Gruffalo |
Lana Mullin |
Mrs Bower |
Mr Men |
Amelia Kinch |
Mrs Bower |
Snail and the Whale |
Isabella Fairhurst |
Mrs Boffey |
Alice in Wonderland |
Sophie Rimmer |
Mrs Boffey |
Room on the Broom |
Kateryna Rozhkova |
Miss Fox |
Paddington |
Isobel Wilson |
Miss Fox |
Smartest Giant in Town |
Beau Stazicker |
Miss Whiting |
Pinocchio |
Freya Humphray |
Miss Whiting |
Humpty Dumpty |
We also had some fabulous outfits across school, some making our children unrecognisable! Orange faces, green wigs, sparkly shoes, crowns, wings, and so much more. Our best dressed winners were:
Quinn Pimblett |
Mrs Holden |
Amelia Pilling |
Mrs Miller |
Jacob Mafi |
Mrs Riley |
Parker Prescott-Marsden |
Miss Foxwell |
Lois McArdle |
Mrs Fisher |
Jordy Howarth |
Miss Evans |
Reece Houghton |
Miss Johnstone |
Henry Winstanley |
Mrs Capstick |
Jamie Collins |
Mrs Hurst / Mrs Collier |
Ted Jones |
Mrs Carver |
Lilly Webb |
Mrs Bower |
Isabella Fairhurst |
Mrs Boffey |
James Mitchinson |
Miss Fox |
Waseem El Mubarak |
Miss Whiting |
Newsletter 01.03.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 1st Mar 2024 @ 3:29pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
We talked in assembly today about our school being a place where no one person is the same, but everyone is equal. This is one of the guiding principles of our No-Outsiders programme, that teaches our children to be kind and respect each other, no matter what our differences might be. A big thank you to the PSHE ambassadors for their help in the assembly – you do an amazing job leading the subject!
Careers Week
It is careers week next week and our assemblies will be focused around what a career is and the types of skills needed for different careers. If you might have a spare 20 minutes at the end of the day over the coming weeks to talk about your career in class, please would you contact your class teacher via SeeSaw - we would love to hear from you!
https://primary-careers.careersandenterprise.co.uk/
FOMBA Update and Lottery
Lots going on and to look forward to thanks to the FOMBA team! The FOMBA lottery is certainly gathering momentum, check the PM from earlier this week and climb on board – you’ve gotta be in it to win it! Message from FOMBA will be sent shortly too, so please take a look. 🙂
FOMBA Lottery Subscription (google.com)
Movie night is booked in and at the last meeting the team began to lay down the foundations for summer...watch this space!
World Book Day - Thursday 7th March
Children are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character or in pyjamas / loungewear. Children are encouraged to bring their favourite books into school to share and recommend to their friends. If they don’t have a copy at home, there are the options of borrowing from our Reading Sheds, asking a teacher if they have a copy available, or accessing your local library. FOMBA will leave a box at the front office for any outgrown or unwanted costumes next week- please look and grab a costume if one suits. If you wish to leave a small donation in return for a costume, please pop in the honesty box.
Smart Watches
A polite reminder that smart watches (Apple etc) are not permitted in school for safeguarding reasons.
Healthy School News
Attached is the Healthy School Newsletter for your perusal.
Dates (please also look out for SeeSaw updates):
- 07/03/24 – World Book Day - Details to follow
- 08/03/24 – Y1 Miss Foxwell’s Class Assembly
- 21/03/24 - World Down Syndrome Day 'Rock your most colourful socks!'
- 22/03/24 – Miss Evans’ Class Assembly
- 26/03/24 – Y4 RE Trip
- 25 and 26/03/24 - Parents’ Evenings booking on PM to follow soon
- 28/03/24 – Y2 Farm Trip
- 28/03/24 - Close for Easter
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Aldridge
Easter Rugby Camp, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 1st Mar 2024 @ 3:28pm
See attached flyer for details of a Wigan Warriors Rugby Camp during the Easter holidays
Reading Newsletter Spring 1, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 16th Feb 2024 @ 10:09am
Newsletter 9.2.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 12th Feb 2024 @ 8:12am
Dear Parents/Carers,
The EYFS Marus Bridge Spa opened today, where the children enjoyed some well-earned R + R. I think the teachers enjoyed coming to school in their onesies too! At the other end of school, Y6 visited the Liverpool War Museum to bring their World War Two Topic alive - one that I know they are loving at the moment.
Repair Work
You may have noticed the ramp is out of order next to Y2 - this is whilst we await remedial work on the wall which are hoping to have done in the coming weeks. Apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing.
Children's Mental Health Week
This week was Children's Mental Health Week - aimed to empower, equip and give a voice to all children and young people in the UK. We spoke about it in assemblies and in classes this week. I have attached a leaflet from the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families entitled, ' You're never too young to talk mental health.' It gives very good tips for parents/ carers on talking with their children about mental health. It also provides some useful contact numbers if you require further support.
Lunchtime Supervisor Role
If you are interested in supporting children at lunchtime as a supervisor, please pop into the office and speak to the team. It is a vital and rewarding role and one which we are currently looking to fill.
Dates for Spring Term:
- 12/2/24 - KS1 Benedetti Foundation Music Workshop
- 14/2/24 - 2.30pm - LA Attendance officer – QA/drop-in session for parents
- 15/2/24 - Y5 Jodrell Bank
- 16/2/24 – Y2 Mrs Fisher’s Class Assembly
- 16/2/24 - Close for Half-Term
- 26/2/24 - Reopen for Spring Term 2
- 7/3/24 – World Book Day - Details to coming next week from Mrs Holden
- 8/3/24 – Y1 Miss Foxwell’s Class Assembly
- 22/3/24 – Miss Evans’ Class Assembly
- 25 and 26/3/24 Parents’ Evenings
- 28/3/24 – Close for Easter
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr Aldridge
Newsletter 2.2.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 2nd Feb 2024 @ 4:27pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
As you can imagine, our children fill me with a sense of pride everyday at Marus Bridge and yesterday was no different. I had a visitor in school who was amazed at the behaviour, focus and determination our pupils showed in their lessons as we walked round. Well done 🙂.
Secret Readers
A big thank you to our reading ambassadors from Y6 who visited classes at the end of each day this week to read stories. The children loved it and I know it will have inspired the younger children too. Pics on FB coming soon.
Children's Mental Health Week 2024
Next week we will be exploring the importance of talking about how we feel and having our voice heard. The theme is 'My Voice Matters' and focusses on how children can be supported to express themselves. If you would like more information, please head to the website or pop into the office for one of our mental health first aid leaflets. If this is something that you wish to discuss further in person, then please contact Mrs Bish, our Pastoral Manager.
Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)
SeeSaw
Just a reminder that if your child is ill - please let the office know rather than messaging on the SeeSaw app. Also, please be mindful that teachers are not expected to respond to messages in the evening. They are very dedicated, but as you know have other commitments and families to spend time with in the evening. They will of course aim to respond to any messages the following day.
Tesco Tokens - Raising funds for a new reading hut
We are edging it for tokens in Poolstock Tesco at the moment. Ask for tokens if they don’t readily give them to you and vote for our school reading hut project. No matter where we come in the vote; we get a donation, but more goes to the winner of course. Other stores taking part in the scheme are Hindley Extra, Ashton in Makerfield and Hindley Green Tesco.
Artist Visit
The artwork that our children collaborated on with Victoria Hough is completed and up in the hall! The artwork is inspired by our school core values, as well as our No Outsiders programme, that celebrates inclusivity and the differences that make us all unique and special. Check FB for a sneak preview. 🙂
Coram Beanstalk – Inspiring children to read!
A reminder that we have a newly created partnership with Coram Beanstalk, a charity that trains volunteers to inspire children to read. By becoming a volunteer with the charity, you would be trained to deliver brief but fun reading experiences once a week with a child at our school. It would mean the world to us and to our children. If you are a parent or grandparent who may be able to offer their time, please follow the link for details or pop down to the office for more information.
Volunteer with us | Coram Beanstalk (beanstalkcharity.org.uk)
Dates for Spring Term:
- 9/2/24 - Y6 Liverpool Museum
- 14/2/24 - 2.30pm - LA Attendance officer – QA/drop-in session for parents
- 15/2/24 - Y5 Jodrell Bank
- 16/2/24 – Y2 Mrs Fisher’s Class Assembly
- 16/2/24 - Close for Half-Term
- 26/2/24 - Reopen for Spring Term 2
- 7/3/24 – World Book Day - Details to follow
- 8/3/24 – Y1 Miss Foxwell’s Class Assembly
- 22/3/24 – Miss Evans’ Class Assembly
- 25 and 26/3/24 - Parents’ Evenings
- 28/3/24 – Close for Easter
Have a great weekend,
Mr Aldridge
Fabulous creative art work for our school environment, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 2nd Feb 2024 @ 2:37pm
Our children from EYFS all the way to Year 6 have been working with a local artist Victoria Hough to create two pieces of art to enhance our school environment. She has been helping develop creativity and has engaged and inspired our children in our two wonderful pieces of art. For the entrance of school, we have completed a piece based around our core values of kindness & respect, determination, trust, responsibility and friendship. All the children across school were asked to design an image which portrays each value and then, with the artist a selection of children from each year group created this magnificent piece of art. The second piece is around our work as a No Outsiders school where everyone is welcome, we know we are not all the same but are all equal. The art work portrays characters from the texts we look at from EYFS to Y6 to prepare our children to be global citizens for a life in modern Britain. I am sure you will agree they look amazing. Well done to all the children involved across school.
WE NEED YOU FOR 1:1 READING - CAN YOU HELP ?, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 25th Jan 2024 @ 1:13pm
Coram Beanstalk provide one-to-one, in-person reading support for primary schools to help your school encourage reading for pleasure among your pupils and improve reading attainment.
Coram Beanstalk wants all children to choose to read. There is a wealth of research showing that when we read because we want to – not because we are being told to or feel we have to – it makes a significant difference to how successful we are in education, how good we feel and how well we do in life. We support a child at every stage as they continue along a path to becoming someone who not only can read independently but chooses to do so!
volunteers provide consistent support to children who have fallen behind and need more intensive or longer-term help to change their attitude to reading and build their reading skills, ability and confidence.
One-to-one reading support – from all quarters - changes children’s lives: most dramatically the lives of those children who would otherwise be excluded from the benefits and pleasure that reading can bring.
We know that the more children are supported in a way that means they enjoy reading, the more inclined they are to keep trying when they find it hard (and keep doing it when they have other options!), the more they progress and the more their self-confidence and self-esteem grows.
We would love to take part in this wonderful programme to provide 1:1 reading support and develop love for reading.
We need volunteers from our school community to commit to being a reading expert with Coram Beanstalk and support our children. Can you help?
Initial training is delivered online and will set you up to begin one-to-one sessions with confidence. Once established as a reading helper, you can continue your learning journey by using the self-directed resources available on our online portal and booking onto our online trainer-delivered group sessions.
For more information you can click the link. Volunteer with us | Coram Beanstalk (beanstalkcharity.org.uk) If you are happy to help or know a family member who you think this would be suitable for, please get in touch with Mrs Carver (Y4 teacher) and/or Mrs Holden (EYFS teacher) in school.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Child Mental Health Week - week commencing 5th February 2024, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 23rd Jan 2024 @ 9:47am
Child Mental Health Week - week commencing 5th Feberuary 2024
Children will be engaged in a range of activities to promote their mental health and wellbeing. The theme this year is Our Voice Matters.
Attendance Matters, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 16th Jan 2024 @ 10:04am
Please see the attached regarding attendance.
Newsletter 12.01.24, by Mrs Atkinson
Date: 15th Jan 2024 @ 3:26pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
Firstly, a warm welcome back to the spring term – I hope you all had restful and fun festive break – the children have certainly had lots to tell me about! A busy term awaits, but one that really does see children fly and so one that I always look forward to.
FOMBA Meeting
The next meeting is Monday 15th January @ 5.30pm in school. Everyone is welcome, whether you have been before or not.
FOMBA successfully got us onboard Tesco Stronger Starts. This is where shoppers vote for a particular community project in store with a token (you will have seen the voting stations before). Funding is allocated according to the most votes. Our project is a new reading hut to inspire readers from their first day in school onwards. We are awaiting the exact date this goes live, but hopefully at some point in the coming week. So when itplease tell family and friends to vote for us – every little token helps!
The stores are as follows: Poolstock Ln Wigan, Hindley Extra, Ashton in Makerfield, Hindley Green
Coram Beanstalk – Inspiring children to read!
We have a newly created partnership with Coram Beanstalk, a charity that trains volunteers to inspire children to read. By becoming a volunteer with the charity, you would be trained to deliver brief but fun reading experiences once a week with a child at our school. It would mean the world to us and to our children. If you are a parent or grandparent who may be able to offer their time, please follow the link for details.
Volunteer with us | Coram Beanstalk (beanstalkcharity.org.uk)
Guidance - Mild Illnesses
Please see the NHS guidance attached below on mild illnesses.
Is my child too ill for school? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Stay Wise
Below is the link to the government backed initiative ‘Stay Wise’ and resources about the role of the emergency services and the part they play in keeping us all safe. I have shared with staff, but there are videos and games you might be interested in sharing with your children.
KS2 Path Safety
Finally, I know the path up to KS2 gates can get congested at drop off and pick up, but please give yourselves and others space, so that our children are kept safe at these busy times.
See you all next week,
Mr Aldridge