Tomorrow is one of five training days for teachers – this means school is closed tomorrow. The dates for the training days are:

• Tuesday 01 September 2026
• Friday 02 October 2026
• Friday 23 October 2026
• Monday 07 December 2026
• Monday 07 June 2027

Please remember to keep checking our website calendar for forthcoming events.

Another date…

A reminder that the PTA are hosting a school disco on Friday 16 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, at St James’ Church rooms. To book your child’s place, please top up the Friends of St James account on Arbor, or pay cash at the school office. The cost is £3.50 per child.

Rights and Responsibilities

Last week in Living and Learning, your child considered rights and responsibilities. Here’s a pic from Year 3…

Alongside every right comes responsibility. At school for example, children have the right to play and relax, and the responsibility to play alongside others safely and respectfully. In lots of situations, we’ve the right to express our views, but we have the responsibility to do so in a respectful way.

Spend some time thinking of more examples in different situations: rights and responsibilities at home, in a shop, in a park…

BBC Bitesize ‘Rules, rights andresponsibilities’ is worth checking out with children in Key Stage 2.

Cooking

A couple of weeks ago, we asked if you’d be kind enough to make a voluntary donation to cover the cost of ingredients  for our DT: Food and Nutrition sessions each term. This is so we make life easier for you by buying the food in bulk rather than asking for children to bring in their own ingredients. It also means that we can continue to offer this opportunity to learn important kitchen skills.

Thank you to those of you who have made a contribution.

If you’ve not already, please consider making a donation. We’ve set up Arbor for quick payments of £6, but you can also call into the office with any donation amount – we’d be grateful for any amount to contribute to costs.

Year 5: Bikeability

Bikeability takes place in the Spring term for children in Year 5. This year, it will take place from Monday 08 March to Friday 12 March 2026.

The training has two core elements: basic skills and road safety. If your child is unable to ride a bike, they may be unable to take part in the road safety aspect as they will not be able to cycle outside of school. We’re giving plenty of notice in case your child would like to practise before March.

Dropping off and collecting your child

Do you have to use a car to drop off and collect your child from school? The best way to travel to and from school is to walk, scoot or cycle. If you do drive, please remember to drive and park with respect and care.

Hallfield Lane is being used so much for parking:

• sometimes residents can’t get in or out of their own driveways
• emergency vehicles aren’t able to access
• manoeuvring, overtaking and turning in the road all increase the likelihood of accidents
• it becomes dangerous for families who are walking to and from school

If you park on the double yellow lines or zigzags anywhere round school, this causes danger to our children, pedestrians, and other drivers. Please don’t park on them or across the road from them. Read more about these road markings and the law.

Freemans Way and Ceres Road are both alternative roads to park on, as long as you park legally and considerately. This will help congestion on Hallfield Lane (and walking at least park of the way is healthier, too!). Please note that Hallfield Grange is private property and the parking there is for residents and their visitors only.

We know that the lack of parking is frustrating, but please help us to stay happy and healthy and safe for our children, our neighbours and for the environment. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

You might want to report a problem to Leeds City Council – the more who do so, the more likely something will be done. We suggest using the link to Report a Traffic Management Issue – it only takes a minute.

Finally this week, another reminder – please make sure you’ve let us know of any allergies your child has, or any other medical condition we should know about. And if you’ve got any updates about emergency contacts, please let us know those, too.