Newsletter 5th September 2025

Dear Parent/ Carer, 

Welcome back to a new school year. What a difference a year makes! Last September we returned to school in a heatwave in the middle of a building site; this year, we have a beautiful new classroom block and torrential downpours! 

The new classrooms, and our existing classrooms, all look fantastic and it was great to welcome the children back this week and to see and hear the school filled with purposeful learning and engaged, respectful children. It has been an incredibly positive start to the new academic year and we are confident 2025-2026 will be the best one ever for EBPS where we fulfil our motto of “Excellence in Everything”! 

Special thanks to the many staff who voluntarily gave up lots of their summer holiday to get the classrooms organised and the school looking ready for the year ahead. Thanks also to Mr Bennett and Mrs Alexander for their hard work behind the scenes in making sure we were safe and ready to open fully after a couple of delays with the building handover. 

Celebration Assemblies 

It was lovely to award a “Star of the Week” from each class today for children who have made an excellent start to the new school year. Certificates were given for a variety of reasons including: wonderful writing; respectful behaviour; focus in lessons and kindness to others. Next week we will have our full awards of TTRS, reading and Hot Chocolate Friday! 

Learning this week 

The children have started their new year learning journeys across the curriculum very positively this week. We are also taking the time over these early days and weeks to really embed our school rules and values and ensuring children understand the expectations, rewards and consequences in-place in school. We are delighted with the positive start all children have made. 

Class Dojo 

A reminder that all parents / carers should be registered with Class Dojo (it’s completely free and you never need to pay any money to the app) so you can see daily the reasons your child(ren) has been rewarded housepoints and if they ever receive any “crosses”, reminders or coaching conversations regarding their behaviour. Further information on Class Dojo will be sent on Monday. 

Lunchtime catering 

We have had a great start with HAT Catering providing lunches for us. The children were all very positive and complimentary about the food on offer this week. Between us, we also sampled the katsu chicken curry, jacket potato and roast chicken and can attest to the improved quality, portions, freshness and taste of the food! Orders need to be placed via SchoolGrid by Wednesday at midnight for the following week. If you need any help ordering or getting your SchoolGrid account set-up, please speak to Miss Jones in the office.  

The Year Ahead 

A 2025-2026 updated permissions form has been sent to all families today via ParentMail. Please take the time to read this carefully and complete one for each of your children here so we can update all permissions.  

The change of address / phone number / password / adults collecting children form will be sent on Monday. 

The curriculum forecasts and yearly calendars will be shared with you soon so you can see upcoming learning and trips, events, etc. 

Term dates for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 can be found on our website. 

Attendance 

Attendance this week was 95.75%. The top classes this week were: Violet and Snowdrop with 99.38% and Crocus and Holly with 100% 

New Furniture 

Part of the Section 106 funding for our new classrooms included a generous furniture budget so we have been privileged to be able to buy lots of new classroom tables, chairs, bookcases, etc. and replace any older or mis-matched / damaged items. 

It was great to be able to donate 40+ tables and 100+ chairs to a charity called “New Life Gambia” who will take it to The Gambia in a shipping container in October to help furnish the third school they are opening there.  

The items in the staff car park are all free to a good home; lots of them have plenty of life left and good be upcycled or re-used in some way. If anyone would like any or knows someone who could make good use of it, please let us know. 

Peripatetic music lessons  

A reminder that NMPAT music teachers deliver individual (and sometimes group) music lessons to pupils in key stage 2. We currently have guitar, strings, keyboard, brass and woodwind lessons in school and there are limited spaces available for all these instruments. If you would like to book lessons, please book via the NMPAT website, here, or email  

New Reception children 

We welcome our newest intake of Reception children next week. Group A children start on Monday morning and Group B children start on Monday afternoon. We are excited to meet you all and welcome you into the EBPS family! 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.  

Miss Lally & Mr Morris - Co-headteachers 

Letters home this week 

School permissions – IMPORTANT, please complete form 

Music clubs – choirs and recorder clubs 

Y2 oracy opportunity “Show and Tell” 

Flu vaccination permission 

Y6 independent walking home permission form 

School Nursing Team letter – New EYFS only 

Welcome back to school 

Attachments 

Supporting children going back to school 

All Star Sports Clubs 

Roundup – Summer 2 

HOUSEPOINTS TERM 5