27^th February 2026

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope that you and your family had a good half term.

As the season of Lent has started, we have entered a special time of reflection, prayer and preparation. It is a season rooted in hope and an opportunity for renewal, kindness and simple acts of love.

As a school we will journey together focusing on small but meaningful steps that help us follow Jesus’ example more closely.

Big Lent Walk

As you will be aware, we have invited our staff, children and families to take on the challenge of walking as many miles as we can throughout Lent to raise money for CAFOD.

If you haven’t done so already, please talk to your child about how your family might get involved and make this part of your own Lenten journey.

Portsmouth Families First

This crucial service is asking Portsmouth families to take part in a survey with the opportunity to influence the future of how services are delivered in Portsmouth.

Why is this important?
The voices of children and families are central to our service improvement. By taking part, families help us create a system that is easy to navigate, responsive, and designed for everyone – whether they access support through schools, health services, early years, or community settings.
What is Families First?
This is a national reform programme led by the Department for Education. In Portsmouth we will be focusing on providing help earlier to keep children safely with their families, reducing handovers between services by developing a joined up ‘Family Help’ offer, co-producing solutions with families putting them at the heart of decisions and creating innovative care options for children we care for and care-experienced young people
How you can help:
I would be very grateful if you could use the survey link to have your say.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/portsmouthfamiliesfirst1

Staffing changes

We welcome back Mrs Bridges to provide the teaching cover previously provided by Miss Simmonds – this will include any absence/release cover, art lessons and Year 4 on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Mrs Gardner and Mrs Brown

Please continue to pray for Mrs Gardner and Mrs Brown.

School Dinners

Please remember to order your child’s school dinners in advance of the start of the week.

Attendance and Punctuality

Please remember to contact the office by phone, email or through studybugs when your child is going to be absent or late.

Uniform

We have seen a number of children coming to school with bracelets and necklaces so please remind your child that these should not be worn to school.

Please ensure that your child comes to school with a suitable winter coat everyday so that they are warm and dry when on the playground.

With the weather so cold, it is important that children have navy blue tracksuit/jogging bottoms in their PE kit to wear for outdoor PE lessons.

 

Prayer, Scripture and Play Club

Prayer, scripture and play club begins on Thursday 26^th February and runs until the end of term. (Thursday 26^th March)

 

Bibles

We were delighted to receive a grant from The Jerusalem Trust to purchase a class set of Bibles for Year 4. Canon James blessed them during our reconciliation service and Year 4 have started using them in their RE lessons. The ‘retired’ set are being distributed to Year 6 to take home.

 

Nursery

If you know anyone that is looking for a nursery place for September, please let them know that we take children from 3 years old and offer both 15 and 30 hour places. All 3 year olds are entitled to 15 hours funding and working families are entitled to 30 hours funding. We also offer places for self-funded hours i.e. to self fund for the additional 15 hours to take a 30 hour place.

The fees for 2026-2027 for hours that are not funded are £6.00 per hour.

 

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

L. Park

Head Teacher

 

 

DIARY DATES

 

2025-206

 

 

 

                        Half Term 16th-20^th February

 

March

Wednesday 4^th                                    Year 1 drama workshop

Thursday 5^th                                        World book Day

Tuesday 24^th                                       KS 1 End of term assembly

                                                            KS 1 book share

Wednesday 25^th                                  KS 2 book share

Thursday 26^th                                      KS 2 end of term assembly

Friday 27^th                                           Break up for Easter 1.30pm

 

                       Easter 30^th March-10^th April

 

April

Monday 13^th                                        Back to school

Monday 27^th                                        Nethercott Trip

                                   

 

May

Thursday 7^th                                       Y5 swimming starts

Monday 4^th                                          Bank holiday – school closed

Monday 11^th                                        SATs week for Year 6

Tuesday 19^th                                       Nursery and Reception Sports day

Wednesday 20^th                                  Years 1-6 Sports day

Friday 22^nd                                          Break up for half term

 

                          Half term 25^th-29^th May

 

June

Monday 1^st                                          back to school

Wednesday 10^th                                  Class photos

Wednesday 17^th                                  Reception drama day

Wednesday 24^th                                  Year 5 book awards

Friday 26^th                                           INSET day – school closed

 

July

Thursday 16^th                                      Year 6 show

Tuesday 21^st                                       Children break up for summer

Wednesday 22^nd                                 INSET day – school closed