USE THIS: Newsletter Template 2025

| Issue 21 | Spring 1 | Week 6 |

Out and About…

Friday 6th February: Y4 Trip to  the Jamyang Buddhist Centre

Year 4 enjoyed an inspiring RE trip to the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Elephant and Castle, where they explored Buddhism in action. The children listened carefully as experts shared their knowledge, asked thoughtful questions, and spoke with monks inside the temple. They were fascinated by the gold-plated reliefs telling the story of Siddhartha Gautama and loved the chance to investigate ancient scrolls. It was a memorable day that brought learning to life and deepened everyone’s understanding of Buddhism.

Tuesday 3rd February: The Sound Of Music Performance at Westminster School

Club Reminders

Breakfast Club

  • Due to high demand for breakfast club places, we will not be able to accommodate ad-hoc requests anymore.
  • Should you need to use our Breakfast Club facilities on an  ‘ad-hoc’ basis due to a work or other commitment, please email or phone the school office the day before to see if there is space on the day you require.
  • Please do not just turn up on the day as we may not be able to help out. Kindly note that the number of pupils we can accommodate on any given day is dictated by the number of staff.
  • A reminder that our breakfast club register is currently full.
  • If you require a 3-day or 5-day breakfast club place, please complete a form (available from the office) to be added to the waiting list.
  • Our waiting list is regularly reviewed and should demand remain high enough and is sustainable, we will able to employ another adult to facilitate the additional numbers of pupils wishing to enrol in this wrap around provision.

After School Club

  • Due to the high demand for After School Club places, we are currently full for both 3-day and 5-day requests.
  • If you require a 3-day or 5-day After School Club place, please complete a form (available from the office) to be added to the waiting list.
  • Our waiting list is regularly reviewed and should demand remain high enough and is sustainable, we will able to employ another adult to facilitate the additional numbers of pupils wishing to enrol in this wrap around provision.

Late Collection

  • We understand that on occasions you may be running late due to circumstances outside of your control.
  • If this should occur, please email or phone the school office to inform them and of your expected arrival time.
  • This helps us ensure staff who work until 18:00 will be able to leave on time, with a member of the SLT providing cover if needed if they are unable to stay.
  • We thank you for understanding with this request.
  • A reminder that that a £5 late charge is applied to your fees for every 5 minutes that you are late.

National Children’s Dental Health Month

NHS Keep Smiling Toothbrushing and Fluoride Application Programme

As part of National Children’s Dental Month, all Nursery to Year 6 pupils will have come home with a toothbrush and toothpaste pack.

Two weeks ago, Nursery to Year 2 pupils would have brought home a letter and consent form with regard to the Keep Smiling Toothbrushing and Fluoride Programme.

Parents & carers, if you haven’t already, please read this letter and complete the consent form and return it to the school office by Friday 27th February.

Even if you are declining to take part, you must complete this form. There is a separate section for declining.

Many thanks to all those who have already returned their consent form.

If you have misplaced your consent form, a spare copy can be collected from the school office.

Biscuits Bytes

Woof….

Biscuit x

Community Corner

This week, we observe Candlemas, which officially marks the end of the 40 days of Christmas. Our altar colour changes to green as we acknowledge the quiet growth that takes place between festive periods.

In church this week, we began with Max and Eleen in Year 6 leading us in our opening song, Lamb of God. Mr Carden then accompanied us as we sang Shine Jesus Shine and We are Marching in the Light of God.

Vicar David spoke to us about the journey Jesus took to the wedding, and how even though it was a small, ordinary problem, Jesus assisted when the wine ran out.

Through Him, the ordinary was transformed into the extraordinary.

Bible Teaching of the Week: John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. 

When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’

Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Community Questions:

  • Have you ever been to a wedding, and what was the best bit?
  • Why do you think that John describes heaven as a wedding feast
  • Do you wonder if there is something more than this life?

Community Challenge:

  • Find one thing each day this week that gives you joy.

Spring Term Class Assemblies:

Class assemblies take place on Fridays, starting at 09:05.

Please ensure that you are on time and that your mobile phones are turned off.

No filming or photography is permitted at any time.

  • 6th March: Year 1
  • 20th March: Reception

Our PTA: The Friends of Burdett-Coutts

If you are a parent, carer or a guardian of a child that attends our school, then you are automatically a member of our Parent Staff Association, Friends of Burdett-Coutts.

Being part of our PSA offers an exciting opportunity for you to meet other parents, whilst supporting our school, through organising fundraising events, volunteering and much more.

Even if you can only give a small amount of time, you will be making a difference to the school experience for your child and other pupils in our school.

Our meetings take place on  Wednesday mornings from 09:00 – 10:00 in the Ground Floor Hall, with refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

Our next event: School Easter Fete Thursday 26th March @ 15:30 – 17:30.

Spring term meeting dates:

  • Wednesday 11th February
  • Wednesday 25th February
  • Wednesday 11th March
  • Wednesday 25th March

Easter Fair

Glue guns at the ready!

Upcoming Events

February 2026:

  • Monday 16th – Friday 20th February: Spring Half Term Holiday
  • Tuesday 17th February: Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day
  • Tuesday 17th February – Wednesday 18th March: Ramadan Celebrations
  • Tuesday 17th February – Tuesday 3rd March: Chinese New Year Celebrations
  • Wednesday 18th February: Ash Wednesday
  • Monday 23rd: Year 6 Abbey Centre Intergenerational Project, session 4/4 from  13:30 – 14:30
  • Wednesday 25th: Proms Praise Workshop (in school) for all Choir Club pupils.

March 2026:

  • Thursday 5th: Year 3 Trip to the Natural History Museum: Volcanoes Exhibition – 09:15 – 13:30
  • Monday 9th: Happy 5th Birthday Biscuit!
  • Monday 9th  – Friday 13th March: Science Week – This year’s theme: Curiosity: What’s Your Question? Keep an eye on the newsletter for more information about events and activities taking place.
  • Tuesday 10th:  Choir Club at the Royal Festival Hall, singing Bach Magnificat with Westminster School (more information to follow).

March 2026 (continued):

  • Tuesday 17th: Proms Praise Concert at the Royal Albert Hall – Choir Club pupils performing, (more information to follow), 16:00 – 20:00
  • Friday 20th: Last day for all Extended School Day and Booster Clubs for the Spring Term.
  • Wednesday 25th: Pimlico Music Foundation Concert: Disney at St. Gabriels Church. Choir Club pupils performing 18:00 – 20:00 (more information to follow).
  • Thursday 26th: School Easter Fete: 15:30 – 17:30
  • Friday 27th: Last day of school for the Spring Term. School finishes for all pupils at 13:30.

1. Pupil Medications

A polite reminder to parents and carers that we are unable to give over the counter or prescription medicines to pupils unless they have an agreed medical plan in place.

Should your child requires medication to be taken 3 times per day due to winter season illnesses, please give them their doses before school, after school and before bed time.

Alternatively, if you’re able to do so, you can pop into school during your child’s lunch break (12:30 – 13:30) to administer a midday dose if required.

Please do not put any medications, creams, ointments etc in your child’s book bag. This can be very dangerous for other pupils or adults who may have allergies or if other children access these items.

If you have any questions, please email the school office and a member of staff will get back you. Many thanks for your understanding with this important Health & Safety issue.

2. Pupil Permission Forms for Trips

Parents & carers, please ensure that when pupil trip letters are sent home requesting permission for trips or visits, that you correctly read and complete the forms attached and return them to school by the date requested.

When forms are returned late, it is a challenge to manage and accurately provide the required confirmation / information to venues – which are usually requested 48 hours in advance. Furthermore:

  • Our admin and catering teams face additional pressure to prepare lunch orders and first aid.
  • These are difficult to amend at the last minute, and it also pulls them away from other duties & responsibilities they have.
  • Teachers are also unable to assign group pupil:adult ratios to ensure a smooth trip briefing with other staff/parents supporting the trip.

Because of this, pupils will miss out on attending a trip if the correct permission slips are not returned by the designated deadline. Instead they will be assigned appropriate class work to complete in a supervised buddy class.

Many thanks for your understanding and support with this matter.

3. School & PE Uniform:

Please ensure that your children are wearing the correct school uniform to school each day. It is important that all pupils are also wearing the correct school shoes – which are black shoes, and not trainers.

The Autumn/Winter term uniform options for pupils in Nursery to Year 6 are:

Girls:

  • Dark grey trousers, skirt or skort
  • Long-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie (Years 3 – 6)
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy logo school sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes (not trainers)

Boys:

  • Dark grey shorts or trousers
  • Long-sleeve white shirt (Years 3 – 6)
  • White school logo polo shirt (Nursery – Year 2)
  • Tie (Yers 3 -6)
  • V-neck navy school logo jumper (Years 3 – 6)
  • Navy school logo sweatshirt (Nursery to Year 2)
  • Blazer (Year 6 only)
  • Plain black shoes (not trainers)

On PE days, pupils must wear the school PE kit only.

This is especially important for safety.  Having the correct shoes for physical activities, and clothing that is not restrictive, for completing physical activity are essential for helping us to ensure pupils complete all PE lessons safely.

The Autumn/Winter term PE kit for all pupils from Year Reception to Year 6 consists of:

  • A school navy logo t-shirt
  • Navy  leggings, tracksuit bottoms or skort (no logos etc)
  • Plain black trainers
  • A school logo sweatshirt (not the v-neck jerseys for KS2 pupils. Sweatshirts are available from the school office in KS2 sizes).

Please note that pupils who do not have the correct PE kit will not be able to participate in their PE lesson. They will be given alternate work to do, and a note will be sent home highlighting why they were not able to complete their lesson that day.

We thank you in advance in supporting our school’s uniform policies.

Term Dates 2025-2026

Please find here the agreed term dates set by our school’s Governing Body for the upcoming academic year, starting September 2025.

Please remember that holidays will not be authorised during the school term, and that all children should be in school (on time) every day.

Alternatively, you can click on the image thumbnail on the right to view the PDF (please note this will open in a new window) or you can click on the link below:

Preschool, Nursery & Reception Admissions

We currently have the following availability for places in our Early Years provision from January 2026:

  • Nursery Class (3-year olds): 1 part-time (afternoon) place available at present.
  • Preschool (2-year olds): From April 2026 we have 4 full-time places and 2 part-time (afternoon) places available

September 2026 Reception class vacancies will be announced in May 2026.

If you are looking for a Preschool, Nursery or Reception place for your child, please come along for a 30-minute bespoke EYFS tour. Here, you’ll have the chance explore our Early Years setting, speak to key staff and ask any questions regarding admissions, and your child starting with us at Burdett-Coutts.

Contact us to register for our tours which take place every Thursday, with times available from 09:15 – 14:30 during term time.

Online Safety

Did you know that not all apps are safe for children, with many popular ones having certain age restrictions. For example, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook operate a minimum age of 13+ years, and therefore primary school children should not have their own, nor access to, such apps or accounts.

As parents, you can help safeguard your children online by researching these apps and their purposes, as well as their age restrictions, BEFORE agreeing to download them. If you do choose to download them, remember that parental controls such as password protection, can be set up so that in-app downloads or purchases, cannot be completed by the children themselves.

For example, to prevent iTunes, Apple App Store purchases or downloads, all you need to do is:

  1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & App Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your passcode.
  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  4. Select a setting and set to Don’t Allow.

Tips on how to install parental controls on other apps and devices (Android or Apple) can easily be found online, or even from the app developers themselves.

Funding eligibility letter for Pupil Premium, Early Years Funding & Free School Meals

Due to changes in the eligibility criteria for Pupil Premium, Free School Meals and qualifying for 30 hours of funding for Nursery provision, many pupils currently enrolled at our school may now be entitled to one of these funding allocations.

We will be issuing letters to families who are currently not in receipt of the above, asking you to complete the registration for the identified funding option your child/ren maybe eligible for. Thank you so much in advance for your help in completing this.

This funding allows us to increase additional staffing hours to run booster groups, and an exciting range of extended day activities, that benefit our school and your child, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated at this difficult time for school budgets.

  • If you should have any queries with regards to the letter sent to you, please contact Mrs Deary or the school office.

Preschool:

Nursery:

Reception:

Year 1:

As part of our PSHE learning on Goals and Dreams, Year 1 took on a creative challenge that encouraged independence, perseverance and resilience.

The children were invited to create their own paper flowers, attaching them to pipe cleaners and carefully adding them to a growing “garden” display in our classroom. The key challenge? They watched the process once, and then completed the task entirely independently.

This activity proved delightfully tricky. There were moments of uncertainty, problem-solving, and some very big feelings along the way. Rather than stepping in to fix things, we paused to talk about what it means to keep going when something feels hard, how to ask for help appropriately, and how mistakes can be part of learning something new.

The children became so deeply engaged that the project naturally extended over two sessions. Throughout, we saw wonderful examples of focus, determination and self-belief. By the end, every child had created a unique flower to contribute to our shared garden – a powerful visual reminder that goals take time, effort and courage.

We are incredibly proud of how the children rose to the challenge, supported one another, and celebrated their achievements

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Year 5:

Year 6:

This week, to mark Children’s Mental Health Week, Year 6 took part in a creative wellbeing activity inspired by the theme This is My Place. With practice SATs taking place, children were given time to pause and reflect on the importance of belonging and connection. Through an art activity, children created personal “maps” showing the places, people, activities and spaces – real or imagined – where they feel safe, valued and able to be themselves. Using colour, symbols and imagery, they explored what belonging means to them, from friendships and family to hobbies, school and quiet moments of calm. The session encouraged thoughtful reflection and creativity, reminding children that looking after their mental wellbeing is just as important as academic learning, especially during busy and challenging times. Alongside this, pupils also published their persuasive speeches linked to our class text The Boy at the Back of the Class. Writing in role, they addressed Members of Parliament to persuade them to keep borders open so that Ahmet can be reunited with his parents – demonstrating empathy, compassion and a strong sense of social responsibility.