Dear Berkeley Primary School Community,

I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful summer break. As we embark on a new academic year, I'm delighted to welcome our new children and parents to our school and share some updates about our return to school and the exciting developments that have taken place.

First and foremost, I'd like to extend my gratitude to our dedicated cleaners and caretaker. Their efforts have ensured that our school premises are ready to welcome back our pupils and staff. Their hard work has set a positive tone for the new term, creating a clean and inviting environment for learning.

It's been truly heartening to see both staff and pupils return to school with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The fresh faces and eager attitudes have created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the school, setting the stage for an exciting year of growth and discovery.

I'm pleased to report that our pupils have settled in remarkably well. The transition back to school can sometimes be challenging, but our pupils have shown great resilience and adaptability. It's been a joy to witness their smooth integration into the school routine.

We've implemented some new behaviour routines during playtime and lunchtimes, which I'm happy to say have been a resounding success. By staggering break times, we've reduced the number of pupils outside at any given time. This change has led to a calmer playground environment, fewer accidents, and a more enjoyable experience for everyone. It's been a real pleasure to observe the positive impact of these changes firsthand.

To celebrate the fantastic start to the term, we've awarded Great Start certificates to some of our pupils. I know our teachers found it incredibly difficult to choose recipients, as so many children have shown tremendous progress. It's particularly heartwarming to see pupils who were initially nervous now arriving at school with beaming smiles.

Looking ahead, we have an exciting year planned, filled with engaging learning opportunities for our pupils. I encourage you to visit our school website, where each class has its own 'Class Page'. On the website you'll find information about what your child will be learning this term.  We are busy setting the key dates for the year and will let you know when these have been added to the website calendar, including when Inspire afternoons are.

As we move forward into this new academic year, I'm filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. The positive start we've had is a testament to the wonderful community we have here at Berkeley Primary School. Thank you for your continued support, and here's to a great year ahead!

Anna Cvijetic

Headteacher