|
|
|
WELCOME 
Dear Parents and Carers,
Wow, Term 2 has been full of wonderful opportunities and exciting events- what an amazing end to 2025!
We have enjoyed many exciting trips and events as well as beginning our countdown to Christmas with our Winter discos, Winter Barnanza and our Reception Nativity. We understand this is such a busy time at home, as well as school, so I would like to thank you all for remembering all that has been happening, your generosity and for supporting us all so wonderfully.
I hope you all enjoy a restful break and a wonderful Christmastime. We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 6th January 2025 at 8:45a.m (arriving at school by 8:40am).
With very BEST wishes for a happy and peaceful new year.
Mrs Amie James
Head teacher
|
|
|
|
NEA Finalist STEM School of the Year 2025
|
|
|
On Friday 28th November 2025, we attended the Northamptonshire Education Awards at the County Ground as finalists (for the 2nd year) in the STEM category. We are so proud of the STEM and F1 team for their wonderful demonstration of BEST and their huge success. We look forward to seeing what the team achieves this year!
|
|
Reception Nativity
Giraffes performed their 'Knock Knock' nativity and what an amazing job they did. It was so impressive to see the youngest members of our school showing BEST and being so Brave and Enthusiastic on stage in front of lots of grown-ups and the rest of the school. We are so proud of them- well done to all involved!
Thank you to all of those who came along to watch, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
|
|
|
Romans for a day!
As part of their unit of learning this term, Year 4 became Romans for the day and enjoyed making mosaic tiles, shaping clay coins and using Roman numerals and hunting for some Latin phrases. The children have also made Roman Temples as part of their learning in Design Technology and showed amazing concentration and resilience.
|
|
|
|
The Disgusting Sandwich!
Years 1 & 2 began the term by reading The Disgusting Sandwich and then created their own. Yuk!
Year 2 also made their own healthy sandwiches which they designed during their DT lessons. They peeled, chopped and grated to create their masterpieces. All of the children rated their sandwiches 10 out of 10!
|
|
|
Grafham Adventures
In November, many of our Year 6 children attended a residential trip to Grafham residential centre. Despite the weather going from beautiful sunshine to wet and cold, and many of us being sleep-deprived and muddy, the children all demonstrated BEST throughout their time away. They enjoyed sailing, bushcraft, archery, the Grafham challenge, climbing and making their beds!
They all faced new challenges, experiences and fears with such bravery and perseverance, and it was a pleasure for us to share their enjoyment when they achieved new things. The children were incredibly happy and made many wonderful memories which we know will stay with them (and us) for a long time.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the staff who left their own homes and families, so our children could have this experience. The staff also demonstrated BEST and showed such care and kindness to all the children and each other throughout the duration of the trip.
Thank you to all our parents too, for making sure the children were well-prepared and enthusiastic for the trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our new Class VR headsets have been delivered and are now up and running. The VR headsets will be used to offer our children new and exciting experiences – our children will be able to 'visit' places across the world, return to different points in history and explore different areas of the curriculum.
Our children in Year 5 have already taken a step back in time and explored the cellar Guy Fawkes used to attempt to blow up parliament. They also found all sorts of artifacts related to this exciting plot!
3R also used the headsets to explore a Native American campsite. They could go into the homes and see how these amazing people lived.
Class teachers and subject leaders are now planning how children across the school can use the VR headsets in many more lessons to enhance the learning even further in the classrooms.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16kXg6ooir/
|
|
Well done to the children from Years 4, 5 and 6 who represented the school at the Cross Country County Championships at Abington Park. As always, they showed their absolute BEST, and it was great to see them clapping and cheering on other participating schools. Thank you to the parents that came along to support and cheer on the children!
We are also so proud to share that 3 of our children have been invited to take part in the district championships, having qualified in the top 20 and top 10 runners across all the schools.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance
We are passionate about the importance of children attending school daily and on time, but this can only happen with the support of yourselves.
We want our children to access all areas of the curriculum and the opportunities and experiences on offer, and they can only do this if they come to school.
As you know, holidays will not be authorised, and absence of this nature may result in a penalty notice from the Local Authority (please see our attendance policy for further details). In the new year, we will continue to monitor, contact yourselves or conduct home visits during times of absence.
Our current whole school attendance is excellent and above national average, and we want this to continue in January 2026.
Thank you once again for all that you do to support your child's education and encouraging daily attendance.
|
|
|
|
|
Times Table United
Thank you to all those who came along to our ‘Times Table United’ event.
It is so important that the children receive your support and encouragement at home- we know that regular times table practice at home really is a brilliant way of helping your child and makes a huge difference to their outcomes!
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the school year, there are many events organised by the FOSB- already we have had 2 discos, a subsidised cinema trip and our recent Winter Barnanza.
The FOSB are still saving our donations to help us continue our improvements to our school, playground and field. As mentioned in our last newsletter, we would like to have more play equipment (new play huts) and we would also like to have a pathway around the perimeter of the main field, so the children can walk around this area during the winter months.
The FOSB and the above events, and extra opportunities for our children, all rely on volunteers, both staff and parents/carers offering their wonderful support!
If you can offer your time, ideas and support to the Friends of Standens Barn then please contact the main school office on 01604 413151or email us at sbps-admin@sbps.inmat.org.uk and we will be in touch!
|
|
This term the children enjoyed a Winter disco and we would like to thank DJ High and DJ Hern and all the staff and parents who volunteered their own time to help set up and organise the disco. The children had a wonderful time and it was full of smiles, dancing and sweets!
|
|
|
SBPS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM
This term our school leadership have volunteered their time and demonstrated BEST brilliantly by helping our younger children and staff during the discos and by supporting our parents and carers (and making teas and coffees for staff) during our recent parents evening.
A huge well done to our new House Captains- your kindness, patience and polite manner have been visible for all to see!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In assemblies this term, we have focused on anti-bullying week and how we can keep ourselves and each other safe. We have discussed the importance of STOP (Several Times On Purpose and Start Telling Other People) and how sharing and showing kindness and being thoughtful should always be an important focus for us all.
This term, we also held our first Sketchbook Assembly of the year and all created our own winter scenes – the final results were amazing and the focus and enthusiasm in the hall was brilliant!
Our Friday assemblies are one of our favourite parts of the week. We really enjoy seeing our children succeed and be Brave enough to share their accomplishments with the rest of our school. During this time, we celebrate class attendance and our BEST of the week children, and we also listen and enjoy uplifting songs as we come in and out!
This term we have also celebrated our first Silver award winners – well done to them all!
Linked with our No Outsiders learning (all different, all welcome), we have continued to discuss our Protected Characteristics and how we should be tolerant of each other’s differences, such as those who are a different race to ourselves or those who speak a different language. We shared examples of people showing BEST and British values to each other even though they may have different skin colours.
This term, the children have been sharing and discussing the following books with their teachers:
Reception: The Family Book
Year 1 and 2: What the Jackdaw saw
Year 3: We're all Wonders
Year 4: When sadness comes to call
Year 5: The Boys
Year 6: You're so amazing
|
|
|
|
This year we are asking for all our parents to show BEST and think twice before buying their children e-scooters as presents this Christmas.
There are serious dangers with them being driven recklessly and the potential for unintentional law breaking- e-scooters are often being illegally driven on roads, pathways and cycle lanes.
E-scooters (privately owned or rented) should only be ridden by one person and should not be driven by an adult with a child on board. There are also a number of laws surrounding the use of this form of transport.
Last year, 47 people were injured in collisions involving e-scooters in Northamptonshire. Please take heed of the safety warnings and the potential for prosecution and avoid buying these vehicles for Christmas.
|
|
|
|
Attendance Reminder 
The school doors open at 8:45am so please ensure your child(ren) arrives at school by 8:40am to ensure your child(ren) have a settled start to the school day and do not miss out on any learning. The gates will be closed by 9:00am.
|
|
|
Please continue to check your emails, our school website and social media for updates about our curriculum offer for your child. We regularly send out and upload information, especially at the beginning of a new school term.
We would also encourage you to ask your child about what they have been doing- we have the pleasure of talking to them about their school experiences and they are open, honest but also very enthusiastic!
|
|
|
|
|
For further information about trips, events and visitors- please check your emails for more information. Copies of all letters can be found on our school website:
https://www.standens.northants.sch.uk/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=18
|
|
|
|
|
Please follow the link below if you would like to register your child to local girl guiding units- these clubs offer a great way for your child to participate in wonderful events and new opportunities: Rainbows (4-7) | Girlguiding Brownies (7-10) | Girlguiding
|
|
|
|
-
To keep all our children safe, the play equipment/trim trail on our school playground must not to be used before and after school. The equipment is only supervised during playtimes, lunchtimes and specific PE lessons.
-
Please remember the car park is shut between 8:30am and 9:10am and from 3:00pm until 3:30pm unless you hold a disability badge/permit for vehicles (this must be displayed clearly). Our caretaker will open the school gates when it is time to do so.
-
Please remember that if your child would like to bring their bike or scooter into school, they must wear a helmet.
-
We are committed to BEST and treating you with respect and courtesy and to be Thoughtful to you all. Our staff also have the right to work in a safe environment, so we ask that you treat them thoughtfully and with respect and courtesy. Offensive behaviour will result in you being asked to leave and may result in prosecution.
|
|
Please be Safe and Thoughtful when collecting or dropping your child(ren) off.
We understand that it can be very stressful in the mornings when we have to be in multiple places but it is vital that ALL car drivers remain courteous to all of those in our community and that they also drive and park within the law to ensure we do not hurt or harm anyone.
The Highway Code Rule 243 states that it is illegal to stop or park near the following:
- near a school entrance (including zig zag lines)
- anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
- at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
- on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
- opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
- near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
- opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
- where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
- where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
- in front of an entrance to a property
- on a bend
- where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities
|
|
