Weekly Blog Friday 12th December 2025
Date: 11th Dec 2025 @ 9:46am
Attendance
Every week in our Celebration Assembly, we celebrate the class who has achieved the highest attendance for that week. This week Mrs Ronan and Mrs Wood's class had the highest attendance with 96.79%. Well done Year 3!
Please see below for the attendance figures for this week. The target attendance for all children is currently set at 97%.
Nursery - 90%
Reception - 93.23%
Year 1 Mrs Davies - 96.67%
Year 2 Mrs Ward & Mrs Walker - 93.91%
Year 3 Mrs Ronan & Mrs Wood - 96.79%
Year 4 Mrs Parkes - 96.56%
Year 5 Mrs Pickersgill - 93.08%
Year 6 Miss Dunn - 91.30%
Celebrating fantastic attendance!
Each week, each class with 100% attendance on a particular day will receive one letter from the word MAYFLOWER to put on their classroom door. Once a class has spelt out the word MAYFLOWER, a member of the class will bring all their letters down to the office to claim their prize from our box of Awesome Attendance Activities!
Please see below where each class stands at the end of today:
Nursery - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L
Reception - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M
Year 1 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M
Year 2 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y
Year 3 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y
Year 4 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L
Year 5 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W
Year 6 - M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F L O W E R M A Y F
This week, Year 1 completed MAYFLOWER for the third time and will be choosing their reward to enjoy next week - well done!
Stars of the week
Each week in our Friday Celebration Assembly, we celebrate our stars of the week. Each class teacher chooses 2 children from their class each week who have really impressed them. Here are the children who have been chosen this week.
Nursery & Reception
Stars of the week this week go to the whole of Foundation Stage for being absolute super stars in their Nativity play. They did amazing singing, remembered their words and when it was their turn to get on to the stage. What a fabulous performance they put on for everybody! All of the staff are extremely proud of them all.
Year 1 & Year 2
Our Stars of the Week are ALL the children in KS1 who took part in our nativity! Each and every one of you has shown such wonderful determination in learning your lines; collaboration in supporting and encouraging your friends; and real courage in standing on stage to sing and perform in front of the whole school and your families.
You have all taken collective responsibility to put on a fantastic performance, full of the joy and magic of ‘The Nativity’. We are incredibly proud of you - well done!
Year 3
Joshua - Joshua has worked so hard over the last few weeks! He is polite and well mannered and always wants to make the adults in class happy. He is friendly towards all other children and he is a very caring boy, looking after others when they are upset and doing his best to cheer people up when they need it. Joshua spreads Christmas cheer all year round! Well done!
Gabriel - Gabe is a Christmas superstar! He is always friendly to other children in class and really helpful to the adults. Gabe has a hard working attitude and a real determination to succeed even when he finds work a challenge. His sense of humour and cheeky grin cheer up the classroom every day! Well done!
Year 4
Jacob - Jacob has shone brightly this week in class. He has really impressed me with his determination and work ethic. He has listened carefully to all instructions and persevered when things have been difficult. He has faced some difficult problem solving in maths this week and hasn't let it phase him. Jacob - I am so impressed with your attitude towards learning this half term and you have made a real positive change to enable you to make fantastic progress.
Tillie - Tillie has shown determination this week. She has been a good friend to others, offering help where it is needed both inside and outside the classroom. Tillie is a quiet member of the class but always seeks out others who might need her support. She shows kindness and respect at all times. Tillie - Keep shining like the star that you are.
Year 5
"Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t." – Rikki Rogers
Lilly-Rose demonstrates increasing confidence in new and unfamiliar situations and is beginning to face challenges with a positive attitude. She has been working hard and has shown a real determination to improve her learning. Well done Lilly-Rose! Keep it up!
Layla enthusiastically embraces new learning experiences and relishes a challenge. She is able to use the resources that she has been given to complete tasks with independence and confidence showing great perseverance. She has really enjoyed the Christmas writing that we have done this week and has produced a fantastic non-chronological report. Keep up the good work!!
Year 6
This week across school, the focus has been on those children who embody Christmas and everything that it represents: kindness, connection and community. This week's Stars of the Week in Year 6 have been chosen with this in mind.
Elizabeth - Elizabeth is kind in abundance - not only to me and her peers in Year 6, but to all adults and children across our school community and wider community. She is generous towards others with everything: her time, kind words and even little treats to brighten people's days. Elizabeth really does embody the true spirit of Christmas all year round and she certainly puts a smile on my face.
Oliver B - This week's theme represents Oliver so well: he is invariably kind to everyone; he goes out of his way to connect with others; and always puts the needs of other members of our community before his own. He can always be relied upon to support his peers when they need it and always does this with a smile on his face, often using his humour to brighten our classroom. Oliver, you make me smile every day.
Headteacher Award & Shout Outs
Each week in our Celebration Assembly, Mrs Powell chooses someone who has really impressed her during the week and presents them with her Headteacher Award. My award this week goes to Milo in Year 1, who shines brightly every day and even brighter during Christmas-time. He performed beautifully during the Key Stage 1 nativity and always brightens everyone's day with his gorgeous smile and cheeky glint in his eye. Well done Milo!
My ‘shout-outs’ for giving 100% to the MAYFLOWER WAY this week go to Daniel G (Y2) and Annie W (Y4). Well done!
Makaton Sign Of The Week
The children are continuing to learn Makaton's 'Sign of the week' each week. Each Monday, the children learn the new sign for that week. We thought it would be useful to share the following week's sign with parents/carers on our Friday blog so you can get involved too if you wish.
During Advent, there will be a sign each day on the Makaton website as part of their 'Countdown to Christmas'. Please click on the link below to visit the Makaton website - the Countdown to Christmas is on the right, about halfway down that page.
Inclusion morning cancelled
Due to other commitments in school for Christmas, we are unable to offer an inclusion open morning next week. We apologise to anyone who was waiting to book a slot; however, if you would like to speak with myself and Mrs Westerman before Christmas, please just give us a call and we will arrange a time to see you.
Thanks for all your continued support.
Mrs Walker (Inclusion Lead)
Christmas Jumper Day Tuesday 16th December
Next Tuesday is our Christmas jumper day. If your child has a Christmas jumper or Christmas dress etc, we would love them to wear it to really get us in the festive mood. It is a non-uniform day that day, so if your child doesn't have a Christmas jumper, they can just come to school in non-uniform next Tuesday.
Christmas church service Wednesday 17th December
Our Christmas Service for children from Year 1 to Year 6 will take place next Wednesday morning. We will be leaving school to walk to St Nicholas' church straight after morning registration. Thank you to those who have offered to walk to and from church to enjoy the service with us. Please come to the school office after dropping your child off to class on Wednesday morning.
We are usually back at school around 11am.
Carols round the tree and Christmas market Wednesday 17th December
Next Wednesday we will be holding our annual 'carols round the tree' event straight after school. This will be combined this year with our Christmas market. Each class has been given some money by our PTA to spend on resources to make items to sell at the Christmas market. The class who raises the most money at the market will receive a cash prize from the PTA to spend as they wish.
Refreshments will be available at the event. We hope as many families as possible can join us next Wednesday after school in our upper hall. Please collect your child first and then make your way into the upper hall - staff will be available to direct you.
Christmas Party Day Thursday 18th December
To celebrate the last day of this term, next Thursday will be our party day. Children are invited to come to school in their party clothes/non uniform. In assembly, each class will be sharing their favourite Christmas song with us and in the afternoon the children will have their party and festive games to kick off the Christmas holidays.
Christmas Chocolate Raffle
Tickets for our annual Christmas chocolate raffle are still on sale, priced at £1 per strip of 5 tickets. Thank you to those who have donated items to help us to create three deluxe chocolate hampers for this raffle. These are in the main entrance if you would like to see the prizes before buying any raffle tickets. The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term.
Christmas Postbox
Our Christmas postbox is now in the main entrance near the school office. If your child would like to send Christmas cards to their friends, they can pop their cards in the postbox and they will be delivered to class as soon as possible.
Please make sure the name of the child the card is for is on the envelope, together with their year group. It would also be really helpful if the cards could have an elastic band round them or be in a small bag if they are all for the same class please, to help speed up delivery.
PTA Events
Name The Reindeer
Can you help choose a name for our reindeer? Look out for the name the reindeer game at events this month. Just £1-a-square to be in with a chance to win a cute Christmas hamper or one of our Santa goodie mugs. Lots of names to choose from - pick your favourite! Winners to be drawn in the final week of term.
Christmas Shop
Today, our PTA held their Christmas Shop. There were a wide range of gifts available for the children to buy for their loved ones. This is always a highlight in the lead up to Christmas, as the children love visiting the shop, choosing their presents and having them wrapped. This year, we had some new volunteers at the shop in addition to our regular helpers. We are always so grateful for those who give up their time to buy the gifts and join the PTA on the day to wrap the gifts and help the children. Without our volunteers, these events would not be able to run and our children would not benefit from the additional opportunities and activities that the PTA run and fund.
If you would like to help at any future events, please see Lindsey Buxton, the chair of our PTA, or pop into the school office and we can pass your details on to Lindsey.
Shining Stars
This week has seen our younger children take part in their nativity performances. We hope those who could join us would agree that they were AMAZING! Huge thank you to the staff and parents/carers who worked with the children to learn the songs and lines for their performances. The confidence that all the children showed when on stage was fantastic, particularly given their ages. What a fabulous lead up to Christmas. Thank you so much Foundation and Key Stage 1 for such wonderful performances - you are all superstars!
Photos of both nativities will be included in the Nativity Special in the Doncaster Free Press which will be on sale just before Christmas. Please click on the images at the bottom of this page to view the photos.
Christmas activities
The team at the Trans Pennine Trail has asked us to share their Christmas Holiday Activity Pack with our families. The pack is available to download free from their website. This time, there are nature-themed challenges like a winter scavenger hunt, creative crafts such as making a bird feeder, and a delicious cake pop recipe to try at home. The pack also features sensory games, puzzles, and a heart-warming story adventure with the Trail’s friendly mascots, encouraging everyone to explore the great outdoors.
With colourful characters leading the way, this activity pack inspires kids to discover winter wildlife, get creative, and enjoy the magic of the outdoors. There are opportunities to share their adventures and to earn a digital certificate. The packs are ideal for Key Stage 1 and 2, but there’s something for everyone. They’re perfect for use on the Trail, in your local park, or even indoors on a rainy day. Every pack is designed to help everyone learn, play, and make memories while exploring the outdoors.
https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/childrens-page/tpt-activity-packs/
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Christmas Dinner and Party Food
On Tuesday next week, children will be having Christmas dinner and on Thursday they will be having Christmas party food. If your child usually brings a packed lunch to school and didn't want a Christmas dinner and or/party food or you didn't complete the forms by the deadline, they will need to bring their packed lunch as normal on both these days please.
If your child usually has a packed lunch and you have ordered a Christmas dinner and/or party food, please ensure you have paid £3 for each meal on ParentPay against payment item 'Dinner Money for Bawtry Mayflower Primary School' by the time each meal is taken. The £3 for each meal is deducted from ParentPay on the day each meal is taken.
Lunch Menu for week commencing 15th December 2025
Please see the menu below for next week. Mrs Stanfield, our School Cook, will continue to monitor the children's likes and dislikes and there may be changes to these menus in light of these.
The meals for Tuesday and Thursday are different to the ones shown below next week, as it is our Christmas dinner day on Tuesday and party food for dinner on Thursday.
Diary Dates
Please see below our current diary dates. It may be that there are dates on here that involve your child that you haven't had any information for yet. Please don't worry, information will come out in plenty of time prior to the date concerned. Dates that have been added since the last blog are shown in bold.
2025-2026 School Year
2025
Monday 15th December - some KS2 children visiting the Nourish session at the church hall - details have been sent to the parents of those children involved
Tuesday 16th December - Nursery & Reception Christmas craft morning straight after morning drop off
Tuesday 16th December - Christmas Dinner Day
Tuesday 16th December - Christmas Jumper Day
Wednesday 17th December - ***CHANGE OF DATE*** Christmas church service St Nicholas' church for Year 1 to Year 6 - walking to church straight after morning registration. All welcome to walk to church and back with us. ***CHANGE OF DATE***
Wednesday 17th December - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked ***CANCELLED*** If you would still like to speak to our inclusion team, please contact the school office to make a separate appointment
Wednesday 17th December - panto in school PM
Wednesday 17th December - Carols round the tree and Christmas Market
Thursday 18th December - Christmas Party clothes/non-uniform for our last day at school
Thursday 18th December - Christmas Party Day including party food for lunch
Thursday 18th December - last day at school before Christmas holidays
Thursday 18th December - Christmas Chocolate raffle being drawn during the school day
Friday 19th December - Training Day - school closed to pupils
Monday 22nd December to Friday 2nd January - Christmas holidays
2026
Monday 5th January - Training Day - school closed to pupils
Tuesday 6th January - first day back after Christmas holidays
Thursday 15th January - closing date for applications for Reception for September 2026
Monday 19th January - Year 1 Road Safety presentation
Tuesday 27th January - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Tuesday 10th February - Choir perform at Young Voices concert at Sheffield Utilita Arena - further details to follow
Wednesday 11th February - non-uniform day - no donations requested
Wednesday 11th February - PTA discos - Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 3.10pm to 3.50pm (Nursery & Reception parents to stay at the disco with their children). Years 3 to 6 4pm to 4.45pm
Friday 13th February - last day at school before half term
Monday 16th February to Friday 20th February - half term
Monday 23rd February - first day back after half term
Tuesday 24th February - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Wednesday 11th March - Reception visit to Boston Park Farm - parents to drop off and collect from Boston Park Farm
Friday 13th March - PTA Gifts for a loved one shop during the school day
Wednesday 18th March - Rocksteady concert 2pm - for those taking part in Rocksteady sessions
Monday 23rd March - Year 6 visit to Crucial Crew
Tuesday 24th March - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Wednesday 25th March - PTA Easter Egg Hunt during the school day
Friday 27th March - last day at school before Easter holidays
Monday 30th March to Friday 10th April - Easter holidays
Monday 13th April - first day back after Easter holidays
Wednesday 15th April to Friday 17th April - Year 5 residential to Dearne Valley PGL
Tuesday 28th April - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Monday 4th May - bank holiday - school closed
Monday 11th May to Thursday 14th May - Year 6 SATs
Wednesday 13th May - non-uniform day - no donations requested
Wednesday 13th May - PTA discos - Nursery, Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 3.10pm to 3.50pm (Nursery & Reception parents to stay at the disco with their children). Years 3 to 6 4pm to 4.45pm
Monday 18th May - Year 1 visit to Austerfield Study Centre
Tuesday 19th May - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Tuesday 19th May - Year 3 parents meeting for Austerfield residential
Wednesday 20th May to Friday 22nd May - Year 6 London residential
Friday 22nd May - last day at school before half term
Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May - half term
Monday 1st June - Training Day - school closed
Tuesday 2nd June - first day back after half term
Tuesday 2nd June to Friday 12th June - Year 4 multiplication checks
Wednesday 3rd June - class photos
Monday 8th June to Friday 12th June - Key Stage 1 Phonics screening week
Tuesday 9th June to Wednesday 10th June - Year 3 residential to Austerfield Study Centre
Friday 12th June - Reception visit to Boston Park Farm - parents to drop off and collect from Boston Park Farm
Monday 15th June to Sunday 26th June - Bawtry Festival
Wednesday 17th June - choir taking part in Sing Out concert
Thursday 18th June - Sports Day - times to be confirmed
Friday 19th June - PTA Gifts for a loved one shop during the school day
Wednesday 24th June - Rocksteady & Guitar/Woodwind/Brass concert 2pm - for those taking part in Rocksteady sessions and/or music lessons with Doncaster Music Service
Wednesday 24th June - PTA Summer Fair
Monday 29th June to Wednesday 1st July - Year 4 Hollowford residential
Tuesday 30th June - Inclusion Open Morning - places to be pre-booked
Monday 6th July - Year 6 transition evening at The Hayfield School for parents and children
Tuesday 7th July to Wednesday 8th July - The Hayfield School transition days
Tuesday 7th July to Wednesday 8th July - Queen Elizabeth's High School Gainsborough transition days
Tuesday 7th July to Thursday 9th July - XP Secondary School transition days
Wednesday 8th July - New Parents Evening at Queen Elizabeth's High School Gainsborough
Wednesday 15th July - PTA Colour Run
Friday 17th July - last day at school before Summer holidays
Monday 20th July - Training Day - school closed to pupils
2026-2027 School Year
2026
Wednesday 30th September - individual/sibling photos
2027
Wednesday 2nd June 2027 - class photos
