Weekly Blog Friday 12th September 2025
Date: 11th Sep 2025 @ 10:21am
Attendance
Every week in our Celebration Assembly, we celebrate the class who has achieved the highest attendance for that week. This week Mrs Ronan & Mrs Wood's class had the highest attendance with a fabulous 100% - well done Year 3!
Huge apologies from Miss Argo to both Year 3 and Year 6, as the incorrect information about who had achieved the highest attendance was given out in assembly but we can confirm it was definitely Year 3 who won this week.
Please see below for the attendance figures for this week. The target attendance for all children is currently set at 97%.
Nursery - Due to staggered start dates, Nursery attendance will start showing here from week commencing 15th September
Reception - Due to staggered start dates, Reception attendance will start showing here from week commencing 15th September
Year 1 Mrs Davies - 96.67%
Year 2 Mrs Ward & Mrs Walker - 96.83%
Year 3 Mrs Ronan & Mrs Wood - 100%
Year 4 Mrs Parkes - 96.77%
Year 5 Mrs Pickersgill - 96.83%
Year 6 Miss Dunn - 97.58%
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!
Although all the children in Nursery and Reception haven't started yet, those classes have received their letters if all children who were meant to be in school this week were in.
Please see below where each class stands at the end of today:
Nursery - M A Y F L O
Reception - M A Y F L O
Year 1 -
Year 2 - M A Y
Year 3 - M A Y F L
Year 4 - M A Y F
Year 5 - M A Y
Year 6 - M A Y F L O W
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
We would like to give all of nursery and reception star of the week this week. They have all been super stars coming into school independently. All the children have been kind and welcoming to their new friends and it has been lovely to see lots of new friendships being made. Well done Nursery and reception!
Year 1
This week we have been learning about what it means to belong - to belong in Year 1, to belong in our school and to belong in our world. The children thought carefully about how we can help each other feel welcome in all of our communities by showing consideration.
Year 1's Stars of the Week this week are two children who are kind, caring and respectful all of the time. They quietly help others by pointing them in the right direction, helping them locate the right equipment, showing them how to do a task or helping them find their belongings. They treat others with kindness, sharing their games and conversations. And they treat everyone, no matter who, with the upmost respect and consideration. You are both true role models for Year 1 and our whole school community. Thank you Max and Luna!
Year 2
Georgia - for being a thoughtful and kind member of Year 2, who always considers the thoughts and feelings of others. She listens carefully and is always ready to offer help to those who need it. Her kindness is evident in everything she does, but mostly in the way she makes everyone feel valued and included. She's shown us just how much a little kindness can brighten someone's day.
Holly - for being a truly kind and caring member of our class. She consistently takes time to consider other people's feeling, always offering a helping hand and words of encouragement when needed. Holly's thoughtful nature and kind heart have made her a wonderful friend to all.
Year 3
Henry - Henry has shown how considerate he is by helping out new friends in our year 3 class. He has made them feel welcome and been an excellent role model so they can quickly be a part of team Mayflower.
Ellie - Ellie has been considerate to other people with their learning this week. She has supported and guided other children with their learning when they have been unsure and checked in with them. She is a great partner to have in class!
Year 4
Phoebe - Phoebe has had an amazing start to Year 4. She shows compassion in everything that she does. She treats others with kindness and respect and regularly offers to support peers with their learning. This week, she helped another child with his maths work, giving up her own time to do this. Phoebe - you are an amazing role model to your peers.
Jagoda - Jagoda is the definition of compassion. She shows this in abundance. Jagoda is ALWAYS kind and respectful to everyone she interacts with. She has had an amazing start to Year 4 and I am looking forward to seeing her progress over the year. Keep it up.
Year 5
A little Consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference. - A.A.Milne
Olivia Finch - Olivia shows consideration towards others through her words and her actions every single day. She supports others with their learning and always behaves in a kind and considerate manner.
Maggie - Maggie is thoughtful and considerate; she always looks out for other people and checks that they are ok. She is considerate of other people's feelings and demonstrates kindness all the time through the things she does and the things she says.
Year 6
This week across school, we have been working on being considerate. Adults across school have been looking out, in particular, for those children who show consideration towards others. This week's Stars of the Week in Year 6 have been chosen with this in mind.
Katie - Katie shows consideration towards others through her words and her actions every single day. She is one of the first in Year 6 to offer to do jobs, help others or support them with their work and she goes out of her way to be helpful to her peers and adults across school. What a fantastic start to Year 6.
Savana - Savana shows consideration towards her peers and adults at all times. She always behaves in a way that enables others to enjoy a safe and productive working environment and she is supportive of others - whether this be her friends during break times or her partners during lessons. What a fantastic start to Year 6.
Headteacher Award
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 trophy.
This week’s theme was ‘belonging’ and this amazing superstar has made a great start to Year 2 by helping others feel welcome and part of our wonderful school. Well done Skyla, keep up the hard work in and out of the classroom and we are all super proud of you.
My ‘shout-outs’ for giving 100% to the MAYFLOWER WAY this week go to Blu-Belle, Annie, Emily and Skyla. Well done everyone.
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. Please click on the link below to see the sign for the coming week.
https://makaton.org/TMC/News_Stories/SOTW/SOTW_Police_Officer.aspx
Coffee morning for SEND parents Wednesday 17th September
Last term, we applied to be part of the national PINS (Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in School) and we are delighted to be one of 10 schools in Doncaster selected to take part. The PINS project is an innovation project designed to improve whole school approaches to educating and supporting children who have special educational needs.
As part of this project, we will be working closely with numerous specialist services across the borough over the coming year to further strengthen and improve our practice. One of the services working closely with us is Doncaster Parents Voice, who will be holding a coffee morning with us next Wednesday from 8.40am.
If you have a child in school with special educational needs, we would love you to come and talk to us. Please come to the school office to sign in.
This is an informal coffee morning where you will be able to chat with DPV and school, but most importantly, other parents.
Voluntary contributions for school trips
As it's the start of the new school year, we thought it would be useful to provide some information about the voluntary contributions we request for school visits that take place during the school day. The total cost of the visit, including transport, activities and any other associated costs, are divided evenly by the total number of pupils in the class.
Whilst the contributions have to be requested as voluntary, school is not in a position to be able to subsidise any shortfall on any trip. It will therefore unfortunately be necessary going forward to cancel visits should the full cost of the trips not be covered by the voluntary contributions.
Free School Meals and additional funding for children
We thought it would be useful to share information each term regarding Free School Meals with parents/carers. Some parents/carers may not realise that they are eligible, for example if their circumstances have recently changed. Parents/Carers with children in Years 2 and below may also not have applied for Free School Meals as their child already receives a free meal which is funded by the Government's Universal Infant Free School Meals initiative.
Children who are eligible for means-tested Free School Meals are also entitled to receive additional funding called Pupil Premium. This is a grant provided by the Government which school will receive for 6 years to enable us to support the children and enhance their education.
For further information regarding Free School Meals, please click on the link below.
https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/schools/free-school-meals
If you live in a different Local Authority to Doncaster, please visit your own Local Authority's website for further information on Free School Meals.
If you think you are eligible and would like us to make the application on your behalf, we are more than happy to do this if you contact the school office.
Choir and Young Voices
Mrs Wood will be starting choir rehearsals next week during the school day. We have had lots of interest from children wanting to join the choir, in preparation for the Young Voices choir performance which will take place at Sheffield Utilita Arena on Tuesday 10th February 2026. Further information will be sent out next week to the parents/carers of those children who attend the first rehearsal. There will be a link to the resources the children will need to practise the songs and dance moves for the concert, together with details about how parents/carers can order tickets and t-shirts for the event.
The children will be taken to Sheffield Utilita Arena on the afternoon of the concert by school staff. There will be a coach booked for this and there will be a charge for this. Further information regarding this will also be sent out next week.
News from our PTA
Annual General Meeting Tuesday 23rd September
Our PTA will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 23rd September at 6.30pm in the Turnpike Pub in Bawtry. In this first meeting of the new school year, there will be elections for the following roles:
Chair
Vice-Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
If you would like to put yourself forward for any of these roles, please contact Jenni on 07903 264707.
Is your child new to Mayflower? We’d love to have you join the team! Whether you can spare just an hour now and then, or want to get fully involved, every bit of help makes a huge difference.
Last year we raised thousands for the school, funding some fantastic projects for the children.
The more the merrier—come along and be part of it!
Can you help us with some projects?
Our PTA needs your help! Parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbours – can you lend a hand? Even if it's just half an hour of your time.
Over the holidays, the PTA have been busy making improvements around school, and now we need your help to get them finished so the children can enjoy them.
Jobs include:
- Painting the new wooden ships
- Lifting & shifting
- Laying a patio
Every pair of hands will make a difference, and any time you can spare would be hugely appreciated.
Saturday 27th September & Saturday 4th October. We will be starting at 10am, and meet at Reception.
Questions? Message Jenni Dolby on 07903 264707.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Spooktacular Halloween Disco Friday 31st October
Spooktacular Halloween Disco! Friday 31st October • 6:30–8:30pm at Bawtry New Hall
Proudly supported by Bawtry Town Council.
Prizes for the best costumes!
Bar & snack shack to keep little monsters fuelled.
Tickets: £3 each or 2 for £5
Email mayflowerPTAtickets@gmail.com to secure yours. Cash & card accepted (cash is faster!)
Parents must remain with their little witches & wizards.
Open Evening at XP Doncaster Thursday 18th September
XP Doncaster will be holding an open evening for current Year 6 pupils and their parents next Thursday, 18th September from 4pm to 6pm. Families will be required to sign up for the event in advance. Please click on the following link to register:
Register your interest for the Y6 showcase
The Hayfield School Open Evening Monday 29th September 2025
Prime Minister's letter to parents/carers
To mark the Government's recent childcare expansion milestone, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written to parents reaffirming his Plan for Change promise to give children the best possible start with 75% of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development by 2028. Please click on the link below to read the Prime Minister's letter.
Christmas Design Project
We know it is still early to be talking about Christmas, but we wanted to provide plenty of notice that we will be taking part in the Christmas design project again this year. As a reminder and for those new to school, the children design a piece of artwork which can then be used by a company to make Christmas cards/mugs etc which can be purchased by families.
For the last couple of years, we have used a company called Xmas4Schools. We had some lovely feedback from parents/carers about the quality of the products so have decided to use this company again this year. Please click on the link below to have a look at their website.
https://xmas4schools.co.uk/
The children will be creating their designs in school, which will then be sent home with an order form. The deadline to get the completed order form back to school will be Monday 20th October at 3.10pm to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. No payments are required at that stage. Once the company has received the artwork and order forms, parents/carers will receive a text/email with their personal order code so you can then log in, place your orders, and make payment online directly with Xmas4Schools.
The company cannot accept any late orders so if you would like to order some items with your child's design on, please ensure you return your order form by Monday 20th October at 3.10pm. We wil send reminders nearer to the deadline.
All products ordered will be delivered back to school and sent home with the children. We will of course keep you updated at each stage of the process.
Merry Masterpieces
Lee Pitcher, the MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, would like some help designing his Christmas card for this year. He would like children to design a Christmas card that Mr Pitcher could then use to send to community leaders, charities, other politicians and the Prime Minister.
If your child would like to take part, the deadline for entries is Friday 7th November. Further details are provided below. As we are publicising this early, we will pop it on a couple of future blogs as a reminder.
Number Train sessions
Ellie Birkinshaw, who was one of our Year 1 teachers up to this summer, is running Number Train sessions for children from 2.5 to 5 years old. These sessions are taking place here at Bawtry Mayflower every Wednesday morning from 11am to 12 noon.
Please see below for further information and click on the link if you are interested in booking a place for any children who aren't yet at school. There is currently a half price offer available.
https://number-train-doncaster.classforkids.io/
Youth Sport Initiative
Free Parenting Clinic
Raring2go Autumn magazine
The team at Raring2go would like to share their Autumn magazine with our families. Raring2go advertises local events, news, competitions, offers, savings, discounts and activities in the local area. Please click on the link below to view their latest magazine.
https://magazines.raring2go.co.uk/doncaster/autumn2025/
Lunch Menu for week commencing 15th September 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.
There may also be last minute changes to the menus on occasion, to take into account availability of items or delivery issues.
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
Wednesday 17th September - Doncaster Parents Voice PINS (Partnership Inclusion Neurodiversity Schools) coffee morning
Wednesday 24th September - open evening 4pm to 5.30pm for visits for Nursery/Reception places for September 2026
Friday 26th September - Year 4 visit to Jorvik Viking Centre
Wednesday 1st October - individual/sibling photos
Friday 10th October - Hello Yellow for World Mental Health Day - wear yellow non-uniform
Friday 17th October - non-uniform day to collect donations for Harvest
Wednesday 22nd October - Harvest church service St Nicholas' church for Year 2 to Year 6 - walking to church straight after morning registration. All welcome to walk to church and back with us.
Friday 24th October - last day at school before half term
Monday 27th October to Friday 31st October - half term
Friday 31st October - closing date for Secondary school applications for September 2026
Monday 3rd November - first day back after half term
Monday 10th November - Year 1 visit to Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery
Tuesday 11th November - Flu vaccinations for children from Reception to Year 6
Thursday 13th November - Year 5 visit to Lincoln Castle
Wednesday 19th November - open evening 4pm to 5.30pm for visits for Reception places for September 2026
Tuesday 2nd December - Flu vaccination session for any children absent on the original flu vaccination date
Monday 8th December - Key Stage 1 nativity dress rehearsal 10.30am
Tuesday 9th December - Foundation Stage nativity dress rehearsal 10am
Tuesday 9th December - Key Stage 1 nativity performance 2pm
Wednesday 10th December - Foundation Stage nativity performance 10.30am
Wednesday 10th December - Key Stage 1 nativity performance 2pm
Thursday 11th December - Foundation Stage nativity performance 10.30am
Tuesday 16th December - Christmas church service St Nicholas' church for Year 2 to Year 6 - walking to church straight after morning registration. All welcome to walk to church and back with us.
Tuesday 16th December - Christmas Dinner Day
Thursday 18th December - Christmas Party Day including party food for lunch
Thursday 18th December - last day at school before Christmas holidays
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
Tuesday 10th February - Choir perform at Young Voices concert at Sheffield Utilita Arena - further details to follow
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
Monday 23rd March - Year 6 visit to Crucial Crew
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
Monday 4th May - bank holiday - school closed
Monday 18th May - Year 1 visit to Austerfield Study Centre
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 9th June to Wednesday 10th June - Year 3 residential to Austerfield Study Centre
Monday 15th June to Sunday 26th June - Bawtry Festival
Wednesday 17th June - choir taking part in Sing Out concert
Monday 29th June to Wednesday 1st July - Year 4 Hollowford residential
Friday 17th July - last day at school before Summer holidays
Monday 20th July - Training Day - school closed to pupils
