Please find below the messages that I have shared with our families via our Seesaw communication app.
Mrs Crowther, Executive Principal
Principal’s Message
Next week, our Year 6 pupils will be taking their national SATs tests. You have all worked so hard to get to this point, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
A message just for you: these tests don’t show everything about who you are. They don’t show your talents, your creativity, how supportive you are as friends, or the kindness and maturity you show every day. The results will tell us something, but they will never capture all the brilliant qualities that make you unique. There are so many different ways to be clever, and no test can measure them all.
As you head into next week, remember that you have nothing to worry about. Just try your best, that’s all anyone can ask.
So this weekend, your most important job is to relax. Spend time outdoors, enjoy being with your friends and family, and do things that make you happy. If you choose to do a little bit of revision, that’s fine, but keep it short and don’t overdo it. You’ve already achieved so much during your time at our school, and we know you will go on to achieve even more in the future.
You truly are stars 
I’ll be around in Key Stage Two next week helping with the tests, so I may not be on the gate as usual. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and good luck, Year 6. You’ve got this!
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message
It has been another incredibly busy and rewarding time in school, with many opportunities for our children to learn, grow and represent our school so positively.
Our newest members of Key Stage 1 have settled into life at Greetland brilliantly and are already very much part of the school family. Classes 1A and 2A have taken on the responsibility of caring for our new school stick insects! The children have learned all about how to look after them and showed great bravery (just like our school value) alongside care and gentleness when handling the insects.
Our Year 2 pupils recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to Stockeld Park, where they supported their work in English through storytelling activities. The staff there were quick to commend our children on their impeccable behaviour, something we are extremely proud of. Similarly, our Year 1 children visited the Central Library, where they used their new and existing library cards to borrow books to take home. Once again, their behaviour and enthusiasm were a real credit to the school.
Last week, our SCITT provision was visited as part of an Ofsted inspection, which I was involved in through my wider role with GHAT. Inspectors observed our trainees in 3G and 2G and were blown away: not only by the trainees themselves, but also by the teachers who support and mentor them, and by the behaviour and ability of our children. We will share the outcome in due course, but we are already extremely proud of the high-quality provision our SCITT offers to trainee teachers. It is particularly pleasing to see so many alumni now teaching within our school.
We were also delighted to introduce our newly selected Inclusion Ambassadors in Key Stage 2. Their first task has been to take part in a sign language workshop, and they will be sharing these valuable skills during our Respectful Values Week at the end of May. A letter will be sent out shortly with further details, including our non-uniform day on the Friday.
Our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils recently took part in an important assembly focused on anti-social behaviour. This session delivered key messages as they continue to grow in independence and begin preparing for the transition to secondary school.
There is much to celebrate beyond the classroom as well. We are excited to see a range of new and engaging clubs now up and running, including gardening ,which builds on last year’s success, film producing, and Key Stage 1 pickleball. In addition, we are very pleased to welcome Mr Boylan back to teach contemporary dance to Years 2, 3 and 6, providing our children with enriching experiences beyond the expectations of the national curriculum. We look forward to sharing their final performances on Seesaw.
Earlier this week, whole class photographs were taken on Monday, capturing another special moment in our school journey. These provide a wonderful keepsake of your child’s time with us.
Over the coming weeks, our Reception classes will be working with Phunky Foods, taking part in sessions focused on healthy eating. The children will have the opportunity to make delicious and nutritious recipes, further supporting our school value of being healthy. This week their workshop was entitled ‘Pineapple Parade’ and the children all made Super Crunch which was yummy!
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I hope you enjoy the bank holiday weekend, hopefully with some sunshine!
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message
Well, that’s the end of our second full term and hasn’t it flown by? They do say time flies when you’re having fun, and this term has certainly been full of memorable moments!
Earlier this week, many of you took the opportunity to meet with your child’s class teacher to discuss their progress. Thank you for your continued support and for the many positive comments shared about the report cards: it is always greatly appreciated.
Last Friday, we came together to support Comic Relief, dressing in a wonderful rainbow of bright colours to spread joy and laughter. The highlight of the day had to be the staff challenge. After being voted by the children, Mrs Stewart, Mr Price, and Mr O’Shea bravely took part in a rather disgusting challenge. They certainly took one for the team and kept us all thoroughly entertained!
It has been another incredibly successful term for sport across the school. From football and cross country to gymnastics and dance, our children have competed at a very high level and embraced every opportunity to represent the school. While we always celebrate success, what has stood out most is the outstanding sportsmanship shown by our pupils, encouraging others, respecting officials, and representing the school impeccably. That said, I may soon need to invest in a larger trophy cabinet if this success continues!
Music has played a big part in our term too. Our second Rocksteady concert of the year was a fantastic success, and it was wonderful to welcome so many parents into school to enjoy the performances. In addition, our Year 3 and 4 pupils were treated to an inspiring performance from real classical musicians, an experience that truly brought music to life. Reception have also been “rocking out” this week, enjoying visits from live musicians (including myself) and finishing with their own marching band parade using instruments they created themselves!
Today, we rounded off the term in style with our KS1 Easter Bonnet Parade. The creativity on display has been incredible, and I am sure the catwalk will be a highlight for all involved. Of course, no Easter celebrations would be complete without a special visit from the Easter Bunny. If previous years are anything to go by, there will be plenty of excitement! Photos will be shared on Seesaw shortly.
We were also delighted to hold our Star of the Term Assembly, where children were recognised as voted for by their peers. This is always a special moment in our calendar, celebrating not only achievement but kindness, effort, and positive attitudes across the school.
So, that just leaves me to wish you all a very happy and restful Easter break, hopefully with some sunshine! We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 13th April. A gentle reminder that KS1 starts at 8:45 and KS2 at 9:00, so please ensure your child arrives on time.
Happy Easter—have an eggcellent time!
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – Celebrating Achievement, Inclusion and Opportunity
It has been another incredibly busy and inspiring few weeks at The Greetland Academy. Every time I walk around school, I am reminded of just how much our pupils achieve both academically, creatively and personally. Our children continue to demonstrate our school values of being Ambitious, Brave, Curious, Healthy, Respectful and United, and it is a pleasure to celebrate some of their recent successes. Over the recent holiday, we were pleased to complete several improvements to our school environment, helping to make our spaces even more engaging and supportive for pupils. In Key Stage 1, we have installed new playground markings including a full road layout, creating exciting opportunities for imaginative play, physical activity and learning about road safety. In Key Stage 2, the gym has been brightened with a fantastic new mural, adding colour and inspiration to the space where many of our sporting activities take place. We have also refreshed and improved our pastoral room, ensuring it is a calm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children can receive support and feel comfortable. These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to providing an environment where all children feel safe, happy and ready to learn.
Sporting Success: Cross Country and Gymnastics
Our pupils have recently represented the school with great determination and pride at the West Yorkshire Cross Country event. Competing against schools from across the region is no small challenge, but our children rose to the occasion brilliantly. Several pupils finished in the top places in their races, with some achieving first place finishes, which is an incredible achievement. What impressed us most, however, was the resilience and sportsmanship shown by every runner who took part.
We are also extremely proud of our school gymnasts, who represented the academy at the Yorkshire Schools Acro Competition. The gymnasts performed beautifully, showing strength, teamwork and precision in their routines. Their hard work has paid off, with a number of our gymnasts qualifying for the national competition later this year. This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to their dedication and the support of our staff and coaches.
Dance Club Shines in the Great Big Dance Off
Our dance club has also been making waves after delivering an amazing performance at the Great Big Dance Off. The commitment shown by the dancers during rehearsals has been incredible and the confidence they demonstrated on stage was wonderful to see. Opportunities like this allow our pupils to develop creativity, teamwork and self-belief, and we could not be prouder of how they represented the school.
A New Club Taking Off – Skateboarding
This term we have also launched a brand-new skateboarding club for Key Stage 1, and it has been fantastic to see how quickly it has become a favourite activity for many pupils. The children are developing balance, coordination and resilience as they practise new skills and most importantly, they are having a great deal of fun while doing so. We are always keen to offer new opportunities that encourage children to try something different and build confidence.
A Proud Moment – School of Sanctuary Award
We are delighted to share that The Greetland Academy has been awarded the School of Sanctuary Award, recognising our commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, welcome and included in our community.
This award celebrates the work we do to ensure that pupils understand the importance of empathy, kindness and inclusion. Through assemblies, curriculum learning and themed events such as Refugee Week, Diversity Week and our Day of Welcome, our children learn about the experiences of people seeking safety and how we can build a culture of belonging.
The appraisal team who visited the school commented on how strongly diversity and inclusion are embedded across our activities and learning throughout the year, praising the way these themes are reflected in assemblies, reading materials and pupil discussions.
This recognition reflects the collective effort of our staff, pupils and community in living out our values every day.
Comic Relief – Pupil Leadership in Action
Our Fundraising Club and School Council are currently busy planning activities for Comic Relief. It is wonderful to see our pupils taking leadership roles in organising events that will help others. Fundraising initiatives like this are a brilliant way for our children to demonstrate our values of being Respectful and United, while also showing curiosity about the wider world and how we can support others.
Supporting Every Learner
Ensuring every child can thrive is central to our work as a school. Recently, our SENDCo has delivered a series of professional development sessions for staff to further strengthen our inclusive practice. These have included training on:
By continuing to build staff expertise, we ensure that all pupils receive the support they need to succeed both academically and emotionally.
A School to Be Proud Of
As always, I would like to thank our pupils, staff and families for their continued enthusiasm and support. Whether it is competing in regional sporting events, performing on stage, trying a new club, raising money for charity or working to make our school welcoming for everyone, our children continue to make us incredibly proud.
Together, we are building a school community that truly reflects our values: ambitious in our goals, brave in trying new things, curious about the world, healthy in mind and body, respectful of others and united in all that we do.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message
And just like that… another half-term comes to an end!
This half-term is often known as the “quieter” one after the excitement of Christmas (although I’m not entirely sure who decided that!), but as always at Greetland, we have managed to cram an incredible amount into the
last six weeks.
Careers Week – Ambition in Action
This week we have been focusing on one of our core values:Ambition, through a special careers-themed week. The week was kicked-off by a special video from none other than ‘Angry Ginge’ of social media and I’m a Celebrity Fame! Today, children (and staff!) arrived dressed as their dream job, and we were absolutely blown away by their creativity. We had everything from future doctors and athletes to performers, designers, and even a few jobs I suspect haven’t been invented yet! You can see some of the fantastic outfits on Facebook and Seesaw. Throughout the week we’ve welcomed a variety of visitors into school to inspire the children, including a careers advisor from one of our Trust secondary schools, who also happens to be a former Greetland parent! We also enjoyed talks from our local vicar, a fashion designer, and even my hairdresser, who somehow managed to give me a lovely new hairdo… with the help of KS1! (I’m pleased to report I survived and still have most of my hair intact.) This week has been a wonderful reminder to our children that they can truly reach great heights and pursue any career they dream of.
Curriculum Pride
Our curriculum continues to be a huge source of pride, and this half-term we were delighted to welcome colleagues from across West Yorkshire, who visited to observe our exemplary practice in early phonics. They were incredibly impressed with what they saw and we were, as always, proud to showcase the hard work of our staff and children.
Rocksteady – A School Full of Superstars
Meanwhile, KS2 has been rocking out with Rocksteady, and we now have over 40 budding musicians learning to play drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and even lead vocals! We can’t wait to see them perform again later in the year, after their truly rocktastic Christmas show.
Year 5 First Aid Training
Our Year 5 children have also been busy learning life-saving first aid skills as part of our PSHCE curriculum. They covered everything from dealing with choking and nosebleeds to performing CPR, gaining valuable knowledge that could genuinely make a difference in an emergency. Each child has received a certificate and first aid guide to mark their achievement — we are incredibly proud of them.
Supporting Future Teachers
We also continue to support the next generation of educators through our SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) programme. This term, several of our staff members: Mrs Crowther, Mr O’Shea, Mrs Walsh and Miss Whiteley have delivered training sessions to our budding teachers. It is wonderful to see our expertise shared more widely and to play a role in developing future school leaders.
Sporting Success and Dance Dreams
In sport, our children have had fantastic opportunities to represent the school in the Pokémon Futsal competition. We were impressed not only by their talent, but also by their impeccable sportsmanship. They were a real credit to Greetland. Looking ahead, next half-term brings another exciting event: our performance at the Great Big Primary Dance Off at The Victoria Theatre. This will be our sixth time taking part, and our dance club has been working incredibly hard on their Shrek-themed routine… and I can honestly say it looks absolutely amazing. (We may need to start booking autographs now!) As we move towards the warmer part of the year, there will be many more opportunities for children to represent the school across a wide range of sporting events so watch this space.
FOGS (Friends of Greetland School)
A huge thank you, as always, to our wonderful FOGS team. They met recently to plan the rest of the academic year, following the great success of the Christmas Fair.
Upcoming events include:
Mother’s Day Pop-Up Shop – WC 9th March
This will take place during school time at both sites:
KS1:
2:45pm – 3:15pm
KS2:
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Easter Raffle
Winners will receive Easter treats. The raffle will be drawn
before 27th March.
Father’s Day Pop-Up Shop – WC 15th June
Also held during school time at both sites:
KS1:
2:45pm – 3:15pm
KS2:
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Summer Music Festival – Friday 10th July
More details will be shared closer to each event.
Half-Term Break
Wishing you all a wonderful and restful half-term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 23rd February, ready for another exciting half-term, which will finish with Parents’ Evening, giving you the chance to discuss your child’s progress.
Happy holidays!
Warm regards,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Festive Message
I hope all our KS1 families enjoyed the festive pavement disco this morning : what a joyful way to start our final day of term! It’s hard to believe that we’ve already completed a full term at school. What a busy, festive and memorable one it has been.
You should all have received your child’s first written report of the academic year last Friday, following your parents’ evening meetings in October. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to engage with these. We kindly ask that you return a copy with your comments so that we can keep these on record.
Today we say a fond farewell to Miss Presley, who has taught at our KS1 site for almost a year covering maternity leave. She will be very much missed by children and staff alike and we wish her every success for the future. We are also delighted to welcome back Miss Sleight, who has returned from maternity leave and will be teaching 2G. It’s lovely to have her back with us.
At the start of the year, you received an overview of the clubs on offer, and we continue to work hard to provide a broad and exciting range within the limits of space, pupil numbers and staff directed time. Next term, clubs will include:
KS1 Lego Club, KS1 Pickleball, KS1 Singing Club, Year 2 Gymnastics, KS2 Rock Steady, KS2 Mindfulness, Year 3/4 Craft Club, Year 3/4 Lego Club, Year 4 Gardening, Year 5/6 Film Production, and our Year 6 Dance Club, as preparations continue for the Great Big Dance Off. We are incredibly grateful to staff who generously give their time to make these opportunities possible.
The past few weeks have been wonderfully festive, and it has been a pleasure to welcome parents and carers into school for our Christmas performances. Reception and Year 1 put on truly magical shows: what confident and talented performers they are. Our Year 5 pupils also led a beautiful Christmas Service at St Thomas’ Church for the rest of KS2, making us all very proud.
Our Christmas project this year, linked to our value of being curious, has focused on sustainability and asked the question: How can we celebrate Christmas in ways that care for our planet? The thoughtful and creative work produced by the children has been fantastic, and many of you will have seen this shared on Seesaw.
Earlier this week, a group of our singers visited Woodfield Grange, where they truly spread the Christmas spirit to residents and staff alike. We are so proud of how confidently and kindly they represented our school. Alongside this, children have once again created Santagrams for Home Instead, sending festive messages to older members of our community who may be feeling lonely at this time of year which is a wonderful reminder of the importance of kindness and giving.
Our Christmas Jumper Day and Elf Dash was another huge success. The playgrounds were full of festive cheer, and together we raised a fantastic amount for Overgate Hospice, such a worthy local charity. The day ended with our first Christmas Fair in two years, which was a real highlight. A huge thank you to the FOGS volunteers and staff who made this possible. While fundraising is important, coming together as The Greetland Family is just as special. This year, FOGS are contributing towards each year group’s school trip to help reduce costs for families and ensure all children can enjoy enriching experiences. We will meet again in the new year to discuss what events are possible moving forward, and we would love to welcome any new volunteers- details will be shared soon.
Today we will also hold our first Star of the Term assembly of the academic year which is one of my absolute favourites. These awards are voted for by classmates, and our children always make such thoughtful choices based on our Greetland values of being ambitious, brave, curious, healthy, respectful and united. A huge well done to all our recipients. We will also celebrate our School Council Award winners, who will receive certificates from their class councillors for embodying these values.
And finally, today marks the arrival of a very special visitor at KS1. His sleigh is already packed full, and the excitement is building! He will be joining the children in assembly to deliver their special gift-the gift of reading.
I would also like to thank families for your understanding and support over the past few weeks as winter illnesses have affected our community. Your cooperation and care for one another has been very much appreciated. As always, our priority is the wellbeing of our children, and we are grateful for the partnership we share with you in keeping everyone safe and well.
As we close the term, I want to thank our incredible staff for their dedication, commitment and care for the children, and to thank you, our families, for your continued support. Greetland truly is a special community, and it is a privilege to lead such a wonderful school. As I bring this festive message to a close on our final day of term, I would like to wish every member of our community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 5th January 2026.
See you in 2026!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Greetland 🎄
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message
Christmas has well and truly arrived at Greetland! Our trees at both sites look absolutely beautiful, adorned with the wonderful decorations the children have made. Nativity rehearsals are in full swing, and I cannot wait to see the KS1 performance at St Thomas’ Church next Tuesday. Our Reception children have also been practising for their very first live show – it’s going to be a special one!
Our eagerly anticipated Christmas Craft Club is up and running, and the school is positively sparkling with glitter. A huge thank you to the teachers who volunteer their time to make sure any child who wants to take part can do so.
Our Christmas Fair is fast approaching, and we are really looking forward to welcoming you all on the 12th. This is our first fair in two years, and it is only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of our wonderful PTFA. Thank you to everyone who has donated items so far, and to FOGS for the incredible amount of work they have put into making this event a success. Please do remember that children must be supervised at all times during the fair, as we expect it to be very busy.
Our school choir will be performing at St Thomas’ Church next Sunday evening (14th) at their special children’s service. Miss Wild has been working so hard with the children, and I know we are in for an absolute treat – I can’t wait to hear them sing!
Although Christmas is firmly in the air, we’ve also had an exciting few weeks of sporting events, including cross country, Boccia and football. We are incredibly proud of every child who has represented the school. They have shown our Greetland values in abundance: ambitious, brave, curious, healthy, respectful and united. At every event, staff received wonderful comments about the children’s behaviour and attitude. A huge thank you also goes to the staff who give up their own time to make these opportunities possible.
Unfortunately, the winter flu bug has affected a number of our children recently. Thank you all for your understanding and support. I fully appreciate that the December Attender initiative across trust schools raised some concerns. As I communicated on Friday, children will not be penalised for following medical or school advice. I want to reassure you that pupil wellbeing is always our starting point. No child should ever feel pressure to attend school when they are unwell, and the guidance to keep children at home when poorly remains unchanged. The initiative is designed to encourage positive attendance habits , not to penalise children who genuinely need to be off.
Wishing you all a lovely, festive weekend and good luck with the mischievous elves at home!
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message
What a spooktacular way to end our first half term! The children (and staff!) all looked absolutely amazing in their Halloween costumes today, and the pumpkin competition entries were truly fang-tastic! I couldn’t be prouder to lead such a wonderful school filled with happy, creative children and such a dedicated team of staff. Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our fantastic parents and carers — so a huge thank you to each and every one of you.
It’s been lovely to see so many of you in school over the past couple of evenings for our first Parents’ Evening of the year. We really value the strong partnership we have with families in supporting every child’s progress and wellbeing. Please remember that you don’t need to wait until Parents’ Evening to speak to your child’s teacher — if you’d like to chat or have any questions, you can always contact the school office to arrange a convenient time.
It was also wonderful to welcome so many of our Reception families into school last week to choose their child’s very first reading for pleasure book from our library collection. The children were so excited to explore the shelves, and we hope the special pack of phonics flashcards (kindly donated by FOGS) will help you continue supporting early reading at home.
Throughout October, we’ve been recognising Black History Month under this year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride. The children have taken part in a range of meaningful activities to celebrate and learn about the contributions and achievements of Black individuals past and present — I’m sure you’ve seen some wonderful examples shared on Seesaw.
It’s also been time for one of our favourite sporting events — KS2 Cross Country try-outs! We were blown away by the number of children who took part and by their incredible determination (I’ll admit, they ran distances I’d struggle to walk!). Although we can only take six boys and six girls from each year group to represent the school, every child who took part should feel very proud of their effort and resilience.
And in more Halloween news — we’ve once again joined forces with our friends at West Vale Academy to create spooky sculptures for the Greetland Ghostly Trail! If you spot our creations on your walk, please do share your photos on Seesaw — we love seeing them in action! This year, there’s also a special selfie frame sponsored by both schools, so don’t forget to take a snap if you find it!
💒 Wedding Bells Are Ringing! 💒
We’re ending the half term with some very special news — our wonderful Miss Hanson will be getting married during the break! We are all so excited for her and wish her the happiest of days as she begins this new chapter in her life. After the half term holiday, she will return to school as Mrs Whiteley, so please join us in congratulating her when you see her.
The children have been just as excited and have loved helping us celebrate in school this week — it’s so lovely to share such joyful occasions with our Greetland family. I know you will all join me in wishing her and her fiancé a truly magical wedding day and a lifetime of happiness together. 💕
Finally, a quick reminder: Friday 24th October and Monday 3rd November are both staff training days, so school will be closed to pupils. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday 4th November for our favourite time of year — the magical build-up to Christmas! There’s lots of festive fun ahead.
Wishing you all a restful half-term break full of bugs and hisses! (sorry… I couldn’t resist one last Halloween joke!)
With warmest wishes,
Mrs Crowther
🌟 Principal’s Blog – 5 Weeks In! 🌟
I can’t believe we’re already five weeks into the term – time really does fly when school is this busy and joyful!
Last Friday, we joined schools across the country in celebrating National TA Appreciation Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to thank our amazing teaching assistants and support staff for everything they do for our children. They were treated to sweet goodies and heartfelt messages of thanks from the children in the staffroom. It was also lovely to see so many kind words from families on Facebook – I know the single one.
At Greetland, we believe it’s so important to give our children a voice and opportunities to grow as leaders. Last week saw the democratic election of our brand-new School Council – and what a fantastic group of young leaders they are! This year, they will help shape school life through half-termly meetings linked to our values, support charity and community events, greet visitors, hand out the School Council termly award, and monitor class reward tokens. We can’t wait to see the impact they will have.
We are also delighted to welcome three new student teachers as part of our SCITT programme. Mrs Wilcock (Year 6), Miss Dean (Year 1), and Miss Swinbank (Year 4) have already made a brilliant start. In a few weeks, all our SCITT students will also be joining us for specialist training on the teaching of reading – an exciting opportunity for them and for our children, who will enjoy some extra reading time with the trainees.
We have now shared our plan for after school clubs with our families. We’ve refined our processes to make sure as many children as possible get the chance to take part across the year. You can find details here: School Clubs Information.
I am also absolutely thrilled to share that our PTFA has a brand-new committee! Please join me in welcoming:
In addition, Shaunie and Xenia will be running the FOGS social media, and Nicola Reed will continue her wonderful work as our Pre-Loved Uniform Ambassador. A huge thank you to every volunteer who has stepped up – I know this team is going to make this the best year yet. First stop… the Halloween Disco! 🎃✨
For our Year 5 families, please note that Brooksbank High School is holding its Open Evening on Thursday 9th October, 5:30–8:30pm. It’s a great chance to explore and ask questions about your child’s next steps.
And finally, a huge well done to our Year 6 children who had a brilliant time on their residential at Winmarleigh Hall in Preston. They showed incredible courage and teamwork, taking on activities such as abseiling, the giant swing, orienteering – and even a silent disco! They were a credit to our school, and I couldn’t be prouder of how they represented our Greetland family.
Here’s to another exciting half term ahead – thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Warm wishes,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – Welcome Back!
Welcome back to the new school year, and a very special welcome to our new Reception families. Your little superstars have made such a fantastic start and have already settled beautifully into school life.
For those new to Greetland, I send out regular Principal’s Messages through Seesaw (usually every two weeks) to celebrate successes and share what’s happening across school. Copies are also available on our website:
👉 Principal’s Messages
It has been wonderful to see the children return so confidently to their routines—it feels as though they’ve never been away! Staff have loved hearing all about their summer adventures and, of course, meeting our newest children and their families.
You should now be able to access your child’s Seesaw account to keep up to date with learning and class news. A polite reminder: please do not send teachers direct messages on Seesaw in the evenings or at weekends. For urgent queries outside working hours, the school office email should be used. I’m sure you’ll agree our staff work incredibly hard and deserve time to switch off.
This morning we held our very first Celebration Assembly of the year. Teachers found it especially hard to choose recipients because all of the children have made such an impressive start. If your child received a certificate, you will have seen this shared on Seesaw—well done to them!
Over the summer, we also made some important site improvements. At KS1, you may have noticed the new secure entrance and car park gates. We now also have fob access on all doors at both sites to further strengthen safeguarding. In addition, we’ve installed new bike and scooter shelters at both sites. We’d love to see more children travelling actively to school and making good use of them.
Today you will also have received the first Learning Launchpad of the year via Seesaw. These outline what your child will be learning this half term and highlight key dates. Copies are also available on the school website.
We are currently finalising our clubs programme for the year and will share a full overview with families soon, along with details on how to request places.
Finally, a note on uniform. We understand the pressures of rising living costs and want to reassure families that there is no requirement to purchase items with our logo—plain red jumpers and white polo shirts are absolutely fine. FOGS run a fantastic pre-loved uniform service at most school events (and via email on request), and the YMCA also provides excellent quality items. Please do let us know if you need support sourcing uniform—we are here to help. A gentle reminder that children should not wear jewellery or watches (including Fitbits). One pair of plain stud earrings may be worn, but children must be able to remove them themselves for PE.
Thank you for helping us make the first week back such a positive one. Wishing you a wonderful weekend (hopefully with a little sunshine), and I look forward to seeing our KS1 families at the gate on Monday morning.
Warm regards,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – Three weeks In already!
It’s hard to believe we’re already three weeks into the final term of the year! This is always a busy but exciting time, as we prepare for the transition into a new academic year.
End-of-Year Reports
Our teachers are currently hard at work writing end-of-year reports, which will be sent home on Thursday 11th July.
Transition Updates
Today you’ll receive a letter outlining the proposed staffing line-up for September. Next Friday, all children will spend the morning in their new classes.
For our current Year 2 children, this is an especially important transition. They will spend the whole day at our KS2 site—enjoying the morning with their new class teachers and the afternoon with their current teachers. On Wednesday, they had a special “transition treasure hunt” at KS2. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear they are more than ready for this next step in their journey with us.
New Intake & Pupil Places
We’ve started to welcome our newest Greetland families to school! Last night, we were delighted to meet many of our new Reception families at a stay-and-play session. We’re confident they’ll feel right at home.
We currently have spaces available in all year groups, so if you know someone looking for a school place—or considering a move—please do spread the word about Greetland!
Celebrating Academic Success
I’m absolutely thrilled to share that our Year 1 phonics screening results are the best we’ve ever had—98% of children met the expected standard, and 100% of our Year 2 children have now also achieved it. This reflects the dedication of our expert reading team and the incredible effort from the children themselves.
The achievements continue in Year 4, where 59% of our pupils scored full marks in the national multiplication tables check, with an impressive average score of 23 out of 25. What a fantastic achievement—well done, superstars!
Respectful Week
This week, we celebrated our annual Respectful Week, which highlights our school’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, rooted in our core value of respect.
Each day focused on a different theme:
Today, children and staff wore non-uniform to express and celebrate their unique and wonderful selves. Everyone looked amazing—photos will be shared on Seesaw and Facebook.
A true highlight of the week was our special video, All Kinds of Minds, shared in assembly. It featured several of our incredible children—including some who are neurodivergent—speaking openly about how their minds work. One child said just before filming:
“I know that I am neurodivergent, and it just means my brain is extra special and works in a different way to other people’s.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/56Y0AHD5xLI
Parents’ Showcases
This half term, we were thrilled to welcome Reception, Year 4 and Year 5 parents into school for class assemblies and learning showcases. These are always joyful events, filled with pride and connection. We value our links with home and are thankful for such supportive parents and carers.
We’ll be sharing the showcase dates for all year groups for the next academic year well in advance, so families can plan ahead to attend.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend—fingers crossed for some sunshine!
Warm regards,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – End of Half-Term Sporting Special!
And just like that, we’ve reached the end of what has felt like the longest short term ever! In just five weeks, we’ve packed in so much—and I couldn’t be prouder of everything our children have achieved.
First and foremost, a huge well done to our amazing Year 6 pupils, who gave their all during SATs week. Their effort, resilience and positive attitude were incredible, and we are confident they’ll receive the results they truly deserve.
Looking ahead, Year 4 will be taking their national Multiplication Tables Check, and Year 1 will be completing their Phonics Screening Check next half term. We know they’ll all do brilliantly—we’re already so proud of them.
Last week, our Year 6 dance squad took to the stage at Brooksbank High School for the Everybody Dance Now competition. Their energy, teamwork, and commitment to our school values shone through as they performed superbly and earned a well-deserved second place!
On Tuesday our Year 6 mixed Tag rugby team brought home yet more silverware- or in fact GOLD-ware! The final was nail biting against another local school with our winning try being scored just as the whistle went!
Tuesday also saw us host West Vale and Bowling Green’s Y6 girls’ football teams alongside our own two squads. They certainly showed that #ThisGirlCan! It was wonderful to see so many athletes come together with respect and sportsmanship.
This week, we’ve been celebrating Health week linked to our school values of ‘being healthy’. Highlights included:
A big thank you to all staff and visitors who made Health Week such a valuable, fun, and memorable experience for our children.
If you know any families still looking for a Reception place for September, please do send them our way. We currently have some spaces available—even for those living outside our immediate area.
Wishing you all a relaxing (and hopefully sunny!) half-term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for our final half term of the year on Monday 2nd June.
Warm wishes,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s message to our wonderful Year 6 children:
Next week, our Year 6 children will be sitting their national SATS exams. All of our children have worked incredibly hard and we are ever so proud of them all.
A message to them: what these tests don’t show is how special each of you are. They do not show your talents, what amazing friends you can be or how kind, thoughtful and mature you are. The scores from these tests will tell us something, but they will not tell us everything about you all. There are many ways of being smart and there is no way to test all the amazing and awesome things that make you unique. I want to wish you all the best for next week, but you have nothing to worry about.
So this weekend, your homework is to ride a bike, play with the friends, eat sweets and relax. If you want to do some revision, that is up to you, but it does not need to be for long. Just remember that you have all reached great heights during your time at our school and will continue to do so at high school. You are stars!
I will be up at Key Stage Two and at West Vale all week to help with administering the tests so I won’t be on the gate at Key Stage One.The weather forecast looks good for the weekend so hopefully you will all enjoy some sun.
Have a lovely weekend and good luck year 6-you will smash it!
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!
I can’t quite believe we’ve already been back in school for two weeks—how time flies when you’re having fun!
Year 2 kicked things off with an incredible trip to Stockeld Park, where they immersed themselves in all things storytelling. It truly was a magical day, and we returned with lots of happy (and very tired!) children and staff. The memories made will last a long time.
Year 1 have also taken their learning outside the classroom this term, taking part in a local geography study as part of their new topic. It’s wonderful to see our pupils exploring their community and learning in real-world contexts.
Back in school, our Year 2 pupils have had their second contemporary dance session with Mr. Boylan, our specialist dance teacher. He’s been incredibly impressed with both their talent and behaviour—we can’t wait to see the final performance!
Last week, our Year 6 pupils represented the school at the Sportshall Athletics competition at Brooksbank School. As always, their behaviour was impeccable, and they came away with a brilliant 2nd place. A huge well done to everyone involved!
Yesterday we took two girls’ teams and one boys’ team to the Key Steps Gymnastics competition. We were thrilled to bring home two second-place finishes for the girls and an incredible first place for the boys! The children showed determination, teamwork, and all of our school values—we’re so proud of them.
And it doesn’t stop there—on Sunday, three of our talented gymnasts will be competing in the National Gymnastics Finals. What an amazing achievement! A massive well done to them, and heartfelt thanks to Miss Wild for her continued dedication and support in training our pupils.
Looking ahead, next week is the final run-up before our brilliant Year 6 pupils sit their Key Stage 2 SATs. They’ve been working incredibly hard, and we couldn’t be more proud. We know they’ll approach the tests with focus and confidence—and we’re behind them every step of the way.
Wishing you all a lovely extended weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone bright and early on Tuesday.
Warm regards,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s Message – The Sun Has Got His Hat On… Hip Hip Hip Hooray!
With the improving weather, our Year 4 students have been enjoying their residential trip at Nell Bank. They’ve explored the river, participated in team-building activities, and devoured delicious fish and chips. We eagerly await their return this afternoon to hear all about their adventures.
Celebrating Sporting Achievements
This half-term so far has been remarkable for our sports teams. Our cross-country runners represented the school admirably, with one student qualifying for the national competition! Our gymnasts also shone at the regional championships, bringing home numerous medals. Beyond their athletic successes, we’re immensely proud of how our students embodied our school values, serving as true ambassadors.
Introducing the ‘Safe Squad’
Ensuring the safety of our children is paramount. We’ve recently introduced the ‘Safe Squad’—a team of specially trained staff members available to support any concerns. While all staff are ‘safe adults,’ our designated safeguarding leads—myself, Mrs. Ashton, Miss Whiteley, and Mrs. Graham—receive annual training for this role. You can view our new poster on the website: https://greetland.fivetalents.co.uk/key-info/safeguarding/
Proud as Punch
We are so proud to announce that we have been redesignated a Champion School for Little Wandle Phonics in recognition of our exemplary practice. This status generates extra income for our school which goes straight back into purchasing more resources for our children. A huge well done to the KS1 team!
Comic Relief Day: A Blast from the Past
Today, we celebrated Comic Relief by dressing in 1980s attire (or celebration clothes) to mark its 40th anniversary. KS1 families kicked off the day with an 80s-themed pavement disco. Photos from the day are available on our Facebook and Seesaw pages. Thank you for your generous donations to this worthy cause.
Upcoming Event: The Great Big Primary Dance Off
Next week, our KS2 dance squad will perform at the Victoria Theatre for the sixth year in the Great Big Primary Dance Off. Their routine based on the musical Wicked is shaping up wonderfully, and we’ll share photos and videos on the day.
Reminders
School Start Times: KS1 learning begins at 8:45 AM, and KS2 at 9:00 AM.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend. See you on Monday!
Warm regards,
Mrs Crowther
Principal’s End of Half-Term Message
And just like that, another half-term comes to an end! Although this one was shorter, we’ve certainly made the most of it with plenty of exciting activities and achievements.
First, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Miss Presley, who has joined the Greetland family as 2G’s class teacher while Miss Sleight is on maternity leave. No baby news just yet, but rest assured, I’ll update you all as soon as we hear any!
This week, we’ve been focusing on one of our core values—ambition—through a special careers-themed week. Today, the children arrived dressed as their dream job, and we were blown away by their choices! You can check out their fantastic outfits on Facebook and Seesaw. Throughout the week, we’ve welcomed various guest speakers, including a careers advisor from one of our Trust’s secondary schools—who also happens to be a former parent here! This week has helped our children to see that they can truly reach great heights and pursue any career they dream of.
Our curriculum continues to be a source of pride, and we were thrilled to welcome 12 colleagues from a cluster of Catholic schools who visited to see our exemplary practice in early writing. They were especially impressed by how we develop transcriptional skills (handwriting and spelling) in KS1, ensuring every child becomes a confident writer.
Meanwhile, KS2 has been rocking out with Rocksteady, and we now have over 40 budding musicians learning to play drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, or even take on lead vocals! We can’t wait to see them perform later in the year.
Our Year 5 children have also been busy learning lifesaving first aid skills as part of our PSHCE curriculum. They covered everything from handling choking and nosebleeds to performing CPR, gaining valuable knowledge that could make a real difference in an emergency. Each child has received a certificate and first aid guide to mark their achievement.
We also continue to support future educators through our SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) programme. This term, several of our staff members—Mrs. Crowther, Mrs. Ashton, and Miss Whiteley—delivered a week of grammar training for SCITT students, while Mr. O’Shea and Mrs. Walsh led a session on PE teaching.
In sports, our children have had fantastic opportunities to represent the school in both new-age curling and ten pin bowling. We were impressed not only by their talent, but also their impeccable sportsmanship. We are so proud of them all! Looking ahead, next half-term brings another exciting event—our performance at the Great Big Primary Dance Off at The Victoria Theatre. This will be our fifth time taking part, and our dance club has been working incredibly hard on their Wicked-themed routine, which is absolutely stunning!
Finally, a quick note about FOGS (Friends of Greetland School). We’ll be holding a FOGS meeting at The Sportsman on 4th March, and we’d love to see as many parents there as possible to help plan future fundraising events. As you know, we weren’t able to run a Christmas Fair this year due to a decline in membership, but the funds raised by FOGS have been invaluable—purchasing iPads for Seesaw, stocking our libraries with beautiful books, and subsidising school trips to ensure every child gets fantastic experiences. Your support makes a huge difference!
Wishing you all a wonderful and restful half-term break. We look forward to seeing you back on Monday 24th February, ready for another exciting half-term, which will wrap up with a parents’ evening to discuss your child’s progress.
Happy holidays!
Mrs Crowther
