‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13
“Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Letter No. 11 Christian Value: Love
28th November 2025
XXVIII.XI.MMXXV
Dear Parents and Carers,
🎄✨ Christmas Lights Switch-On and Christmas Fair ✨🎄 Monday 1st December, 3-6pm
It’s our favourite time of the year! 😊 Join us for an afternoon full of festive fun as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season together.
Parking at Briar Lee
We would like to share our sincere thanks to Briar Lee, who have kindly offered the use of their rear car park for our families during the Christmas Fair and Light Switch On.
We are also incredibly grateful to them for donating a beautiful Christmas Tree for our school hall. Their generosity and wonderful community spirit are truly appreciated.
🕑 Christmas Fair opens at 3:00pm
Come along and enjoy our wonderful stalls, games, and festive treats — there’ll be mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies and much more to enjoy!
🌟 Christmas Lights Switch-On at 4:30pm (approx.)
Gather around the Christmas tree as the children sing Christmas carols before and after the lights are switched on — a truly magical way to begin the Christmas season.
If you are able to help out on the day, please contact Miss Callander in the school office.
We can’t wait to see you there for an afternoon of community, celebration and Christmas cheer🎶🎁
Whole School Christmas Performance
We are delighted to invite you to our whole-school Christmas singing performance on Wednesday 17th December at 2pm in the school hall. The children will share a selection of Christmas songs, with KS1 pupils bringing the Nativity story to life through a beautiful tableau.
PTA Tuck Shop
The PTA is pleased to announce that a tuck shop will be available every Friday after school.
Pre-made bags of sweets will be on sale for £1.
Christmas Jumpers
As our Christmas jumper days approach, we’d love your help in spreading some festive cheer while also being environmentally friendly!
If your children have any Christmas jumpers, shirts, or T-shirts that they have outgrown, please send them into school. We’ll be reusing and recycling these items to help all our families join in the fun and reduce waste at the same time.
We’ll be holding a couple of Christmas-themed days this year, as well as our ‘Festive Fridays’ to get everyone into the festive spirit so any donations will be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your continued support,
#TeamBanks
Attendance
If your child(ren) is ill and not attending school it is important that you inform school by 9:15am. If the phone is engaged it is fine to leave a message using option 1 (reporting a pupil absence) or email bursar@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk.
September 2026 Primary School Admissions
Applications for places are now online and open. The closing date is 15th January 2026 for primary applications, we would however advise that you register children as soon as possible.
To assist parents there are links on our website www.banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk under ‘Admissions’ for Reception. If you are unable to access this, please speak to Miss Callander in the school office as soon as possible.
After School Clubs for Autumn Term 2
Tuesdays will be Sporting Activities for any child in Squirrels, Hedgehogs and Foxes, 3:15-4:15pm, delivered by a coach from the West Lancs Sports Partnership. The last club will be Tuesday 9th December.
Breakfast and Afterschool Care Provision
Breakfast and Afterschool provision is available, booking on-line through Eduspot.
Breakfast Club:
7:45am drop off £3
8am drop off £2.50
8:30am drop off £1.50
ASC
3:15-4:30pm £5 (Monday – Friday)
3:15-5:30pm £7 (Monday –Friday
If you require after school care at short notice (e.g. for the next day) and are unable to book in through the usual system of EduSpot, please contact Miss Callander in the office to let her know, particularly if your child will need to stay until 5:30pm.
Please be aware that if a child has not been booked in and no other children are attending, there may be no staff scheduled to supervise.
That said, we will always do our best to accommodate late requests and arrange staff cover where possible. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Online Payment System
Please remember to regularly log in to the online payment system to pay for nursery fees, dinner money, and any other school-related costs.
If you believe you may be entitled to Free School Meals, you can apply online or contact Miss Callander in the school office, by phone or email, who will be happy to assist you with the application process. If you need help using the online payment system, Miss Callander is also available to guide you through it. We kindly ask that all payments are made daily, weekly or monthly to help manage balances effectively.
Important:
If a child’s outstanding balance exceeds £50, we will unfortunately no longer be able to offer Breakfast or After School Care Provision, and your child will need to bring a packed lunch to school. This is to prevent the debt from increasing further.
If you would like to discuss a payment plan, please contact Mr Draper via email at head@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk to arrange a meeting. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Dates for the Diary
December
1st – Christmas Fair and Christmas Light Switch On, all from 3pm – Parking available at Briar Lee
3rd – Year 5 Bikeability (AM)
4th – Year 5 Bikeability (PM)
5th – Year 5 Bikeability (AM)
5th – Festive Friday 1 – Festive Wear
12th – Festive Friday 2 – Festive Wear
12th – Christmas Dinner Day
15th – Picture Book ‘Festive Week’ – all activities to be based around the story – Writing, Craft etc..
16th – PTA Christmas Party
17th – Whole School Carol Concert at school, 2pm
19th – Festive Friday 3 – Festive Wear
19th – Break up Christmas at 1:15pm
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Lunch Choices for next week (week beginning 1st December 2025):
Monday
Choice 1 – Cheese and bean pasty
Choice 2 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Tuesday
Choice 1 – Chicken burger
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Wednesday
Choice 1 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Thursday
Choice 1 – Mild chicken tikka with rainbow rice and naan bread
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Friday
Choice 1 – Harry Ramsden fish with chips, garden peas and sweetcorn
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
In the Gold Book This Week:
Mice: Aurora and Charlotte
Squirrels: Hunter J and Ashley
Hedgehogs: James and Finley
Foxes: Lewis and Lewis
Take care
Mr Draper and all the team at Banks Methodist
#TeamBanks
In the words of John Wesley:
Do ALL the good you can
By ALL the means you can
In ALL the ways you can
In ALL the places you can
At ALL the times you can
To ALL the people you can
As long as EVER you can
‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13
“Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Letter No. 10 Christian Value: Love
21st November 2025
XXI.XI.MMXXV
Dear Parents and Carers,
Baby News
A massive congratulations to Miss Hepworth on the arrival of her beautiful baby boy, Reggie James Kavanagh! Born on Monday at 10:53am and weighing an impressive 9lbs 10oz.
We’re sending all our love and warmest wishes to Miss Hepworth, her partner Matty and big brother Archie as they begin this amazing new chapter together. May their home be filled with joy, laughter and unforgettable memories.
Christmas Jumpers
As our Christmas jumper days approach, we’d love your help in spreading some festive cheer while also being environmentally friendly!
If your children have any Christmas jumpers, shirts, or T-shirts that they have outgrown, please send them into school. We’ll be reusing and recycling these items to help all our families join in the fun and reduce waste at the same time.
We’ll be holding a couple of Christmas-themed days this year, as well as our ‘Festive Fridays’ to get everyone into the festive spirit so any donations will be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your continued support,
#TeamBanks
🎄✨ Christmas Lights Switch-On and Christmas Fair ✨🎄 Monday 1st December
It’s our favourite time of the year! 😊 Join us for an afternoon full of festive fun as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season together.
🕑 Christmas Fair opens at 3:00pm
Come along and enjoy our wonderful stalls, games, and festive treats — there’ll be mulled wine, hot chocolate, mince pies and much more to enjoy!
🌟 Christmas Lights Switch-On at 4:30pm (approx.)
Gather around the Christmas tree as the children sing Christmas carols before and after the lights are switched on — a truly magical way to begin the Christmas season.
If you are able to help out on the day, please contact Miss Callander in the school office.
We can’t wait to see you there for an afternoon of community, celebration and Christmas cheer🎶🎁
Benefits that mastering times tables can bring
1. Learning basic times tables will make it easier to learn more challenging ones – for example if children know their 3 times tables, they will be able to work out their 6 times tables by doubling the answer.
2. When children frequently, successfully recall their times tables they will grow in confidence, which will not only help them tackle more challenging maths problems, but will help to keep them motivated and engaged across other subjects too.
3. Multiplication underpins many other aspects of mathematics such as algebra, division and fractions – an early understanding of multiplication will help children right up to GCSE level and beyond.
4. Recalling times tables improves memory skills, which is a transferrable skill that will help children throughout school and into adult life.
5. Children will find it easier to solve maths problems and to do mental arithmetic if they have already memorised their times tables.
6. Children will find maths exams less daunting as they will be assured in their ability to recall times tables. This means that when tackling more challenging maths problems they can easily recall and apply their existing knowledge whilst focusing on the question.
7. Multiplication is used day to day throughout adulthood, whether it’s working out price reductions, doubling recipes or splitting bills!
Holiday Dates 2026/27
School holiday dates for the academic year 2026/27 can now be found on the school website: https://www.banks.lancsngfl.ac.uk/school-holiday-dates/
Attendance
If your child(ren) is ill and not attending school it is important that you inform school by 9:15am. If the phone is engaged it is fine to leave a message using option 1 (reporting a pupil absence) or email bursar@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk.
Our whole school attendance is currently 94.2%, which is just below our target of 95%.
Weekly Class Attendance:
Mice – 100%
Squirrels – 98%
Hedgehogs – 92.9%
Foxes – 90%
September 2026 Primary School Admissions
Applications for places are now online and open. The closing date is 15th January 2026 for primary applications, we would however advise that you register children as soon as possible.
To assist parents there are links on our website www.banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk under ‘Admissions’ for Reception. If you are unable to access this, please speak to Miss Callander in the school office as soon as possible.
After School Clubs for Autumn Term 2
Monday’s will be ‘Booster Fun’ for all children in Year 6 with Mrs Winstanley and Mr Draper and ‘Times Tables’ Club for children in Year 3, 4 and 5 with Mrs Bradshaw. The last club will be Monday 8th December.
Tuesdays will be Sporting Activities for any child in Squirrels, Hedgehogs and Foxes, 3:15-4:15pm, delivered by a coach from the West Lancs Sports Partnership. The last club will be Tuesday 9th December.
Thursday’s will be football club with Mr Draper and Mr Wedlin at ‘The Hub’ in Banks for children in Hedgehogs and Foxes, 3:15-4pm.
Breakfast and Afterschool Care Provision
Breakfast and Afterschool provision is available, booking on-line through Eduspot.
Breakfast Club:
7:45am drop off £3
8am drop off £2.50
8:30am drop off £1.50
ASC
3:15-4:30pm £5 (Monday – Friday)
3:15-5:30pm £7 (Monday –Friday
If you require after school care at short notice (e.g. for the next day) and are unable to book in through the usual system of EduSpot, please contact Miss Callander in the office to let her know, particularly if your child will need to stay until 5:30pm.
Please be aware that if a child has not been booked in and no other children are attending, there may be no staff scheduled to supervise.
That said, we will always do our best to accommodate late requests and arrange staff cover where possible. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Online Payment System
Please remember to regularly log in to the online payment system to pay for nursery fees, dinner money, and any other school-related costs.
If you believe you may be entitled to Free School Meals, you can apply online or contact Miss Callander in the school office, by phone or email, who will be happy to assist you with the application process. If you need help using the online payment system, Miss Callander is also available to guide you through it. We kindly ask that all payments are made daily, weekly or monthly to help manage balances effectively.
Important:
If a child’s outstanding balance exceeds £50, we will unfortunately no longer be able to offer Breakfast or After School Care Provision, and your child will need to bring a packed lunch to school. This is to prevent the debt from increasing further.
If you would like to discuss a payment plan, please contact Mr Draper via email at head@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk to arrange a meeting. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Dates for the Diary
November:
25th – Year 2 at Burscough Methodist for the ‘Hope Journey’ and meeting the characters of the nativity
December
1st – Christmas Fair and Christmas Light Switch On, all from 3pm
3rd – Year 5 Bikeability (AM)
4th – Year 5 Bikeability (PM)
5th – Year 5 Bikeability (AM)
5th – Festive Friday 1 – Festive Wear
12th – Festive Friday 2 – Festive Wear
15th – Picture Book ‘Festive Week’ – all activities to be based around the story – Writing, Craft etc..
16th – PTA Christmas Party
17th – Whole School Carol Concert at Banks St Stephen’s Church, 2pm
19th – Festive Friday 3 – Festive Wear
19th – Break up Christmas at 1:15pm
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Monday
Choice 1 – Cheese and tomato pizza with sweetcorn
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Tuesday
Choice 1 – Sausage roll with diced potatoes and beans
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Wednesday
Choice 1 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Thursday
Choice 1 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Friday
Choice 1 – Fish fingers with chips and peas
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Lunch Choices for next week (week beginning 24th November 2025):
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Take care
Mr Draper and all the team at Banks Methodist
#TeamBanks
In the words of John Wesley:
Do ALL the good you can
By ALL the means you can
In ALL the ways you can
In ALL the places you can
At ALL the times you can
To ALL the people you can
As long as EVER you can