‘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. 32 Christian Value: Trust 5th June 2026
V.VI.MMXXVI
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week, our amazing children have shown incredible determination and a positive attitude in the classroom. From tackling challenges to supporting one another, they’re demonstrating true resilience and a strong belief in their ability to grow and succeed. We're proud of their hard work and the inspiring energy they bring to learning each and every day.
Stay and Learn 3 – Creative Session
This session will take place on Monday 8th June from 2:15pm–3:00pm for all classes.
During the 45-minute session, parents will have the opportunity to work alongside their children. We hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend. If you have two or three children in different classes, you are welcome to spend 15–25 minutes in each class.
PE Kit Days
All children will have PE on a Tuesday and a Friday, with children in Foxes needing to bring their swimming kits into school on a Friday.
Increased Sporting Activity Recently
I’ve been made aware that some parents have concerns regarding the amount of sport and fitness activities we have offered the children this term.
The government’s physical activity guidance recommends that children take part in at least 60 minutes of exercise and physical activity each day, often referred to as ‘Active 60’. During the winter months, this can sometimes be difficult to achieve due to a variety of challenging factors. However, during the Spring and Summer terms, we aim to make the most of the improved weather and increased opportunities for outdoor activity.
Schools previously received significant funding to support PE and sport provision and, as a school, we used this funding effectively to provide a wide range of opportunities for our children. There have recently been national changes and uncertainty surrounding future PE and sport funding, which is disappointing for schools and children alike, and yet another reason why we are utilising the additional sporting experiences currently available to us.
If you ever have concerns regarding your child’s education or school experience, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Summer Fair – Saturday 11th July 2026, 11am–3pm
The PTA Summer Fair will take place on Saturday 11th July, from 11am–3pm.
If you are able to help on a stall for 30 minutes to 1 hour (or longer if you can), please let us know by emailing bursar@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk or speaking to a member of the PTA and we will add you to the rota. Thank you for your continued support – we really appreciate it!
We would like to inform you that there have been a small number of cases of head lice reported in school recently. Head lice and nits are very common among young children and are usually spread through head-to-head contact. They are not a sign of uncleanliness and can affect anyone.
We kindly ask all parents and carers to check their child’s hair regularly and treat if necessary to help prevent further spread.
For the most effective and up-to-date guidance on detection and treatment, please visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Our Christian Value for this half term is ‘Trust’.
What we do in school in response to trust:
Nursery Places
We are booking in Nursery places for September onwards, so if you are interested, or know of anyone who is interested, reserve your place by contacting Miss Callander in the school office at bursar@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk or 01704 227323.
Attention to Attendance
By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must get a suitable full-time education. As a parent, you are responsible for making sure this happens.
Weekly Attendance: 97.2%
Whole School Attendance: 93.7%, which is below our target of 95%
Half Termly Winners for Summer 1: Wesley, Hunter M, Lexi H, Miley, Joel, Heidi, Anthony & Ashley
‘Spot Day’ Attention Week 1 (Friday) winner: Beatrice
Children’s attendance should not fall below 96%. When attendance nears this level, children have already missed significant amounts of schooling; meaning that their educational progress is at risk. We need parents' full support in ensuring that attendance does not reach this level. The Government has determined that a pupil becomes a persistent absentee when their attendance falls below 90%.
Battery Recycling
At school we help the environment by collecting old batteries for recycling. Please put old batteries in the white container which is located in Miss Callander’s office. Thank you in advance for your support.
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
3:15-3:45pm £2 (Monday to Friday)
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.
After School Clubs for Summer Term 2
Monday’s will be ‘Times Tables’ Club for children in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 with Mrs Bradshaw, 3:15-4:15pm
Tuesday’s will be Sporting Activities for any child in Mice, Squirrels, Hedgehogs and Foxes, 3:15-4pm, delivered by a coach from the West Lancs Sports Partnership.
Thursday’s will be Football Club for children in Years 3-6 (KS2) with Mr Draper and Mr Wedlin, 3:15-4:15pm
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Please ensure you are pre-ordering your child’s lunches for the week on our new system and keeping up to date with your payments.
Lunch Choices (week beginning 8th June 2026):
Dates for the Diary
Monday
Choice 1 – Calzone pizza with potato wedges and carrot sticks
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Tuesday
Choice 1 – Sausage with mashed potato, vegetables and gravy
Choice 2 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
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 – Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Friday
Choice 1 – Fish fingers with chips and beans/sweetcorn
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Key Dates:
June
8th – Stay and Learn Creative Session, 2:15-3pm
26th – Feel Good Friday with Mrs Hothersall, 8:45-10:15am
26th – Water Safety with TriKidz for children in Squirrels, Hedgehogs and Foxes
July
1st July – Squirrels trip to Blackpool Zoo
6th – Year 5 Curriculum Day at Stanley High, 9:15am-2:45pm
9th – Messy Church, 2:15-3pm
11th – BanksPTA Summer Fair, 11am-3pm
15th – Mice end of year trip to Smithills Farm
16th – End of Year Celebration at Banks St Stephen’s, 2:15pm
17th – Feel Good Friday with Mrs Hothersall
21st – Family Fun Afternoon and BBQ, 2-4:30pm
22nd – Year 6 Leavers Social, 12pm
22nd – Break up for the Summer Holiday at 1:15pm
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. 31 Christian Value: Truthfulness 22nd May 2026
XXII.V.MMXXVI
Dear Parents and Carers,
Make Over May – We Need Your Help!
Saturday 23rd May (10am–1:30pm): Paint the fence in the outdoor classroom. Clean and tidy the outdoor classroom area. Move bark into the Mice continuous provision area.
Refreshments will be provided, including tea, coffee and bacon/sausage barms.
If you can spare some time on either or both of these days, we would be extremely grateful. Thank you for helping us improve our school environment!
Supporting Time-Telling at Home
Whilst learning to tell time is a small part of the curriculum, it's an important life skill that benefits from regular practice. You can support your child by talking about the time during daily routines, like bedtime, meals, or school pick-up and encouraging them to read both digital and analogue clocks. These simple moments at home make a big difference in building confidence and understanding.
Nursery Places
We are booking in Nursery places for September onwards, so if you are interested, or know of anyone who is interested, reserve your place by contacting Miss Callander in the school office at bursar@banks-methodist.lancs.sch.uk or 01704 227323.
Attention to Attendance
By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must get a suitable full-time education. As a parent, you are responsible for making sure this happens.
‘Spot Day’ Attention Week 6 (Friday) winner: Asante
Children’s attendance should not fall below 96%. When attendance nears this level, children have already missed significant amounts of schooling; meaning that their educational progress is at risk. We need parents' full support in ensuring that attendance does not reach this level. The Government has determined that a pupil becomes a persistent absentee when their attendance falls below 90%.
Battery Recycling
At school we help the environment by collecting old batteries for recycling. Please put old batteries in the white container which is located in Miss Callander’s office. Thank you in advance for your support.
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
3:15-3:45pm £2 (Monday to Friday)
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.
After School Clubs for Summer Term 2
Monday’s will be ‘Times Tables’ Club for children in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 with Mrs Bradshaw, 3:15-4:15pm
Tuesday’s will be Sporting Activities for any child in Mice, Squirrels, Hedgehogs and Foxes, 3:15-4pm, delivered by a coach from the West Lancs Sports Partnership.
Thursday’s will be Football Club for children in Years 3-6 (KS2) with Mr Draper and Mr Wedlin, 3:15-4:15pm
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Please ensure you are pre-ordering your child’s lunches for the week on our new system and keeping up to date with your payments.
Lunch Choices (week beginning 3rd June 2026):
Wednesday
Choice 1 – Roast ham (or cauliflower cheese) with roast potatoes and vegetables
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Choice 3 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Thursday
Choice 1 – Pizza slice (three cheese or pepperoni) with potato wedges and sweetcorn
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Choice 3 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Friday
Choice 1 – Chicken nuggets (or veggie fingers) with chips and beans
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Choice 3 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Dates for the Diary
May
22nd – Break up for Half Term at 3:15pm, returning Wednesday 3rd June
June
8th – Stay and Learn Creative Session, 2:15-3pm
9th – Sports Day and BBQ (rearranged date)
26th – Feel Good Friday with Mrs Hothersall, 8:45-10:15am
July
1st July – Squirrels trip to Blackpool Zoo
6th – Year 5 Curriculum Day at Stanley High, 9:15am-2:45pm
9th – Messy Church, 2:15-3pm
11th – BanksPTA Summer Fair, 11am-3pm
15th – Mice end of year trip to Smithills Farm
16th – End of Year Celebration at Banks St Stephen’s, 2:15pm
17th – Feel Good Friday with Mrs Hothersall
22nd – Year 6 Leavers Social, 12pm
22nd – Break up for the Summer Holiday at 1:15pm
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