‘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. 19 Christian Value: Friendship
6th February 2026
VI.II.MMXXVI
Dear Parents and Carers,
Whole School Stay and Learn/Play Session – Maths Focus
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Stay and Learn Mathematics focus session, we hope you enjoyed it and thank you for your lovely comments 😊
‘Thank you for making maths more fun and enjoyable for children, my child is happy in school’
‘I had fun today testing my maths knowledge with my children – they both had fun and enjoyed their learning’
‘It always looks like a happy school and it is great to have the chance to see the children learning and engaging in their classroom’
‘It was lovely to see my child in class. I was particularly impressed with my child’s maths progress. The Guardians game is excellent!’
Attention to Attendance
‘Spot Day’ Attendance Week 4 Winners – Heidi R and Joel
By law, you must ask for permission for your children to miss school, well in advance of the planned absence. Parents can request a leave of absence but this can only be authorised if the circumstances are exceptional.
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.
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%.
What school expects from our families:
Reducing Illness Days
School Opening Time
In the morning the door will open at 8:45am and will close at 8:55am. If you arrive after 8:55am please could you use the entrance at the rear of the school and Miss Callander will let you in as teaching staff will be in class beginning daily lessons. Thank you for your cooperation #TeamBanks
In the Gold Book This Week:
Mice – Aurora
Squirrels – Beatrice
Hedgehogs – Maizey and Marley
Foxes – Ethan and Joel
Half Term
Just a reminder that we break up for half term on Friday 13th February for the half term break with the children returning to school on Monday 23rd February.
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.
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 Spring Term 1
Tuesdays 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.
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Lunch Choices (week beginning 9nd February 2026):
Monday
Choice 1 – Tomato pasta with garlic bread
Choice 2 – Jacket potato (tuna/cheese/beans or cheese and beans) with mixed salad
Tuesday
Choice 1 – Beef burger with nachos
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 – Pizza with tater tots and corn on the cob
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Friday
Choice 1 – Chicken nuggets with chips and beans
Choice 2 – Freshly filled sandwiches (tuna/ham/cheese) with carrot and cucumber sticks
Dates for the Diary
February
Hedgehogs and Foxes trip to the Eco Centre in Southport – This has been rearranged for next half term, a letter with more information will be sent out next week.
12th – Reception and Year 6 ‘buddy’ trip to Longton Brickcroft, 10am-12pm
13th – Break up for half term
HALF TERM
23rd – Return to school for Spring Half Term 2
27th – Feel Good Friday, 8:45-10:15am
March
2nd – PTA Disco, 3:15-5pm
4th – Year 5 STEM Day at Stanley High School, 9:30-2:30pm
5th – World Book Day – Children to dress as their favourite character
12th – Year 5 to go to Stanley High to watch Joseph
12th – Messy Church, 2:15-3pm
18th – Parents Evening, 2-6pm
25th – Hedgehogs and Foxes trip to the Eco Centre in Southport
25th – Easter Activity Afternoon with the PTA
26th – Easter Service at Banks St Stephen’s Church, 2:15pm
27th – Feel Good Friday, 8:45-10:15am
27th – Break up for Easter 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. 18 Christian Value: Friendship
30th January 2026
XXX.I.MMXXVI
Dear Parents and Carers,
Friendship makes school brighter, especially when we stay positive and support each other along the way. Learning side by side, helping one another through challenges and sharing encouragement makes every lesson feel easier and every school day more meaningful.
Whole School Stay and Learn/Play Session – Maths Focus
We are delighted to invite all parents and carers to our Whole School Stay and Learn Session, taking place on Tuesday 3rd February, from 9–9:45am.
The focus of this session will be mathematics. During the 45 minutes, parents and carers will have the opportunity to work and engage with their children in class-based mathematics activities.
If you have two or three children in different classes, you are welcome to spend around 15–20 minutes in each classroom so that you can enjoy time with all of them.
We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us for this special session, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share in your child’s learning and love of maths.
School Nursing Drop-In
If you would like to speak to a member of the NHS school nursing team about various health topics including: emotional health, diet, healthy lifestyles, sleep, bet-wetting & constipation, headlice and behaviour then they will be in school on Tuesday 3rd February, 2-3pm.
Messy Church – change of time
Our next Messy Church session with RJ (our Methodist Deacon) will take place on Thursday 5th February, from 2:15–3:00pm. You are very welcome to join us with your child(ren) — we’d love to see you there.
Children will join their parent, carer, or family member at 2:15pm to take part in the activities. Messy Church will finish at 3:00pm, and children can go home at that time. We look forward to sharing this special time together.
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.
Attention to Attendance
‘Spot Day’ Attendance Week 3 Winner – Heidi R
Each week there will be a pre-selected day, sometimes even two days (known only to Mr Draper and Miss Callander). If children are in school on that day, they will receive a raffle ticket. One name will then be drawn to receive a weekly award.
Each child’s ticket will also be placed into a whole-school draw, which will take place during the final week of each half term. This means that hopefully all children will have at least one or two tickets in the draw, with some having more.
While we encourage full attendance where possible, we do of course understand that illnesses and appointments do sometimes occur. 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.
Whole School Attendance this academic year: 93.7% (below our target of 95%)
This week’s class attendance:
Marvelous Mice: 92%
Super Squirrels: 95.4%
Happy Hedgehogs: 94.1%
Fabulous Foxes: 94.3%
In the Gold Book This Week:
Mice – Gracie
Squirrels – Hunter M & Ashley
Hedgehogs – Caspian & Bella
Foxes – Lexi T & Ollie
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 Spring Term 1
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, 3:15-4:15pm
Tuesdays 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.
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Lunch Choices (week beginning 2nd February 2026):
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
Dates for the Diary
February
2nd – Foxes Science and Art curriculum trip to Worden Park, 1-4pm
3rd – Stay and Maths Session, 9-9:45am
3rd – NHS School Nurse Drop-In, 2-3pm
5th – Messy Church after school
10th – Reception and Year 6 ‘buddy’ trip to Longton Brickcroft, 10am-12pm
11th – Hedgehogs and Foxes trip to the Eco Centre in Southport
13th – Break up for half term
Take care
Mr Draper and all the team at Banks Methodist
#TeamBanks
‘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. 17 Christian Value: Friendship
23rd January 2026
XXIII.I.MMXXVI
Dear Parents and Carers,
As a school we would like to share a quick clarification and reassurance. Our school is not closing. While the Chapel has been closed since 2021, the school and nursery remains open, strong and fully committed to serving our children and families.
Thank you for your continued trust, support and partnership. We are grateful to be part of such a caring community.
There are three big influences that help children grow and do well in school:
👉 Teachers
👉 Parents
👉 The children themselves
When we all work together, amazing things can happen! Here are some great ways you can help at home:
📖 Reading with your child every day
✏️ Supporting them with their spellings
🔢 Practising their times tables regularly
🌍 Talking about the world around them
🎲 Playing games and singing songs together
Your children have made a fantastic start to the Spring Term. With our shared commitment and united effort there's no telling how far our children can go!
Feel Good Friday for all the Community on Friday 30th January, 8:45-10:15am
Tea, Coffee & Company, as well as cake and fruit – A strong school community starts with connection.
Join us for a relaxed morning with fellow parents/carers/family members. This is a space for friendship, support and wellbeing – no pressure, no agenda. Just an open door, a warm cup of tea or coffee and time to connect.
Whether you're popping in for ten minutes or staying the whole time, you're always welcome.
Hopefully you can make it, we’d love to see you.
Whole School Stay and Learn/Play Session – Maths Focus
We are delighted to invite all parents and carers to our Whole School Stay and Learn Session, taking place on Tuesday 3rd February, from 9–9:45am.
The focus of this session will be mathematics. During the 45 minutes, parents and carers will have the opportunity to work and engage with their children in class-based mathematics activities.
If you have two or three children in different classes, you are welcome to spend around 15–20 minutes in each classroom so that you can enjoy time with all of them.
We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us for this special session, it’s a wonderful opportunity to share in your child’s learning and love of maths.
School Nursing Drop-In
If you would like to speak to a member of the NHS school nursing team about various health topics including emotional health, diet, healthy lifestyles, sleep, bet-wetting & constipation, headlice and behaviour then they will be in school on Tuesday 3rd February, 2-3pm.
Messy Church
Our next Messy Church session with RJ (our Methodist Deacon) will take place on Thursday 5th February, 3:15–4:00pm. You are very welcome to join us with your child(ren), we’d love to see you there.
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!
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.
Attention to Attendance Reminder: ‘Spot Day’ attendance reward.
Week 1 Winner – Lexi Q and Arabella
Week 2 Winner – Harriet
Each week there will be a pre-selected day, sometimes even two days (known only to Mr Draper and Miss Callander). If children are in school on that day, they will receive a raffle ticket. One name will then be drawn to receive a weekly award.
Each child’s ticket will also be placed into a whole-school draw, which will take place during the final week of each half term. This means that hopefully all children will have at least one or two tickets in the draw, with some having more.
While we encourage full attendance where possible, we do of course understand that illnesses and appointments do sometimes occur.
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.
Whole School Attendance this academic year: 93.8% (below our target of 95%)
This week’s class attendance:
Marvelous Mice: 95%
Super Squirrels: 95.6%
Happy Hedgehogs: 93.9%
Fabulous Foxes: 95.5%
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 Spring Term 1
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, 3:15-4:15pm
Tuesdays 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.
School Dinners
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 they are entitled to a free school dinner.
Lunch Choices (week beginning 26th January 2026):
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
Dates for the Diary
January
30th – Feel Good Friday, 8:45-10:15am
February
3rd – Stay and Maths Session, 9-9:45am
3rd – NHS School Nurse Drop-In, 2-3pm
5th – Messy Church after school
13th – Break up for half term
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