Dear Families,
As we approach the half-term break, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work, commitment and support during what has been another busy and successful few weeks at Bishop's Hull. The children have shown fantastic enthusiasm for their learning and have embraced all the opportunities on offer.
A particular thank you goes to families for your continued support with attendance. Every day in school matters, and strong attendance gives children the very best chance to achieve, build confidence and make lasting memories with their friends. We are proud of the positive attendance across the school and appreciate all you do to help children arrive ready to learn each day.
Our assemblies have certainly been full of energy recently! The children have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in our Friday dance challenges, with House Party classics and 90s pop proving to be huge hits. It has been wonderful to see pupils and staff alike joining in, smiling, singing and showing off their best moves. The excitement each week as we reveal the latest playlist has been infectious. The big question now is... what will be next?!
As half term arrives, I hope you all have the opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy some quality time together. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting half term filled with learning, laughter and plenty more dancing.
Have a wonderful break! 🌟
Kerry Exon
Headteacher
Congratulations to all those who have received an Inspiration Leaf in the past 2 weeks
16.10.26 22.10.26
Otter Hazel & Isla Cameron
Hedgehog William Jacob
Puffin Hiruja Dylan R
Squirrel Theo Cayson
Dragonfly Oscar Chloe
Kingfisher Tommy-Lee Ronnie
Celebrating Excellence Across Our School
This half-term, we celebrated the awards below:
The English Achievement Award
This award honours outstanding progress and achievement in English. From creative writing and reading comprehension to exceptional effort in developing literacy skills, one child from each year group has been selected for their remarkable contribution. From these winners, one pupil from EYFS & KS1 and one from KS2 will proudly take home the English Trophy.
The Mathematics Achievement Award
Celebrating problem-solving, logical thinking and perseverance, this award recognises pupils who have excelled in mathematics. Whether through mastering challenging concepts, demonstrating resilience, or showing enthusiasm for numbers, one child per year group has been chosen, and one overall winner from EYFS and KS1 and one from KS2 has received the Maths Trophy.
The Values Award
Our school values: Respect, Confidence, Determination, Kindness, Enthusiasm and Curiosity are at the heart of everything we do. This award celebrates pupils who consistently embody these values in their learning and interactions. One child from each year group has been recognised and two exceptional role models have received the Values Trophy.
This half-term’s winners are below - the children who have been highlighted bold have won the trophy:
Maths English Values
EYFS Theo Juniper Arbie
Year 1 Ava Jack Jax
Year 2 Oscar Jenson Brooke-Olivia
Year 3 Nevan Dylan J Rori
Year 4 Ellie Coby Olivia
Year 5 Benji Gabriella Grace
Year 6 Zack Kalli Tilly
Well done everyone
〰️
Well done everyone 〰️
EYFS Parent Phonics Workshop
Supporting children to become confident, fluent readers is one of the most important things we do at Bishop's Hull, and we know that parents and carers play a vital role in that journey. We are therefore delighted to be hosting a Parent Phonics Workshop on Thursday 5th November at 2:45pm in Dormouse Class.
The session will provide an opportunity to learn more about how phonics is taught in school, see some of the strategies and terminology children use in their lessons, and gain practical ideas to support reading and phonics development at home. Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or you would simply like a refresher, we hope the workshop will be informative and useful.
We would love to see as many parents and carers as possible attend. Working together helps us give every child the strongest possible start in reading and supports them in developing the skills and confidence they need to become lifelong readers. We look forward to welcoming you!
Year 4 Multiplication Club
Following half term, we will be running a Year 4 Multiplication Club every Wednesday after school until 4:30pm to help children prepare for the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC).
This is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop their times table fluency, build confidence and improve the speed and accuracy of their recall. Strong multiplication knowledge is crucial not only for success in the MTC but also for many aspects of mathematics, including calculation, problem-solving, fractions and reasoning.
If your child would like to attend, please sign up via Arbor. We strongly encourage participation, as regular practice can make a significant difference to children's confidence and attainment in maths.
We look forward to seeing lots of Year 4 children taking part and continuing to develop their mathematical skills.
Poppy Appeal
Straight after half term, our Year 6 children will be supporting this year's Poppy Appeal by visiting classes to sell poppies.
Paper poppies will be available for a minimum donation of 20p, and poppy pin badges will be available for £3.
The Poppy Appeal is a fantastic cause, raising vital funds to support serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families. We would be very grateful for any support you are able to give. Every donation, no matter how small, helps to make a difference and provides an opportunity for children to reflect on the importance of remembrance.
Thank you in advance for supporting this worthwhile cause and helping our Year 6 pupils make the appeal a success.
Staffing Update
We are pleased to be welcoming Mrs More-Speight back to the school on a temporary basis. She will be supporting Mrs Johnson in the office while Mrs Dowds is absent, helping to ensure that the smooth running of the school continues and that families receive the high level of support they are accustomed to.
In addition, Mrs Hendra has kindly stepped in to lead our after-school club during this period. We are very grateful for her flexibility and support, and we know that the children are enjoying the activities and care she provides at the end of the school day.
We would also like to let parents know that Mrs Legrand will be leaving Bishop's Hull on 6th November. We would like to thank her for her contribution to our school community and wish her every success and happiness for the future.
We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team who are always willing to support one another and our school community.
The Big Listen
Over the past few weeks, our Year 5 pupils have been taking part in The Big Listen, working alongside Sandra Lawson from Somerset UK, which is part of Citizens UK. This has been a fantastic opportunity for children to think carefully about the community around them and the changes they would like to see.
Through discussions and activities, the children explored what makes them feel sad, glad and mad about their community. They then listened to the views and experiences of parents, carers and other community members, helping them to understand different perspectives and identify issues that matter to local people.
The next stage of this exciting project will see our pupils take their ideas to a Delegates' Assembly, where they will join with other schools and community groups. Together, they will present their concerns, celebrate what is working well and, most importantly, ask those in positions of influence to help bring about positive change.
This is an important part of our commitment to developing active citizens and strengthening our links with the wider community. We are incredibly proud of how thoughtfully and confidently the children have engaged in the project so far. Their voices matter, and we look forward to seeing the impact they can have in making our community an even better place for everyone.
Book Fair Success
An enormous thank you to everyone who supported our recent Book Fair. It was wonderful to see so many children excited about books, eagerly sharing their wish lists and choosing new stories to enjoy at home. The event was a fantastic success: book sales totalled over £1400, which means a voucher of £710 for the school to spend on new books!
We would like to extend a very special thank you to our incredible PTA. Their enthusiasm, organisation and willingness to give up their time made the Book Fair possible. Whether helping to set up, run the event or support families with purchases, their hard work made a real difference. We are incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated PTA who continually support the school and provide opportunities that enrich our children's experiences.
Together, we are helping to foster a love of reading across the school, and we cannot wait to add even more exciting new books to our classrooms and library.
Rocksteady Music Assembly
This week, the children enjoyed an exciting assembly from Rocksteady Music School, which brought plenty of energy, enthusiasm and live music into school! The assembly gave children the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a real band.
Rocksteady sessions are a fantastic way for children to develop musical skills, teamwork, resilience and self-confidence, all while having lots of fun.
Whether your child is an aspiring musician or simply keen to try something new, taking part can be a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
If your child is interested in joining Rocksteady, please take a look at the leaflet sent home, which contains details about lessons, costs and how to sign up. We know many children left the assembly feeling inspired, and we would love to see some of our budding musicians take advantage of this exciting opportunity!
Homework and Reading Reminder
As we head into the second half of the autumn term, we would like to take the opportunity to remind families about the importance of supporting learning at home. Regular reading and the completion of homework make a significant difference to children's confidence, progress and attainment in school.
Reading at home remains one of the most powerful ways to help children succeed. Just a few minutes each day spent sharing a book, listening to your child read or discussing a story can build vocabulary, improve comprehension and foster a lifelong love of reading. We encourage all children to read regularly and to record their reading in their reading records.
Homework is carefully planned to reinforce and consolidate learning from the classroom. Whether it is reading, practising spellings, times tables or completing a short task, these small but consistent efforts help children retain key knowledge and develop positive learning habits.
By working together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their very best.
KS2 Invasion Games
A massive well done to the KS2 children who represented the school at the Invasion Games Festivals over the last two Mondays after school. You should be very proud of your efforts, teamwork and determination throughout the events. The children worked exceptionally well with pupils from other schools who took part and enjoyed playing a range of different sports. It was also fantastic to see some new faces attending these events and getting involved. Keep it up!
Thank You to Ellison’s School of Motoring
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Ellison’s School of Motoring for their generous donation of scooters to the school. The children will be delighted to use them at playtimes, and they have already become a popular addition to our outdoor provision.
The scooters will help to make playtimes even more active, engaging and enjoyable, encouraging children to develop their balance, coordination and social skills while having fun with their friends. We are incredibly grateful for the support of local businesses such as Ellison[‘s, whose kindness helps us to further enrich the experiences we can offer our pupils.
On behalf of everyone at Bishop's Hull, thank you for your generosity and support.
Online Safety Poster
Each edition of the Blue Beacon will now include an Online Safety poster for parents and carers. The online world changes rapidly, with new apps, games, trends and features appearing all the time, so keeping informed is an important part of helping children stay safe online.
Our featured poster will change with every issue and will provide up-to-date information, practical advice and guidance on a range of online safety topics. We encourage all families to take a few moments to read the poster each time it is shared, as even small conversations at home can have a big impact on children's understanding of how to stay safe, responsible and respectful online.
Thank you for working in partnership with us to ensure that all of our children can enjoy the benefits of technology safely and confidently.
Online Safety Reminder
As part of keeping all children safe, we ask parents and carers to think carefully before sharing any photos of children on social media, WhatsApp groups or other online platforms. Images shared online can quickly be forwarded beyond the intended audience and may be difficult to remove. Please be cautious about uploading photos of children to AI tools as you may not always know how those images will be stored, processed or used. Thank you for helping us protect the privacy and wellbeing of all pupils.
Dates 2026
October
23rd INSET Day - School closed
26th - 30th Half Term
November
3rd PTA Meeting, 7.00 pm.
13th Children in Need (non school uniform day).
17th Reception New Starters 2027 School Tour, 9.30 - 10.30 am (now full)
December
1st Reception New Starters 2027 School Tour, 2.00 - 3.00 pm.
4th PTA Christmas Fair, 3.30 - 5.30 pm.
8th KS2 Christmas Carol Concert, 6.00 pm.
10th EYFS Christmas Nativity, 2.15 pm.
11th EYFS Christmas Nativity, 9.30 am.
15th KS1 Nativity, 2.00 pm.
16th KS1 Nativity, 5.30 pm.
Rock Steady Concert, 10am
17th Christmas Dinner Day
18th School Christmas Service in Church, 9.30 am/2.00 pm.
21st - 31st Dec Christmas Holidays.
Dates 2027
January
1st Bank Holiday.
4th INSET Day.
11th Reception New Starters 2027 School Tour, 10.00 - 11.00 am.
14th PTA Meeting, 7.00 pm.
26th & 28th Parents’ Evenings
February
12th Non uniform day (children to bring in chocolate for Easter Chocolate
Tombola).
15th - 19th Half Term.
March
4th World Book Day (dress up day).
17th - 19th Year 4 Kilve Residential.
19th Red Nose Day (non school uniform day).
24th The Castle School Community Concert, 6.30 pm.
25th Year 5 Easter Service, 2.00 pm.
26th Mar - 9th Apr Easter Holidays.
April
30th Non uniform day (children to bring a bottle for the May Fayre).
May
3rd Bank Holiday.
6th Year 5 Bikeability.
7th Year 5 Bikeability.
10th - 14th Year 6 SATs week.
18th - 21st Year 6 Red Rock Year 6 Residential.
22nd PTA May Fayre.
25th Sports Day -
KS2: 9.30 am (picnic lunch at 12.00 pm).
KS1: 1.30 pm.
27th Reserve Sports Day (as above).
31st Bank Holiday.
June
1st - 4th Half Term.
7th INSET day.
8th Year 4 Multiplication Table Check Week.
10th Year 5 Bikeability.
PTA Meeting, 7.00 pm.
11th Year 5 Bikeability.
14th Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Week.
15th Tempest Class and Year 6 leavers photographs.
28th Year 6 production to parents, 2.00 pm.
July
1st Year 6 Production to parents, 6.00 pm.
2nd INSET Day.
5th Careers Week.
23rd Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly at 2.00 pm.
Last day of term.
September
24th Tempest individual/sibling photographs
Bishop’s Hull Primary School is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all pupils in our school. If you have a concern about the welfare of a child, please contact safeguarding team. The designated safeguarding lead for our school is Mrs Exon.