Locking Stumps Community Primary School

Dear all! Happy Sunday! Enjoy the half term with your families. Attached is the Spring 1 Newsletter with a few updates, reminders and things to look forward to. Remember you can follow us now on the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LockingStumpsCommunityPrimarySchool

Dear Parents / Carers, Another half term comes to an end, and we reflect on some great learning and experiences. What an amazing term it has been. We are so proud of the progress made in different subjects, but also in the confidence, creativity and enthusiasm of our children. We have had so many exciting learning experiences and special celebrations. From our vibrant Chinese New Year activities to our energetic Groovy Greeks theme, World Religion Day, and of course our fantastic French Day, the children have embraced every opportunity. Of course, it has not all been easy and fun! Today many of us shed a tear as it is Mr Sinclair-Smith’s last day. I am sure you will join us in wishing him well as he moves on to a job in medical sales — very different from what he is doing now. This morning we held a special assembly, which was very emotional. Of course he will be missed, but we will keep in touch. Children have helped to create some videos and we wanted to share one with you today. See what the children of Locking Stumps think of him by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cAnclAwak Remember, you can keep up to date with some of the different events on our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LockingStumpsCommunityPrimarySchool School is now closed for the half term break. We reopen on Monday 23rd February at the usual time. School clubs will commence the week we return from half term. If you have not registered your child for a school club, please contact the school office. Dates for your diary: Monday 23rd February – Year 3 swimming continues. Please ensure children come to school with their swimming kits. Monday 23rd February to Wednesday 25th - Chester Zoo Workshops (in school) Thursday 26th February – KS2 trip to Chester Zoo. Friday 27th February – EYFS & KS1 trip to Chester Zoo. For the trip: Please ensure your child comes to school on time in readiness for the coach to leave at 9:15am prompt. Children CAN WEAR PE kits and trainers for this day. All children will need a packed lunch in a disposable bag, if you have ordered a packed lunch from the school kitchen this will be provided on the day. Year 5 & 6 Celebrations Assembly – parents of children showing work will receive a separate SchoolPing. World Book Day Excitement is building as World Book Day approaches! On Thursday 5th March 2026, our school will be transformed into Locking Stumps Zoo — a whole-school celebration with a zoo and eco theme focused on animals, habitats, and ecology (and this time… something a little bit different!). Some breaking news too! We have managed to secure FREE family tickets for all of our families. More information will follow. Please see ParentPay accounts and make the £5 contribution per family (thank you to those families who have been able to pay more — it makes a massive difference). School Meals We have received confirmation from Warrington Local Authority that from Monday 23rd February, the cost of a school meal will increase to £3.20. Universal Infant Free School Meals and means-tested FSM will continue to be supported by the government. For more information and to check eligibility, please visit: warrington.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals Please note that FSM eligibility can also impact access to other funded support, including Pupil Premium. We are collecting unwanted school trousers and PE shorts (all ages and sizes). If you have any in good condition that are no longer needed, we would greatly appreciate them being donated to the school. We will send out a half-term newsletter as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support. Attached: Active Soccer Half Term Camp Basketball Camp – Bridgewater Jets Grappenhall Basketball Club Spring 2 School Meals Menu

Dear parents and carers, As part of Safer Internet Day, we have been speaking with the children in school about staying safe online. We shared a true, but fully anonymised, scenario to help them understand how easily online contact can become unsafe and how important it is to talk to a trusted adult if something does not feel right. Across schools, there is growing concern about children accessing social media and online platforms, including TikTok, where they may come across inappropriate or harmful content. We are increasingly hearing children talk about things they have seen online that are not suitable for their age, and this is something we are very worried about in school. We have children as young as age 5 who tell us they have their own phone. We are also beginning to see the risks linked to the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI can be a positive and useful tool, some online tools and apps can be used in unsafe or inappropriate ways, including creating or sharing harmful content. We are sharing age-appropriate messages with the children about this and helping them understand how to use technology responsibly. We regularly teach online safety and give clear, age-appropriate messages to the children about how to stay safe. However, this is most effective when school and home work together. We strongly urge all parents and carers to: Check devices, phones, and tablets regularly. Know which apps, games, and websites your child is using. Use parental controls Keep devices in shared family spaces where you can. Talk openly and regularly with your child about online risks and what to do if something worries them. Please follow up the key messages we are sharing in school today by having a conversation with your child at home. We will continue to reinforce these messages in school. You may find the following websites helpful for advice and support: https://saferinternet.org.uk/ https://www.warringtonsafeguarding.org/ Thank you for your continued support in keeping our children safe online.

Dear Parents/Carers, Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in Lockies Has Talent! What an amazing event. The confidence, creativity and talent on display made it really special. It takes a lot of courage to just give it a go, so credit to everyone who took part. Lockies definitely has talent to be proud of! Thanks to Mr Sinclair Smith who organised his last every talent show at Lockies! Gulp! A huge congratulations to Mrs Beckingham (and Pete of course – our resident ice-cream man!) who have today welcomed Elsie Louise into the world. We have uploaded a photograph for you to see. Everyone is healthy and doing well, and we look forward to welcoming the new addition to our school community. Tuesday 10th February – National E-Safety Day message We have been made aware of an increased number of children and families who have been impacted by online grooming. We have received information to indicate that this can happen at a younger age and can begin on games such as Minecraft and Roblox. We learn about online safety every day in school and next week we will be discussing it even more. If you have not checked your child’s devices, messages, online games or access to digital technology recently, please do so. There are some excellent resources available for parents. This is a great local resource: https://warrington.onlinesafetyhub.uk/ Please speak to us if you have any concerns. Diary Dates Monday 9th February – Year 1 Sewing Workshop, 9:00am (School Hall) Monday 9th February – Year 4 Sewing Workshop, 1:30pm (School Hall) Monday 9th February – Girls Only Year 5 & 6 competitive competition at Birchwood High (letters have been sent out) Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th February – Parents’ Evening. We look forward to seeing all our parents/carers next week. As usual, please help us by completing a short questionnaire when you arrive. Friday 13th February – Final day of the half term. School closes at the normal time. (This day is also Mr Sinclair Smith’s final day at Locking Stumps.) Important There will be no after-school clubs on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February due to Parents’ Evening. During Parents' evening please enter at the front of school. Don't forget, if you are attending the earlier slots, you are welcome to take your child/ren home after your appointment. After-School Clubs A SchoolPing has been sent with information regarding after-school clubs for Spring Term 2. If your child would like to attend any of the clubs, please ensure the form is completed no later than noon on Wednesday 11th February. Clubs will start the week commencing Monday 23rd February. School closes at the usual time on Friday 13th February for the half-term break. We reopen on Monday 23rd February. World Book Day Thursday 5th March marks World Book Day, and preparations are already under way for what promises to be a spectacular event. More details will be revealed soon! For safety reasons, we would like to remind families that bikes and scooters should not be ridden on school premises. Thank you for your continued support. Looking for something to do in half term? Trans Pennine are excited to share their brand-new Kids’ February Half-Term Activity Pack, filled with fun nature-themed activities, crafts, recipes and puzzles for families to enjoy during the holiday. It’s a great way to inspire children to get creative, explore the outdoors, and learn more about nature and the Trans Pennine Trail. https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/childrens-page/tpt-activity-packs/

Dear Parents / Carers, We’ve had a wonderful week at school, filled with learning, creativity and lots of positivity. Children have been auditioning for Lockies Has Talent, which is an achievement in itself. Standing in front of an audience of over 60 people to share a talent can be daunting, and we are incredibly proud of everyone who has taken part. Finalists will be announced as soon as possible. The weather has been slightly kinder this week, allowing children more time to explore the playground. Many have been enjoying the new tree swing, which has been very popular! Sporting success Congratulations to the Year 6 football team, who competed at LFC this week and returned undefeated. The children also met a familiar face who kindly gave us a sneak tour and they even managed to have a photograph taken with the Champions League trophy – a fantastic experience for all involved. Eco and active travel On Monday, Wolfie will be visiting school to talk to us about their eco campaign. As you know, at Locking Stumps we continue to invest time and effort into promoting walking and active travel to school. Many children have been enthusiastically encouraging this at home, and we’ve loved hearing about “park and stride” routines, where families park 5–10 minutes away and walk the rest of the journey. Thank you to everyone embracing this – keep going, there are many badges still to achieve! 📅 Diary Dates Monday 26th January – Year 3 swimming continues. Please ensure your child has their kit. Friday 30th January – World Religion Day. Children are invited to wear bright and colourful clothing. Some children may also choose to wear clothing linked to their own faith. Please note there will be no celebration assembly this week due to the event. 2nd & 3rd February – Lockies Has Talent (during school time). Friday 6th February – KS1 Celebration Assembly. Parents will be notified if their child’s work is being shared. Monday 9th February – Year 1 Sewing Workshop, 9:00am (School Hall). Monday 9th February – Year 4 Sewing Workshop, 1:30pm (School Hall). Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th February – Parents’ Evening. Further details will be shared next week. Wednesday appointments will begin at 1:30pm for parents who are able to attend earlier sessions. Important Information World Book Day – Locking Stumps Zoo Have you started thinking about costumes yet? Gary already has his (he has many!). Just imagine if we arranged for a dinosaur to visit school on the day… watch this space! School Trips and Residentials At Locking Stumps, we aim to provide enriching experiences for all children. Unfortunately, these opportunities do come at a cost. We work hard to minimise this where possible, but residential trips in Years 2, 4, and 6 can still be expensive. These trips are hugely successful and offer excellent value for money. If you require support or would like to discuss alternative payment plans, please do approach us. We are keen to work with families to ensure all children can access these experiences. School Meals We have received confirmation from Warrington Local Authority that from Monday 23rd February, the cost of a school meal will increase to £3.20. Universal Infant Free School Meals and means-tested FSM will continue to be supported by the government. For more information and to check eligibility, please visit: warrington.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals Please note that FSM eligibility can also impact access to other funded support, including Pupil Premium. 150 Years of Warrington Wolves 🏉 Celebrate the start of Warrington Wolves’ 150th anniversary with a special heritage exhibition in the 40/Twenty Lounge, showcasing iconic moments and legends from the club’s history. Saturday 24th January, 12pm–4pm – Free entry, all ages welcome. Friday 23rd January, 7pm–10pm – Exclusive preview for Club 150 members (membership card required). Please see the attached information for further details. Facebook As you may be aware, we are no longer using X and are gradually increasing the content shared on our Facebook page. This page is monitored regularly; however, it is not a communication channel. Please do not use the messenger service to make contact. If you need to contact school, please do so via phone or email. Follow us here to stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/LockingStumpsCommunityPrimarySchool/ Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Attached: Warrington Wolves 150th Anniversary Information Story Makers Computer Xplorers (Culcheth)

Dear Parents/Carers, It’s been a fantastic week at school, full of learning and enthusiasm! Please see the diary dates and more exciting information below. ⚠️Important - Attached is a letter regarding our school X (Twitter) account, please can we ask that you take some time to read the information. Thank you. This has also been sent out separately. ⚠️For the safety of all our children, we kindly remind families that the school/Staff car park is not to be used for drop-off or pick-up at the beginning or end of the school day. During these times, the area is very busy with children walking through the grounds and vehicle movement in the car park poses a serious safety risk. To help us keep all children safe, we ask that parents do not enter or park in the school car park during these peak times. Diary Dates: 📅Monday 19th January – EYFS Parent Workshop at 9:00am in the school hall. 📅Monday 19th January - Swimming lessons will continue for Year 3. 📅Friday 23rd January - EYFS/KS1 Celebration Assembly - Parents will receive a SchoolPing if your child is showing work. 📅Friday 30th January, we will be celebrating the diverse cultures and faiths that make up our school and local community by holding a World Religion Day. To help mark the occasion, children are invited to come to school wearing bright and colourful clothes - some children may choose to wear clothing which will help them discuss their own faith. 📅2nd & 3rd February - Lockies Has Talent (in school time). Auditions are underway next week - Get practising! 🦁World Book Day - Thursday 5th March. 🦁 Over the past few years, World Book Day at Locking Stumps has grown into a spectacular event that our children look forward to all year. We need your help! A separate letter will be sent out about the event early next week but. We are going for a Zoo theme! Do you think you can help? Do you have any links to local places or people who might be able to support us? If so, please get in touch: lockingstumpsprimary@onecommunitytrust.co.uk Payments - We understand that meeting payment deadlines can sometimes be difficult, especially for families with more than one child. Often parents let us know that they just forget to pay for things that are on the Parent Pay Account. Please can you check to see if you have any outstanding payments? Congratulations! A group of our children took part in a football match v Croft and we wone! 5 - 1. Well done to all who took part! 💚 Just a reminder to please come and check out our school foodbank It’s situated near the main school office and is available for all families. You’re very welcome to pop in anytime! Thank you for your support.

Dear Parents and Carers, Please see the attached letter which explains that we will no longer be using X (Formerly Twitter). Thanks for your support.