Letters to Parents & Carers
This week's Headteacher Letter
2nd May 2025
Sports Celebration Award Winners
Congratulations to the PE award winners today:
Ireland: Rahman & Ahmed
Spain: Sandra & Kamsiy
Tunisia: Bartley & Olivia
Kenya: Musa & Sereen
Madagascar: Zain & Tioluwani
Mali: Aadhya & Musa
Thailand: Musa & Emaan
Pakistan: Ernie & Maham
Japan: Azaan & Mayeesha
China: Eduard & Inara
Jamaica: Crisciendo & Zara
Mexico: Mahrosh & Riyad
Brazil: Ehsan & Aliza
Brazil: Aaminah & Donovan
Chile: Azaan & Roha
Sun Safety
Thank you to everyone who sent their child in with a hat this week and to those who didn’t (which was most of the school), please do so in future. Even when it is cloudy, the children can be affected by the sun, no matter what beautiful skin colour they may have. If you can, also apply suncream to children before school and make sure they have a full water bottle too – this will help keep the children safe as we have very little shade for them outside and we want them to be able to go out as much as possible.
We are now on Instagram
We are stopping using our X (Twitter) account and using our Instagram account to share pictures and news with the wider world each week. Please find us and follow us – westminsterbd3
New Reception places
Reception places were offered out last month to those lucky children who are joining us in September, but we have a few spaces left and there are over 400 children in Bradford who didn’t apply for a place! If you know anyone who is looking for a Reception place next year, please recommend Westminster to them and get them to come and see us. The fuller the school, the better we do!
Farewell and Good Luck
Our Assistant Headteacher, Miss Mushtaq, left Westminster this week to pursue other exciting opportunities, after 6 years of support. I’m sure many of you will take fond memories of her away with you and will join me in wishing her the very best for her future.
Main Entrance reception
Please can parents/carers be aware that, due to safeguarding and confidentiality reasons, we are unable to allow parents/carers to wait in the school reception area either before school drop off in the morning or before afternoon pick up time.
Nut Free Reminder
A reminder that we are a nut-free school and we do have children in school with nut allergies. You must not send any nuts or nut products into school, including snack and packed lunch boxes. This includes chocolate spread or pre-packaged chocolate pancakes. Please also ask children not to share food from their packed lunch boxes.
Bike Storage
We are delighted that the new school bike storage is now available for children who want to cycle to and from school. Please ensure that children are wearing a safety cycle helmet.
Road closures on Westminster & Northallerton
Yet another reminder about the school road closures before and after school - please follow the road signage on Westminster Road and Northallerton Road and park further away from the school gates. Staff are on duty at the school gates (not at the road closure points). We have had a number of near misses due to some parents/carers who continue to ignore the signage and drive down the roads and park unsafely, putting the lives of children and parents at risk. Let’s work together to keep our children safe.
Fundraising
Thank you to parents and carers for supporting our fundraising for school trips. With the warm weather and ice-pop and drink sales, we have raised over £200 this week!
VE Day – 80th Anniversary
Next Thursday is a very significant date in world history – the anniversary of Victory in Europe day in the Second World War. To celebrate the day, we are inviting children to come to school dressed in Red, White and Blue (except Class Mexico who are on a school trip) and we will have a street party-style lunch, special assembly and other fun activities.
Important Dates
The summer term is an incredibly busy term with lots of activities and events taking place. Please make sure you keep checking our website and we will send a weekly text across the next few weeks with reminders! The most pressing date to remember is that we are closed on Monday for the May Day Bank holiday!
Monday 5th May – School Closed
Tuesday 6th May – Class Madagascar visit to Bradford City (hopefully City will be promoted by then!)
Wednesday 7th May – Class Jamaica visit to Ledston Estate
Thursday 8th May – VE Day Celebrations & Class Mexico visit to Ledston Estate
Monday 12th May – Y6 SATs week begins – all Year 6 children must attend at 8am each day for breakfast
A lot of reminders and requests this week, and as ever, we are grateful for your ongoing support in making Westminster the best school in BD3 and beyond!
Have a lovely long weekend, and God Bless.
Mr. S Gallacher
Headteacher
Newsletter Downloads (pdf)
Behaviour Information
Parent Feedback
Other Information