We’ve had another fantastic week at Grafton, filled with vibrant learning experiences, laughter, and a wonderful sense of positive energy buzzing throughout the school. It’s always inspiring to see our pupils engaging wholeheartedly in their lessons and activities, supporting one another, and embracing each day with enthusiasm.
A very special mention this week goes to our wonderful Nursery and Reception children, who have settled in so well during their first full week with us. It has been a true joy to watch their confidence grow each day as they embark on their school journey. From exploring their new classroom environment to making new friends and eagerly joining in with a wide range of activities, their excitement and curiosity are a delight to see.
A heartfelt thank you to our EYFS Team for creating such a warm and welcoming environment. Their care, patience, and dedication have played a huge part in helping the children feel safe, happy, and excited about school.
As part of our commitment to personal development, pupils are enjoying a rich variety of clubs, and experiences designed to broaden their horizons and build cultural capital. We encourage you to engage with your child about these activities and celebrate their achievements.
Please remember to check the dates at the end of this bulletin for important upcoming events and reminders. We look forward to continuing this wonderful journey of learning and growth with you all.
Warm regards,
Junaida Bana
Headteacher
We would like to sincerely thank you all for your patience and understanding during the recent building works in the Key Stage 1 playground. These works started during the summer holidays but unfortunately had to be extended. We recognise that any disruption to your child’s routine can be difficult, and we truly appreciate your ongoing support as we enhance our school environment.
These playground improvements reflect our commitment to creating a safe, engaging, and inspiring space where our pupils can play and learn. While the works have brought some temporary inconvenience, we are confident that the upgraded facilities will significantly benefit our children’s physical development and overall well-being.
We understand that changes to drop-off and pick-up arrangements or limited access to certain areas may have caused some disruption, and we thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and orderly environment during this time.
Please rest assured that we are working hard to complete the project promptly and with as little disruption as possible to the school day. We look forward to sharing the finished improvements with you soon and are excited about the positive impact they will have on our pupils.
To ensure we can always keep you informed and contact you promptly in case of emergencies, it is vital that we have your most up-to-date contact information on file.
If you have recently changed your home address, email address, or telephone number, please let the school office know as soon as possible. Keeping your contact details current helps us to:
Communicate important school news and updates effectively.
Reach you quickly in case of any urgent matters concerning your child.
Ensure your child’s safety and wellbeing at all times.
👉You can update your details by contacting the school office directly or via sending an email to office@graftonprimary.co.uk
👟 PE Days – No Jewellery Allowed
The health, safety, and well-being of our pupils are paramount. As part of our commitment to providing a safe and effective learning environment, we remind all pupils and parents that no jewellery is allowed on PE days.
❌ No earrings
❌ No necklaces, bangles, or other jewellery
Jewellery can pose a significant safety risk during physical activities. They can cause injuries to children through accidental scratching, catching, or impact during movement.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school a safe, focused, and respectful environment.
Flu vaccination - Tuesday 23rd September
(Reception - Year 6)
The flu vaccination team will be visiting the school on 23rd September. A consent link has been sent to parents of pupils from Reception to Year 6 via email. Please ensure you complete the form and provide your consent before this date.
📚 Lost or Damaged Book Policy
Each child is provided with a reading book that plays an important role in supporting their learning. We kindly ask that all books are treated with care and respect, both at home and at school.
If a book is lost or returned damaged, a replacement fee of £5 will be charged. This helps the school cover the cost of replacing books so that all children can continue to enjoy and benefit from our shared reading resources.
To help keep books in good condition, please encourage your child to:
Store books in a safe place when not in use.
Avoid eating or drinking while reading.
Return books on time and in good condition.
Welcome Meetings
Thank you very much to everyone who attended the welcome meetings. It was wonderful to see so many of you engaging with us as we begin this exciting new academic year.
For those who were unable to attend, please find the slides from the meetings linked below. These slides provide an overview of the key information shared, including curriculum highlights, expectations for the year, and ways you can support your child’s learning at home.
If you have any questions or would like further clarification on any of the points discussed, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher or the school office.
Medical Notifications
We prioritise the health and wellbeing of all our pupils. To keep you informed promptly, please note that we will contact parents by telephone for the following medical issues:
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Head bumps that are red, swollen, or have noticeable marks
Grazes of a significant size
Rashes
High temperature or if your child is feeling unwell
For all other injuries or medical concerns, parents will receive notification via email.
✨You're Invited!✨
Come and join us for the Grafton PTA Coffee Morning – a relaxed and friendly gathering for all members of our school community. This is a wonderful opportunity to:
Meet new people
Catch up with familiar faces
Strengthen the bonds that make Grafton
Whether you’re a parent, carer, or staff member, everyone is warmly welcome. Come along, enjoy a cup of coffee, and feel part of the vibrant Grafton community.
Little Wandle Reading Book - Year 1 and 2
Today, your child will bring home a Little Wandle reading book. This book will be familiar to the children and we encourage you to share the book multiple times during the week to support their reading development.
Books and reading record books need to be returned every Thursday. It is good practice for the children to bring the books into school daily. Please sign the record book weekly and add any relevant comments you would like to share with the class teacher.
Thank you in advance for your support.
🙋Why?
Quick answers to frequently asked questions
Weekly announcements and updates, Headteacher's messages, event dates, clubs and extra curriculars information, contact information, school policies and procedures, school closures, homework and lunch menus
Information available 24/7—no waiting for a reply
💡How It Helps:
By checking the bulletin or website first, you get instant answers while the school office can focus on supporting your child and others effectively.
⏰Every minute saved on calls and emails is more time spent helping pupils succeed.
👉Let’s work together for smooth, efficient communication!
A Reminder About Toys at School
We would like to remind all parents and carers that children should not bring Labubu dolls or any other toys to school. Unfortunately, we have experienced some issues where these items have been taken from other pupils’ bags, causing distress and disruption during the school day.
To maintain a safe and focused learning environment, we kindly ask that all toys remain at home. This helps us ensure that all pupils feel respected and can concentrate fully on their learning and personal development.
Thank you for your understanding and support in reinforcing this message with your child.
Secure Your Child’s Uniform with STIKINS Labels
Lost jumpers and misplaced uniforms are a common hassle, but STIKINS make labelling easy. These self-adhesive name labels stick securely to clothes—no ironing or sewing needed. They’re durable, washable, and perfect for school uniforms, sports kits, and more.
Why STIKINS?
Peel and stick—no fuss!
Long-lasting through washes
Clear, professional printing
Support Grafton Primary School
When you order STIKINS through our school fundraiser, you not only get a fantastic product but also help raise funds for Grafton Primary School. Simply visit www.stikins.co.uk, enter our School Code 8228 at checkout, and 30% of every order will be donated back to our school.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get a practical item for your family while supporting the school community. We encourage all parents to take advantage of this offer!
Weekly Bulletin: Paper Copies Available
Hard copies of our weekly school bulletin are now available at the school office.
If you’d like a printed copy, please collect one from the office.
We want to make it easy for all parents to stay updated with the latest news and events at Grafton Primary School.
📅 Dates for the Diary
Keep up with key events and activities this term
Tue 23 Sept
💉Flu Vaccination (Reception - Year 6)
👋 Reception & Nursery Parent/Carer Welcome Meeting 9:05 – 9:35am
🤝Click to link to join online https://meet.google.com/vje-jtig-zmo
Fri 26 Sept
🏊♂️ Swimming: Year 5 Bonnin & Attenborough 10:30 – 11:15am
Tue 30 Sept
☕PTA Coffee Morning 9:00am
Thur 2 Oct
🎉 Special Lunch Menu – Mr. Nourish’s Birthday Celebration
Wed 15 Oct
⚕️Height and Weight Team Visit - Year 6
Fri 17 Oct
🪔 Year 4 Diwali Assemblies to Parents
Simmonds: 9:10am
Ali: 2:45pm
Tue 21 Oct
🪔 Year 4 Diwali Assemblies to Parents
Worthington: 9:10am
Farah: 2:45pm
Wed 22 Oct
👨👩👧👦 Parent’s Evening 3:30 – 7:00pm
Thur 23 Oct
👨👩👧👦 Parent’s Evening 3:30 – 7:00pm
🍲 Special Lunch Menu – Celebrating Black History Month
🛑 Half Term
🏫School Closed: 27th – 31st October 2025
🛑Mon 03 Nov
🧑🏫Staff Training Day - School closed to children
Thur 06 Nov
📚Year 6 SATS prep workshop for parents/carers
Mon 10 Nov - Fri 14 Nov
👥Anti-Bullying Week
Mon 10 Nov - Thurs 13 Nov
🧩Reception 'Phonics & Play' parent sessions 9:00-10:00am
Mon 10 Nov
🧑🏫Headteacher's Forum 4:00-5:00pm
🧦Odd Socks Day - Wear Odd Socks with School uniform
Thur 13 Nov
🧑🏫Headteacher's Forum 9:00-10:00am
Mon 17 Nov
🍜Special Lunch Menu -Harry Potter Themed
Thur 27 Nov
🚑London Air Ambulance Talk (Rights Ambassadors)
Wed 03 Dec
🎄Christmas Fayre 3:30-5:30pm
Fri 19 Dec
❄️End of Term 12:30pm