Advent Mass

This morning, we gathered as a school community for a special Advent Mass, celebrated by Fr Christoper. It was a reflective and uplifting way to begin this holy season, as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas.

The service was made even more special by the participation of our pupils. Class 1 took a leading role, reading the prayers with clarity, confidence, and reverence. Their thoughtful delivery brought a sense of peace and reflection to the congregation, reminding us all of the true meaning of Advent.

Thank you to Fr C for leading such a meaningful service. It was wonderful to see the church filled with the spirit of the season.

Proposed Parking Restrictions

Wakefield Council are proposing new parking restrictions on St. John's Street. These changes, which are detailed in the image below, are likely to have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of our pupils, staff, and wider school community.

The parking available for parents during drop-off and pick-up is already minimal. The new proposal effectively removes all parking on St. John's Street, leaving parents with virtually no viable options to safely park while ensuring their children arrive at school on time and securely.

While we support encouraging pupils to walk to school wherever possible, this is not a realistic option for all our families due to practical circumstances. Additionally, inappropriate parking by a small number of individuals cannot be addressed by blanket restrictions that fail to tackle the root of the problem. Safe and accessible parking for parents is essential to ensure our pupils’ safety.

We have repeatedly raised concerns with the Council about unsafe behaviours, such as vehicles mounting the kerb outside school, which have resulted in near-misses with pupils and parents. Despite previous engagement with Highways, the police, and the School Safety Team, no solutions were provided. It is disappointing that such significant restrictions are now being proposed without prior consultation with the school.

Last week, in an email to the council, I urged them to reconsider or at the very least, provide a clear plan for:

1. Alternative provisions to accommodate parents who must drive their children to school.

2. Mitigation measures to address safety risks outside the school gates, which may be worsened by these restrictions.

If you share our concerns, please email the Council at trafficregs@wakefield.gov.uk, quoting reference FK-142-001, to express your views and support the school in ensuring pupil safety remains a priority.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Tuddenham

Head Teacher

Non-uniform Day

A quick reminder that Monday, 2nd December will be a non-uniform day. In exchange, we kindly ask for a donation of a tombola prize to support our Christmas Fair.

Christmas Fair

We are also excited to remind you about our Christmas Fair, taking place next Friday, 6th December. The event will be held across the school hall and the church and promises to be a festive occasion filled with fun activities, games, and plenty of opportunities to support our school.

Doors will open at 3:30pm, so please come along and join in the celebrations. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you in advance for your support in making this event a success.