Newsletter

PTA Summer Festival

The PTA summer festival was such a lovely event. Such a lovely atmosphere – so many people – everyone happy, smiling and enjoying themselves. It was definitely one of the most enjoyable fairs. There were inflatables, ice cream, crafts, food, bubbles, games, performances, raffle tickets and even the Mayor of Barnet! A huge thank you to the PTA committee and all of the volunteers for the hours of hard work that was put in. An event like this takes much effort and commitment. The festival was really such a lovely warm, friendly and relaxed event.

School lunches – portion size

Following a recent meeting with our caterers, I invited the area manager to the last Parent Council meeting. We talked about portion sizes. The area manager explained there are national guideline for portion sizes for each age group and it IS followed at Holly Park. Olive do unannounced spot checks to check this out. We also discussed that at home when having pizza for example – families may just have pizza and nothing else – so a child may eat several slices. At school they may only get one slice of pizza but with that they also get wedges, vegetables, salad bar, bread and a dessert. The area manager explained that pizzas are cut up differently for KS1 and KS2 – although each get one slice – the KS1 pizzas are cut into 8 pieces and KS2 into 6 meaning the slices are bigger for KS2. He also explained that children can go back for more salad and more bread if they are still feeling hungry. This week I did an assembly with Kim our chef manager where I reminded the children that salad bar and bread are unlimited as long as it is eaten and not thrown away. I also spoke to Year 6 and explained that if they are still hungry that they can go up for more of the main meal – again as long as it is eaten and not thrown away. The children have seen that Kim the Chef Manager is aware of this information.

Reception and KS1 Sports Day

The weather was a little wet and drizzly but nonetheless, Infant Sports Day was a lovely event. There was a really good turn out from parents (despite the rain) who cheered the children along! The children enjoyed events such as egg and spoon, skipping, under and over etc. Parents have a year now to train for the parent race! Thank you to the support staff for preparing the sports day and special thanks to Miss Yianakki for organising it.

KS2 Sports Day

Junior Sports Day was today. A perfect day of weather. The children enjoyed activities such as skipping, dribbling, water carrying, egg and spoon etc Lots of parents and grandparents came out to watch. As ever the children enjoyed watching the parent race at the end. Thank you to the support staff for setting up the events. A big thank you to Mr Bourne for organising it.

The results for Junior Sports day were:

1st Place DRAGON
2nd Place PHOENIX
3rd Place HYDRA
4th Place UNICORN
5th Place GRIFFIN

Well done to: DRAGON

Annual Report to Parents

The annual reports to parents will be emailed home next week. Different year groups will be emailed home on different days as we cannot send them all on the same day. They will be spread across the week. A text will be sent to confirm when each class has been sent. It is essential that the school has your correct email address. We will be emailing the reports to the email address currently on our school system. If you have a new email address please make sure that the office has it as soon as possible.

Y1 Phonics Check Results – These will be sent home next week via book bags. The results will be in a sealed envelope.

Y4 Multiplication Check Results – These will be emailed home next week.

Holly Park Playgroup

In September we will be running a Holly Park Playgroup in our school hall on a Wednesday morning from 9am to 10.30am The playgroup will be run by Miss Nichols and Mrs Puzey – supported by Miss Mornington. The playgroup is for 0-5 year olds who are not yet in school. There will be lots for babies and toddlers to do and a chance for parents and carers to come along and chat together. The playgroup will be open to our local community: parents, grandparents, carers, child minders, family friends and anyone living in our local community. The Playgroup will begin on Wednesday 17th September. There will be a very small weekly fee. Do come along if you have a child of this age and please share the information with friends and family who live in the local area.

Writing Exhibition

This year at Holly Park, we have had a focus on the publishing phase of our writing sequence. Across the school, children have enjoyed sharing their written work with a wide range of audiences. They have also selected pieces that they would like to share with their families. We would therefore like to invite you to our Holly Park Writing Exhibition, which will take place from 3pm on Friday 11th July. From 3-3.20pm, you will be able to visit your child’s classroom to look at and discuss their writing with them. If you have children in other classes, you will be able to split your time across different classrooms. After the children are dismissed at 3.30, the writing pieces will remain out in every classroom so that you can walk around the school and view a sample of writing from each year group. We hope that you are able to attend. The children are looking forward to sharing their work with you!

Staff leavers and joiners

It is that time of year again when we have to say goodbye to some staff who are moving on to pastures new and when we also welcome new staff to Holly Park. Mrs Spann is retiring as a Level 3 TA in July after more than 20 years at the school. Mrs Spann has seen her own three boys go through the school and has worked for several headteachers in her time. Mrs Spann has seen many children and staff come and go. She has been on very many trips, supported many sports days and nativity performances and has spent many hours supporting children with their learning. We have replaced Mrs Spann with a familiar face – Mrs Needham will be returning to Holly Park.

Mrs Walton is also officially taking retirement in July after more than 20 years at the school. However, she is not quite leaving us yet and is returning for 2 days a week in September as a class teacher for 2 days a week. Mrs Walton will remain as the phonics lead.

We are delighted to be welcoming Mrs Osbourne as a class teacher to Holly Park in September. Mrs Osbourne will be covering Mrs Moore’s maternity leave for the next academic year. In fact, she has already begun and is working in our current Palm Red as Mrs Moore has already begun her maternity leave.

Instrumental Tuition at Holly Park Autumn Term 2025

If you wish your child to have instrumental tuition lessons at school next term please log into Barnet Education Arts Trust (beatrust.org.uk) where you will find all the details you need. Lessons are usually for children in next term’s Year 3 and above. However, we do offer violin and ‘cello lessons to next term’s Year 2 children, as well. The school does not enrol any children or take fees. Please observe BEAT’s deadlines for enrolment and fees.

Classes for 2025-26

Children and parents will find out the new classes and class teachers for next year on Friday 18th July. Children will be told at school and parents will find out via the newsletter and email.

Barnet’s brand-new summer read is here

Barnet libraries are introducing the ‘Barnet Book Detectives’, a fun and interactive way to help children enjoy books during the holidays. The local library has lots of resources available to borrow and there are up to 50 free and low-cost children’s events from the beginning of July to the end of August.

Barnet Book Detectives and Detective Woof are on the case Something strange is happening in Barnet’s libraries. Books are disappearing off the shelves and a mysterious Book Crook is on the loose. They love to read but want all the books for themselves and won’t share! This summer, we invite children in Barnet to join the ‘Barnet Book Detectives’ and help Detective Woof and his gang catch the culprits and return the missing books. How can children help Detective Woof and his Barnet Book Detectives catch the Book Crook? By reading six books over the summer holidays, they will help the Detectives identify the culprit, who has been leaving clues at libraries and locations all round Barnet. They will receive a certificate and other rewards and will be entered into a very special prize draw when they finish. Children can read any books they like – picture books, or chapter books, comics or graphic novels and don’t forget non-fiction too! They can also read eBooks or comics on our Libby app or listen to eAudiobooks on BorrowBox. Children aged 4 – 11 with a library card can sign up at any Barnet library from Saturday 5 July and throughout the summer holidays. If they don’t have a library membership, it’s free to sign up! There is also a fantastic events programme throughout the school holidays to help keep children entertained all summer long!

PTA AGM Monday 7th July at 9am

It’s the time again for the PTA AGM (Annual General Meeting) and everyone is invited! The agenda will cover:

Review of last year’s events, amounts raised and what funds were spent on,
Understand the priorities and where the PTA can make a difference,
Elect committee members for the coming year for Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
Plans for the upcoming year.

Please see the full information at the end of the newsletter. Everyone is welcome.

MET ENGAGE – Community Crime-Fighting

The Metropolitan Police would like us to make you aware of a new platform they have where you can get to know your local officers, help shape how they police the local area and where you can have direct access to key information and advice. It is supposed to be a platform for you to be able to tell them what is concerning you most so that they can take action. You can find more information on: metengage.co.uk

Attendance

Whole school attendance for the week before half term was 97% Well done to Y2 Elm Class with the best attendance at 99%.

Dates

Monday 7th July Annual reports emailed home across this week
Tuesday 8th July The Debate Challenge Day (Y5/6 children)
Wednesday 9th July Coffee morning for Y5 and 6 parents
Friday 11th July Junior Duke Celebration event 9am
Monday 14th July Y6 show week
Wednesday 16th July Reception trip to Barnet Countryside centre
Thursday 17th July Reception trip to Barnet Countryside centre
Thursday 17th July Y6 Careers Fair
Friday 18th July New Classes announced for September 2025
Monday 21st July Reception Assembly Performance at 9.30am
Monday 21st July Children to visit new classes and teachers
Monday 21st July Y6 Leavers’ Party 7pm – 9pm
Tuesday 22nd July Y6 Leavers’ ceremony at 9.30am
Tuesday 22nd July End of term at 1.30pm

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) Monday 7th July @ 9.00am

Dear all, It’s the time again for our PTA AGM (our Annual General Meeting) and everyone is invited! The agenda will cover:

Review of last year’s events, amounts raised and what funds were spent on
Understand the priorities and where the PTA can make a difference,
Elect committee members for the coming year for Chair, Secretary and Treasurer
Plans for the upcoming year.
We look forward to seeing you and thank you all for your continued support.

Several of our existing committee members are stepping down after a number of years in their roles, so we are actively looking for new volunteers to get more involved with the PTA.

The following positions are available and need to be filled:

Chair or Co-chairs – the chair provides leadership and direction for the PTA, managing meetings and ensuring the PTA fulfils its role in supporting the school. This typically includes tasks like project managing events, engaging volunteers and liaising with school about fundraising priorities. Co-chairs share responsibilities and support one another
Treasurer or Co-Treasurers – the PTA treasurer is primarily responsible for managing the PTA’s finances, including maintaining accurate financial records, handling income and expenses, and reporting on the PTA’s financial status. They also ensure all registrations and Charity Commission paperwork are up to date. Co-Treasurers support each other with open communication, access to reports and shared responsibilities
Secretary or Co-secretaries – the PTA secretary circulates the agenda ahead of the AGM, takes minutes of meetings and records key action points. They also administer and collate information on the fundraising schemes (Easyfundraising and School Lottery). Co-secretaries to share responsibilities and to support chair/Co-chair as and when required

The funds raised by the PTA are needed more than ever. The money raised helps provide enhanced facilities and any support the school requires to enhance the children’s experience during their time at school. This can be in the form of equipment, additional activities and creating new supporting environments within the school. We hope that you will be able to attend the AGM to find out more about our plans for the future and how the PTA can support the schools and children’s needs and new initiatives for the year ahead. If you cannot attend the AGM but are interested in helping or volunteering, please let any member of the PTA committee know, alternatively email us on hollyparkpta@gmail.com and we will be in touch

There is facility to translate this newsletter and the whole school website at the bottom of the website home page.