Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful summer break, with plenty of time to rest and recharge. I also had a lovely holiday with my family and feel refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

A special welcome to all the new families who have joined our school community this year. We look forward to getting to know you and your children in the coming months.

Over the summer, some of our classrooms have been given a fresh new look, and we are in the process of upgrading our lighting system. This will not only benefit the environment but also help reduce electricity costs. In addition, please have a look at our website. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to update it with key information, including class pages, diary dates, newsletters, and classroom news. Most school communication will now be shared through the website.

For details specific to your child’s class—such as topics, PE days, and homework—please visit their class page or your child's class page here on Class Dojo. If you notice any information missing, please let us know so we can put it right.

It has been wonderful to see the children returning looking so smart in their uniforms—thank you for supporting this. We kindly ask for your continued help in maintaining these high standards throughout the year. Children should also come to school in the correct PE kit on their PE days; full details are available on our website.

A reminder: school gates open at 8:45 am, and registration takes place promptly at 8:50 am. It is important that children arrive on time so that no learning opportunities are missed. Regular attendance remains a national priority—time lost can significantly impact a child’s progress. Please also remember that dogs are not permitted on site, except those specifically assessed and insured.

The DfE has made it clear that Headteachers cannot authorise holidays during term time. Penalties for unauthorised absence have increased, and only exceptional circumstances will be considered. Medical appointments should be arranged outside school hours wherever possible, as routine absences will not be authorised. A leave of absence form must be completed if you wish to request consideration.

Please remember that we are here to support you and your child. Your class teacher should always be your first point of contact, and appointments can be made via class email or the school office. If you feel an issue remains unresolved, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

At Seaburn Dene, our vision is clear: “We always try to be that little bit better.” This was the focus of our first assembly, where we spoke with the children about striving to be their personal best. We will continue to reinforce the message that through effort and practice, everyone can improve and achieve more than they thought possible.

This term promises to be full of exciting events—please keep an eye on diary dates, newsletters, and the website for updates, including information about this half-term’s clubs and booking arrangements. Good communication is key to a strong school community, so please keep sharing your thoughts on how we can continue to improve.

Here’s to another successful and rewarding year at Seaburn Dene Primary School, where every child is supported to thrive both academically and socially.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Kind regards,
John Howe
Headteacher