Overthorpe C of E Academy

BELIEVE, ENJOY, ACHIEVE

'Overthorpe is more than a school-

We are the heart of the community.

In our family, we nurture the courage,

And skills to fly higher than the flock,

Whilst always providing a nest,

To come home to.'

TRUST, FRIENDSHIP, ENDURANCE, FORGIVENESS, HOPE

Headteacher - Mr J Mitchell

Senior Leadership Team - Ms L McCarthy (Deputy Head), Ms L Stott (Assistant Head), Mrs S Wood (SENDCo)

Designated Safeguarding lead - Mrs S Wood

Deputy DSLs - Mr J Mitchell, Ms L Stott, Ms L McCarthy, Mrs A Godfrey

Kestrels experiencing Mr McGuire's visitors!

Kestrels had a fantastic hands-on experience learning about invertebrates this week—thank you so much to Mr McGuire for bringing the topic to life; it was a truly memorable afternoon for the children. Well done also to everyone for their calm and sensible behaviour during our fire drill; this was especially impressive as so many children are in new classrooms this term. A huge thank you goes to all who baked, donated, and attended our Macmillan coffee morning—your contributions made the event a real success.

Looking ahead, we have Cross Country trials next week and were amazed by the number of eager runners ready to take part. Also our Harvest Service takes place in church on Thursday.

Have a lovely weekend everyone,
Mr Mitchell

A huge thank you to all who attended our Macmillan Coffee Morning, it was a huge success and we raised a fantastic £165.72.

Thank you also to all those who brought in cakes, buns, biscuits and other sweet treats, we couldn’t have held it without you.

This week in our collective worship, we explored the powerful picture book Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. The story follows a quiet and gentle boy named Brian who often goes unnoticed by his classmates. Through this touching narrative, children learned how small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others — helping them feel seen, valued, and included.

During our reflections, children thought deeply about times when they themselves may have felt invisible and considered how others in our school or wider community might feel the same way. These spiritual reflections encouraged empathy, compassion, and a greater awareness of the feelings of those around us.

The children were inspired to think about how they can be the difference in someone’s day — through a smile, a kind word, or an invitation to join in. We reminded each other that we all have the power to help others feel like they belong, and that every single person has a place in our community.

After consultation with staff, we are trialling a new approach. This will involve:

1. One evening rather than two.

2. Session 1 - 3:30pm - 6:00pm (2.5 hours)

3. Session 2 - 6:30 - 9:00pm (2.5 hours)

4. All appointments being 10 mins as per usual

5. All appointments in the school hall

You should have all received letters for this with which to book your slots. Should you have not received a letter, please speak to the front office.

Please find links below to a letter and donations guide for next week's Harvest in church.

As many of you will be aware, Overthorpe’s school uniform has remained consistent for a number of years. Any significant changes to our uniform would always involve full consultation with parents, and would be made in line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance for schools, ensuring that our approach remains both fair and affordable for all families.

If you receive any correspondence from adults in school regarding uniform, please be assured it is simply to alert you to aspects of school uniform that may not be in line with the school’s policy.

We are pleased to announce one optional adjustment to our uniform: pupils are now able to wear plain black trainers (without coloured or white markings or soles), as well as traditional black shoes. This means parents may choose to purchase just one pair of plain black trainers for both school and PE, helping to reduce costs and create a more flexible and practical option for families. Of course, if you wish to continue sending your child in all black school shoes, as has been the case for many years, that choice remains entirely up to you.

As always, should any uniform adaptations be needed due to SEND or medical reasons, please contact us so that we can discuss and agree adjustments for your child.

Thank you for supporting a uniform policy that is both inclusive and responsive to the needs of our school community.

As we settle into the term, we’d like to remind parents and carers of our school uniform policy. Wearing the correct uniform helps our pupils feel part of the school community and ensures everyone is dressed safely and appropriately for learning.

Everyday Uniform:

• Yellow polo shirt (with or without the school logo)

• Navy blue sweatshirt (with or without the school logo)

• Grey or black trousers, skirt, or tailored shorts

• Summer check or striped dress in school colours (blue or yellow)

• Plain black, sensible shoes, boots, or trainers – no other colours, please

Please note: Flip-flops, Crocs, and heeled shoes are not appropriate for school.

PE Kit:

• Plain white t-shirt

• Plain navy or black shorts (or joggers in colder weather)

• School jumper for warmth if needed

• Suitable, safe footwear such as trainers for outdoor PE

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school smart, safe, and ready for learning!

X: Overthorpe_Acad

School website: https://www.overthorpecofe.co.uk/

Email: office@overthorpe.enhanceacad.org.uk

Tel: 01924 325300

Address: Edge Top Road, Dewsbury, WF12 0BH