Manor Primary Academy Newsletter

Issue No 40

December 19th 2025


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In this issue

Messages from Manor

News

Stars of the Week

Attendance Champions

Dates for your diary


Messages from Manor

Dear Parents and Carers

We have made it! Autumn term is always a long one and the lead up to Christmas, with excited children and changes to routines, can be challenging at times, but it is also a magical time for those of us privileged enough to work with children of primary age. The fun, awe and wonder in school at this time of year is special and the staff would like to thank you for entrusting your children to our care.

It is inspiring to see how the school community works together to make sure all are included. Christmas Dinner on Wednesday saw all staff mucking in during their lunch break. Mrs Everett was washing up with the cook, teachers and TA's ate with the children, then made sure the lunchtime staff got the chance to do the same while they wiped, stacked tables and supervised the playground. Penguins helped serve desserts and water. Nobody needed to be asked. A well-oiled machine made up of positive and kind people.

We also had the Nativity performances for parents that were well attended and positively received. The children were amazing with their brilliant acting and singing. Lots of very proud parents and carers. Thanks go to the staff involved, led by Mrs Armstrong.

Mr Lloyd was the leader of the Swans and Robins visit to Statfold Barn to see Santa. A brilliant time was had by all thanks to all the volunteers who made it possible.

Then, the term has been rounded off with class parties and a visit from Santa in the morning and a full church for the Carol Service in the afternoon. A brilliant week to send children off home excited and ready for the coming festivities. 

All at Manor would like to wish you a wonderful festive period. We hope you get what you want for Christmas, whether that is a time of peace and quiet, noisy celebration or something in-between!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Admissions Consultation

Fierte Multi Academy Trust wishes to formally consult on admissions arrangements for 2027/2028 for Manor Primary Academy. This is something we need to do every 7 years or whenever there are any changes made.

We are not proposing any changes. However, your opinions are important, and we are keen to receive your comments on the arrangements before they are formally approved. 

A copy of the proposed arrangements can be viewed on the school website

The consultation will close on 31 January 2026. 

Please send your comments to: Simon Robson

email: office@manor.fierte.org

Manor Primary Academy, Drayton Lane, Drayton Bassett, Tamworth, B78 3TX


Manor Athletics Team

A young athletics team represented Manor at the Year 5/6 Small Schools Sports Hall Athletics competition this week. Unfortunately, we couldn't persuade any Year 6's to take part, but we did field a team with Year 4 and Year 5 children. They were noticeably smaller than the majority Year 6 teams they were up against, but they didn't let that faze them. In the spirit of Manor, they were small but mighty. They gave everything in every event and gained some excellent experience for future competitions... and they had great fun doing it too! The team was: Imogen, Adeline, Adaline, Pippa, Phoebe, Molly, Giaan, Jenson, Maddox and Bruno. Well done to all!


County Honours for Pippa

Breaking news... Pippa H has recently been selected to represent Staffordshire at her age group in cricket. Something to be very proud of. Maybe she can help us win the Ashes in future years!


Curriculum Next Term

When we return to school in the new year children will be starting on new topics across the school. At Parent Forum there was a request that we try to keep parents up-to-date with the upcoming learning. The best way to do this is through our website curriculum pages. There is a page for each subject.

You may know that we run a two year cycle across most subjects to avoid repetition and ensure full coverage for a child who is in a class for two years. In these cases we are currently teaching Year B of the cycle from our long term plans.

If you need any further information or clarity around this then please do ask the class teachers or Mr Robson. 


Parent Forum

Parent forum met in November and a wide variety of issues were discussed. Mr Culff attended on behalf of staff and he reported a very positive meeting with some interesting ideas put forward.

Thank you to Jo Rooke who chaired the meeting and wrote up the minutes. These have now been added to the website with a response from school leaders.

We need to set a date for the next meeting and we will let you know when that is by adding it to the website calendar.


Kurling Club

We still have some places left for our Kurling clubs taking place after Christmas. These are run by former Team GB Winter Olympian and professional footballer Ronnie (see poster below) on a Monday for Years 1-3 and Thursday for Years 4-6. The Winter Olympics start in February so this 


School Cook Vacancy

For the past month, we have been advertising for a new cook to provide some delicious food for our children at lunchtimes. Unfortunately, we have been unable to appoint anyone yet. This means that we have had the pleasure of the Fierté Trust catering leader, Laura Carr, cooking for us recently, but this is not sustainable for the long term.

If you know of anyone who is suitably qualified and might like to be part of the Manor team, working alongside our wonderful staff and putting smiles on the children's faces each day with tasty food, then please do point them our way!


Reading Shed Open

You will have noticed the smart new shed that has appeared at the front of school. This has now been put together by Mr Webb and is ready for use. The idea is that children and adults can look in the shed for their next read and simply help themselves for free. There is no expectation that you have to replace the book with another one. 

Of course the shed only works if people do donate pre-loved books that are still in good condition. These can be for children of all ages and adults too. Fiction or non-fiction. You or your children might want to add a book mark with recommended reads.

So, next time you have a sort out and need to clear some shelf space at home, think of the reading shed as a possible destination for good quality books you don't need any more.

Thank you to the PTA and the Parish Council for organising this and giving the grant that paid for it. The shed is open to local residents too when the pedestrian gate is open at the front of school. Let's get this community reading!


Christmas Competition

Thank you to those who entered the 'decorate a pew competition'. The decorations will brighten up the church over the Christmas period and looked great during the carol service. The winners also earned some decent prize money too!


News

18 Dec 2025
A Wonderful Success: Our School’s Christmas Play – A Christmas Quarrel
This week, our school was filled with festive cheer as our Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 children took to the stage to perform A Christmas Quarrel
Read more
14 Dec 2025
All Aboard for a Magical Christmas Adventure
Children from Swans and Robins  enjoyed an unforgettable festive day at Statfold Barn’s Christmas Extravaganza, where every moment was filled with Christmas cheer and excitement.
Read more
14 Dec 2025
Robins and Swans Send Letters to Santa!
This week has been full of festive excitement as our Robins and Swans classes took part in a very special Christmas tradition - writing letters to Santa Claus!
Read more
09 Dec 2025
Year 5 and 6 pupils showcase creativity and resilience in teddy bear waistcoat project
Over the past five weeks, our Year 5 and 6 pupils have been hard at work completing an exciting sewing unit as part of the Design and Technology curriculum. This project challenged students to apply a range of practical skills, from planning and designing to stitching and finishing, culminating in t...
Read more

Stars of the Week

Lucas Robins
Iyla Robins
Stevie Robins
Tilly Robins
Bracken Swans
Ethan Swans
  Swans
  Swans
Pippa Owls
Alex Owls
Heidi Owls
  Owls
Alena Penguins
Jenson Penguins
Annabelle Penguins
  Penguins

Attendance Champions for Last Week

8th-12th December 2025 

Class Attendance
Owls 96.2%
Swans 95%
Penguins 91.1%
Robins 85.8%

 

15th - 19th December 2025

Class Attendance
  %
  %
  %
  %

Dates for your diary

Click the links for more details

Christmas Holiday
All Day
from 20 Dec until 04 Jan
20
December
INSET Day
All Day
05
January
Panto - Whole School
10:00am – 2:30pm
13
January
Reception phonics workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
15
January
Year 1 phonics workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
22
January
Year 2/3/4 reading fluency workshop
9:00am – 10:00am
29
January
Reward day if house point target achieved.
All Day
13
February
Half term holiday
All Day
from 14 Feb until 22 Feb
14
February
Safe and Sound - Y5
All Day
02
March
World Book Day
All Day
06
March
Class & Y6 Leaver photos
8:30am – 11:30am
17
March
Easter Holiday
All Day
from 28 Mar until 12 Apr
28
March
Bank Holiday
All Day
04
May
Y6 SATS Week
All Day
from 11 May until 14 May
11
May
PTA Sports Fest
3:30pm – 4:30pm
20
May