EdTech, screen time & smartphones
Dear parents and carers,
Welcome to our monthly update at the end of a very busy half term! This morning, Year 3 led a superb harvest celebration and shared some very important messages with us. Please find more on this overleaf.
As parents, screen time and technology may be on your minds too often. As teachers, it’s something we constantly question too but like most things, moderation is key. We use two platforms – Century Tech and Reading Plus – which personalise learning and provide teachers with data to help further refine curriculum coverage and maximise progress. Usage in school is very limited as when used selectively and sparingly, platforms like Century and Reading Plus can have a very positive impact on educational outcomes.
The opposite can be said of smartphones which is why from January 2026, we will have a complete smartphone ban in school. For any children who currently walk home and leave phones at the office, these must be brick phones from January and school can support in acquiring these. A key reason for parents feeling pressured to buy smartphones is the fear of children missing out but with a school-wide ban, we can help remove that dilemma
This is a big topic so to explain our approach to technology and our reasoning behind a smartphone ban, we will be hosting an information evening for Key Stage 2 parents on Thursday 6th November at 6pm. Children are invited to attend as you will have an opportunity to use Reading Plus alongside your children during the evening. This will be a yearly event so for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 parents, this will be open to you when your children are in Key Stage 2 and using Reading Plus For parents in Key Stage 2 who cannot attend, we will produce a short leaflet detailing key information and these will be sent home on Friday 7th
From parents’ evenings, information evenings and the run up to Christmas, there’s a lot going on over the next half term so please find a full list of events further on in this newsletter that we hope you find useful.
Best wishes,
Mr Roberts Head of School
Harvest: helping locally & globally
We saw our school at its best this morning; Year 3 led a brilliant Harvest celebration and every child spoke, sang and acted their hearts out on stage. A huge well done and thank you to the entire Year 3 team: Mrs Sheehan, Miss Deane, Mrs Hand, Mrs Ijaz, Miss Bradshaw and every child in 3KS and 3ED. They shared a powerful message on the importance of taking care of our world and the people around us. Harvest is a time to give thanks for what we have and that gratitude helps us to realise the fortunate position we are in.
For many people around the world, food is scarce, particularly in areas that are becoming deserts due to deforestation and climate change. Year 3 shared the story of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental activist, who fought deforestation efforts and planted what has become the ‘Great Green Wall’ in northern Africa. Planting trees has so many benefits for the environment from absorbing carbon dioxide to preventing soil erosion. Whole areas of desert are being transformed into grassland and local people can again farm the land, feed themselves and earn a living.
This is why Year 3 were raising money for Tree Aid. West Didsbury CE are partnering with charities to support tree planting efforts worldwide and for every £1 we raise, 1 tree will be planted. We’re calling this The Reforestation Project and it will be a long-term effort to help our planet and show our pupils the positive impact that we can have We will be holding a few events each year and we will keep a running tracker on our website showing how many trees have been planted and where.
Poverty also exists much closer to home and all of the food items kindly donated have been sent to a local foodbank. Harvest was a perfect demonstration of how our school looks after our neighbours, locally and globally, and a huge well done again to Year 3.
Year 6 residential at Condover Hall
A report from Miss Laffey:
Year 6 had a fabulous week away at Condover!
They blew us away with their determination, resilience and incredible behaviour all week. From canoeing to axe throwing, climbing to aerial trek and everything else in between, it was a fabulous week of facing fears and having fun.
The evenings were just as jam packed as the days and we all enjoyed a campfire, silent disco and giant cluedo. It was a very special week where memories were made for life.
Well done for a fantastic week Year 6, it was an absolute pleasure to enjoy Condover with you!
Family meal days from November
Starting on Thursday November 13th , we will be hosting family meal days where parents in one class per week will be invited to have lunch with the children. Food will be provided to parents free of charge by Dolce, our school meal providers.
We hope this will provide you with memorable moments with your children as well as giving you a clear idea of the school meals that Dolce provides
The following dates will be open to the classes listed below Family meal days will continue after Christmas and every class will have this opportunity within the academic year.
Family meals will be served at 12pm.
Family meal days – Autumn 2
Thursday 13th November 6KL
Thursday 20th November 6CP
Thursday 27th November 5MD
Thursday 4th December 5LT
PTA updates
A very big thank you to Julia, Lilah, Eva and their families who organised the fundraising stall for The Christie and for the PTA.
The girls raised a whopping £383 for a great cause and we’re really proud of their efforts. Well done!
The PTA have been busy hosting events and organising our #WestDidsburyLightsUp event in December.
We welcomed Reception and Year 1 for bingo on October 18th Thank you to the volunteers and the families who came, helping to raise important funds for the school.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a committed and well-run PTA and you are always welcome to get involved and give as much or as little time as you can offer.
If you would like to get involved in any way or have any questions about the PTA, please contact Fran (our PTA Chair) at ptawestdidsbury@gmail.com
Diary dates
Tuesday 4th November: School opens
Thursday 6th November: Open morning for prospective parents
Tuesday 11th November: Parents’ Evening 3.30pm – 7pm
Thursday 13th November: Parents’ Evening 3.30pm – 7pm
Friday 14th November: Children in Need (non-uniform)
Friday 21st November: 5LT class assembly
Tuesday 25th November: Open morning for prospective parents
Tuesday 2nd December: Christmas panto (in hall)
Thursday 4th December: Rock Steady Concert (10am)
Friday 5th December: Strings concert (8.15am)
Friday 5th December: #WestDidsburyLightsUp PTA Christmas event (5pm – 8pm)
Tuesday 9th December: RKT, 1JG, 2LS Nativity (9.15am)
Tuesday 9th December: Rattle & Roll performance (4pm)
Wednesday 10th December: ROJ, 1MR, 2EC Nativity (9.15am)
Wednesday 10th December: Christmas Dinner day
Thursday 11th December: Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children (uniform and Christmas jumper)
Thursday 11th December: RKT, 1JG, 2LS Nativity (9.15am)
Friday 12th December: ROJ, 1MR, 2EC Nativity (9.15am)
Monday 15th December: Reception & Year 1 Christmas Party day
Monday 15th December: Years 4 & 6 Christmas Concert at Emmanuel Church (doors open 6.15pm)
Tuesday 16th December: Years 2 & 3 Christmas Party day
Tuesday 16th December: Years 3 & 5 Christmas Concert at St. Paul’s Church Withington (6.15pm)
Wednesday 17th December: Years 4 & 5 Christmas Party day
Thursday 18th December: Year 6 Christmas Party day
Thursday 18th December: Rattle & Roll performance (4pm)
Friday 19th December: School closes.
