Newsletters

Reporting a concern

If you are worried about a vulnerable child over the holidays and need to report a concern you can:

• Contact the a member of our school safeguarding team via the school’s out- of hours email address: dsl@somersetbridge.school

• Report a concern online at https://somersetsafeguardingchildren.org.uk/report-a-concern/

• Visit the NSPCC page to report a concern https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/report/

Jo  Darby, Family Support Worker, will be working for the majority of the school holidays and will be available via her work mobile number which is 07801 156475.

 

This term, Year 5 have shown an impressive level of focus, determination, and maturity in all aspects of their learning. They have embraced the challenges of the summer term with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, demonstrating real progress both academically and personally. In the classroom, they have pushed themselves to improve—tackling more complex tasks with greater independence, refining their skills across subjects, and showing a deeper understanding of what it means to be reflective, resilient learners. It has also been wonderful to see how they have developed socially, working more collaboratively, supporting one another, and growing in confidence as individuals. Their efforts this term have laid a strong foundation for the transition into Year 6, and they should feel proud of everything they have achieved. They are clearly ready to take on the new responsibilities and opportunities that come with their final year of primary school.

Buddies

Well done to the children who have been chosen to be buddies this term—it is a real achievement and a reflection of the kindness, maturity, and responsibility you have shown. As buddies, you will play an important role in supporting the Year 2 children as they prepare to transition into Key Stage Two. This is a big change for them, and your guidance, encouragement, and friendship will make a real difference in helping them feel welcome, confident, and excited about the next stage of their school journey. We know you will take on this role with care and pride, and we are confident you will be fantastic role models throughout the remainder of the year.

Maths

In maths this term, we have been learning about converting units of measurement, which has been a challenging but rewarding area of study. This topic has given us a great opportunity to deepen our understanding of place value and strengthen our skills in multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1000. Whether converting between grams and kilograms, millilitres and litres, or centimetres and metres, we’ve had to think carefully and apply our knowledge with accuracy and confidence. Although it has pushed us at times, we’ve shown great perseverance and made real progress in understanding how and why these conversions work—skills that will continue to support us in future maths learning.

English

In English this term, we have been embracing our Ancient Greek topic by exploring the myth of Perseus and the Gorgon. The children have really enjoyed delving into this exciting and dramatic story, using it as inspiration for their own writing. Through this work, they have made excellent cross-curricular links with our history learning, gaining a deeper understanding of Greek myths and their lasting influence. One of the key focuses in our writing has been learning how to integrate speech that advances the action and reveals character, and the children have worked hard to develop this skill. It’s been fantastic to see them experimenting with dialogue, using it not just to show what characters are saying, but to move the story forward and add depth to their narratives.

Ancient Greeks

In history and geography this term, we have been learning all about Ancient Greece—a fascinating topic that has captured the children’s interest and sparked some brilliant discussions. We have explored what everyday life was like in Ancient Greece, including the differences between life in Athens and Sparta, and the lasting impact Ancient Greek culture has had on the modern world. One highlight has been learning about the history of the Olympic Games, which we also explored in French, helping to make valuable cross-curricular links. As we move through the remainder of the half term, we will be turning our focus to Greek food, particularly Greek salads, and learning about the ingredients, flavours, and cultural significance of traditional Greek dishes. The children are looking forward to designing and creating their own Greek salads, combining their learning with a hands-on and creative experience.

Escapeline

This term, Year 5 and 6 had the opportunity to take part in an important and informative session led by Lorraine from Escapeline, a charity dedicated to preventing the criminal and sexual exploitation of young people by gangs across South West England. Lorraine spoke to the children about the serious issue of County Lines, where highly organised urban gangs expand their drug operations into smaller towns and rural areas, often targeting and exploiting local young people. She explained how these gangs operate, the tactics they use to recruit, and the dangers involved. The session was age-appropriate, thought-provoking, and helped raise awareness among the children about how to recognise warning signs and protect themselves. It was a valuable part of our wider learning about staying safe and making informed choices as we grow up.

 

The last couple of months have been extremely busy for Year 6. In May, we couldn’t have asked any more from the children with the effort both classes put into the SATs tests. As a reward, funded by the marvellous PTA, both classes enjoyed a trip to Scott Cinema where they all watch the latest ‘Mario’ film. After that, they thoroughly enjoyed playing tenpin bowling at the Allstars bowling alley in Bridgwater. A huge thank you to Somerset Passenger Solutions for providing the transport and to the PTA who really made the event special. 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonderful Writers

During the month of June, the children worked really hard in writing lessons. As a result, they made huge progress as recognised by external moderators who visited the school to see the Year 6 writing - they were very impressed. Here are a few examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slimbridge Visit

What a brilliant day! The sun shone and both classes enjoyed an amazing day at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. They spent the day enjoying nature, feeding and identifying birds and generally enjoying the outdoors. A huge thank you to the staff of Slimbridge (all volunteers) who made the day extra special for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

Sports Day

From when they started at Somerset Bridge to now, the Year 6 children have lots to feel proud about in sport – they truly have gone from strength to strength! As the years have gone by, they have participated and succeeded in a huge range of sports from table tennis to athletics! Lots of memories have been made and topped off by a super sports day last week.

 

 

 

 

 

Crealy Park

During our exciting trip to Crealy Park, everyone had an unforgettable day filled with laughter, thrills, and fantastic memories. We explored all the park had to offer, from the exhilarating log flume ride that sent waves splashing over us, to the heart-racing roller coaster that had everyone screaming with delight. The water boats were a huge hit, especially because they gave the perfect opportunity for the children to soak the adults! Throughout the day, the weather was absolutely perfect and we even got to see a few animals around the park. Everyone demonstrated excellent behaviour which made the day smooth and enjoyable for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates of The Curry Bean

We were so proud of the children who put much effort into this year’s production of ‘The Pirates of The Curry Bean’.  It was true celebration of the incredible creativity, hard work, and team spirit that our pupils have shown over the past few weeks.

We hope that you enjoyed the show, laughed with us, cheered loudly, and felt the pride that we all share in these remarkable young stars.

 

 

Year 3 & 4 Area Athletics:

Congratulations to our Year 3 & 4 Athletics team who went to compete in the Large Schools Area Athletics competition. They all had to take part in a hurdles race, sprint race, 400m race, howler throw, long jump and relay race. Some outstanding performances and the team were overall winners and won the gold medals.

Year 5 & 6 Area Athletics:

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 Athletics team who went to compete in the Large Schools Area Athletics competition. They all had to take part in a hurdles race, sprint race, 400m race, howler throw, triple jump and relay race. Some outstanding performances and the team were overall winners and won the gold medals.

Swimming gala:

Well done to our Swimming team who took part in the Sedgemoor Schools Swimming gala. There were some fantastic individual and team performances and we managed to finish in 3^rd place overall winning the bronze medals.

Rounders:

Well done to our Year 5 Rounders team. They managed to win 3 out of 4 games at the Sedgemoor Schools rounders tournament to qualify for the County Finals. At the Finals the team played some amazing rounders showing fantastic team work as well as some brilliant batting, bowling and fielding. The team finished 3^rd place overall winning the bronze medals which is a fantastic achievement.

 

Our New Sensory Room!
We’re very excited to share that our brand-new sensory room is now up and running! This calm, welcoming space is designed to support children who may need a quiet moment or some sensory input to help them feel settled and ready to learn. We feel incredibly lucky to have this fantastic resource in school and know it is already making a big difference for so many of our pupils.

Every day, we proved freshly toasted bagels to all classes to enjoy in the morning. We have also been delivering extra bagels this term to the Year 6 children who came in early for their English and Maths SATS clubs.

Our Practical room is open for "Rise & Shine Breakfasts" every morning for different classes and is available to all children in those classes. They might want to come in for a sociable start to their day, might not have had breakfast at home or might want to come in for a bit of support and a chat to the Pastoral team.

On some mornings, the room is extremely busy and we have a lot of plates to wash. 

5,263 breakfast served this academic year (with a week to go at a time of writing!)  

208 children in the busiest week so  (10 March). 

Young Carers and Families Dates for your Diary: 

Upcoming carer information days: 

Wincanton

Thursday 31st July, 10am to 1pm, Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton BA9 9HB

Chard

Friday 22nd August, 10am to 1pm, Baptist Church, 9 Holyrood Street, Chard TA20 2AH

Glastonbury

Monday 15th September, 10am to 1pm, Tor Leisure Centre, Street Road, Glastonbury BA6 9EF

Taunton

Monday 20th October, 10am to 1pm, Wellsprings Community Church, Quantock Road, Taunton TA2 7NL

Frome

Tuesday 18th November, 10am to 1pm, Frome Town Hall, Christchurch West, BA11 1EB

 

 

A big thank you to everyone who has supported the Friends of Somerset Bridge this year.  We have had such a successful year and have raised an amazing £9608.

In June, we finally managed to hold our first Summer Fair since covid, held an amazing Christmas Fair in December, plus 3 fantastic family bingo nights.

In May, we celebrated with Year 6,  after their SATS,  with a trip to the cinema plus a game of bowling, we also subsidised the Leavers Hoodies, run Pop-Up shops for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and our ever popular Frozen Fridays ice cream stall.

Once again, we provided ice poles for the whole school for sports day which was very refreshing on such a hot day. We also provided Ice Lollies for our Nursery Leavers and for our Year 6 Leavers assembly. 

The money we have raised, thanks to you, has enabled us to fund several things requested by the school, such as the creation of a Quiet Area on the KS2 playground, to establish and continue the School Choir with support from Mr Selby from Somerset Music, purchase book bags for the new reception intake and to purchase new KS2 books for the library.

Our next projects are to enhance the reception classes playground with new activities and to upgrade the school library, by purchasing new KS1 books and providing a new welcoming seating area for the KS1 children.

Preloved Uniform Shop & Donations

Thank you everyone who recently supported our Preloved Uniform pop-up shop. We raised £57.50. Please help to support the Friends of Somerset Bridge Preloved shop by donating your child’s/children’s old uniform at the end of term, as we are very short of jumpers and cardigans.

If you wish to donate or buy any uniform, please email: friendsofsomersetbridge@yahoo.co.uk or comment below, and we will contact you to arrange a collection/delivery.

Please ensure that all items donated or exchanged are in a clean, re-wearable condition. Thank you.

Stikins School Name Labels

The Friends of Somerset Bridge are excited to announce that we are teaming up with Stikins school name labels.  In the next few weeks, we will be able to offer parents the opportunity to purchase quality labels for your children’s school uniform, whilst earning the FOSB commission at the same time! For further information, please join our Facebook page, where we will update you on how to purchase.

A Farewell Note

And so, this is my final newsletter update as a committee member and Chair of the Friends of Somerset Bridge Primary School PTA. After 9 incredible years on the committee, it’s with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that I say goodbye.

It has been a true privilege to be part of such a fantastic school community. I leave with fond memories and the support shown by so many of you over the years.

Thank you all, and please keep supporting the Friends of Somerset Bridge, so they can keep funding activities and equipment for our school.

With heartfelt thanks,

Jennifer Manners - Chair – Friends of Somerset Bridge

 

Ambassadors 

As we come to the end of another fantastic year in school, we would like to take a moment to celebrate and thank our Year 6 School Ambassadors for their hard work and contributions.

Throughout the year, they have shown great commitment to their roles in helping to support and improve our school. From supporting the School Council elections and helping their peers have a voice, to running exciting competitions that brought fun and creativity to our school community, their enthusiasm has been inspiring.

They also played a key role in organising the school talent show, showcasing the amazing abilities of our children and creating a memorable event for all. In addition, their visit to the local nursing home brought joy and connection to members of our wider community, showing kindness and compassion in action.

Our ambassadors have been a true asset to the school – leading by example, showing responsibility, and always stepping up with a smile. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.

Volunteers

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers and parent helpers who have supported Somerset Bridge this year.

Your generosity in giving your time—whether supporting in the classroom, listening to children read, or helping out on school trips—has made a world of difference. Your presence brings joy, encouragement, and invaluable support to both our staff and children.

Quite simply, without your help, we wouldn’t be able to offer our children the rich and varied experiences that make their time at school so special. You are an essential part of our school community, and we are truly grateful for everything you do.

Thank you for being there, for showing up, and for making a difference. We hope you have a restful and enjoyable summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new school year!

If anyone else is interested in taking on a volunteer role in our school, please pop into the School Office to collect an application form or speak to Mrs Evans for more information.

 

As the summer holidays approach, many families are looking for ways to keep children engaged, learning, and having fun—without relying on screens. That’s why we’re excited to share a free unplugged activity pack designed especially for children who love technology but need a healthy screen break.

This resource is packed with creative, educational activities that encourage children to:

• Read
• Solve puzzles
• Learn through play
• Spend quality time with parents or carers

It’s a fantastic way to keep young minds active over the summer, while also offering opportunities for families to connect and learn together. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a quiet moment during a busy day, these activities are easy to pick up and enjoy.

Bonus: Children can download a certificate at the end to celebrate their achievements!

We’d love your help in sharing this with the families you support. It’s completely free and available to download here: https://www.technologybooksforchildren.org 

 

We have some fantastic FREE events coming up at Bridgwater Library this summer holiday!

Please also look at our Website under News & Event tab and then click on Events. 

Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is officially underway, and this year’s theme is ‘Story Garden’! Children must read six books over the summer holidays, ideally in three visits to the library, and will receive a medal and a certificate if they manage to complete the challenge! Children will need to be library members to take part.

‘May Contain Dragons’ Children’s Author Visit with B. Ware – Tuesday 5^th August 10am – 12:30pm

We're so excited to welcome children's author B. Ware to Bridgwater Library on Tuesday 5th August from 10am - 12:30pm, for a very special 'May Contain Dragons' drop-in event! Come along for free children's activities, a book signing, and to pick up your own free stickers and bookmarks!

Nintendo Switch Drop-Ins

We will be hosting several Nintendo Switch Club drop-ins over the summer holidays. Our console will be set up so there’s no need for children to bring their own, and there’s no booking required. These will be:

Wednesday 30th July 2pm - 3:30pm

Wednesday 6th August 2pm - 3:30pm

Wednesday 13th August 2pm - 3:30pm

Saturday 30th August 10:30am - 12:30pm

RSPCA Drop-in Workshop & Craft Sessions

Alex from the RSPCA will be joining us again this summer for two fantastic drop-in workshop & craft sessions! These will be on:

Thursday 7^th August 10am – 12pm

Thursday 21^st August 10am – 12pm

Treasure Hunts

We will once again be holding a different treasure hunt for every week of the school holidays! Our treasure hunts are free to take part in. Children collect an entry sheet from us and then must find all the pictures hidden around the library to win a sticker. Our treasure hunts this summer will be:

Week 1 (Saturday 19th July - Friday 25th July): Outdoorsy Characters

Week 2 (Saturday 26th July - Friday 1st August) : Ted's Travels

Week 3 (Saturday 2nd August - Friday 8th August) : Flower Bouquet

Week 4 (Saturday 9th August - Friday 15th August): Insect Reading Challenge

Week 5 (Saturday 16th August - Friday 22nd August): Bird's Eye View

Week 6 (Saturday 23rd August - Monday 1st September): Name that Gnome

‘Design a Flower Pot’ Colouring Competition – Saturday 19^th July to Saturday 6^th September

For our summer colouring competition, we’re asking children to design a flower pot and draw what they’d grow in it. Entry sheets will be available to collect from the library or download from our Facebook page. I have also attached a copy of it to this email.

Story Garden Colouring Wall

Our colouring wall theme this summer is ‘story garden’, to match this year’s reading challenge theme. We’ll have colouring pictures of a variety of flowers, animals and insects available for children to colour in and help us decorate our cupboards!

The Friends of North Petherton Library

The Friends of North Petherton Library Committee have been busy organising events for children over the school holidays. All events are free and hopefully will provide a lot of fun for everyone..Please publicise with your parents and carers if you can.

Details are as follows;

Craft Mornings

Tues 29th July, 5th and 19th Aug 10.30am - 12.30pm in the library.

Thurs 31st July and every Thursday in August - 10.30-12.30 pm in the Church Rooms

Free and no need to book, but children need to be accompanied by an adult. For Thursday sessions please see attached poster

Ceramic Painting, Circus Skills, T-shirt painting, Games and  Disco

These exciting activities are taking place on Thursdays in the school holidays.. Places are limited so please book in advance - at Tesco's. There is no cost involved but to ensure no places are wasted we are asking for a £5 deposit on booking - which will be refunded when children turn up on the day. 

Lego

In addition to the usual 1st and 3rd Saturdays we are running Lego club every Saturday morning during the school holidays between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Lots of lego in stock so come along and be creative! No need to book and no charge, but again we ask that children are accompanied by an adult

Flower Show - Sat 9th Aug

We are running another Poetry Competition, again with three age  categories of entry - under 11, 11-18 and over 18s. This year the theme is 'Happiness', Entry is free and is made through the free  Flower Show booklets which can be found at various locations around the village, including the library. I hope there are plenty of  budding writers and poets amongst your pupils who are willing to have a go!

Summer Reading Challenge

Finally, a reminder that the library is running the National Summer Reading Challenge. Please encourage pupils to take part - it is a fun way to keep up their reading during the school  holidays. They can sign up at the library for free and will receive their sticker book - with certificates and medals to follow!. Details can be found at

https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Fun STEM make-and-take day: A FREE event for your children aged 6-12 during the summer holidays

The IMechE Western Region has joined up with the NRS to provide a FREE and FUN STEM workshop during the summer holidays. If you are local to the Bridgewater area, then why not bring your child along for a fun and engaging session - please email matt.chapman@member.imeche.org:

Do you want to enthuse your children about STEM? The IMechE Western Region has teamed up with the Nuclear Restoration Service (NRS) to fund a fun STEM make-and-take day during the summer holidays aimed at 6-12 year olds. Supported by the fantastic team from Technology for Fun and STEM Ambassadors, this FREE event is a great opportunity to enthuse your children about STEM as well as providing fun school holiday entertainment. Attendees will make their own working models to take away, while discovering the science and engineering behind them.

When? Friday 1st August 2025 – 10 am to 4 pm (there are 4 time slots available: 10:00-11:15am, 11.30am-12:45pm, 1:15-2:30pm and 2:45-4:00pm).

Where? Cannington Village Hall, Somerset, TA5 2HP

Who? Suitable for children aged 6 – 12; all children must be accompanied by an adult.

How? Booking required – book your place by emailing Matt.Chapman@member.imeche.org.

The activities are suitable for children aged 6-12, accompanied by an adult helper. They will make the following models: balloon buggies, Cartesian divers, zip wires and spectroscopes.

Check out www.technologyforfun.co.uk for more information on the fun STEM design and making activities.