Marus Bridge Primary School: : News items

Date: 16th Jun 2025 @ 9:08am

Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been a busy week in school, with our Y1 children completing their phonics screening, where children have to read real and alien words, they did a great job. Y4 children completed statutory times tables checks, so a thumbs up to them for working hard to learn their tables - all by the grand old age of 9 too!

FOMBA Fest - Tomorrow 12pm - 5pm

Final reminder (as if you need it!) that our summer fair is tomorrow and everyone is welcome. Please bear in mind there will be some weather-related adjustments which will be shared via the FOMBA Facebook page in the morning. Please keep your eye on it for updates.

If you were an engineer, what would you do?

Our entrants in Y2 and Y5 impressed the engineer judges with their inventions and ideas in this cross-country competition. All children passed with some gaining distinctions or even being shortlisted for a winning prize. In an ever developing technological landscape, it's good to know our future is in safe hands.

Swimming Gala

You will have seen the team on the socials who competed in the annual Helen Smart Swimming gala in Wigan. Well done to Matilda and Finn for getting into the finals, with Matilda getting a silver medal in the process!

Dyslexia Link

I am sharing a link to Edge Hill's planned dyslexia awareness courses for anyone interested. It is broadly aimed at educators, but is information and support for all, initiated following Jamie Oliver's campaign to raise awareness and better understanding/support for those who may require it.

https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2025/06/edge-hill-university-supports-jamie-olivers-dyslexia-revolution-campaign/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwK2lJpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkjFgclKOJotSpOIm08q5V-zA21lOH2AtusxKoiR9YY8gvh6YdWgu_CBq3vk_aem_3yUKQ2iSptN2XGggFGgfnQ

Dates:

14/06/2025 - Marus Bridge Summer Fest
17/06/2025 - Y1 NHS Hearing Screening
20/06/2025 - Y6 Group Photograph
25/06/2025 - Sports Day Reception AM and KS1 PM
26/06/2025 - Sports Day UKS2 AM and LKS2 PM
30/06/2025 - Y4 Haigh Hall Trip
03/07/3025 - Y4 Summer Brass Concert 10am
10/07/2025 - Y3 Trip to Chester
14/07/2025 - Transition Morning (new class taster morning register in current classes first)
- School Reports Sent Out
15/07/2025 - Reception Assembly - ( 9am)
16/07/2025 - Y6 Leavers Disco (5pm-6.30pm in school hall)
18/07/2025 - Leavers Assembly (9am) - End of Term - School closes at 1pm - followed by a guard of honour on the infant playground for our Y6 leavers.

Thank you.

Mr Aldridge

Newsletter 23.05.25, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 23rd May 2025 @ 3:03pm

Dear Parents/Carers,

Today, in our star of the week assembly, we celebrated a special award – The Unsworth Pride award. This award is dedicated to a former colleague, Mrs Unsworth, beloved and respected by the school community for her championing of kindness, courage and charity. This year’s winner was Lily in Y2, who has shown unbelievable courage and kindness when faced with such adversity. You are and always will be an inspiration to us all, Lily! See pics on our socials.

We are extremely proud of all our Y6 pupils of whom have worked so hard this year and are now coming towards their final term with us. They were amazing during sats week and I believe (from first hand accounts and photos!) that they had a blast at Boreatton Park. Thankyou to the staff for giving their time to make it happen. Next stop London with Y5!

Summer term has seen our football and netball teams in action, both playing with respect and enthusiasm. The netball team are currently unbeaten - hoping to finish the season as invincibles!

Finally, it turns out that the parents weren’t quite as smart as their Year 2 children…but it was close 🙂! Thanks to our Y2 families for attending and making yesterday such a fun afternoon.

Sports Day - (see info from Miss Johnstone)

Wednesday, 25th June

Early Years: 9:30 – 10:30 (approx.)
Key Stage 1 (Y1 & Y2): 1:30 – 3:00

Thursday, 26th June

Upper Key Stage 2 (Y5 & Y6): 9:30 – 11:00
Lower Key Stage 2 (Y3 & Y4): 1:30 – 3:00

Tiny Happy People

A website I have used and recommended by various professionals with a wealth of ideas and support for us parents. Please have a look if you are interested – loads of ideas and resources available.

BBC Tiny Happy People

FOMBA Summer Fest

Thank you for you donations today in support of our Summer Fest, which is just around the corner - Saturday 14th June from 12pm. We can't wait!

Online Safety Hub

As you know, pupil online safety has been in the spotlight recently. It's always worth having a look at our online safety hub for updates and practical advice.

Online Safety Hub - Marus Bridge Primary School

Not to bombard you with links but I am aware that some pupils do use social media. If you choose to allow your children onto social media platforms, this is another good site to peruse.

https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/apps-and-platforms/social-media/

Dates:

02/06/2025 - INSET Day – School closed
03/06/2025 - School opens for Summer 2
- Y4 Times Table Check begins (2 week window)
05–06/06/25 - Y5 Trip to London
09/06/2025 - Graduation Photo’s Reception and Y6
09/06/2025 - Phonics Screening Week (Y2)
11/06/2025 - WOWS Swimming Gala
13/06/2025 - Reception Father’s Day Afternoon
14/06/2025 - Marus Bridge Summer Fest
17/06/2025 - Y1 NHS Hearing Screening
25/06/2025 - Sports Day Reception AM and KS1 PM
26/06/2025 - Sports Day UKS2 AM and LKS2 PM
30/06/2025 - Y4 Haigh Hall Trip
20/06/2025 - Y6 Group Photograph (**change of date)
03/07/3025 - Y4 Summer Brass Concert 10am
10/07/2025 - Y3 Trip to Chester
14/07/2025 - Transition Morning (new class taster morning)
- EOY Reports Sent Out
15/07/2025 - Reception Assembly - (approx 9am)
16/07/2025 - Y6 Leavers Disco
18/07/2025 - Leavers Assembly (approx 9am)
End of Term - School closes at 1pm

Thank you for your kindness and support this term,

Mr Aldridge

Unsworth Pride Award 2025, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 23rd May 2025 @ 10:18am

LILY SANKEY

Lily is a role model student. She is one of the hardest workers we have ever known. She tries her best in everything she does and is absolutely determined to succeed. Not only does Lily excel in her own learning, but she is extremely caring and supportive of her classmates and will always be the first one to offer help to those that need it. The nature of school and especially lower school is that we talk about parents and families a lot. The fact that Lily has lost her mum does not mean that she can’t take part, she simply takes part in other ways.

Lily does not begrudge anyone that talks about their mums, and she is a great friend. In no way has Lily allowed her devastating experience to affect her attitude to school or to others, in fact in some ways it may have made her even more resilient.

Outside of class, Lily is passionate about football and loves to play with her friends. Lily never causes any bother and simply gets on well with everyone, modelling our core values no matter the activity.

We are all extremely proud of Lily for the way in which she has dealt with her situation, and we know that if Mum could see her now, she would be the proudest one of us all. Lily, you are amazing!

Newsletter 9.5.25, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 9th May 2025 @ 2:49pm

We enjoyed a celebration yesterday in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE day. We wanted our children to have had a fun day whilst also appreciating the meaning behind the event and its long-lasting impact on modern day Britain. I know there are further events being held across the borough over the weekend, noticeably at Mesnes Park who have a variety of activities going on, on Saturday from 11am onwards.

Good luck to our Y6 pupils next week; you are amazing and have worked super hard this year, just like every other year! Don’t forget, Y6 pupils can arrive from 8.30am onwards for toast and a drink Monday to Thursday.

OFSTED Report

Please find attached our recent OFSTED report. From reading the report, you will understand why we are so proud of our pupils, staff, governors and community who contribute each and every day to make this school the place it is. As always, our aim of providing our children with the best start in life will remain at the forefront of everything we do. Thankyou, as ever, for all your feedback and support.

FOMBA – Marus Bridge Fest Saturday 14th June

The countdown has begun for the big day and as you can imagine, the FOMBA team are working hard behind the scenes to put magic together. Please could I ask if anyone is willing to offer an hour or two on the day to support the team on a stall etc? Any help, just an hour for example, would be greatly appreciated.

Hats and Water Bottles

With the weather looking good at present (let’s hope this isn not our summer!) can children be sent with sun cream already applied, caps/sun hats for break-times and their water bottles. Many thanks.

Wigan Institute of Teaching

Interested in a career in teaching with a localised training offer? Visit the WIE website below for further information or give Mrs Atkinson or Miss Johnstone a call in school.

Wigan Institute of Education

School dates:

12–15/05/2025 - Y6 SATS week
19–21/05/2025 - Y6 Boreatton Park Residential
19/05/2025 - Y5 Parent Afternoon
20/05/2025 - Reception New Starter meeting (6pm)
22/05/2025 - Y2 Parent Afternoon
23/05/2025 - School closes for half term
02/06/2025 - INSET Day – School closed
03/06/2025 - School opens for Summer 2
- Y4 Times Table Check begins (2 week window)
05–06/06/25 - Y5 Trip to London
09/06/2025 - Graduation Photo’s Reception and Y6
11/06/2025 - WOWS Swimming Gala
13/06/2025 - Reception Father’s Day Afternoon
14/06/2025 - Marus Bridge Summer Fest
25/06/2025 - Sports Day Reception AM and KS1 PM
26/06/2025 - Sports Day UKS2 AM and LKS2 PM
20/06/2025 - Y6 Group Photograph (**change of date)
10/07/2025 - Y3 Trip to Chester
14/07/2025 - Transition Morning (new class taster morning)
- Reports Sent Out
15/07/2025 - Reception Assembly - (approx 9am)
16/07/2025 - Y6 Leavers Disco
18/07/2025 - Leavers Assembly - End of Term

Have a lovely weekend,

Mr Aldridge

A taste of Spain, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 30th Apr 2025 @ 9:44am

In Year 6 we have had an afternoon of Tapas! We tried Serrano ham, chorizo, Spanish olives, Spanish cheese, Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas and paella rice! We loved it!

Netball league, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 30th Apr 2025 @ 9:43am

A huge well done to our amazing Y5/6 Netball team who played their first match against St James C of E

Science visit to Dean's Trust, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 30th Apr 2025 @ 9:41am

Year 5LB enjoyed a magical visit to the Dean's Trust Wigan on Monday engaging in a 'Hogwarts' style science lesson.

We investigated different chemicals to solve a mystery. The children had a spooktacular time.

Get into Teaching!, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 29th Apr 2025 @ 11:50am

Get into Teaching

We offer a full Initial Teacher Training programme with the Wigan Institute of Education, in partnership with the University of Cumbria (accredited by the University of Warwick). Providing teacher training across all phases from primary through to secondary and post-16; the the opportunity for placements at special schools with an SEND focus.

For more information, please visit www.wiganinstitute.education

Healthy School Newsletter, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 25th Apr 2025 @ 12:30pm

APR HS News .png

VE DAY CELEBRATIONS, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 25th Apr 2025 @ 11:40am

VE day.png

Newsletter 25.4.25, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 28th Apr 2025 @ 9:51am

Dear Parents/Carers,

It has been lovely welcoming the children back after the Easter break, catching up with them and seeing them get back into the school groove! Children will be encountering new topics and experiences, whilst hopefully enjoying some sunshine too!

VE Day

Thursday 8th May commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE Day. We have activities planned as well as a drink and snack donated kindly by FOMBA. Children are invited to wear red, white and blue for the day. (If it is PE day, please bear this in mind for outfits.)

Cyclists Dismount

A recurring request that children dismount their bikes on school grounds (including the path in front of the school office). This is for everyone's safety. If we can see this as a shared responsibility, hopefully it will become culture. If you can remind friends of this too, then that would be great. Following on from this, please encourage children to wear helmets, again for their safety. I will, of course, ask staff to support this message in school too.

Wigan Institute of Teaching

Interested in a career in teaching with a localised training offer? Visit the WIE website below for further information or give Mrs Atkinson or Miss Johnstone a call in school.

Wigan Institute of Education

School dates:

28/04/2025 – Air Ambulance Assemblies
05/05/2025 - Bank holiday
08/05/2025 - VE Day Celebrations (see details above and on socials)
12–15/05/2025 - Y6 SATS week
19–21/05/2025 - Y6 Boreatton Park Residential
19/05/2025 - Y5 Parent Afternoon
20/05/2025 - Reception New Starter meeting (6pm)
22/05/2025 - Y2 Parent Afternoon
23/05/2025 - School closes for half term
02/06/2025 - INSET Day – School closed
03/06/2025 - School opens for Summer 2
- Y4 Times Table Check begins (2 week window)
05–06/06/25 - Y5 Trip to London
09/06/2025 - Graduation Photo’s Reception and Y6
13/06/2025 - Reception Father’s Day Afternoon
14/06/2025 - Marus Bridge Summer Fest
25/06/2025 - Sports Day Reception AM and KS1 PM
26/06/2025 - Sports Day UKS2 AM and LKS2 PM
20/06/2025 - Y6 Group Photograph (**change of date)
10/07/2025 - Y3 Trip to Chester
14/07/2025 - Transition Morning (new class taster morning)
- Reports Sent Out
15/07/2025 - Reception Assembly - (approx 9am)
16/07/2025 - Y6 Leavers Disco
18/07/2025 - Leavers Assembly - End of Term

Have a lovely weekend,

Mr Aldridge

Cycle the Three Sisters, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 4th Apr 2025 @ 8:57am

MOB_Artboard 1Cycle 3 sisters A5.png

Newsletter 28.3.25, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 31st Mar 2025 @ 12:35pm

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are closing in on the end of term with a busy summer ahead. Therefore, lots of reminders and as you will see from our socials, lots to celebrate too! You can find a full list of key dates at the end of this message and also on the 'Dates for your Diary' section of the school website.

New Starters 2025

National primary new starter offer day is 16 April 2025. If you have applied online before the closing date, you will receive an email from Wigan Admissions Team from 9:00am on this day. Emails will be sent to the email address which you provided on the online application form. See the council admissions website for full information. Our new starter meeting will be held on 20th May at 6pm in school.

Easter Egg Competition

Details went out yesterday about next Friday's Easter Egg Competition, please check the message. We are eggcited to see all of the entries!

Walk to School Week

We are taking part in walk to school week next week, a Modeshift Stars initiative to encourage sustainable and active travel. By walking, scooting or biking, we are also easing the congestion around school...it's looking like a fine week too! (Famous last words.)

Jupiter Grove Path (near KS2 entrance)

If using this path, please encourage your children not to walk or cycle on resident’s gardens and lawns. I have had two phone calls in the past week from elderly residents asking me to share this message. Thank you for being considerate towards our neighbours.

WOWS Music Festival

It was a pleasure to attend the Music Festival and watch local school choirs sing together in spectacular fashion. As you can imagine, Marus Bridge choir were in fine voice, with a small group performance including Liv (Y6) and solo performance by Evie (Y6). Parents and teachers were very proud of our talented children!

Wigan Institute of Teaching

Interested in a career in teaching with a localised training offer? Visit the WIE website below for further information or give Mrs Atkinson or Miss Johnstone a call in school.

Wigan Institute of Education

Dates for next term:

22/04/2025 – School reopens for summer term 1
24/04/2025 – Y4 Trip to Tatton Park
28/04/2025 – Air Ambulance Assemblies
08/05/2025 – VE Day Celebrations (details to follow)
12–15/05/2025 – Y6 SATS
19–21/05/2025 – Y6 Boreatton Park Residential
19/05/2025 – Y5 Parent Afternoon
20/05/2025 - Reception New Starter meeting (6pm)
22/05/2025 – Y2 Parent Afternoon
23/05/2025 – School closes for half term
02/06/2025 – INSET Day – School closed
03/06/2025 – School opens for Summer 2
– Y4 Times Table Check begins (2 week window)
05–06/06/25 – Y5 Trip to London
09/06/2025 – Graduation Photo’s Reception and Y6
13/06/2025 – Reception Father’s Day Afternoon
14/06/2025 - Marus Bridge Summer Fest
25/06/2025 – Sports Day Reception AM and KS1 PM
26/06/2025 – Sports Day UKS2 AM and LKS2 PM
27/06/2025 – Y6 Group Photograph
10/07/2025 - Y3 Trip to Chester
14/07/2025 - Transition Morning (new class taster morning)
- Reports Sent Out
15/07/2025 - Reception Assembly - (approx 9am)
16/07/2025 - Y6 Leavers Disco
18/07/2025 - Leavers Assembly - End of Term

Have a great weekend,

Mr Aldridge

New Family HUb, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 28th Mar 2025 @ 11:40am

SAVE THE DATE!

Just 3 weeks to go until our Family Hub at Clifton Street Community Centre officially launches! This will be our fourth Family Hub!

Join us to celebrate! All families are welcome to come along to meet the team and our wide range of partners and to join in lots of fun, FREE activities.

Saturday 12th April
12.00-3.00pm
Family Hub at Clifton Street, Wigan, WN3 5HN

Easter Competition, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 27th Mar 2025 @ 1:21pm

Easter 2025.png

Walk and Wheel Week, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 27th Mar 2025 @ 12:48pm

We have some exciting news for you! Next week, we are taking part in Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel, the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge. Encourage your child(ren) to walk, use a wheelchair, scoot or cycle to school on as many days as possible during the week. Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a great way to build physical activity in children’s daily routine which is important for their physical health and mental wellbeing.

Free school Meals Guidance, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 27th Mar 2025 @ 12:10pm

Easter Competition, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 26th Mar 2025 @ 3:33pm

easter comp 25.pdf

Newsletter 14.3.25, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 17th Mar 2025 @ 1:56pm

Dear Parents/Carers,

We were proud to welcome one of His Majesty's School Inspectors to Marus Bridge this week. She conducted an 'ungraded' school inspection, with the aim of ensuring standards of education for our children remain high. Although I cannot disclose the details until the report is published, I can say that we are pleased and immeasurably proud of our children and staff. In her debrief with myself, school and Rowan Learning Trust leaders, she highlighted how kind, responsible and determined our pupils are and how well supported they are by our staff.

Please can I say thank you for the positivity, kind words and treats that you shared over the past few days. We are also touched by some of the comments left on OFSTED Parent View, something that HMI made reference to. The report now needs to be quality assured, therefore it will be 3-4 weeks before publication, which could take us into next term. As soon as it is made available, I will share.

It is an absolute privilege to serve the children and families in this thriving community.

In Other News...

More to celebrate as we have been awarded the SMSC Silver Award. Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is the over-arching umbrella that encompasses personal development across the whole curriculum. This award is recognition of the work we have done on our curriculum and enrichment activities to improve pupil understanding and prepare them for citizenship and future life in a modern, diverse world. Thanks to Mrs Heaton for her dedication to this.

Young Carers

Please see attached information about and for young carers. We will share in school and endeavour to support any young people and families of whom this affects.

Midday Supervisor Role

If you are interested in the role of midday supervisor at Marus Bridge, please could you call or drop into the office to discuss further.

Wigan Institute of Teaching

Interested in a career in teaching with a localised training offer? Visit the WIE website below for further information or give Mrs Atkinson or Miss Johnstone a call in school.

Wigan Institute of Education

I will share summer term dates (sports day etc) soon.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mr Aldridge

Young Carers (2).pdf

SMSC SILVER MARK AWARED TODAY, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 11th Mar 2025 @ 4:55pm

We have found out todat that we have been awarded Silver for the SMSC quality mark! 🥳

We are absolutely thrilled with this as it shows how great we are in supporting our children's social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

Young Carers, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 6th Mar 2025 @ 12:10pm

young carers.pdf

FREE Tickets for Wigan Athletic!, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 4th Mar 2025 @ 3:59pm

FREE Tickets for Wigan Athletic!

Good Morning/ Afternoon

On Saturday 8th March, Wigan Athletic will be celebrating International Women’s Day at The Brick Community Stadium. The team will be facing Cambridge United.

They would like to get the following information out to your female sports participants, pupils and staff.

All you need to do, is copy and paste the information below and share via your school’s communication channels, to all parents & Guardians:

Wigan Athletic would like to invite you all to their fixture on Saturday 8th March at 3pm, to be a part of their International Women’s Day celebrations. These are free digital tickets that you claim yourselves, and you can claim up to 4 x tickets each. Male family members/ friends are allowed to attend too!

To claim your tickets please follow these instructions:

STEP 1 – click this link to register for an account: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/wiganathletic/Authentication/Registration?returnUrl=%2Fwiganathletic%2F – you must have an account with Wigan Athletic Ticketmaster to claim the tickets. You will be sent a client number via email, you need this for step 2.

If you already have an account with us – go to step 2.

STEP 2 – click this Link to select your seats ( you’ll need your client reference number at this point) : https://www.eticketing.co.uk/wiganathletic/EDP/Event/Index/2036?spell=7305699a-632b-4c4e-b957-308943ecaf54

STEP 3 – select your seats – they must have a value of £0.00 or you will be charged. You can select up to 4 x tickets per account. Select the ‘Local Schools/ Grassroots’ option on the drop-down box and put in basket.

STEP 4 – Tick all T&C’s boxes

STEP 5 – select email postage (you will be charged for collection and postal options)

STEP 6 – you need to enter card details – YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR £0.00 priced tickets or digital tickets

STEP 7 – review order and accept T&C’s

The tickets will be emailed to the account that registered, shortly after you have completed the steps – check your spam folders as they can often land into there.

Any issues claiming the tickets – please contact d.winnard@wiganathletic.com

We hope you can all join us next Saturday, to help us celebrate International Ladies Day.

WOWs networking - Schools working together, by Mrs Atkinson

Date: 27th Feb 2025 @ 1:20pm

We are working closely with the schools in our consortia to enahnce our already amazing science, art and geography curriculums and bring it to life for every child. We are loving sharing great practice and planning great opportunities for our pupils.

Wows Geography Cog.JPG