Weekly Bulletin:Friday 12th December 2025
Headteacher’s message to parents/carers
Dear Parents/Carers,
Today, everyone in Team Tunbury is enjoying Christmas Jumper day and Christmas lunch day. Children (and staff) look very festive indeed and we’re all set for a busy Christmas lunchtime. Lots of crackers and plenty of gravy – thank you to our fabulous kitchen colleagues for looking after us so well, as always. For Christmas Jumper day, if you would like to make a donation to Save the Children, you can do so at our Tunbury page: Christmas Jumper Day 2026 As I write this message (10.30 on Friday morning) we’ve already raised £246. Thank you for your support.
The absolute highlight of a very busy week has been Reception Christmas performance yesterday afternoon, which was wonderful. Always a pleasure to see our youngest children take part in such a magical occasion – we had everything you could wish for, including stars, angels, camels, sheep, shepherds, wise men and of course Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Children did a brilliant job in learning so many different songs, thanks to lots of practice and hard work from their teachers and teaching assistants. Thank you to Mrs Escobar and everyone in the Reception team for making this possible.
Also this week, each class has completed this year’s Tunbury Christmas craft challenge, which was to create a personalised 3D Christmas tree for the Tunbury Art Gallery. These look absolutely brilliant and we’ll share the photos on our facebook page so that you can see too.
Last week of term next week, with lots and lots to look forward to - have a lovely weekend everyone.
Best wishes
Ruth Austin
Headteacher
Governor message on Disability Awareness Month
Disability Awareness Month: Not All Disabilities Are Visible
From 20th November to 20th December, we recognise Disability Awareness Month—a time to amplify the voices, experiences, and strengths of people living with disabilities. As a Black woman with hidden disabilities, I choose to speak openly, not because I am seeking sympathy, but because visibility and understanding matter.
I live with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and an underactive thyroid, among other conditions. These illnesses deeply affect my mobility, my energy, and my daily routines. I experience extreme fatigue, widespread pain, and limitations that are not immediately obvious to the outside world. When you look at me, you might not see what I carry. But that’s exactly why awareness is so important.
Not All Disabilities Can Be Seen
There is a harmful misconception that disability must be visible to be valid. This misunderstanding leads to judgement, stigma, and sometimes even harassment. It happens in car parks, when someone with a Blue Badge is questioned because they “don’t look disabled.” It happens in public spaces, when people with hidden conditions are stared at or confronted for using disabled toilets.
This behaviour is not only wrong—it’s damaging. Hidden disabilities are real. They affect millions of people. And none of us should have to prove or explain our pain to be treated with basic dignity.
There Is No Shame in Disability
I am not ashamed of who I am. My disabilities do not diminish me; they are part of my story, but not the whole of it. I choose to embrace my abilities—my resilience, my determination, my courage. Those are the qualities that shape me.
There is no shame in having a disability, whether visible or invisible. Shame comes from a society that fails to understand or accommodate us—not from our conditions. And this is exactly why we must speak up, stand together, and support one another.
Becoming a Disability Champion
Awareness is the first step, but action must follow. Being a disability champion means:
- Challenging assumptions about what disability “looks like.”
- Supporting friends, colleagues, and community members with disabilities.
- Offering kindness instead of judgement.
- Celebrating abilities, not focusing on limitations.
- Advocating for accessibility, equity, and compassion.
Disability is part of human diversity. It deserves the same respect and representation as any other aspect of identity.
As we observe Disability Awareness Month, let’s commit to creating a world where everyone—visible disability or hidden disability—feels seen, supported, and empowered. Let’s shift the narrative from shame to strength, from stigma to solidarity.
Because our disabilities do not define our worth—but how we support one another.
Lola Oyewusi, Tunbury Primary School Governor
Notices
New Entrants for September 26: If you are looking for a school place and have missed our Autumn term tours or would like to visit us again in January (before the deadline on Thursday 15th January) just let us know and we will be happy to arrange an extra tour for you. Also, if you have any questions please do let us know so that we can help answer these, either about our school or the application process.
Applications for a primary school place should be made via your ‘home’ local authority.
- Kent residents apply at www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places
- Medway residents apply at www.medway.gov.uk/admissions
After School Clubs: The only after school club running next week is Young Voices. The rest of our after-school clubs have now finished for this series of clubs. Look out for details of new clubs starting in Term 3 after the Christmas holidays.
Class Christmas Parties: Next week, the last week of term, each class will have a class Christmas party (see ‘Dates for your Diary’ below). Please provide some snacks in a named container for your child to have at the party. As we are a ‘No nuts school’, we ask that you refrain from sending in food items containing nuts. Children can come in school in their party clothes on the day of their party.
TSA Christmas Raffle:
Children in Need thank you: Together, we raised £340.50 for Children in Need. Thank you for contributing.
Pupil Leadership: We have now completed our Pupil Leadership appointments for this academic year. We received 235 applications for a variety of different roles this year and we would like to congratulate all children who applied and went through the interview process.
This week, we would like to celebrate our Online Safety Ambassadors, who are already doing a fabulous job with support from Miss Jardine!
|
Pupil |
Class |
|
Sophia |
Red |
|
Summer |
Yellow |
|
Amelie |
Amber |
|
Hamna |
Azure |
|
Olivia |
Scarlett |
|
Rhea |
Scarlett |
|
Ruby |
Indigo |
|
Chloe |
Emerald |
|
Louis |
Emerald |
|
Marcie |
Crimson |
Severe weather planning: Thinking ahead to winter, we always try to remain open in periods of snow or severe weather, if it is safe to do so. Just a reminder that parents/carers would be informed via email of any school closure, so please ensure that we do have your correct email addresses. As well as this, we use the Kent Closures website (www.kentclosures.co.uk), where you can also register to receive free email alerts. Emails/alerts are sent as soon as possible after a decision has been made, although exact timings cannot be guaranteed as this depends on site conditions and the completion of an early morning risk assessment by the Headteacher and Site Manager. This information is also published on our website: www.tunbury.kent.sch.uk/Parents/Severe-Weather/
Free School Meals and Pupil Premium: Currently, the local authority is providing Household Support Funding for families with children eligible for free school meals. For the Christmas holiday break families with children eligible for free school meals will receive a £60 voucher per child.
Could you apply for free school meals for your child? Did you know that the school receives extra funding called pupil premium for all children eligible for free school meals? We use pupil premium funding to improve the overall quality of education that we can offer in school, as well as providing additional resources and support. A benefit of Pupil Premium funding is that this can be used to pay for the cost of your child’s school trips, so you won’t be asked for parental contributions for these events.
To check if you are eligible for Free School Meals, please visit www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals#tab-1. To apply, please visit www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/.
Weekly Class Attendance: This is a weekly feature on our bulletin to highlight and celebrate good levels of attendance. Our KS1 class winners are Lavender class, with a fantastic 97.62%. Great work from Lavender class! Our KS2 winners are Lilac class with 96.88%. Fantastic work from everyone!
|
Class |
Weekly Attendance Percentage |
|
Lavender |
☆97.62%☆ |
|
Lilac |
☆96.88%☆ |
|
Ruby |
96.15% |
|
Indigo |
95.54% |
|
Amber |
95.37% |
|
Bears |
95.19% |
|
Crimson |
94.64% |
|
Scarlet |
94.64% |
|
Violet |
94.35% |
|
Blue |
93.97% |
|
Magenta |
93.53% |
|
Emerald |
93.33% |
|
Turquoise |
93.33% |
|
Owls |
93.06% |
|
Yellow |
92.36% |
|
Sapphire |
91.30% |
|
Azure |
88.46% |
|
Pink |
83.85% |
|
Red |
77.50% |
Tunbury Primary School Facebook: This week on Facebook, we’ve posted about our Year 4 Normal Day, our total fundraising amount for Children in Need and our Reception Nativity. Please take a look at Tunbury Primary School | Chatham | Facebookand follow us to keep up to date with all things Team Tunbury.
Team Points: With one week to go, there’s been a sudden change at the top! Attenborough are now in the lead, so the Term 2 race is looking very close for next week’s Team Point reward (extra Christmas playtime with hot chocolate). Keep going everyone!
|
Rowling |
Attenborough |
Holmes |
Hawking |
|
5585 |
5651 |
5251 |
4996 |
Dates for your Diary
Term dates for 2025/26: www.tunbury.kent.sch.uk/Parents/Term-Dates-25-26/
Term 2
Wednesday 17th December - pm Library visit - Amber Class
Wednesday 17th December: Year 2 Christmas Performance, 2:15 pm
Wednesday 17th December: Y1 Christmas Party
Thursday 18th December: Y3, Y4 and Y6 Christmas Parties
Thursday 18th December: Year 1 Christmas Poem, 2:30 pm
Thursday 18th December - Carols on the playground Y3 / Y4 - 2.50 pm
Friday 19th December: YR, Y2 and Y5 Christmas Parties
Friday 19th December - Carols on the playground Y5 / Y6 - 2.50 pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term 2
Term 3
Monday 5th January - INSET Day - School Closed for pupils
Tuesday 6th January – First Day of Term 3
Tuesday 13th January - Swimming lessons start, Year4, Lilac Class
Wednesday 21st January – NHS Vision Screening Year R NEW
Wednesday 21st January - Young Voices @ the O2
Friday 6th February - Number Day
Friday 6th February – Bingo Night (TSA)
Tuesday 10th February - Safer Internet Day
Tuesday 10th February - Spring Parent Consultation (3.30 – 6.30)
Thursday 12th February – Year 2 visit to Dockside
Thursday 12th February - Spring Parent Consultation (3.30 – 6.30)
Friday 13th February – Last Day of Term 2
Thursday 19th February - Strive February Half Term Club
Term 4
Monday 23rd February - INSET Day - School Closed for pupils
Tuesday 24th February – First Day of Term 4
Monday 2nd – Friday 6th March - Book Week
Monday 2nd March - Reception Open Afternoon
Tuesday 3rd March - Y1/2 Open Afternoon
Wednesday 4th March - Y3/4 Open Afternoon
Thursday 5th March - World Book Day
Friday 6th March - Y5/6 Open Afternoon
Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th March – Gifts for Her Present Room (TSA)
Friday 13th March - Science Day
Thursday 26th March – School Disco (TSA)
Thursday 2nd April - Last Day of Term 4
Term 5
Monday 20th April – First day of Term 5
Tuesday 21st April – NHS Vision Screening Year R
Tuesday 28th April – Swimming lessons start, Year 4, Scarlet Class
Monday 4th May - BANK HOLIDAY, School Closed
Monday 11th – Thursday 14th May - KS2 (Y6) SATs Week
Friday 15th May – Colour Run (TSA)
Thursday 21st May – Tunbury’s Got Talent (TSA)
Friday 22nd May – Last Day of Term 5
Term 6
Monday 1st June - INSET DAY – School Closed for pupils
Tuesday 2nd June – First Day of Term 6
Tuesday 2nd – Friday 5th June - STEAM Week
Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th June – Gifts for Him Present Room (TSA)
Friday 26th June - Sports Day
Friday 3rd July - Reserve Sports Day
Friday 10th July - End of Year Reports sent home
Saturday 11th July - TSA GlasTunbury
Friday 17th July – Dare to be Different Day (TSA)
Friday 17th July – Year 6 Prom
Tuesday 21st July - July end of term/ academic year
Class Assemblies
Class assemblies will be held in the school hall on Friday afternoons. Parents/carers and family members from each class are warmly invited to join us in school for these events, as our children love to share their learning with you. Please come to the front of the school and wait outside the hall entrance doors. You will be invited in at just before 2.50pm. The assembly will begin at 2.50pm and last for about 10 minutes, finishing in time for you to collect your children at the end of the school day, as normal.
Friday 16th January - Lilac Class Assembly
Friday 23rd January - Indigo Class Assembly
Friday 30th January - Pink Class Assembly
Friday 6th February - Emerald Class Assembly
Friday 13th February – Scarlet Class Assembly
Friday 27th February – Violet Class Assembly
Friday 13th March - Lavender Class Assembly
Friday 20th March - Azure Class Assembly
Friday 27th March - Red Class Assembly
Friday 24th April - Ruby Class Assembly
Friday 1st May – Sapphire Class Assembly
Friday 8th May - Blue Class Assembly
Friday 22nd May - Yellow Class Assembly
Friday 12th June – Magenta Class Assembly
Friday 19th June – Bears Class Assembly
Friday 3rd July – Owls Class Assembly
