Weekly Bulletin:Friday 8th May 2026
Headteacher’s message to parents/carers
Dear Parents/Carers,
Lots going on in school today – we’ve been saying Happy Birthday to the wonderful David Attenborough who is 100 today. Being a Tunbury Primary School house icon is just one of his many achievements! With this in mind, this year’s STEAM week is David Attenborough themed, which we’re all really excited about. More details to follow…
We have our Year 4 classes on their class trip to a Bushcraft experience at Penshurst Place today, which sounds like it should be a brilliant day. We hope that everyone has a fabulous time and we’re looking forward to hearing all about it. Thank you to the Year 4 staff for planning and leading today’s trip to give children this brand new opportunity.
Good news for the TSA Colour Run next Friday afternoon – I’m told that we have 333 participants in next week’s event! This should be lots of fun for everyone involved, so thank you to our hardworking TSA volunteers for organising this for all of our children.
Also today, we’re launching our annual parent/carer survey:
So please tell us all of the good news – what has gone well this year? We always like to hear about the things that have made a difference to your child.
Can you take the time to give a special mention for something or someone that has really helped your child this year? All Tunbury staff work incredibly hard, so it’s lovely to be able to offer appreciation or celebrate success.
Also, please share your suggestions for ways in which we could improve your child or family participation in school life. We are always striving to develop our school to make it an even better place to play and learn.
At Team Tunbury, we routinely gather views from parents/carers via lots of different informal and formal methods, and we use these views to inform our strategic planning. Last year’s input was as insightful and informative as usual – if you’d like to take a look at some of the feedback that was shared last year, this is at www.tunbury.kent.sch.uk/Parents/Annual-Parent-Survey/ This year, the survey may look a bit different, but we have tried to keep it short and simple whilst using the updated Ofsted Parent View questions.
The survey opens today and remains open for two weeks. You can access the survey at Tunbury Parent/Carer Survey 2026 – Fill in form Thank you for taking the time to share your views.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Best wishes
Ruth Austin
Headteacher
Notices
School Lunch Menu changes: To coincide with TSA’s Colour Run on Friday 15th May our school kitchen will be serving a fun theme day lunch. The usual fish fingers will also be served on Friday 15th May if your child prefers this. On Thursday 21st May there will be a Taco theme lunch for Census Day. These lunches can be booked and paid for in the usual way. Please note that if you have already pre-booked you child’s lunches in advance you will need to re-do them.
Important information about Free School Meals and Pupil Premium: We want to ensure your child receives the best possible support, and that you are aware of all available benefits.
What are Free School Meals and Pupil Premium? If you receive certain benefits, your child may be eligible for free school meals. Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 and already receives Universal Infant Free School Meals, registering for this program ensures the school receives extra funding and you can access extra benefits.
Benefits of Registering:
- Free meals to Year 6 and in secondary school too: Nutritious, healthy school meals for your child.
- Trips and visits: fully funded day trips, fully funded Year 4 swimming lessons and funding for the majority of the payment for the Year 6 residential trip.
- Other in-school support: fully funded music tuition lessons including singing, piano and iRock.
- Additional support: You may be eligible for further benefits, such as Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) vouchers during school holidays provided by Kent or Medway.
Is my child eligible?
- Your child may be eligible if you receive one of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support from National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (with an annual income below £16,190, and not entitled to Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit (with an annual net earned income of £7,400 or less)
How to Apply: To apply, please visit www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/
All Tunbury parents/carers should use this form - it doesn’t matter if you are a resident of Medway or Kent. To fill in this form, you just need your own/your child’s name and date of birth, your national insurance number and your contact details.
Confidentiality: Please be assured that registration is completely confidential. The school will not disclose who is receiving free school meals, and the application process is discreet.
If you have any questions or would like help with the form, please contact the school office who will be happy to help.
STEAM week: This year, during STEAM Week (2nd–5th June), we will be celebrating Sir David Attenborough through the exciting theme of “The Natural World.” Further details about the activities and experiences the children will enjoy throughout the week, along with ways you can support learning at home, will be shared soon. We will also be inviting you into school on Friday 5th June to celebrate some of the children’s work. Timings and additional information will be provided before half term.
Strive Holiday Club: Looking for a fun way to keep the kids active during school holiday weeks? Our Strive PE & Sport Multi-Activity Camp is returning to Tunbury Primary on Wednesday 27th May during the May break week. Children will enjoy a fun-filled and active day, including games, sports, and themed activities - all led by qualified staff. Book online: Strive Booking Link
If you’d like to find out more about Strive PE and Sport, including their other camp venues, please visit their website: www.strivepeandsport.co.uk, or follow them on social media for updates and insights into their programmes.
Stay and Play sessions: On Thursday 14th May and Thursday 11th June, we are running Stay and Play sessions for pre-school and nursery children (1.5-4 years old) and their parents. Each session lasts an hour and will take place in our Reception classrooms and outdoor learning areas. Whether you already have older children with us or are joining us for the very first time, we'd love for you to come along and see what makes Tunbury so special. Please follow the link to get signed up - https://forms.office.com/e/Z2kzSRaxyd
Attendance: below is some helpful guidance from the NHS about whether or not children should be kept off school and when children are able to return following particular illnesses:
Weekly Class Attendance: This is a weekly feature on our bulletin to highlight and celebrate good levels of attendance. This week our KS2 winners are Indigo class with an outstanding 100%. Our KS1 winners are Bears class with an another amazing 100%. Absolutely brilliant work from Indigo and Bears class! Keep up the great work everyone!
|
Class |
Weekly Attendance Percentage |
|
Indigo |
✩100%✩ |
|
Bears |
✩100%✩ |
|
Magenta |
98.81% |
|
Emerald |
98.33% |
|
Amber |
98.00% |
|
Azure |
96.79% |
|
Lavender |
96.67% |
|
Scarlet |
96.67% |
|
Crimson |
96.43% |
|
Blue |
96.11% |
|
Ruby |
96.00% |
|
Turquoise |
95.98% |
|
Violet |
95.16% |
|
Sapphire |
94.67% |
|
Pink |
93.33% |
|
Red |
92.22% |
|
Lilac |
91.30% |
|
Owls |
87.82% |
Tunbury Primary School Facebook: This week we’ve posted about our fundraiser update, Opal Improvement Club and Blue Class walk to the library! Please take a look at Tunbury Primary School | Chatham | Facebookand follow us to keep up to date with all things Team Tunbury.
Team Points: Super close this week, just 3 points in it! Well done Hawking team for taking the lead – can you keep it up?
|
Rowling |
Attenborough |
Holmes |
Hawking |
|
2436 |
2523 |
2513 |
2526 |
Dates for your Diary
Term dates for 2025/26: www.tunbury.kent.sch.uk/Parents/Term-Dates-25-26/
Term dates for 2026/27: www.tunbury.kent.sch.uk/Parents/Term-Dates-26-27/
Term 5
Friday 8th May: Year 4 visit to The Bushcraft Company, Penshurst (return time after 4 pm)
Monday 11th – Thursday 14th May - KS2 (Y6) SATs Week
Wednesday 13th May – Year R Apple Workshop – pm
Wednesday 13th May – Year 1 Open afternoon – 2 pm
Thursday 14th May - Stay and Play session for pre-school/nursery children (1 ½ -4 years old) / parents,
3.30-4.30 pm
Friday 15th May – Colour Run (TSA), straight after school: 3.15 pm
Wednesday 20th May - Year 5 Ancient Egyptian Day (dressing up optional) NEW
Thursday 21st May – Year R visit to Tyland Barn
Thursday 21st May – Year 6 visit to WW11 Day at Kent Life
Thursday 21st May – Tunbury’s Got Talent (TSA), doors open at 3.30 pm
Friday 22nd May – Year R Open afternoon – 2.15 pm
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
Thursday 11th June - Stay and Play sessions for pre-school/nursery children (1 ½ -4 years old) / parents,
9-10 am
Thursday 11th June – UN International Day of Play – Opal Open Afternoon 1.30 pm
Monday 15th June – New Entrants meeting (for parents of children due to start in Year R in Sept) 3.30-4.30 pm
Tuesday 16th June – Year 5 visit to Wildwood
Tuesday 16th June – Year 4 Open afternoon
Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th June – Gifts for Him Present Room (TSA)
Thursday 18th June – Year 2 Open afternoon – 2 pm
Wednesday 24th June – Tempest Photographers: Class group photos
Thursday 25th June – Year 3 Open afternoon – 2 pm
Friday 26th June - Sports Day
Monday 29th June – Tuesday 7th July – Bikeability Cycle training for some of Year 5 pupils
Wednesday 1st July – Stay and Play session for New Entrants 12.45 or 1.45
Friday 3rd July - Reserve Sports Day
Monday 6th July – Year 5 Open afternoon – 2 pm
Wednesday 8th July – Whole school transition day, followed by Open Classroom sessions 3.15-3.45
Wednesday 8th July - New Entrants transition sessions at 9.30 or 1.00
Thursday 9th July – Year 3 visit to Wingham Wildlife Park (please note 4 pm return time)
Friday 10th July - End of Year Reports sent home
Saturday 11th July - TSA GlasTunbury
Wednesday 15th July – New Entrants class visits / parents’ phonics workshop: 1.45 pm
Thursday 16th July – Year 6 Production: 2pm and 6pm
Friday 17th July – Dare to be Different Day (TSA)
Friday 17th July – Year 6 Prom
Monday 20th July – Year 6 Open afternoon – 2 pm
Tuesday 21st July – Year 6 Leavers' assemblies: Emerald - 9am / Violet - 9:45 am / Crimson - 10:30 am
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 8th May - Blue Class Assembly
Friday 12th June – Magenta Class Assembly
Friday 19th June – Bears Class Assembly
Friday 3rd July – Owls Class Assembly
