What a Start to the Year!

It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome our children and families back for another exciting year at Croxby. From the moment the gates opened, there has been a real sense of positivity, enthusiasm and determination across the school. Classrooms are already filled with happy, engaged learners who are embracing new challenges, building new friendships and demonstrating our Croxby values each and every day.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the newest members of our team, Mrs Keaveney, Miss Knapton and Miss Parsons, and to welcome back Mr Burns, who has returned to join our early years team. We are delighted to have them as part of Team Croxby and know they will be a fantastic addition to our school community.

Over the summer holiday, significant investment and improvement work took place across the school. Many of you will have noticed the new fencing at the front of the site, helping to enhance safety and improve the appearance of our grounds. Inside the building, our Year 6 classroom has been completely transformed with new carpets, furniture and decoration, while six additional classrooms have also received new furniture. Our hall and corridors have been refreshed with sanding, decorating and painting, and a beautifully restored wooden hall floor, creating bright and welcoming spaces for our children to learn, play and thrive in.

Our commitment to continually improving our school environment remains strong, and we are excited to continue developing opportunities for our children through initiatives such as the Bottle Top Scheme. Thank you to everyone who has already donated plastic lids. Your support helps us create and enhance social spaces where children can relax, chat and enjoy time with their friends during playtimes and lunchtimes.

I would also like to thank families for their continued support with our school uniform expectations. Seeing our children arrive each day looking smart and taking pride in belonging to Team Croxby reinforces the strong sense of community that makes our school so special.

As we begin another year of learning, growth and opportunity, I am incredibly proud of the positive start our children have made. Their enthusiasm, resilience and ambition embody our vision of Shaping Positive Futures. I look forward to sharing more of their successes and achievements with you throughout the year ahead.

Together, let's make this our best year yet

Mrs Wright
Headteacher

There is something special about the possibilities of the very first page in a new exercise book. As the year unfolds, those pages become filled with new knowledge, growing confidence and achievements to be proud of.

Across Croxby, our curriculum continues to help children live out our values, in this section, you will find examples of how children have been Working Hard, Being Kind and Aiming High over the past fortnight, along with information about the exciting learning taking place in each year group.

Don't forget to check Arbor to celebrate your child's positive points and talk together about their successes!

This week, our Personal Development focus has been on safeguarding – helping children understand the many ways we keep them safe at school. Our aim is for every child to feel secure, confident, and supported, both in the classroom and beyond.

How We Keep Children Safe

Children have explored some of the key ways we protect them every day:

Coloured lanyards – making it easy to identify trusted adults in school.

Fire drills – practising what to do in an emergency, so everyone stays safe.

Anti-bullying support – encouraging children to speak up and reminding them that kindness is always expected.

Mental health & anxiety – learning simple strategies to manage worries and knowing it’s always okay to ask for help.

Online safety – understanding how to protect personal information, avoid harmful content, and make safe choices online.

Talking to Trusted Adults – We have reminded children that there are always adults in school who will listen and help if they are worried about anything.

Key Safeguarding Information

If you have a concern about a child, please report it immediately to a member of the school’s safeguarding team below. 

Please note that if you have a safeguarding or child protection concern regarding a pupil outside of school hours, then you need to contact one of the numbers below: 

Hull: 

• EHASH - (01482) 448 879 option four 

• Emergency Duty Team – (01482) 300 304 (Out of hours) 

East Riding: 

• SAPH – (01482) 395500 

• Team – (01482)Out-of-hours Team – (01482) 393939 

Nurture Nest

The start of a new school year is an exciting time, but for some children it can also bring worries as they adjust to new routines, expectations and relationships. It is perfectly normal for children to need a little extra reassurance during this transition, and we encourage families to remember that confidence and independence develop over time.

At Croxby, we are committed to supporting every child's emotional wellbeing. Mrs Neighbour (SENDCo and DSL), Mrs O'Connor (ELSA) and our dedicated welfare team are available to offer support and guidance whenever it is needed. Our Wellbeing Haven on the back playground is open during break times and lunchtimes, providing a calm and supportive space for children who may need a little extra help, while our Wellbeing Ambassadors are always on hand to offer a friendly face, a listening ear or someone to play alongside.

If your child is finding the start of term challenging, please do not worry. With encouragement, patience and the right support, children often show remarkable resilience and quickly grow in confidence. As always, we are here to work in partnership with families to ensure every child feels safe, happy and ready to thrive. 

Supporting Your Child with the School Routine

Understanding After-School Restraint Collapse

As we move further into the school term, some children are still adjusting to the rhythm and demands of daily school life. If your child is feeling reluctant in the mornings, extra tired, or having emotional outbursts after school, please know — this is completely normal and more common than you might think.

What is After-School Restraint Collapse?

Many children, particularly in the early years of primary school, experience what’s known as “after-school restraint collapse.” During the school day, they are often trying very hard to follow rules, stay focused, manage social interactions, and meet expectations, all while possibly feeling tired or overstimulated. Once they get home (where they feel safest), all that bottled-up emotion and effort can come out in tears, frustration, or withdrawal.

How to Help Your Child Adjust to the School Routine

Building a smooth school routine takes time, and every child will adapt at their own pace. Here are some ways to help:

1. Establish Predictable Routines at Home

Children thrive on consistency. Having a regular bedtime, wake-up time, and morning routine helps them feel secure and ready for the day ahead. A simple chart or checklist can help younger children visualise what comes next.

2. Prepare the Night Before

Lay out clothes, pack bags, and prepare lunches in the evening. Reducing the morning rush helps create a calmer start and gives your child time to mentally prepare for school.

3. Create a Calm Morning Environment

Try to keep mornings as relaxed as possible. Allow extra time if needed, offer encouragement, and avoid power struggles. A calm parent helps create a calm child.

4. Use Gentle Encouragement, Not Pressure

If your child is hesitant about coming to school, acknowledge their feelings without reinforcing the fear. Say things like: “It’s okay to feel nervous. You’ve done hard things before, and you can do this too.”

5. Build in After-School Downtime

Avoid rushing into homework, questions, or structured activities right after school. Instead, offer a snack and time to rest, play, or just be quiet. This helps your child emotionally reset.

6. Celebrate the Small Wins

Praise effort and progress, not just outcomes. Even small things like putting on their uniform without help or walking into the classroom calmly deserve recognition.

When to Seek Support

If your child continues to be extremely distressed about attending school or is showing signs of ongoing anxiety, tiredness, or behaviour changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can work together to support your child with personalised strategies.

School is a big part of a child’s world and adjusting to it takes time, energy, and lots of support. Your calm presence, understanding, and patience go a long way in helping them feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

Benedict's Law

As a trust, we have an allergy policy and all staff are completing allergy awareness training.

As previously communicated to parents and carers, to celebrate children's birthdays in school, we now ask that only individual, small, sealed packets of sweets, such as Haribo, are a suitable alternative, provided the original packaging and allergen information remain intact. 

As a reminder, Croxby Primary School does not allow nuts of any kind in school, so any treats brought onto the school site must not contain nuts.