The Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School

📢 IMPORTANT: Free School Meals & Pupil Premium Update for September 2026

We are encouraging all parents and carers to check their eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM) and Pupil Premium (PP) following changes to the eligibility criteria from September 2026.

✅ If you have never applied before, check your eligibility and apply now.

✅ If you applied before 1 June 2026, please submit a new application as your previous application may not have been assessed using the updated criteria.

✅ If you applied on or after 1 June 2026, no further action is required.

⚠️ If your child is already receiving FSM and/or PP, you must reapply to ensure entitlement continues and funding is not affected.

The updated criteria mean that more families may now be eligible, even if you have not qualified in the past.

🔗 Check your eligibility and apply here: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/help-cost-going-school/free-school-meals-and-pupil-premium

Every application helps support children and our school community. 💙

Places children can eat free or for £1 in the summer holidays

✨ We are so excited to welcome our new Pre-School and Reception children this September! 💛

Starting school is such a special milestone, and we can't wait to begin this exciting journey with you and your little ones.

To help your child feel happy, confident, and ready for school, here are some top tips to prepare them for the school environment. From encouraging independence to practising daily routines, these small steps can make a big difference!

📚 Take a look through our tips below and help your child get ready for their big adventure. We can't wait to see all of your smiling faces in September! 🌈

✨ Throwback to the Year 6 Leavers' Disco! ✨

What a fantastic evening our Year 6's had celebrating the end of their primary school journey! 🪩🎉 There were smiles, dancing, laughter, and memories made that will last a lifetime.

A huge thank you to D&P Music Music for bringing the amazing vibes, brilliant music, and keeping the dance floor full all night! 🎶💃🕺

We'd also like to say a massive thank you to all of the staff who generously volunteered their own time to help make the evening so special. Your support and enthusiasm made it a night to remember for our Year 6's ( especially as it was so close to the England kick off !!)

We hope everyone had a fabulous time 🌟❤️

☀️School's Out for Summer!☀️

That's a wrap on another fantastic school year! 🎉

We would like to wish all of our wonderful children, families and staff a peaceful, safe, restful and fun-filled summer holiday. Thank you for your continued support throughout the year—we hope you enjoy making lots of happy memories together.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 for another exciting year of learning and fun.

Have a wonderful summer! 🌻🌈☀️

Today we came together as a school family for a very special assembly to celebrate two wonderful members of our staff.

💙 Happy Retirement to our fantastic Year 4 teacher, Mrs Hover! Thank you for your years of dedication, kindness and the positive impact you've had on so many children. We hope your retirement is filled with happiness, relaxation and exciting new adventures.

💙 We also said goodbye and good luck to Mrs Hancy from Preschool as she begins an exciting new chapter. Thank you for everything you have done for our youngest learners and for being such a valued member of our school community.

We wish you both every happiness and success in the future. Once part of The Good Shepherd family, always part of The Good Shepherd family. 💙✨

🎓💛 Today we celebrate our amazing Pre-School and Year 6 children as they prepare to move on and begin exciting new adventures.

We are so proud of each and every one of you and all that you have achieved. As you take your next steps, we wish you every success, happiness for the future. Wherever life leads you, we know you will always carry the spirit of The Good Shepherd in your hearts.

May God bless and protect you, guide your path with His light, fill your hearts with courage and kindness, and keep you safe in His loving care. Amen. ✝️

Good luck to all of our children moving on —you are always part of our Good Shepherd family. 💙

☀️ Summer Holiday Reminder ☀️

A reminder to all parents that we will be closing for the summer today at 1:15pm.

We will reopen on Wednesday, 2nd September.

We would like to wish all of our families a wonderful, happy, and safe summer break. Thank you for all your support throughout the year!

A very special good luck to our amazing Year 6 leavers as they begin their exciting journey to secondary school. We are so proud of you all and wish you every success and happiness in this next chapter. 🌟🎓

Have a fantastic summer—we look forward to welcoming everyone back in September! 💛

🌞🎉 Last Day of Term Reminder! 🎉🌞

Tomorrow is our last day of the school year, and children are invited to come to school in m***i to celebrate! 👕👗🎈

⏰ School gates will open at 1.15pm for collection as we finish for the summer holidays.

❗ Please note: There will be no Rhino After School Club tomorrow due to the early finish.

📚🌞 Ready for a Summer Reading Adventure? 🌞📚

Calling all of our Good Shepherd readers... there's still plenty of time to join this year's Summer Reading Challenge at your local library! 📖✨

There are lots of exciting activities taking place throughout the summer, including fun events, a Treasure Hunt 🗺️ and, if you make it onto the Finishers Board by 12th September, you'll be invited to a fantastic celebration party! 🎉🏅

We're also delighted to share that 9.5% of all sign-ups so far are from Good Shepherd pupils – what a brilliant start! 👏 Let's see if we can climb even higher and show everyone what amazing readers we are! 💙

Happy reading, everyone... we can't wait to hear about all the books you've enjoyed over the summer! 📚🌟