Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of our penultimate week, it has been wonderful to see so many sporting opportunities where the children have demonstrated great teamwork and commitment. These attributes were especially evident this afternoon as the entire school came together as part of our first Team Challenge. It was encouraging to see such focus and responsibility in every classroom as children from various year groups worked together to showcase their creative responses to our new Golden Values.
We look forward to sharing the results of our Team Challenge with you during Learning Conferences next week.
Mr Aggus
Principal
Diary Dates
Please note that there will be no After School Club on the last day of each term.
October
- Monday 21st - Coastal Schools 4B
- Year 6 Friendly Football fixture @ Chalkwell Park.
- Tuesday 22nd - Year 6 Girls' Netball League Fixtures
- Girls' Essex Cup @ Benhurst Primary School
- Learning Conferences
- Wednesday 23rd - Individual/sibling photographs
- Thursday 24th - Learning Conferences
- Individual/sibling photographs
- Friday 25th - INSET Day
- Monday 28th - Friday 1st November - Half Term
November
- Monday 4th - Forest Schools (5G)
- Tuesday 5th - Year 6 visit to IWM Duxford
- Year 4 Curriculum Meeting 1.40pm - 2.20pm
- Year 5 Curriculum Meeting 2.20pm - 3pm
- Wednesday 6th - Year 6 Basketball Competition
- Thursday 7th - NCMP Height and Weight checks - Year 6
- Coastal Schools 4C
- Year 3 Curriculum Meeting 1.40pm - 2.20pm
- Year 6 Curriculum Meeting 2.20pm - 3pm
- Year 6 netball match @ Alleyn Court
- Friday 8th - Thorpe Hall Cross Country Competition 10am - 12.30pm
- Monday 11th - Year 6 Test Week
- Tuesday 12th - Year 5 Performance to Parents (5K and 5F)
- Year 5 Book Look - 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Thursday 14th - Year 5 Performance to Parents (5G and 5L)
- Friday 15th - Year 5/6 Southend Football Competition
- Monday 18th - Coastal Schools 4E
- Tuesday 19th - Year 6 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Coastal Schools - 4SW
- Wednesday 20th - Assessments until Friday 29th
- Flu Immunisations
- Year 4 Dodgeball Competition @ Garons
- Friday 22nd - Girls' football @ Alleyn Court
- Monday 25th - Friday 29th: Book Fair
- Test Week in Years 3 - 5
- Tuesday 26th - Year 4 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Wednesday 27th - Year 5/6 Dodgeball A Team 9am - 12pm
- Year 5/6 Dodgeball B Team 12.15pm - 3.30pm
- Friday 29th - Non-uniform day - bring a prize for the fayre
- Saturday 30th - FOWLS Christmas fayre
December
- Monday 2nd - Year 6 Christmas decoration morning
- Tuesday 3rd - Year 3 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Year 4 Christmas decoration morning
- Wednesday 4th - Year 5 Christmas decoration morning
- Coastal Schools 4B
- Thursday 5th - Year 3 Christmas decoration morning
- Santa Dash
- Year 6 Santa Netball @ Alleyn Court
- Monday 9th - Carol Concert rehearsal @ St. Margaret's
- Tuesday 10th - Carol Concert @ St. Margaret's 7pm
- Wednesday 11th - Christmas dinner and Christmas jumper day
- Year 6 Handball competition
- Thursday 12th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Friday 13th - FOWLS Christmas Gift Sale
- Thursday 19th - last day of term - no After School Club
- Friday 20th - INSET
- Monday 22nd - 3rd January - Christmas Holidays
January
- Monday 6th - Spring Term begins
- Thursday 9th - Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics
- Friday 10th - Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics
- Monday 13th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Tuesday 14th - Year 3/4 RSE Talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Thursday 16th - Year 5RSE Talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Tuesday 21st - Year 6 RSE talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Thursday 23rd - Young Shakespeare Company Year 6
- Friday 24th - Year 3/4 Boys' Football Competition
- Friday 31st - Year 5/6 Hockey Festival
February
- Monday 3rd - Young Voices at the O2
- Tuesday 11th - Safer Internet Day
- Year 6 Girls' Netball League
- Thursday 13th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Half Term
- Monday 24th - INSET Day
- Wednesday 26th - Year 6 Netball Competition
- Thursday 27th - Year 6 Netball Festival
- Friday 28th - Year 3/4 Girls' Football Competition
March
- Friday 7th - Year 6 Dragonball Competition
- Wednesday 12th - Years 3-5 assessments until Friday 21st
- Friday 21st - Comic Relief
- Monday 24th - Year 6 Mock Week
- Friday 28th - Year 5/6 Aquathlon
April
- Tuesday 1st - Learning Conferences
- Thursday 3rd - Learning Conferences
May
- Monday 12th - Year 6 SATs Week
June
- Monday 9th - Assessments in Years 3 - 5
- Monday 23rd - Friday 27th - Ilam Hall Residential and Southend Activity Week
July
- Tuesday 15th - Open Evening 5pm - 7pm
- Friday 18th - Annual School Reports
- Wednesday 23rd - Last day of term
Year 3
It has been another fantastic week in Year 3. It has been a pleasure to see so many children proudly wearing their Learning Rewards and being able to confidently articulate how they earned them.
In English this week, the children have enjoyed learning about shape poetry and have developed their understanding of what makes an effective shape poem. They created poetic phrases based on their chosen Stone Age animal and used figurative language, including similes and metaphors, to enhance their descriptions. Finally, after carefully considering the most effective and suitable shape, they wrote their poem ready for viewing. In our Layered Reading lessons, the children have been working incredibly hard on generating inference statements based on a selection of images from our book, Stone Age Boy.
In maths, the children have been learning how to effectively use the inverse operation to check their addition and subtraction calculations. They have been recapping both the formal addition and subtraction methods and learned how to add and subtract using exchange. The children went on to apply this learning to solve a variety of one and two- step word problems.
In our Connected Curriculum lessons this week, the children have been learning how homes changed from the Stone Age through to the Iron Age. The children used detailed observation to identify key features of each, placing the houses in chronological order and justify their decisions based on evidence. They have also been refining their sketching skills in preparation for their cave paintings next week.
Year 4
In English, the children have edited and concluded their news reports about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. They studied newspaper headlines, particularly those containing puns and alliteration. Applying their knowledge, they devised a headline for their report before generating a final copy, using their very best handwriting.
Our Layered Reading lessons have focused on the emotions of the main character from within the story. After using memory and recall skills to retell the story so far, the children created an emotion graph for this character.
As mathematicians, the children have used a variety of methods to calculate the perimeter of rectilinear shapes. They have also worked on reinforcing their times tables recall using a variety of games.
In science, the children enjoyed answering quiz-style questions based on what they have learnt so far on teeth, digestion and food chains. They also applied their knowledge by creating their own fact-files and posters to show this information.
As creative artists, the children used their designs to make their own canopic jar from clay, using a step-by-step method and the use of coils. It was great to see the children’s creativity in motion. We look forward to completing the jars over the coming weeks.
In RE, the children have learnt about the four aims of life in Hinduism: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. As a result, they generated their own goals and matched each one to each of the four aims.
Year 5
In science this week, the children used their knowledge from previous learning about water resistance and streamlining, to carry out an investigation. The main focus of the investigation was identifying variables and creating a fair test in line with our targets of working scientifically. Using play dough to form 3 dimensional shapes, the children dropped these into cylinders and using slow-motion filming on the Ipads timed the descent writing about their findings and formulating a conclusion based upon predictions they had made.
Year 6
As writers, Year 6 have been crafting metaphorical imagery to vividly capture the mood of one of three significant events linked to World War II - the evacuation of Dunkirk, Kristallnacht and the Blitz. It's been truly inspiring to witness their imaginative talents at work. The pupils have produced narrative poems that not only convey the historical significance of these moments but also use language that's both captivating and engaging. Their ability to weave words and create powerful imagery continues to evolve, and it's wonderful to see them excel in as young poets.
In maths, the children have been extending their understanding of fractions and percentages. Making links to their existing knowledge, they've delved deeper into these mathematical concepts. Throughout the learning, they have made good progress by making links between different aspects of the topics.
As artists, building on their skills applying linear perspective, once again with a connection to the Blitz during World War II, they have been honing their artistic skills, applying greater depth in tone, shading, and the use of light to create visually impressive works of art.
Letters sent home this week
Online Safety
Many children and young people enjoy exploring new and exciting genres and themes in the films and TV they consume – and as they grow, the maturity of this content will likely increase with them. However, without proper supervision and safeguarding, youngsters looking for a new title to enjoy – especially in the horror genre – might get a little more than they're ready for.
The emotional and psychological impacts of viewing age-inappropriate content can be severe. It's vital for parents and educators to know how to keep the children in their care as safe as possible while young people explore new, potentially grittier or darker pieces of media. This guide breaks down the risks of viewing age-inappropriate content, with a particular focus on horror, and offers expert advice on how to limit youngsters’ exposure to material that might upset or disturb them.
Inspirational Person
This year, our inspirational people will link to our golden values of empathy, responsibility and integrity. We will study people who have embodied these values and demonstrated them through their actions, and will consider what we can learn from them.
This half term's inspirational person is Jorge Munoz. Jorge used empathy when he came across many hungry, homeless people, waiting to be chosen for small jobs to make just enough money to feed their families. Many had gone without food for days. He thought about how that would feel and then decided that he needed to help. He started by making extra lunches and delivering them to these people, but over time this grew and he used money from his own pay cheque to prepare hot meals for workers. Since he started, Jorge and his family have served over 100 000 meals to people in need. By showing a little empathy, Jorge was able to make a difference to their lives.
The Showbie challenge is an optional task that links to the inspirational person. It can be found in your child's Showbie account within the 'Inspirational People' folder. There are prizes every half term for those who take part.
Jorge was presented with an award from the president for his work helping others. For this half term's Showbie challenge, imagine it is twenty years in the future and you are receiving an award for your own efforts in helping people. What would the award be for? What would you have done? Your answer can be written in the comment box, or you can use the template to design your own award.
Team Challenge
Friday saw the first team challenge of the school year take place - a particularly special challenge that linked to our new Golden Values.
Our team challenges are a highlight of the term for many children, where the whole school 'mixes up' into team groups. This allows children to work together across Years 3 to 6, and allows true collaboration and team work. It is delightful to see children of all ages working together and making new friends.
This half term, the children were exploring the meaning of our new values. They created posters to share what the values mean and how they can be demonstrated across the school. Look out for these at our learning conferences, where you will be able to collect a Golden Values 'scavenger hunt' sheet and try to win a prize by looking for the clues within the posters!
Year 6 Football Fixture v Northwick Park
The boys' football team travelled to Northwick Park for the first round of the Parish Cup last week. West Leigh started the game energetically and after a few opportunities on goal that didn't go in, the team found themselves 1-0 down to a wonderful goal. The team fought back and equalised with a well-worked team goal. With the game on a knife edge and some dramatic end to end action, Northwick Park made it 2-1 to progress to the next round of the Parish Cup. Tremendous sportsmanship was shown by both teams. We wish Northwick Park the best of luck!
Tag Rugby Festival
On Wednesday 16th October, twelve pupils from across Years 5 and 6 represented West Leigh at the annual Southend Tag Rugby festival.
Group stage
- West Leigh 7 - 4 St. George’s
- West Leigh 5 - 3 Earls Hall
- West Leigh 8 - 5 Our Lady of Lourdes
As group winners, West Leigh qualified for the Super 8’s
Super 8’s
- West Leigh 9 - 7 Prince Avenue
- West Leigh 7 - 7 Our Lady of Lourdes
- West Leigh 10 - 7 St. Michael’s
Once again as winners of the group, West Leigh qualified for the semi-final.
Semi-final - West Leigh 5 - 3 Greenways
Final - West Leigh 4 - 6 Fairways
Despite losing in the final to a talented and deserving Fairways team, both teams have qualified to represent Southend in the Essex Finals due to be held in February.
We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the team and also how they demonstrated the golden values throughout the tournament: they demonstrated responsibility by playing for the team, and not playing for themselves as individuals; integrity by adhering to every rule of the game, even when they knew that it put them at a disadvantage on some occasions, and empathy by understanding that the the enjoyment of the rest of the team and their opponents was as important as their own individual enjoyment.
Netball
On Tuesday this week, eight Year 6 girls played in the first round of the netball league games, at Shoebury High School.
Our first game against Alleyn Court was a close match, finishing with a 6-3 loss. We then re grouped to play Thorpe Hall which we won 2-1 with some excellent defensive play. Our next game against St George’s resulted in a 3-1 win.
Next, we played Greenways who had an amazing Goal Shooter and we lost 9-0!
Our final game was against Hamstel and we were determined to finish on a high. With some excellent shooting of our own, we managed to win the game 9-0.
A huge well done to all the girls involved and a big thank you to parents for transporting the girls to and from the venue.
Borough Cross Country
Congratulations to the West Leigh cross-country squad for their excellent performances in the Southend competition last week. The children have been training in some rather unpleasant conditions but the sun was shining for the children in their races! It was excellent to see the children fighting for every single position, cheering each other on and congratulating their fellow competitors. It has been an anxious wait for the results but they are in. West Leigh have finished in 1st place for the third consecutive year - incredible work from all runners! It was a very narrow victory so every overtake and fight for the finish helped West Leigh to win!
Each team's results are below. Those in 1st and 2nd have qualified for the Essex finals in March.
- Year 3 boys - 2nd
- Year 3 girls - 2nd
- Year 4 boys - 1st
- Year 4 girls - 1st
- Year 5 boys - 2nd
- Year 5 girls - 1st
- Year 6 boys - 1st
- Year 6 girls - 5th
Friendly Netball Match
On Thursday, nine Year 6 girls played a friendly netball match at Alleyn Court. This was their first competitive game and they all enjoyed the experience. With some excellent defensive play and teamwork, the girls will look forward to playing in the league games arranged for next term.
Southend Football Tournament
The Year 5 and 6 girls’ football team enjoyed a fantastic day competing at the Southend Girls' Football tournament at Len Forge. Playing in twelve matches, with each match lasting eight minutes each way, they demonstrated superb sportsmanship and great determination in every match. The teamwork and encouragement was fantastic and every player showed great improvements throughout the tournament. The team lost four games, drew four and won four to finish 7th overall.
Leigh Art Trail
As part of last year's Leigh Art Trail, a number of children from West Leigh joined others from across the town when exhibiting their artwork in the children's trail at Saint Pierre School. It was a wonderful event which showcased artistic talent and celebrated creativity. We are extremely proud of all our exhibitors but would like to congratulate a small group of award winners whose paintings caught the eye of the judges.
Key Notices this Week
School Photos: Next Wednesday and Thursday, we will be taking our individual and sibling photographs (across both days). Therefore, we would like to ask that children wear their school uniform to school on these days and bring their PE kit to change into for their lessons, if required.
Lost Property: To keep our lost property to a minimum, please ensure that all uniform, coats, lunch boxes, snack pots, water bottles, Forest and Coastal School clothing and swimming kits are named so that lost items can be easily returned. Our lost property box is full so please come and claim any missing items before we empty it over half term.
School Uniform Discount: MyClothing (https://myclothing.com/collections/west-leigh-schools-29145/) are currently offering a 10% discount on school uniform, using the following code - UNIFORM10. Please note that the code expires on 20th December 2024.
End of Day Arrangements: If your end of day arrangements change, please contact the office before 3.00pm to let us know so we can ensure that all important messages are shared.
Belfairs Academy: Consultation letter - Admission Criteria
Dinner Menu
Week 2
Monday - Homemade Tomato & Vegetable Wholemeal Pasta Bake - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayo - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Doughnuts
Tuesday - All Day Breakfast (Sausage, Beans, Hash Brown) - Vegetarian All Day Breakfast (Vegetarian Sausage, Baked Beans, Hash Brown) Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayo - Mushrooms, Tomatos and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurts or Fruity Flapjack
Wednesday - Traditional Roast Chicken with Yorkshire Pudding - Quorn in Vegetable gravy with Yorkshire Pudding - Granary Baguette with Egg Mayonnaise - Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Chocolate Prune Cake
Thursday - Homemade Lasagne - Homemade Vegetable and 5 Bean Lasagne - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayo - Garlic Bread and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Biscuit
Friday - 100% Fish Fingers - Vegetable and Cheese Bake - Granary Baguette with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Potato Puffs, Sweetcorn, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Ice Cream
Don't forget to check out our new online bookshop here.
Swimming
Please ensure that your child has their full kit with them on swimming days as we will no longer be phoning home for forgotten kits.
Monday
- 3H
- 4B
- 4SW
Tuesday
- 3M
- 5L
- 5K
Wednesday
- 3S
- 4C
- 3T
Thursday
- 5G
- 5F
Friday
- 6D
- 6A
- 4E
- 6P
- 6W
PE Lessons
Please ensure that your child is wearing their full kit on PE days as we will no longer be phoning home for forgotten kits.
First Half Term:
3M
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
3S
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Friday
3H
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
3T
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Friday
4B
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
4E
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
4SW
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
4C
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
5K
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
5F
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
5L
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Wednesday
5G
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Wednesday
6D
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
6A
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
6P
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
6W
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
Attendance
Congratulations to 4C and 6W who both achieved the best attendance this week with 99.25%.
Messages from FOWLS
Year 4 Disco is next on Friday 8th November at 6pm and after a great first night at the Y5 Disco we can now confirm that BBC Radio Essex’s very own DJ Marky T will be our host for the evening. Marky is an amazing kids DJ and if the feedback from Y5 is anything to go by the kids will be in for a great night so please book your space(s) asap.
The Christmas Fayre is getting closer (Saturday 30th November 12-4pm) and we would still welcome more volunteers on the day. There's various shifts and a shift covering a stall is just 2 hours which gives you 2 hours still to go around the fayre with the family. If you can help please click on the QR code in the poster below and sign up or contact your class rep for the link.
FRIENDS OF WEST LEIGH SCHOOLS GROTTO
🎅Father Christmas has agreed to come to West Leigh Schools to visit our children.
Bookings are now OPEN. Book now to avoid disappointment. Once it’s booked, it’s booked!
Bookings are now open for our Mother Christmas experience at the Christmas Fayre.
Drop the children to Mother Christmas and her Elf for 15 minutes of storytime, games and a song. The children will receive a cookie and small gift.
🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻
Lastly, the Christmas Art project designs will be coming home over half term. We hope you enjoy looking at the children's festive pictures. The order form is on the back and must be returned to school on the first day back.
Please do not bend, fold or cut the design and speak to your class rep regarding payment.
Do you know about Friends of West Leigh Lotto? The draw takes place every month with CASH prizes whilst also raising funds for the schools. It’s super easy to sign up so if you fancy a chance to win a cash prize or would like to find out more contact Oanh Ly who runs our Lotto: fowlslott@gmail.com
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE ABOVE, PLEASE EMAIL simontaylor7472@gmail.com
Our Parent Council has been extremely successful over the past years and has been instrumental in driving forward positive change within our school. The council meet once every term at 4.30pm to discuss views on a range of important issues and councillors will be able to use our After-School Club on this evening (free of charge) if required to help with childcare. Our first meeting this academic year will take place on Monday 11th November at 4.30pm.
At present, we have vacancies in 4E, 4C, 4SW and 6P. It would be a shame if the views of the parents in these classes were not able to be considered at our meetings - if you feel you could spare three evenings a year to represent your child's class, it would be much appreciated. The role could even be shared between more than one parent if needed.
If this is something you are able to offer, please get in touch with Mrs London via the school office.
We very much hope that we will be able to find parents in these classes to represent the majority views amongst our parent community.