Dear Parents and Carers,
Its been another very busy and very hot week at Hamstel Infants!
This week our younger children have been out in the local area, and doing the school and themselves proud with exceptional behaviour and positive comments received from members of the public.
Nursery have been visiting the library across the week, the children came back full of excited chat about the books they had seen. While Reception, headed off to the beach for a fun filled day in the sun. The children certainly came back looking excited but tired, so I hope they all enjoyed the visit and the chance to do something a bit different from their normal lessons!
Just this morning, Team Hamstel headed out again, this time to the Mini Games event at Eastwood High School. The children all came back buzzing with excitement having taken part in lots of different events. It seemed as if they all really enjoyed the chance to represent our school in competitive sport. Well done everybody and again thanks to Mr Sayer and Mrs Walker for preparing the children for events such as these!
It was great to welcome in a really good number of Year 1 and Reception parents for the curriculum meetings this week where the learning and expectations for next year were shared. We hope you found the information useful and enjoyed the chance to hear from your children’s teachers about the plans for next year. There will be plenty more opportunities next year for you to come in and see how we teach specific subjects to the children, so please try and come along if you can.
We are also extremely pleased to announce that the Friends of Hamstel school fair, last Saturday raised almost £2000. A huge thank you to all who helped organise this event, and everybody who helped support this great achievement.
Next week on Monday 14th July we have our open evening, where the whole school from Nursery to Year 2 is available for you to visit. The juniors will also be open if any of our Year 2 children want to go over and see their new classes. The event will run from 3:30 till 4:30pm so there is plenty of time to visit the current classes, meet the new teachers, look at the children’s work and also visit the Book Fair and The Portico Art and DT festival which will also be in school.
Our Year 2s have been rehearsing so hard for their Leavers Show next week. On Monday, they will perform the dress rehearsal to the whole school, while on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th they will perform to parents, carers, family and friends. The shows start at 9am and we look forward to welcoming Hedgehog & Otter parents on Tuesday, and Badger, Fox and Squirrel on Wednesday .
The children should have come home today with their annual report, we really hope you enjoy reading and sharing so many positive comments about the children and their learning. They have all done so well and are certainly ready for the summer break.
I hope you all have a great weekend and we will see you on Monday morning.
Scott Roche
Principal
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Summer 2 Diary Dates - Nursery - Rainbow & Starlight - Reception - Year 1
Year 2 - School News - Dinner Menu - PTA - Messages from the Office
Summer 2 Diary Dates
July 2025
- Monday 14th - Year 2 Dress Rehearsals
- Open Evening 3.30 - 4.30pm
- Tuesday 15th - Year 2 Leavers Assembly (Otter and Hedgehog Parents)
- Nursery Library Visit
- Wednesday 16th - Year 2 Leavers Assembly (Squirrel, Fox and Badger Parents)
- Friday 18th - Nursery Teddy Bears Picnic
- Year 1 & Year 2 Class Parties
- Monday 21st - Superhero dress up day
- Reception Year & Nursery Class Parties
- Tuesday 22nd - Last Day of Term
- Wednesday 23rd - INSET Day
Nursery
This week has been a busy week, the children have enjoyed their visits to Southchurch library, they were all very well behaved. A big thank you to the grownups who were able to walk with the children. I’m sure that the Seahorse children going on Tuesday will also enjoy their visit.
We have been learning about the lifecycle of a frog. We have enjoyed reading the story ‘Franklin Frog’. We also introduced alliteration (two words that have the same initial sounds.
In Maths we have been learning to count forwards and backwards from a given number and showing that quantity with our fingers.
REMINDER: Our Teddy Bears picnic is on Friday 18th July. Don’t forget your teddy!
- Starfish AM 10.15am - 11.20am
- Starfish PM and Seahorse 1.45pm - 3.00pm
Don’t forget your party food donations,Thank you
With the warm weather please ensure that you apply suncream before your child arrives at Nursery and provide a named sun hat. Thank you
Rainbow & Starlight
Rainbow
This week we have continued listening and reading the book 'Sharing a Shell'. The children have enjoyed learning about the adventures of a crab looking for a home, who makes two friends who share a shell. We have been thinking about feelings and emotions, and how some situations make us feel, and how we can control our emotions, and what these feelings are. The children have been fully engaged learning about the Zones of Regulation and calming strategies.
We have made some lovely artwork and have worked in groups to complete activities by respecting peer views and feelings.
We have been revising letters from the letter family and practicing letter formation.
RWI: Qu/Th Queen, quit, quiet- thumb, three, thin
Maths: 1 more 1 less/simple addition, showing said number on fingers/building towers/filling in blank numbers
Invitation: We are welcoming everyone to our open-door workshop on Thursday 17th July. It will be at 2.30pm in Rainbow Room. Thank you.
Starlight
This week we have been reading the story ‘The Disgusting Sandwich’ by Gareth Edwards. We have looked at instructional writing, thinking carefully about the order of instructions. We made a ‘disgusting sandwich’ by following instructions and the children also used their imaginations to write their own set of instructions using disgusting ingredients – we even had a smelly sock!
In maths, we have continued to review our learning this year, focusing on subtraction.
In Science, we have been learning about the common features of sea creatures, thinking about food, water, shelter and air.
Thank you for coming to our Music session on Friday. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
REMINDER: Please provide a change of clothing daily, as the children are engaging in water play and messy play. Please can you return any borrowed clothing as soon as possible as we are running out of supplies! Thank you.
Reception Year
This week we have been thinking about real life superheroes that help us in our everyday lives such as nurses, doctors, police officers and paramedics. In literacy we have been learning to write a question to a real-life superhero.
In PSHE we have been learning how to keep safe at home by identifying risks and hazards and thinking of some ways to stay safe at home.
In maths we have been learning doubles and exploring addition. In shape, space and measure we have learning the properties of 3D shapes.
In RE we have been thinking about the basic needs to plants and how to look after them.
All the Reception classes have had a lovely day at the beach, building sandcastles, litter picking and exploring the area. Thank you for the adults that have supported on this day.
How to help at home
Handwriting:
Maths:
- Learn to double 1 to 5, use your fingers to help you.
Letters sent home this week
Year One
In literacy this week we have been looking at instructional writing. We looked at the purpose and why we might need to use a set of instructions. We all made jam sandwiches together and worked through the step-by-step process in order to complete the task successfully. We used this knowledge to help us write our own set of instructions on ‘How to make a jam sandwich’.
In maths we have been continuing to review our learning in Year 1. This week we have looked at addition and subtraction word problems, sharing and grouping accurately and competing missing number patterns.
In science we have been learning about the common features of farm animals, we used what we saw at Gemma’s farm to help us. We also learned the terms ‘herbivore, carnivore and omnivore’.
Letters sent home this week
Year Two
It’s been a warm and busy week again in Year 2 as we head towards the last few days of term. The children are continuing to work hard learning songs and character lines for their big end of year show and cannot wait to share their performance with you next week.
In literacy this week the children planned and wrote letters to their new Year 3 teachers to tell them some information about themselves. The children thought about what they like learning in school, about their family and pets, and what their hobbies are. Their letters will be delivered over to the children’s new teachers in the next few days for them to enjoy reading and learning about the children.
In maths the children have continued to practice and apply their addition and subtractions skills this week to calculations and problem solving.
In PE the children have been enjoying developing their fielding and batting skills playing 3 Tees Cricket on the field. They have worked on developing their teamwork and understanding the role they play within their team.
Next Week:
Year 2 Performances:
Tuesday 15th July at 9am – Otter and Hedgehog parents invited
Wednesday 16th July at 9am – Fox, Squirrel and Badger parents invited
Two adults per child only please.
Gemma’s Farm
Children at Hamstel Infant School and Nursery were treated to a truly memorable experience last week when Gemma's Farm paid a two-day visit, bringing the magic of the countryside right to the playground.
Over the course of the visit, pupils had the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of animals including sheep, goats, ponies, chickens, and guinea pigs. The school was filled with excitement and laughter as children took turns holding, stroking, and brushing the animals while learning all about how they live and are cared for.
From the gentle nudge of a curious goat to the soft fluff of a guinea pig nestled in small hands, every moment brought smiles and a sense of wonder. The team from Gemma’s Farm were fantastic in teaching the children interesting facts about each animal and answering lots of eager questions.
The event was not only fun but also educational, giving many children their first hands-on experience with farm animals. It was a wonderful way to enrich learning and spark curiosity about the natural world.
Waddle on Sea Art Trail
As part of the Waddle on Sea Art Trail, our school was proud to design and paint our very own penguin sculpture, Poppy the Penguin, beautifully designed by Summer.
The painting team — Summer, Savannah, Ayla, Luna and Alby — worked with Miss Ayres to bring Poppy to life with colour and creativity.
The team even had a special sneak peek at the incredible penguins last week before the trail officially opens on Friday 11th July.
You can visit Poppy the Penguin at the Royals Shopping Centre — don’t forget to snap a photo and share it on Class Dojo if you find her!
For more information on The Trail - Waddle-on-Sea follow the link below.
Dinner menu
Week 1
Monday - Baked Sausages with Crushed Potatoes & Gravy - 3 Veg Macaroni Cheese - Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce - Chicken Mayonnaise Baguette - Cheese Salad Wrap - Baked Beans & Peas - Chocolate Brownie
Tuesday - Traditional Beef Lasagne - Vegan Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Coconut Curry with Steamed Rice - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans - Ham Sandwich - Cheese & Tomato Bloomer - Sweetcorn & Broccoli - Oat Cookie
Wednesday - Roast Chicken Fillets with Gravy - Vegan Squash, Sweet Potato & Bean Hot Pot - Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce - Tuna & Sweetcorn Baguette - Cheese Sandwich - Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Greens & Carrots - Vanilla Ice Cream
Thursday - Beef & Vegetable Ragu with Penne Pasta - Vegetable Chow Mein - Jacket Potato with Cheddar Cheese - Tuna Mayonnaise Sandwich - Cheese Salad Wrap - Cauliflower & Roasted Carrots - Apple Sponge
Friday - Fish Fingers, Chips & Ketchup - Vegan Vegetable Fingers, Chips & Ketchup - Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce - Ham Sandwich - Egg Mayo Baguette - Baked Beans & Peas - Fruit Jelly
Messages from the Office
Arbor – Our New Communication, Booking and Payment System
All families have been sent a letter via email with details of the new platform we will be using from September. This will replace ParentPay. However for the remaining few weeks of term, please continue to book items in the usual way through ParentPay.
Arbor will be used for all communications and payments and will be the way in which you book or pay for after school/breakfast club, trips, clubs, and nursery meals from September. We will provide an update when bookings are open on the new system and aim to have it available for breakfast and after school clubs from Tuesday 26th August.
Community Information
The Kite Festival - Southend
Follow the link for more information on a super exciting free family event taking place for the first time along Eastern Esplanade.
Reporting a Parking Issue
Following on from Mr Roche's message regarding parking issues all Southend City residents can report parking problems to the council using the website - link provided below. Please note you will need a MySouthend account to use this.
Key Dates for Autumn Term
September 2025
- Tuesday 2nd - Year 1 and Year 2 return to school
- Tuesday 9th - Reception Curriculum Meeting 9.05am or 2.30pm
- Wednesday 17th - Flu Immunisations
- Tuesday 30th - Reception Phonics Workshop 9am
October 2025
- Friday 3rd - Individual photos
- Thursday 23rd - Reception Handwriting Workshop
November 2025
- Monday 10th - Odd Socks Day
Credits:
Created with images by splitov27 - "Notebook with black leather cover and pen on yellow background" • 78art - "PTA活動に参加する" • a_korn - "Closeup calendar page with drawing-pins"