17th January 2025
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Every Thursday in term time – Tiny Tiddlers - 8.50am – 10.30am
Tuesday 21st January – Tea & Talk: Yr 6 All about SATS – 8.50am
Tuesday 28th January – PTA AGM 9am
Monday 10th February – Tea & Talk: Safer Internet Day – 8.50am
Friday 14th February – last day of half term 3.10pm collection
Monday 24th February – Academy open
Wednesday 5th March – Tea & Talk: Phonics in Nursery – 8.50am
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Dear parents/carers,
Parent consultations this week were well attended with children, parents and staff enjoying sharing progress and updates with each other. It was a great chance to see progress in workbooks from September and to look at a range of curriculum subjects. It was also lovely to see families catching up and talking with others that may not always get the chance to be at school pick up. There was a true sense of community spirit. I enjoyed having a chat with families too. I know a few parents have agreed appointments over the coming week or catch-up phone calls. If you were unable to attend and have not yet made an alternative arrangement, feel free to email generalenquiries@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk
This terms curriculum focus and home learning outlines can be found on your MyChildAtSchool App. This is a shorter term and packed with learning so let’s make every day count and the Spring Term attendance the highest it can be! Children have been busy around the academy this week and focused on the learning and life skill – Becoming a better learning.
This week we received confirmation that we have been awarded the KS1 Active Sports Mark again with an invitation to the awards ceremony in the Spring Term. The award is from 2025 – July 2027!
Our children engage in our PE programme and extra-curricular activities with enthusiasm. For those that need a little encouragement in sports, the team always endeavour to find sporting interests or to support children in their confidence and skills. Our PE provision is excellent and a remains a favourite in any pupil voice survey.
KS2 choir have been engaging in final rehearsals for the forthcoming Young Voices event in London. The stadium is filled with schools singing together and sounds amazing! A real ‘pinch me’ moment and an experience that remains a special memory. We look forward to hearing all about it in the coming weeks.
A heartbeat of music for primary schools across the UK, where children and teachers unite in an electrifying choir experience. Unforgettable concerts where lasting memories are created! Take a look at the highlights from 2024!
This week children have engaged in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. During outdoor learning, children have been monitoring the number and types of birds that nest or visit our grounds. Obviously with so many green spaces and dedicated areas to wildlife, this has been a great activity to undertake. The birds have enjoyed the extra bird food this week too! You may wonder why this takes place in the winter. This is because this is the time of year that the birds need us the most. When the weather is cold, it is more likely that birds will come into our gardens or school grounds looking for shelter and food. This makes it easier to count the birds. I have two robins that I love to watch at home.
You could even take part in this quiz with your children. Can you tell birds from their songs?
Birdsong test: can you tell these birds from their songs? - BBC Newsround
When the adults change – everything changes
This week Mrs Haisman-Baker, Ms Rosso and I joined our first online ‘Partner School Event’ with other schools who demonstrate good relational practice. Relational practice isn’t new. It is simply providing emotional safety and positive relationships with children.
We heard stories from two schools in Scotland and Wales who shared their relational practice with us. It was great to speak with likeminded schools and to hear about their positive behaviour approaches they have and that their predictable, safe routines and kindness has created a culture with values at the heart of their schools. Take a look at our partner school story and some other schools.
PARTNER SCHOOLS | WhenTheAdultsChange.
Should you be interested in finding out more or how relational practice can be used at home too. There are some ‘simple techniques’ and some ‘nuggets’ of information shared in a book for parents.
This book is an absolute game-changer. Paul manages to impart practical wisdom about our behaviour as parents - and how small changes have huge impacts - without ever sounding preachy. I laughed, nodded, winced a few times and most importantly felt inspired to make slow, incremental changes to how we do things in our house. Warm, funny and extraordinarily helpful. A must-read for anyone who looks after children. - SARAH TURNER, aka The Unmumsy Mum
Paul Dix has an approach that I love: he understands that when you see a child differently, you see a different child. For years he has been passionate about supporting teachers and children in the classroom, and in this brilliant book he shares his valuable insights to support families too. - KATE SILVERTON, author of No Such Thing as 'Naughty
The principle at the heart of Paul Dix's book is singularly powerful: that if we want to build a loving, resilient relationship with our children, we need to start with ourselves. - TINA PAYNE BRYSON co-author of The Whole-Brain Child
If a small group of parents wanted to start a book club or a few tea and talk sessions – I am sure we could arrange this.
As always, enjoy your family time together.
Mrs Nicholls
in the spotlight
Water safety talk
Year 1 and 2 had a special assembly this week learning about water safety. This included how to say safe in a pool, at the beach and paddling pool in the garden. As a seaside town and a school near the brook, it is an important safety message. They learned the importance of floating on their backs like a starfish. They even found out that jumping in cold water is not safe and it is better to enter the water gradually. Also, that ice on water can often be dangerous for dogs and to always call 999 to rescue pets.
Thank you to our visitor from the fire service for coming along to share this with us.
Year 2 visitor
Mrs Lee’s sister, Mrs Sheikh, visited the school once again to talk to the children about life as a Muslim.
This time the children in Year 2 had thought about questions they wanted to ask her as part of their religious education lessons ‘Who is a Muslim and What do they Believe?’ The children already knew that Muslims pray 5 times a day, but they wanted to know what was said in the prayer. Mrs Sheikh asked Ismaeel from Shrimp Class to demonstrate the actions during prayer times to help the children further understand how Muslims feel close to God. It was a very proud moment for him to share his faith and to show the beautiful prayer mat embroidered with his name.
Pupils also asked why Mrs Sheikh wore a scarf on her head, what it was like to be a Muslim, what she was allowed to eat and drink. They were interested to know that she did not drink wine! Boys tried on hats, girls had scarves wrapped around their head and everybody looked at the Arabic writing in the Qu’ran – a Muslim’s holy book. In previous lessons, Year 2 had learnt that Allah has 99 names and were able to recall these during the visit. The children were polite and respectful as always and continued to ask questions throughout the visit. Mrs Sheikh said ‘It was a pleasure to speak with the children. I am so glad the children enjoyed it and would love to come back again!’
Darlinghurst Academy
Pavilion Drive
Leigh on Sea
Essex
SS9 3JS
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T.01702 478379