porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 26TH JANUARY 2024

Coat Donations

Thank you for all the coat donations; they are really popular. If you have more donations they would be greatly appreciated.

Nursery

This week we have enjoyed lots of play with the theme ‘Superheroes’ we have made up our own superhero and thought about their special powers. We have also had lots of fun in the garden, where we have pretended that the trees were animals.

REMINDERS: Please can we remind you that the end of session in the morning is 11.45am and in the afternoon 3.15pm.

Reception

We have been learning how to form our letters correctly and have been writing stories to act out. In maths we have been looking at long/short and heavy/light objects.

Year 1

This week in English we have had the Jack and the Beanstalk story introduced. We immersed ourselves in the text by watching a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk lead by the adults in our class. It was great fun to also practise being an audience. This week in maths we have been estimating and comparing numbers from 0-20. We have also been looking at Mr Sesniak and Mrs Britton’s own timeline and the children loved seeing them both as young children.

REMINDER:We are hoping you have returned the children’s timelines but if you haven’t please bring them in by Monday. The children will be discussing their own timelines with their peers.

If you would like to watch the performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, performed by the teachers, then please log in to SeeSaw!

Year 2

This week in English the children created non-chronological reports about elephants. They skilfully used the facts they gathered throughout the week, incorporating features of a report and adding conjunctions to make their reports informative. In science, we explored life cycles. We looked at how humans change as they grow older. Our focus on money continued in maths, utilising class resources to make different amounts using pounds and pennies.

REMINDER: A gentle reminder to kindly remove your child’s earrings on Tuesdays for PE. For their safety, earrings are not allowed during physical activities. Alternatively, you may send a small envelope for them to keep their earrings safe if they can remove them independently.

Year 3

In English this week we have been reading ‘A Necklace of Raindrops’ and preparing to create our own version of the story. In maths we have tackled division without a remainder and scaling and in science we have investigated different types of soil and looked closely at soil examples to see what we can find within it.

REMINDER: Please send your child with a full PE kit.

Keep practising your times tables and read with your child as often as you can – don’t forget to sign their reading record!

Year 4

In English we have looked at the features of biographies and how we can add detail to our writing to make it more interesting. We have also planned our own biographies about Frida Kahlo, who is the Mexican artist that we are learning about in our art lessons too. In maths, we are learning the written methods for multiplying. All the effort everyone has put in to learning their times tables has made this a lot easier. In history, the children have been learning about the role archaeologists have had in helping us learn about Maya civilisation. We shared Diane’s experiences and thought about what it would be like to do her job.

REMINDER: Spellings and times tables should be practised daily at home.

The TT Rockstars website has a great video to show you how it can help everyone learn their times tables.

Year 5

This week in history, the children have been learning about the different gods and goddesses in Ancient Egypt. They have discussed why they were so important and had a go at researching their roles.

In English, the children have started to look at persuasive letters. They have read a letter sent to them about deforestation and started to write a response about what the government and people can do to help.

REMINDER: Spellings and times tables should be practised daily at home.

Year 6

This week in science, we have been learning how to classify all living things into the five kingdoms. We have enjoyed writing our own Greek myths in English lessons and studying the Greek gods and goddesses in history. In PE lessons, our badminton and gymnastics skill are really improving!

French

This week, year five have been talking and writing about their future; year three have been discussing school rules; year two have been learning about Spring in French and about some important cultural references to the Spring.

Music

Music Clubs

  • Tuesday 12.00: Band
  • Tuesday 12.45: Year 2 Music Club
  • Tuesday 3.30: Music Making for Year 1 and 2
  • Wednesday 12.45: Choir for Years 3-6
  • Thursday 3.30: Choir for Years 3 - 6

Instrumental Lessons

We do have a few vacancies, please contact Mrs Baines if your child would like to learn an instrument.

  • Tuesday am: Drums (Mr Fletcher)
  • Tuesday am: Guitar (Mr Brown)
  • Wednesday am: Keyboard (Mr Hockey)
  • Wednesday am: Guitar (Mr Elliot)

Future Events

  • 15th March Southend Makes Music – KS2 Choir
  • 19th March Infant Music Festival - 1pm
  • 13th June Junior Music Fesitval - KS2 Choir

Sport

We had a fantastic time this week taking a small group of swimmers to the Olympic Pool in Stratford to complete the Discovery Swim Gala! We look forward to taking the Year 6s to the hockey tournament at Warners Bridge next week.

Swimming Panathlon

On Tuesday 23rd January, our swim team got an amazing opportunity to spend the day at The London Aquatics Centre in Stratford. This is the very same pool used in the London 2012 Olympics so we were very excited to be participating in an event there! The children competed in a range of activities and races in the pool. They represented the school brilliantly, cheered on their team and others and came away with some fabulous medals and certificates. Well done team, what an exciting day!

Healthy Schools

Everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment but your smile does not need to cost as much as you think!

In response to the 2023 report The Tooth Hurts, from The Beauty Banks and the British Dental Association, we thought you might like some money saving tips. Check out the poster for 3 toothpaste hacks! If you have your own money saving oral health tip, share it here #ohimpcdstoothpastehack

You can also help by becoming a Beauty Banks Toothfairy and donating products or £ to help children and teachers smile again.

#oralhealthimprovement #costoflivingcrisis #moneysavingtips #beautybanks #britishdentalassociation #ohimpcdstoothpastehack

How to find an NHS dentist

You can find a dental surgery that's convenient for you, whether it's near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any NHS appointments available.

You can search for an NHS dentist near you on the following website Find a dentist - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Dental surgeries will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.

Once you find a dental surgery, you may have to fill in a registration form at your first visit, which is just to add you to their patient database. But that does not mean you have guaranteed access to an NHS dental appointment in the future.

Did you know? Advice on how to find an NHS dentist from the NHS advises that dentist practices do not have a catchment area and patients do not need to “register” with a dentist in the same way as with a GP (though practices may have their own registers to store personal details and waiting lists).

Online Safety

Anime is one of the most popular forms of media in the modern world. Fans span across multiple generations – with a particular emphasis on young people in the west, to whom the unique art style and over-the-top presentation greatly appeal. It takes many different forms – from movies to video games – but is most commonly presented in TV shows.

The cartoonish art style of anime can lead people to assume that all media of this type is child-friendly. While a good amount of anime fits this description, there’s just as much – if not more – that centres around deeply adult themes and topics, with scenes of extreme gore, disturbing horror, and sexual content. This week’s guide delves deep into this cultural phenomenon, identifying all risks parents and carers should be aware of.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Our Uniform shop is located within the front reception area of the school and is open Monday-Friday 8.15am - 4.00pm. All items are 50p each. We always have a good selection of skirts, trousers, jumpers, tops, dresses and P.E items. Please ask at the office to point you in the right direction.

School Uniform Donations

We welcome school uniform donations for us to sell at our school uniform shop. Could we please ask that the clothes are in good, clean condition. All items can be dropped off at the school office between 8.15am - 4.00pm. Thank you so much for doing this for the school as it helps our parents out tremendously.

Attendance

Congratulations

Porpoise and Stingray classes enjoyed attendance class rewards this week for the school target. It has been over three weeks since a class has met target. Seahorse, Porpoise and Stingray classes had the highest attendance in their key stage groups.

This week out of 460 children 329 came to school every day, 100% for the week, that is slightly less that our previous week. These children deserve huge well done, amazing effort keep it up.

Attend every day! Achieve tomorrow

Term-time holidays and planned absence

Holidays taken during term-time will not be authorised, so please bear this in mind when considering booking holiday dates. School term dates are available on the school website and printed copies are in the main foyer. Please plan to make holiday bookings during school holidays and weekends.

Please complete a Pupil Absence Request Form for planned absences from school for absence that will be for more than half a day. Some planned absences may be considered an exceptional circumstance and as such part or all of the time away from school may be eligible to be authorised. The office and attendance team will be able to give you an idea as to whether the circumstance of the absence would be considered an exceptional circumstance. A Pupil Absence Request Form can be filled in online or a paper copy can be collected from the school reception.

Every day of school is important, moments matter, attendance counts!

Lateness at the start of the day

There are an increasing number of children arriving for school late each day. One day this week there were 40 children who came to school after the class register had closed. Please ensure you are leaving home in time to arrive at school between 8.40 and 8.55am, after 8.55am the class register is closed and all children from this time are required to register at the school reception.

If you are struggling, for any reason, with getting your child to school the attendance team is here to help you. Mrs Wyer and Mrs Morris play a crucial role in supporting children and helping families improve on their school attendance.

Dinner Menu

Week 2

Monday - Pork Sausage with Mashed Potato & Gravy - Vegan Sausage with Mashed Potato & Gravy - Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Sweetcorn & Baked Beans - Chocolate Rice Crispie Cake

Tuesday - Chicken & Sweetcorn Pasta - Vegan Tomato & Mixed Bean Sauce with Fusilli - Baked Jacket with Grated Cheese - Carrots & Broccoli - Mandarin Jelly

Wednesday - Honey Roast Gammon with Roast Potatoes & Gravy - Sweet chilli Stir-fry Mushroom & Steamed Rice - Wholewheat Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Seasonal Greens & Peas - Vanilla Ice Cream

Thursday - Beef keema with Tumeric Rice - Vegan Layered Vegetable & Sweet Potato Bake - Baked Jacket with Baked Beans - Carrots & Sweetcorn - Apple & Carrot Flapjack

Friday - Breaded Fish Fingers with Chips & Ketchup - Vegan Fajita Wrap with Chips & Ketchup - Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Peas and Baked Beans - Lemon Drizzle Sponge

Diary Dates

February

  • Friday 9th - Billy's Band
  • Friday 16th - Inset Day
  • Monday 19th - Friday 23rd - Half Term

March

  • Monday 18th - Friday 22nd - Book Fair
  • Tuesday 19th - Infant Music Festival
  • Wednesday 20th - Parents Evening
  • Friday 29th - GOOD FRIDAY - School closed

April

  • Monday 1st - EASTER MONDAY - School closed
  • Tuesday 2nd - Friday 12th - EASTER HOLIDAYS

May

  • Monday 6th - BANK HOLIDAY - School Closed
  • Monday 13th - Thursday 16th - KS2 SATS week
  • Monday 27th - BANK HOLIDAY - School Closed
  • Tuesday 28th - Friday 31st - May Half Term

June

  • Monday 3rd - INSET DAY
  • Monday 10th - Friday 14th - Phonics Screening Test Week
  • Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th - Swimming Lessons at West Leigh Junior School

July

  • Wednesday 10th - Friday 12th - Danbury Residential trip
  • Friday 19th - Last Day of Term

Community

The Art Group is held at The Hub in Cluny Square. They now run an Intermediates session for those ages 8- 14 years on a Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. The Friday session is now an Art group for those aged 8 – 11 (junior school) from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.