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Summer 2 Diary Dates - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6 - Online Safety School News - Sports News - Dinner Menu - Online Bookshop - Inspirational Person Attendance - House Points - Sports Awards - Reading Awards - Outside Achievements PTA - Community News - Autumn 1 Diary Dates
Summer 2 Term Diary Dates
Please note that there will be no After School Club on Tuesday 14th July or Friday 17th July.
June
- Monday 22nd - Friday 26th - Year 6 Ilam Hall Residential
- No Junior swimming all week.
- Monday 22nd -Year 3 Inspire Dental Visits
- Tuesday 23rd - Super Sports - Track
- Wednesday 24th - Super Sports - Field
- Monday 29th - Quiz Club Finals at Oxford University
- Coastal Schools (4C)
- Tuesday 30th - Year 6 visit to The Oval/Cricket World Cup
- King John Transition Day
- Year 5 girls football trials
July
- Wednesday 1st - All children to wear PE kit for team photos
- Year 5 Cricket World Cup Taster
- Thursday 2nd - All children to wear PE kit for team photos
- Coastal Schools
- Lower School Summer Safety Assembly
- Swimming Gala
- Friday 3rd - Whole School Transition Morning
- Year 6 transition day
- Monday 6th - Thursday 9th - School Photo
- Fun Swim
- Tuesday 7th - Football Trails (4B, 4SW & 5G)
- Wednesday 8th - Principal for the Day
- Football Trials (4E, 5A & 5F)
- Thursday 9th - Friday 10th - Year 3 Danbury
- Friday 10th - Non-Uniform Day (bring something for the fayre)
- Year 6 Swimming Gala
- Annual School Reports
- Saturday 11th - Summer Fayre
- Tuesday 14th - Year 5 & 6 - Brownes Boot Camp
- Open Evening - 5pm - 7pm
- No After School Club
- Wednesday 15th - Rescheduled Sports Day
- Thursday 16th - Leavers Assembly to Parents
- Friday 17th - Last Day of Term
- No After School Club
Year 3
It has been another varied and enjoyable week in Year 3. The children have worked hard and embraced all of the learning opportunities available to them. Our field study trip to Old Leigh, along with water safety and home safety assemblies, have all taken place alongside our usual array of lessons. In English lessons, the children have continued to craft their Lighthouse narratives. They have added an engaging piece of dialogue to deepen characterisation in their stories and to move the plot along. Finally, they went on to write both a resolution to the main dilemma and a satisfying ending for their readers. In our Layered Reading lessons, we have considered the changing emotions of the main character, Michael, in This Morning I Met a Whale. The children also explored how the author shows these changes and generates empathy in the reader. Maths lessons have focused on consolidating the children’s knowledge and application of their multiplication and division skills. In science, we have thought about how light is reflected and how this enables us to see. The children then investigated which materials are good and which are poor reflectors. It was interesting to discuss which materials can be put to good use as road safety features, such as high-visibility accessories for cyclists or road signage. Our geography field study this week gave the children the opportunity to collect evidence in order to answer the ‘big question’ of the term: “What value does the River Thames bring to Leigh-on-Sea?” We will be looking at their findings and drawing conclusions in the weeks to come. As the weather warms up, please ensure that the children bring a water bottle and sun hat to school. Please apply sun cream to your child before they arrive at school. Thank you for your help.
PE Days Summer 2
3T
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
3H
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
3L
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
3M
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
Swimming
- 3H - Monday
- 3L – Tuesday
- 3T – Wednesday
- 3M – Wednesday
Year 4
Despite the warm weather, we have had a successful week of learning in Year 4. In English, we have continued our work using the book, Zoo by Anthony Browne. We have used our skills of empathy to identify the emotions of the animals in the zoo by observing how they behave. We have practised using a range of fronted adverbials to construct sentences about what happens at the zoo. Using all these skills, the children wrote a final piece to explain a day in the life of a chosen zoo animal. We have also continued to study our Layered Reading text ‘The Butterfly Lion’. The children have been very enthusiastic about the text and have identified similarities and differences between two of the main characters. Maths lessons have focused on statistics. The children have studied a variety of ways that information can be represented, such as tally charts, bar charts, line graphs and pictograms and they have interpreted the data from within them. They have also collected and represented data of their own, using a range of techniques. In science, there have been discussions about how we classify living things. After this, children examined a range of mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds and have placed characteristics of those living things into the correct group. The children thoroughly enjoyed looking at maps within our Connected Curriculum lessons. As geographers, we used atlases and other map apps to locate theme parks within the UK, labelling a map accordingly. From this, the children discussed the reasons why the theme parks are located where they are. On Monday, 4E went on their Coastal Schools visit. There, they enjoyed collecting interesting items and used these to create beautiful examples of sea-themed mosaics. As always, the children had lots of fun from this exciting experience.
Please note that the following dates have been arranged for Coastal Schools:
- 4B - Thursday 2nd July
- 4C - Monday 29th June
- 4SW - Wednesday 1st July
- 4E - Tuesday 7th July
PE Days Summer 2
4B
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
4E
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
4SW
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
4C
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
Swimming
- 4B - Monday
- 4SW - Monday
- 4C - Wednesday
- 4E - Friday
Year 5
It has been another exciting and engaging week in Year 5, packed with learning across all subjects. In English, we have continued our layered reading of Dragon Mountain, reaching the thrilling moment where the intrepid heroes enter the dragon realm. The children have been thinking carefully about how characters’ actions drive a story forward and what these choices might mean for the battle ahead. They have also developed their skim and scan skills to locate key information within the text, identifying reasons behind characters’ decisions and considering their consequences. To inspire their own writing, pupils used VR headsets to explore the animal life of Central America and tropical regions. This immersive experience was hugely exciting and has helped bring their ideas to life as they begin planning their own stories set in locations ranging from wild coastal regions to vivid rainforests. As a result the children were able to chose a suitable helper animal, inspired in part by our reading of Cloud Tea Monkeys, to support their characters in overcoming challenges such as deforestation, flooding, and poaching. During Tuesday's maths lesson, the children became detectives, tackling a mystery problem-solving challenge to identify which villain had ruined a batch of chocolate! Working collaboratively in pairs, they solved a series of fiendish clues—there was lots of enthusiasm and excellent teamwork throughout. For the remainder of the week, we focused on measure and geometry. Some classes revisited the properties of rectangles, using them to deduce related facts and find missing lengths and angles. We then moved on to practical maths, identifying 3D shapes from 2D representations, including nets. The children explored all possible nets for cubes and other shapes, tackling a variety of increasingly challenging tasks. In science lessons, pupils completed their end-of-unit science assessments, showcasing the knowledge they have built throughout the year. Many demonstrated excellent retention of scientific facts and a strong understanding of key concepts—well done to all! Classes 5G and 5F enjoyed a sunny trip to Fields on Monday, where they practised throwing, catching, and fielding skills in preparation for rounders. It was wonderful to see their skills and teamwork developing in such a positive outdoor setting and many thanks to the parents who assisted with walking us safely to and from the fields and in some cases even joining in! In our Connected Curriculum lessons, the children have been learning about kitchen safety and food hygiene. They have explored potential hazards and how to avoid them, as well as beginning to plan a recipe using seasonal produce and chocolate. We are looking forward to cooking next week! REMINDER:
- Children will need to bring in a container with a lid to take their chilli home.
- Please also ensure they have an apron.
- Cooking dates for each class can be found in Communication Books.
Many thanks to all of the parents who have offered to help—your support is greatly appreciated. If you are able to assist, please contact the school office . Thank you for your continued support.
PE Days Summer 2
5G
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
5A
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
5N
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
5F
- Indoor PE - Thursday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
Swimming
- 5N – Tuesday
- 5F – Tuesday
- 5G – Thursday
- 5A – Thursday
Year 6
There has been a real sense of anticipation across Year 6 this week as excitement continues to build ahead of next week's Ilam residential and Southend Week. Pupils have been eagerly discussing the activities and opportunities that lie ahead, and we are looking forward to sharing details of their adventures in future newsletters. In maths, pupils took part in a Maths Mission in which they were challenged to plan their own residential trip. Applying a range of mathematical skills, they carefully considered budgets, travel arrangements and accommodation costs. The task provided a realistic and engaging context in which to apply their learning, while also adding to the excitement surrounding next week's experiences. In English, pupils developed their discursive writing skills by considering the question: Should children have mobile phones? They explored arguments both for and against, carefully evaluating different viewpoints before constructing balanced and well-reasoned pieces of writing. It was pleasing to see pupils supporting their opinions with evidence while maintaining an objective and thoughtful approach. In RE, pupils carried out research into major world faiths and explored how religious beliefs can influence attitudes towards environmental responsibility. They considered how different faith communities encourage stewardship of the Earth and reflected on the ways beliefs can shape actions relating to climate change and sustainability.
PE Days Summer 2
6D
- Indoor - Wednesday
- Outdoor - Monday
6K
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Wednesday
6W
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Wednesday
6S
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Monday
Swimming
- 6D - Thursday
- 6S - Friday
- 6K - Friday
- 6W - Friday
Year 6 Summer Fayre Helpers
It has been a Fayre tradition to invite Year 6 students to help on a stall at the Fayre. They can choose a friend they would like to do it with. We just ask that they follow the rules of the game and only give prize stamps in line with the rules of the game. It’s a fun experience for them and we love them being part of our Fayre. If your child/children would like to volunteer, please complete the form below which is your consent allowing them to be at the Fayre on the 11th July. If you put their friend's name down, please check the friend's parents/carers have also completed the form. Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you and them at the Fayre.
Online Safety
Roblox is hugely popular with children, offering millions of user-created games and social experiences. This guide explains how the platform differs from traditional video games, and why its scale, self-rating system and automated moderation can expose young users to inappropriate content or unsafe interactions. Aimed at parents, the guide explores concerns including online communication, in-game spending and compulsive play. It also shares practical advice on parental controls, limiting chat and encouraging open conversations, helping adults support children to enjoy Roblox more safely and responsibly.
School News
Eco Warrior Toy Swap Success!
Last Thursday, our fantastic Eco Warriors hosted a joyful and eco-friendly Toy Swap event that brought smiles to faces across the school. Children arrived with an incredibly generous selection of toys, excited to exchange them for something new. From cuddly soft toys and engaging games to outdoor toys, collectable cards, and creative craft sets - there was an amazing variety for everyone to choose from. The Eco Warriors did a brilliant job organising the event. Giving up their own lunchtime, they carefully sorted and prepared all the swaps, having already collected the donated toys in the morning and exchanging them for tokens. In the afternoon, they guided their friends through the process with enthusiasm and confidence, showcasing the available items. The hall was filled with laughter and excitement as children proudly selected their new toys. Not only was it a fun and memorable experience, it also highlighted the importance of reusing and sharing—helping us all play our part in saving the planet. Well done to our Eco Warriors for such a successful and meaningful event!
Sports News
Sport Captains Lead the Way!
On Tuesday, our annual celebration of National School Sports Week took place with our Year 6 Sports Captains leading a range of activities for children from Year 1. They led activities from sports such as cricket, bowls and pickleball. Our Sports Captains demonstrated fantastic leadership and grew in confidence throughout the afternoon when delivering the activities. The Year 1 children all participated with great enthusiasm! Well done, Sports Captains!
Year 4 Rounders
A huge congratulations to the Year 4 rounders team who finished in second place in this week's Southend rounders competition! It was their first time playing on an actual rounders pitch after practising during our cricket and rounders club on the playground. They quickly developed effective fielding tactics and there were some incredible batting shots! This was a great experience for the children, particularly with it being the first time representing the school for many of the team. West Leigh beat Chalkwell, drew to Greenways and lost to Darlinghurst in their three matches.
Dinner Menu
Week 1
Monday - Homemade sausage, tomato & vegetable wholemeal pasta - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayo - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Sweetcorn, Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Cocktail Tuesday - Pork Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Quorn Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Granary Baguette with Tuna Mayonnaise - Pasta, Sweetcorn and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Flapjack Wednesday - Traditional Roast Chicken in Gravy - Quorn in Vegetable Gravy - Granary Baguette with Egg Mayonnaise - Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Carrots & Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Jelly Thursday - Beef Lasagne - Vegetable Lasagne - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayo - Garlic Bread and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cornflake Crunch Friday - 100% fish Fingers - Vegetable Fingers - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Potato Cubes, Baked Beans and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Ice Cream
Inspirational Person - Paddington Bear
A huge well done to all children who entered last half term's Showbie challenge - there were some superb medals and trophies created for Ernest Shackleton. As we approach the end of the school year, we are celebrating an inspirational character rather than a real-life figure — the much-loved Paddington Bear! Paddington is a wonderful example of our Golden Value of responsibility. Although he sometimes finds himself in tricky situations, he always does his very best to make things right. He takes ownership of his actions, shows honesty when things go wrong, and demonstrates resilience in putting them right again. What makes Paddington truly special is his determination to always do the right thing, even when it isn’t easy. Paddington reminds us that everyone makes mistakes, but it is how we respond to them that really matters. The last Showbie challenge of this year involves responding to a problem that Paddington has found himself in: he has been helping with the decorating but has made a huge mess! Your challenge is to decide how Paddington will fix the problem responsibly. You could complete this in a variety of ways: draw a picture to show his solution; write a short story to describe the problem and what Paddingotn does next or even create a comic strip to show Paddington’s response. Add your entries to Showbie or hand them to Mrs London - every entry receives a prize!
Sports Awards
Sports performer of the week: Nicole Chiwambu (4E) for scoring two rounders in the Year 4 competition, helping her team to secure 2nd place. Most improved in sport and PE Joshua Perrin (3L) for improvements in his cricket batting technique helping him to play a range of attacking shots.
Outside Achievements
Congratulations to Harry, and a selection of his friends, who completed the Pretty Muddy Kids 5K Run this weekend in support of Cancer Research UK. Through his fantastic fundraising efforts, Harry raised an impressive £650 for Cancer Research UK. The event involved running, climbing and overcoming muddy obstacles, making it a fun but challenging achievement. We are incredibly proud of Harry and his pals for their determination, community spirit and commitment to supporting such an important cause.
PTA
Community News
We've created a dedicated space on our website to share flyers for local events and community support. Click the link below to explore what's happening in our area.
Summer HAF programme 2026
We are delighted to share that HAF bookings will open on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The HAF programme is for pupils who get Benefits Related Free School Meals. Eligible pupils can attend up to 16 days over the summer holidays. The Eequ booking system will recognise eligible pupils. The HAF page on Livewell Southend will soon announce the list of providers.
SEND Surgery - 26 June
Are you a parent carer of a child or young person with SEND? Need some advice? Come along to our next friendly SEND Surgery on Friday 26 June 2026 at Cecil Jones Academy. There’s no need to book, just drop-in anytime between 9am and 11am. Your child does not need to be attending school, or attending Cecil Jones for you to come along. Any parent carer is welcome. Visit the Local Offer for further information including details of what services will be in attendance, and to see what other parents have said about SEND Surgeries
SNAP Survival Guides
SNAP Charity offers a variety of survival guides designed to help families cope with the summer holidays, school transitions and more. These guides provide key tips and ideas, along with useful information to make those sometimes difficult periods in the year a little easier.
Autumn 1 Term Diary Dates
September
- Tuesday 1st - Inset Day
- Wednesday 2nd - Children Return to School
- Wednesday 9th - Friday 11th - Year 5 Mersea Residential
- Monday 21st - Whole School Flu Vaccination
October
- Friday 23rd - INSET Day
- Monday 26th - Friday 30th - Half Term
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