13th June 2025
save the date
Every Thursday in term time – Tiny Tiddlers - 8.50am – 10.30am
Wednesday 18th June – KS2 Sports Day – Yr 3 & 4 – 9.30am – 11am Yr 5 & 6 – 1.45pm – 3pm
Thursday 19th June – PTA Summer Fete – 3.30pm – 6pm
Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th June – Year 6 PGL and PGL at Home
Thursday 26th June – Year 5 trip to Nuclear Wild Forest
Friday 4th July – Whole school transition
Monday 7th July – EYFS &Yr 1 & 2 Sports Day – 9.30am – 11am
Wednesday 9th July – Year 4 trip to Thriftwood – no later than 8.10am arrival at the academy
Thursday 10th July – Art Exhibition 3.15 – 5pm
Tuesday 22nd July – Year 6 Leavers Disco
Wednesday 23rd July – Year 6 Leavers Assembly
Wednesday 23rd July – Academy closes for summer holidays
Message
Dear parents & carers,
I would like to start with some great news!
We have been recognised at the highest level for our PE provision - a celebration of five consecutive years of continuous quality provision and evidence against the ‘school games’ criteria. Our pathways to Platinum started in 2018 with a five year vision. This was paused during the pandemic, although our team continued to provide motivational sports challenges. Now five validated years later …. we have reached our ambition! Mr Felton’s ambition to take PE at Darlinghurst to new heights has been evidenced time and again with movement through divisions and achievements in the top three for a multitude of sports. Together, with Mr Blewett
they have formed teams at competition level that have shown mastery in their sport. Mr Blewett is taking the football team to the Essex Finals, our athletes came 5th in Borough Sports this week and heading to Super Sports with an array of children who came first or second in their events. We are also inclusive and engage in a number of events that support those who may be less inclined to engage in PE or those with additional needs. The joy and increased confidence that this creates is delightful!
Well done team. Well done children. Well done parents and carers who support all our events!
The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme. It celebrates schools' commitment to developing competitive sport within their school and community. It allows schools to assess their PE provision and create an action plan for improvement.
Applications are assessed against the set criteria once submitted. This determines whether the school qualifies for bronze, silver, or gold. A platinum award is available for schools that achieve gold consistently. The platinum award is valid for two years. Guidance documents are available in the resource library for registered schools.
This leads me on to a wider celebration of the staff.
Mark your calendars – Wednesday 18th June 2025 is National Thank a Teacher Day, and it’s time to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible people who make Darlinghurst the wonderful place it is. This annual celebration is more than just a thank you – it’s a moment to recognise everyone who plays a role in education. From dedicated teachers and teaching assistants to office staff, admin staff, support workers, and site managers – it takes a whole community to educate and inspire children and I am grateful for each and every staff member that is part of the Darlinghurst Family.
Ahead of the day, I wanted to share a message about how we can get involved from shout outs, to positive notes to sending a free thankyou message or by sharing #ThankaTeacherDay on social media. Let’s give a heartfelt thankyou to the amazing people who make our school the wonderful place it us.
Thank a Teacher Form - Thank a Teacher (Should you send a message please enter the following email generalenquiries@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk)
I am forever grateful to the team. For their commitment and care to each other, our children and Darlinghurst as a whole. They have been invested on our journey and day to day provision making our school a caring, welcoming place. With a long-standing team – we are truly like a family. As children learn their ABC’, I thought for this year I would show thanks with my A-Z for the staff.
Finally, the Darlinghurst choir performed at the Junior Music Festival last night, taking the audience on a flight of music across the decades. The choir sang with joy and energy – spreading this across the theatre and into our hearts. Huge thanks to Mrs Stevens and Mrs Alexander who stepped forward to run choir this term ensuring they had their chance on the stage. True supporters of the children and their passions and an example of the Darlinghurst Family.
As always, enjoy your family time together.
Mrs Nicholls
in the spotlight
Borough Sports
This week saw our KS2 Borough Sports in action at the annual athletics competition. This is the biggest competition of the year with over 2000 children competing over the two-day event. As I’m sure you already know we are in the top division for this event and so the competition is fierce. Months of preparation and practice have gone into this event with many of our children giving up their lunchtimes to practice their events.
As always our children represented brilliantly with so many of them coming away with individual medals. At the end of the day we finished 5th overall………that’s 5th in the entire borough and something we are very proud of.
A special mention must be made to Albie in year 4 who won gold in his sprint event, later finding out he was only 1 hundredth off a second of the borough record which has stood for many years. With Super Sports coming up he will get another chance to try and beat this record, so watch this space! Well done everyone.
Junior Music Festival
On Thursday, the choir attended the Junior Music Festival at the Cliffs Pavilion. This year’s theme was ‘Retro Classics’ and the choir sang a variety of songs from over the decades, Some of their favourites being ‘Proud Mary,’ ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music’
Our choir showed real determination to learn all the songs ready for their performance. This event, run by SEESMA, is an amazing opportunity to be part of as it provides them with a sense of belonging through singing with other local schools from the area and confidence to stand up on stage and perform to a packed audience. They all performed with the biggest smiles on their face and shone like stars. Well done everyone, we are very proud of you all!
Art Exhibition
We are excited to invite you to our summer art exhibition, ‘Climate Change’ on Thursday 10th July. We have a collection of artworks across generations, from our Tiny Tiddlers to our friends at Bluebird Care and Admiral Court. We would love to see you all there!
PTA
Cliffs Pavilion Pantomime Tickets – Cinderella
You shall go to the ball this Christmas with Rylan, who will be starring in this year's pantomime, Cinderella, at the Cliffs Pavilion as the ‘Fairy Godfather’!
We have a limited supply of tickets available for sale on ParentPay for the 7pm performance on Saturday 13th December 2025.
All tickets are downstairs in the side and rear stalls area of the Cliffs Pavilion. We are selling them for just £28 each, a fantastic saving on the full price! Any profit raised by organising this event will be used to promote the arts within Darlinghurst Academy.
Book your tickets before the clock strikes midnight on Friday 12th September 2025!
darlinghurst academy
Pavilion Drive
Leigh on Sea
Essex
SS9 3JS
contact us
T. 01702 478379