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save the date

Every Thursday in term time – Tiny Tiddlers - 8.50am – 10.30am

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,

This week we have had array of events within the academy and the wider community with sporting events and fun days.

Our sports days started with Lower Key stage 2 and Upper Key stage 2 on Wednesday. The children were welcomed to the field by our cheer squad DA Darlings who then opened the event with a cheer. Children rotated around the activities led by their peers or students from Belfair’s or college. It is wonderful to see past pupils and older children studying sports join in. Parents and carers watched from the sidelines and encouraged their children and friends along. The winning house was HMS Raleigh for both lower and upper key stage 2!!

Bethany and Delilah from year 3 had custom made t shirts for their house colours and teams. They looked absolutely fabulous!

Our rounders team had recently qualified for the Essex Finals, having reached 2nd in the Southend heat. 12 schools were in the Essex finals. It is important to note that 542 schools are within Essex so to be competing along the top 10 is an achievement in itself. The team reached 4th position in the final. Such an achievement!

This week we received our plaque and banner for achieving the Eco flag with distinction again! This is the second year to be recognised at this level. To be given this status the Eco Committee have worked on saving water, reducing litter and reducing air pollution.

On Thursday, the PTA held their summer fete after having it postponed due to high winds. This time the sun shone brightly and everyone enjoyed the fun. Well done to the PTA team for laying on such a fabulous event.

The sun is set to continue to shine over the coming week with some high temperatures. Please ensure your children have suncream and hats, as well as water bottles so they can stay hydrated. We will be seeking shade and cooler spaces to help battle the heat. There maybe adjustments to timings outside if this is deemed necessary to reduce the amount of time in the sun.

We remind our children to stay safe by using the phrase

This Saturday we have Summer Fest, our festival for our newcomers to Reception. The event includes activities run by our Early Years teachers, PE and Outdoor learning staff. Introducing our specialism from the Early Years is a great way to develop skills and interests. By the time the children leave in year six they are highly skilled and many develop talents in these areas.

Next week the year 6 children are off to their residential at Marchant Hill in Surrey. They will be taken by Mrs Dunne, Mrs Lee, Mr Felton and Mr Blewett and I would like to thank them for taking them, year on year. I know that it is extremely busy and often means less sleep. It will be hot too!

Those that are not going to the residential are not missing out with planned activities here at school and a trip to the Nuclear Forest. Thank you to the home team for making this time special.

As always, enjoy your family time together.

Mrs Nicholls

in the spotlight

Eco-schools Green Flag

This week we are proud to say we were rewarded the Eco-schools Green Flag Award with distinction for the fourth year in a row!

The Eco Committee and Eco Club have worked hard all year on issues related to saving water, reducing litter and reducing air pollution at school and in our local community working with Trustlinks and Anglian Water as well as meeting virtually with other Eco Committees. They have raised money for Oxfam, planted trees, created posters, written to the council and carried out litter picks including at Chalkwell Beach. They have even managed to get a banner for our school about reducing car idling too! A huge congratulations to all our staff and children for their support in what has been a whole-school effort!

Eco-schools said:

“Your greatest success was reducing litter in the school grounds and local area. This will greatly enhance the pupils' awareness of litter-related issues, fostering a long-term commitment to maintaining cleaner, greener communities and inspiring Eco-friendly behaviours in others. Your application has truly impressed our team. You've changed behaviours, inspired others, and made a significant impact. Our only advice is to continue building on your wonderful achievements next year. Great work!”

Samara, Year 4: “I’m so pleased my letter was read by a local councillor and we now have a banner encouraging people to switch off their engines!”

Louis, Year 5: “I’m so excited and proud of what we have achieved.”

Thank a Teacher Day

On Wednesday, we celebrated our wonderful teachers. We see them almost every day and they are a big part of our lives, teachers and support staff help our children learn and grown and it was the ideal opportunity to recognise all that they do and say ‘THANK YOU!’

Some of our children and families wanted to send personal messages to their teacher or to our support staff. They loved receiving them and made everyone smile.

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!

Year 5 – Secondary schools open evenings

If your child is due to start secondary school in September 2026, open evenings will commence next week. Please find below a reminder of these dates.

Ice cream van

Little Nancy Rossi ice cream van will be visiting the academy again on Monday 23rd June. She will be located on the KS2 playground after pickup for anyone who would like an after school treat!

Cash and card payments accepted.

Outside clubs

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!

attendance

proud to be me