Good Afternoon,
I wanted to send a quick message to say thank you for being patient with us as we roll out our new communication and payments system, Arbor. It is a significant upgrade on our previous system and should make things smoother in the long run. The office staff have worked incredibly hard over the summer term and during the holidays to get things up and running as it is a huge job to change over so many processes without interrupting the running of the school. I am incredibly grateful for their hard work.
There will inevitably be some teething problems as parents and staff learn the finer details of the system and we thank you for your patience while we work through these. Hopefully any problems have been small and quickly resolved.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Aggus
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Autumn 1 Diary Dates - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6 - Online Safety
Dinner Menu - Healthy Schools - Book Shop - Attendance - Sports Awards
Autumn 1 Diary Dates
September
- Monday 15th - Year 5/6 Cross Country Trials
- Tuesday 16th - Year 3/4 Boys' Football match V Chalkwell
- Wednesday 17th - Friday 19th - Year 5 Residential
- Wednesday 17th - Year 6 Height & Weight Check
- Year 6 Boys' Table Tennis Competition AM
- Year 6 Girls' Table Tennis Competition PM
- Monday 22nd - Cross Country Squad Training
- Tuesday 23rd - Wednesday 24th - Year 5 Walk It training
- Wednesday 24th - Coastal Schools (4E)
- Friday 26th - Southend Cross Country Competition
- Tuesday 30th - Coastal Schools (4SW)
October
- Thursday 2nd - Friday 3rd - Show Racism the Red Card workshops
- Monday 6th - Year 6 Curriculum meeting
- Tuesday 7th - Coastal Schools (4C)
- Year 4 Curriculum meeting
- Wednesday 8th - Year 6 TAG Rugby Competition
- Year 5 Curriculum meeting
- Thursday 9th - Coastal Schools (4B)
- Year 3 Curriculum meeting
- Monday 13th - Individual and Sibling Photos
- Tuesday 14th - Individual and Sibling Photos
- Wednesday 15th - Cross Country Competition
- Friday 17th - Food Collection for Southend Foodbank
- Year 5/6 Girls Football Competition
- Monday 20th - Coastal Schools (4E)
- Tuesday 21st - Learning Conferences
- Tuesday 22nd - Year 3 Visit to Barleylands
- Thursday 23rd - Learning Conferences
- Monday 27th - Friday 31st - Half Term
Year 3
The children have really begun to settle into life in the juniors this week as normal routines have continued to be established.
In English, we have been consolidating the different sentence types: statements, commands, questions and exclamations, along with the all-important accompanying punctuation. With a focus on Stone Age animals, the children then built on these sentences, using conjunctions and descriptive language to combine them into an interesting paragraph about a Stone Age animal of their choice. Along with this, our layered reading book Stone Age Boy has provided the children with an insight into Stone Age daily life and it was great fun to compare this with how we live today.
Maths lesson have focused on place value, with the children developing their skills to solve problems. They have also been working on representing numbers in a variety of ways, using concrete materials, visual representations, digits and words. The maths website, Maths With a Mouse has been introduced to the children and great fun has been had exploring the games found there to support their learning.
In science, the children have been thinking about the different types of diets eaten by animals including carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. Some interesting discussions were held around what else these groups of animals may have in common.
A variety of unfamiliar objects from the Stone Age were examined, sketched and thought about in our Connected Curriculum lessons. It was brilliant to see the children use detailed observation and reasoning skills to try to determine what they were used for and who would have used them.
The children will be bringing home spellings in their Communication Books today. Please note that these will be tested on Wednesday.
Please check your children’s Communication Book for the day when their swimming kit is needed in school so that lessons are not missed. Thank you for your help.
REMINDERS: We would be very grateful for adult volunteers to help walk the children to Belfairs Woods on the following dates in the afternoon:
- 3T & 3M - Monday 22nd September
- 3H & 3L - Wednesday 24th September
Please email the school office if you are able to help and further information will follow. Thank you.
Spellings will ordinarily be available through Spelling Shed and Showbie. However, this week they will only be on Spelling Shed.
PE Days
3T
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
3H
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
3L
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
3M
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
Swimming
- 3H - Monday
- 3L – Tuesday
- 3T – Wednesday
- 3M – Wednesday
Letters sent home this week
Whole School - Tennis Club - 05.09.2025
Year 4
The children have now fully settled into their Year 4 classes and have been working very hard.
In English, they have continued to explore the animation of an archaeologist called Tadeo Jones. They have used this stimulus to write sentences containing fronted adverbials and subordinating conjunctions. In addition, they used ‘show, not tell’ in their written work to enhance their descriptive skills.
In maths lessons, we have continued to focus on place value. The children have demonstrated their knowledge by partitioning numbers up to 10,000. They applied this skill, enabling them to compare and order numbers using the correct mathematical symbols. Some groups also practised adding and subtracting 1000 to numbers up to 100,000. Other children also practised counting in 25s from a variety of numbers.
In science, the children have investigated the role of teeth and their part in the digestion process. They have used correct scientific vocabulary to identify types of teeth and their purpose.
As historians, the children have identified sources of evidence, sorted them into categories and assessed their reliability. They have also looked at some key events within Ancient Egypt, including when the pharaohs ruled; these were ordered chronologically on a timeline before comparing with other events throughout history.
REMINDERS: 4SW and 4E still require parents to assist with their Thursday PE lessons at ‘fields’ every Thursday until 23rd October. The timings are 1:45pm-3:00pm. Please let the office or your child’s teacher know if you are able to help. Many thanks.
PE Days
4B
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
4E
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
4SW
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
4C
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
Swimming
- 4B - Monday
- 4SW - Monday
- 4C - Wednesday
- 4E - Friday
Letters sent home this week
Whole School - Tennis Club - 05.09.2025
Year 5
It has been another exciting week in Year 5, and we are only two weeks through the first half term! We literally began the week with a bit of a bang, when a Saxon Warrior invaded! Luckily, Aethelwulf Chicken-Legs came in peace, only intending to teach our very own warriors all about why the Saxons came to our island and how they lived their lives. The children enjoyed a vast array of hands-on experiences, including trying on Saxon clothing, grinding grain, playing Saxon board (Nine Men’s Morris) and dice games, even handling (safe) Saxon weapons and trying to pick up a chain mail vest! We ended the day with learning all about how William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings (ably aided by some of the teachers in starring roles) and learnt how to create a Saxon shield wall. It was a wonderful day, full of good quality learning and great fun!
In English lessons, we completed our biography writing. The children used their research notes to write in detail about the life and adventures of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. They demonstrated their understanding of a range of sentence structures and varied openers. We also focused on the more informal style of diary writing, comparing and contrasting this with biographical writing, whilst practising to use relative clauses to add detail to simple sentences.
In maths lessons, the children have been practising their addition and subtraction skills. They began the week by demonstrating a range of mental arithmetic methods, including using place value knowledge, rounding, adjusting and counting forward and backwards. We also reviewed formal methods of addition and subtraction, with a focus on accuracy when calculating with larger numbers.
As part of their history learning, the children considered some significant dates including some of the major turning points that have impacted people’s lives. Studying a timeline of events from when the Romans left Britain to the Battle of Hastings, the children were tasked with giving reasons for why these events happened and why they were significant.
Science lessons were also fun-filled this week, as the children reviewed their knowledge of friction whilst attempting to solve the big question, ‘Which surface creates the most friction?’. Using a ramp covered in different surfaces, a weighted shoe and a force meter, the children were challenged to carry out an investigation, selecting the best method in which to collect and present their findings. They went onto demonstrate their understanding by writing a conclusion that analysed the properties of the materials tested.
PE Days
5G
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
5A
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
5N
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
5F
- Indoor PE - Thursday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
Swimming
- 5N – Tuesday
- 5F – Tuesday
- 5G – Thursday
- 5A – Thursday
Letters sent home this week
Whole School - Tennis Club - 05.09.2025
Year 6
Year 6 have continued to impress us with their focus and enthusiasm as they deepen their understanding across the curriculum.
In English, pupils have been developing their reading skills and, for those preparing for selection, there has been an opportunity to attempt past papers in exam conditions. This was followed by a review session, demonstrating how active reading and genuine engagement with a text can make a passage more interesting and far easier to understand.
In maths, the children have explored positive and negative numbers, applying their reasoning to a range of problems. Those working towards selection also had the chance to practise and review an 11+ paper, reflecting on strategies for success.
Connected Curriculum lessons have focused on migration and its impact on Britain throughout history. Pupils identified the many factors that have influenced migration and considered the evidence that helps us understand these changes. They also began exploring the complex events that led to the outbreak of the Second World War, linking this learning to our wider historical studies.
In science, pupils built on their prior knowledge of electrical circuits by creating and testing a range of examples in class. They went onto apply this understanding to draw accurate rectilinear diagrams representing their circuits.
It has been a purposeful and engaging week of learning, and the children should feel proud of their growing skills and knowledge.
PE Days
6D
- Indoor - Wednesday
- Outdoor - Tuesday
6K
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Monday
6W
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Monday
6S
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Tuesday
Swimming
- 6D - Thursday
- 6S - Friday
- 6K - Friday
- 6W - Friday
Letters sent home this week
Online Safety
Most smartphones and tablets allow parents and carers to choose which apps and features appear on their child’s device and which ones don’t – also preventing young people from buying and downloading anything that’s unsuitable for their age. These guides to parental controls for managing apps on iPhones and Android devices will help you to reduce the chance of your child using a game or app that might not be appropriate for their age.
Dinner Menu
Week 3
Monday - Homemade Macaroni Cheese with Garlic Bread - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Wholemeal Wrap with Tuna Mayonnaise - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt and Raspberry Mousse
Tuesday - Pork Meatballs in Tomato Gravy - Vegan Meatballs - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Rice, Sweetcorn, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Chocolate Cherry Cake
Wednesday - Chicken Nuggets - Vegetable Nuggets - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Curly Fries, Spaghetti Hoops and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cornflake Cake
Thursday - Homemade Beef Spaghetti Bolognaise - Homemade Quorn Spaghetti Bolognaise - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt and Fruit Biscuit
Friday - Cheese and Tomato Pizza with Tortilla Chips - Vegan Pizza with Torilla Chips - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Homemade Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Jelly
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.
Autumn 2 Term Diary Dates
November
- Wednesday 5th - Year 6 Basketball Competition
- Year 6 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Friday 7th - Team Challenge
- Monday 10th - Resilience Workshop (select Year 6 children)
- Tuesday 11th - Flu Immunisations
- General Knowledge Quiz Club Area Heat
- Wednesday 12th - Year 5 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Year 4 Dodgeball Competition
- Thursday 13th - Coastal Schools(4SW)
- Friday 14th - Children in Need
- Year 5/6 Boys' Football
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Year 6 Test Week
- Tuesday 18th - Year 5 Performance to Parents @ 2.15pm - 5N and 5A
- Wednesday 19th - Year 6 - Young Shakespeare Macbeth
- Year 4 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Year 6 Dodgeball Competition
- Thursday 20th - Year 5 Performance to Parents @ 2.15pm - 5G and 5F
- Monday 24th - Wednesday 3rd - Assessment Weeks for Years 3 - 5
- Monday 24th - Friday 28th - Book Fair
- Coastal Schools (4C)
- Wednesday 26th - Year 3 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Goalball Competition
December
- Tuesday 2nd - Flu Immunisation mop-up
- Year 3 Presentation to Parents @ 2.15pm - 3M and 3H
- Wednesday 3rd - Year 3 Christmas Decoration Morning
- Thursday 4th - Year 5 Christmas Decoration Morning
- Year 3 Presentation to Parents @ 2.15pm - 3T and 3S
- Friday 5th - Christmas Decorations Years 4 and 6 - times TBC
- Monday 8th - Rehearsal at St Margaret's AM
- Tuesday 9th - Coastal Schools (4B)
- Christmas Carol Service @ 7pm
- Wednesday 10th - Handball Competition (Year 6)
- Friday 19th - INSET DAY
- Monday 22nd - Friday 2nd January - Christmas Break
Credits:
Created with images by mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date." • ImageFlow - "Kid boy with phone, cybersecurity hologram and padlock circuit" • ercan senkaya - "full lunch service station" • Dusan Petkovic - "Adorable curious caucasian little girl with eyeglasses standing in bookstore and reading interesting book. All around are books on shelves." • Win Nondakowit - "Kid hand with trophy cup" • AungMyo - "Silhouette of happy children standing with raised hands on the mountain at the sunset time." • mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date."