Dear Parents and Carers,
What a final week we’ve had and as it should be, the week has been dominated by our Year 2 leavers!
At the start of the week, our Year 2s did themselves, their teachers, parents and the school, proud as they performed their Year 2 leavers show. After producing a great dress rehearsal to the whole school on Monday, they performed two absolutely amazing performances of their ‘Pirates vs Mermaids’ leavers show to parents. The narrators read clearly and with lovely expression, the costumes looked brilliant, the acting was great, the singing was phenomenal and the jokes were as bad as some of my own personal favourites from my book of terrible dad jokes!
But I can honestly say in over twenty years of teaching, I have never seen such a slick, well-rehearsed and ‘mini-professional’ production as the Year 2s gave us this week. All the hard work from children and staff has certainly paid off – well done to all involved!
A big thank you to everybody who came to our open afternoon on Monday. It was great to see so many parents and carers coming to have a look around the school. We hope you enjoyed seeing the children’s work, visiting the Portico Art and DT festival, and popping into your new classrooms for next year.
Just a couple of notices to be aware of for September…
Breakfast Club and After School Clubs will continue as normal next year, but will now be based in the Children’s Centre at the front of the school. Please enter via the front gate and the double doors at the front of the school. The staff will be on hand to greet you, but should the door be closed, there will be a doorbell to ring.
I would also like to share some news about swimming. Due to our own pool being out of action, we have managed to secure a pop-up pool to arrive for the first six weeks of the new school year. This will be shared with Hamstel Juniors, but we hope to be able to offer each of our KS1 children a crash swimming course where each year group will swim over a week. These sessions will remain completely FREE! Dates will be confirmed when we return after the summer break, but while nothing compares with having our own pool, I hope that this goes some way to showing how much we still value learning to swim as a crucial life skill.
So… we have now come to the end of this academic year and it seems unbelievable to say, the end of my own first year at Hamstel Infants – it has absolutely flown by but I could not have asked for a warmer welcome and such great support from children, parents, and staff alike.
A heart felt thank you to you all!
I hope you all have a fantastic summer full of fun, smiles, laughter and maybe some good weather thrown in too!
If your children are moving on to junior school, I wish you well for the future, and if your children are staying with us, we look forward to welcoming you all back to Hamstel Infants on Wednesday 4th September.
Enjoy the break!
Scott Roche
Principal
Diary Dates
September
- Tuesday 3rd - INSET DAY
- Monday 9th - Nursery & Reception Stay & Play with parents
- Tuesday 10th - Nursery & Reception Stay & Play without parents
- Wednesday 11th - Reception's first day
October
- Monday 14th - Nite Owls visiting Year 2
- Friday 18th - Jacqui Story Box Assembly
- Monday 21st - Year 2 Hyde Hall Trip
- Tuesday 22nd - Year 2 Hyde Hall Trip
- Friday 25th - Flu Immunisations
- Monday 28th - Friday 1st November - October Half Term
November
- Monday 4th - INSET Day
- Tuesday 5th - Individual & Sibling Photos
- Friday 22nd - Jacqui Story Box Assembly
December
Monday 23rd - Friday 3rd January - Christmas Break
February 2025
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Half Term
- Monday 24th - INSET Day
April 2025
- Monday 7th - Thursday 17th - Easter break
- Friday 18th - Good Friday
- Monday 21st - Bank Holiday Monday
May 2025
- Monday 5th - Bank Holiday Monday
- Monday 26th - Bank Holiday Monday
- Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th - May Half Term
June 2025
- Friday 20th - INSET Day
July 2025
- Tuesday 22nd - Last Day of Term
- Wednesday 23rd - INSET Day
Nursery
What a fantastic year it has been in Nursery. We have had amazing group of children who have all made amazing progress in all areas, which you and the children should be proud of. It has been a pleasure to teach your children and as many of them start their new chapter into Big school the Nursery Staff would like to thank all the grown-ups for your support this year.
We hope that you have a lovely summer holiday and look forward to seeing the children when they return in September.
Rainbow & Starlight
Rainbow
What a year it has been for Rainbow Room, settling into a new environment, meeting new people and learning new routines.
It has been a very busy time for the children, with a structured timetable, individual focus work, and group lessons, we have made it to the end. I would like to say a huge well done to all the children in Rainbow Room, you have made us proud with all your hard work and perseverance, good listening and understanding.
Have a lovely summer holiday, wishing you all lots of fun and laughter.
See you in September.
Starlight
What an amazing year it has been for the children in Starlight Room. They have all worked so hard and we are very proud of their achievements.
Reception Year
What an amazing year it has been for the Reception children. They have settled beautifully into Big School and made incredible progress in all areas, which the children and you should be extremely proud of.
The Reception Team would like to say a big thank you for all your support this year and for all the grown-ups that have supported with trips.
Letters sent home this week
Year One
Another school year has come to an end! It has been a fantastic year for all the children in Year 1. The children have worked exceptionally hard and we are all very proud of all their achievements.
We have loved watching the children develop and grow over the last year. The Year 1 staff would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support, it is very much appreciated.
We wish all the children a very happy and relaxing holiday and look forward to seeing them around school when they return as Year 2! Happy summer everyone!
Letters sent home this week
Year Two
What a week for our Year 2 children! A BIG WELL DONE to every single one of them for all the hard work and dedication that was put into the end of year performance, it was just brilliant!
The children have had a wonderful last week with us in the Infants, celebrating their time here with their friends and staff. The children have made amazing progress during their time with us, both in learning and socially and emotionally. We hope they have many fond memories of their learning, staff, friends and experiences. All the staff have felt honoured watching the children grow and develop into the young people they are today, who are now, more than ready to fly over the playground or to their new school to start the next stage of their journey.
We want to wish all the children all the best as they move on into Year 3 and the future.
Letters sent home this week
Hamstel Media Team
Our final mission as this year’s Media Team was to interview children and grown- ups about how they are feeling as we end the year at Hamstel Infants. We had our microphones and cameras at the ready and our questions prepared. Here is what some of the grown-ups had to say:
Maggie: It’s nearly the end of the year, how are you feeling?
Mr Sayer: The year has flown, hasn’t it? I’m feeling very proud of everyone and I will be missing all of Year 2.
Summer: What are you most proud of this year?
Miss Goodman: I am very proud of all of the children but especially Year 2 and their Pirates vs Mermaids performance. It has been fantastic!
Maggie: What are you most proud of this year?
Miss Iruskieta: Everyone, of course! Especially the whole of Year 2 and The Media Team.
Miss Whiston: I agree. We are so proud of everyone and we will definitely be missing Year 2 children.
We then asked a couple of children who had been in the fantastic end of year 2 show, ‘Pirates vs. Mermaids’, if we had permission to interview them and here is what our friends said:
Alfie: Are you excited to be going up to Year 3?
Didi: Absolutely. I am really excited about the stories I’m going to write and the challenges. Being Captain Scarypants has been a challenge but I have enjoyed it a lot.
Nicolas: Did you enjoy being part of Pirates vs Mermaids?
Elliot: Yes, I’ve loved it. I especially enjoyed singing the songs.
Summer: What was your favourite part of the show?
Isaac: Normally, I would say the songs but I fell off the stage today and it was very funny.
Nicolas: What was your favourite part of the show?
Othniel: My favourite part of the show was the crocodile being delivered and scaring the mermaids. That was hilarious.
Once again, we have had a brilliant time being journalists and we have really enjoyed talking to everyone. We think everyone is feeling excited about the summer holidays and we can’t wait to bring to you the coverage of the next events in September. That’s a wrap! Media Team over and out.
Team Hamstel Hops, Skips, and Jumps to Second Place!
Team Hamstel Hops, Skips, and Jumps to Second Place!Team Hamstel put on an impressive performance at the KS1 Borough Sports, showcasing their talent, determination, and teamwork throughout the event.
The event kicked off with the skipping relay. The girls’ team, won their heat comfortably, qualifying for the final. Not to be outdone, the boys' team also qualified first from their heat. In the final, both teams got off to a strong start and led the way, but due to tricky windy conditions and a couple of fumbles at the changeover, both teams finished in a very respectable 2nd place.
Next was the sprint relay. Despite super running, the girls' team couldn't quite put all their practice to work, with their changeovers being a bit too slow, resulting in a 6th place finish and missing out on the final. The boys' sprint team learned from the girls' performance and ensured their changeovers were smooth, finishing 2nd in their heat and making the final. After a great effort in the final, they finished 4th overall.
The space hopper relay followed, with the girls' team smashing their heat and winning by a considerable margin. The boys' team worked hard to finish 2nd in their heat. In the final, both teams performed admirably, with the girls finishing 2nd overall and the boys, 3rd.
The ever-tricky egg and spoon race saw many drops and scrambled eggs across all the races. The girls managed to finish 4th in their heat and 6th in the final. Unfortunately, the boys' team finished 5th in a very close race, just missing out on a final place.
The final race was the 10x70m relay, where every member of the team participated. The girls ran amazingly, finishing 3rd in their heat and securing a spot in the final. The boys followed suit, also finishing 3rd in their heat. After a quick team talk, the teams were ready for the final. The girls, with some fantastic runs, finished 5th overall. The boys, with excellent baton changes and super-fast running, secured 3rd place overall, overtaking a couple of teams that had beaten them in the heat.
The last announcement of the day revealed the overall results. Out of the 15 teams competing, Team Hamstel finished an impressive second overall, drawing loud cheers from the many supporting families.
Well done to the entire team for all their hard work and dedication, securing such a great result for the school. The team members were Harper, Lily, Saffi, Hanna, Amelie, Raymond, Chase, Albus, Ritchi, Didi, Daria, Rosie, Kevin, Douglas, Max, Seb, Elliot, Evie, Lyla, and Olivia. Congratulations to all!
Celebration Assembly - Enthusiasm & Determination
This weeks value has been 'Enthusiasm & Determination', below are highlights from around the classes.
Dinner menu
Week 1
Wednesday - Roast Chicken with Roast Potatoes & Gravy - Squash & Lentil Lasagne - Baked Jackets with Baked Beans - Tuna Sweetcorn Baguette - Cheese Sandwich - Seasonal Greens & Cauliflower - Cherry Cornflake Cake
Thursday - Chilli Con Carne with Steamed Rice - Vegan Bean Chilli with Steamed Rice - Pasta & Tomato Sauce - Tuna Mayo Sandwich - Cheese Salad Wrap - Broccoli & Carrots - Chocolate & Pear Sponge
Friday - Breaded Fish Fingers with Chips & Ketchup - Vegan Goujons with Chips & Ketchup - Baked Jackets with Grated Cheese - Ham Sandwich - Egg Mayo Baguette - Peas & Baked Beans - Banana Flapjack
Freshly Baked Bread - Carrots & Beetroot or Wholemeal Bread
Messages from the Office
This summer, Portico Academy will be running their second photography competition which will also become an online exhibition.
We would like to invite you all to take some snapshots that are linked to nature and the beautiful world of animals in action. You may take inspiration from interesting insects or animals found in your natural environments. Why not snap your own pet in action? Your entry must showcase animals ‘in action’, whether that is indoors or outside in the natural world. Whilst out and about this summer, can you find some minibeasts in action? Or maybe a naughty seagull along the seafront?
Please send your photographs to: ArtSubjectLeaders@porticoacademytrust.co.uk along with a title for your photography entry. You must include your full name, school and new class for September 2024. Please only send in one entry per child.
LOST PROPERTY
All uncollected lost property will be disposed of during the summer break.
MEDICINES
Reminder: Please could all medicines held by school be collected by parents/carers for children in Year 2 who will be leaving us. Any uncollected medication will be disposed of during the summer break.
CLUBS
Autumn term club offers for both Premier Education and Bricks 4 Kidz are open for booking snow - please see the clubs section at the end of the newsletter for more information.
Information on teacher-led clubs will be available when we return in September.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Attendance
Attendance Overall
Reception Year: Kingfisher Class - 93.9%
Reception Year Group overall - 92.6%
Year 1: Dragonfly & Newt Classes - 95.5%
Year 1 Group overall - 94.3%
Year 2: Fox Class - 95.6%
Year 2 Group overall - 94.7%
Whole School: 93.9%
If your child is going to be absent from school please contact the school office by 9am and leave a message on our answerphone or via ParentPay giving your child's name, class and specific reason for their absence.
Any planned absence for example medical appointments should be advised to the school office with a copy of the confirmation letter or text being provided. For other absence i.e weddings, holidays etc then a Leave of Absence Request form should be completed in advance. Copies of this can be obtained from the school office.
Clubs
Art Club, Cookery Clubs, Dance Club and Singing Club have now all finished.
We have details of the club offers for both Premier Education Clubs and Bricks 4 Kidz Clubs for the new Autumn Term. Please see the flyers below.
Details of teacher-led clubs will be sent out early in the new term.
Premier Education
Bookings are open now for children who will be in Year 1 or Year 2 from September.
For before school clubs run by Premier Education drop-off is in our Infant School Hall. Enter through the Poynings Avenue gate and walk across the playground. The register will be taken by the club coach and once the club is finished children will be taken to their classrooms. Please arrive promptly.
For clubs after school run by Premier Education collection is from the Infant School Hall. Enter through the Poynings Avenue gate and walk across the playground. Children will have been escorted to the club by school staff for the start.
Collection time for all Premier Education after school clubs is 4.15pm. Premier Education staff will telephone parents/carers of any uncollected children after 5 minutes. Any child not collected after 10 minutes will be escorted to Hamstel Infant School & Nursery After School Club and a fee of £7.00 will be charged.
If you are unavoidably delayed please telephone the school emergency telephone number on 07526 079300 to speak with a staff member of our After School Club.
Bricks4Kidz Club
Bookings are open now for children who will be in Year 1 or Year 2 from September.
Bricks4Kidz Club is held in our Welcome classroom. Collection for this club is from the Reception Learning Garden (No mow) outside Woodpecker Class.
Collection time for the club is 4.15pm. Any child not collected after 10 minutes will be escorted to Hamstel Infant School & Nursery After School Club and a fee of £7.00 will be charged.
If you are unavoidably delayed please telephone the school emergency telephone number on 07526 079300 to speak with a staff member of our After School Club.