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Autumn 1 Diary Dates - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6 - Arbor - Online Safety
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Sports Awards - Achievements - Community - Autumn 2 Diary Dates
Autumn 1 Diary Dates
September
- Tuesday 30th - Coastal Schools (4SW)
October
- Wednesday 1st - Newsies Workshop - Year 5
- Year 6 Tag Rugby B Competition
- Year 6 Height & Weight check
- Thursday 2nd - Cross Country Squad Training
- Show Racism the Red Card workshops
- Year 6 Parish Cup Football Fixture vs Northwick Park
- Friday 3rd - Show Racism the Red Card workshops
- Year 5 disco
- Monday 6th - Year 6 Curriculum meeting
- Year 5/6 Girls' Football Essex Cup
- Newsies Auditions - Year 5
- Tuesday 7th - Coastal Schools (4C)
- Year 4 Curriculum meeting
- Wednesday 8th - Newsies Workshop - Year 6
- Year 6 Tag Rugby A Competition
- Year 5 Curriculum meeting
- Thursday 9th - Coastal Schools (4B)
- Year 3 Curriculum meeting
- Cross Country Squad Training
- Monday 13th - Individual and Sibling Photos
- Newsies Jr Auditions Year 6
- Year 6 Netball Fixture
- Tuesday 14th - Individual and Sibling Photos
- Wednesday 15th - Cross Country Competition
- Thursday 16th - Year 6 Netball Fixture
- Year 5/6 Boys' Football Fixture
- Friday 17th - Harvest Collection for Southend Foodbank
- Year 5/6 Girls Football Competition
- Monday 20th - Coastal Schools (4E)
- Newsies Jr Auditions Year 4
- Tuesday 21st - Learning Conferences
- Panathlon @ London Aquatic Centre
- Wednesday 22nd -Newsies Workshop - Year 3
- Year 3 Visit to Barleylands
- Thursday 23rd - Learning Conferences
- Monday 27th - Friday 31st - Half Term
Year 3
Year 3 have enjoyed a fantastic week, highlighted by their very first school trip to Belfairs Woods. The children thoroughly embraced the experience, exploring the woodland and imagining what life might have been like for Stone Age people. A particular highlight was the scavenger hunt, where they worked together to collect natural items such as berries and leaves that could have been used to create paints in the past.
In English, the children thoroughly enjoyed watching their teacher demonstrate how to make a jam sandwich badly, helping them understand the importance of giving clear and precise instructions. This activity supported their learning of adverbs of time and manner. They also practised making notes while carefully observing their teacher demonstrate how to ‘age paper’, before using these notes to plan their own instructions with a strong focus on chronological order. The children then organised their ideas and produced clear, well-sequenced instructional sentences.
In maths, the children developed their reasoning skills while learning to compare objects and justify their answers. They practised ordering numbers, identifying the smallest and largest within a selection, and explored the terms greater than and less than. They also worked with a range of measurements, including kilograms, grams, pounds, and pence. Their understanding of place value was further strengthened through practical use of dienes and place value charts.
In science, the children investigated the human skeleton. They had the opportunity to plan their own scientific enquiries, pose thoughtful questions, make predictions, and devise methods to find answers. The children especially enjoyed creating their own enquiry questions and exploring the world of science through hands-on investigation.
The Year 3 team wish you a lovely, well-rested weekend!
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
Year 4
We have had another busy and productive week in Year 4.
In English, we identified the key features of information texts, teaming up to refine and annotate an example that needed improvement. Focusing on Cleopatra, we grouped key facts and details under appropriate subheadings before turning these into questions. The children were given a set of topic-based words and they used dictionaries to create their own glossaries. They also practised using standard English with a formal tone, rewriting a weak information text to make it accurate and well-structured.
As mathematicians, we practised formal methods of addition and subtraction, focusing on the importance of the correct layout and place value. Some children used rounding skills to estimate answers, while others solved problems involving both operations.
In science, the children have worked in groups to construct a series of food chains - each one starting with a green plant. They had to identify the producers and consumers within each food chain created.
As historians, we have studied ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses and created fact files about them. We have also investigated and performed the mummification process. The children used a special blend of salt and bicarbonate of soda to mummify tomatoes.
On Wednesday, 4E had had the pleasure of attending Coastal Schools. Whilst there, they became ‘beach detectives’ and learnt lots about the beach and the surrounding area. Great fun was had by all. Thank you to all parents who accompanied us.
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
Year 5
This week, the children came into school well-rested and full of stories about their adventures at Mersea.
In English lessons, we progressed to letter writing. We began our learning by comparing the use of personal and impersonal language and tone in a letter. Next, using an example of an informal letter to his wife, they planned and wrote a letter from Shackleton to his investors, using an impersonal tone.
This week, the children have benefited from Walk-it training in readiness for many of them to begin walking to school alone. They have learnt how and where to cross roads safely and to consider potential risks and obstructions they may have to navigate on all their walking journeys.
In maths lessons, the children looked at how to keep their money safe whilst online as well as the risks associated with buying online and how they can spot and avoid potential scams. In other lessons, they have been learning to apply their times tables knowledge to finding factors and common factors and practising multiplying numbers by 10, 100 and 1000.
Considering why people decide to move to another country and where they settle has been the newsworthy topic of this week's Connected Curriculumn lessons. We have reviewed the origins of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes and learnt about the reasons they settled in England. We then considered what people need and look for when settling, comparing these to our needs today. Thinking like a Saxon settler, they wrote diary entries, discussing their journey and their requirements for settling in their chosen area.
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
Year 6
Year 6 have enjoyed another purposeful week of learning, exploring a range of fascinating themes across the curriculum.
In science, pupils investigated switches in electrical circuits, learning about how they work, the different types available, and testing which materials can be used to construct them effectively. This practical enquiry helped to strengthen their understanding of how circuits function and can be controlled.
Connected Curriculum has provided rich opportunities in both art and history. As artists, pupils developed their knowledge of perspective, discovering how its use has changed throughout history. They explored orthogonal lines and one-point perspective, applying these techniques in their initial sketches with great care and skill. As historians, they analysed propaganda from the Second World War, considering how both the British and German governments used posters to influence opinion. Pupils examined the use of colour, language and imagery, discussing the purpose and impact of each design.
In English, Year 6 have studied Pie Corbett’s The Gas Mask, analysing its structure and using it as a model to develop their own World War II-inspired narratives. They planned their ideas carefully and have now begun to write their stories, applying a wide range of narrative techniques to capture the atmosphere and emotions of the time.
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
Arbor Hints and Tips
Breakfast and After School Club
To change or cancel Breakfast or After School Club you need to contact the office. Parents are unable to change/amend their own bookings.
If your child is booked into After School Club or Breakfast Club, it will show on their calendar, however it will not show which session your child it booked in for. It only shows After School Club or Breakfast Club and the full times that it runs for.
Clubs
The process for booking clubs: select Clubs, choose the club you wish to book onto, click on Register Child’s name for this club (green button), scroll down to the Choose Membership section and select the session, click on Next and on Choose Membership Periods and select the dates and click on Apply. Click on Next and then scroll down and make payment, click on Make Payment. Arbor will not provide confirmation of the payment going through, instead the payment screen will reappear. Press the option to move back a step and it will confirm your booking or you can check whether you have been sent an invoice.
Places are not officially given without payment.
If a club shows on your calendar, then you have booked and paid for the club
School Meals
Funds needs to be on the account to enable meal bookings to be made. If a child is confirmed as absent during registration the meal is automatically removed and not charged for later in the day. Once meals have been selected for the day/week you must click on ‘process’ for the booking to go through.
To make or change a lunch booking:
If using the Arbor App, click on the three lines on the left hand side, select Meals, choose Autumn Menu 2025. Any meals you have booked will show here under each day. If you need to change a lunch (e.g. changing choice or changing from school lunch to packed lunch), click on the day you wish to amend and make the change.
If you’re using the Arbor website, click on Quick Actions, Meals and then on Autumn Menu 2025 Meal choices available. Any meals you have booked will show here under each day. If you need to change a lunch (e.g. changing choice or changing from school lunch to packed lunch), click on the day you wish to amend and make the change.
If you have booked a school lunch and decide to bring a packed lunch instead, you will need to amend this on Arbor by 9.00am on the day.
Unfortunately there is no confirmation given when a meal has been booked. You would need to look on the days of the week and check the meal is there.
Swimming and Instrument Tuition
Both Swimming Contributions and Instrument Tuition are found under the Trips section.
Online Safety
They might not be able to pinpoint a location on a map, and they might not fully grasp the historical and political drivers behind certain conflicts – but in this age where news, images and video can cross continents in seconds, many children are able to access distressing news at the touch of a button. This could, of course, cause youngsters extreme distress and worry.
Our guide contains some valuable pointers for supporting children to deal with upsetting content they’ve encountered online, whether it involves conflicts, ongoing worries over the environment, or something else entirely. Our tips will assist trusted adults in helping children to process any negative emotions they may be feeling.
Dinner Menu
Week 2
Monday - Homemade Tomato and Vegetable Wholemeal Pasta Bake with Garlic Bread - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Doughnuts
Tuesday - All Day Breakfast (Sausage, Beans and Hasg Brown) - Vegetarian All Day Breakfast (Vegetarian Sausage, Beans and Hasg Brown) Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Scrambled Egg and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Jelly
Wednesday - Traditional Roast Chicken in Gravy - Quorn in Vegetable Gravy - Granary Baguette with Egg Mayonnaise - Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Carrots and Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Chocolate Prune Cake
Thursday - Homemade Lasagne - Homemade Vegetables and 5 Bean Lasagne - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Garlic Bread and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Biscuit
Friday - 100% Fish Fingers - Vegetable and Cheese Bake - Granary Baguette with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Chips, Sweetcorn, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh fruit, Yoghurt or Ice Cream Sponge
School News
Year 5 Local Visits
On Wednesday morning, our non-Mersea contingent waved their friends and classmates off, ready and excited to begin their own adventures. After sorting themselves into groups, the children planned a selection of dishes; visited the shop to buy ingredients, then set about creating an array of tasty treats. They demonstrated fantastic cooking skills and awareness of potential risks. By the end of a couple of very intense hours, they had created a feast of Margherita pizza, vegan pancakes, chocolate chip cookies and brownies! Then the tasting began – and they were all hits!!!
Thursday began like a charm, with the sun shining and much excitement about our visit to Call of the Wild. For much of the day, we practically had the park to ourselves and the children saw a wide range of animals, including otters, zebra, reptiles, meerkats, monkeys and African penguins. Our endangered animal experience was fascinating and full of facts, and we got up close and personal to ring-tailed lemurs and black and white Colobus monkeys – even seeing a week-old baby. The children asked some thoughtful and reflective questions, which impressed the keepers. Before heading back to school, we watched a bird of prey display where we saw a range of different birds flying and performing and discovered that owls are not wise at all!! What a myth-buster that was!
Our final day dawned warm and bright and took us to Belfair’s Discovery Centre. The children worked brilliantly in their groups, finding suitable branches, logs and using a tarpaulin to create strong and weatherproof shelters. Once time was up, the groups were made to sit in their den whilst Katie the ranger tested how weatherproof each was – by throwing a bucket of water over the den! Luckily, the children’s skills were up to the task and only splashes were suffered. For the rest of our time, the children practised the craft of Happazome (leaf printing using a hammer and a piece of cloth) and used a flint and steel. After spending some time on the play equipment, we returned to school to create cyanotype prints using special paper and sunlight on the playground, finishing our day with the making and eating of ice-cream sundaes – delicious!
The children behaved impeccably during the three days, both inside and outside of school and the feedback from the outside providers was glowing. They demonstrated so many important skills, including working together and supporting each other, and it was clear that new friendships were made.
Mersea 2025
On Wednesday 17th September, 114 Year 5 children arrived at school with a mass of suitcases and bundles of excitement ready for their three day residential trip to Mersea. Upon our arrival, we gathered together for a picnic lunch before launching into the first two activities.
Some children explored the dark tunnels around the caving simulator, while some conquered the knee-wobbling heights of the high ropes.
After organising their tents and devouring a hearty evening meal, we had fun with an evening activity which included many energetic team games to use up all the children’s energy before bed. Once they had settled down for the night, the camp eventually fell silent.
As the sun rose on Thursday morning, the children woke with their version of the dawn chorus! After breakfast, they were full of energy for more thrilling activities. Some children took to the water in kayaks learning how to paddle and steer by playing some team games while others worked on their team-work skills on the adventure course. After a delicious lunch to refuel, the children completed further activities including scaling the heights of the climbing wall and steering the giant paddle board on the windy lake. In the evening, the children gathered in the dining hall to hear some stories, jokes and have a sing song whilst enjoying a hot chocolate and biscuit. With all the children worn out, the camp fell silent incredibly quickly on Thursday night.
On Friday morning, the camp slowly woke and after breakfast, the children completed their final two activities, including It’s a Knockout where all the groups competed against each other on various inflatable obstacle courses. When the session finished, the scores were calculated and verified to reveal the Fruitless Plums as the winning team.
During their time at Mersea, the children showed great determination, acceptance of adventure and great improvement with team-work and communication throughout the activities. The staff were extremely proud to see the children flourish in the outdoors and tackle their fears.
Sports News
House Team Sports Events
Our new Year 6 Sports Captains have been leading sports events at lunchtimes. They have been encouraging younger children to join in, helping them with the activities and scoring the events. This week, they led an activity which tested the accuracy of children's throws! The scores of these events all count towards Sports Day in the summer term. There was a three-way tie for 1st place this week between Wyvern, Centicore and Pegasus. Well done to all of the children who participated and our Sports Captains for being tremendous leaders!
Sports Awards
Most improved in Sport and PE: Poppy McCaughran for improvements in her long-distance running and becoming a part of the Southend cross-country squad for the first time.
Sports Performer: Ralph Warman (5A) and Hugo Carric (5A) for a determined effort in a cross-country trial run and demonstrating sportsmanship to fellow competitors.
House Points
Achievements
Congratulations to Henry Bevington (4E), who was awarded Athlete of the Week at his SS Athletics after-school club at Garons. The award recognises Henry’s outstanding resilience and perseverance during a challenging long-distance training session. Despite battling a painful stitch, Henry showed great determination to push through and still performed exceptionally well. A fantastic achievement – well done, Henry!
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.
ST BERNARD’S HIGH SCHOOL
Exam Invigilators – September 2025
Hourly rate: £12.50
The School is looking to recruit Exam Invigilators to join its bank of staff who oversee examinations in the School.
Full training will be provided.
We welcome applications from all denominations or none.
Please complete a non-teaching application form which can be found at the bottom of our Vacancies page and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Note: CVs will not be accepted.
Please contact recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk for more information.
Autumn 2 Term Diary Dates
November
- Monday 3rd - Newsies Jr Auditions Year 3
- Tuesday 4th - Year 6 visit to IWM Duxford
- Wednesday 5th - Year 6 Basketball Competition
- Year 6 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Monday 10th - Parent Council Meeting
- Tuesday 11th - Flu Immunisations
- Wednesday 12th - Year 5 Book Look 3.30 - 3.45pm
- Year 4 Dodgeball Competition
- Thursday 13th - Coastal Schools (4SW)
- General Knowledge Quiz Club Area Heats
- 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
- Friday 28th - Non-Uniform Day - Christmas Fayre donations
- Saturday 29th - Christmas Fayre
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 3L
- Friday 5th - Christmas Decorations Years 4 and 6 - times TBC
- Kurling Competition
- Boccia Competition
- Monday 8th - Rehearsal at St Margaret's AM
- Tuesday 9th - Coastal Schools (4B)
- Christmas Carol Service @ 7pm
- Wednesday 10th - Handball Competition (Year 6)
- Friday 12th - Christmas Gift Sale
- 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" • Pixel-Shot - "Female hands with newspapers on color background" • Kaspars Grinvalds - "Tablet with sports news website on stack of newspapers. All contents are made up." • 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." • 78art - "PTAの文字と色鉛筆" • mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date."