Porters Grange Weekly Newsletter 6th february 2026

Nursery

This week we have enjoyed joining in with lots of collage work, using the scissors and glue to make our own pictures. We have also enjoyed playing with the sea life creatures, making up lots of adventures with them. In the garden we have been using the sandpit as a restaurant, creating lots of our own special recipes!!!!

REMINDER: If you have any spare socks you would like to donate to us that would be amazing. Thank you 

Reception

In maths we have been making comparisons with numbers and amounts to 10. We have been using the vocabulary more/fewer/same.  In English we have been using our phonic knowledge to write cvc words. Reception have also enjoyed their weekly cooking. Last week the children made delicious soup and thoroughly enjoyed tasting it! 

Letter sent home this week

• Reception - Reading Workshop - 29.01.2026

Year 1

  Year 1 have been working very hard in English, looking at nouns and proper nouns. We have introduced adjectives to support their sentence structure and to make their writing more interesting. In maths, we have recapped numbers from 11 to 20. We have moved onto subtraction within 10 and within 20. In science we have been doing experiments to see what items in class float and sink. 

REMINDER: Reading books must be in school every day please.   Pebble class will be going to the beach on the 10th February. Shell class will have their turn after the half term. This will be confirmed by Mrs Britton.   Please check PE kits when they go home for the half term. Check items still fit and check to make sure all items are labelled.

Letters sent home this week

• Year 1 - Beach Visit - 29.01.2026

Year 2

Mrs Heads class in English have been looking at the features of a diary and first person. Mrs Britton and Mrs Van Den Berg’s group have been focussing on the text The Little Red Hen, making sure the children are spelling tricky words correctly in specific sentences. Science has been fun! The children used mirrors to look at their teeth and recognise what different teeth are called. The children enjoyed the tennis lesson during PE, the coaches taught the children how to control the balls and bats. 

REMINDER: When your child brings their PE kit home for half term, please remember to label all of the clothes. 

Year 3

This week in English the children were researching and writing about J.M.W Turner and Romero Britto.  In maths the children have been measuring and calculating the perimeter. The children successfully converted measurements.  In Science the children continued to investigate magnets. They walked around the school and tested which items were magnetic. 

REMINDER: Please ensure that your child is not bringing toys into school. 

Year 4

In maths we have started a new topic looking at length and perimeter.  We have made comparisons, suggested the appropriate measure to use and looked at the perimeter of a rectangle.  In English we have been writing persuasive sentences to come and visit Southend and different countries.   In DT we have continued to look at Mexican cuisine and coked some delicious vegetable enchiladas.

REMINDER: PE is on a Tuesday and Thursday. Kits should already be in school. 

Year 5

This week in Maths we have begun our next fractions unit and have been using our fractions knowledge and multiplication skills to multiply unit fractions, non-unit fractions and mixed numbers by an integer. In English we have been learning how to write instructions and have completed a shared write instructing people on how to complete a running stitch. Within our instructions we have also focused on including adverbials to ensure that our writing was cohesive and made sense. In Geography we have been loving our unit on energy and sustainability and have enjoyed looking at what we could do ourselves to live more sustainably in Southend. In addition, we have been looking at how we could help to make Southend a more sustainable place, not just by taking action ourselves but by encouraging others.

REMINDER: Remember PE is Wednesday and Thursday this half term. Please ensure your child has a suitable kit with them for these days.    Please strive to read with your child, and record this in their home school diaries.

Letters sent home this week

• Year 5 - Litter Picking - 04.02.2026

Year 6

This week, we have been working as a class to write balanced arguments about whether we should develop land for tourists or local residents. This links to our visit to the seafront last year and is helping everyone understand the impact of a growing population on our local area. Hopefully, some of our children will be town planners when they are older! In gymnastics, we have been focussing on how we move between rolls and jumps using twists, jumps and dance moves.  Stingray have been shopping this week to buy their ingredients then cooked so we hope you enjoyed their healthy vegetable pasta dishes. 

REMINDER: Homework club is available for any children that would like support on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, and homework is due on Thursdays.    PE is on Tuesdays and Fridays.  

Music

Diary Dates:

• Southend Makes Music – Palace Theatre - 10th February – KS2 Choir
• Infant Music Festival – 12th March – Selected children from Year 2
• Junior Music Festival – Cliffs Pavilion - 8th June – KS2 Choir

Instrumental Lessons Tuesday Guitar - Mr Brown  Wednesday Guitar – Mr Elliott  Wednesday Keyboard – Mr Hockey Wednesday Drums – Mr Peters  

French

This week, year two have been learning some adjectives to describe Spring; year 6 have learned some survival French to use in a French school; year five have been learning online with IPads on a variety of topics. 

Online Safety

Artificial intelligence is becoming a familiar part of young people’s online experiences, with a myriad of school tools and entertainment platforms in use. This #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down what AI really is, helping adults explain it clearly and realistically so children don’t overestimate its abilities or trust it unquestioningly. It explores how AI systems work, where they appear online, and why understanding them matters. The guide also highlights key online safety considerations, including misinformation, data privacy, bias and over-reliance on AI tools. With practical advice on setting boundaries, choosing age-appropriate platforms and encouraging ethical, creative use, it empowers parents and educators to build digital literacy while keeping children safe, curious and critically engaged. 

Community

Cost of Living

Click here to access cost of living advice from Southend City Council. It contains information on housing support, energy cost advice and benefits and support for those with children.