26th April 2024
SAVE THE DATE
Thursdays: Tiny Tiddlers: 9am
Tuesday 30th April – Nursery open evening – 4pm – 6 pm
Tuesday 30th April – School Nursing Team drop in clinic – 8.50am at The Anchor Room
Wednesday 1st May – Class photos
Thursday 2nd May – Year 5 parents – 2025 PGL Information Evening 5pm
Monday 6th May – Bank Holiday
Tuesday 7th May – Tea & Talk: Year 1 Phonics Screening 8.50am
Tuesday 14th May – Tea & Talk: Nursery to Reception Transition 8.50am
Tuesday 21st May – Tea & Talk: Year 4 Multiplication Checks 8.50am
Friday 24th May – Year 6 cake sale
Friday 24th May – Break up for half term – 3.10pm pick up
Monday 3rd June – Return to the Academy
Tuesday 18th June – Sports Day – EYFS & KS1- times to be confirmed shortly
Wednesday 19th June – Sports Day – KS2 – times to be confirmed shortly
Monday 24th June – Wednesday 26th June – Year 6 PGL
Friday 19th July – Summer Fete – 3.30pm – 6pm
Tuesday 23rd July – Year 6 Leavers Disco
Wednesday 24th July - Year 6 Leavers Assembly
Wednesday 24th July - Meet your child’s new teacher – from 1.15pm
Wednesday 24th July - Last day of term – 1.15pm collection
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear parents and carers,
Over the last term we have reviewed the Darlinghurst Direction. The Direction is a summary of the approach and expectations. It gives us the points and compass to follow.
During our Monday morning ‘Direction assembly’ we have looked carefully at the direction which is grouped under three rules. This has helped the children to remember them.
Our culture comes from the practice and values that we have. We all know the academy values and used consistently. They rules are also an important part or our relational approach.
Values, key routines and behaviour all play their part. The ‘rules’ are a way of helping us package these together – this is the way we do it here!
What are the three rules and why?
The rules support the culture of the academy supporting everyone to thrive and grow. They provide the steps to success for our children with secure boundaries. Our children know what is expected and the part they play in learning and academy life.
What does ready look like?
Being ready isn’t just arriving to school ready to learn but is a very important part of it. Organisational skills, routines and habits are part of the consistency. The structures and strategies are known and agreed. We encourage our children to show they are ready and to be active in learning.
What our children say
Ready is a great word to show that you can begin. It describes being ‘focused’ or ‘organised’.
It is a mindset – you are making the most of the moment.
Ready helps me as an individual but also the class. Everyone is responsible.
Ready means we engage well. Our routines help us to stay on track.
What does Respect look like?
Mutual respect is shown in the way that we communicate and interact. It is essential to our value of belonging and stems from the relationships that we form and promote. Consistency is key. Citizenship is an important part of this rule and supports our children to be part of our diverse community. Our rainbow attributes are the different personal attributes; kindness, trustworthiness, integrity, justice, humility, honesty, courage, generosity. We love to come together for celebration assembly at the end of the week.
What our children say
Respect comes from everyone. It is part of our belonging and forms friendships and secure relationships. We are part of a community and able to empathise with others and understand the different cultures. Our rainbow words help develop our character now and the future. We show respect every day including sportsmanship and in the wider community.
What does safe look like?
Children feel safe through trust and predictability. Our rule of safe covers all aspects of safety – physically and emotionally. Consistency is key. It helps to guide us in our choices and consequences. It promotes individual and collective responsibilities. We use colours to describe and manage our feelings and use time and mindfulness to support our well-being.
What our children say
Being safe is important. To feel safe you need to know where to find help and staff in school that can support us. Safe is when you are comfortable where you are and who you are with. Safe choices include knowledge of wider safety, such as on-line safety, road safety etc but also knowing how to take and measure risks. We use choices to help us manage our behaviour. We know that there are consequences from our actions.
Believe
Whilst we have the Big 3 we also have our special shared statement – Believe.
We promote the importance of ‘belief’ – belief in one-self, each other and possibilities.
We teach and support ‘resilience’ alongside our value of confidence and determination.
As always, enjoy your family time together.
Mrs Nicholls
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Holidays in term time
Schools have been encouraged to communicate with parents regarding requests for absence and the pending increase of penalties. Under the Education Act, parents have a legal duty to make sure that their children attend school.
Children can only be absent from school if they are too ill to attend or have advanced permission from the Principal.
There is no entitlement in law for pupils to take time off during term time to go on holiday. This is legislation
At Darlinghurst we promote that ‘Every Day’ counts and are regular in our communication.
We have seen a rise in attendance and improved communication of absence, and we continue to support or challenge poor attendance or persistent absence. However, over the last few weeks we have seen an increase in holiday forms being submitted to the office with notification of planned absence.
Parents cannot authorise absences, only schools can do this. Principals cannot authorise school absence purely for the reason of a family holiday. Discretion of leave is not an automatic entitlement and permission from the Principal must be sought. This means that any requests are shared in ample time to arrange a meeting with the Principal who can only grant absence for ‘exceptional circumstances.’ All schools work to strict government guidelines.
We will not agree leave during term time under any of the following circumstances:
- Any time in September.
- During statutory assessment periods in May (KS2) and June (KS1). Year 1 children also need to be in school throughout the dates set by the Government for statutory phonics tests.
- When a pupil’s attendance already includes any level of unauthorised absence, or they have already been granted authorised leave within that academic year.
If a request is unauthorised but the leave is still taken, the case could be referred to the Local Authority who may issue a Penalty Notice.
Keeping you up to date with new legislation:
Please be aware that under the new national framework. Fines can be issued and are increasing in cost.
Parents could be fined £80 per child, per parent, per absence (which doubles if the fine is not paid within 21 days).
You can find our current policy on the website.
Drumming workshop
On Tuesday, Years 1, 4 and 5 had the opportunity to take part in an African drumming workshop. This workshop was provided by Rhythm Connections, who go to local schools offering opportunities to children to have a go at playing a variety of instruments.
The children took part in mastering the skill of drumming using Djembes, focusing on the technique of call and response. Not only did they get to play using their own individual drum, they also learnt a wealth of information about the music and culture of Africa. Finding out how integral drumming is to the African culture and how this is woven into as many ceremonial events that are celebrated.
All children showed great determination and enthusiasm throughout their sessions. Some even demonstrated our value of confidence, by coming to the front to lead sections of the call and response before getting ready to perform the final piece from the start.
Growing sunflowers
Mrs Nicholls met with some children to look at their sunflowers. She shared how her parents lived amongst the sunflower fields in France for several years and how they smile towards the sun.
We cannot wait to see them grow.
Class photos
Class photos will be taken during the school day on Wednesday 1st May. Please ensure that your child is dressed in full school uniform on the day.
Tea and Talk
Year 1 parents are invited to join Miss Lynch on Tuesday 7th May to learn more information about the upcoming year 1 phonics screen.
On Tuesday 14th May, Miss Wise will be holding a Tea & Talk for the parents of children in Tiddlers who will be joining Reception in September.
Mrs Powell will be holding a Tea & Talk on Tuesday 21st May with year 4 parents to explain more about the year 4 multiplication check. Please email mrsalexander@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there.
Attendance
EYFS
Starfish class 100%
KS1
Lobster 98.5%
KS2
Dune 98.9
GET IN TOUCH
Darlinghurst Academy
Pavilion Drive
Leigh on Sea
Essex
SS9 3JS
CONTACT us
T. 01702 478379
F. 01702 509207
E. generalenquiries@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk