Porters Grange Weekly Newsletter 28th November 2025

Christmas Disco

Wednesday 10th December

Look out for the Christmas Disco tickets for sale on the Arbor School Shop - Only £2!

Please talk to the School Office if you need a login for Arbor

Nursery

This week we have enjoying wrapping up and experiencing the cold weather. We have talked about keeping warm. Some children have also worked with Mrs Britton in the outside environment, creating some hedgehogs with playdough and natural resources. We have also enjoyed hand painting.

REMINDER: Please can all hats, scarves and gloves be clearly named.

Reception

This week we have been learning to create our own representations of 4 and 5 using different objects. We have also been introduced to the concept of 1 more and recognising that the order of the numbers when counting does not change. In phonics we are continuing to learn our sounds and blend them when reading. On Monday we had a visit from the dentist. The children know how to keep their teeth healthy! They learnt how to brush their teeth twice a day and for two minutes.

REMINDER: Please can all hats, scarves and gloves be clearly named. Please can your child bring their reading book daily.

Year 1

The children have continued to improve their letter formation in English as well as develop their fine motor skills to improve their writing fluency. In maths, the children have been looking at number bonds to 10 and identifying what number is the whole number and which numbers are the parts in number sentences. The children have worked hard to develop their DT skills and have created structures using materials that are sturdy and strong. Place to be visited again this week and the children worked with them to identify their special people in their lives and what activities they do that are special to them.

REMINDER: Reading books in school every day please. This is a year 1 expectation. With the cold weather, we are getting lots of gloves. Hats and scarves with no names on them. We can’t return items if they have no names. Christmas Nativity is coming up, please talk to your class teacher if you want more information.

Year 2

This week we have been learning about addition and subtraction problems in maths and moved on to the new unit of shape. In English, we have re-written an adapted version of Hansel and Gretel. The children used their imaginations to create new characters. On Monday the children had a visit from the dentist, it was great fun! The children learned how to brush their teeth, in circles and how long to brush for. Charles Macintosh was a hot topic in science! The children learned about how he invented the rain mac. Please help your child recognise what materials are waterproof and which ones are not. This will give them a better understanding of the experiment we will do in a few weeks’ time.

REMINDER: We have had some children bring in toys. Please make sure your child keeps their toys at home so they do not get lost or broken.

Year 3

This week we have started learning about mountains in geography and in DT we are beginning to build our pneumatic toy. In English we are writing newspaper reports and in science we are continuing our topic, investigating the idea that darkness is the absence of light.

REMINDER: Next week Year 3 will be attending a Christingle – look out for further information.

Year 4

This week the children have been continuing our topic on multiplication and have been learning the patterns and links between the 3, 6 and 9 times table as well as the 7 times table. In English, we have been writing our own Anglo-Saxon diary entries ensuring we include opinions and emotions. In science, we have learnt all about branching keys and how these are different to food chains.

REMINDER: PE kits should still be in school. Reading records should be in every day and the children should be reading at home regularly.

Year 5

This week, year 5 have created and written their own anti-bullying leaflets. They have worked hard on including lots of adverbs and modal verbs, focusing on whether our writing is suited to the task. In maths, we have begun a new unit on fractions learning about both unit and non-unit equivalent fractions. In science, we have really enjoyed conducting investigations that look at all the different forces that can act upon an object, including the forces that act upon it as it moves through water.

REMINDER: Please strive to read for 20 minutes each night with your child and ensure that you sign your child's reading record. As the weather is getting colder, please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing for being in school and being outside at break and lunch time. Please ensure that PE kits are brought to school for PE lessons. We have PE every Tuesday and Wednesday.

Year 6

We have enjoyed rehearsing our carols ready to perform to you at our Christmas Carol Concert in a few weeks time. In English, we have written sonnets about things we love – pets, hobbies, bands and games! In history, we have learned about Guy Fawkes and his gunpowder plot, deciding whether we believe the punishment in ancient history to be more sufficient than punishment for crimes now.

REMINDER: Please encourage your child to read at home daily (independently and also to you!) This should be recorded in home school dairies please. We like to celebrate their reading achievements. Reading books and home school diaries should be in school every day and go home at the end of every day too.

Music

Music Lessons

All of our tutors have now completed the 10-week block for this term. Lessons will resume in January

🎶 Choir is Back! 🎶

We’re delighted to announce that Choir has restarted this term! Rehearsals take place every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:15 pm in the Porpoise Classroom. (Sign up to the club on Arbor or via the school office) It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy singing together, build confidence, and take part in some very exciting events later in the school year. Our upcoming performances include:

• Southend Makes Music at the Palace Theatre – March
• SEESMA Junior Music Festival at the Cliffs Pavilion – June

All pupils who enjoy singing are warmly encouraged to join. Come along, make new friends, and share in the joy of music!

Music Lessons

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

French

This week, year one have been learning colours in French; year two have produced a poem about the Autumn; year three have been learning to present details about their family; year four have completed some online French learning with adjectives the focus; year five have been consolidating their last week’s learning, and year six have been learning French through a story about football.

Online Safety

Now the world’s go-to short video platform, TikTok captivates young audiences with its endless stream of engaging clips, but not without potential pitfalls. From unsettling or age-inappropriate content to harmful viral challenges, misinformation and even radicalisation, this ever-popular app can expose children to content that may not always be suitable for them. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide explores TikTok’s hidden hazards, including in-app spending, compulsive screen time and privacy concerns, offering clear advice for parents and educators. With expert insight and practical safety tips, it aims to help families ensure that TikTok use remains fun, positive and, most importantly, safe.

Coming soon.....

This year's Special Christmas Meal will be able to be booked on Arbor from the beginning of December 2025 at the cost of £2.40 per child. If you have not yet registered on Arbor please contact the School Office.

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.