Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a wonderful final week of the half-term and even better that we ended with some much-needed sunshine, allowing the children to enjoy the attendance music on the playground at lunchtime.
Thank you to those of you who attended our Learning Conferences this week - the children seemed to enjoy completing the Golden Values Scavenger Hunt whilst they were waiting for appointments.
I'm sure that the children are ready for a much-needed rest and would like to wish you all a relaxing half-term. Please don't forget that tomorrow is an INSET day but we look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 4th November.
Mr Aggus
Principal
Diary Dates
Please note that there will be no After School Club on the last day of each term.
October
- Friday 25th - INSET Day
- Monday 28th - Friday 1st November - Half Term
November
- Monday 4th - Forest Schools (5G)
- Tuesday 5th - Year 6 visit to IWM Duxford
- Year 4 Curriculum Meeting 1.40pm - 2.20pm
- Year 5 Curriculum Meeting 2.20pm - 3pm
- Wednesday 6th - Year 6 Basketball Competition
- Thursday 7th - NCMP Height and Weight checks - Year 6
- Coastal Schools 4C
- Year 3 Curriculum Meeting 1.40pm - 2.20pm
- Year 6 Curriculum Meeting 2.20pm - 3pm
- Year 6 netball match @ Alleyn Court
- Friday 8th - Thorpe Hall Cross Country Competition 10am - 12.30pm
- Monday 11th - Year 6 Test Week
- Tuesday 12th - Year 5 Performance to Parents (5K and 5F)
- Year 5 Book Look - 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Thursday 14th - Year 5 Performance to Parents (5G and 5L)
- Friday 15th - Year 5/6 Southend Football Competition
- Monday 18th - Coastal Schools 4E
- Tuesday 19th - Year 6 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Coastal Schools - 4SW
- Wednesday 20th - Assessments until Friday 29th
- Flu Immunisations
- Year 4 Dodgeball Competition @ Garons
- Thursday 21st - Year 3 trip to Barleylands
- Friday 22nd - Girls' football @ Alleyn Court
- Monday 25th - Friday 29th: Book Fair
- Test Week in Years 3 - 5
- Tuesday 26th - Year 4 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Wednesday 27th - Year 5/6 Dodgeball A Team 9am - 12pm
- Year 5/6 Dodgeball B Team 12.15pm - 3.30pm
- Friday 29th - Non-uniform day - bring a prize for the fayre
- Saturday 30th - FOWLS Christmas fayre
December
- Monday 2nd - Year 6 Christmas decoration morning
- Tuesday 3rd - Year 3 Book Look 3.30pm - 3.45pm
- Year 4 Christmas decoration morning
- Wednesday 4th - Year 5 Christmas decoration morning
- Coastal Schools 4B
- Thursday 5th - Year 3 Christmas decoration morning
- Santa Dash
- Year 6 Santa Netball @ Alleyn Court
- Monday 9th - Carol Concert rehearsal @ St. Margaret's
- Tuesday 10th - Carol Concert @ St. Margaret's 7pm
- Wednesday 11th - Christmas dinner and Christmas jumper day
- Year 6 Handball competition
- Thursday 12th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Friday 13th - FOWLS Christmas Gift Sale
- Thursday 19th - last day of term - no After School Club
- Friday 20th - INSET
- Monday 22nd - 3rd January - Christmas Holidays
January
- Monday 6th - Spring Term begins
- Thursday 9th - Year 3/4 Sportshall Athletics
- Friday 10th - Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics
- Monday 13th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Tuesday 14th - Year 3/4 RSE Talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Thursday 16th - Year 5RSE Talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Tuesday 21st - Year 6 RSE talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Thursday 23rd - Young Shakespeare Company Year 6
- Friday 24th - Year 3/4 Boys' Football Competition
- Friday 31st - Year 5/6 Hockey Festival
February
- Monday 3rd - Young Voices at the O2
- Tuesday 11th - Safer Internet Day
- Year 6 Girls' Netball League
- Thursday 13th - Late Book Look 6pm - 7pm
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Half Term
- Monday 24th - INSET Day
- Wednesday 26th - Year 6 Netball Competition
- Thursday 27th - Year 6 Netball Festival
- Friday 28th - Year 3/4 Girls' Football Competition
March
- Friday 7th - Year 6 Dragonball Competition
- Wednesday 12th - Years 3-5 assessments until Friday 21st
- Friday 21st - Comic Relief
- Monday 24th - Year 6 Mock Week
- Friday 28th - Year 5/6 Aquathlon
April
- Tuesday 1st - Learning Conferences
- Thursday 3rd - Learning Conferences
May
- Monday 12th - Year 6 SATs Week
June
- Monday 9th - Assessments in Years 3 - 5
- Monday 23rd - Friday 27th - Ilam Hall Residential and Southend Activity Week
July
- Tuesday 15th - Open Evening 5pm - 7pm
- Friday 18th - Annual School Reports
- Wednesday 23rd - Last day of term
Year 3
We have had a very busy final week to this half term in Year 3. We have now finished our layered reading book - Stone Age Boy which has provided the children with many opportunities to demonstrate their reading skills and supported our learning of Stone Age Britain. During our final lesson, we used hot-seating so the children could retell the key events of the boy's experience.
In maths lessons, the children have been solving problems. This has enabled them to review the topics we have covered this half term, including money, time, addition and subtraction. Please continue to support your child to practise on TTRS and working towards their KIRF’s.
We have been working as artists in Connected Curriculum lessons, recreating Stone Age cave paintings. The children have refined their sketching skills and experimented with painting techniques. They have included signs and symbols in the style of cave paintings and managed to use paint to represent fur and hair texture.
It was lovely to see so many of you at learning conferences this week. We hope you and your children are able to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the half term break.
Letters sent home this week
Year 4
We have reached the end of a very busy half term and have had an incredibly hard-working week.
It was 4B’s turn to visit Old Leigh for Coastal Schools on Monday. They thoroughly enjoyed being beach detectives within the alternative environment and its surroundings.
In English, the focus has been on poetry. The children have studied the features of kennings and their structure through looking at word classes. Using what they have learnt about the Ancient Egyptians, they used their skills to write their own kennings.
As mathematicians, the emphasis has been on multiplication. Applying their knowledge of times tables facts, the children used various methods to calculate answers to questions. Some children were also able to apply these skills when solving problems.
In RE, the children have continued to learn how Hindus express their faith within their communities. They have listened to a variety of songs called bhajans and have reflected upon these, sharing their thoughts and feelings about what they have heard.
As artists, the children have enjoyed using clay to make the lids for their canopic jars. Using a tutorial, the children also learnt how to draw Tutankhamun using the correct proportions. In addition, they used a photo of themselves and the School Sketches app to transform themselves into a pharaoh!
Letters sent home this week
Year 5
We are sure that half-term break is very welcome to the children as this first term has been rather long and full of new experiences and learning.
This week in English, the children have completed their newspaper reports. They have worked as journalists by checking their facts, carrying out a rigorous editing process and finally sending their work to the press – metaphorically speaking! We finished the week by introducing performance poetry including the poems the children will be presenting to parents, carers, and the school in the second week back after their holiday. The words are on Showbie and we ask parents to support their child in learning their lines so that when we return refreshed, they are ready to hit the ground running.
Continuing with a focus on fractions this week, the children have converted improper fractions into mixed numbers, found unit and non-unit fractions of amounts and used their knowledge to solve a range of problems involving fractions.
Our final science lesson of the half-term involved rather a lot of running around! This was in the name of scientific discovery (whilst also being a lot of fun). Using the lid of a large box, the children felt the effects of air resistance whilst moving and then had to attempt to make themselves as aerodynamic as they could.
In our final Connected Curriculum lesson of the half term, we used our knowledge of hierarchy in school and everyday life to investigate and learn about the structure of society in Anglo-Saxon Britain. The children considered why society exists in a pyramid structure and made links to their knowledge about other civilizations.
We wish you and the children a fun-filled half-term and look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 4th November.
Letters sent home this week
Year 6
In our final week of this half-term, the children have continued to work hard and experience a diverse curriculum.
In maths lessons, our learning has begun to focus on metric measures and in particular the conversion between different metric units, such as millimetres, centimetres, metres, and kilometres. A range of problem-solving activities have challenged our pupils to apply their conversion skills, reinforcing their understanding of the metric system but also preparing them for practical applications in daily life.
In our science curriculum, we built upon our prior knowledge about light and explored the fundamental concept that light travels in straight lines. This understanding will allow Year 6 to explain phenomena like reflection and the formation of shadows. It will serve as a foundational concept for further exploration in the world of optics, photography, and beyond.
In Connected Curriculum, we have examined the significant events leading to the end of World War II. This approach allowed students to connect history, geography and their own critical thinking, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors and events that shaped the conclusion of the war and its subsequent global impact. By now having knowledge of the entire period of the Second World War, they will be able to make the most of their upcoming trip to the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
Letters sent home this week
Online Safety
Roblox is one of the most popular video games on the market. By 2020, the game’s makers were claiming that more than half of children in the USA were playing it. As a ‘sandbox’ title, Roblox offers a huge amount of creative freedom: it lets players create their own gaming experiences with the Roblox Studio to build custom levels and games, which can then be shared with other players online. Roblox fosters creative thinking and enjoys a robust online community of fans.
In the guide, you'll find tips on avoiding potential hazards such as online daters, in-app purchasing and contact with strangers.
Inspirational Person
This year, our inspirational people will link to our golden values of empathy, responsibility and integrity. We will study people who have embodied these values and demonstrated them through their actions, and will consider what we can learn from them.
This half term's inspirational person is Jorge Munoz. Jorge used empathy when he came across many hungry, homeless people, waiting to be chosen for small jobs to make just enough money to feed their families. Many had gone without food for days. He thought about how that would feel and then decided that he needed to help. He started by making extra lunches and delivering them to these people, but over time this grew and he used money from his own pay cheque to prepare hot meals for workers. Since he started, Jorge and his family have served over 100 000 meals to people in need. By showing a little empathy, Jorge was able to make a difference to their lives.
The Showbie challenge is an optional task that links to the inspirational person. It can be found in your child's Showbie account within the 'Inspirational People' folder. There are prizes every half term for those who take part.
Jorge was presented with an award from the president for his work helping others. For this half term's Showbie challenge, imagine it is twenty years in the future and you are receiving an award for your own efforts in helping people. What would the award be for? What would you have done? Your answer can be written in the comment box, or you can use the template to design your own award.
West Leigh vs Chalkwell
A huge well done to the two football teams that represented West Leigh in fixtures against Chalkwell. There is an incredible amount of footballing talent at West Leigh and it was evident in these matches. The grey team were 8-1 winners and the yellow team were 4-0 winners. Despite the boys having no preparation for these matches, they quickly sorted themselves into positions, developed tactics and supported each other through out. Luke dos Santos' wonderful curling effort from a long distance and Harrison Dunn's hat-trick were some of the key highlights of the matches! Thank you to Chalkwell for hosting us!
Basketball Shootout
Led by our Year 6 sports captains, our next house team event was a basketball shootout. The children battled the rain and showcased some excellent basketball shots! A few children even managed to get it in the net without looking! It was a very tight contest with Pegasus winning on 117, Centicore on 99 and Phoenix and Wyvern both finishing on 91. Last year's Sports Day champions, Pegasus, have now moved into the lead!
Golden Values Scavenger Hunt
We hope that you enjoyed viewing the fantastic posters created during our team challenge when you visited for Learning Conferences this week. The children enjoyed completing scavenger hunts in their different year groups whilst waiting for their appointments - searching for clues about the golden values and counting the golden envelopes! Winners will be selected in the first week back after half term, with a prize for a child within each year group. Hopefully you were able to learn more about our golden values and how we can demonstrate these.
Writing Competition
The children learnt about this year’s story writing competition this week. There has been much excitement from many of them and we are looking forward to reading the stories. We run this competition alongside the BBC's 500 words competition which means, if your child is able to write a story of 500 words, they can also submit it to this national competition here. Please note the BBC deadline is November 8th, whereas our deadline at West Leigh is the 18th November.
Happy writing!
Key Notices this Week
Lost Property: To keep our lost property to a minimum, please ensure that all uniform, coats, lunch boxes, snack pots, water bottles, Forest and Coastal School clothing and swimming kits are named so that lost items can be easily returned. Our lost property box is full so please come and claim any missing items before we empty it over half term.
School Uniform Discount: MyClothing (https://myclothing.com/collections/west-leigh-schools-29145/) are offering free delivery on all uniform orders for this weekend only. The offer runs from 6.00am Saturday 26th October until 11.59pm Sunday 27th October. Use the code FREESHIP
End of Day Arrangements: If your end of day arrangements change, please contact the office before 3.00pm to let us know so we can ensure that all important messages are shared.
Poppies
When the children return to school after half term, in support of the Royal British Legion, poppies will be available on the playground every breaktime, for a small monetary donation.
We advise that children bring their money in a purse/wallet or a named envelope.
We will also be selling other poppy merchandise in the school shop, every lunchtime between Monday 11th and Friday 15th November.
Dinner Menu
Week 3
Monday - Homemade Macaroni Cheese with Garlic Bread - Jacket Potato with a Choice of Baked Beans, Cheese, Tuna Mayonnaise - Wholemeal Wrap with Tuna Mayonnaise - Coleslaw and Salad bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Raspberry Mousse
Tuesday - Pork Meatballs in Tomato Gravy - Vegan Meatballs in Tomato Gravy - Jacket Potatoes with a Choice of Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonniase - Vegetable Rice, Green Beans and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Chocolate Cherry Cake
Wednesday - Chicken Nuggets - Vegetable Nuggets - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Curly Fries, Spaghetti Hoops and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cornflake Cake
Thursday - Homemade Beef and Spaghetti Bolognaise - Vegetable and Quorn Bolognaise - Jacket Potato with a Cjoice of Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Biscuit
Friday - Cheese and Tomato Pizza with Tortilla Chips - Vegan Pizza with Tortilla Chips - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Homemade Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Jelly
Don't forget to check out our new online bookshop here.
Swimming
Please ensure that your child has their full kit with them on swimming days as we will no longer be phoning home for forgotten kits.
Monday
- 3H
- 4B
- 4SW
Tuesday
- 3M
- 5L
- 5K
Wednesday
- 3S
- 4C
- 3T
Thursday
- 5G
- 5F
Friday
- 6D
- 6A
- 4E
- 6P
- 6W
PE Lessons
Please ensure that your child is wearing their full kit on PE days as we will no longer be phoning home for forgotten kits.
Second Half Term:
3M
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Friday
3S
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
3H
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Friday
3T
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
4B
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
4E
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
4SW
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
4C
- Indoor PE: Monday
- Outdoor PE: Thursday
5K
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Wednesday
5F
- Indoor PE: Friday
- Outdoor PE: Wednesday
5L
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
5G
- Indoor PE: Tuesday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
6D
- Indoor PE: Wednesday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
6A
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
6P
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Monday
6W
- Indoor PE: Thursday
- Outdoor PE: Tuesday
Attendance
Congratulations to 3H who achieved the best attendance this half-term. We all enjoyed dancing to their playlist on the playground at lunchtime today!
Messages from FOWLS
Year 4 Disco is next on Friday 8th November at 6pm and after a great first night at the Y5 Disco we can now confirm that BBC Radio Essex’s very own DJ Marky T will be our host for the evening. Marky is an amazing kids DJ and if the feedback from Y5 is anything to go by the kids will be in for a great night so please book your space(s) asap.
URGENT PLEA FOR HELP RE CHRISTMAS FAYRE
As you know, the Christmas Fayre is scheduled for Saturday 30th November (12-4pm), but we currently do not have enough volunteers to proceed with it. We are now at the crux point where we need to start ordering food, drink and supplies but if we haven’t got enough volunteers then we will have no choice but to cancel the Fayre!!!!!!!!!
This will obviously be an absolute last resort so we are now desperately appealing for volunteers. We just need 2 hours of your time on the day, you will still have another 2 hours to enjoy the Fayre with your family and we can give you something really easy to do!! PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN !! JUST CLICK ON THE QR CODE BELOW AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OR USE THIS LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczApbYEDdZWDVn5Z1lpMdXVpdtOdZMgmt0E_NDSJAYb4z2gg/viewform
ALSO PLEASE SEE THE WEST LEIGH FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS
FRIENDS OF WEST LEIGH SCHOOLS GROTTO
🎅Father Christmas has agreed to come to West Leigh Schools to visit our children.
Bookings are now OPEN. Book now to avoid disappointment. Once it’s booked, it’s booked!
Bookings are now open for our Mother Christmas experience at the Christmas Fayre.
Drop the children to Mother Christmas and her Elf for 15 minutes of storytime, games and a song. The children will receive a cookie and small gift.
🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻🤶🏻
Lastly, the Christmas Art project designs will be coming home over half term. We hope you enjoy looking at the children's festive pictures. The order form is on the back and must be returned to school on the first day back.
Please do not bend, fold or cut the design and speak to your class rep regarding payment.
Do you know about Friends of West Leigh Lotto? The draw takes place every month with CASH prizes whilst also raising funds for the schools. It’s super easy to sign up so if you fancy a chance to win a cash prize or would like to find out more contact Oanh Ly who runs our Lotto: fowlslott@gmail.com
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE ABOVE, PLEASE EMAIL simontaylor7472@gmail.com
Our Parent Council has been extremely successful over the past years and has been instrumental in driving forward positive change within our school. The council meet once every term at 4.30pm to discuss views on a range of important issues and councillors will be able to use our After-School Club on this evening (free of charge) if required to help with childcare. Our first meeting this academic year will take place on Monday 11th November at 4.30pm.
At present, we have vacancies in 4E, 4C, 4SW and 6P. It would be a shame if the views of the parents in these classes were not able to be considered at our meetings - if you feel you could spare three evenings a year to represent your child's class, it would be much appreciated. The role could even be shared between more than one parent if needed.
If this is something you are able to offer, please get in touch with Mrs London via the school office.
We very much hope that we will be able to find parents in these classes to represent the majority views amongst our parent community.