porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 29th November 2024

Winter Coat Drive

With the nights drawing in and the Winter fast approaching could we please ask, if you have a coat that your child has grown out of could you possibly donate it to our 'Coat Drive' here at Porters Grange Primary School so another child could benefit from using it. Could coats please be of good, clean condition and if you could please bring them to the School office it will be very much appreciated.

Thank you

Nursery

This week we have been very busy learning our ‘Christmas songs’ which we are getting very good at singing. We have also started talking about ‘Christmas’ and what amazing activities we will be doing in nursery. We have also enjoyed playing some sharing games with our friends.

REMINDER: Please remember to send your child in with a warm coat and hat/gloves as we do spend lots of time in the garden.

Reception

This week we have continued to learn our Christmas songs and actions. We have been to the hall for a practise and to have a look where we need to sit. At this time of year there are lots of different bugs and illnesses. We have been discussing ways to keep ourselves healthy. With many children off unwell this week we thought about germs, we learnt how to cough into our arm, when and how we can wash our hands to prevent germs spreading.

REMINDER: Thank you to those parents who attended our reading workshop this week focusing on pink books.

Please remember to send your child in with a warm coat and hat/gloves as we do spend lots of time in the garden.

Year 1

Year 1 have been busying themselves creating their own version of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ story. We have had little dragons, little dogs and little frogs! Also, the children have been working hard with their numbers to 20. The children have been able to describe a number using the tens and ones.

In science, the children have discussed what a deciduous tree is and what an evergreen tree is.

REMINDER: All reading books must be in school every day. Children have set reading days. Some of our children are daily readers. Their books need to be in school.

Please name all items of clothing. This includes coats, hats and scarfs

Year 2

This week in English, we wrote our own versions of Hansel and Gretel, focusing on using adjectives and conjunctions to expand and enrich our sentences. In Maths, we practiced subtracting numbers across tens by applying our understanding of tens and ones. We also challenged ourselves by combining addition and subtraction in mixed problems. In Science, we explored the interconnected relationships between animals and discussed the potential impacts on ecosystems if a species were to disappear.

REMINDER: Please continue reading with your child daily-it makes a big difference.

We are currently busy with Nativity practice. Kindly encourage your child to learn their lines and practice speaking loudly and clearly.

Year 3

This week in maths we have started our multiplication and division journey, revising our tables and looking at sharing and grouping. In English we are following up our journalism questions by writing a short newspaper report and in science we have been learning about invertebrates and vertebrates. Geography has continued the mountains topic with a look at the parts of a mountain and in computing we have storyboarded a stop motion animation.

REMINDER: Reading at home with your child and helping them learn their times tables does have an impact on your child’s progress at school. Please do continue doing this.

Year 4

This week year four have finished their tests. They have worked really hard to use all of the skills they have learnt so far this year. In maths we are still working on multiplication but we are now focusing more on the inverse of this, division. Division facts are very similar to the times table fact and the children are starting to realise that they are number fact families!

REMINDER: Children should be reading every night if possible and writing the pages they have read into their records. If they find a particularly funny or interesting thing in their books, we would love for them to write it down and share it with us the next day!

Some children still do not have PE kits in school, they need to be in Monday.

Year 5

This week, year 5 have been using all the facts, strategies and information we learnt last week during our anti-bullying work, to create an informative leaflet. In maths, we have been converting mixed numbers to improper frations – and back again! In DT, we are continuing to create our CAMS working model, using hacksaws and precise measurements to build the outer frame. In science, Swordfish completed an investigation into water resistance, while in Sea Turtle, we completed an investigation looking at mass and air resistance. What a busy week!

REMINDER: There are still some children without PE kits in school.

We only have limited resources to lend out so please ensure your child has a suitable PE kit ready for Monday and Thursday.

Many children are also failing to write any reading they do at home in their records. Please strive to do this.

Year 6

This week in English, year 6 have continued to explore Shakespeare’s writing and have enjoyed learning about iambic pentameter – creating their own poems using this rhythmic pattern. Year 6 have continued to develop the skills of perseverance and resilience whilst enjoying bouldering at IndiRock in Southend. In our history lessons, we have compared how crime and punishment has changed through the ages including the Anglo-Saxons and Normans.

In PSHE, we have been learning about the features of healthy, positive relationships and what help is available if we need it. We explored the Childline website and looked at some of the reasons why children contact Childline eg, feeling stressed, upset about something they have seen in the news and not getting on with someone.

REMINDER: Please ensure that children read daily and record it in their home school diaries.

The deadline for booking a place on the residential trip next year is Monday 2nd December. Please book on ParentPay.

A PE kit must be in school on Tuesday and Friday. Children can wear joggers or leggings to IndiRock. They do need to wear a school PE T shirt and school jumper. They can also bring a snack and drink.

PE

A huge ‘WELL DONE’ to those children who represented the school in Dodgeball on Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th. I was very proud of your efforts.

Music

Drum Lessons

We have a new drum tutor starting in the next few weeks.

If your child was previously having lessons, you should have received information regarding this.

There are a few spaces available for new pupils. Please contact the school office if you are interested.

Music Clubs

• Tuesday - Music Making - 3.30pm - 4.15pm
• Friday - KS2 Choir - 3.30pm - 4.15pm

Instrumental Tuition

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

Healthy Schools

Community

Southend Foodbank - Click here

Cost of Living Advice

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.