Diary Dates
Please note that there will be no After School Club on the last day of each term.
November
- 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
- Year 3 Book Look
- Year 6 Handball Competition
- Wednesday 4th - Year 5 Christmas decoration morning
- Coastal Schools 4B
- Singing at the Community Centre
- Thursday 5th - Year 3 Christmas decoration morning
- Santa Dash
- Football Trials - 3H & 4B
- Friday 6th - Christmas Food Collection for St. Vincent's
- Year 6 Santa Netball @ Alleyn Court
- Football Trials - 3S & 4C
- 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
- non-uniform day
- 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 - Individual and sibling photographs
- 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
- Friday 17th - Year 3 disco
- Monday 20th - Visit to The Natural History Museum (5F & 5K)
- Tuesday 21st - Visit to The Natural History Museum (5G & 5L)
- Year 6 RSE talk for parents @ 2.30pm
- Thursday 23rd - Young Shakespeare Company Year 6
- Monday 27th - Years 3/4 Boys' Football V Downhall
- Friday 24th - Year 3/4 Boys' Football Competition
- Tuesday 28th - Basketball B 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
- Wednesday 12th - Year 6 Cyber Security Workshop
- 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
- Tuesday 4th - Southend Makes Music
- Wednesday 5th - General Knowledge Quiz Club Area Heat
- Friday 7th - Year 6 Dragonball Competition
- Wednesday 12th - Years 3-5 assessments until Friday 21st
- Year 4 Tag Rugby Competition
- Friday 21st - Comic Relief
- Monday 24th - Year 6 Mock Week
- Tuesday 25th - Year 6 Girls' Netball League
- Year 4 presentation @ 2pm (4B & 4C)
- Thursday 27th - Year 4 presentation @ 2pm (4E & 4SW)
- Friday 28th - Year 5/6 Aquathlon
April
- Tuesday 1st - Learning Conferences
- Wednesday 2nd - Cross Country Essex Finals
- Thursday 3rd - Learning Conferences
- Monday 7th - Monday 21st - Easter Holidays
- Thursday 24th - Year 5 Transition and Selection meeting
- Friday 25th - Year 3/4 Tennis Competition @ 9am
- Year 5/6 Tennis Competition @ 12.15pm
- Monday 28th - Year 5 Geography Field Trip
- Wednesday 30th - Year 3/4 Quad Kids
May
- Thursday 1st - Dance Festival @ Alleyn Court
- Wednesday 7th - Year 5/6 Quad Kids
- Monday 12th - Year 6 SATs Week
- Tuesday 20th - Year 3 Presentation @ 2pm (3M & 3S)
- Wednesday 21st - Maths Quiz Club Area Heat
- Swimming Gala @ Garon Park
- Thursday 22nd - Year 3 Presentation @ 2pm (3T & 3H)
- Friday 23rd - Year 6 Rounders Festival
- Monday 26th - Friday 30th - Half Term
June
- Monday 2nd - INSET Day
- Wednesday 4th - Year 6 Cricket Competition (boys)
- Thursday 5th - Year 6 Cricket Competition (girls)
- Monday 9th - Wednesday 18th - Assessments in Years 3 - 5
- Monday 9th - Thursday 19th - Year 6 Bikeability
- Wednesday 11th - Borough Sports
- 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
It has been a very productive week in Year 3 with the children being fully engaged in a broad range of activities.
In English, they have been learning about the five main building blocks of a narrative: the opening, build-up, dilemma, resolution and ending. The children have used this structure to plan an engaging Stone Age adventure story which aims to captivate their reader. We look forward to seeing these completed over the coming few weeks. The children have also been developing their inference and deduction skills as they searched for evidence of Ug’s inventions in our layered reading book Ug - Boy Genius of the Stone Age.
In maths, we have begun learning about fractions. The children have considered the definition of a fraction and begun to use the associated mathematical vocabulary such as numerator, denominator, unit-fraction and non-unit fraction. They applied this knowledge to both fractions of shapes and numbers.
In our Connected Curriculum lessons, the children spent a challenging but enjoyable afternoon working in teams to build their model Stone Age shelters. With perseverance and teamwork, some impressive structures took form. Some children reconsidered the design brief and added reinforcements against both weather and wild animals! After rigorous testing, the shelters were evaluated: the children considered how successful their designs had been and what they had learned in the process.
Science lessons have explored the rock cycle. The children have found it fascinating to discover how the planet recycles its resources through the processes of erosion and rock formation.
Year 4
Once again, we have come to the end of a very hardworking week for Year 4.
When writing their science-fiction stories, the children used the plans they created last week. They applied a range of strategies such as ‘show, not tell’ and a range of senses to explain how their characters embarked upon an alien adventure to solve a problem which enabled them to get back to Earth.
As part of our test week, the children have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of a range of topics. As mathematicians, they also consolidated their learning of multiplication and fractions. They have used a range of resources and games which have been specially selected to meet the needs of each maths band.
Science lessons this week have been about pitch. The children have observed and played a range of home-made instruments to find out which factors affect the pitch. They used scientific vocabulary and diagrams to record their findings.
It was 4SW’s turn to use the Lego WeDo this week to build and code a robot tomb-raider to move and explore! In the other year four classes, the children worked as geographers. 4B and 4SW have used images of Egypt and the UK to compare their features; they have also begun their research on The River Nile and its importance during ancient Egyptian times. 4E have used their knowledge of The River Nile to create an information poster using the Pages app on an iPad.
In PSHE, the focus has been on cyber-bullying. The children have devised posters with advice to help people who are experiencing this.
We look forward to seeing many of you next Tuesday during our Christmas decoration morning.
Year 5
Our learning in English this week been focused on the resolution and ending of the Firework-Maker’s Daughter. Having learnt about the differences between a resolution and ending, we created a plan for an alternative closure to the story. The children have generated lots of great ideas using cohesive devices to make links.
The children showed resilience and determination whilst sitting their assessments in maths this week; we will be reviewing these over the coming weeks.
In Connected Curriculum, we have been researching Viking and Anglo-Saxon warriors and have made comparisons between the two. We asked ourselves which of these was the fiercest, completing speech bubbles to demonstrate our knowledge. We have continued with our weaving and are beginning to see the results of our labours.
We are learning the skills of badminton in our indoor P.E. sessions and 5G and 5L even managed to brave the cold weather for their lesson on rugby. Brave souls indeed!
Year 6
This week, in English, the pupils have focused on writing biographies, building on their understanding of formal writing structures and stylistic features. Implementing ideas from their detailed planning from last week, they have demonstrated their ability to convey a subject’s life events while maintaining a consistent and formal tone. What has been most impressive, however, has been how they have incorporated their historical knowledge relating to aspects of their Connected Curriculum learning throughout the biography.
In maths, the focus has been on reviewing foundational concepts relating to calculation methods while simultaneously developing and deepening understanding through rich problem-solving tasks. They have tackled a variety of challenges that have required them to apply their mathematical knowledge in innovative ways, encouraging resilience and adaptability.
In Connected Curriculum, they have made further progress in creating their puppets: an engaging and hands-on project that combines creativity with practical skills. They have utilised a range of sewing techniques, such as running stitch and overstitch, demonstrating increasing precision and confidence. Additionally, they have faced and resolved challenges, such as determining the optimal order for assembling components of their designs. This problem-solving process has encouraged critical thinking and adaptability, ensuring that their final puppets will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Online Safety
As one of the most popular messaging apps available, Snapchat sees an enormous amount of usage across the globe – with a significant number of those utilising the platform being under 18. For that reason, it’s important to understand the potential risks to younger users when spending time on this app.
Of course, it can be difficult to identify every hazard associated with the platform, let alone what can be done to mitigate these concerns. Our guide lays out the key online safety risks of Snapchat, as well as how to safeguard young people while they use the app.
Girls' Football vs Alleyn Court
On Friday 22nd November, the Year 5/6 girls’ football team played their first league match of the season against Alleyn Court. Playing as the sun set on a rather cold day, the team were focused and determined to do well. They got off to a strong start with great tackles and early opportunities to get a shot at goal. The team took a 1-0 lead after a penalty was given for a handball. The team then worked hard with strong attacking play, but with Alleyn Court putting in a strong defence and clearing the ball, the girls had to adapt to find space. With some superb accurate passing by half time, the girls had increased their lead to 3-0.
The second half started with both teams having strong attacking moments, putting both team’s defence to the test along with great saves from the keepers. The girls' determination continued throughout as they played with great confidence, making superb tackles to win the ball and finding space, they managed to get another goal to take their lead to 4-0. The team reset for the final few minutes. Maintaining their composure, they continued to demonstrate their skills and ability with a few more shots at goal going just wide of the goal before a fantastic bit of play to score another goal minutes before the final whistle, giving them a 5-0 win!
The team played brilliantly, demonstrating great respect, honesty and kindness throughout the match and they should be incredibly proud of their performance.
Girls Essex Cup v Bancroft's School
On Monday 25th November, the girls’ football team travelled to Bancroft School in Woodford Green to play the second round of the Essex Cup. After a quick warm-up, the game got under way. The girls got off to a great start with strong attacking play and a few chances at goal. The team got an early chance to take the lead after being awarded a penalty from a handball. Our player stayed calm and struck the ball with confidence finding the back of the net. The game reset and the girls made a good tackle to win the ball and were running towards the goal when Bancroft’s team made a great tackle to get a counterattack, finding space past our defence to pop the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-1. The team kept their heads up and fuelled with determination, they worked hard with tremendous passes and tackles. They managed to get a second goal to make it 2-1 at halftime.
After a short break, the second half got underway. Once again, the team worked tirelessly and demonstrated strong passes and tackles throughout the match. Bancroft’s team put our keeper and defenders to the test on several occasions, getting remarkably close to scoring another goal. However, the girls remained composed and dealt with the ball efficiently. They then managed to score another 2 goals before the end of the match to secure the win 4-1 and are now through to the quarter finals where they will play George Carey School.
The team played a brilliant game of football, demonstrating their superb teamwork and individual skills throughout the match and can be enormously proud of their achievement.
Chess Tournament
This week, our chess team took part in their first ever online tournament. These children took part in our chess club last year and were selected by Mr Rice and Mrs Dos Santos to represent the school. It was a tense tournament, with the West Leigh team moving up and down the leader board throughout the hour. The children encouraged each other and shared pearls of wisdom as they played, and it was fantastic to see such a sense of camaraderie.
The team were thrilled with their final position of fourth out of twenty school teams. Whilst only the top three teams qualified for the next stage of the competition, it was amazing to finish in such a high position, especially as it was the team's first experience of competing.
Year 5/6 Boys' Football v Bournes Green
Football is a funny old game...and that was certainly the case on Monday! The football squad travelled to Bournes Green to compete in a league fixture. In the league fixture, West Leigh found themselves 4-1 down late in the second half. With the game seemingly heading for defeat, West Leigh fought bravely to get themselves back into the game. A well-worked team goal made it 4-2 with just five minutes remaining. From nowhere, West Leigh found a sudden burst of energy and hope! Two more goals quickly followed to make it 4-4. West Leigh almost won with the final kick of the game. An Austin Bemister shot from distance whistled past the post! In the friendly match, it was a convincing 6-0 win for West Leigh. A flurry of first half goals were scored after a fantastic attacking display. Despite the score line, the team maintained their concentration and remained determined to keep a clean sheet. A wonderful result! Well done to the squad!
Year 5/6 Boys' Football Essex Finals
Following their runners up finish in last week's Southend competition, West Leigh competed in the Essex finals, representing both the school and Southend. Grouped with some of the best schools in Essex, the team started with a 0-0 draw against Mayflower Primary followed by a 2-0 win against Henry Moore. In the final group game, West Leigh drew 0-0 with St Luke's CEVA. West Leigh narrowly missed out on 1st position and a place in the semi-final by just one goal difference! The team can be incredibly proud of remaining unbeaten and not conceding a single goal in the Essex finals.
Dodgeball Festival
The year 6 dodgeball team took part in the Southend dodgeball tournament and festival on Wednesday. The day started with the tournament team, who played eight schools in incredibly competitive matches. The team demonstrated their dodging, catching and powerful throwing skills in every match, with a few of the matches going all the way to the 3rd round to decide which team would win the game. In the afternoon, we had two teams playing in the festival. Both teams had four scheduled matches to play before playing some additional friendly matches against other schools.
All the children involved not only demonstrated their dodgeball skills but also improved their teamwork and communication skills in every game they played. All the children thoroughly enjoyed the event and the opportunity to play in competitive dodgeball matches against other schools.
Inspirational Person
A huge thank you to all children who participated in last half term's Showbie challenge - we had so many inspiring entries!
This half term, we have focused on someone who has demonstrated integrity. We discussed the fact that it is very hard to find examples of people who have demonstrated true integrity - as by definition, they do the right thing when no-one is watching! However, we did look at the actions of James Doty, a very successful neurosurgeon and entrepreneur. James pledged a part of his fortune to charity - but was then hit by the 'dot com' crash. He lost all of his money - apart from the money he had promised to give away. Despite it leaving him with nothing, James still gave away his remaining fortune in order to benefit others.
The Showbie challenge for this half term is to choose one of the quotes about integrity on Showbie (or find your own!) and use it to produce a piece of artwork. This could be a drawing, painting or poster – or whatever else you decide to come up with!
Take a photo of your finished piece and upload it to the Showbie folder, or put it on Mrs London's desk.
Key Notices this Week
Are you having a pre-Christmas clear out? We are in need of these items for our playground provision. If you are able to spare anything from the list below, please leave at the school office for the attention of Mrs London. Thank you in advance.
- Jenga pieces (doesn't need to be a complete set)
- toy hairdressing items / doll hair brushes
- toy microphones
- puppets
- percussion
- toy instruments
Dinner Menu
Week 1
Monday - Homemade Creamy Cheese and Vegetable bake - Jacket Potato with a choice of Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise - Granary Baguette with Tuna Mayonnaise - Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Cocktail
Tuesday - Pork Sausage Toad in the Hole - Vegan Sausage Toad in the Hole - Jacket Potato with a choice of Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonniase - Saute Potatoes, Carrots and Beans and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Iced Finger
Wednesday - Homemade Mild Chicken Curry with Rice - Homemade Mild Chickpea and Vegetable Curry - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Rice and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Apple Crumble and Custard
Thursday - Homemade Beef Cottage Pie - Homemade Quorn and Vegetable Cottage Pie - Jacket Potato with a choice of Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonniase - Carrots, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Banana Cake
Friday - 100% Fish Finger - Vegetable Fingers - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon & Sweetcorn - Potato Wedges, Baked Beans 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 4B for getting 100% attendance this week.
Messages from FOWLS
Raffle tickets have been given out so please check school bags as there’s lots of wonderful prizes to win. If you’d like to be in with more of a chance to win, raffle books can be collected from the school office.
We are delighted that Father Christmas has agreed to send letters to the children of West Leigh Schools once again. The deadline is 1st December so don’t forget to send your request if you’d like Father Christmas to send your child a letter. http://bit.ly/northpolepost-wls
Have you booked your child to see Father Christmas and Mother Christmas at the Fayre? Book now to avoid disappointment.
ALSO PLEASE SEE THE WEST LEIGH FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS
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
The full list of councillors, along with their email addresses if you wish to contact them, can be found on our school website. The minutes from our meetings are also published on this page, which can be found using the following link: https://www.westleighjunior.co.uk/parent-council
A reminder that answers to many of the previously discussed items at parent council can be found on the 'hot topics' section of our website: https://www.westleighjunior.co.uk/hot-topics
This includes subjects such as lost property, lunchtime arrangements, clubs and much more.
We still have vacancies in 4E, 4C and 6P - if you are able to spare an evening each term to represent your class, it would be of great benefit to the school. Our meetings are held at 4.30pm and councillors are able to use our After School Club, free of charge to assist with child care during the meeting. Please contact Mrs London if you are able to volunteer.
Credits:
Created with images by A Stockphoto - "White king in chess game with Concept for company strategy,business victory or decision the path to success." • epicraw - "Close up man hands holding champion golden trophy on transparent background Generative AI"