Porters Grange Weekly Newsletter 14th November 2025

Nursery

Nursery class have learning about Remembrance Day, we made our own poppies in lots of different ways, collage, painting, playdough, construction toys and even made our own biscuits. We have enjoyed displaying all our work in nursery. We also enjoyed Children in need on Friday where we participated in lots of spotty activities. REMINDER: Please remember we have some story sacks in nursery which you can borrow to take home. Just ask a member of staff who will sign one out for you.

Reception

This week the children have been investigating pumpkins and have had great fun cutting them open. They have also been learning about Remembrance Day. The children made some beautiful poppy artwork, tasty poppy biscuits and made poppies out of play dough and pipe cleaners. In mathematics we have been learning about patterns and in Phonics we have begun learning our sounds.

Year 1

Year 1 have discussed Remembrance Day and drew some poppies to help commemorate this important day. We have had some visitors come to year 1 from ‘Place to Be’, who has been running sessions that link to respect, tolerance, teamwork and kindness. This is to support children in their PSHE lessons. In maths, our groups are in full swing, and we are supporting children who need more support with their number knowledge as well as developing depth in skills such as number sentences.

REMINDER: Please ensure reading books are in school every day. It is a year 1 expectation.

Year 2

This week the children completed a box plan to gather ideas and persuade people to visit different Southend attractions. They used the box plan to write short, persuasive paragraphs about the beach, Adventure Island and Sea Life Adventure using conjunctions, adverbs and persuasive language. In maths the children are coming towards the end of the addition and subtraction unit, completing column addition challenges. Science has been good fun, the children have explored various materials and written about their properties and identified their uses. In DT the children have created their own instructions to make a sandwich!

REMINDER: Please remember to read with your child at least three times a week and make a note of how they have read.

Year 3

This week we have tackled subtraction with exchange across 10s and 100s and in English we are writing our own version of The Stone Age Boy, using our own characters. In science we have finished our topic on humans and other animals, and are looking forward to the next topic of light. In PE we are practising our ball skills and learning the sport of kurling.

REMINDER: It is assessment week next week –this is nothing to be worried about - we will be looking at maths, spelling and reading to see where the children are right now in their academic journey.

Year 4

This week the children have planned and written their own playscripts based on the Anglo-Saxon story the Princess who Hid in a Tree. The children have used the correct layout, thought carefully about punctuation used and included features of a playscript such as present tense, stage directions and use of a narrator. In maths, the children have started a new topic of multiplication and division. This week we have focussed on the 3, 6 and 9 times tables. The children have been using multiplication skills to answer word problems and recalling related division facts. In science, the children have created their own food chains using diagrams to help them. They have used scientific vocabulary successfully.

REMINDER: Please continue to read regularly at home and sign your child’s reading diary. Continue to use TTRS at home, it will support learning times tables and our current maths topic.

Year 5

This week, year 5 have been writing their own explanation text about the phases of the moon. They have been really focused on making sure that they had all the key features within their explanation text and have used some excellent technical language and vocabulary. In maths, we are continuing with our unit looking at multiplication and division and have been learning about square and cube numbers. In Science, we have begun looking at forces and have started conducting investigations that look at gravity and water resistance.

REMINDER: Remember PE kits for Tuesday and Wednesday. Please strive to read for 20 minutes each night with your child and ensure that you sign your child's reading record.

Year 6

This week in English, we have been planning and writing character descriptions about Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In maths, we have moved onto adding and subtracting fractions by finding common denominators. In history, we have learned about the punishments that the Normans faced for their crime and the ordeals they had to endure to prove they were innocent! We have had another great session at Indirock for our PE lessons where we improved our climbing skills from last week.

REMINDER: Please ensure that the children are learning their spellings at home. They are set weekly – given on a Monday and tested on them on the Friday.

Music

🎶 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

We have availability - if your child is interested in learning a musical instrument, please contact Mrs Baines for more information. These lessons take place within the school day.

French

This week, year one have enjoyed some combined movement and French exercises on the theme of basic phrases; year two have used a similar learning technique on the topic of Autumn, lesson two; year three have continued their learning of animals and how to say what they have and do not have; year four have continued their learning of how to talk about emotions; year five have embedded their sports talk sentences, and year six have embedded their talking about the Toru de France. In addition, the year four Creative Writing Club have focused last week on poems, this week on writing cartoons.

Online Safety

AI can now generate realistic looking videos that are almost impossible to distinguish from genuine content. From hoax news to abusive deepfakes, these synthetic clips can mislead, manipulate and even harm. As AI tools become more advanced, and more accessible, young people are increasingly at risk of encountering fake but convincing footage online. This #WakeUpWednesday guide unpacks the dangers of AI-generated videos, from the emotional impact of fake distressing content to the potential for impersonation and bullying. With practical tips to help young users spot deepfakes and navigate online spaces with confidence, this guide is an essential read for parents and educators navigating this rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Coming soon.....

This year's Special Christmas Meal will be able to be booked on Arbor from 1st 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.