12th june 2026
save the date
Thursday 9th July – Celebrating Together – 3.10pm Friday 17th July – Year 3 & 4 Sports Day – 9.30am – 11am Friday 17th July – Year 5 & 6 Sports Day – 1.45pm – 3pm Tuesday 21st July – Year 6 leavers disco – time tbc Wednesday 22nd July – Year 6 leavers assembly – time tbc Wednesday 22nd July – Academy closes at 1.30pm for the summer holiday, no after school provision on this date
PRINCIPAL MessagE
Dear parents and careers, At Darlinghurst we follow the Darlinghurst Direction together. It shares our three rules and our actions that show how we do it here! This week, we have been incredibly proud of our children as they explored what it really means to be Ready, Respectful and Safe. In assembly, children and staff came together to think deeply about what these rules look like, sound like and feel like in our school. The ideas shared were thoughtful, honest and really showed how well our children understand their role in making our academy such a positive place to learn and play. For Ready, children talked about being prepared, responding quickly and joining in with learning. They described classrooms that sound calm and focused, where everyone contributes—and how this helps them feel positive and engaged. For Respect, they shared how this looks like listening, showing kindness and caring for each other and our environment. They spoke about using kind words, greetings and good manners, and how this helps everyone feel happy, valued and like they truly belong. For Safe, children reflected on making good choices—such as walking sensibly, playing fairly and managing their feelings. They explained that safe environments sound calm and supportive, where children feel confident to speak up. Most importantly, they recognised that safety helps everyone feel both physically and emotionally secure. It was wonderful to see how clearly our children could articulate not just the behaviours, but the impact these have on themselves and others. These shared expectations help us create a calm, caring and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. We were especially proud to share this work with our governors during their visit on Wednesday. They were impressed by how confidently the children spoke about our rules and how strongly these values are embedded across the school. Together, we are building a culture where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging—and that is something to celebrate.
Our ideas have been collated for some new posters for the next academic year. We are still working on these and any contributions from parents are warmly welcomed.
A huge congratulations to all of our Year 1 children for completing their Phonics Screening Check this week. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, commitment and determination they have shown during both the lead up to and the assessment itself. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our parents and carers for their continued support. The regular practice of sounds and reading at home has made a real difference and has helped the children develop their confidence and phonics knowledge. Well done to all of our Year 1 children on this fantastic achievement and thank you to everyone who has supported them on their phonics journey.
As always enjoy your family time together. Mrs Nicholls
in the spotlight
Celebrating Together
As we approach the end of another wonderful academic year, we look forward to celebrating all that the children have achieved. We would like to invite parents and carers to join us on Thursday 9th July for a special opportunity to share in the children's successes and view their school books. This will be a chance to see the progress they have made, celebrate their hard work, and reflect on the many learning experiences they have enjoyed throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating together before the summer break.
The Big Future Survey: Giving Children a Voice
For the first time, hundreds of thousands of young people will be eligible to vote in the next general election at the age of 16 – the biggest change to voting rights in over 50 years. Yet despite this historic shift, only one in five children say that politicians listen to them. To help change that, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza has launched, The Big Future, with the aim of hearing from one million children across the country. This is an opportunity to listen to young people and learn about what life is really like for children today.
The survey asks children about the changes they would like to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes and ambitions for the future. Most importantly, it seeks to understand what children believe a good childhood should look like – both now and for generations to come. By listening directly to children and young people, The Big Future aims to ensure their voices are heard and their views help shape the future. Over the weekend, please take a few moments to sit down with your child and complete the survey together. Your input is greatly appreciated. You can access the survey via the QR code below or accessing the link https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TheBigFuture/
Business Enterprise Afternoon – A Great Success!
We were delighted that the weather was kind to us and the rain held off, allowing our much-anticipated Business Enterprise afternoon to go ahead without interruption. Year 6 pupils truly rose to the challenge, planning and delivering a fantastic range of activities and mini business ideas for everyone to enjoy. From creative stalls to energetic games, there was something for all ages. Popular attractions included Beat the Goalie, Hook a Duck, Nerf Guns, Tom and Jerry (a lively chasing game), and even the chance to Sponge the Children! Pupils also enjoyed face painting, nail painting, buying bracelets, a lucky dip, and an exciting racing car activity. A refreshing lemonade and refreshments stand kept everyone energised, while the raffle added an extra element of anticipation and fun. Children from across the academy, from Reception through to Year 5, came along to take part and support the event. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm, engagement, and community spirit throughout the afternoon. This enterprise project provided Year 6 with a valuable opportunity to explore important financial concepts such as money management, profit and loss, and customer engagement. At a time when digital payments are becoming increasingly common, experiences like this are crucial in helping children develop real-life skills in handling coins and money—an important aspect of the National Curriculum. Most importantly, the event was filled with enjoyment, creativity, and teamwork. Our Year 6 pupils demonstrated fantastic entrepreneurial skills, showing confidence, resilience, and innovation in bringing their ideas to life. A huge thank you goes to everyone who supported the event—staff, families, and pupils alike. Your generosity and encouragement helped make this a memorable experience and will contribute towards Year 6 fundraising efforts while supporting their financial learning journey. Well done to our brilliant young entrepreneurs!
Book Fair
A big thank you to all the children, parents and carers that supported Darlinghurst at our recent book fair back in May. We sold an amazing £523 worth of books which equates to £209 in Scholastic book rewards. We will use the vouchers to purchase more wonderful books for the school! Thank you for your ongoing financial support this year for the book fairs. They have a real impact on the quality and quantity of books for the school. Mrs Richards and Mr Dunne
year 5 - secondary school open evenings
We would like to remind parents and carers that many local secondary schools will be holding Open Evenings over the coming months. These events provide an excellent opportunity for Year 6 pupils and their families to visit schools, meet staff and students, tour the facilities, and learn more about each school's curriculum, values and opportunities. We encourage families to check the websites of the secondary schools they are interested in for details of open evening dates, times and booking arrangements, as some schools may require advance registration. Attending open evenings can help you and your child make an informed decision when considering secondary school applications.
proud to be me
darlinghurst academy
Pavilion Drive Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 3JS
contact us
T. 01702 478379 E. generalenquiries@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk