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Competitions
Portico Writing Competition
We are delighted to launch our Trust-wide Writing Competition, open to every child in Year 3 to Year 6 across all of our schools! This exciting celebration of creativity offers a writing challenge designed to inspire imagination and showcase brilliant storytelling. Year 3 & 4 pupils are invited to write “The Storm That Changed Everything” - a dramatic story about a powerful storm that transforms life as it was. Will it bring danger, loss, hope… or a brand-new beginning? Year 5 & 6 pupils will write a story that begins with a warning. The warning could be spoken, written, mysterious or frightening, but it must matter. We are looking for atmosphere, emotion and creativity. Whether through gripping openings, powerful description, ambitious vocabulary or carefully crafted tension, we can’t wait to see our pupils’ ideas come to life. This competition is open to every child across the Trust, and we strongly encourage everyone to take part. ✨ Every child who enters will receive a bookmark to celebrate their participation. 🏆 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in each phase. 📅 Closing date: 18th March
Spring 2 Term Diary Dates
March
- Saturday 14th - Newsies Jr Production - Belfairs Academy
- Monday 16th - 5A and 5G visit to The Globe Theatre
- Break dancing Enrichment Day
- Tuesday 17th - Year 5/6 Boys' Football League Game at Shoeburyness High School
- Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 18th - Year 5/6 Sportshall Athletics Final
- Thursday 19th - 5N and 5F visit to The Globe Theatre
- Essex Cross Country Squad Training
- Friday 20th - Comic Relief: non-uniform
- Tuesday 24th - Learning Conferences
- Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 25th - Essex Cross Country Final
- Thursday 26th - Portico Football Festival
- Learning Conferences
- Friday 27th - Trip to Garons Park
- Year 5/6 Aquathlon
- Last Day of Term
Year 3
It has been another varied and enjoyable week in Year 3. As usual, the children have worked hard and embraced all of the learning opportunities available to them. In English lessons, the children have taken time to further develop their reading comprehension skills and practise their ability to respond effectively to a variety of comprehension questions. As the plot of our layered reading text (Beast Keeper by Lucy Coats) gathers pace, the children have enjoyed using drama to demonstrate how an author shows a character’s emotions through their behaviour. Next, they went on to explore how the mythological Twelve Labours of Heracles served as an inspiration to Lucy Coats when writing this book. Finally, the children considered, whether given his circumstances, Heracles could be described as a naughty character or not? Maths lessons have helped the children to strengthen their understanding of the link between multiplication and division. They have also consolidated their formal multiplication skills before being introduced to a formal division method. The final mathematics assessment for this term has now been completed. The children’s scientific understanding of magnets and the requirements of a fair test, have enabled them to start planning their own magnetic investigation this week. A design brief has been analysed by Year 3 this week, which requires them to create an ambrosia carrier for the Greek Gods of Olympus. In order to meet this request, the children have been developing their sewing skills and their understanding of the purpose and features of a sewing pattern. They are looking forward to completing this sewing project in the week ahead.
PE Days Spring 2
3T
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
3H
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
3L
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
3M
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Friday
Swimming
- 3H - Monday
- 3L – Tuesday
- 3T – Wednesday
- 3M – Wednesday
Year 4
Once again, we have come to the end of a very hard-working, productive week. In English, we have continued to focus on playscripts and their features. The children have improved a playscript by adding suitable stage directions, adverbials and examples of show not tell to give more details about how characters talk and act. Using their previously written Boudicca speeches, the children have re-written them in the form of playscripts by adding other characters as required. Working in groups, they used their playscripts and acted out their scenes. The use of stage directions ensured that they performed with improved clarity and expression. The focus in maths has been on telling the time. The children have studied units of time and their equivalences. They have practised reading the time on an analogue clock, and some groups have also converted analogue to the digital format. Some children have also begun to solve problems involving durations. As scientists, the children have demonstrated their knowledge of the water cycle through the use of iPads. Using the Keynote app, they have created an animation to show the stages of the water cycle. In our Connected Curriculum lessons, we have discussed Boudicca and have used a range of sources to decide whether she was a heroine or a terrorist! The children have also studied the legacies that the Romans left behind. They ranked them in order of importance and justified the reasons for their choices.
PE Days Spring 2
4B
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
4E
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
4SW
- Indoor PE - Wednesday
- Outdoor PE - Tuesday
4C
- Indoor PE - Monday
- Outdoor PE - Thursday
Swimming
- 4B - Monday
- 4SW - Monday
- 4C - Wednesday
- 4E - Friday
Year 5
There is never a dull moment in Year 5 and even though we continued with our Spring assessments in maths' lessons, the week has still been filled with fun learning and exciting opportunities. Many of our lessons have turned to the culture of Japan as we have begun to explore the beautiful, famous artwork by Hokusai, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Having completed some excellent homework in preparation for us starting this work, the children have been able to demonstrate a good understanding of the piece and its maker. During art lessons, the children have considered the impact of the art upon them, how it makes them feel and analysed the choices made by Hokusai. This was followed up with the children working on their own colour palettes which they will use in their homage to The Great Wave over the next few lessons. Who knew there were so many hues of blue? English lessons have been closely connected to our art lessons as the children have learnt in more detail about tsunamis using our non-fiction layered reading text, Disasters, and also a story inspired by the wave using a beautiful picture book. They have explored empathy, one of our golden values, and considered the impact of different language choices on the reader. This in turn will help them in future lessons as they write their own stories linked to the wave and the gifts it might bring. Our science lesson continued to focus on human life cycles where the children learnt about and discussed the changes during puberty. Well done to all of the Year 5 children involved with Newsies - we are incredibly proud of all their hard work and dedication in order to get to show week! You are all fab-u-lous! Next week, we look forward to our trip to the Globe to bring our learning linked to Shakespeare and The Tempest to an end. On Monday, 5G and 5A will embark on the trip and Thursday, 5N and 5F. Please can we remind you that the children will need to wear uniform, a suitable coat and shoes for walking. They will not require anything other than their water bottles, snack and packed lunch, therefore a smaller bag is advisable. In order to leave promptly, please can the children come into school for 8.40am (when the gates open) and come straight into class. Both trips are due back to school after the end of day - please remind yourselves of pick-up times. We anticipate the children leaving from the Year 5 door onto the playground.
PE Days Spring 2
5G
- Indoor PE - Tuesday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
5A
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
5N
- Indoor PE - Friday
- Outdoor PE - Wednesday
5F
- Indoor PE - Thursday
- Outdoor PE - Monday
Swimming
- 5N – Tuesday
- 5F – Tuesday
- 5G – Thursday
- 5A – Thursday
Year 6
Year 6 have continued to approach their learning with determination and focus as they develop their skills across the curriculum. In maths, they have been working hard on revision linked to area and perimeter, tackling questions of increasing complexity. They have also continued to develop their arithmetic skills, showing perseverance and a real desire to achieve their personal bests when practising key calculation methods. In English, they produced the final version of their personal recounts, drawing together the improvements identified during the editing process. This allowed them to refine sentence structure, vocabulary and organisation to create polished pieces of writing. Reading skills have also been further developed through revision activities, with a particular focus on matching answers precisely to questions when responding to a range of diverse texts. In science, the pupils investigated how animals must adapt and evolve in order to survive when their habitats and environments change. They learned about Charles Darwin’s research, including his famous studies of finches, and explored these ideas through engaging and creative investigations linked to different types of bird beaks. In design and technology, they examined a range of electronic games, considering how electrical circuits allow them to function. Using this knowledge, they then designed and created their own prototype games inspired by Operation, demonstrating their understanding of how circuits can be used within a working product.
PE Days Spring 2
6D
- Indoor - Wednesday
- Outdoor - Monday
6K
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Tuesday
6W
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Tuesday
6S
- Indoor - Thursday
- Outdoor - Monday
Swimming
- 6D - Thursday
- 6S - Friday
- 6K - Friday
- 6W - Friday
Online Safety
Streaming services have become the go-to entertainment choice for many families, with children often favouring on-demand platforms over traditional television. This edition explores the realities behind these services, from rising subscription costs and advert-supported tiers to the impact of autoplay and endless content libraries on young viewers’ screen time and wellbeing. It also highlights key safeguarding concerns, including age-inappropriate material, binge watching, algorithm-driven recommendations and phishing scams. With clear, practical advice for setting profiles, PINs and time limits – alongside tips for discussing algorithms and stereotypes – this guide supports parents in promoting safer, healthier streaming habits.
Parent Council
Dinner Menu
Week 1
Monday - Homemade Tomato & Vegetable wholemeal pasta - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise - Wholemeal Wrap with Tuna Mayonnaise, Sweetcorn, Salad Bar, Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Cocktail Tuesday - All Day Breakfast (Sausage, Baked Beans, Hash Brown) - Vegetarian All Day Breakfast (Vegetarian Sausage, Baked Beans, Hash Brown) - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Scrambled Eggs, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cornflake Crunch Wednesday - Traditional Roast Chicken - Roast Quorn in Gravy - Granary Baguette with Egg Mayonnaise - Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Carrots, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Banana Cake Thursday - Chilli Con Carne - 5 Bean and Vegetable Chilli Con Carne - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise - Rice, Mixed Vegetables or Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Carrot Cake Friday - 100% Fish Fingers - Vegetable Fingers - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon and Sweetcorn - Plain Potato Wedges, Sweetcorn, Peas and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Jelly
Sports News
Year 6 Sports Enrichment Day
On Wednesday, Year 6 took part in an exciting wheelchair sports session delivered by A1MultiSport. During the session, the children learnt how to safely travel and manoeuvre, developing new coordination and control skills as they moved around the space. As their confidence grew, the children took part in a range of small, friendly, competitive games which encouraged teamwork, communication and problem-solving. The session also gave them a valuable opportunity to experience a different type of sport, helping them to build empathy and a deeper understanding of inclusive physical activities. It was wonderful to see the children showing determination, resilience and great sportsmanship while trying something new. Everyone was fully engaged and supported one another, making it a really positive and enjoyable experience.
Year 4 Tag Rugby Competition
On Wednesday, twelve Year 4 children participated in a tag rugby competition at Southend Rugby Club During the morning session, they started well: Darlinghurst 5-2 Thorpe Hal 4-3 And drew 3-3 with Bournes Green They regrouped in the afternoon going into the super 8’s as group winners. After playing St George's and winning 6-2, they played Darlinghurst again and lost 5-3 Finally, they played Our Lady of Lourdes which was a very close game, with end to end tries; unfortunately the team lost 5-4. A huge well done to all the children involved for showing excellent tagging and attacking play and great teamwork throughout the day.
Sportshall Athletics
Congratulations to West Leigh Junior School - the Southend Sportshall Athletics champions for 2026! The children performed magnificently in their track and field events. Their support for each other throughout the morning was wonderful to see and hear. The team not only displayed phenomenal athletics skills but also patience after the competition was originally scheduled for January. Well done, West Leigh!!
Year 3 and 4 Football Festival
On Thursday, twelve girls from Years 3 and 4 took part in a mini football festival at Greenways School, where they played five matches. With this being the first time they had played together as a team, they battled through the strong, cold wind and showed good defensive play. The team did very well finishing with 3 draws and 2 losses. This was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to play football against other schools and for them to develop their skills in each match. The team had great fun and really enjoyed the experience.
School News
World Book Day
What a wonderful day we had last Friday celebrating World Book Day with all the children from the Juniors and Infant schools. The day started with the playground full of buzz: who are you? What have you come as? I love your costume....Ooh, you look cosy! It really has been great to see the children embrace what the day was all about - a love of reading and embracing all the literature that surrounds us. During the day, a number of different activities took place - from 'Drop and Read' (when a bell from the office signals for everyone to stop what they are doing and read their book of choice) to children from the Juniors having shared reading time with children from the Infant school. This is always such a pleasure for the adults and children alike and provides a great opportunity for children from across our school communities to come together. In Year 3, the children made fortune tellers whilst in Year 4, they converted well-known stories into comic strips. Year 5 children used iPads to make trailers for movie versions of fairy tales and finally, Year 6 children explored the darker, alternative sides of the not so 'fairy' tales! Thank you to those children who brought in donations for the Book Swap. Mrs Garrett and her team of Eco-Warriors were inundated with books of good quality which the children enjoyed browsing throughout the afternoon with their buying tokens in hand ready to bring a new book home. We hope they enjoy reading their new books and thank you to the Eco team for all their hard work. Don't forget, the special edition World Book Day books (which cost only £1 or can be purchased using your World Book Day voucher) are still available in book shops and supermarkets.
Inspirational Person - Bethany Hamilton
Last half term's Showbie challenge was taken up by so many children and hopefully we have managed to make a difference to the planet through our actions. As part of their challenge, Fearne and Jude Rochester asked us to share the link to the following petition for a new law called the Living Planet Act, so that as many parents as possible can sign up: https://www.wwf.org.uk/act/living-planet-act This half term, our inspirational person is Bethany Hamilton. Bethany’s story is one of courage, determination and heart. After losing her arm in a shark attack at the age of 13, she showed incredible resilience by returning to the sport she loved and continuing to compete at the highest level. Rather than giving up, she chose to face her challenges with bravery and a positive mindset. Bethany reflects our school values in powerful ways. We thought about a new way to define integrity: staying true to who you are, even when life becomes incredibly difficult. Bethany didn’t give up on her passion and she continued to work hard – when in fact, no-one would have blamed her for quitting! Just like Bethany riding a wave, we all have challenges to face. And even if the wave feels big and scary, we can be brave enough to try again. The challenge for this half term is to use the surfboard template on Showbie to create a ‘Golden Values’ surfboard. This could be decorated with words to represent the values, symbols or even a personal goal that you are surfing towards!
Community News
We've created a dedicated space on our website to share flyers for local events and community support. Click the link below to explore what's happening in our area.
Summer 1 Term Diary Dates
April
- Monday 13th - Children return to school
- Tuesday 14th - Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 15th - Year 3 Sports Enrichment Day
- Thursday 16th - Class photos
- Friday 17th - Year 5/6 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad Training
- Year 5/6 Padel Competition
- Tuesday 21st - Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 22nd - Year 6 Book Look
- Year 6 Boys' Cricket Competition
- Thursday 23rd - Year 6 Girls' Cricket Competition
- Friday 24th - Year 5/6 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Tennis Competition
- Year 5/6 Tennis Competition
- Tuesday 28th - Portico Multi Sports Festival
- Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 29th - Year 5 Book Look
- Year 5/6 Quad Kids Competition
- Thursday 30th - Creative Dance Festival
May
- Friday 1st - Year 5/6 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad Training
- Monday 4th - Bank Holiday Monday
- Tuesday 5th - Therapy Dog Visit
- Wednesday 6th - Year 4 Book Look
- Year 5 IndiRock Visit
- Year 3/4 Quad Kids Competition
- Friday 8th - Year 5/6 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad Training
- Monday 11th - Thursday 14th - Year 6 SATs
- Tuesday 12th - Therapy Dog Visit
- Friday 15th - Year 5/6 Swim Squad Training
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad Training
- Tuesday 19th - Therapy Dog Visit
- 4B & 4C Performance
- Wednesday 20th - Year 5 IndiRock
- Swim Gala
- Thursday 21st - SEEMSMA Rehearsals
- 4E & 4SW Performance
- Friday 22nd - Big Art Adventure Day
- Monday 25th - Friday 29th - Half Term
Credits:
Created with images by mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date." • tatomm - "close up of calendar on the orange table background, planning for business meeting or travel planning concept" • ImageFlow - "Kid boy with phone, cybersecurity hologram and padlock circuit" • ercan senkaya - "full lunch service station" • Kaspars Grinvalds - "Tablet with sports news website on stack of newspapers.,All contents are made up." • deeaf - "News word on table" • Dusan Petkovic - "Adorable curious caucasian little girl with eyeglasses standing in bookstore and reading interesting book. All around are books on shelves." • New Africa - "Trophy and confetti on light background, top view with space for text.,Victory concept" • mnirat - "Closeup Colorful drawing pins on Calendar page with date."