porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 25th october 2024

Nursery

This week we have been looking closely at the changes in ‘Autumn’ we have enjoyed using the outside environment to look at leaves, acorns and the weather. We have also enjoyed finding out about pumpkins and after half term we will be investigating these further with some other autumnal vegetables.

Reminder: Have a safe and happy Half term. Have lots of fun in the Autumn sunshine.

Reception

This week we have read a new book called ‘We’re going to find the Monster’. The children enjoyed joining in with the repeated phrases and discussing the events. In Maths we have continued to learn about sorting and identifying the odd one out. We have been comparing quantities talking about more/most/greater and less/least/fewer. We have enjoyed looking at signs of autumn and investigating natural resources such as conkers, pine-cones, leaves and sticks. In music we have been learning how to tap along to the beat and keep the pulse.

Reminder: Don’t for forget to read at home and sign the reading record. Please check your child has their name in their clothing.

Year 1

The children have worked hard to subtract numbers within 10. They have used the crossing out method. In English, our focus has been rhyming words. We have enjoyed texts such as 'Oi Dog' and 'Oi Cat'.

Reminder: Please wash your child's PE over the half term and return it to school. Check all items are labelled after being washed.

Year 2

In English we have been recapping how we use punctuation in statements, commands and questions. We have written our own statements, commands and questions and edited mistakes. In maths we have been using numbers from 0-100 and identified bonds to 100. We are learning to notice the difference between the value of ones and tens.

We have refreshed our memory in handwriting and practised writing ascending and descending letters. We have had great fun in art exploring the colour theory and the mood and intent of Turner’s artwork.

Reminder: Please read at home as much as you can! You could visit the library this holiday and read the books you have chosen under a warm and cosy blanket!

Year 3

In English this week we have been revising aspects of grammar ie homophones, expanded noun phrases and learning the skill of proofreading. In maths we have been adding and subtracting with and without exchanging. In history and science, we have revised our knowledge of the topics we have covered. In art we have completed our clay pots.

Year 4

In English we have been recapping key year four literacy skills like expanded noun phrases and fronted adverbials. The children have been writing Anglo-Saxon sentences and phrases and are showing great success. In maths we are continuing to use subtraction skills.

Reminder: Spellings go out every Monday and are stuck in the children’s reading records. They should be using these words in sentences to practise spelling them.

The children can also practise their times tables by using TTR at home, this will greatly help them in their maths lessons.

Year 5

In maths, we have been looking at strategies to multiply and divide by 10, 100 and 1000. The children have then applied these strategies to more complex problems.

In art, the children planned and used paints to create their own seascape pictures. They used the skills they had learnt throughout the half term including texture and colour.

Reminder: Please ensure that the children are reading over the half term holiday. If they read in any new and exciting places, please take a photo and share it with their teacher!

Year 6

In English, we have written biographies about the life of Sherlock Holmes. Everyone challenged themselves to use formal language. For example, ‘his true passion was mystery-solving', instead of ‘he liked solving mysteries’.

In maths, we used the multiplication and division strategies we have learnt this half term to solve word problems.

We have painted and decorated our self-portrait sculptures and they look fantastic! It’s lovely to see how unique they are; representing how unique we are.

Reminder: After half term, we start learning about fractions in maths. If your child does not know their times tables, they will find these lessons trickier. Please help them to learn their times tables or use TT Rockstars.

The online forms for The Clink Museum trip and the IndiRock trips should have been completed by now. Further information is on the letters sent via ParentPay.

French

This week year 5 continued their exciting topic of sport with a look at the Tour de France and its key vocabulary. Year 2 switched their attention to Paris and enjoyed an online artist showing us how to draw the Tour Eiffel.

Music

Drum Lessons

We have a new drum tutor starting after the half-term break.

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

Fire Safety

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.