Hamstel Infant School & Nursery Weekly News 17th october 2025

Nursery

This week our story has been ‘Going on a bear hunt’. The children have enjoyed this story and were able to help retell the story using a story map and going on their own bear hunts in the garden.

In maths we have been practising counting 3 objects and naming 2D shapes.

The children had fun in outdoor learning this week, we went on a colour hunt, finding leaves to match the colours on their sheet, they then made leaf wreaths which looked lovely.

REMINDER: As the weather is getting colder and the children are starting to wear hats and gloves could you please ensure that they have your child's name written on them thank you

Please ensure that your child has a spare set of clothes at Nursery.

Letters sent home this week

• Whole School - Enrichment Event - 13.10.2025

Reception

This week we have been learning about our bodies and reading the book ‘Eyes, nose, fingers and toes’. In PSHE we have been learning to name and identify different parts of our body.

In PE we have been learning to

In maths we have subitise different arrangements of 2 and 3 from pictures and sounds and use positional language (next to, on top, behind) to describe patterns of 4. In shape, space and measure we have been describing and continuing AABBB patterns.

How to help at home

• RWI: continue to listen to your child read at least 5 times a week. Please sign the home school book when you have listened to your child read and read a story to your child.
• Handwriting: practise all the long-legged giraffe letters

• Maths: learn about positional language by playing this game - Where am I? Positional language Made Easy! Free Games online for kids in Pre-K by Ace Early Years
• Nursery rhyme/song of the week: Head, shoulders, knees and toes - Heads, shoulders, knees and toes - BBC Teach

REMINDER: Next week will be learning about growing. To help support the children talking about how they have grown since they were babies, could you please provide a baby photo of your child by Monday 20th October. Please write your child's name on the back of the photo and hand in to your class teacher or teaching assistant. If you are unable to provide a printed photograph, please use Tapesty to upload a photo and let your class teacher know.

QUESTIONNAIRE: Reception Transition

We are very keen to make every child's start at our school as smooth and happy as possible. Now that you and your child have settled into school life we would very much appreciate your feedback on our transition process.

Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire which can be accessed at the link below. The deadline for responses is Friday 24th October, thank you.

We are always looking for ways to fine tune and improve procedures so they are the best they can be and ensure that all children have a settled and enjoyable start to Hamstel Infant School & Nursery.

Letters sent home this week

• Whole School - Enrichment Event - 13.10.2025

Rainbow & Starlight

Rainbow

It has been a busy week for Rainbow Room, the children have been learning more about family and about adults they can trust. The children have continued learning about feelings and emotions using the Zones of Regulation, we have been delving deeper into feelings and how things make us feel, and how we can support those feelings.

The children have made some lovely art work using different mark making techniques. In PE the children enjoyed following a structured rout, and following visuals with limited adult support, we all had lots of fun and were in need of a rest!

RWI: m a s t d

Family Letters: long-legged giraffe letters

Maths: Sequencing, additions, number ordering, counting in 2’s, recognising sets of numbers/objects, counting fingers, forming numbers and matching numbers to written numerical

REMINDER: Monday 20th – Outdoor Learning, please make sure all children have warm clothing on, and a change of clothing.

Starlight

We’ve had a very exciting start to the week! On Monday, we had a special visit from Nite Owls. The children gathered in the hall to meet some beautiful owls and learn lots of interesting facts about them. The children even had the chance to have their photo taken with an owl.

In PSHE, we’ve been learning about the difference between happy surprises and secrets that might make us feel uncomfortable. The children have been great at discussing how to tell the difference and what to do if they ever feel unsure.

In Art, we explored the work of Quentin Blake and had a go at drawing owls in his unique, sketchy style – the results were fantastic!

We also continued our learning about the Zones of Regulation, with a focus on the Green Zone – when we feel calm, happy, and ready to learn.

REMINDER: Outdoor learning on Monday. Please dress your child in appropriate clothing and provide a change of clothes. Thank you.

Year 1

This week we have been reading the traditional tale ‘The Gingerbread Man’. We have continued to develop our knowledge of adjectives and noun phrases and have written some descriptive sentences about the Fox and the Gingerbread Man.

In maths we have been learning to add numbers within 10 using our knowledge of number bonds. We have been working practically using part-part whole diagrams to complete number sentences.

In design and technology, we have been discussing different fruits and vegetables. We had a tasting session where we described the taste of strawberries, raspberries, peppers and pineapple. We used a knife to practise our safe cutting skills of a banana and cucumber. In PE we have been continuing making wide, narrow and curled poses in gymnastics.

REMINDER: Outdoor learning next week

Letters sent home this week

• Whole School - Enrichment Event - 13.10.2025

Year 2

It’s been a great week in Year 2. The children loved having our Owl visitors swoop in for a fantastic display. The children observed a range of owls fly around the hall whilst finding out lots of interesting facts about the Owls.

Back in the classroom we used the facts we learnt from the display and researched some more. We then used the facts to write some factual sentences about Owls. We have learnt where Owls live in their natural habitats, what they like to eat and about baby owls.

In Maths we have begun our unit on addition and started learning about adding a 2-digit number with another 2-digit number but without renaming e.g. 42+20=. We have had to apply understanding of counting in tens to help us. We have explored this concept using our tens and one's equipment so we can see visually how this looks in. We then moved on to using a pictorial method, where we have drawn out the tens and ones to help us and we have begun to use the column method.

This week we have also begun our Artist Study on Quentin Blake and using his ‘Three Little Owls’ as inspiration for our own artwork. We have explored his drawings, thinking about we liked and disliked. We have also been learning how to use line to draw an owl in the style of Quentin Blake.

Applying for a Year 3 Place for your Child & Hamstel Junior School Tours.

The application window for on time applications for a Year 3 school place is between 14 September 2025 and 15 January 2026 and parents can apply via the online form which is available during this period.

Full details can be found on the Southend Council website or in the published booklet.

National Offer Day, when all that have applied receive the outcome for their application is 16 April 2025.

Please remember all Year 2 children leave Hamstel Infants School at the end of this school year. You must make an application for a Year 3 place either to a Junior School or a Primary School, even if you want your child to move onto our sister school Hamstel Junior School.

Hamstel Junior School - Tour Dates

We have been asked to share the tour dates available at Hamstel Junior School, please see the attached flyer.

For parents interested please contact Hamstel Junior via their office email office@hjs.porticoacademytrust.co.uk

Places will be available on a first come first served basis.

Letters sent home this week

• Year 2 - Nite Owl - Photo Order - 16.10.2025
• Whole School - Enrichment Event - 13.10.2025

Support Our School with Easyfundraising!

Dear Parents & Carers,

We’re excited to let you know that our PTA is now using Easyfundraising to help raise money for our school and you can help too, simply by doing your everyday shopping online!

It’s completely free to use and takes just a minute to get started.

1. 🛒 Here’s how it works: Visit our fundraising page here
2. Click “Support this cause” and create your free account.
3. Start your online shopping at your favourite retailers (like Amazon, Argos, Tesco, M&S, Just Eat and many more!).
4. The retailer sends us a free donation at no extra cost to you!

It’s an easy way to support our school while doing what you’re already doing online. Every penny raised goes directly towards enriching the learning experience for our children from new equipment and resources to fun events and activities.

Please take a moment to sign up and share the link with friends and family too!

Thank you for your continued support,

Messages from the Office

Reception September 2026 - School Tours

If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 they will be due to start school in September 2026. The application process opens on 16th September and if you live within the Southend City Council area you can apply online at www.southend.gov.uk/admissions. Deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

If you, a family member or friend have a child due to start school and would like to view our school please contact the school office either by telephone 01702 468461 or by email office@his.porticoacademytrust.co.uk to book onto one of the tours we have coming up.

Christmas Fair

We know it is very early to be mentioning Christmas - but initial plans have already begun - please see the flyer below.

Admission Arrangements

• Chase High School Admission Arrangements
• Chase High School Admission Policy

Community

Early Help Autumn Community News

Southend SEND Information Event

Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF), and the SEND Local Offer Team invite parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), and professionals to a SEND Information Day.

• Date and time: 6 November 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm (drop in anytime)
• Venue: Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6ER

Attendees will be able to meet a range of local services and organisations at our SEND Marketplace, and attend information talks:

• 10am to 11am: Transitions from the Children with Disabilities Team to adult social care
• 11.30am to 12.30pm: Health information session; Decision making; young people with additional needs
• 1pm to 2pm: Collaboration Counts: Supporting your young person with SEND in education

No booking needed, just drop-in any time. Further information is available at: www.livewellsouthend.com/SENDInformationDay