Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back, everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful Easter break, filled with lots of chocolate and sunshine. Although this week has been short, it has certainly been a busy one. Our rugby and football teams competed in the Essex finals, showcasing their incredible skills and sportsmanship; Year 5 enjoyed a chocolate workshop and Year 3 had an interesting trip to Old Leigh. It has been a great start to the summer term and we look forward to more exciting things to come.
We have been speaking to lots of the children about uniform in recent weeks. As a reminder, socks should be black and without logos, as should shoes and trainers. Please also ensure that shorts are of an appropriate length. Some of the older girls have been coming to school on PE days with very short, tight shorts which are not appropriate for school.
Thank you for your support and have a lovely weekend.
Mr Aggus
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Summer 1 Diary Dates - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6 - Online Safety
VE Day - Sports News - Inspiration Person - Dinner Menu
Messages from the Office - Attendance - Golden Thank Yous - Sports Awards
House Points - PTA - Parent Council - Community - Summer 2 Diary Dates
Summer 1 Diary Dates
April
- Monday 28th - Year 5 Geography Field Trip to Belfairs Woods
- Tuesday 29th - Girls' Netball Competition
- Internet Safety Meeting for Parents @ 7pm
- Wednesday 30th - Year 3/4 Quad Kids
- Coastal Schools - 4B
May
- Thursday 1st - Dance Festival @ Alleyn Court
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad training
- Friday 2nd - Year 3/4 Boys' Southend Football Competition
- Year 5/6 Swim Squad training
- Thursday 6th - Year 5 girls - football trials
- Wednesday 7th - Year 5/6 Quad Kids
- Thursday 8th - VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations
- Year 3/4 Swim Squad training
- Friday 9th - Year 5/6 Swim Squad training
- Monday 12th - Year 6 SATs Week
- No swimming all week
- 5K & 5F to fields
- Thursday 15th - Ilam Hall meeting for parents @ 7pm
- Friday 16th - Swim Squad training
- Monday 19th - Swim Squad Training
- Class Photos
- 5K & 5F to fields
- Tuesday 20th - Year 6 Field Study (Southend)
- Year 3 Presentation @ 2pm (3M & 3S)
- Wednesday 21st - Maths Quiz Club Area Heat
- Coastal Schools - 4E
- Swimming Gala @ Garon Park
- Thursday 22nd - Year 3 Presentation @ 2pm (3T & 3H)
- Seesma Rehearsals @ Wesley Church
- Friday 23rd - Year 6 Rounders Festival
- Year 3 Presentation to shool
- Monday 26th - Friday 30th - Half Term
Year 3
The children have had a great first week of the summer term. In English, they have been exploring A River’s Tale by Rudyard Kipling which has supported their new Connected Curriculum topic of Old Father Thames. The children enjoyed identifying the rhyme scheme and exploring rhyming words within the verses. They went onto look at the imagery described within the poem and created illustrations of different views of the River Thames mentioned in the poem. In their final lesson of the week, the children focused on perspective and the way the river is personified through the poem. They then created their own verse of the poem based on the Thames Estuary.
In science, the children have begun their new topic on plants and were able to create detailed labelled diagrams explaining each part of a flowering part and its functions.
Connected Curriculum has focused on geography this week, looking at the unequal distribution of water across the world. The children used globes and atlases to identify which countries would geographically have less access to fresh water and discussed some of the limitations. They also went onto the playground to complete a challenge of transporting 2L of water into a measuring container on the other side using small implements such as syringes, bottle tops and tea spoons. They had to work as a team and problem-solve to ensure they didn’t waste any water in the transportation. The children then went on to discuss the difficulties of transporting water across long distances and the financial implications to better understand this global issue.
Our highlight this week has been our trip into Old Leigh on Thursday morning which really hooked the children into the new topic, Old Father Thames, allowing them to create some beautiful sketches of the Thames Estuary from Belton Hills Nature reserve. They went on a walking tour through the Old Town learning about some of the history of our town and a few legends of Leigh. Lastly, the children completed a scavenger hunt of questions which really tested their detailed observation.
Enjoy a restful weekend with your families.
Reminders:
New spellings have been issued ready for testing on Wednesday. Please also take note of this half term's PE days to ensure your child has the correct uniform. Due to our year group presentations this half-term, there will be some swimming and PE swaps due to rehearsals and performances, so please pay close attention to the newsletter and communication books where all changes will be noted.
Swimming
- 3M - Tuesday
- 3S - Wednesday
- 3H - Monday
- 3T - Wednesday
PE
- 3M - Wednesday - Indoor PE - Thursday - Outdoor PE
- 3S - Tuesday - Indoor PE - Friday - Outdoor PE
- 3H - Tuesday - Indoor PE - Thursday - Outdoor PE
- 3T - Monday - Indoor PE - Friday - Outdoor PE
Year 4
It has been lovely to welcome the children back after their Easter break. They have returned to school feeling refreshed and ready for the exciting term ahead.
This week, our English lessons have involved studying an adapted version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. The children have been introduced to the main characters from the story and the relationships between them. Using their skimming and scanning skills, the children identified the characters’ actions and the dialogue used between them. From this, they were able to ascertain the characters’ private thoughts, feelings, and desires. The children have also used direct speech to write a conversation between two of the characters.
As mathematicians, there has been a continued focus on geometry, where the children have revised the various types of angles. They have used the correct mathematical vocabulary to identify and sort a range of polygons, including triangles and quadrilaterals, based on their properties.
In science, our new topic of electricity was introduced. The children have defined what electricity is and have studied a range of electrical appliances, including those which are battery-operated, those which run on mains, or those which run on both. They have studied the hazards associated with electricity and have produced an electrical safety poster showing the dangers to avoid.
Wednesday was our ‘Hook Day’ where our new Connected Curriculum topic, All the Fun of the Fair, was introduced. The children worked in small groups and had great fun creating their own theme parks - money was no object! Using large grids, they produced their own maps and included a wide range of rides and attractions. They reinforced their knowledge of 4-figure grid references by plotting features at specific points across their grids. They further demonstrated their mathematical skills by calculating the total cost of all of the rides and attractions within their theme park. The day concluded with each group presenting their ideas to the class in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch. They used persuasive language to explain the features of their theme park.
Reminders: 4B have Coastal Schools on Wednesday, 30th April.
Swimming
- 4B - Monday
- 4E - Friday
- 4SW - Monday
- 4C - Wednesday
PE
- 4B - Wednesday - Indoor PE - Tuesday - Outdoor PE
- 4E - Monday - Indoor PE - Thursday - Outdoor PE
- 4SW - Friday - Indoor PE - Thursday - Outdoor PE
- 4C - Monday - Indoor PE - Tuesday - Outdoor PE
Year 5
It has been lovely to welcome the children back refreshed and excited for the new challenges in their final term of Year 5!
In English lessons, we have introduced our new Layered Reading text, Armstrong – The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon, which will also, for the next two weeks, serve as inspiration for the writing of newspaper reports. The children began their ‘journey’, learning to infer clues from the illustrations. In a second lesson, they reviewed the vocabulary used within the text to convey a message to the reader and considering its suitability for the book’s audience. In the final lesson of the week, using an event from the text, the children were asked to imagine what might have been seen or heard by an eye-witness regarding a fire in a building. The children used hot-seating to build a bank of information and made notes to write a recount from the point of view of a specific witness. This also enabled them to practise writing in an informal tone.
This week's science lessons focused on the different life-stages of humans. The children considered how we all start our lives as foetuses and how we change as we grow through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Our RE lessons this term focus on the views of Christians and Humanists and consider the similarities and differences in their belief system. In their first lesson, the children looked at what constitutes good and bad behaviours and how often thought is the beginning of bad deeds. They ended the lesson by considering what a ‘code for living’ might be in order to help people choose what would be considered as a good option.
We had two exciting introductions to our new Connected Curriculum topic – Chocolate. The children learnt how to calculate using the Mayan (who were famous for growing and drinking chocolate in the past) number system which is very different from our decimal system and written vertically and not horizontally. They practised creating numbers with sticks, stones and shells which had the value of 5, 1 and zero respectively and as they became more confident, solved simple calculations. We were also visited by The Minister of Chocolate! All classes had the opportunity to find out everything about chocolate including where and how it grows, how it is processed, the history behind it and they were excited to create their own unique chocolate to take home. It was a brilliant start to our topic and the children were, as always, full of enthusiasm and exceptionally well-behaved.
Letters sent home this week
Swimming
- 5K - Tuesday
- 5F - Thursday
- 5L - Tuesday
- 5G - Thursday
PE
- 5K - Friday - Indoor PE - Monday - Outdoor PE
- 5F- Friday - Indoor PE - Monday - Outdoor PE
- 5L - Thursday - Indoor PE - Wednesday - Outdoor PE
- 5G - Tuesday - Indoor PE - Wednesday- Outdoor PE
Year 6
This week, following the pupils’ return from their Easter break, they have continued their revision programme in both maths and English. In addition to focusing on the key aspects for the upcoming SATs, they have also taken time to edit and refine their flanimal reports as they write their final version.
In Connected Curriculum, there was much excitement across all four classrooms, which also spilled into the corridor, and even the Year 6 cloakroom as the pupils learned more about 18 of the most influential and significant Britons of all time. During this hook activity, they were challenged to identify the correct order or the information (which had been incorrectly structured) and then even justify their choices of who they believed to be the most significant Briton of all time.
Additionally, as scientists, they have shared their current knowledge of the internal systems of the human body that are common in all humans and identified how many of their current beliefs and ideas contrast with the reality of the internal systems of humans.
Letters sent home this week
Swimming
- All Classes - Friday
PE
- 6D - Wednesday - Indoor PE - Tuesday - Outdoor PE
- 6A - Thursday - Indoor PE - Monday - Outdoor PE
- 6P - Thursday - Indoor PE - Tuesday - Outdoor PE
- 6W - Thursday - Indoor PE - Monday- Outdoor PE
Online Safety
As technology becomes increasingly embedded in young people’s lives, it’s common for them to form friendships entirely online. These connections can provide companionship and community — but they also bring potential dangers that we all need to be aware of.
From online grooming and privacy breaches to exposure to upsetting content, meeting people on the internet isn’t without risk. This guide explains the possible hazards of online friendships and gives parents essential advice on helping children build safe, positive relationships online.
On Tuesday 29th April, we would like to invite you to an online safety parent workshop at 7pm. In today's digital age, it is crucial to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to ensure our children's online experiences are safe and positive.
During this workshop, we will cover essential topics such as parental controls on games and apps and fostering open communication with your children about their online activities. We will be joined by Lisa Kenevan and Hollie Dance, who have put together a video and presentation that they would like to share with you as part of their 'Be Challenge Aware' programme.
We look forward to seeing you there and working together to create a safer online environment for our children.
VE Day
As part of our celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we would like to invite children to wear red, white and blue to school on Thursday 8th May. We politely request that children do not wear football kits or face paint/hair dye as part of their outfit. The children will be taking part in lots of exciting activities throughout the day, including a joint party during the afternoon with the Infant School.
Sports News Stories
Jim Smith Essex Cup Final
It has been a cup run of penalty heroics, comebacks and excitement from the West Leigh football team who competed in an enthralling final against Sunnymede Primary School on Wednesday at Aveley Football Club. It was a fantastic experience for the children to compete here and walk out of the tunnel side by side with their opponents. The score was 0-0 at half time with both sides easing themselves into the game. In the second half, Sunnymede opened the scoring before West Leigh fought back to equalise from a George Sewell penalty. We were then reminded that football is a cruel game when Sunnymede were awarded a penalty with just one minute to play. Despite a heroic save from Michael Alticosalian, the rebound eventually went in and Sunnymede won 2-1. It was a brilliant performance from the team, despite not getting the result they hoped for. Mr Markham and Miss Fletcher are incredibly proud of the team for their success this season.
Year 6 Essex Tag Rugby Finals
Following their success in the Southend Finals in October, the tag rugby team attended the Essex Finals on Wednesday 23 April; despite having 6 members of their squad missing due to attending an Essex Football Final on the same day, the new squad were enthused and ready to go.
Group stage
- West Leigh 8 - 1 Mayflower
- West Leigh 3 - 4 Henry Moore
- West Leigh 7 - 1 St Andrew’s
- West Leigh 3 - 3 Epping
Super 10s
- West Leigh 3 - 3 Thamside
- West Leigh 2 - 4 Fairways
- West Leigh 5 - 1 Grove Wood
- West Leigh 5 - 3 Quilters
After an anxious wait to discover whether their results were sufficient, good news was announced that West Leigh had qualified for the semi-final.
Semi-Final
- West Leigh 5 - 3 St Peter’s
Final
- West Leigh 1 - 3 Fairways
Despite losing to a very talented Fairways team in the final, we could not be prouder of the team’s effort and success in all aspects of what they did. They were exemplary, yet there was one particularly remarkable achievement:
For those pupils, who were not a part of the original team for Southend finals (Olly Styles, Albert Hayward, Jack Rudd, Harrison Dunn and Henry Smith), who stepped in at relatively late notice to replace those children going to the Essex Football Final, you were a credit to your school and performed magnificently.
Inspirational Person - Ann Makosinski
This half term, we have been learning how empathy can lead to innovation! Ann Makosinski was only fifteen years old when her friend told her she had failed a grade at school because she did not have electricity at home and she could not study as a result. Ann was determined to find a solution to the problem, and to help her friend - and she did! She invented a special torch called the Hollow Flashlight - a torch that uses body heat in order to work. Ann's empathy didn't end there - she is now working to ensure that Hollow Flashlights are available for free to everyone in the world who cannot afford electricity.
This half term's Showbie challenge is to consider a problem that exists in the world today. It might be a big problem, or it could be something for someone that you know, like Ann.
Invent something that will help to solve that problem! Draw a picture of your invention and label it, explaining what it will do and how it will help.
Children can upload their entries to the 'Inspirational People' folder on Showbie.
Dinner Menu
Week 2
Monday - Homemade Creamy Cheese and Vegetable Pasta Bake with Garlic Bread - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise - Wholemeal Wrap with Ham and Tortilla Chips - Sweetcorn, Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Raspberry Mousse
Tuesday - Chinese Chicken Curry - Chinese Vegetable Curry - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Steamed Rice and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Biscuit
Wednesday - Pork Sausage Toad in the Hole with Gravy - Vegan Sausage Toad in the Hole with Gravy - Granary Baguette with Tuna Mayonnaise - Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cornflake Crunch
Thursday - Mild Chilli Con Carne - Vegetable and Bean Chilli Con Carne - Jacket Potato with Baked Beans Cheese or Tuna Mayonniase - Rice and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Cherry Chocolate Cake
Friday - Margherita Pizza with Chunky Chips - Vegan Pizza with Chunky Chips - Wholemeal Wrap with Salmon and Sweetcorn with Tortilla Chips - Homemade Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Jelly
Messages from the Office
School lunches
School lunches can be booked until the end of the academic year. Please ensure that your child is provided with a packed lunch should the 8am cut off be missed.
Don't forget to check out our new online bookshop here.
Sports Awards
The award for Most Improved goes to Martha Green in 6W for improved long distance running, helped by her willingness to train in her own free time.
The Sports Performer award goes to Annabelle Scott in 5L for helping her class mates to use the ‘close catch’ and ‘deep catch’ techniques effectively.
Messages from FOWLS
Parent Council
The full list of councillors, along with their email addresses if you wish to contact them, can be found on our school website. The minutes from our meetings are also published on this page, which can be found using the following link: https://www.westleighjunior.co.uk/parent-council
A reminder that answers to many of the previously discussed items at parent council can be found on the 'hot topics' section of our website: https://www.westleighjunior.co.uk/hot-topics
This includes subjects such as lost property, lunchtime arrangements, clubs and much more.
We still have vacancies in 4C and 6P - if you are able to spare an evening each term to represent your class, it would be of great benefit to the school. Our meetings are held at 4.30pm and councillors are able to use our After School Club, free of charge to assist with child care during the meeting. Please contact Mrs London if you are able to volunteer.
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 Term Diary Dates
June
- Monday 2nd - INSET Day
- Wednesday 4th - Year 6 Cricket Competition (boys)
- Thursday 5th - School Council Visit to Houses of Parliament
- Year 6 Cricket Competition (girls)
- Danbury Meeting for Year 3 Parents @ 2.30pm
- Friday 6th - Careers Day
- Monday 9th - Wednesday 18th - Assessments in Years 3 - 5
- Monday 9th - Seesma Concert - 7pm - 9.30pm
- Monday 9th - Thursday 19th - Year 6 Bikeability
- Wednesday 11th - Borough Sports
- Thursday 12th - Year 4 Transition and Mersea Meeting for Parents @ 7pm
- Saturday 14th - Summer Fayre
- Monday 16th - Parent Council Meeting @ 4.30pm
- Tuesday 17th - Year 3 Tours and Induction Meeting
- Monday 23rd - Friday 27th - Ilam Hall Residential and Southend Activity Week (Year 6)
- Tuesday 24th - Super Sports - Track
- Year 6 Induction King John and The Deanes Schools
- Wednesday 25th - Super Sports - Field
- Year 6 Induction King John and The Deanes Schools
- Thursday 26th - Year 3 Field Study @ Leigh Beach
July
Please note that there will be no After School Club on Tuesday 15th July due to Open Evening . There will also be no After School Club on the last day of term (Wednesday 23rd July).
- Thursday 3rd - Friday 4th - Year 3 Residential to Danbury
- Friday 4th - Year 6-7 Transition Day
- General Knowledge Quiz Club Finals @ Oxford University
- Monday 7th - Sports Day
- Monday 14th - Friday 18th - Fun Swim Week
- Tuesday 15th - Open Evening 5pm - 7pm - no After School Club
- Friday 18th - Annual School Reports
- Monday 21st - Year 6 Swimming Gala
- Wednesday 23rd - Last day of term - no After School Club
Credits:
Created with images by Christy Thompson - "make a date" • Kaspars Grinvalds - "Tablet with sports news website on stack of newspapers. All contents are made up." • Creative Stocker - "Golden trophy held by a hand isolated on transparent background, 3D metallic award PNG download for sports, competition, success, achievement, victory, pride, leadership, championship, and celebration" • Brian Jackson - "Calendar appointment"