4th April 2025
save the date
Every Thursday in term time – Tiny Tiddlers - 8.50am – 10.30am
Tuesday 22nd April – Academy open
Friday 2nd May – Preloved uniform sale
Wednesday 7th May – Class photographs
18th June – KS2 Sports Day (times to be confirmed)
7th July – EYFS & KS1 Sports Day (times to be confirmed)
Message
Dear parents and carers,
Here we are at the end of the spring term and we are approaching our final term of the academic year. The term ended with celebrating together; a chance for children to share their workbooks with family members. They are proud of their work and the progress they have made.
There have also been a few trips in the last few weeks and perfectly timed for the weather.
Take a look below at what our year 2’s discovered about our local area.
This week we had a visit from our friend Hanli from Leigh Road Baptist Church, who shared how those in the Christian faith celebrate Easter. Children have also enjoyed this festive time with focus on new life and of course chocolate.
Other members of our community have been celebrating Eid and have enjoyed celebrating with family and food after the end of a long fast.
On April Fool’s Day a little bit of Darlinghurst mischief was enjoyed by staff and children alike. Mrs HB - DA PRANKSTER and I played some harmless pranks on staff ending with a prank on me by some year six children and the office staff (who remain in denial.) Light-hearted fun and positive relationships made this a great morning.
We embrace family values and always reference Darlinghurst as the Darlinghurst family. Next term we will be participating in International Day of Families. We know families come in all shapes and sizes, different backgrounds, places, cultures, faiths, blended families and more. Our diverse community should be celebrated, and we would love to hear your stories to include in a special edition of Keeping in Touch. Should you wish to share and celebrate, please send information to mrsalexander@darlinghurstacademy.org.uk subject : my family.
It can be in any form you wish, a photo with a sentence or two, a special way that family comes together to celebrate a milestone or celebration, engagement in festivals, special interests, your favourite meals, the celebration is completely open. Children can draw pictures of their family or write a family poem or acrostic. Just like our families, your contributions can be in any representation. I cannot wait to see them.
Finally, with the end of term upon us, enjoy time with your families. I’m looking forward to spending time with my daughter on the brink of her turning 18 (a milestone), with her stepsister who has turned sweet 16 and my mum. Girls together for a little pamper and playfulness for a few days away. Family moments and memories.
I wish you all a wonderful break and as always, enjoy your family time together.
Mrs Nicholls
in the spotlight
Year 2 trip
This week, Year 2 took the long walk down to Old Leigh. Along the way, the classes spotted both human and physical features of the area, such as the railway line, bridges and the cliffs. The sun was shining and there was a cool sea breeze. After a much-needed snack, the classes split into groups and completed three activities:
1. Using an information sheet about shellfish to discover which were the most popular shells and then creating sand art using the things on the beach
2. Visiting the Leigh Heritage Museum to find out how the fisherman used to live over 150 years ago
3. Using maps to explore the buildings along the high street and the coastal features near the marina
The children were enthusiastic throughout the day and very interested to learn new things. The children discovered that Leigh used to be called Legra and was a very busy fishing village. In Plumb’s cottages, they were lucky enough to listen to an expert who told them all about the day in the life of a fisherman. The children were surprised to find out that 11 children slept in one bed or that everybody took it in turns to share the same bath water. Yuk!
After an enjoyable lunch on Bell Wharf (and many trips to the toilet!) it was time for the sandcastle structure competition. Tall towers, long walls, deep tunnels….all decorated with shells and pebbles. The children worked together in teams to create their masterpiece. Some children collected a few shells as a souvenir of their day out.
Thank you to all the parents that gave their time to support us on these trips. We think they all had a great day too. An awesome day with awesome children. Thank you year 2!
Year 6 SATs
Thank you to those parents that have joined us for our recent information sessions. If you were unable to attend, we have shared the presentation via SchoolPing.
Further information about the SATs will be shared once we return from the Easter break. But we will continue to host a breakfast during SATs week. Children will be invited to arrive a little earlier than usual and we will provide them with time to have breakfast together and socialise. In previous years, this has proven to be supportive of children’s wellbeing and allows them to settle and relax ahead of their papers. Teachers and the pastoral team will be present and on hand should the children need support.
Extra-curricular clubs
Clubs will be live to book via your child’s MCAS account on Tuesday 22nd April at 7pm until Thursday 24th April at 9am. Please ensure that your MCAS account is activated and you can log on ahead of the booking system going live.
If there are two clubs running on the same day that your child may be interested in, please only book one club. If this does happen, your child will be removed from one of the clubs. This will allow other children the opportunity to book a space.
Our clubs are popular and in high demand, if there is not regular attendance, your child will be removed from the club and the place offered to the next child on the waiting list.
Waiting lists will be used, if your child is not successful in obtaining a place they will be placed on a waiting list. Please monitor your MCAS account for changes as more often than not, a place will become available.
Summer menu
There is a new menu for when we return after the Easter break. We will be starting on week 1.
Cliffs Pavilion Pantomime Tickets – Cinderella
You shall go to the ball this Christmas with Rylan, who will be starring in this year's pantomime, Cinderella, at the Cliffs Pavilion as the ‘Fairy Godfather’!
We have a limited supply of tickets available for sale on ParentPay for the 7pm performance on Saturday 13th December 2025.
All tickets are downstairs in the side and rear stalls area of the Cliffs Pavilion. We are selling them for just £28 each, a fantastic saving on the full price! Any profit raised by organising this event will be used to promote the arts within Darlinghurst Academy.
Book your tickets before the clock strikes midnight on Friday 12th September 2025!
Easter Activities
Darlinghurst Academy
Pavilion Drive
Leigh on Sea
Essex
SS9 3JS
Contact Us
T. 01702 478379