porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 9th May 2025

Nursery

We have had a lovely week at nursery. The new children have settled extremely well, and the older children have been an amazing help with helping them settle. We have enjoyed pretending to plant seeds in the builder's tray, using lots of descriptive and scientific language.

REMINDER: Please remember to return your funding forms for Summer Term back to nursery as soon as possible.

Reception

This week we have been looking at teen numbers in maths, working out which number pairs with 10. When writing a sentence, we have been learning that it needs spaces in-between the words so that others can read it. In art we have been mixing coloured paint powder to make new colours.

REMINDER: Can you please ensure that your child’s suncream has their name on it.

Year 1

The children have been working very hard in English this week. We have been looking at compound words and how we identify them in our writing. Also, the children have been introduced to ‘diaries’ and have been practising writing a diary entry about their trip to the sea life centre.

In PSHE, we have been focusing on our feelings and how we need to explain how we feel because this helps us to express our emotions in a healthy way.

REMINDER: Please ensure reading books and reading records are in school every day please.

No jewellery is to be worn on Thursday please. This is PE day.

Year 2

The children have been learning about the -er and –est suffix and applying them in writing. They have then moved on to identify features of a report and using comparative sentences.

In maths the children are continuing to explore fractions, using whole and unit and non-unit fractions. PE has been great fun, the children are learning how to jump properly by bending knees, alternating legs and keeping stability and control.

REMINDER: Seahorse class had a fabulous day at the beach, please see below for photos and a short write up.

Please ensure reading books and reading records are in school every day please.

Year 3

In English we have completed out playscripts and performed them to the class on Friday. We completed our second fractions unit in maths, and we are moving onto money next week. In geography we have been learning the names of different European countries and placing them on a map. In art we have been looking at the photographer Dorothea Lange and how to compose and frame an image.

REMINDER: Please practise your times tables at home and remember to read.

Don’t forget PE kits on Tuesdays and Fridays and remember to bring a hat if the weather gets warmer.

Year 4

This week in maths we have started a new unit all about decimals, this links well to our previous unit of fractions, and we have been finding connections between the two. In Science we have learnt more about electricity and the children were very excited to make their own simple circuits.

REMINDER: PE kits are still not all in school, the children really need to be changed and in trainers, especially when we are outside in the hotter weather.

Year 5

This week in English the children have been looking at playscripts. We looked at an example together and they then had a go at writing their own scene based on The Island. At the end of the week, they performed their scenes to each other.

In science, we have looked at how humans and animals grow and develop. They found some very interesting facts about life spans!

REMINDER: Please ensure that your child is learning the weekly spellings that are written in their school diaries. There is a test every Friday.

Year 6

This week, we have been reminding the children how fabulous they are and how much they have learnt over the years. Also, we have focussed on some test techniques like reading the whole question and ticking two boxes if it says to tick two.

In art, we have continued using pen and ink to create depth, shadows and shading. Everyone’s skills are really improving and it has been lovely to see the link between the story we read in English a couple of weeks ago (The Tin Flower) and the illustrations children have drawn.

In PE, the Borough Sports team and back up team has been chosen – they have started practising during lessons. Everyone is also enjoying the tennis and rounders lessons.

On Thursday, we focussed on VE Day and how different people felt on the day.

SATS reminders:

• Please have early nights and lots of rest!
• Please be on time for school and come every day.
• Relaxation techniques are here. We have used these at school and the children like them.
• Breakfast Club starts at 8am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Children don’t need to have breakfast to attend.
• Monday 12th May – last day to book a packed lunch for Friday.
• Friday 16th May – Southchurch Park visit.

Letters sent home this week

• Year 6 - Residential Trip Equipment List - 07.05.2025

Music

Choir will be restarting this term on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes, rather than after school on Thursday. This will hopefully mean that more children from across the KS2 (Years 3 – 6) classes will be able to attend and prepare for the concert the Cliffs Pavilion on Friday 13th June. Links for the songs (both words and backing tracks) can be found on the school website:

Future Events

• Cliffs Pavilion Music festival – 13th June

Instrumental Tuition - lessons will start next week

• Tuesday am Guitar – Mr Brown
• Wednesday am Guitar – Mr Elliot
• Wednesday am Keyboard – Mr Hockey
• Wednesday am Drums – Mr Peters

WE HAVE SOME AVAILABILITY FOR NEW PUPILS TO START LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT – CONTACT MRS BAINES FOR INFORMATION

French

This week year two have been learning the French to describe playground activities at playtimes; year five have reviewed their French art vocabulary and skills lesson with some story based past tense recounting; year four have moved from dates to learning about ice cream and ordering. Hopefully the weather will match this topic again soon.

Online Safety

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Our Uniform shop is located within the front reception area of the school and is open Monday-Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm. All items are 50p each (cash only please). We always have a good selection of skirts, trousers, jumpers, tops, dresses and P.E items. Please ask at the office to point you in the right direction.

Donations

We always welcome school uniform donations for us to sell at our school uniform shop. Could we please ask that the clothes are in good, clean condition. All items can be dropped off at the school office between 8.30am - 4.00pm. Thank you so much for doing this for the school as it helps our parents out tremendously.

Thank you

Community

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.