We have reached the end of another wonderful school year and what a successful one it has been. We are incredibly proud of every single child at our school. Whether it was mastering new skills, showing empathy to others, performing in assemblies, or simply trying their best each day—your children have shown resilience, creativity, and a love of learning which is amazing to watch. Their growth this year has been remarkable, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next year!
I would like to thank our amazing staff for their tireless work, care, and commitment. They have gone above and beyond to create an environment where children can thrive. Their efforts make our school a truly special place. I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to you—our parents and carers—for your continued support. From helping with homework, attending school events, to simply being there for your children every day—you play a vital role in their success, and we are grateful for your continued support.
We’re already excited for the new school year, with fresh opportunities, new topics to explore, and more memories to make. For those moving on to new schools next week, we wish you all the very best—you’ll always be part of West Leigh and we look forward to hearing about your successes.
We hope you all enjoy a safe, restful, and sunny summer break when it arrives next week and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in September!
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Summer 2 Diary Dates - Year 3 - Year 4 - Year 5 - Year 6
General News - Sports News - Dinner Menu
Attendance - Sports Awards - House Points - Achievements - Parent Council
Summer 2 Diary Dates
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).
- Monday 21st - Year 6 Swimming Gala
- Tuesday 22nd - Year 6 Leavers' performance to parents - 1.45pm
- Wednesday 23rd - Last day of term - no After School Club
Year 3
With this being the final newsletter of the academic year, we would like to begin by thanking you all for your support. You have made it possible for us to go on many trips this year, helped to create Christmas decorations, provided costumes and supported charity events but most importantly, ensured your children have arrived at school well equipped and ready for learning.
In English lessons, the children have finished their layered reading book, This Morning I Met a Whale. They worked hard to justify how believable Michael’s recount of discovering a whale in the river was and used a conscience alley to explore the characters' internal conflict. They went on to perform as news reporters, informing viewers of the events that had unfolded in chronological order, using formal tone and adverbials of time correctly.
In maths lessons, the children have been reviewing much of the learning from the past year with a particular focus on fractions.
The children are certainly ready for a well-earned rest. We are very pleased with their conduct and progress this year and it is clear they are ready to move up into Year 4. Finally, we would like to wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer with your families.
Year 4
As we approach the end of the academic year, it is with a mixture of sadness and pride that we present our final newsletter for Year 4. This year has been a remarkable journey for the children, filled with growth, learning, and exciting new experiences.
Throughout last week, the children delved into the art of persuasive writing, honing their skills by crafting letters that either support or challenge the existence of zoos. This exercise not only allowed the children to express their views but also enhanced their understanding of letter structure and persuasive techniques.
In maths, the focus was on geometry, where the pupils engaged in various puzzles and investigations, alongside playing dice games and using iPads to reinforce their arithmetic skills. This hands-on approach has significantly enriched their understanding of mathematical concepts.
In science lessons, the children explored the evolution of habitats over time, engaging their imagination as they envisioned how their local environment might transform during winter. Their sketches illustrating these ideas were both creative and insightful.
Furthermore, through our Connected Curriculum lessons, the children discovered the fascinating work of Fred Fowle: a fairground artist. They effectively experimented with his unique styles of lettering, allowing their creativity to flourish.
As we conclude this year, we extend our heartfelt wishes to each child as they prepare to move into Year 5. We are truly proud of their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued success.
Year 5
It was wonderful to see so many parents in and around Year 5 for this year's Open Evening. There was a wonderful buzz in the corridors, and the excitement of sharing the amazing range of work and successes they have had over the year was palpable.
In English lessons, we have been working on our final unit, which has introduced the children to two female, black poets who have both overcome personal struggles and risen to the heights of performing at presidential inaugurations. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou and The Hill We Climb by Angela Gorman, were read and analysed. The children showed great resilience and worked hard to identify the themes of these poems, including hope, unity and overcoming adversity. They wrote inspirational messages to give to our next generation of Year 5 children to encourage them to achieve their very best.
In maths lessons, the children enjoyed a number of challenges, including a villainous escape room. Working in teams, they solved a wide variety of mathematical challenges, including calculation, measurement and tessellation to break out of a virtual mansion.
Competing with Mrs London’s wonderful French Café at Open Evening, the children of Year 5 have also been involved in cultural cookery – producing a chocolate chilli, including some of the ingredients that the Ancient Maya would have grown. A huge thank you to the parents who gave up their time to help us safely chop up a veritable mountain of vegetables. The smells coming from the kitchen were enticing and we hope that you enjoyed the fruits of the children’s labours.
General News
Chess Club
It has been another successful year for our chess club! They have made excellent progress and have learned the moves of chess through a variety of exciting games and activities. As always, we wish to extend a huge thank you to our three parent volunteers: Mrs Dos Santos, Mr Rochester and Mrs Weeks. Without their enthusiasm and dedication, our chess club would not have been able to continue. Look out for communication in the autumn term, when we will be opening up chess club to a new round of budding grand masters!
Eco Warrior News
On Friday evening, we were thrilled to learn that our Eco Warriors have been successful in achieving an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award! The warriors have worked incredibly hard over the past year to demonstrate, through the special projects we have been involved in, as well as through our lessons, that we are supporting sustainability and educating others about the importance of caring for our planet. The feedback we received as a result of our application was extremely positive, and what particularly impressed them was the engagement of the whole school, including parents and our infant school, in our projects. We would also like to thank Charlotte Wells at the Essex Wildlife Trust for her support and advice, which aided our successful application. Next year, we hope to improve our success by applying for an award with either merit or distinction.
Sports News
Southend's Young Performer of the Year!
Congratulations to Oliver, who has been recognised as one of Southend's Young Performers of the Year! Oliver, an inspiring role model to all, has made an incredible contribution to school sport at West Leigh. His dedication and achievements in both individual and team events have been outstanding, and it is wonderful to see his success recognised across Southend.
This award was presented by the team at the Southend Primary School Sport Partnership (SPSSA), who run sports events across the borough throughout the year. The SPSSA combines Southend West and Southend East and is one of 14 School Sport Partnerships in Essex. Their mission is to inspire, educate and empower children and young people through sport, ensuring all have access to high-quality physical education and school sport – and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Well done, Oliver – a truly well-deserved honour!
Dinner Menu
Week 1
Monday - Homemade sausage tomato and vegetable wholemeal pasta - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) - Granary Baguette with Cheese - Sweetcorn, Coleslaw and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruit Cocktail
Tuesday - Pork Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Quorn Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Jacket Potato (with Baked Beans, Cheese or Tuna Mayonnaise) Pasta, Sweetcorn and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Fruity Flapjack
Wednesday - Traditional Roast Chicken in Gravy - Quorn in Vegetable Gravy - Granary Baguette with Tuna Mayonnaise - Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Carrots, Green Beans and Salad Bar - Fresh Fruit, Yoghurt or Banana Cake
Don't forget to check out our new online bookshop here.
House Points
Final Week of Term
The Entire Year
Achievements
Nelia Shines at the Dance World Cup
We are thrilled to share some exciting news from Nelia’s recent trip to Spain. Nelia represented Expressions Theatre Arts at the prestigious Dance World Cup, where she competed against dancers from 73 countries, including schools from South Africa, America, and Japan.
As part of her group, Nelia performed two stunning ballet numbers and achieved an incredible result – placing 2nd in the world and earning silver medals.
We are so proud of Nelia and her team for their outstanding achievements on the world stage!
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.
Autumn 1 Term Diary Dates
September
- Monday 1st - INSET Day
- Monday 8th - Swimming restarts
- Year 3/4 Cross Country Trials
- Repeating History Workshops (Year 5)
- Tuesday 9th
- Repeating History Workshops (Year 5)
- Monday 15th - Year 5/6 Cross Country Trials
- Wednesday 17th - Friday 19th - Year 5 Residential
- Wednesday 17th - Year 6 Height & Weight Check
- Year 6 Boys Table Tennis Competition AM
- Year 6 Girls Table Tennis Competition PM
- Tuesday 23rd - Wednesday 24th - Year 5 Walk It training
- Friday 26th - Southend Cross Country Competition
October
- Thursday 2nd - Friday 3rd - Show Racism the Red Card workshops
- Monday 6th - Year 6 Curriculum meeting
- Tuesday 7th - Year 4 Curriculum meeting
- Wednesday 8th - Year 6 TAG Rugby Competition
- Year 5 Curriculum meeting
- Thursday 9th - Year 3 Curriculum meeting
- Wednesday 15th - Cross Country Competition
- Friday 17th - Year 5/6 Girls Football Competition
- Tuesday 21st - Learning Conferences
- Thursday 23rd - Learning Conferences
- Monday 27th - Friday 31st - Half Term
November
- Wednesday 5th - Year 6 Basketball Competition
- Year 6 Book Look
- Friday 7th - Team Challenge
- Monday 10th - Resilience Workshop (select Year 6 children)
- Tuesday 11th - Flu Immunisations
- General Knowledge Quiz Club Area Heat
- Wednesday 12th - Year 5 Book Look
- Year 4 Dodgeball Competition
- Friday 14th - Children in Need
- Year 5/6 Boys' Football
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Year 6 Test Week
- Wednesday 19th - Year 6 - Young Shakespeare Macbeth
- Year 4 Book Look
- Year 6 Dodgeball Competition
- Monday 24th - Friday 28th - Book Fair
- Wednesday 26th - Year 3 Book Look
December
- Tuesday 2nd - Flu Immunisation mop-up
- Wednesday 3rd - Year 5 Christmas Decoration Morning
- Thursday 4th - Year 3 Christmas Decoration Morning
- Tuesday 9th - Christmas Carol Service
- Friday 19th - INSET DAY
- Monday 22nd - Friday 2nd January - Christmas Break
Credits:
Created with images by Christy Thompson - "make a date" • Pixel-Shot - "Female hands with newspapers on color background" • Kaspars Grinvalds - "Tablet with sports news website on stack of newspapers. All contents are made up." • Win Nondakowit - "Kid hand with trophy cup" • Brian Jackson - "Calendar appointment"