Winter Coat Drive
With the nights drawing in and the Winter fast approaching could we please ask, if you have a coat that your child has grown out of could you possibly donate it to our 'Coat Drive' here at Porters Grange Primary School so another child could benefit from using it. Could coats please be of good, clean condition and if you could please bring them to the School office it will be very much appreciated.
Thank you
Diary Dates
November
- Wednesday 27th - Reception Reading Workshop
December
- Tuesday 3rd December - Year 3 Mince pie making
- Wednesday 4th December - Year 3 Christingle Service
- Wednesday 4th December - Year 4 Mince pie making
- Thursday 5th December - Year 4 Christingle Service
- Thursday 12th December - Christmas jumper day
- Thursday 12th December - Christmas Dinner
- Thursday 12th December - Year 5&6 Carols at All Saints Church to parents and carers
- Monday 16th December - Nursery Christmas performance
- Tuesday 17th December - Reception Christmas performance
- Wednesday 18th December - Year 1&2 Christmas performance
- Friday 20th - INSET Day
- Monday 23rd - Friday 3rd January - Christmas Break
January
- Wednesday 15th - Year 6 Height & Weight check
- Wednesday 22nd - Reception Reading Workshop
February
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st - Half Term
- Monday 24th - INSET Day
April
- Monday 7th - Thursday 17th - Easter Break
- Friday 18th - Good Friday
- Monday 21st - Bank Holiday Monday
May
- Monday 5th - Bank Holiday Monday
- Monday 12th - Thursday 15th - KS2 SATS Week
- Wednesday 21st - Reception Height & Weight, vision & hearing checks
- Monday 26th - Bank Holiday Monday
- Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th - Half Term
June
- Monday 2nd - INSET Day
- Monday 9th - Friday 13th - Phonics Screening Check
- Monday 16th - Wednesday 18th - Year 6 Residential
July
Wednesday 23rd - Last day of term
Nursery
This week we have started learning our Christmas songs which we are enjoying very much. We have enjoyed lots of outside play where we have had fun looking at the signs of Autumn/ Winter especially playing in the leaves. We have also enjoyed lots of painting, drawing and malleable play.
REMINDER: Please remember to put in your diary ....
- ‘Nursery class cosy Christmas fun day and singalong’ - Monday 16th December - AM- 10.45 - 11.45 - PM - 2.15- 3.15
Reception
This week we have been learning some new songs for our Christmas play and we went into the hall for a practise. In phonics we have been learning to follow the book with our reading finger, and we have played games learning how to blend the word. We have been trying to form our letters correctly and segment words to spell them out.
In Maths we have been learning about numbers 4 and 5. How to represent the numbers, one more and one less and the composition of the numbers e.g. I can see 4, I can see 3 and 1 together.
REMINDER: Please let us know if you do not wish for your child to take part in our Christmas performance, the Nativity story.
Please ensure your child has a warm coat to wear as we go outside in all weathers. Please ensure your child has all items named this includes coat, hat, scarf and gloves. Thank-you.
Year 1
Year 1 have been working hard to identify plural words using ‘s’ and ‘es’. We realise many words can change – cat to cats and church to churches but some words don’t change. In maths we have been building our number knowledge from 1-20, practising how to write them correctly and as words. In science this week, we did an experiment to test whether items were waterproof or not. We had a great time!
REMINDER: Reading books and reading record must be in school every day. This is a year 1 expectation.
All children should have a coat in school. It is getting very cold and year 1 go out in all weathers. Ensure items such as hats and scarfs are named.
Year 2
This week we have been learning about the story of Hansel and Gretel. The children made their own word mat using lots of nouns from the story. They have also learned how to use present and past tenses correctly when practising oracy skills and writing. In maths the children have learned how to add and subtract tens in a variety of different ways. In science the children have been identifying which animals live in what habitat and why. The children are preparing for Christmas and have been practising the songs for their Nativity production.
REMINDER: Please support your child at home when using present and past tenses when talking. This will help them recognise the correct tense when having a conversation.
Year 3
The children have worked really hard this week on their tests and have done themselves proud. Well done. We have also been looking at newspaper reports in English, and we have been learning about the mountain ranges of the world in geography. In DT we are starting to design our pneumatic toy, creating a moving stone age animal.
REMINDER: As the weather gets colder, please ensure your child has a suitable coat and PE kit within school.
Please try to read regularly with your child and record the pages read in your home school diary.
Year 4
Well done to all year 4 children for their determined effort completing their assessments this week. We are nearing the end of this round as we look forward to finishing our spelling and grammar tests next week.
In P.E. we have been enjoying dance and handball activities and in science we have been enjoying our work on habitats. In art and DT we have been enjoying our clay modelling and learning about microbits.
REMINDER: Please do continue to remember P.E. Kits on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Year 5
This week, Year 5 have been learning about modal verbs! We then began to apply this knowledge when giving advice linked to last week’s Anti-Bullying week. In maths, we have been grappling with converting mixed numbers and improper fractions. In music, we have started learning songs for the Year 5 and 6 Carol Service at All Saints Church – parents and carers are welcome to attend on Thursday 12th December. On Friday (today!) we also attended a free screening of Kung Fu Panda 4 at Southend Odeon as part of the Into Film Festival, which will we use as an opportunity to learn how to write a film review next week in English.
REMINDER: As the weather gets colder, please ensure your child has a suitable coat and PE kit within school.
Please also strive to read and record the pages read in your home school diary.
Year 6
Our focus at IndiRock this week was keeping our arms straighter and swinging our bodies to the side to get to the next hold. This was so much easier than pulling our bodies up with our arms! The children have worked hard during our assessment week and shown great resilience and perseverance – well done! We have started learning songs for the Year 5 and 6 Carol Service at All Saints Church – parents and carers are welcome to attend on Thursday 12th December.
REMINDER:Please remember to have PE kit in school on Tuesday and Friday. A snack and drink should be brought to IndiRock and the children need a warm, waterproof coat.
French
This week, year 6 have consolidated the topic of the Tour de France and moved on to the football topic; year three have been recording their presentations about themselves; year one have been having fun learning numbers from one to ten.
Music
Drum Lessons
We have a new drum tutor starting in the next few weeks.
If your child was previously having lessons, you should have received information regarding this.
There are a few spaces available for new pupils. Please contact the school office if you are interested.
Music Clubs
- Tuesday - Music Making - 3.30pm - 4.15pm
- Friday - KS2 Choir - 3.30pm - 4.15pm
Instrumental Tuition
- Tuesday Guitar - Mr Brown
- Wednesday Guitar – Mr Elliott
- Wednesday Keyboard – Mr Hockey
Reception Reading Workshop
Thank you for attending our first Reception reading workshop. We had a great turn out! The children loved reading with you and we hope you found it useful. Workshop 2 is next week!
Reception Reading Workshop 2 – Phase 2 & Pink Books
Wednesday 27th November 9am or 3.30pm
Our next reading workshop will include how we teach phase two phonics and how to share a pink reading book with your child. Like our first workshop, your child will also be joining us which gives you the opportunity to read together! If your child is on a different colour book, please still attend this workshop. We will end the session with one of their favourite stories from class!
Online Safety
Managing money can be a difficult skill to master, even for adults. As such, it’s incredibly important for children and young people to learn all they can before they reach an age at which they’ll be responsible for their own finances. Teaching strategies for saving and responsible spending early on can be a huge help to youngsters, in a way that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
It can be tricky to know the best approach for teaching money management to children, however, especially in terms of giving them practical experience with this important life skill. This guide – made in collaboration with financial education app GoHenry – provides you with expert advice on how to educate children and young people on both spending and saving their cash.
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. 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.
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
Attendance
Attendance Drop In and Attendance support meetings - Thursdays
On a Thursday morning Mrs Morris has dedicated time to support families with attendance and punctuality queries, if you would like to drop in between 9 and 10am you will be able to speak directly to Mrs Morris about any of your attendance and punctuality concerns.
Advice and support for families is also available on a daily basis, if you are experiencing difficulties around attendance support is always available on request, please call the attendance line or email the attendance email and Mrs Wyer our attendance administrator will follow up any questions or queries.
Our weekly attendance support meetings with Mrs D Morris are scheduled resume this week, so if you are invited to an attendance meeting on a Thursday morning and you unable to make it, please do get in contact to rearrange for a day and time that suits you. We understand everyone leads a busy life, Mrs Morris often has availability at the start of the day just after you drop off in the morning or just before you collect your child at the end of the day, to have that short catch up about attendance for your child.
Contact us
If you would like to talk to someone for support or advice on attendance or punctuality, please do not hesitate to contact the Attendance Team and ask to speak to, Mrs S. Wyer, Attendance Administrator or Mrs D Morris Assistant Principal and Senior Leader for Attendance, you can also pop in to the school office to request to speak to one of us face to face, alternatively you call the school or send us an email to attendance@pgps.porticoacademytrust.co.uk we are here and we are always happy to help!
Being ready for every day and getting in on time is the challenge you set yourself to achieve greatness!
Dinner Menu
Week 1
Monday
- Beef Bolognaise with Spaghetti
- Vegan Bolognaise with Spaghetti
- Baked Jackets with Grated Cheese
- Maryland Cookie
Tuesday
- Ham & Cheese Pizza with Baked Wedges
- Margherita Pizza with Baked Wedges
- Pasta & Tomato Sauce
- Apple Crumble with Custard
Wednesday
- Roast Chicken with Roast Potatoes & Gravy
- Vegan Vegetable Biryani
- Baked Jackets with Baked Beans
- Cherry Cornflake Cake
Thursday
- Chilli Con Carne with Steamed Rice
- Vegan Bean Chilli with Steamed Rice
- Pasta & Tomato Sauce
- Chocolate & Pear Sponge
Friday
- Breaded Fish Fingers with Chips & Ketchup
- Vegan Goujons with Chips & Ketchup
- Baked Jackets with Grated Cheese
- Banana Flapjack
Community
Southend Foodbank - Click here
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.