porters grange weekly newsletter week ending 22nd November 2024

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

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

Healthy Schools

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.