📚 Thank You for Supporting Our Book Fair! 📚
We’re delighted to share that our recent Book Fair was a wonderful success! Thanks to your enthusiasm and generosity, families spent an incredible £887.94 on books. This fantastic total means we now have £443.97 to spend on brand new reads for our children’s micro-libraries, helping us keep our reading corners fresh, exciting, and full of wonderful new stories to inspire every reader. Your support helps to nurture a lifelong love of reading across our school, and we’re so grateful to everyone who visited, purchased a book, or simply encouraged their children to get involved. Thank you once again for making our Book Fair such a special event. We can’t wait to share our new additions with the children soon!
Diary Dates
November
- Tuesday 11th - Year 6 visiting IndiRock
- Wednesday 12th - Year 3&4 Dodgeball TBC
- Tuesday 18th - Year 6 visiting IndiRock
- Wednesday 19th - Year 5&6 Dodgeball TBC
- Friday 21st - KS1 Football TBC
- Tuesday 25th - Year 6 visiting IndiRock
- Wednesday 26th - Flu Immunisation
- Friday 28th - Some children visiting Beechcroft Gallery
December
- Tuesday 2nd - Year 6 visiting IndiRock
- Wednesday 3rd - Year 3 Christingle
- Thursday 4th - Year 4 Christingle
- Tuesday 9th - Year 6 visiting IndiRock
- Tuesday 9th - Year 4 Mince Pie Making
- Wednesday 10th - Years 1 - 6 Christmas Discos
- Thursday 11th - Year 3 Mince Pie Making
- Monday 15th - Nursery Christmas Make and Sing
- Tuesday 16th - Year 1&2 Nativity am and pm
- Wednesday 17th -Â Christmas Jumper Day
- Wednesday 17th - Christmas lunch
- Wednesday 17th - Year 5&6 Carol Concert
- Thursday 18th - Reception Christmas Sing-a-Long
- Friday 19th - Last day of term & Christmas Parties
- Monday 22nd - Friday 2nd January - Christmas Break
- Monday 5th January -Â School reopens
Year 6 Reach New Heights at IndiRock
This week, Year 6 began their exciting six-week rock climbing programme at IndiRock, and they absolutely loved it! The children showed fantastic enthusiasm as they learned how to climb safely, build confidence on the walls, and challenge themselves to reach new heights. There were smiles all around as everyone encouraged one another, celebrated successes, and discovered that teamwork and perseverance really do make a difference. It was a brilliant start to the six-week adventure, and we can’t wait to see how their skills and confidence grow each week!
Exploring the New Garden Space
Nursery to Year 1 will have the opportunity to enjoy our new garden area on the KS2 playground with Mrs Britton, taking part in small group sessions. This week, Reception were the first to get involved. Reception began by doing some gardening before creating beautiful transient art pictures using natural materials. The children made their own frames and used secateurs carefully to cut twigs to size. Some designed pictures of their faces, while others made imaginative monsters! They were also very excited to find some worms, which led to a lovely discussion about how to keep the worms safe and the importance of washing our hands afterwards. All Reception children will have the chance to take part in this activity throughout the term.
Family Library Time
We hope you're having a great term so far! We are writing to let you know that, starting after half term, our Family Library Time will remain at the same time, but will now take place on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.
Our school library is a fantastic place for families to spend time together, explore new books, and encourage a love of reading in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether your child enjoys stories, facts, or graphic novels, there's something for everyone!
We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity to enjoy books together and help your child build positive reading habits. Family Library Time is for all year groups with their grown-ups.
We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesdays after half term!
Nursery
This week at nursery we have talked about ‘Fireworks’ ‘’Remember, remember the 5th of November’’, using lots of describing words. The children produced some firework pictures, collages and models. We also used the outside environment to dance like a firework, with the shiny material and scarfs. In music we thought about the different sounds the fireworks made, making lots of noise!!!! In our malleable play, we added sparkles and sparkly pipecleaners to our dough.
REMINDER: Please remember your child needs a coat everyday as we use the garden daily.... whatever the weather!
Letters sent home this week
Reception
This week the children have been learning that objects can be compared and ordered by size. We have been using mathematical language such as ‘big’,’little’,’large’ and ‘small’ and encouraging children to describe what they notice. In phonics the children have been sound talking objects with names that contain three phonemes. Eg h a t . Encouraging children to hear phonemes in words and sound them out is a good start to reading and writing. This week we have been discussing how to keep our teeth healthy and have introduced our tooth brushing practise.
REMINDER: Please remember to name all your children’s belongings and bring book bag in daily. Thank you
Letters sent home this week
Year 1
Year 1 have jumped straight into their learning this week and have been working exceptionally hard. In maths we have continued to look at number sentences and working out if number sentences are addition or subtraction. We have welcomed Mr Morris into year 1 this half term. He will be teaching us French. In history we have looked at Guy Fawkes and what he did nearly 420 years ago. We talked about how his actions have led to the country celebrating Bonfire Night. Remember, remember the 5th November.
REMINDER: Please ensure PE kits have been returned to school. Our PE days remain on a Thursday. Check Seesaw please. We have lots of different activities for the children to cement their knowledge with their learning. Ask your child’s class teacher if they need a new Seesaw code. Reading books need to be in school every day. Make sure your sign their books to say you have read with them; this includes their books at home not just their school reading books.
PE kits need to be washed and returned to school on our first day back. Label all items.
Thank you for making our first half term with year 1 so amazing. Here is to the next half term.
Letters sent home this week
Year 2
This week we have been gathering information for our reports about Southend that we will write next week. We have continued our maths work in addition and subtraction. We began a new computing topic about taking digital images and took some interesting photos of the classroom. In history we learned about Grace Darling and how, because of her actions, we now have lifeboats.
REMINDER: Don’t forget to read at home and bring your book to school every day. Remember that PE is on Wednesday and they need their PE kit in school.
Letters sent home this week
Year 3
This week we have begun our narrative topic in English, basing our work around the book ‘The Stone Age Boy’. In maths we are tackling adding and subtracting with exchange. In history we are completing our Stone Age topic and are looking forward to starting geography, and in PE we have started to learn the inclusive sport of Kurling.
REMINDER: Please remember that no jewellery should be worn at all on PE days.
Letters sent home this week
Year 4
The children have begun a new topic on playscripts and have been learning about the different features and the range of punctuation used in this genre of text. They have enjoyed exploring different plays in class and are beginning to think of their own ideas to write a playscript next week. In maths we have started a new topic on the area of shapes. They have learnt what area means and have been able to calculate area by counting the cm2 and making visual comparisons. They have moved on to more complicated comparisons and drawing shapes of specified areas. In science the children have started a new topic on food chains. We have discussed the scientific vocabulary of consumer, predator, prey and producer to interpret and construct a range of food chains.
REMINDER: PE is on a Tuesday and Thursday. Please make sure that no jewellery is worn. Please continue to read regularly at home and sign reading diaries. TTRS login details are in the front of your child’s reading diary, this is a fantastic resource to support your child’s quick recall of times table facts.
Letters sent home this week
Year 5
This week, year 5 have been exploring explanation texts and have written one themselves about why day and night occur. We identified and explored the features of an explanation text, such as the importance of an introductory paragraph and the use of technical language, before planning and writing our own explanation text. In maths, we are continuing with our unit looking at multiplication and division, learning about common factors and prime numbers. In Georaphy, we have begun our first unit of year 5 looking at biomes, exploring what they are and investigating the different types and what we would find in that biome. In PE, we have begun our new units of dance and inclusive sports.
REMINDER: Remember PE kits for Tuesday and Wednesday. Please ensure your child has a suitable PE kit in school now that the weather is getting colder. Please strive to read for 20 minutes each night with your child and sign your child's reading record.
Letters sent home this week
Year 6
This week, year 6 have been studying Shakespeare’s play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We have been enjoying getting to know the developments of the plot and looking at the characters in further detail to write high quality descriptions about them. In maths, we have started our fractions unit, identifying equivalent fractions and simplifying them. Year 6 enjoyed our first trip to Indirock and are already looking forward to attending again next week!
REMINDER: Please make sure children have their PE kits in school (Monday and Tuesday for Stingray class) (Tuesday and Friday for Octopus class). Children may bring warmer jumpers and joggers now that the weather is turning colder.
Letters sent home this week
Music
🎶 Choir is Back! 🎶
We’re delighted to announce that Choir has restarted this term! Rehearsals take place every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:15 pm in the Porpoise Classroom. (Sign up to the club on Arbor or via the school office) It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy singing together, build confidence, and take part in some very exciting events later in the school year. Our upcoming performances include:
- Southend Makes Music at the Palace Theatre – March
- SEESMA Junior Music Festival at the Cliffs Pavilion – June
All pupils who enjoy singing are warmly encouraged to join. Come along, make new friends, and share in the joy of music!
Music Lessons
- Tuesday Guitar - Mr Brown
- Wednesday Guitar – Mr Elliott
- Wednesday Keyboard – Mr Hockey
- Wednesday Drums – Mr Peters
We have availability - if your child is interested in learning a musical instrument, please contact Mrs Baines for more information. These lessons take place within the school day.
French
This week, year one have enjoyed some movement learning of numbers and basic expressions; year two have tackled the Autumn topic; year three have enjoyed learning about pets; year four have been learning about emotions; year five have been learning about the Olympic Games; year six have been doing a commentary to the final leg of this year’s Tour de France.
Online Safety
Bullying continues to affect far too many children, both in and out of school – but adults can play a crucial role in helping young people speak up and support one another. This week’s guide is packed with practical strategies to foster confidence, kindness, and connection in the face of unkind behaviour. From encouraging inclusivity to spotting signs of distress, the guide highlights how small, everyday actions by young people and the adults around them can make a big difference. With tips on nurturing empathy, teaching allyship and validating children’s experiences, it’s a timely reminder that empowering young voices is key to positive change.
Second Hand Uniform
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.
Attendance
Requesting Pupil Leave – A Helpful Reminder
If you need to request time off for your child during term time, please remember to complete a Pupil Absence Request Form before the planned absence. This form helps us keep accurate attendance records and ensures we can support your child’s learning while they are away. When filling out the form, please include as much detail as possible about the reason for the absence. This information helps the school make informed decisions and meet our attendance monitoring requirements. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain excellent attendance and ensuring every child gets the most from their time at school.
Attendance Reminder
To meet our school’s attendance target of 96%, your child can have no more than 9 days of absence (including sickness or appointments) across the school year. Any more than this means your child will not meet the expected attendance standard by the end of the year. If your child has had close to or more than 9 days of absence this half term, our Attendance Team may invite you to an Attendance Support Meeting to discuss ways we can work together to improve attendance and offer any support needed.
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 Dowd our Attendance Administrator or Mrs D Morris our 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!
Lunch menu
Week 2
Monday
- Beef Bolognaise & Penne Pasta Bake
- Vegan Bolognaise with Spaghetti
- Jacket Potato with Baked Beans
- Cauliflower & Green Beans
- Maryland Cookie
Tuesday
- Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Pesto Pasta
- Vegan Spiced Squash & Potato Samosa
- Pasta with Squash & Tomato Sauce
- Carrots & Peas
- Carrot & Apple Flapjack
Wednesday
- Honey Roast Gammon with Gravy
- Vegan Bombay Chickpea Burrito
- Pasta with Squash & Tomato Sauce
- Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Greens & Carrots
- Jam Sponge
Thursday
- Mexican Beef & Vegetable with Wraps & Spiced Wedges
- Vegan Mexican Bean & Vegetable Savoury Rice
- Jacket Potato with Cheddar Cheese
- Broccoli & Sweetcorn
- Cherry Shortbread
Friday
- Fish Fingers, Chips & Ketchup
- Vegan Boston BBQ 3 Bean Stew with Baked Jackets
- Pasta with Squash & Tomato Sauce
- Baked Beans & Peas
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Cost of Living
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.
Credits:
Created with images by Fabio Principe - "A diary open with instruments for writing. Pencil, eraser and notebook on white background. Close up of a wooden pen orange and black, an eraser green and a booklet black. " • Ekaterina Pokrovsky - "French national flag" • Pungu x - "Username and password (Login) with biometric identification fingerprint scanner, encryption for technology cyber security internet and networking system. Businessman hand typing notebook (Laptop)." • Pixel-Shot - "School uniform on color background" • pjjaruwan - "Chef standing behind full lunch service station with assortment of food in trays." • Vitalii Vodolazskyi - "Cost of living written in a notebook and calculations of home finances."