FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER  ISSUE 1:                           12.9.25

This is the first of our fortnightly newsletters for this academic year.  Welcome again to the new term and it is very pleasing to see how well the children have settled into the new term.

Each class has sent out a class newsletter, which informs you of the curriculum that is being taught this term.

Bikeability

The first group from Class 6 took part in Bikeability this week. The children all achieved their Level 2 and received a badge and certificate. Bikeability is the Government’s national cycle training programme based on the National Standard for Cycle Training. Cycling is a life skill with many benefits: it encourages independent mobility, is great for the environment, and improves physical and mental health. Bikeability builds the skills and confidence of people who can already ride and prepares them for a lifetime of cycling. Evidence shows Bikeability helps more people cycle, more safely, more often.

Congratulations

We are excited to announce and introduce our Head Boy and Head Girl along with our Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl.  These Year 6 children are school ambassadors and will be meeting with the school leadership team on a regular basis so we can share ideas and work on projects together for our school.

Congratulations to: 

Head Boy – Christopher

Head Girl – Phoebe

Deputy Head Girl – Lottie

Deputy Head Boy – Alfie

Secretary – Kitty

Meet the Teacher Evening – Wednesday 17^th September

6.15 – 7pm: Reception Class only

7pm – 7.20pm and repeated at 7.30pm – 7.50pm: Years groups 1 – 6

(We have repeated the session to accommodate families with more than one pupil in the school)

These evening sessions are for parents to attend without their children.  Please go to your child’s class where the teacher will talk about the rules, routines and expectations of the class as well as the curriculum coverage.  This is not an evening for individual consultation, which will take place in October.

Healthy Snacks

We would like to encourage all children to bring in a snack for break time (and if they have a snack before an after school club). It is a long time between breakfast and lunch and a snack, as well as a drink of water, make a big difference to children’s concentration levels and ability to learn. As a healthy school we have agreed strict guidelines for the type of snack brought in, it must be fruit or vegetable in the form in which it grew (ie. nothing added, not stretchy or made into a bar and wrapped). This also helps to promote our eco school policies of reducing waste and packaging. Please do not put the fruit snack in glass containers.

We would also like to take this opportunity to encourage a healthy balanced lunch box for those not taking a school lunch.  Please remember we are a NO nuts school.

Sickness

The school office should be notified on the first day of each absence before registration at 8.50am and this should be followed up in writing on the day of return.

If your child has been vomiting or had an upset stomach a 48 hour leave of absence from the last episode is required.  For guidance on other illnesses please contact the School Office or refer to the document on the website in the ‘Attendance’ section – “Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings”.

E-safety

Last week, as part of our school e-safety policy, we sent out some e-safety rules that we would like you to discuss with your child.  We will reinforce these messages in school.  Please return the slip that is attached to the e-safety letter once you have been able to discuss the rules with your child.  Thank you

PE Clothing – a reminder

Please ensure that full kit is in school all week, including trainers and socks (especially if your child normally wears tights). Please also make sure the children have alternative clothes for any clubs that require it. In compliance with health and safety regulations, earrings (including studs) must not be worn for any sport.  Please make sure that children who wear earrings know how to remove them and have somewhere safe and clean to keep them during PE lessons.  Thank you.

Nut Free School

Please note that we have a number of children in school with nut allergies, some very severe, so please ensure that you do not send nuts in any form into school as snacks or in your child’s lunch box including peanut butter or Nutella sandwiches. This also includes sesame which is in houmous. Thank you.

School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!

To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year

Secondary school places for September 2026

From 12 September 2025 you can apply online for your child’s  school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place

You must submit an application by the national closing date of 31 October 2025. Applications received after this date will be considered late and you may reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school.

Primary (Reception) places for September 2026

From 10 November 2025 you can apply online for your child’s school place  https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place

You must submit an application by the national closing date of 15 January 2026. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.

Free School Meals Funding

You can register for Free Schools Meals Funding if you meet the criteria below.

If you have a child in Key Stage One and are receiving the free meal, which is part of the universal offer, you could be missing out on this additional funding for the school, which will support your child with their learning, if you meet the criteria below.  You have to apply for this funding.    If you think you meet the criteria below then please follow the guidance below and contact the school office.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Mobile Phones

This is a gentle reminder not to use mobile phones whilst on the school site.

This is part of our safeguarding policy for all of our children.

Ooo000ooO

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

1^st September              INSET – school closed to pupils

5^th September              Non uniform day for house points  (Ludgate) and sports day (Oliver) winners

8^th – 10^th September     Work Experience student (PGCE)

17^th September            Meet the Teacher 7 – 7.30 repeated. 7.30 – 8pm

Rec one session 6.15 – 7.

24^th September            Girls’ football festival yr3/4 am yr5/6 pm

2^nd October                 Governor Focus morning

8^th October                  Football Tournament yr5/6 boys am girls pm

9^th October                  Sports Ambassador training

14^th October                Parent Evening

15^th October                Parent Evening

15^th October                Cross Country

17^th October                Vaccine

22^nd October               Dodgeball yr5/6

24^th October                INSET – school closed to pupils

27^th Oct – 31^st Oct       Half term

5^th November              Tag Rugby yr5/6

12^th November            Dodgeball yr3/4

12^th November            Years 1 and 2 History workshops

14^th November            Year 6 Parent Sharing Assembly

18^th November            Bag2School

19^th November            Multi-skills Festival yr3/4

26^th November            Sports Hall Athletics yr3/4

1^st December               Tray Day

9th December              KS2 dress rehearsal am, KS1 dress rehearsal, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4 parents

10^th December            Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents

17th December           Christmas Lunch

ACHIEVEMENTS

STAR OF THE WEEK

Week ending 5^th September 2025

Reception         Felix – a brilliant start to Reception writing his name and using super manners

Year One          Ella – a fantastic attitude to her learning, especially Maths

Year Two         Sophie – being a great learning partner, super reading and a fantastic start to year 2

Year Three       Naomi – settling back into school life wonderfully, showing a positive, enthusiastic approach and concentrating brilliantly in her work

Year Four         Eva – writing a thoughtful and reflective answer in RE, showing deep understanding and taking great care in her work

Year Five          Hugo – an all-round brilliant start back to school and year 5

Year Six           Phoebe – a fantastic start to year 6 – always being kind and helpful

If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.

Have a good weekend.

Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher