NURSERY

This term in Nursery, we have been busy and have continued to enjoy a range of traditional fairy stories. Through the Three Little Pigs we investigated different materials and found out that bricks were the strongest materials. We helped the pigs by making new houses for them out of junk modelling straw, sticks and bricks. We did an amazing job! we made fantastic pigs from playdough and joined in with the story. We enjoyed The Gingerbread Man and are all budding chefs after making a delicious batch of biscuits. Luckily our gingerbread men didn't run away, so we were able to enjoy them at snack time, yum yum. We practised our rolling and cutting with the cutters with the cinnamon smelling playdough and explored our emotions of feeling happy and sad. 

We had a fun day celebrating World Book Day dressing up as our favourite book characters and it was very funny when the Nursery staff dressed up as dinosaurs. Red Nose Day also meant that we could come to Nursery in our pyjamas which was very comfy and lots of us had the red noses to wear. 

We made sparkly flowery cards for our mums for Mother’s Day and even made them a chocolate lolly which made them smile. 

With the lighter mornings and evenings, spring is on the way, and we have been discussing the changes in the seasons. We have been talking about the different types of flowers we are seeing, the daffodils and tulips and the blossom on the trees. 

RECEPTION

The Reception children have had a fantastic month and they have enjoyed all of the special days we have had. We started the month with two amazing weeks based around dinosaurs which the children absolutely loved. They had the chance to dig for fossils, create maps, read dinosaur stories and we then had our Dinosaur Dome in school. The Dinosaur Dome allowed the children to see what the world was like when dinosaurs roamed the planet and we also got to hold real fossilized dinosaur poo! We have also had World Book Day and the children really enjoyed reading stories of all different genres and themes.

The month finished with Club Day. This was a wonderful day where the children learnt about new clubs and were inspired by other children in the school. The children ended the day by discussing which clubs they might want to do in the future. Alongside all of these fun and exciting days we are really proud of the children's behaviour, and they have continued to produce amazing work as well. We hope the children have a fantastic Easter Break! 

YEAR 1

Year 1 have enjoyed learning all about Islands comparing Canvey Island to the Island of Coll. We have made shelters to keep us safe on an island and learnt about compasses.

The children had fun taking part in Art Day and have made some very spotty creations.

We enjoyed seeing them all dressed up for World Book Day and Comic Relief.

We were very excited to get to know our new class pets and will be learning more about these next half term.

YEAR 2

Year 2 had an exciting half term. The Year 2 choir represented the school at the Infant Music Festival. They performed wonderfully and enjoyed singing a song about elephants. We also had the opportunity to send a football team to the Year 2 Football Festival. The children worked incredibly hard and received medals for finishing 3^rd. 2L enjoyed their afternoon at Deanes, where they practiced different skills in a range of racquet sports.

To kick off our space topic, we welcomed a special visitor into our school. We went inside a space dome and learnt some amazing facts about our solar system. We focused on using dots to create pieces of space art during Art Day. We also learnt about Peter Thorpe, which inspired us to use chalks and pastels to create our own rocket artwork.

YEAR 3

Year 3 have had a fantastic half term! We enjoyed a visit from Hadleigh Histories to learn more about our topic ‘Land Before Time’. We learnt lots of new things such as how to become a warrior, how to use a slingshot and we also examined interesting artefacts from the Stone Age. We even got to see Miss Friedman dress up as a warrior! We have thoroughly enjoyed learning about this topic.

In science, we have been conducting our own experiments. We were testing how fast rockets could go and what would change their speed. We created our own experiment using a balloon to see if the one with more air would travel further than the one with less air. We enjoyed becoming our very own scientists and conducting the research ourselves.

In English, we have been enjoying learning about poetry. We have been creating our own alliteration poems all about Spring. We cannot wait for you to read our spring poems in our best books at the end of the year.   

YEAR 4

Year 4 had a wonderful trip to Colchester Castle. The children were very well behaved and enjoyed seeing all the Roman artefacts. We visited the Roman vaults beneath the castle and learnt all about Boudicca and how her Celt army destroyed the original Roman temple. Year 4 have then continued their learning on the Roman Empire; we have looked at Roman Villas, Hadrian’s wall and the downfall of the Romans through the Anglo-Saxon invasion.

In design technology, we had designed and made our own replica Roman pottery, which we painted in traditional colours. In our science topic, Teeth and Digestion, the children have learnt all about the different types of teeth and their functions. We have also learnt about how our bodies function to digest food – using some pretty cool experiments to demonstrate!

In French, Year 4 have been working hard on learning French phrases and words for different foods. We held a French Café where children have to use their French skills to order food in French and serve our parents. They had a lovely afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it!

YEAR 5

Year 5 have enjoyed their Forest School sessions this half term. They are looking forward to more fun in the forest after the Easter holidays. What an Eggciting day they had on our Eggsellent Inventors Day. They first designed their egg and gave it a name. The children made a basket to protect their pet egg that allowed it to travel along a pulley system. They  also designed and made a spoon and took part in an egg and spoon race. Indoor PE has been exciting this half term. We have been using the apparatus, climbing and travelling along the equipment. 

In art we looked at the artist Peter Thorpe and recreated artwork using his techniques. In English the children have designed their own 'teacher pleaser'. They came up with some very creative ideas to help their teachers with their workload. We had marking machines, massage chairs and machines that make tea or coffee and provide a range of snacks for breaktime. Enjoy your Easter break with your children. 

YEAR 6

Year 6 are thoroughly looking forward to their trip to the Warner Bros Studio Tour, London. A letter was sent out last week informing you that they need to be in school at 7:25am please. If your child is entitled to a free school lunch, please return the slip so that we can make an order with the kitchen. After the Easter holiday, we will use this experience to enrich writing sessions when describing Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest.

Thank you to all the parents who booked a parent consultation - it was a pleasure to be able to share their achievements with you all. Year 6's attitude and work ethic during 'SATs mock week' was brilliant, every child did themselves proud, achieving their best.

Next half term, we will continue learning about mountain features and will then move onto learning about Ancient Greece including Greek gods, schooling/education and the Olympics. Please continue to complete the grammar homework booklets and revision guides as it is clearly having a positive impact on their attainment. We wish you a relaxed and enjoyable Easter break. 

RAINBOW ROOM

This term we have been very busy in Rainbow room. The children loved our “space” topic where they enjoyed playing with moon sand and learning the different names of the planets. They made rockets in art; we combined materials to create exploding planets during science and also made sun catchers of the earth using different colours from tissue paper. We had a special visit from Mrs Daniels who delivered an Attention Autism session on space. This was really enjoyed by all the children, and we have continued to do our own sessions in class.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been learning about spring. We have enjoyed going on spring walks around the school grounds looking for signs of spring and the changes within the environment. It was also lovely to spend an afternoon with our families at our Easter themed arts and craft afternoon.

All of the Rainbow room children attended a forest school session, where they loved the mud kitchen, rope swings and enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows. We were very lucky to have a nice sunny morning.

FRENCH CAFÉ

On the afternoon of Wednesday13th March, our school buzzed with excitement as Year 4 hosted a charming French café event, drawing in parents and children eager to savour a taste of France. From flaky croissants to sweet brioche, guests indulged in authentic French cuisine, accompanied by traditional drinks such as Grenadine and Chocolat Chaud! Laughter and chatter filled the air as families bonded over shared experiences, creating cherished memories. It was a delightful celebration of French culture, and our heartfelt thanks go to all who made it a success. Au revoir until next time, and bon appétit!

ART DAY

Monday 25th March was dotty art day! The children took part in a range of activities across the school; making dots with cotton buds, straws, corks, sticks and fingers. They created a range of artwork from planets to nature scenes. Some children even made ladybirds and pool noodle creatures! We also began designing monsters for an exciting competition we will be taking part in as a school. A fun day was had by all.

CLUB DAY

How lovely to see all the children (and staff) in their club uniform.  This was a wonderful day where the children learn about new clubs and were inspired by other children in the school who were able to showcase their club in assembly.

CELEBRATION TEAS

Cake, cake and more cake as the girls’ football and both netball teams enjoyed a celebration tea.  This was a reward for all of their commitment to training and matches.

YOUTH BOARD AT DEANES

Our four representatives had a very full day at Deanes.  They worked with children from other schools planning a summer event for Year 2 children.

YOUNG CARERS

This month, the young carers at Northwick Park have enjoyed an Easter-themed 'Noisy Tea’ morning together. We had a lovely time listening to music, making a rather large mess decorating/ eating gingerbread Easter eggs, having an Easter egg hunt and speaking to each other about all the things we loved. We decided that our summer meeting will be a games theme!

At Northwick Park Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all students who are young carers are identified and supported effectively. If you think your child might be a young carer, please contact our Young Carers Operational Lead, Mrs L Cooper by email at LCooper@northwickpark.essex.sch.uk. Any information given to her will be treated sensitively and no information will be shared without your knowledge.

PANTHALON

Well done to our Panthalon team.  They represented the school magnificently at an inter-school festival at Deanes.  Well done to our team of Lola, Teddy, Gracie, Courtney, Frankie, Blake, Skye and Evie.

TIMES TABLES PARTIES

Congratulations to all of the children who have achieved either their bronze, silver, gold or platinum awards.  We hope you all enjoyed your treat in school or your special lunch.

GRAND EASTER EGG RAFFLE

What fun we had at our annual Grand Easter Egg raffle.  Every child who entered was able to choose an egg with the first  lucky winners getting the giant eggs.

YEAR 6 MOCK SATs

Well done to all of Year 6 who had their mock SATs this week.  We are incredibly proud of how hard you worked.  I hope you all enjoyed the surprise visit from the Ice Cream Van after the last test.

EASTER 1^ST APRIL – 12^TH APRIL

Tue 2^nd April Y6 SAT revision classes for invited pupils

Wed 3^rd April Y6 SAT revision classes for invited pupils

Thur 4^th April Y6 SAT revision classes for invited pupils

Busy Bears open 7:15am–6:00pm please book in with Bev Thompson 01268 511863

bthompson@northwickpark.essex.sch.uk

             

Summer term starts Monday 15^th April

DIARY DATES

Mon 15 Apr        Y4 Swimming lessons

Tue 16 Apr        Y6 Harry Potter Trip

Wed 17 Apr       Y2 SATs meetings 9:00 + 5:00

Wed 17 Apr       Y5 Forest School

Thur 18 Apr       Y1 Forest School

Mon 22 Apr        Y4 Swimming lessons

Mon 22 Apr        Y1, 2 + 3 RSE Parent/Carer meetings

                            9:00 + 5:00

Tue 23 Apr        Y3 Forest School

Wed 24 Apr       Y1 Phonics meetings 9:00 + 5:00

Wed 24 Apr       Y5 Forest School Parent/Carer sessions

Thur 25 Apr       Canvey Cross Country – Selected pupils

Thur 25 Apr       Y1 Forest School

Mon 29 Apr        Y4 Swimming lessons

Mon 29 Apr        Y6 Residential meeting 5:00

Tue 30 Apr        Y3 Forest School Parent/Carer sessions

Tue 30 Apr        Y4 RSE parent/carer meetings 9:00 +  5:00

The school will again be closed for polling on Thursday 2^nd May.  On this day we will move to on-line learning for children in Reception to Year 5.  Work will be set on Purple Mash at the beginning of the week for the children to complete on Thursday 2^nd May.

As this enforced close is so close to their SATs, Year 6 will attend school as usual.  They will remain in the Year 6 block at the back of the school well away from where the public go to vote.

Busy Bears (chargeable) will open for holiday club, but places will be very limited.  Please book in early.