Update
NURSERY
In Nursery we successfully hatched eggs in an incubator. We have named the three chicks Daisy, Northy and Arna. The children have been very excited to see them in their lovely big cage and watching them as they grow bigger in Nursery. The children really enjoyed having the opportunity to hold them.
With the warmer weather on its way (hopefully), we are all looking forward to spending a lot more time together outdoors.
RECEPTION
The children have come back to school refreshed after a well deserved Easter break. We loved hearing stories about all the fantastic things they got up to over the holidays and we are glad the children enjoyed the time off.
This half term we are really focusing on our writing, and we have already written an Easter recap and a letter to the King. We spent a morning learning about St George, and about why he is the Patron Saint of England, we got to decorate flags and even practised Morris Dancing!
In our PSHE lessons we have been focusing on friendships and how it is important to be kind to everyone.
We are very lucky to be a part of the 'Canvey Island Levelling Up Project.' Through this scheme we have expert PE teachers from The Deanes School coming in to teach PE every Thursday morning. The children have had their first session and they absolutely loved it. We encourage you to keep reading at home with your child and any extra work at home really does help!
YEAR ONE
Year 1 have made a fantastic start to the summer term and have already enjoyed many wonderful experiences. We kicked off our new topic ‘Mad about Minibeasts’ with a circus day (linked to the film ‘Bugs Life’).
Children thoroughly enjoyed learning all about the circus and the different acts that they might see there. They even got to have a go at practising some of the activities themselves.
We were then very lucky to have a visit from Eden Oasis. They came to show us some real-life insects that we were able touch and hold. Eden also shared with us lots of interesting facts about the insects. Some of the animals we saw were dung beetles, spiny stick insects, hissing cockroach and an African land snail. Year 1 had a brilliant time and were all very brave!
This half term, Year 1 are looking forward to practising their picnic dance and be able to perform it to their parents. We will also be using our art and DT skills to create a minibeast hotel and clay insect models.
YEAR TWO
Year 2 had an exciting start to the new term. We visited the Forest School area to discover that it had been trespassed by some visitors! We used the clues that they left behind to identify who the culprits were. We quickly worked out that farm animals had been to our school. We had lots of questions and our topic “Let’s Get Muddy” is now focused on learning about farm animals and where food comes from. We are looking forward to our trip to Boydells Farm on Wednesday 10th May.
Following on from this, we learnt that farms produce a lot of food and drink that we eat every day. “Farmer Fred” held a pop-up farm shop and children were able visit the shop and buy different farm foods and drinks, including honey, jam, juice, sourdough bread and many more.
In PE, we are busy learning our dance routine for the picnic. Our music revolves around animal kingdoms, and we are looking forward to performing at the end of half term.
In RE, we are learning about the importance of community and belonging. We are exploring Islam and understand what a mosque is.
In Science, we are learning about living things and their habitats. We have been discussing the world and local habitats, and the animals you would find in these locations. We also used the Forest School area to identify types of micro habitats and then create our own version of a ‘Bug Hotel’ for the insects to live in.
YEAR THREE
This half term in Year 3, we have had some exciting learning opportunities. We really enjoyed practising our cooking skills by creating some yummy apple and cinnamon cupcakes, alongside a tasty smoothie.
We also had a great time at Forest School and enjoyed spending some time outside. We made beautiful fairy wings and survival bracelets and had a fun time in our parent/carer sessions toasting marshmallows and playing games.
We have also been enjoying learning our picnic dance, and we are looking forward to sharing the performance with our grown-ups!
YEAR FOUR
Year 4 have begun their swimming lessons at waterside and are enjoying their new found water confidence. Those children not swimming have started a project on climate change and the effect that humans are having on our planet. We will begin to look at the ways in which we can help to save our beautiful Earth.
We have enjoyed taking part in netball led by Miss Graham and choreographing some dance steps for our picnic dance ready for our king themed picnic.
Our new science and Combined units have started well, and we have some very exciting lessons planned for the children.
We are lucky enough to have some student teachers working with us this half term, the children have been working hard and enjoying having some fresh faces in our year group.
We are looking forward to forest school sessions with our grown-ups and hope that they love Forest School as much as we do.
YEAR FIVE
Welcome back Year 5, we hope you had a wonderful Easter! The children have settled in well after a well deserved break. We have had lots of exciting things happening since being back at school.
In science, we have been conducting an experiment on the best conditions in which to grow broad beans, we can't wait to find out which pot will be most successful. We have also been looking and exploring the parts of a flower and were able to dissect them to create detailed diagrams.
The children were very excited to take part in both football and table tennis trials this week. They showed off their skills and are looking forward to finding out who has made it into the squads.
All of year 5, including the adults, are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Colchester Zoo on Tuesday 16th May. The children will need to be into school for 8:10am as we have an early coach. Just a reminder, the children will need to bring a packed lunch in a named carrier bag so it can be disposed of after they have eaten.
We look forward to seeing you at our Forest School and Reading Café/Book Swap sessions!
YEAR SIX
Since returning from the Easter break, Year 6 had the opportunity to explore skills involved in cricket whilst trying out for the festival team. The children actively encouraged each other and demonstrated improved teamwork and sportsmanship.
Additionally, they have really enjoyed classifying living things in science.
All Year 6 children will receive a letter and email inviting them to have breakfast at school during SATs week (week commencing 9th May 2023) - we are really looking forward to spending this time with the children and fuelling them in readiness to achieve their potential which they have all worked incredibly hard towards.
The residential trip is also fast approaching, so can we please ask for all appropriate slips to be returned as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
Well done Year 6, a great start to the summer term!
CLUBS DAY
What an incredible range of clubs our children participate in! They looked amazing in their uniforms and kits and we loved hearing about their achievements and seeing all their certificates, medals and trophies. Remember that they can collect Children’s University hours for all the clubs they attend in and out of school.
DIARY DATES
MONDAY 1ST MAY – SCHOOL CLOSED BANK HOLIDAY
Tue 2nd May Y5 Forest School
Tue 2nd May Y1 Reading Café/Book Swap
Wed 3rd May YR Clubs
Wed 3rd May Y4 Forest School
Wed 3rd May Y3 Reading Café/Book Swap
Thurs 4th May - School closed (Remote Learning YR-Y5) except for Year 6
Fri 5th May Street Party (Red,White,Blue clothes)
Mon 8th May BANK HOLIDAY
Tue 9th May Y6 SATs week
Wed 10th May Y2 Boydells Farm
Wed 10th May YR Clubs (Last session)
Mon 15th May Y4 Swimming
Mon 15th May Y5 Reading Café/Book Swap
Tue 16th May Y5 Colchester Zoo
Tue 16th May Y4 Forest School Parent/Carer session
Tue 16th May Y6 Reading Café/Book Swap
Wed 17th May Hi 5 Netball Competition
Wed 17th May YR Forest School
Thur 18th May Y5 Forest School Parent/Carer session
Thur 18th May YR Reading Café/Book Swap
Mon 22nd May Y4 Swimming
Mon 22nd May Class photos
Tue 23rd May Nursery photos
Wed 24th May YR Forest School
Fri 26th May Assembly + Family picnic
Mon 29th May – School Closed Bank Holiday
Tue 30TH May – Fri 2rd June Half Term
Busy Bears Open Tuesday – Friday 07.15-6pm Book spaces
Mon 5th June Y6 Residential trip
Mon 5th June Y4 Swimming
Thur 8th June 9:30-10.30 Y3 Sports
1:30-2.30 Y4 Sports
Fri 9th June 9.30-10.30 Y5 Sports
Mon 12th June YR Call of the Wild trip
Mon 12th June Y4 Swimming
Tue 13th June Choir at the Cliffs
Wed 14th June Year 3 to Sealife Centre
Mon 19th June 9.30-10.30 Y2 Sports
1.30-2.30 Y1 Sports
Mon 19th June Y4 Swimming
Thur 22nd June Y6 Careers Fair
Fri 23rd June – School Closed Training Day
Mon 26th June – School Closed Training Day
Tue 27th June Music Concert
Wed 28th June Summer Fair
Thur 29th June 9:30 – 10:30 YR Sports
Thur 29th June 1:30-2.30 Y6 Sports
UPCOMING DIARY DATES
The last day of the summer term is Thursday 20th July.
The school will be closed on Monday 8th May as this is an additional bank holiday to commemorate the Kings Coronation.
The school will again be closed for polling on Thursday 4th 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 4th May.
There will be a limited number of places available at Busy Bears.
As this enforced closure 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.
TRAINING DAYS
The school will be closed for training on:
- Fri 23rd June
- Mon 26th June
- Fri 21st July
(Busy Bears Open as usual)
