Dear Glebe Families
Welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed a restful two week half term break and managed to make the most of the mild autumn weather. We’ve certainly started the new half term with a bang (no pun intended!), and I know many families enjoyed the fireworks displays over the weekend and on Wednesday.
We were also delighted to welcome Saffron Severn, a talented gymnast, to school this week. Saffron led an inspiring whole-school assembly and ran energetic workshops for each class, helping the children explore technique, balance, and perseverance through sport. It was a fantastic opportunity that left everyone feeling motivated and active!
Our Year 2 enrichment activities got off to a great start, and I’m told the lunchtime was full of energy and enthusiasm. Thank you to our staff for providing such a variety of engaging activities and delicious food.
Looking ahead, next Thursday is our Open Evening. Please remember that school will close at 1.00pm on that day. We’re really looking forward to welcoming many of our children back later to take part in taught sessions and activities, helping to showcase all the wonderful things that happen in our school. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.
Our iRock sessions are also in full swing as children rehearse for their upcoming performances to both the school and parents, there’s a real buzz of excitement building already!
There’s so much to look forward to this half term, including our Christmas productions, the Rayleigh Lights celebrations, and plenty more festive fun to come.
Wishing everyone a happy and productive few weeks ahead!
Warm regards
Mr Clarke
Headteacher
Certificates
A huge well done this week to:
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RBC: Amelia H & Arthur D |
RS: Ada-Mae A & Lyra G |
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1D: Cody G & Duru Y |
1P: Antonio L & Albie B |
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2A: Lily V & Alana Y |
2N: Poppy A & Darcie M |
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3MH: Ashton W & Maisie P-T |
3VB: Leo B & Noah D-S |
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4A: Darcy B & Harley B-D |
4L: Elyna K & Antonio H-M |
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5R: Harry K & Mia A S |
6/5P: Amber F & Adele R |
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6CH: Lara M & Riley K A |
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Attendance: Our school target is 97%
Year to date 95.1%
We expect pupils to be in school everyday.
We will not authorise term time absence except in exceptional circumstances and where appropriate, Essex County Council will issue fines.
Classes:
| RBC: 93.2% | 3VB: 92.1% |
| RS: 98.3% | 4A: 93.1% |
| 1D: 94.3% | 4L: 97.6% |
| 1P: 93.5% | 5R: 95% |
| 2A: 92.6% | 5/6P: 93% |
| 2N: 94.2% | 6CH: 90.3% |
| 3MH: 95.6% |
This week, the class with the highest attendance was RS with 98.3%. Well done! The attendance reward will be coming your way.
News from the Resource Base
In RBN the children are getting creative with planning their own story in the style of Gregory Cool. They have been discussing what the character would normally wear and what they would wear in their new setting. They also spoke about how food may vary. They have worked incredibly hard in calculating addition using the column method. They have remembered to use their column headings, ensure the digits are in the correct columns and to start the addition from the ones column and move to the left. We will be moving on to crossing the tens boundary next week.
In RBS we are learning the story of ‘The Papaya that Spoke’ we have been using our senses the describe. Looking, touching, smelling and tasting a papaya and creating fantastic sentences to describe the papaya. In math’s we are continuing our topic of addition and subtraction using tens frames and counters to make 10s to add.
In RBR the pupils have been continuing their learning on the topic of addition and subtraction in maths and have been problem solving to work out 2 step worded problems. In English they are learning to use descriptive language to create atmosphere by editing and improving a passage of writing to make it more exciting!
News from EYFS
This week in Reception, the children have been learning all about fireworks! We discussed how to stay safe at firework displays and created our own firework artwork using a range of materials and media. The children really enjoyed experimenting with colours and textures to capture the excitement of fireworks in the night sky. We also talked about celebrations, thinking about different special occasions throughout the year and how we mark them with our families and friends.
In Maths, we have been exploring the concept of one more and one less. The children practised their counting skills through songs, counting backwards, and even played an active counting game outside on the playground.
Influential Figure – Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was an incredible athlete who overcame great challenges. Despite being born with polio, she became the fastest woman in the world and won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympics, inspiring generations with her determination and courage.
Music Moment
Our music moment this week was Survivor – Eye of the Tiger.
Fortnightly Focus – Independence, Resilience and Opportunity
At Glebe, we are committed to helping every child grow into a confident, capable and successful learner. This fortnight, our focus across school is centred on three key priorities that are at the heart of excellent teaching and learning:
Increasing Independence
We want our pupils to develop the confidence to try things for themselves and take ownership of their learning. For some children, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), this means using well-planned support and scaffolding that helps them move towards doing things more independently. Our aim is to support without creating dependence, so that all children feel proud of what they can achieve on their own.
Building Resilience
Mistakes are part of learning, and we want our children to know that it’s okay to get things wrong, as long as they keep going. Resilience means bouncing back, staying positive, and learning from challenges. In school, we help build resilience by encouraging a “have a go” attitude and celebrating effort just as much as outcomes.
Creating Opportunity
Every child at Glebe deserves the chance to succeed, whatever their starting point. That means making sure lessons are adapted thoughtfully, expectations remain high, and all pupils are given the opportunities they need to shine. This is especially important for our SEND pupils, who may need different ways to show what they know and can do.
These priorities are closely aligned with the UNICEF Rights of the Child, including:
Article 23 – Every child with a disability has the right to special care and support.
Article 29 – Education must develop every child’s talents and abilities to the full.
10 November – School photographs.
13 November – Open Evening. School closes at 1.00pm.
w/c 17 November – Year 5 & 6 bikeability (group 1).
20 November – FOGP discos.
w/c 24 November – Year 5 & 6 bikeability (group 2 & group 3).
27 November – Choir at the Rayleigh Christmas Lights Switch On Event 4.00pm to 6.30pm.
28 November – Year 4 British Museum trip.
2 December – 9.15am iRock concert for parents. *new date*
4 December – RB Sarah’s Creative Kitchen trip.
5 December – RB Chelmsford Cathedral Christmas carol service.
9 December – 9.30am Year 3 & 4 Christmas performance for Year 3 parents.
10 December – 9.30am Year 3 & 4 Christmas performance for Year 4 parents.
11 December – 9.30am Year 1 & 2 Christmas performance for Year 1 parents.
12 December – 9.30am Year 5 & 6 Christmas performance for Year 5 parents.
12 December – 2.15pm Year 1 & 2 Christmas performance for Year 2 parents.
15 December – FOGP Elf Emporium and Santa’s Grotto.
16 December – 9.30am Year 5 & 6 Christmas performance for Year 6 parents.
17 December – Christmas dinner and jumper day, including FOGP pantomime.
18 December – 9.30am Nursery Christmas performance.
19 December – Non-uniform day – Wear fluffy socks and bring in board games.
19 December – 9.30am Reception Christmas performance.
22 December to 2 January – Christmas holiday.
5 January – Children return to school.
Yesterday, our Year 6 boys represented our school brilliantly at the football tournament at Garon Park hosted by Southend Unity Community Foundation.
Their teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship were clear to see throughout the event, and they should all be incredibly proud of their performances.
The team started strongly with a well-contested 0–0 draw. They showed great defensive discipline and worked hard to keep their opponents at bay. In the second match, the boys continued to grow in confidence and secured a fantastic 1–0 victory, with Oliver M scoring a superb goal to give the team a well-deserved win. Our third game was a hard-fought encounter that ended 0–0. Leo L pulled off some fantastic saves to keep us in the game. Both sides created chances but neither able to find a breakthrough.
Unfortunately, the boys lost their final match against Lee Chapel Primary, despite putting in another spirited display. They continued to battle for every ball and never gave up, showing excellent resilience and team spirit. Lee Chapel Primary went on to play in the final.
Overall, the boys can be very proud of their effort and attitude throughout the tournament. They represented the school with pride, and their performances were a credit to themselves and to the school. Well done, boys!