Dear Glebe Families
This week has been full of energy and excitement across the school. One particular highlight has been the Year 4 hunt for our new Play Leaders. There was a real buzz as children considered what makes a great leader, thoughtfully discussed leadership attributes, and proudly selected individuals who demonstrate responsibility, kindness, and teamwork. These leadership roles are incredibly important in helping children develop confidence, empathy, and a sense of responsibility, and we are excited to see our new Play Leaders thrive.
Our SLT Review Day was another positive moment this week. We observed many examples of inclusive practice across the school, with skilful adaptations enabling all children to succeed. Most striking was the strong sense of nurture evident in classrooms and shared spaces, ensuring our children feel valued and respected members of our school community.
In our Early Years, children were deeply engaged in a rich range of activities, from painting and phonics to many other hands-on learning experiences that sparked curiosity.
Looking ahead to next week, our Influential Figure will be Albert Einstein, and we will also be unpicking our musical focus piece, Rhapsody in Blue. There is certainly lots to look forward to.
Finally, it has been lovely to see the brighter mornings beginning to creep back in. As we head into the final week of the half term, let’s look forward to what I am confident will be a hugely successful and positive end to the term.
Warm regards
Mr Clarke
Headteacher
Certificates
A huge well done this week to:
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RBC: Blake C-R & Isla H |
RS: Hope T & Rory R |
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1D: Dorothy M & Khairo K |
1P: Harriet H & Archie H |
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2A: Ella B & Zach G |
2N: Harper S & Elsie M |
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3MH: Lewis R & RJ K |
3VB: Grace P & Carter H |
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4A: Ifham K & Ryan M |
4L: Sienna H-S & Antonio H-M |
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5R: Ezra S & Ellie A |
6/5P: Primrose D & Adele R |
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6CH: Annabelle B & Jack N |
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Attendance: Our school target is 97%
Year to date 93.9%
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: 92.7% | 3VB: 95.9% |
| RS: 98.4% | 4A: 90.7% |
| 1D: 94.5% | 4L: 92.8% |
| 1P: 96.7% | 5R: 92% |
| 2A: 94.8% | 5/6P: 89.3% |
| 2N: 87.3% | 6CH: 95.9% |
| 3MH: 96.1% |
This week, the class with the highest attendance was RS with 98.4%. Well done! The attendance reward will be coming your way.
KS2 Drop-Off Areas
Following on from our message last week regarding the new drop-off area for KS2 pupils, and taking into account feedback from parents as well as staff observations, please note the slightly amended arrangements that will be in place from Monday 9 February:
–Year 5 and 6 pupils will now enter school via the gate by the bike sheds and access their classrooms via the rear classroom doors.
–Year 3 and 4 pupils will continue to enter via the KS2 ICT suite gate.
Pick-up arrangements will remain unchanged. Thank you for your continued support.
Communication
We would like to take this opportunity to remind families about our communication arrangements, to help ensure communication remains clear, respectful, and effective for everyone.
When getting in touch, we kindly ask parents and carers to follow our Communications Policy, which helps us make sure questions and concerns are directed to the right person. Our response time is up to 72 hours, although we always aim to respond within this timeframe wherever possible.
We ask that all messages to staff are written in a polite and respectful tone. Our staff are always happy to support your child, and clear, calm communication helps us work together positively for the benefit of all our pupils.
Please note that Class Dojo is used for daily messages and general information only. It should not be used for urgent matters or more complex concerns. In these cases, please contact the school office or arrange a meeting with the relevant member of staff, in line with our communication flow chart.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and co-operation. Working together with clear communication helps us provide the best possible experience for your children.
News from EYFS
This week in Reception, we have continued our learning around the traditional story Jack and the Beanstalk. The children have used pictures to sequence the story and have been learning about how a bean grows. We have also planted our own beans and are looking forward to observing how they grow over the next few weeks.
In maths, we have been learning about pairs and doubles. The children used pom-poms and butterfly pictures to count a number of pom-poms onto one wing and then explored what the double of that number would be.
In PE, we have continued to develop our ball skills and have begun learning how to kick and dribble a ball using different parts of the foot. The children practised moving with control around a cone and learned how to stop the ball safely.
News from the Resource Base
This week in RBR, we have learned about equivalent fractions and how to simplify fractions, before using this knowledge to order and compare fractions. The children have shown growing confidence in applying these skills across a range of activities.
In English, we have explored the structure of a newspaper article and have begun planning our own articles based on the evacuation of children during World War II. The children are working hard to include the punctuation we have been learning, as well as accurately using direct and indirect speech within their writing.
In RBH this week, in Maths we have been continuing our topic of money. The children have been working on identifying, adding and comparing pounds. We have also been learning how to add pounds and pence (starting with the pounds and then the pence). Can you tell people at home why £20 + 50p does not equal 70p? Perhaps you can show them what coins and notes you can identify?
In English, we started the week looking at the word ‘try’ and how it’s about having a go, even though you might not get it right. Perhaps you can discuss, with someone at home, about a time when they have tried something and it hasn’t quite worked out?
We have also worked on and completed our own information texts about an animal of our choice.
This week in RBN, the children have been working incredibly hard to write their newspaper report about the Creakers in our classroom. They have been carefully following their text maps and checking they have included the main features. We will be moving onto poetry next week. How many different forms of poetry do you know?
The children have shocked and impressed me this week with their times table knowledge. Some children have shown rapid recall of facts, some have shown the use of fact families to support them and some have shown methods they use to solve calculations if they cannot yet rapidly recall facts. Well done all of you. You are truly showing resilience and perseverance. I am incredibly proud of you!
Influential Figure – Mo Farah
Mo Farah is an inspiring British athlete who shows how determination, hard work, and perseverance can help you achieve your dreams. Born in Somalia, he moved to the UK as a child and developed his talent for running, going on to win multiple Olympic and World Championship medals. Mo Farah’s story also highlights how people who come to our country can bring skills, dedication, and new perspectives that benefit everyone. He encourages children to aim high, keep trying, and believe in themselves, no matter where they come from.
Music Moment
Our music moment this week was Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen.
Fortnightly Focus: Ambition
Our fortnightly focus encourages everyone to be ambitious, challenge their thinking, and learn about future careers. Through daily reflections and reminders, our parents and staff are encouraged to support our children to set goals, embrace challenge, and understand how learning links to real-life opportunities. Together, we are building confidence, curiosity, and aspirations for the future.
Day 1 – Ambition
Reminder: Ambition starts with believing you can succeed.
Prompt: What is one goal you want to work towards this term?
Day 2 – Challenging Thinking
Reminder: Mistakes help our brains grow.
Prompt: What did you find tricky yesterday, and what did you learn from it?
Day 3 – Learning & Careers
Reminder: Every job uses skills learned in school.
Prompt: Can you name a job that uses reading, maths, or teamwork?
Day 4 – Ambition
Reminder: Big dreams are built from small steps.
Prompt: What is one small step you can take today towards your goal?
Day 5 – Challenging Thinking
Reminder: Trying again is part of success.
Prompt: What could you do differently if something feels hard?
Day 6 – Learning & Careers
Reminder: Learning helps open doors to future careers.
Prompt: What subject do you enjoy, and where could it lead?
Day 7 – Reflection
Reminder: Take pride in effort, not just results.
Prompt: What are you proud of this week?
Day 8 – Ambition
Reminder: Ambition means aiming high and staying positive.
Prompt: Who inspires you to do your best, and why?
Day 9 – Challenging Thinking
Reminder: Challenge yourself to think in new ways.
Prompt: Can you solve a problem using a different strategy?
Day 10 – Learning & Careers
Reminder: Careers change, but learning lasts a lifetime.
Prompt: What new skill would you like to learn?
Day 11 – Ambition
Reminder: Your attitude can help you achieve great things.
Prompt: How will you show determination today?
Day 12 – Challenging Thinking
Reminder: Asking questions helps deepen understanding.
Prompt: What question can you ask today to help you learn more?
Day 13 – Learning & Careers
Reminder: People in all careers keep learning.
Prompt: Ask a parent, carer, or staff member about the skills they use at work.
Day 14 – Celebration & Reflection
Reminder: Growth comes from effort, challenge, and learning.
Prompt: What have you learned about yourself over the last two weeks?
12 February – Rescheduled FOGP discos.
13 February – FOGP Crazy hair day.
16 February to 20 February – Half term.
25 February – Young Voices.
27 February – Year 6/5 Duxford Imperial War Museum visit.
5 March – World Book Day.
6 March – Year 3 visiting Holy Trinity Church, 1.30pm-2.45pm. *new date*
9 March – KS2 children at Sweyne Park School for the matinee performance of Beauty and The Beast (afternoon).
11 March – African drumming workshop for Year 2. Performance to parents 11.30am-11.45am, KS2 hall. *new date*
13 March – FOGP Mother’s Day event.
18 March – Online parents’ evening from 1.20pm to 6.30pm.
19 March – RBR Colchester Zoo trip.
20 March – Red Nose Day.
23 March – Class photographs.
24 March – iRock concert to parents at 9.15am, KS2 hall.
26 March – Year 2 Hyde Hall trip.
Mr Acquah is extremely proud of the pupils in his class who have become published authors following their success in the Young Writers: I Have a Dream poetry competition.
This has been a wonderful experience and a fantastic opportunity to give their writing real purpose. We are so proud of their creativity, effort and confidence – well done to all involved!
Find the signs in action on Glebe’s social media pages.
