Gazette 12/06/2026

Year to date 94.5%

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: 93.1%	3VB: 95.9%
RS: 92%	4A: 93.8%
1D: 93.2%	4L: 96.2%
1P: 95.7%	5R: 92.8%
2A: 92.4%	6/5P: 87.9%
2N: 84.6%	6CH: 96.6%
3MH: 96.9%

This week, the class with the highest attendance was 3MH with 96.9%.  Well done!  The attendance reward will be coming your way.

 

News from EYFS

This week in Reception, we have continued our topic, On the Farm, and our learning based around the story The Little Red Hen.

In Literacy, we had a go at drawing our own story maps to help us retell the story.  We did a fantastic job remembering the sequence of events and confidently retelling the story to our friends.  We also wrote our own speech bubbles, thinking carefully about how the Little Red Hen might have felt when her friends did not help her.  In class, we enjoyed making our own Little Red Hen using a variety of collage materials.  The children carefully thought about the different features of the hen and added lots of detail to their creations.

In Maths, we have been learning about patterns.  We practised completing repeating patterns and created our own using colours, shapes, and natural materials.  The children were able to talk about the rule of a pattern and identify how many units were in each repeating pattern.

News from the Resource Base

RBR: This week we have been learning how to convert between metres and kilometres, exploring how and when to convert from one unit to the other.  The children have applied their understanding to a range of questions and are becoming increasingly confident with this life skill.

In English, we have continued developing our explanation-writing skills.  The children completed flowcharts to map out exactly how their inventions work, carefully considering each stage of the process and why it happens.  This has helped them to organise their ideas and prepare for writing their final explanation texts, ensuring they can clearly explain their inventions to the reader.

On Thursday, we were fortunate to attend the Sweyne Park Resource Base Taster Day.  The children enjoyed a variety of activities, including baking bread, launching rockets, and taking part in drama.  It was a fantastic opportunity for them to meet other children, try new experiences, and develop their confidence in a different learning environment.

RBH: This week in English we have been exploring the book Flotsam – a book with no words.  The children have also continued to work on some English skills.  They have been learning and recapping learning around the use of apostrophes.  The children have learnt how to use apostrophes to show possession e.g. ‘Tom’s bag’ and how to use contractive apostrophes to show a missing letter when you combine two words e.g. do not becomes ‘don’t’.  The children were also great detectives when I wrote a sentence with several errors, helping me to edit my work.  Great job everyone!

In Maths, we have been finishing our topic on fractions.  The children have impressed me with their new-found skills of finding a fraction of a number by drawing it out.  Perhaps they could show you how to find ¾ of 18?  Towards the end of the week, we started our topic on ‘time’.  As part of this learning, the children compared increments of time using their symbols ‘<‘ less than,  ‘>’ more than and ‘=’ equal to e.g. 5 minutes > 30 seconds.  They are becoming more confident in ‘reading’ these symbols.  Well done.

RBN: A busy week in RBN this week.  The children were continuing to plan their free verse poem.  They strengthened their skills in personification and were thinking of sounds they may hear in the rainforest.  They will continue to develop their ideas for the next 2 lessons and then be writing their poem independently.  I am excited to read them.

In Maths, the children have been practising telling the time.  It was impressive to see their knowledge grow quickly.  Year 4 began showing their skills in converting the 12 and 24 hour clock from analogue to digital.  This was a challenge but each child tried their best and did not give up.  True examples of resilience!

Across the Resource Base and within assemblies, the children have learnt about deaf artists.  We saw pieces of celebration and frustration.  In RBN, we have been creating pieces which show both emotions.

Influential Figure – Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges is an inspiring figure who showed great courage and determination at a young age.  In 1960, she became one of the first African American children to attend an all-white school in the United States, helping to break down barriers and promote equality.  Despite facing challenges, Ruby remained brave and focused on her education.  Her story teaches children about resilience, fairness, and the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their background.

Music Moment

Our music moment this week was Count on Me by Bruno Mars.

Fortnightly Focus – Leadership

Our second fortnightly focus centres on leadership at every level across the school community.  Staff will develop consistent accountability, collaboration and reflective practice to drive improvement in teaching and outcomes.  Pupils will be encouraged to show leadership through pupil voice, responsibility, teamwork and positive role modelling both in and out of lessons.  Parents are invited to strengthen partnership working by engaging with school communication, events and shared expectations.  This focus supports improvement priorities linked to leadership and management, staff development, pupil participation, safeguarding culture and effective school improvement planning.