{item_alt_tag}

Thursday 18th September 2025 - Autumn Term Issue 1

Headteacher Message

Welcome Back!

As we write the first newsletter of this academic year, I would like to give a special welcome to all our new families who have joined GWPS this term. Pupils in Class Australia have settled in well and have enjoyed meeting their Year 6 buddies, which is proving to be a great success in helping the younger children feel settled.

It has been a busy start to the term, and it was wonderful to see so many of you at the ‘Meet the Teacher’ event during the first week. This week, our Year 6 pupils have begun their Bikeability course, bravely cycling despite the strong winds! We have also taken part in the River Chelmer Partnership annual football tournament—well done to all the boys and girls who represented the school; we are very proud of you all.

On Friday 5th September, we were delighted to welcome Kemi Badneock, Councillors Steel and Ball, Reverend Dan, as well as some of our governors and members of FOGWS to officially open our new classroom. Our Year 6 pupils had the wonderful opportunity to speak with our guests and represented the school with confidence and enthusiasm.  Please read the news item linked below.

I am excited to share that one of our key priorities this year is to enhance children’s play experiences by improving what we offer during lunch playtimes. We are beginning a two-year journey to become an OPAL school (Outdoor Play and Learning), which will provide more creative and engaging play opportunities for our pupils. Please take a moment to read the attached letter from Mrs Boyle for more details and to find out how you can get involved. Normally, we would hold a school grounds morning around this time, but instead, we are asking for donations of “loose parts” — such as crates, boxes or recycled toys like cars or dinosaurs to support the OPAL project. Thank you for your support in helping us make playtime even better for our children!

Mrs Brooks


Awards

Aspire

Well done to our ASPIRE award winners for start of term. 

12.9.25
Aurelia M
Annabel K
Emmie M
{item_alt_tag}

Hot Chocolate Friday

Well done to all of the 'Hot Chocolate Friday' winners for the last 2 weeks.

Class 5.9.25 12.9.25
Antarctica Cece D Bligh W
Africa Emanuel P Henry B
Europe Dottie C Emmie M
Asia Harry C Jayden M
South America Summer S Ralph W
North America Shrimath C Eli K
{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

News

18 Sep 2025
A Special Visit from Our Local MP – Kemi Badenoch
We were delighted to welcome our local MP, Kemi Badenoch, to GWPS recently for a very special occasion – the official opening of our brand new classroom.Mrs. Badenoch had the honour of cutting the ribbon and marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our school. She has since wri...
Read more
15 Sep 2025
Prospective Parents Tours
Tour dates now available
Read more

Notices

Reminders for drop off and collection

As the weather becomes wetter and the grounds muddier, please ensure that pupils stay on the concrete pathways when arriving and leaving school to help keep the school clean and safe. We also kindly remind parents that pupils are not allowed to use the playground equipment before and after school hours. Thank you for your support.

Parking:

A polite reminder about parking. We have received some feedback from local residents about some parking issues around the school. Please be safe and considerate with your parking. Please do not obstruct any driveways or block any other cars in. Please do not park on the double yellow lines on the corner of Hatchfields or the zigzag lines. Doing so severely obstructs drivers and pedestrians view which could cause an accident.

Thank you for your understanding.


The Big Pads Push

A family within our school community are organising this fundraising community event.

Sunday 26th October - 1.30pm

All are welcome to join in with or without sponsors. The walk will be around the village and will be 2.1 miles to represent the 21st chromosome.

There will be a tea, coffee and cake stall in the village hall afterwards and also guess the name of the bear, colouring, balloons, stickers and more. Feel free to pop in for tea and cake even if you don't wish to take part in the walk.

For any children that wish to collect sponsors, the form can be found here: The Big Pads Push - Sponsor form

Just Giving Link

{item_alt_tag}

School Lottery - Thank you to all of you that support our lottery. 

Did you know that by taking part, not only do you support the school but you could win a local prize or even the main £25,000 pot! 

Lottery tickets can be purchased here - School Lottery - Please do let family members and friends know that they too can purchase Lottery tickets and help support the school. Each ticket costs £1 and 40p of this comes directly to the school. 

{item_alt_tag}

Online Safety & Mental Health

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Snapchat

With over 900 million monthly users, Snapchat continues to be a favourite among children and young people; however, with its ever-evolving features, the risks have evolved too. From AI-generated filters and chatbots, to disappearing messages and the Snap Map location-sharing tool, it’s easy for children to stumble into unsafe territory. This guide breaks down the latest updates, including the Lens+ subscription service, and web browser access. 

We’ve also unpacked the risks of sextortion scams, overuse, and inappropriate content that may slip through the app’s moderation systems. With expert advice from online safety consultant Dr Claire Sutherland, this guide is a must-read for anyone helping young people navigate Snapchat responsibly and confidently. 

Guide to - Snapchat

Top Tips for Recognising and Managing Stress

Stress is something we all experience – but for children and young people, it can feel especially overwhelming. This guide presents 10 simple, actionable strategies to help young people manage stress in a healthy and balanced manner. Whether it’s noticing early signs, encouraging open conversations, or modelling calm responses, there are plenty of ideas here to support positive change. 

Perfect for both school and home settings, the guide equips adults to identify subtle signals of stress and create safe spaces for pupils to open up. It also suggests mindful habits and healthy routines that can become part of daily life, promoting long-term emotional strength and mental wellbeing.

Guide to - Recognising & Managing Stress

{item_alt_tag}
{item_alt_tag}

School Calendar

Great Waltham Horticultural Show
All Day
20
September
Year 6 Parents SATs information meeting
6:00pm – 6:30pm
22
September
Multiplication Check Information Meeting for parents of children in Year 4 (held in Class Asia)
3:20pm – 3:50pm
24
September
Vancols Whole school Photos
All Day
30
September
Y6 Bikeability - Group 2
All Day
from 01 Oct until 02 Oct
01
October
FOGWS AGM
6:00pm – 7:00pm
03
October
Year 1 Parents Phonics Check Information Meeting- in Class Antarctica
2:45pm – 3:15pm
09
October
Harvest festival at the Church (all welcome)
10:00am – 11:00am
13
October
Flu immunisations
12:30pm – 3:00pm
13
October
EYFS Phonics Information Meeting for parents of children in Reception Class
2:30pm – 3:15pm
13
October
FOGWS School Disco
All Day
17
October
Parents Evening
3:40pm – 6:40pm
20
October
Parents/Carers invited to ERIC (Everyone reading in class) EYFS and KS1
2:45pm – 3:15pm
21
October
Parents Evening
3:40pm – 6:40pm
21
October
KS2 ERIC (everyone reading in class) parents/carers invited
2:45pm – 3:15pm
22
October