Great Waltham C of E (VC) Primary School Parent Portal - Newsletter – Tuesday 7th October 2025

${item_alt_tag}$

Tuesday 7th October 2025 - Autumn Term Issue 2

Headteacher Message

'This is the best thing ever!'

The quote above was from Jayden (Y4) about our new OPAL play activities.

It is safe to say that OPAL play is transforming the children’s experience at lunchtime. I’m hugely grateful to Mrs Boyle, Miss Schofield, Mr Dixon-Ramsey, Mrs Mitson and Mrs May from the FOGWS for all their efforts in making this happen.

The next part of this project involves installing a sandpit and a mud kitchen as well as introducing our next phase of play resources. This will include big chalks, small world, construction toys, action figures and Barbies. (If anyone has any large plastic storage boxes with lids that they could donate, they would be gratefully received).

To ensure the children's play experiences are the best they can be, we would really value some parent input and would greatly appreciate you taking time to fill in the survey on the link below. This will help us to continue to build our OPAL provision and give us an insight into how children play at home.

Parents Survey - OPAL

Everyone Reading in Class (E.R.I.C.)

Once a month, the children take part in E.R.I.C. We would like to invite parents and carers into school on Wednesday 22^nd October to take part in this. You will have an opportunity to share a book (or two) with your child and their friends in class. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible. Please come into school via the office. The event will start 2:40pm.

Afterschool Wraparound Care

We have a great after-school club provided by the YMCA. It currently runs 3 days a week and a number of parents have asked if this can increase this to 5 days. YMCA will do this if they have the demand, so please express your interest by completing this short form.

Parents Survey - Wraparound Care

The school calendar is very busy at the moment! We have our Harvest festival on Monday 13th October at the church. We hope to see many of you there. The service starts at 10:00am and we are asking for donations for the foodbank.

Please keep checking the online calendar (calendar link) so that you are up to date with everything that is happening. The office will be sending out a letter shortly so that you can book parents' evening appointments.

As ever, thank you for all your support and I look forward to seeing many of you in school over the next few weeks.

Mrs Brooks

OPAL Play

${item_alt_tag}$

Awards

Aspire

Well done to our ASPIRE award winners for the last few weeks.

19.9.25	26.9.25	3.10.25
Darcy J	Beatrice H	Eliza P
Aria S		Henry B

${item_alt_tag}$

Hot Chocolate Friday

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

Class	19.9.25	26.9.25	3.10.25
Australia	Arabella T	Elias A	Bertie B
Antarctica	Florence K	Noah T	Rafael B W
Africa	Esme R	Sienna P	Bertie P
Europe	Beatrix T	Isaac D	Taiwo O
Asia	Bertie H	George W	Georgia S
South America	Stanley G	Oliver H	Bobby J
North America	Beatrice H	Alara A	Evelyn E

${item_alt_tag}$

News

07 Oct 2025

Year 6 Bikeability

Well done to the year 6 pupils that took part in bikeability over the last few weeks. Bikeability is the Government’s national cycle training programme. It gives the children the confidence to cycle and enjoy this skill for life. Some of the areas that the children covered...

15 Sep 2025

Prospective Parents Tours

Tour dates now available

St Francis Community Pop-Up food store

We are happy to share with you this social food store for families who are struggling to afford food.

Opening Hours:

St Andrew's Church, Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2DT - Tuesday 2:00pm to 4:00pm

St Augustine's Church, New Bowers Way, Springfield, CM1 6GQ - Thursday 11:30am to 1:00pm

${item_alt_tag}$

Wilderness Foundation will be running a Neurodiversity Outdoor Camp on Friday 31st October, from 10am-3pm for young people age between 9-14 at £80 per participant per day.

The Neurodiversity Outdoor Camp is for young people experiencing challenges with mental health, behaviour and neurodiversity needs. Many young people can present with all these challenges together and we are increasingly aware that we need to support those with neurodiversity in a more dedicated and focused way. We have traditionally organised holiday camps and, recognising increasing needs for families and young people, we are running a specialist camp for those with neurodivergent needs.

The camp aims to develop personal skills, resilience, communication, social skills and a lot more. We cook on an open fire, are creative, adventurous and accepting. A range of outdoor activities and skills including cooking, art, bushcraft, nature walks, and crafts. We will also encourage positive social engagement and group skills, using a strength-based approach which helps participants become more aware of what they do well.

It will be a small group with not more than 8 participants and advance bookings are required.

For more information and booking form, please visit https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/neurodiversity-holiday-camps/

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 FC 26

This online safety guide explores EA FC 26 – the latest edition of the immensely popular football game. It flags potential risks, including in-game purchases, scams, and exposure to strangers via voice chat.

With new kits, updated squads and refined gameplay, EA FC 26 brings the thrill of top-tier football to living rooms once again. While it continues to offer family-friendly fun in modes like Kick-Off and Career, the ongoing popularity of Ultimate Team – where players spend money to build fantasy squads – brings a mix of excitement and risks.

Children can encounter issues such as gambling-like mechanics, voice chat with strangers, and potential exposure to scams. This guide breaks down the game’s most important features, highlights the key risks to be aware of, and shares practical advice for helping young players stay safe while gaming and interacting online.

Guide to - FC 26

${item_alt_tag}$