Great Waltham C of E (VC) Primary School Parent Portal - Newsletter - Wednesday 22nd October 2025

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Wednesday 22nd October 2025 - Autumn Term Issue 3

Headteacher Message

Autumn has certainly arrived, and the trees around the school grounds look wonderful - though the weather has been a little wet! Despite the changeable conditions, we encourage outdoor play whenever possible. Please ensure your child comes to school with a coat to keep them warm and dry.

OPAL Play Updates
The children continue to enjoy OPAL play, and I would like to thank all the parents who attended the recent OPAL parent launch. Mrs Boyle will be sharing regular updates about this initiative, so please keep an eye out for her communications.

Charity Shoebox Appeal
This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with our school council for the first time this academic year. Together, we have chosen to support a Christmas shoebox appeal organised by TEECH.org. If you would like to take part, please follow these steps:

Find an empty shoebox.
Wrap the box and lid separately.
Decide whether your box is for a boy or a girl, and select an appropriate age group.
Print and attach the label (available on the TEECH.org website - link below).
Fill your box with suitable gifts (suggestions can be found on the website).
Include a £2 donation per shoebox to cover fuel and road toll costs.

Please visit Shoebox Appeal - TEECH.org for full details.

The school council will be talking to their classes about this appeal. All shoeboxes should be brought into school by Monday, 17th November, so they can be collected in time for Christmas.

Parents Evening
It was wonderful to see so many of you at parents evening this week. These meetings are vital in strengthening the partnership between home and school. Thank you for your ongoing support.

I wish you all a wonderful and restful half term and look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 3rd November.

Mrs Brooks

Opal Play

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Awards

Aspire

Well done to our ASPIRE award winners for the last 2 weeks.

10.10.25
Cece D
Brogan F

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Hot Chocolate Friday

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

Class	10.10.25	17.10.25
Australia	Jack M	Matilda B
Antarctica	Lyla D	Louis J
Africa	Ellie B	Thomas S-C
Europe	Freddie E	Lewis E
Asia	George W	Isabelle P
South America	Max B	Elliot R
North America	Charis A	Abigail M

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News

17 Oct 2025

School Discos

Thank you so much to FOGWS for organising the school discos. We hope all of the children had a great time.

13 Oct 2025

Harvest Festival

Thank you to all of you that joined us for our Harvest Festival. We hope you all enjoyed the service as much as we did. Thank you for all of your kind donations that have been donated to the food bank.

Term Dates 2026-2027

Our term dates for the academic year 2026-7 are now available on our website - Term Dates 2026/7

Please take note of the dates for May / June 2027 when planning family holidays. Due to the timing of the half term and statutory assessments, the 2 inset days that are usually placed at the end of the half term are at the start on the 27^th & 28^th May 2027.

Music Reminders

Y2-6 Charanga

YUMU (Charanga) is a creative music workspace for students - a secure online space through which you can access music projects, creative tools, videos, instrument resources and saved work that is shared by Mrs Welch. It is a lovely resource that we use in school and pupils can also access at home.

Pupils have been given their YUMU log ins and are stuck in the front of their reading records.

Please feel free to explore, let your child show pieces that they have created at school and just have fun with your child!

KS2 Recorders

Following the Autumn half term, pupils will commence learning the recorder again as part of their music lessons. In order to participate, each child will be required to have their own recorder. We kindly ask that you provide one for your child if they do not already own one, clearly labelled with their name, and ensure it is ready for use after the October break in school.

They are available for a reasonable price on Amazon from around £5.00.

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.

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Online Safety & Mental Health

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Fortnite

Fortnite continues to reign supreme in the gaming world, drawing in millions of players with its bold graphics, fast-paced action and constant stream of new content. This guide looks at the latest developments in the game – such as themed updates, crossover characters and limited-edition cosmetics – and what they mean for young players and the adults who support them.

It also unpacks some of the key online safety risks associated with Fortnite. With in-game purchases, cross-platform communication and regular seasonal updates creating an ‘always on’ experience, it’s vital that trusted adults understand how to help children and young people enjoy the game without being exposed to unnecessary risks.

Guide to - Fortnite 2

Top Tips for Dealing with Traumatic and Challenging Events

When children and young people experience traumatic or difficult life events, their emotional world can be shaken, and the impact may show up in their behaviour, mood, or relationships. Whether it’s bereavement, a family breakdown or witnessing something distressing, the support of trusted adults can be key in helping them feel safe again. This guide looks at how to create a nurturing environment to help young people process difficult feelings.

It also shares clear, actionable strategies to promote recovery – from building emotional literacy and creating a predictable routine to recognising signs that further help may be needed. Sensitive language, patience, and presence all play a part in empowering children to move forward at their own pace. With the right support, they can rebuild a sense of security and resilience.

Guide to - Traumatic & Challenging Events

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