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Thursday 29th January 2026 - Spring Term Issue 2

Headteacher Message

It has been a busy two weeks since our last newsletter! Our Year 3 children have been learning to play the toots with Essex Music Services, and Year 6 have been carving soaps as part of their latest art project (See news items below). Teachers and Governors have also been spending time talking with pupils about their learning and their experiences at school, helping us to continue to strengthen our provision and understand what is working well.

OPAL Update

Despite the constant wet and muddy weather, our OPAL play provision continues to grow. We are excited to share that we now have a new quiet area on the playground where children can draw, complete puzzles, and enjoy construction sets. It has been lovely to see how positively the children have responded to this new space.

Gardening Morning – Save the Date

A reminder to keep Saturday 14th March free for our Gardening/OPAL Morning. We are looking for volunteers to help us keep our school grounds looking wonderful. All help is hugely appreciated — and volunteers will, of course, be rewarded with refreshments and plenty of gratitude!

ERIC (Everyone Reading in Class)

Yesterday, the children enjoyed swapping classes again for ERIC. Please do check the school calendar here for the date of the next Parent/Carer ERIC session — we would love to see as many of you there as possible!

Mrs Brooks


Awards

Aspire

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

16.1.26 16.1.26
Jake C Jayden M
Bella W Ella F
Brogan F Harriet S
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Hot Chocolate Friday

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

Class 16.1.26 23.1.26
Australia Amber M Olive M
Antarctica Rafale B W Louie J
Africa Bella W Ava G
Europe Oliver S Rosie C
Asia Oscar R Penelope L
South America Edward W Darcy P
North America Shrimath C George M
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News

23 Jan 2026
Year 5 Wilderness Foundation Sessions
News article written by Zara-Jayne JIn the Wilderness Foundation sessions, we have been learning about how we embrace nature and the outdoors. We have been learning about climate change and what effect it has on our planet. We also learnt about how we can make a positive difference and ways to h...
Read more
27 Jan 2026
UK Parliament Outreach Assembly
News article written by Beatrice H - Year 6The assembly was about Parliament and different parts of it. I found out that there are two separate parts of Parliament. A 'House of Commons' and a 'House of Lords'.  The Commons are the most important as they have a decision...
Read more
28 Jan 2026
Year 6 Art
As part of their Inuit art project, the pupils have been working on soap carvings inspired by traditional Inuit sculpture. The results are truly impressive — intricate, expressive, and a testament to the children’s patience and artistic skill.
Read more
29 Jan 2026
Y3 Music - Toot's
Class Europe have been enjoying learning to play the Toot!  We are fortunate to have a specialist music teacher coming in weekly to work with the children.  A toot is an instrument similar to a recorder but played in the style of the flute. We hope they are all enjoying trying something di...
Read more

Notices

Royal Academy of Arts - Young Artists' Summer Show

Does your child enjoy art?  

Now in its eighth year, the Young Artists' Summer Show is a free, open submission exhibition for students aged 4–18. Artworks are judged by a panel of artists and arts professionals, with selected artworks displayed online and on-site at the Royal Academy of Arts.

Registration and submission is open until 5.00pm on 4 March 2026.

Click here to find out more and get involved


ParkingParking Images - Free Download on Freepik

A reminder to please park sensibly and considerably outside school.

Please do not park across driveways or on the zig zag lines.

Thank you


Pick-up arrangements

A gentle reminder that if there is a change to your child's usual pick-up arrangements, please can you advise the office by 2.00pm at the latest. Thank you.


ACL Essex - Adult Learning Courses & Apprenticeships

Throughout February, ACL Essex is offering a wide range of FREE Family Learning courses, available both online and face-to-face across Essex.

These sessions are designed to support parents and carers with practical strategies to enhance emotional wellbeing, strengthen family life, and empower them in their parenting journey.

Courses include: Building Positive Family Relationships, Dyslexia Awareness, Family Arts And Crafts, Family First Aid, Fussy Eaters, Managing Big Emotions, Positive Parenting, Transition To Secondary School, Understanding Anxiety and many many more.

Please visit the ACL website for further information: ACL


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 and Educators Need to Know About Roblox

Roblox is hugely popular with children, offering millions of user-created games and social experiences. This #WakeUpWednesday guide explains how the platform differs from traditional video games, and why its scale, self-rating system and automated moderation can expose young users to inappropriate content or unsafe interactions. 

Aimed at parents and educators, the guide explores concerns including online communication, in-game spending and compulsive play. It also shares practical advice on parental controls, limiting chat and encouraging open conversations, helping adults support children to enjoy Roblox more safely and responsibly. 

Guide to - Roblox

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Mental Health Misinformation Online

Children and young people are increasingly turning to social media for mental health advice, but much of what they encounter online is unverified, oversimplified or misleading. This guide explores why platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become go-to sources, and how misuse of clinical language and viral trends can distort children and young people’s understanding of mental health. 

Aimed at parents and educators, it offers clear, expert-led strategies to counter misinformation. The guide looks at topics such as encouraging open conversations, identifying reliable sources, and strengthening school–home collaboration. Use this information to build young people’s critical thinking, resilience and confidence in seeking appropriate professional help when needed.

 Guide to - Mental Health Misinformation

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School Calendar

South America - Parents Lunch
12:15pm – 1:15pm
05
February
Class Asia Assembly
9:00am – 9:30am
06
February
Children's Mental Health Week
All Day
from 09 Feb until 13 Feb
09
February
Superstars Sport Event - Year 4
12:30pm – 2:45pm
10
February
Celebration assembly (invite only)
All Day
13
February
HALF TERM
All Day
from 16 Feb until 20 Feb
16
February
Year 5 to the O2 - Young Voices
All Day
23
February
ERIC (everyone reading in class) parents/carers invited
2:40pm – 3:00pm
26
February
Class South America Assembly
All Day
27
February
World Book day
All Day
05
March
Class Antarctica Assembly
9:00am – 9:30am
06
March
Asia - Parents lunch
12:15pm – 12:45pm
12
March
Gardening/Opal morning volunteers needed please
10:00am – 12:00pm
14
March
Science/STEM week
All Day
from 16 Mar until 20 Mar
16
March
Y2 Infant Music Festival - Time TBC
12:00pm – 1:00pm
16
March