Weekly News – Friday 2nd May

Dear Parents,

Thank you for equipping your children to enjoy the glorious sunshine this week: we have had lots of time outside to enjoy the weather, so we're really grateful for all those sunhats, sunglasses and water bottles! Please just be sure to label everything as we have seen our lost property box filling up already. The children looked exceptionally smart on Thursday for their class photos, thank you for sending in the various changes of clothes! We have updated our uniform policy just to clarify that shorts and polo shirts are suitable for both boys and girls in the summer  months. Blue gingham/striped dresses or playsuits can also be worn if desired. Please remember that we do ask children to wear trainers rather than formal school shoes or sandals.

PTA News

Congratulations to Maia in Year 2, Owen in Year 1 and Florrie in EYFS for winning the PTA's Easter Egg Hunt competition! They were awarded their prizes this week. Please keep 2 important dates in your diary: the PTA is having an inflatables afternoon on Friday 23rd May at 3.15pm (tickets available now!) on the school field and the all important Summer Fair on Saturday 28th June at 11.30am. The summer fair is the biggest fundraiser of the year for both schools.

Britten Sinfonia Visit

The Britten Sinfonia visited the school on Monday morning and the children were captivated by their ingenious performance of The Tiny Magic Orchestra! As promised, they took us on a magical musical journey, introducing us to orchestral instruments via some very familiar pieces. The children were amazed to see a real harp being played in school, accompanied by a flute, a clarinet and a guitar. It's a delight and a privilege for us to enjoy live music, so we feel very lucky to have secured the performance from the prestigious Britten Sinfonia.

Leslie Cross, Great Grandad to one of our pupils, in 1940. He was in the Air Force in Myanmar/Burma and flew bomber planes.

VE Day

We are looking forward to our VE Day celebrations next week, details of which were emailed to you today. Thank you for sending in photos of your family members who served/serve in the armed forces, we have received some very special images and stories already.

Health Advice

A reminder that every Tuesday afternoon we offer a Health Advice Drop-In service with one of the school-age health practitioners. The team are available in the library for you to discuss any health concerns about your child(ren). Please click here to book an appointment.

Enjoy the long weekend. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 6th May.

Best wishes,

Tracey Wilson

Home learning

Home Learning Passports

Please try to complete this half term's passports and email any work or photos to parents@writtleinfantschool.com.

Year 1 Home Learning Passport - Summer 1 2025

Year 2 Home Activity Passport - Summer 1 2025

Spelling Practice

There is also some spelling practice for Year 1 and Year 2 below.

Year 2 Spelling Practice - Summer 1, Week 3

Year 1 Maths

Miss Smith has prepared a document which should help you if you would like to give your child additional support with their maths at home.

Year 1 - Ways to support your child with maths at home

Topic Maps

We have also published our topic maps for the this half term, so you can see what the children will cover in all areas of the Key Stage 1 Curriculum.

Year 1 Topic Plan, Summer 1
Year 2 Topic Plan, Summer 1

EYFS Tapestry Challenge

We love to draw in Early Years. Ask your child to draw a frog. We often use online tutorials at school. Here is a good one to try but you don't need to. You could draw freehand or copy a picture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_kovglf_eM
Send your pictures into school or post them on Tapestry. Have a lovely long weekend!

PTA Update

Dates for your diary

Friday 23rd May – Inflatable Fun – our after-school celebration of the half term holidays. Tickets are available now!

Saturday 28th June – Summer fair.  **Volunteers needed for this event!** Please email wispacharity@gmail.com if you can spare some time to join the team for our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Free easyfundraising App-eal!

Since our newest supporters joined up in the Autumn, we’ve seen a big increase in the donations coming in.  Remember that it’s simple to set up, and means companies donate without any extra cost to you!  If you’re not already using this to shop online, please do download the app and sign up – follow the link: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/create-an-account

Forest School Update

Our Foxes and Squirrels have been getting to know the Forest School rules and our new environment. We have been doing some planting and celebrating May Day by hanging ribbons and dressing the area with pretty flowers!

Keeping Children Safe

  • Thanks to those parents who have supported us in protecting the children’s privacy by waiting on the path by the main entrance until 3pm.
  • Emergency contact details must be up to date. Please email us at parents@writtleinfantschool.com if your details have changed.
  • Any food brought to school must not contain nuts or egg-based foods (e.g. egg mayo, scotch egg, omelette etc.).
  • We all have a duty to safeguard the children in our care. If you have any concerns about a child, please contact the school, the Chairs of Governors (if your concern is about a member of teaching staff), or the Essex Child and Families Hub on 0345 603 7627.

Highlights of the week

EYFS

In EYFS, the children have been learning about the life cycle of a frog. In Foxes class, we have some tadpoles in a tank for the children to look at and see the changes over time. We have started independent writing with 'I can see...' sentences in the morning, which the children are loving!

Year 1

In Year 1 we have started our new topic 'Marvellous Moon Map'. The children loved listening to our new class book and working in groups to draw what you might see on the way to the moon.

Year 2

Year 2 have had a great first full week back! Delving deeper into our Grey Island, Red Boat book, practising our cricket skills in PE, exploring different artists and colours in art and enjoying lots of fun maths activities! Miss Wood is especially proud of Sharks class for doing so well with their maths quiz today, they have been superstars! We’ve made the most of the sunshine and are now looking forward to a restful Bank Holiday weekend.