https://www.alexandraprimaryschool.co.uk Friday 3rd October 2025 Issue No. 19

Message from the Headteacher

It has been a joyful few weeks here at school. Last week we celebrated Thank a Teaching Assistant Day, and this Saturday will mark Thank a Teacher Day. These occasions remind us how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated team of staff supporting our children each and every day. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our teachers, teaching assistants and wider staff team for the incredible work they do in making our school a welcoming and inspiring place for learning.

Looking ahead, we are very excited about our upcoming International Evening on Friday 10th October. This special event is always a highlight of our calendar, bringing our school community together. To make it a real success, we really do need food donations—even small contributions will make a big difference and ensure there is plenty for everyone to enjoy. Children are also invited to wear traditional costume or the colours of their flag on the day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity within our school and enjoy an evening of sharing and togetherness. We hope many of you will be able to join us—it promises to be a great event.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

International Evening is coming soon!

Our International Evening is coming soon and we would love your help in making it a true celebration of our diverse community. One of the highlights of the event is sharing delicious foods from around the world. If you would like to contribute, we invite you to prepare a dish from your country or culture to share with everyone. Whether it’s a family recipe or a traditional favourite, your contribution will help us showcase the flavours and traditions that make our community so special.

What's been happening this week?

Black History Month Assembly

We kicked off Black History Month with a fantastic assembly! The children entertained us with wonderful drumming before we explored the history of Black History Month and why it is so important.

We also learnt about the origins of the Carnival and how it grew to become an annual event in London. To finish, everyone was set an exciting challenge – to design and create a headdress for our very own Alexandra Carnival at the end of October.

We can’t wait to see the creativity and colour that our pupils bring to their designs!

Playwright Martin Murphey

Year 5 have had a fantastic start to their new project, working with playwright Martin Murphey! In their first session, the children were introduced to the exciting world of drama and storytelling. They explored how ideas can be brought to life on stage and began developing the skills they will need as both writers and performers.

Over the coming weeks, the pupils will have the incredible opportunity to write and create their very own plays, working collaboratively and using their imagination to bring characters and stories to life.

Our Wonderful Library Space

This week, several of our classes have been spending time in our wonderful new library space. The children have loved curling up with a book, exploring new authors and sharing their favourite stories with friends.

The library has already become a calm and welcoming space where children can immerse themselves in reading for pleasure, discover different genres, and recommend books to one another. It has been fantastic to see the excitement on their faces as they browse the shelves and settle down to read.

We are excited to see how this new space continues to inspire a lifelong love of reading across the school.

Woodgreen Common Grand Opening

Mrs Clarke took a group of children to Wood Green Common for the official opening of the new space. The afternoon was packed with excitement, including a friendly football match against St Pauls Primary. While the team didn’t clinch the victory this time, their spirit was high and there’s every reason to believe they might win next time!

The children also had a fantastic opportunity to try out the brand-new outdoor gym and the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), enjoying the fresh air and new challenges in this fantastic community space. The photos capture all the fun, determination and energy of the afternoon.

Budding Builders in Early Years

This week, our Early Years children have been hard at work—constructing imaginative houses and majestic castles with boundless creativity and enthusiasm! From cardboard towers to cozy dens, their architectural adventures have filled the classroom with excitement and wonder.

It’s possible they’ve been inspired by the real-life construction happening just outside —our very own RISE House building works! Watching the builders in action seems to have sparked a wave of mini-engineers and budding designers among our youngest learners.

Whether stacking blocks or crates, the children are not just building structures—they’re building confidence, collaboration, and curiosity. We can’t wait to see what they create next!

Year 2 Fire of London Launch Day

Last week, Year 2 brought history to life with a spectacular launch day themed around the Great Fire of London. The excitement was palpable as pupils arrived dressed in brilliant 17th-century attire—complete with baker’s aprons, velvet coats and masks.

The day kicked off with an immersive storytelling session, where children learned how the fire began in a small bakery on Pudding Lane and swept through the city in 1666. They explored how Londoners fought the blaze, rebuilt their city, and how this event changed firefighting forever.

The children were buzzing with curiosity and enthusiasm, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own theories about how the fire spread. Teachers were thrilled to see such engagement and creativity.

This launch day was a blazing success, setting the stage for a term full of discovery, drama, and historical wonder. Well done, Year 2—you’ve truly sparked a love of learning!

Year 2's Obstacle Course

Here are some pictures of our Year 2s creating and navigating their very own assault course. As part of our Fundamentals topic, the children have been learning a range of movements including running, jumping, skipping, dodging, stepping and changing direction.

Working in teams, they were given resources and the challenge of designing their own assault course. They not only came up with creative layouts but also decided how to complete each section.

It was a brilliant way to practise their skills while working together and having fun!

London Fire Brigade Workshop

On Thursday, Year 2 were lucky enough to meet a real-life firefighter! The children learnt all about who to call in an emergency and what to say on the phone. They also discovered important ways to stay safe if they ever see a fire.

As part of the visit, the class worked out where smoke alarms should be placed in their homes and received a “Keep Safe Toolkit” to take home to their parents.

It was a fun, hands-on experience that taught everyone valuable safety tips.

Junior Road Watch - Kids + Met Police = Safer Streets!

Our Year 5 pupils recently teamed up with the Met Police for Junior Road Watch, an exciting, hands-on road safety project. As part of the initiative, the children took on the role of junior traffic officers, using radar speed guns (under close adult supervision) to monitor the speed of vehicles outside the school.

The pupils also spoke directly with drivers, explaining why it’s important to stick to the speed limit, especially in areas near schools. Through this experience, they gained a real understanding of how speed affects safety and the impact careful driving can have on the community.

The project was both fun and eye-opening, giving our students the chance to make a real difference while learning valuable life skills.

Year 5 Exploring Hampton Court

Year 5 had a fantastic trip to Hampton Court Palace last week, where they delved into the fascinating world of Henry VIII. The visit really brought history to life as pupils discovered more about the power, identity, and legacy of one of England’s most iconic monarchs.

The children took part in an engaging workshop where they handled Tudor artefacts and discussed primary and secondary sources with a “Tudor lady in waiting.” They also explored the stunning palace grounds, visiting the Great Hall, the Royal Apartments, the palace kitchens, and the beautiful gardens.

A highlight of the day was navigating the famous maze (and successfully escaping!) as well as enjoying the incredible Magic Garden, complete with huge slides and a gigantic wooden dragon.

It was both a fun and educational experience, making for a truly memorable day.

Building Our Teamwork Skills

Year 5 Puerto Rico Class have kicked off the year by focusing on teamwork skills. Through Daily Supported Reading lessons, PSHCE and PE, the children have been learning how to collaborate, communicate, and support one another.

They’ve also been putting these skills into practice in a fun and hands-on way, by building LEGO together! This activity has helped them work as a team, share ideas, and celebrate each other’s successes while having a great time.

El Salvador Class Assembly

El Salvador had the honour of being the first class to share their learning in their recent class assembly. The intriguing El Salvador Time Machine took us back to the start of their learning journey at Alexandra and then even further, to the events of World War II.

We learnt how children were evacuated from London before the war began, and how underground stations were transformed into makeshift bomb shelters. The time machine then whisked us forward to see what lies ahead for Year 6 – their exciting trip to Pendarren, SATs, and their end-of-year production (among many other things).

The performances were fabulous, the work showcased was impressive, and the singing was wonderful. A huge well done to El Salvador!

Year 6 Painting with Watercolours

This week, El Salvador class enjoyed a wonderful painting session. The children explored the vibrant landscape art of Ted Harrison, learning how he used bold lines and striking colours to bring natural scenes to life. Inspired by his unique style, the children experimented with watercolours and created their own imaginative interpretations, layering colours and patterns to capture different moods and landscapes.

The results were fantastic! Each piece reflected both Harrison’s influence and the children’s creativity. Here are some examples of their artwork. What do you think?

JEANS FOR GENES

Our pupils had a fantastic time taking part in Jeans for Genes Day! Everyone came to school in their favourite jeans and proudly donated to help children and families living with genetic conditions. We enjoyed learning about how these donations make a difference and showing that our school community cares.

By joining in, our children are not just raising money but also learning the importance of kindness, inclusion and helping others.

A huge thank you to all our parents and carers for your generosity and support in making the day such a success!

Thank a Teaching Assistant Day - Friday 26th September

At Alexandra Primary School, we believe that every member of our team plays a vital role in shaping the lives of our pupils and on Thank a TA Day, we took a moment to shine a spotlight on our incredible Teaching Assistants. A day marked by heartfelt appreciation across the school.

Staff and students alike paused to reflect on the tireless dedication, patience, and care our TAs bring to the classroom every single day. Whether supporting learning, offering a listening ear, or helping children build confidence, our TAs are the quiet champions behind so many success stories.

Phonics and Early Reading Workshop to parents

This week, Alexandra Primary School welcomed parents to a special Phonics and Early Reading Workshop, designed to strengthen the vital partnership between home and school in supporting children’s literacy development.

Led by Ms Shah and Mr McKenna, the workshop offered practical insights into how phonics is taught at Alexandra, and how parents can reinforce these skills at home. From decoding sounds to blending words, the session demystified the process of early reading and gave families the tools to make learning fun and effective. Thank you to all the parents who attended, and to our brilliant staff for making the session engaging and informative.

We look forward to more opportunities to learn and grow together!