https://www.alexandraprimaryschool.co.uk Friday 5th December 2025 Issue No. 23

Message from the Headteacher

I have so enjoyed visiting our pupils’ events this week. The Y5 Identity & Power exhibition was incredibly interesting; the children spoke with real confidence about their learning and proudly shared their Tudor work which included models, writing, artwork and film. Our Y6 WW2 museum was equally impressive, with knowledgeable “curators” guiding visitors through artefacts, models and recounts that brought history to life. Both events showcased pupils' creativity and depth of understanding.

A huge thank you to all the parents who have generously given their time this week. At the start of the week, volunteers supported our library by placing new stickers into our books so they are ready to be borrowed. Throughout the week parents have also helped with preparations for the Winter Fair; wrapping presents and labelling items for the tombola. Funds from the Winter Fair will be added to the money raised in the Readathon to buy more books for our library and classroom book corners. Your support makes an enormous difference and we are very grateful.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Winter Fair this evening and our upcoming musical showcases, where I know our children will once again make us all very proud. Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

What's been happening this week?

Nursery Musical Showcase

What a delightful week we've had in our nursery!

Today, our youngest learners truly shone during their musical showcase, bringing joy and festive cheer to everyone present.

The children performed with incredible confidence, singing their hearts out to classics like "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Feliz Navidad". It was heartwarming to see parents and staff joining in, creating a wonderful atmosphere of celebration and community spirit.

These performances are more than just cute moments - they represent the incredible learning journey our nursery children have been on throughout the term. Watching them singwith such enthusiasm, made us all incredibly proud. Our little stars demonstrated not just their musical talents, but also their growing confidence.

We are continually amazed by the progress and potential of our children and moments like these remind us of the joy and wonder of early education.

Alexandra Sparkles for the Festive Season

As the festive season approaches and we prepare for our Winter Musical Showcases, Alexandra Primary has been transformed into a place of light and joy to brighten the darker winter days.

Every child across the school has contributed to this magical atmosphere by creating beautiful decorations — from glittering stars and delicate snowflakes to Christmas trees, Santa hats, and much more. On Tuesday, our dedicated staff came together to display these creations, filling our halls with colour, warmth, and festive cheer.

The result is truly enchanting: Alexandra looks wonderful, alive with creativity and community spirit.

We warmly invite you to experience this festive transformation in person. Join us at our Winter Fair on Friday 5th December or during the upcoming Winter Musical Showcases.

As you enjoy the performances, take a moment to admire the decorations that reflect the imagination and teamwork of our pupils and staff.

A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone involved. Your creativity, effort, and collaboration have made our school sparkle this season.

Forest School Fun

Venezuela Class had an exciting last day at Forest School!

We learned how to light fires using flints, steels, and cotton wool pads, which was both challenging and rewarding. After our enjoyable fire-making activities, we warmed up with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows, making for a delightful treat.

Exploring the outdoors and acquiring new skills has been a truly fantastic experience. It has been a wonderful adventure, and it’s hard to believe that it has all come to an end.

Year 5 at the Tower of London

Our Year 5 children recently concluded their Power and Identity history topic with an extraordinary educational visit to the Tower of London.

The day was filled with historical exploration and discovery, offering our children a vibrant, immersive learning experience. During their visit, the children toured the historic grounds and participated in a fascinating workshop titled "The Queens Behind Henry VIII". This engaging session brought Tudor history to life, allowing our students to connect deeply with the historical narratives they've been studying.

The workshop was more than just a field trip; it was a dynamic opportunity for our children to step back in time and understand the complex stories of power, identity and historical significance.

We're incredibly proud of how our children engaged with this learning opportunity and the enthusiasm they demonstrated throughout their historical exploration.

Identity and Power Exhibition

Year 5 proudly showcased their amazing work this week in their Identity and Power Exhibition. Parents and fellow year groups enjoyed exploring a fantastic range of projects, including detailed Tudor house models, striking Tudor portraits, and powerful diary-entry writing. It was wonderful to see the creativity, effort, and enthusiasm our pupils put into their learning.

Well done, Year 5 and thank you to our parents and govenors for coming to see this wonderful exhibition!

Democracy and Our School Council

This week, our assembly focused on democracy, where the children learned about its history, how Members of Parliament (MPs) are selected, and where important issues are discussed. We also discussed how we want to improve pupil voice in the school, highlighting the vital role our School Council plays in this initiative.

The children learned about the UN Rights of the Child, which further enriched their understanding of these important concepts. Following this, our School Council shared their priorities for the term, based on feedback from all their classes.

The representatives highlighted their recent work, which included ordering new resources for the school playground using funds raised at our International Evening. The new equipment includes a basketball net, basketballs, badminton rackets and net, skipping ropes, and a giant Jenga set. The School Council has also created a timetable to share these resources with all year groups.

We are excited to introduce these new resources and hope they will help create a more enjoyable and engaging playtime for all our children!

Launching of our New Library Software System

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you who came in to help with the launch of our new library software system. Your support was invaluable as we worked together to place barcodes inside books and register each one onto the new system.

A special thank you to our dedicated staff members and Reading Ambassadors who guided and supported everyone throughout the session. Your participation has made a significant difference in enhancing our school library for all our children.

We truly appreciate your time, effort, and continued support in this important initiative.

Creative Conversations

Over this term, we have been fortunate to participate in a Creative Conversations funding initiative from Haringey Creates. This opportunity allowed us to work with the talented playwright and author, Martin Murphey. Martin visited our school weekly, collaborating with two classes to inspire our children and guide them through the process of playwriting.

This week, our Year 5 children had a fantastic time showcasing their talents during their play performances!

After working closely with Martin to develop their own original scripts, they stepped into the spotlight to perform each other’s work. The excitement and creativity filled the hall as they brought their characters and stories to life.

The performances were not just an exhibition of talent; they were a wonderful celebration of creativity, collaboration and confidence. We witnessed our children grow in self-assurance and teamwork as they navigated the challenges of putting on a show. Their hard work and the enthusiasm they brought to the stage left us all feeling incredibly proud.

Bolivia Class Assembly

Last week, our Year 3 Bolivia class took us on an exciting adventure in an imaginary time machine during their assembly! This engaging presentation showcased their learning about the Stone Age, helping us to understand more about how people lived during that time and how it compares to our lives today.

The children not only shared fascinating insights from their studies but also entertained us with their musical talents, playing the ukulele and singing delightful songs. It was a wonderful celebration of their hard work and creativity.

We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the enthusiasm they brought to the assembly. A huge thank you to our Year 3 Bolivia class.

Year 1 Cake Sale

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents, staff and Dunns Bakery for their generous support of our Year 1 cake sale held on Friday, 28th November. This event was a delightful success and we are grateful to everyone who contributed by purchasing delicious cakes and treats.

The funds raised will go directly towards enriching our children’s learning experience during their upcoming trip to the Paddington Experience. Your generosity and support have made a significant difference and we appreciate your involvement in our school community.

Thank you once again for helping us create such memorable experiences for our children!

Reception Classes @ the Cinema

Last week, our Reception classes enjoyed their very first school trip. They walked beautifully to Cineworld Cinema, showing fantastic behaviour throughout the journey.

The children thoroughly enjoyed watching The Smurfs and were an absolute credit to the school with their conduct. Well done, Reception – we are so proud of you!

We would also like to say a huge thank you to the parents who joined us and supported the trip. Your help made the day even more special.

Year 6 WW2 Museum

This week, the Upper Hall was transformed into a vibrant exhibition space as Year 6 shared their learning about World War II. The children displayed a wealth of information, artefacts and creative work, offering an engaging journey through this important period of history.

We were delighted to welcome parents and other classes who came to see the showcase and celebrate the pupils’ achievements. Thank you for your support—it was wonderful to see the children’s hard work and enthusiasm recognised.

Music at Alexnadra

We love music at Alexandra. We are excited to announce that Haringey Music Service are now providing one-to-one and group lessons at Alexandra Primary School on a Monday morning.

If you are interested in finding out more (and signing your child up) please follow this link:

https://haringey.gov.uk/schools-learning/haringey-music-service/book-music-instrument-singing-lessons

RISE House

This week, our children from RISE House had a fantastic time participating in an archery competition alongside some Year 5 students. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their skills and enjoy the spirit of friendly competition.

The enthusiasm and teamwork displayed were truly commendable!

Monitoring Cycle: Early Reading and Phonics

At Alexandra, we place a strong emphasis on early reading as the foundation for lifelong learning. This term, we carried out our monitoring cycle, focusing on phonics and reading across Early Years, Year 1, and Year 2.

Phonics in Action

In Early Years, children are introduced to sounds and letters through engaging activities that build confidence and curiosity.
In Year 1, pupils continue to strengthen their phonics knowledge, applying it to decode words and develop fluency.
By Year 2, children are consolidating their skills, moving towards greater independence in reading and comprehension.

Reading Across the Curriculum

We observed how reading is embedded in daily routines, from story time in Reception to guided reading sessions in Year 1 and Year 2. Teachers model a love of books, and pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of texts that spark imagination and deepen understanding.

Our monitoring cycle highlighted:

Consistency in phonics teaching across classes.
Progression in skills from Early Years through to Year 2.
Engagement of pupils in reading activities, showing enthusiasm and growing confidence.

Looking Ahead

We are proud of the progress our children are making and will continue to build on these strong foundations. By nurturing early reading, we are equipping pupils with the skills they need to succeed not only in literacy but across all areas of learning.

Maths Workshop for Parents

We would like to extend our gratitude to Ms Kennedy, our Maths Lead, for delivering such an informative and engaging workshop on supporting our children's maths learning at home.

A special thank you also goes to all the parents and carers who took the time to attend. Your dedication to your child's education is truly appreciated and we believe that the strategies and activities shared will greatly enhance their learning experience.

Together, we can create a positive and enriching environment for our children as they explore the world of mathematics. Thank you once again for your participation and support!

Eco Warriors Craft -

World of Change

Our Year 4 Eco Warriors joined forces to design and build a stunning world prop for our sustainability film. Through creativity, collaboration, and determination, they brought the planet to life in a way that captured everyone’s imagination.

Their brilliant creation has already played a key role in our rehearsals, adding impact and meaning to the project.

A huge well done to our young environmental champions — your teamwork and passion for protecting our planet are truly inspiring!

Support with Housing

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to inform you that the government has just passed a new housing act called “Awaab’s Law”. Awaab's Law is a new rule for social landlords (like the council or housing associations). It was created after the tragic death of a two-year-old boy, Awaab Ishak, who died because of severe mould in his home that his landlord ignored. The main point of the law is to force landlords to fix serious problems in your home very quickly and stop them from ignoring dangerous issues like persistent damp and mould. If you report an emergency, like a leak, the landlord has 24 hours to investigate and start fixing the issue. If you report a significant hazard like severe damp and mould, they have to begin the repair within 5 working days and investigate within 10 working days.

If you are currently living in Temporary Accommodation or renting privately, there are various organisations available to support you and answer any questions you may have regarding your housing situation:

Haringey Advice Partnership: https://citizensadviceharingey.org.uk - see information below

Haringey Housing Action: https://haringeyhousingaction.org.uk

If you have any questions about this or you need help to access one of these services please let us know as we want to help our parents if we can.

Attendance and Holidays During Term Time

As we approach the holiday season, we want to remind all parents and carers of the vital importance of regular school attendance for your child’s learning, wellbeing, and future success. Every day in school counts towards your child reaching their full potential.

Please remember that holidays taken during term time are unauthorised and may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (fine) being issued. We kindly ask that you plan family holidays during school breaks to avoid any disruption to your child’s education.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring your child attends school every day, on time, ready to learn.

If you have any questions about your child's attendance please speak to Ms Sharni or Ms Birch.