Summer 1 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reach the half-term break, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our pupils during this busy term — from SATs preparation, the Phonics Screen and multiplication practice to the home-learning projects that enrich classroom learning. Your support makes a real difference.

We’ve enjoyed some wonderful trips this term, including visits to Colchester Zoo, Thorndon Park and the Tower of London. Thank you to the staff and parents who helped make these experiences possible. It was also a pleasure to welcome our new nursery and reception families at the stay-and-play sessions and welcome meetings — we look forward to building strong home–school partnerships together.

Enjoy a restful half-term and keep safe. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed for the final half of the summer term.

With best wishes,
Junaida Bana

It has been a busy and enjoyable half term as we have explored the theme of “Our Community”.

In Literacy, we have focused on familiar places such as shops, parks, and doctors’ surgeries, learning about what happens in each of these places and the people who help us there.

Our pre-formal and semi-formal learners have been developing their language and communication skills by exploring vocabulary linked to these places. They have practised naming familiar objects and using action words such as pushing, buying, riding, and flying. In Maths, the children have been learning about money by recognising coins and beginning to count small amounts. We have enjoyed lots of role play activities to practise communication skills and exchanging money for items. The children have also explored the concepts of big and small, extending this to short and tall through building activities, comparing real objects, and matching these ideas to pictures.

Our formal group have been developing their descriptive writing skills and thinking about how we fit into our wider community. Inspired by the book Martha’s Maps, we explored our place in the world by gradually “zooming in” from the solar system to our own homes. This linked closely with our Geography learning, where the children created maps of the classroom, followed maps around school, and explored local area maps, including using coordinates. They also designed and explained their own maps.

In Maths, the formal group focused on fractions, learning to identify and describe shaded parts of shapes. They practised reading and interpreting fractions such as ½ and ¼, and explored the different ways fractions can be represented. The children then applied this understanding when learning to tell the time to the half hour, with some children progressing to quarter past and quarter to. They also explored how times are shown on digital clocks.

As part of our topic work, we enjoyed visits to the local park where we observed the different activities people were doing. These walks also gave us valuable opportunities to practise road safety skills. Our pre-formal group learnt a road safety song to help them remember to “Stop, Look, Listen and Think” before crossing the road and explored making music on a keyboard.  Meanwhile, the semi-formal and formal groups explored playground design by joining and combining materials to create model parks for Lego mini-figures. Their creations are nearly complete and we are excited to see the finished designs.

We were also delighted to welcome parents into the classroom to take part in a craft activity. Together, we decorated shopping bags using stencils and fabric paints, creating personalised bags that the children can use to help with shopping at home.

This half term in the River Room, the children have been exploring the exciting topic of “My Community.” They have enjoyed taking part in a range of fun, hands-on activities linked to the stories they have been reading.

First, the children looked at the story Spot Goes Shopping. They learnt about money and how we use it in shops. The children had great fun visiting “Angie’s Tuck Shop,” where they used coins to buy different items. They also enjoyed making delicious fruit kebabs and refreshing lemonade.

Next, the children read the story Shark in the Park. They explored the theme through creative activities, including making their own sharks during art lessons and decorating tasty shark cookies.

Lastly, the children focused on the book Doctors. They learnt about the human body and enjoyed role-playing visits to the doctor’s surgery. The children were very interested in looking at X-ray pictures and identifying different body parts.

The children have had a wonderful half term full of creativity, exploration, and learning through play.

Shamrock class have thoroughly enjoyed our topic this term, It’s a Bug’s Life! We have been learning all about different minibeasts and their habitats. We were able to identify lots of minibeasts and discover where they live.

We also learnt about the life cycles of butterflies and frogs. Did you know the changes that happen during their life cycles are called metamorphosis?

In Maths, we explored different counting strategies and practised number composition to 6. As the weather has become brighter, Shamrock class have loved exploring our garden and playing collaboratively with one another.

We worked really well together to build different 3D models using our donated junk modelling resources. We created cars, bug hotels, bridges and much more!

We would also like to say a big thank you to our lovely parents for attending our Maths 'Stay and Play' session. It was wonderful to share our learning with you all.

In Worthington Class, we have had a fantastic half term filled with learning, creativity, and laughter.

In Art, the children have been creating beautiful Batik inspired fabric artwork. They explored mood boards, refined their drawing, colouring, and tracing skills, and experimented with patterns and design. These skills will later help them design their own fabrics that could be used for clothing, accessories, or even furniture. Most importantly, the children enjoyed expressing their creativity, developing confidence in their ideas, and having fun while learning.

In Geography, Worthington Class thoroughly enjoyed learning about our local area and its rich history. The class was amazed to discover that Grafton Primary School has been open for over 105 years. The children recognised important local landmarks such as the Ford factory, Valence House, and Dagenham Docks, helping them develop a stronger connection to their community. We were also very fortunate to learn from resident Ms Clarke, whose family has lived in Dagenham for generations. She kindly shared photographs and stories from the past, bringing local history to life for the children.

The children then created posters advertising the Becontree Estate, encouraging people to come and live in this vibrant local community. This sparked many lively discussions, especially about whether Becontree is pronounced “Bec” or “Beek”. However, the children ultimately learned that no matter how it is pronounced, the history, diversity, and sense of unity within the community are what matter most. This linked beautifully to British Values, particularly mutual respect, tolerance, and an appreciation of the diverse communities that make up modern Britain.

This term, we have also been focusing on our planet and how incredible it is. In Reading, we explored the book Rhythm of the Rain by Grahame Baker-Smith. The story helped the children understand that water is a precious natural resource shared by all living things across the world, from humans to animals and plants. The children learned that there is a limited amount of water on Earth and discovered how our planet naturally recycles and reuses it through processes such as the water cycle. The book inspired thoughtful discussions about the importance of protecting our environment and appreciating the resources we often take for granted.

In Science, we built on this learning by exploring climate change and the effects humans can have on the natural world. The children investigated how pollution and other harmful activities can damage ecosystems, affecting both plants and animals and impacting the health of our planet. They showed great care and maturity when discussing ways we can all help protect the Earth for future generations. This is linked closely to UNCRC Article 24, the right to clean water, nutritious food, and a healthy environment, helping the children understand both their rights and their responsibilities in caring for the world around them.

What a busy and exciting half term it has been for Craig class!

RE

We visited Al-Madina Mosque in Barking to learn more about why Prophet Muhammad and the Quran were important to Muslim people. We recapped our learning on the shahada, hadith and 99 names of Allah. We enjoyed exploring the mosque and listening to the Azaan (call to prayer).

Music

In music, we have been learning to play different songs using the trumpet. We have also been singing to the song, Mamma Mia! We are getting ready for our concert and cannot wait for you to join us!

Art

We have been exploring vases that have been made by the Greeks. We first sketched our own vases, thinking carefully about the function. We are now using clay to sculpt and mould our very own Greek vase.

Maths

Our learning has mainly focused on geometry. We have enjoyed learning how to use a protractor to calculate different angles. We are now learning to read and plot co-ordinates on a grid.

PE

Our focus this half term for indoor PE is gymnastics. We have been learning about different types of balances. We worked in partners to create counter balances and extended our learning by using different levels and connection points.

Literacy

We have really enjoyed learning about different types of Greek myths such as overcoming a monster and solving a complex problem. We are now brainstorming ideas to write our own Greek myth.

It has been a wonderful half term filled with learning and creativity. We can’t wait to see what exciting adventures the next term brings!

The children in EYFS and KS2 have been busy exploring music through the curriculum via song and by playing various instruments.

Nursery

In nursery, the children access music in a variety of ways. They start their day off with a good morning song and for our children arriving in the PM slot, begin their day with an afternoon song. All nursery children engage in rhyme time, where Makaton is used alongside it to support communication. 

Each week, the nursery children learn a different song relating to a new word learn’t that week. They also participate in group singing, creating a fun and exciting learning experience. 

Reception

In Reception, music is incorporated through singing as well as counting and action songs during carpet sessions. The children sing familiar nursery rhymes to support language development, rhythm and memory. 

Reception have also been exploring instruments during outdoor provision, where they can experiment with sound, beat and volume independently. Music and movement activities are also used during transitions and topic work.

Yr 1

In year 1, the children have been working hard to learn the Ocarinas. They have been learning how to hold an Ocarina correctly and play each note. 

The children have also been following the Charanga scheme, where they have learned that the pulse is the heartbeat of the music. Year 1 also engages in an activity where they follow the animals' movements in time with the pulse. This has been adapted to meet all children’s needs by children participating as much as they are able. 

The children have also been learning how to play the Glockenspiels, where they use the beaters to hit a note and make a sound. 

Yr 2

In year 2, the children have been continuing their learning from year 1 and developing their skills using the Ocarinas. The children have been working hard to create a collaborative piece of music with their class. To keep in time with their peers, the children have had to use their listening skills, as well as focus on rhyme and volume. The children are now able to play their Ocarina in unison to the song ‘Time for Tea’.

When using the Charanga scheme, Year 2 studied a song called ‘The friendship song’, which was written by Joanna Mangona and Pete Readman. The song tells us how helping each other and being kind to each other is vitally important in our friendships. The children learned the verses and chorus and sang together as a class.

Year 2 has developed their skills when playing the Glockenspiels. As they had learned how to hit the metal bars in year 1, the children were equipped to start applying their skills. They were able to play the glockenspiels to the song ‘The Friendship Song’, and created a beautiful, harmonious piece of music!

KS2

Music continues to thrive across our school, with children enjoying exciting opportunities to learn, perform, and develop their musical talents. From singing and instrumental lessons to workshops and performances, pupils are building confidence and discovering the joy of music.

Each week, children look forward to their lessons with Rocksteady, where they have the chance to explore different instruments and perform together as part of a band. These sessions have helped many children grow in confidence and develop their performance skills.

In Years 3 and 4, pupils have been learning to play the glockenspiel and have enjoyed learning a range of inspiring songs. Year 3 also took part in a fantastic music workshop where they explored how music is created. The workshop was fun, engaging, and interactive, and the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Year 5 pupils have been developing their skills on the trumpet and have shown great enthusiasm and progress throughout their lessons.

Meanwhile, Year 6 children have been learning and performing some amazing songs, including Dancing in the Street. Their energy and enthusiasm have made music lessons a real highlight.

We are incredibly proud of the children’s creativity, confidence, and enjoyment in music this term and look forward to seeing their talents continue to grow.