Message from Mrs Bana

Welcome back to the Summer Term at Grafton Primary — it has been wonderful to see our pupils return smiling and full of energy!

Over the holidays we completed some improvements to the school grounds, including new fencing in the KS1 playground. You’ll find more information about bike and scooter racks later in this newsletter. We’re proud of the space we’re creating and would love your help to make it even better.

Gardening volunteers — Thursday 30 April 2026, 3:30–4:30pm (weather permitting)

We’re looking for adult volunteers with green fingers to help in the Hive Garden Area. The space includes raised vegetable beds and a wildlife pond that supports our pupils’ outdoor learning.

If you can join us, please bring gardening gloves and secateurs. Even an hour of your time will make a big difference to our pupils’ learning and enjoyment of the outdoors.

To help us plan, please let the school office know if you can attend (email or phone) or speak to your child’s class teacher. Thank you for your support — we look forward to seeing you in the garden.

After School Clubs 

We still have a few spaces available in the following clubs. To book, please log onto your Arbor app and select Clubs to make your booking.

Monday 

Y3-6 Geography Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

Tuesday 

Y1-6 Irish Dancing Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

Y1-6 Stem Club - 3.20 - 4.30 pm - To find out more/sign up https://www.vsteamedu.com/vsteam-clubs/registrations/pay-online/69a6e1780254ce89d1d21e95

Wednesday 

R-Y6 Ballet Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm - to book, To find out more/sign up https://forms.gle/NE5xqq7xohcys85n9 

Y3-6 Computing Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

Y1 -6 Art & Crafts Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

Thursday 

Y3-6 Cricket Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

R-Y6 Street Dance Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm - to book, To find out more/sign up https://forms.gle/NE5xqq7xohcys85n9 

Friday 

Y3-6 Girls Football Club - 3.20 - 4.20 pm

New Scooter Racks and Bike Shelter Now Open!

We are delighted to announce the installation of our brand-new scooter racks and bike shelter, helping to make active travel to school even easier for our families.

This exciting addition supports our ongoing commitment as a Travel for Life (TfL) Gold School and reflects the work we do as a Healthy School to encourage safe, active, and sustainable travel choices.

Providing secure spaces for scooters and bicycles also links to UNICEF Article 24, which highlights every child’s right to good health and a clean, safe environment.

We encourage all children and families to make use of the new facilities by parking scooters and bikes in the designated areas each day. Choosing to walk, scoot, or cycle to school helps children stay active, supports their wellbeing, and reduces traffic around the school gates.

Thank you for supporting us in promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable travel.

Great British Spring Clean Event

Our Year 3 and Year 4 Eco Ambassadors recently took part in the Great British Spring Clean at Valence Park, working alongside the borough team to help pick up litter and care for our local environment. The children showed fantastic enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment throughout the event, demonstrating what it means to be responsible and active citizens in our community.

Their efforts did not go unnoticed—one member of the public was so impressed by the children’s hard work and positive attitude that they contacted the school to congratulate them on their efforts. We are incredibly proud of the way our Eco Ambassadors represented the school.

A huge thank you goes to Mr. Hunn for organising and leading this valuable experience. This event links closely to our work as an Eco School and supports UNICEF Rights of the Child Article 24, which highlights every child’s right to a clean and safe environment.

📅 Dates for the Diary
 Keep up with key events and activities this term

Monday 20th April
🕌 Y5 Visit to Ilford Mosque - Bonnin & Packham classes am

Tuesday 21st April 

🌍Y1 Earth Day assemblies for parents/carers (9.10 am Squirrel class & 2.40 pm Badger class)

Wednesday 22nd April
🌍 Y1 Earth Day assemblies for parents/carers (9.10 am Fox Class & 2.40 Pm Hedgehog Class)

Thursday 23rd April
🐉 Special Lunch Menu – St. George’s Day

Monday 27th April
🕌 Y5 Ilford Mosque Visit - Attenborough & Craig classes am

Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th May

📸Class photographs

Thursday 7th May

📢 Polling Day - School Closed for Children 

Friday 8th May 

👶 Nursery Stay and Play session for parents/carers 

Monday 11th - Thursday 14th May 

📝 SATS Week 

Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th May 

🔤 Reception Phonics and Play sessions 

Friday 15th May 

🌳 Y1 trip to Thorndon Country Park (2 classes) 

🎨 Y6 Banksy Class Ben Kinsella visit 

☕ SEND parent/carer coffee morning 9:00 – 10:00am

Monday 18th May

🔍 Reception trip to the Discovery Centre (2 classes) 

Tuesday 19th May 

🗣️ Head Teacher Forum 9:00 – 9:45am 

🦁 Y3 Colchester Zoo Trip (2 classes) 

Wednesday 20th May 

🦁 Y3 Colchester Zoo Trip (2 classes) 

Thursday 21st May

🔍 Reception trip to the Discovery Centre (2 classes) 

🏥 School Nurse Drop in session 9:00 – 10:00am 

Friday 22nd May

🌳 Y1 trip to Thorndon Country Park (2 classes) 

Monday 25th - Friday 30th May

🚫 Half Term - School closed to Children 

Monday 8th June

🧑‍🚒 Y6 junior citizen visit 

Tuesday 9th June

🎨 Y6 Hadid Ben Kinsella visit 

Thursday 11th June 

🎨 Y6 Turner Class Ben Kinsella visit 

Friday 12th June

🎨 Y6 Kapoor Class Ben Kinsella visit 

Monday 15th June

📚 Y5/6 British Library visit (Refugee Week) (small group) 

Tuesday 16th June

🏛️ Y4 visit to Valence House Museum (2 classes)

Wednesday 17th June

🏛️ Y4 visit to Valence House Museum  (2 classes)

🎪 Summer Fayre

Friday 19th June

🍽️ Special Lunch Menu -Summer Solstice