Embedded Files
2nd October 2026
Message from Mrs Bana
Message from Mrs Bana
“Culture is the way we do things every day – in every interaction.”
At Grafton, we are continuing to build a strong culture for learning, with high expectations for behaviour, learning and respect. Our aim is not only to prepare children for secondary school. We want to prepare them for the wider world: to be respectful, responsible and confident young people who understand that being part of a community means following agreed expectations and considering others.
Thank you for supporting our expectations around uniform, PE kit and book bags. These small things help create consistency, pride and a sense of belonging.
We have also introduced our STEP Code to keep our busy corridors safe and calm:
S – Single file
T – Touchdown arms (arms by our sides)
E – Eyes forward
P – Polite greeting
Over the past three years, our results have shown an upward trend, and we want every child to achieve highly and make strong progress from their starting point. Your support in reinforcing our expectations at home plays an important part in this.
Thank you for continuing to work in partnership with us. If there are wider issues or suggestions you would like the school to consider, please let me know so these can be discussed at our regular Headteacher Parent Forum meetings (our upcoming one is on the 8th Oct- Thursday).
Together We Learn, Together We Achieve
Head Teacher Forum – Thursday, 8 October at 9am
Head Teacher Forum – Thursday, 8 October at 9am
We are delighted to invite parents and carers to our upcoming Head Teacher Forum on Thursday, 8 October.
This is a wonderful opportunity to:
💬 Meet with the Head Teacher
📢 Hear about the latest school developments
🎯 Learn about our priorities for the year ahead
❓ Ask questions and share your views
🤝 Work together to strengthen our school community
We greatly value the partnership between home and school, and believe that open communication with families plays an important role in supporting our pupils to thrive.
We warmly encourage parents and carers to attend and take part in this important conversation.
We look forward to welcoming you and working together to continue making our school a positive and successful place for every child.
School Book Bags Available to Purchase
School Book Bags Available to Purchase
We are pleased to let parents and carers know that our school book bags and accessories are now available to purchase.
The following items are available:
Book Bag with Bottle Holder – No Strap: £10.79
Book Bag Accessory – Adjustable Strap and pencil case: £3.59
School Logo Book Bag: £8.95
If you would like to purchase any of these items, please make payment through Arbor. Once payment has been made, the item can be collected from the school office.
📚 The Final Countdown to Our New Library!
📚 The Final Countdown to Our New Library!
The final countdown has begun!
We are thrilled to announce that the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Councillor Manzoor Hussain, will be joined by local author Natalie Newman to officially open our new school library on Wednesday 7th October.
We are incredibly excited to finally reveal this wonderful new reading space to our school community. We can’t wait for our children to explore the library, discover new books and enjoy everything it has to offer.
During the day our younger children will enjoy a special workshop with Natalie Newman, who will be reading her book Lark the Shark and answering their questions. You can find more details about how you can buy copies of Natalie's books below.
Happy reading! 📖✨
Natalie Newman
Hello I’m Natalie Newman and, together with my son Henry, we have written our book series, Lark The Shark. It is aimed at children aged 2-8 years old. I will be selling signed copies of our books after my readings at Grafton on Wednesday 7th October. Cash and card excepted.
Lark the Shark: £10
Lark the Shark and Wonda the Whale £8
For anyone who would like a signed book but is unable to attend my signing, please put your money in an envelope, state which book you would like and what name you would like inside. Please hand this into your school office, stating your child's name and class.
Read my bio opposite, to find out how the idea started.
All about Natalie
Literature has been my passion as a child and adult and my son also shares this love. I have always been a shark admirer and was discussing with my son how sharks get such a bad reputation. We were also discussing pollution in the environment which was Henry's homework topic for the week. Henry was shocked and asked,
“Mummy what can we do to help?”
And that’s when we thought of a friendly shark that would help clean up the sea. From these discussion Lark the Shark was born and his journey began. Our sequel book Lark the Shark and Wonda the Whale is also now available.
🗓️ Dates for Diary
Keep up with key events and activities this term
Tuesday, October 6
Tuesday, October 6
🦉 Owl Visit – EYFS/KS1
Wednesday, October 7
📚Library Opening
🧑⚕️School Nurse Drop in 9:30-10:30am
Thursday, October 8
Thursday, October 8
👥 Head Teacher Forum
Wednesday, October 14
Wednesday, October 14
📖Reading for pleasure parent workshop 9:10-10:10am
📖Reading for pleasure parent workshop 9:10-10:10am
🏫 New Reception parent/carer tours 2:00-3:00pm
Monday, October 19
Monday, October 19
📚 Book Fair Arrives
Wednesday, October 21 – Thursday, October 22
Wednesday, October 21 – Thursday, October 22
👨👩👧👦 Parents’ Evening
Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30
Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30
🍂 Half Term – School closed for children
Tuesday, November 3
🪔Diwali -Special Lunch Menu
🎉Y3 leading Diwali assemblies for parents/carers - Donaldson 9.10 am & Farook 2.45pm
🧑⚕️School Nurse Drop in 9:00-10:00am
Wednesday, November 4
🎉Y3 leading Diwali assemblies for parents/carers - Morpurgo 9.10 am & Zephaniah 2.45
Thursday, November 5
📖 Y1 Reading Practise parent workshop (invite only)
📖 Y2 Reading Practise parent workshop (invite only)
Monday, November 9
🏫 New Reception Parent tours 3:30 – 4:30pm
Thursday, November 12
🎓 Y6 SATS preparation workshop for parents/carers
Friday, November 13
🧸 Children in Need (Non-Uniform) wear spotty clothing
November 16 – 20, 2026
🚫 Anti-Bullying Week
🧦 Odd Socks Day (wear odd socks with school uniform)
✍️ Y1 Writing parent/carer workshop
Tuesday, November 17
📚Y4 Valence Library Visit (one class)
Wednesday, November 18
📚Y4 Valence Library visit (one class)
🏫 New Nursery Tours 2:00 – 2:30pm
Thursday, November 19
🔢 Y3/4 Multiplication Times tables parent workshop
Friday, November 20
🚸 Inset Day - school closed for children
Monday, November 23
🏫 New Nursery Tours 3:30 – 4:00pm
Tuesday, November 24
📚Y4 Valence Library visit (one class)
Wednesday, November 25
📚Y4 Valence Library Visit (one class)
Thursday, November 26
☕SEND coffee morning
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