6th March 2026
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." β Dr. SeussΒ Β
Our World Book Day yesterday was an amazing day to focus on the enjoyment of reading. "Research shows a dramatic shift in children's habits, with daily social media use soaring by over 200% between 2019 and 2022, causing children who "never read for fun" to rise from 11% to 53%. Excessive screen time is linked to lower language scores, reduced attention spans, and even young children trying to "swipe" physical books"
It is so important for our children to read a book regularly with an adult. Thank you for taking time to support your child with this and encourage the love of a reading book. Yesterday I heard and read some exciting stories from pupils and it is a pleasure that so many of our young people are keen.Β
A big thank you to Ms Prince for organising the day's events and all staff and children for participating and making the day fun!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Please note that there will be no Nursery on the last day of term Friday 27th March, as children will be finishing at 12:30β―pm.
Join us at 9.00am on Thursday 12th March in the KS1 Hall to find out more about the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check.
During the meeting, we will explain:
π What the screening involves
π« How the children are prepared in school
π‘ How you can support your child at home
We look forward to seeing all our Year 1 parents and carers!Β
Last week we took a team of girls from Y3 and 4 to Eastbrook Primary School for a football festival. The girls took part in a carousel of activities. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the event and represented the school really well. Well done girlsπ .
Overall Winner - 2 Thames and 6 BanksyΒ Β
100% - Amazing Attendance!π
EYFS
1st place - Reception Daffodils - 98.15%
2nd place - Reception Shamrock - 96.4%
Year 1 and 2
1st place - 2 Thames - 100%
2nd place - 1 Fox - 99.67%
Year 3 and 4
1st place - 3 Donaldson - 98.93%
2nd place - 4 Simmonds - 98.67%
Year 5 and 6
1st place - 6 Banksy - 100%
2nd place - 5 Craig - 99.66%
Wow! π What an amazing week we've had celebrating books and reading π.Β
Thank you to all the Year 1 parents and carers who joined us for our first Books for Breakfast session. It was wonderful to see so many of you sharing a book with your child and enjoying the start of the day together.
Yesterday, hundreds of children (and adults!) dressed up to celebrate World Book Day. From Harry Potter to Wally, Alice in Wonderland to Paddington, we saw a fantastic range of characters across the school. Throughout the day, children took part in quizzes, paired up with other year groups to share a book, and recommended some of their favourite reads.
The photos included are just a small snapshot of a brilliant day filled with stories and imagination. See the picture below of staff and children dressed up for World Book Day, enjoying themselves and having lots of fun!
Thank you for helping make it such a special occasion. Please remember to use your childβs book token to choose one of the World Book Day books. You can also find more information in the below poster about the Valence Library World Book Day Fair.
π See our newsletter at the end of term for more World Book Day photos! π·
Unity in Community are a charity based in Hull who aim to support the most vulnerable people in society. We were successful in a funding application for supporting people struggling to top up their pre-payment meters across the country. As the cost of living continues to rise, we are aware that many people will be struggling to make ends meet. Unity in Community are able to support households with fuel vouchers; these vouchers are sent via text message. We would like to offer this support to the parents, carers and guardians of students who attend your school.Β Β
If you would like further information, please reply to this email, alternatively you can use the information below to pass directly on to the parents, carers and guardians βΒ
Help Available - Gas & Electric: Unity in Community will be providing vouchers to help towards paying for gas and electricity. To qualify you must pay for your energy through a prepayment meter and have not received energy vouchers from Unity in Community within the past 12 months. This is in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis and beneficiaries can be working, unemployed, self-employed or retired. For more information and to register, call 01482 420836, Monday to Friday, 9am β 3pm β if busy, please keep trying.Β Β
We look forward to working with you to support families through a challenging time.Β
Unity in Community
Monday - Friday 9thβ13th March
π¬ Science Week
Monday 9th March
βͺ Y2 visit to St. Mary's ChurchΒ
Severn & Thames Classes 9.30-10.30am
Clyde & Avon Classes 11-12 pm
Tuesday 10th March
π¨βπ©βπ§ Fox Class Parents Evening 3.30-5.30pm
Thursday 12th March
π Y1 Phonics screening workshop for parents/carers 9am -9.45am
π° Y4 visit to Anglo Saxon Village - Ali and Worthington classes
π¨βπ©βπ§ Fox Class Parents Evening 3.30-5.30pm
Friday 13th March
πΈ Rock Steady Concerts for parents/carers - 10am and 2.15pm
Monday 16th March
βοΈ Y4 Visit to St. Maryβs Church - Easter Experience
Simmonds & Worthington Classes1:30β2:30pm
Tuesday 17th March
π» Y5/6 Breck Foundation Online Safety Workshop at 10β11am
π Reading Ambassadors visit to Becontree Primary School
Wednesday 18th March
βͺ Y4 St. Maryβs Church Visit - Easter ExperienceΒ
Β Ali & Farah Classes 1:30β2:30pm
Thursday 19th March
πΆ CMS Music Festival at Valence Primary β KS2 Choir
Monday 23rd March
π Y3 Eid Assemblies for Parents & Carers
Donaldson β 9:10am
Morpurgo β 2:45pm
Tuesday 24th March
π Y3 Eid Assemblies for Parents & Carers
Farook β 9:10am
Zephaniah β 2:45pm
Tuesday 24th March
π¦ Streets Ahead β Y6 Road Safety Awareness Workshop
Tuesday 24th March
π₯ Y5 Fire Safety Workshops
Wednesday 25th March
π¨βπ©βπ§ Parents' Evening 3.30-7pm
Thursday 26th March
π¨βπ©βπ§ Parents' Evening 3.30-7 pm
Thursday 26th March
π Special Lunch Menu β Celebrating Eid
Last day for Nuresry
Friday 27th March
π§ School Closes at 12:30 pm for Children
Monday 30th March β Friday 10th April
πΈ Holidays β School Closed for Children
Tuesday 14th April
π° Y2 Tower of London Trip - Clyde & Thames classes
Wednesday 15th April
π° Y2 Tower of London Trip - Severn & Avon classes
Monday 20th April
π Y5 Visit to Ilford Mosque - Bonnin & Craig classes am
Tuesday 21st AprilΒ
πY1 Earth Day assemblies for parents/carers (classes to be confirmed)
Wednesday 22nd April
π Y1 Earth Day assemblies for parents/carers (classes to be confirmed)
Thursday 23rd April
π Special Lunch Menu β St. Georgeβs Day
Monday 27th April
π Y5 Ilford Mosque Visit - Attenborough & Packham classes am
Thursday 7th May
π’ Polling Day - School Closed for ChildrenΒ