8th May 2026
I was very impressed this week to be invited for a meeting hosted by the school councillors. They presented thoughtfully and clearly their suggestions for school improvement based on pupil voice. I loved that our children are already participating in activities displaying how true democracy works! Their suggestions included wearing non-uniform more often (said I will think about that!) and having another Grafton Talent Show (definitely!). I hope you were also able to talk them more about the Local Elections held yesterday.
Enjoy your weekend!
✏️SATs Week - 11-15th May📚
Next week, our Year 6 pupils will be taking their SATs assessments. This is a culmination of all of the hard work they have put in over the year.
🥐🍎Year 6 Breakfast Club
All children are invited to our Year 6 Breakfast Club from 8.00am, Monday to Thursday, in the KS2 hall.
Coming to breakfast club will help your child to arrive on time and feel ready for their assessments. Even if they have breakfast at home, they are still very welcome to join their friends—this gives them time to settle in and feel calm before the tests begin.
We’re proud of all the hard work the children have put in already - we know that they will shine and wish them well.
⚠️🕒 Important Notice Regarding Late Collection 🚸👨👩👧
We have seen an increase in children being collected late from school in recent weeks. Please be aware that late collection is monitored by the school to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils. We understand that occasional delays can happen; however, repeated or regular late collection will be recorded and followed up as a safeguarding concern. We kindly ask parents and carers to make every effort to collect children promptly or inform the school if delays are unavoidable.
Finish times are as follows:
Reception - 3.10pm
KS1 - 3.15pm
KS2 - 3.20pm
🏡 Home Learning📚
At Grafton Primary School, we believe home learning plays a crucial role in providing an excellent education. It fosters independent learning, reinforces classroom instruction, promotes resilience, and involves parents/carers in supporting their child's learning journey.
We believe that education is a lifelong process. A child’s education does not cease when he /she leaves our school premises; learning at home is an essential part of good education.
“Home learning” is any work or activity completed outside lesson time, either alone, with parents/carers, or others. It makes an important contribution to progress at school.
From the Early Years, activities such as playing simple games, learning spellings, and of course, reading with parents/carers all provide valuable opportunities for the practice/reinforcement of key skills in a supportive environment. As children get older, they need to develop the habit of regularly devoting short periods of time to personal study. All children are expected to take part in a variety of home learning tasks to enhance and support their work in class. Please click on the link below to access
Home Learning Summer Term 2026 for all year groups.
Joint Overall Winners - 2 Thames - 100% and 4 Simmonds 100%👏
EYFS
1st place - Reception Daffodils - 95.06%
2nd place - FT Nursery - 95%
Year 1 and 2
1st place - 2 Thames 100%
2nd place - 1 Hedgehog - 98.33%
Year 3 and 4
1st place - 4 Simmonds - 100%
2nd place - 3 Morpurgo - 97.62%
Year 5 and 6
1st place - 6 Hadid - 99.43%
2nd place - 6 Turner - 99.43%
Support Grafton Primary School – It’s Free and Easy!🎉
We’re excited to share a simple way you can help raise extra funds for Grafton Primary School — at no cost to you! 🏫
By signing up to Easyfundraising, you can support the school every time you shop online. Many popular retailers donate a small percentage of what you spend directly to the school — all without costing you an extra penny💰
🌟PLUS THIS MONTH!🌟
If you shop with Tesco or F&F Clothing via Easyfundraising’s app or website, Grafton will have a chance to receive a £1000 donation!
📅 Shop with Tesco or F&F via Easyfundraising by 31st May and every shop gives Grafton a better chance of receiving the £1000 prize!
🔗Sign up here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/grafton-primary-school/?searchSessionId=730636ce-557d-493a-b506-b26a8e6f68a0
1️⃣ Click the sign-up link above
2️⃣ Create a free account
3️⃣ Confirm Grafton Primary School as your chosen cause
4️⃣ Shop online as usual via the Easyfundraising website or app
5️⃣ The retailer automatically makes a donation to the school
✅ Download the Easyfundraising browser extension or app so you never miss a donation
✅ Use it for everyday shopping — groceries, clothes, travel and more
✅ Encourage friends and family to sign up too
Every little contribution adds up and helps support valuable resources and opportunities for our children🌈📚
🙏 Thank you for your continued support!
Monday 11th - Thursday 14th May
📝 SATS Week
Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th May
🔤 Reception Maths and Play sessions
Friday 15th May
🌳 Y1 trip to Thorndon Country Park (Hedgehog & Squirrel 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 (Rose & Daffodil classes)
Tuesday 19th May
🗣️ Head Teacher Forum 9:00 – 9:45am
🦁 Y3 Colchester Zoo Trip (Donaldson & Zephaniah classes)
Wednesday 20th May
🦁 Y3 Colchester Zoo Trip (Farook & Morpurgo classes)
Thursday 21st May
🔍 Reception trip to the Discovery Centre (Shamrock & Thistle classes)
🏥 School Nurse Drop in session 9:00 – 10:00am
Friday 22nd May
🌳 Y1 trip to Thorndon Country Park (Fox & Badger classes)
Monday 25th - Friday 30th May
🚫 Half Term - School closed to Children
Thursday 4th June
Eid - Al-Adha coffee morning for parents/carers 9-9.45 am
Friday 5th June
Soccer Aid - 50 p donation for UNICEF (wear sports clothing/football kit)
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 (Ali & Simmonds classes)
Wednesday 17th June
🏛️ Y4 visit to Valence House Museum (Farah & Worthington classes)
🎪 Summer Fayre 3.30-5.30 pm
Friday 19th June
🍽️ Special Lunch Menu -Summer Solstice
Monday 22nd June
🎵Y5 Music Concert for parents/carers (Bonnin & Packham)
🏛️Y6 British Museum visit (Banksy class)
Tuesday 23rd June
🌿Y5 Thriftwood Trip (Packham & Craig classes)
Wednesday 24th June
🎶Y5 Music Concert for parents/carers (Attenborough & Craig)
Thursday 25th June
🦁Nursery visit to Jolly Jungle
🏛️Y6 visit to British Museum (Kapoor class)
Friday 26th June
🏛️Y6 visit to British Museum (Turner Class)
Monday 29th June
🌳Y5 Thriftwood Trip (Bonnin & Attenborough classes)