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Dear parents
Welcome to this edition of our News Roundup, packed with exciting updates and highlights showcasing the incredible experiences our children have had recently. It’s truly remarkable to see how alive our curriculum is, with a wealth of workshops, visits, and hands-on learning opportunities.
One of the standout successes this term has been the pop-up swimming pool. Year 3 and Year 4 children have been making exceptional progress in their swimming lessons. Normally at this time of year, we would travel to a local pool with less favourable conditions. However, this on-site pool offers smaller groups, a warmer environment, and the added benefit of saving travel time, allowing the children to focus on developing their swimming skills.
We are also overjoyed to share that Grange Park has been named a Google Reference School! As highlighted in the London World and Enfield Independent newspapers ,this prestigious recognition celebrates our commitment to preparing our brilliant children for a digitally-driven future.
As part of this recognition, we recently hosted a Google Reference School Showcase to some international visitors from Korea. It was an incredible opportunity to demonstrate how we use Google Workspace tools to transform learning.
Finally, I hope you’ve managed to book your slot for the learning conversations on Thursday 13 February. Please remember that this is an INSET day, so children will not come into school as normal. However, we look forward to welcoming them back on Friday 14 February, for the last day of this half term.
Stay tuned for even more updates in the next edition!
With my very best wishes
Tijen Hassan
Headteacher
Term Dates, Holidays and School Closures
Term Dates, Holidays and School Closures
Dates for the Diary
Dates for the Diary
Class Assemblies and Concerts
Class Assemblies and Concerts
Always Star
Always Star
A massive well done to our ‘Always Stars’. ‘Always Star’ children are children who ALWAYS show that they follow the Big 3, they are ALWAYS respectful, resilient and show responsibility and they ALWAYS try their very best, taking on new challenges with a growth mindset and never giving up. Here are the Always Stars’ for the last half term.
Character
Character
Reflection
Reflection
Our character trait for this half term is a trait that can help us all to grow: Reflection. To introduce this half term’s character trait, Tijen read the children the story of ‘The Three Billy Goats Fluff’ by Rachael Mortimer. The book tells the story of a troll who is having trouble sleeping because of the noisy billy goats. He tries everything to stop them, from polite requests to grumpy demands, but the goats are too busy having fun to listen. The billy goat's mum thinks about why the troll is so grumpy and reflects on how her children have behaved. In the end, the goats find a solution that lets everyone get some rest and they even find friendship. The story illustrates the importance of reflecting on our behaviour and on our actions. It shows us how doing this can change outcomes for the better. During the assembly we discussed what is meant by ‘reflection’; looking back on my actions and words, understanding what I did and why. Together we recognised that reflecting could be beneficial in many different situations in our lives.
How parents can encourage reflection at home:
Lead by example: Children learn by example. Share your own reflections with them.
Talk about it: Set aside a specific time each day or week for reflection. How has your week been? What will you keep the same and what will you do differently?
Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and praise their efforts to reflect.
By encouraging reflection in our children, we empower them to:
Develop a self-awareness which helps them to understand their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This self-knowledge is crucial for emotional regulation, decision-making, and building healthy relationships.
Become independent learners that analyse their learning process, identify areas for improvement, and develop effective strategies for success.
Foster creativity and problem-solving as they think deeply, explore different perspectives, and find innovative solutions to challenges.
Build resilience by reflecting on setbacks and their successes. This helps children to develop a growth mindset, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and learn from their experiences.
By nurturing reflection in our children, we're not just preparing them for academic success; we're equipping them with essential life skills for personal growth and navigating the complexities of the world.
Curriculum News
Curriculum News
School Parliament
School Parliament
On Tuesday 14 January, our school’s MPs and Junior Travel Ambassadors had an exciting and eye-opening experience working with local police officers to help improve road safety outside the school. The children teamed up with officers to use a speed gun to monitor how fast cars were driving on the road nearby.
With great enthusiasm and focus, the children tracked vehicle speeds and helped stop any drivers exceeding the limit. They then had important conversations with these drivers, politely asking them why they were speeding. The children carefully considered each response and had the unique opportunity to help decide whether the drivers should be given a warning or a ticket for their actions.
After their work on the roadside, the group got a behind-the-scenes look at police equipment. They explored the inside of a police van, examined a stinger — a special device used to stop cars — and even had the chance to test the sirens and flashing lights!
For a fun finishing touch, many of the children tried on police hats while imagining what it might be like to wear the uniform. Throughout the morning, our young leaders represented the school brilliantly.
The police officers were full of praise, describing the children as "extremely kind, polite, and inquisitive." The whole experience was a fantastic blend of learning and community action, helping to highlight the importance of road safety for everyone.
A huge thank you to the police team for giving their time and expertise, and to our school MPs and JTAs for showing such dedication and curiosity. We are proud of their effort to keep our school community safe.
Our school parliament representatives and class councillors had a fantastic experience today on their trip to the Houses of Parliament.
They explored the iconic building, including the House of Lords, and visited the ceremonial area where the King prepares before addressing the Lords. They also had the privilege of speaking with our local MP, Bambos Charalambous, and discovering many fascinating aspects of this historic site.
NSPCC - Speak out. Stay safe
NSPCC - Speak out. Stay safe
Last week the whole school participated in assemblies hosted by NSPCC. The theme was Speak out. Stay safe. This is a safeguarding programme available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands. It aims to help children understand abuse in all its forms and to recognise the signs of abuse in a child friendly way. The children were taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or Childline - a phone line that children can call confidentially if they are worried about something and need someone to talk to. We also reminded the children that they can also use the trust box in their classroom and the virtual trust box (on the school website and on Google Classroom). In the assembly, Speak out. Stay safe messages were delivered in a fun and interactive way with the help of their mascot Buddy as well as special guest appearances from Ant and Dec. The children learnt a mnemonic for remembering the Childline phone number and used their hands to show 0800 1111. See if they can show you.
Additional NSPCC resources for families to help keep children safe
The NSPCC have shared some important information below on wider NSPCC resources and support to help keep children safe.
Playground Pals
Playground Pals
At Grange Park, we are excited to continue enhancing our outdoor play area with loose parts play during lunchtimes. For those unfamiliar, loose parts are everyday materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, built, and taken apart in countless ways.
These open-ended resources spark creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. We know how hard our children work throughout the day, so it's essential they have time to laugh, relax, and enjoy themselves with friends during their breaks. Loose parts play is a fantastic way to give children that opportunity.
To make this vision a reality, we need your support. If you’re having a sort-out at home, please think of us before throwing away old items. Your "trash" could become our treasure! Here’s a list of resources we’d love to receive:
Loose parts
plastic crates
guttering/tubing
wooden pallets
cable drums
tarpaulin
shovels and spades, large buckets
cones
From around the house
suitcases, wheeled shopping trolleys, wheelbarrows
adults old clothes - hats, scarfs, ties, dressing gowns
bags
kitchen utensils - pots, pans, plastic plates, sieves, wooden spoons
watering cans
Toys
prams and dolls
board games
lego
dressing up clothes
small world animals and action figures
swing ball
trampolines, tents, tunnels
Swimming
Swimming
Our swimming lessons have been a huge success! Children have really been enjoying having our very own swimming pool onsite! Weekly sessions are in full swing and our swimming instructors are extremely positive about the children's attitude to learning and their progress!
Emily in Year 4 - 'The water is lovely and warm and the swimming instructors are really nice.'
Sami in Year 4 - 'The swimming teachers are kind and fun. The pool is big and we get taught in small groups which I like!'
Use Of Chromebooks
Use Of Chromebooks
We are extremely lucky at Grange Park that all children from Year 1 upwards have their very own chromebook.
Click here to hear how we use chromebooks for supporting Assessment.
Some parents have generously contributed to our voluntary donations to support education here at Grange Park Primary school. There is no fixed amount, donations are entirely discretionary and any amount is sincerely appreciated. Simply log onto Arbor - School Shop - Voluntary donations to school.
Times Tables Rockstars
Times Tables Rockstars
A huge well done to 4 Puma, Trent, and the entire Year 4 team for winning their latest battles on Times Table Rock Stars! It’s fantastic to see our Year 4s continuing to perform so well, especially as they prepare for their upcoming Multiplication Tables Check. Who will rise to the challenge and knock them off the top spot next?
Mastering times tables is an essential skill that supports success in many areas of maths. Knowing these facts confidently helps children solve more complex problems quickly and builds a strong foundation for future learning. Consistent practice is the key to fluency, so we encourage all our pupils to keep rocking regularly on Times Table Rock Stars!
Special recognition goes to the following children for their impressive achievements:
Most Improved Studio Speed:
Ezra - 4 Jaguar
Daria - 4 Tiger
Arabella - 3 Willow
Most Correct Answers:
Ernest - 4 Puma
Angelo - 4 Puma
Nicos - 4 Puma
Most Improved Accuracy:
Sammy - 2 Robin
Alex - 2 Robin
Ruby - 4 Tiger
Keep up the brilliant work, everyone – let’s see who takes the lead in our next battles!
Sports Update
Sports Update
This month, the Grange Park girls football team represented Enfield at the prestigious Middlesex Cup, held at Edmonton County School. After securing first place in the Enfield borough competition, the team was invited to compete against the best young talent in the region. The girls displayed exceptional determination, teamwork, and skill throughout the tournament, making their school and borough proud. Their performance showcased the dedication and hard work put in by both the players and their coaches. Their participation in this prestigious event is a testament to their talent and a source of inspiration for aspiring young footballers across Enfield.
Other News
Other News
Google Reference School
As you may have seen in the local papers, (London World Newspaper) and Enfield Independent Newspaper Grange Park has been named as a Google Reference School in recognition of our efforts to prepare our brilliant children for the world that awaits them when they leave school.
Google Reference Schools are recognised for their outstanding use of technology to drive positive learning outcomes. There are just a handful of such schools across the capital, with Grange Park being the first to achieve the status in this part of London.
Securing this honour means that we are creating digitally confident pupils with the competence and to use a wide range of tools. This is helping to improve the pace of learning and ensuring our teachers are able to use IT to work much more efficiently.
Google visited our school and was highly impressed with what they saw, saying, “The teachers and leaders at Grange Park are clearly passionate about preparing their students for their future studies and ensuring they have practical digital skills to thrive in the 21st century.”
Being named as a Google Reference School also means that we will continue to get training and support to further enhance how we use technology in our school. We will also be able to help other schools to flourish – and that is really exciting!
BETT UK 2025
"Exciting News! Coinciding with BETT UK 2025, our school hosted a Google Reference School Showcase on Tuesday! We got to demonstrate how we're using Google Workspace tools to transform learning. Also, some of our teachers attended BETT UK 2025 to bring back new ideas to Grange Park. This has been a wonderful experience for us all.
Instagram and X
Please follow us on Instagram and X!
All of our latest news and behind the scenes footage will be posted regularly so please follow us! There will be posters scattered around the school and in our class windows so that you can scan the barcode to follow us.
Let's not forget our account on X also as all the updates will be posted here to! So follow us for news on our sporting events, residentials, trips, workshops and all the wonderful learning that goes on here at Grange Park!
Information for Parents
Information for Parents
Enrichment Clubs
We’re excited to let you know that there are still spaces available in a few of our fantastic clubs, including basketball, yoga, debating, multisports, racquets, bats and balls, dodgeball, and storytelling. These clubs offer wonderful opportunities for children to stay active, build confidence, and explore new interests. Don’t miss out—sign up today to secure your child’s place! Clubs will be available to book and pay for, via Arbor.
Extend Holiday Club
Learning Conversations
You would have received an email regarding learning conversations taking place on Thursday the 13th February. If you have not booked your slot please do so on Arbor. Please note that the Thursday 13 February is an INSET day, so there is no school for children. There is school on Friday 14 February, it is the last day before our half term break.
Birthday Book
Just a reminder that you are welcome to donate a book to the class rather than sending sweets on your child’s birthday. The children across the school really enjoy reading these books. Teachers also put a sticker in the book to show who it's from.
Park The Bikes
Bicycles and scooters can be left near the Year 5&6 Hub if your child attends an enrichment club at the end of the day. Please chain them up.
EMS
Uniform Donations
Our medical office is asking for used uniform donations please. We especially need underwear, socks, tights and boys trousers. If you have any uniform that no longer fits your child then please do bring them to the school office. Thanks so much for your support.
Clothing Giveaway
Co-parenting with care
GPPSA
GPPSA
GPPSA News
Happy New Year from the GPPSA to our Grange Park Primary School community. We hope that the New Year brings us all good health, prosperity and happy new experiences.
A great new experience is volunteering at one of the many GPPSA fundraising events planned for the year. Volunteers enrich our association by bringing new ideas and expertise, and as volunteers, we know that all our efforts raise much needed funds for our school and strengthen our connections within our community. If you’re keen to volunteer with us, please email us at gppsa@hotmail.co.uk and pass along your WhatsApp contact details. We’ll be happy to add you to our Volunteers whatsapp group.
On Friday, 31st January we will be holding a “Pre-loved Uniform, Coats and Wellies Sale.” If you have uniform, coats and wellies your children have outgrown and are still in very good condition, please bring them into school. All sizes welcome!! The GPPSA volunteers will be collecting them from January 24th onwards, at drop-off and pick-up, till Thursday.
Our initiatives that are available all year round are:
Easyfundraising: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/grangeparksch/
Raise funds for the school while you shop. By downloading this app and its plug-ins, you can shop online and your purchases will raise money for our school. Don’t delay, download now!
Donate page: [http://easydonate.org/GPPSA25]
Gift money to our school and raise funds towards our farm and forest school, a canopy for the nursery, wellie racks for reception, etc.
Here is a fund page for anyone that would like to donate, any donation of any size will be gratefully received and help fund the items for the children that the school has prioritised for this year.
Signing up to easyfundraising which turns your everyday online shopping into FREE donations.
Please click on the image.
Entering our school lottery - tickets are only £1 per week. There is a guaranteed winner each week and a chance to win £25,000! Click on the image to find out more.
Looking to get some new name stickers to personalise all your child’s uniform, shoes, books etc? Simply log onto the website as normal, shop and at the end add in our unique code 65741 before you check out. 24% from each order will be donated to our school. See the flyer on our website page for more information. Click on the image to find out more.
Stamptastic is the fastest way to name all your belongings. A personalised stamp made in the UK, usable on fabric, metal, wood and some plastics. No more sewing or ironing in labels! Please note that 20% commission from each order will be donated to our school. Click on the image to place your order.
One of the easiest ways for us to make money on our two Fayre/Festival days is through stall matching. If you work for any of these corporates or another company, please ask your HR department about Stall Matching and let the committee know.
Looking for a fun and crafty activity your kids will love? Try a Free ToucanBox (Click this link), P&P only and our school will receive £5. You can cancel the subscription at any time.
Year Group News
Year Group News
Nursery
Nursery
Nursery have been investigating: "The Mystery of the Ice in Our Garden!" We have been exploring questions like: Where has it come from? How did it get here? The children shared some wonderful ideas:
Lily: “It’s from Lapland!”
Kash: “I don’t know where it’s from. It’s from the sky?”
Demi: “The snow is melting!”
We are looking forward to investigating how the ice got there and will share the results in the next Newsround up!
Reception
Reception
In Reception we have been reading the story of The Gingerbread Man. We have been making predictions about what might happen in the story and writing simple sentences. We have been creating gingerbread man stick puppets, using playdough to pretend to be bakers and decorating our own paper gingerbread men.
For our topic ‘People who help us’ we have been talking about people in our community with jobs who help us. Some examples include police officers, paramedics and firefighters. We were lucky enough to be visited by a doctor to talk about their job and some of their responsibilities. The children loved hearing all about their experiences.
Year 1
Year 1
Year 1 has started their science topic investigating plants. We know that most plants start life as a seed. This week we have been planting beans seeds. Through an investigation, we discovered what plants need to survive. Plants require soil, water, light and air to survive.
‘A bean needs sunlight, soil and water to grow’ - Zaine - Grasshopper
‘I eat beans at home so I can’t wait to try one’ - Sareeda - Dragonfly
‘I enjoyed planting my bean in a pot and watering it’ - Skyler- Ladybird
‘I have watered my bean and it has grown a little root’ - Olivia - Butterfly
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2 had a fabulous experience with Florence Nightingale. Florence told the children about her life and how she ended up becoming an important figure. The children enjoyed their journey to the Crimean War, acting out their voyage. They became nurses, ship captains, cleaners, soldiers and rat catchers along the way!
Year 3
Year 3
After learning about the Stone Age, the children are looking at the developments from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. In our design and technology unit for this half term, the children will be designing a bag for a Bronze Age hunter gatherer to store their findings. The children have been learning some important skills including how to thread a needle, tie a knot and to sew a running stitch.
Year 4
Year 4
On Thursday 23rd January, we took part in a history workshop about ‘Ancient Greece’. We had an introduction about Greek life and culture, as well as an introduction to Greek theatre. We took part in a quiz which tested our knowledge on Greek Gods, City States, The Olympic games, Alexander the Great, Greek World, Philosophers, Mythical Creatures and Heroes.
The ‘Ancient Greeks’ were excellent at strengthening their minds with games and puzzles. We had the chance to tackle the ‘ARCHIMEDES STOMACHION’ which is a Greek “jigsaw” puzzle for exercising the mind. We then looked at ‘PETTEIA’ which is a Greek strategy game that was played by Alexander the Great.
In English, we have looked at several Greek myths such as ‘Theseus and the Minotaur’ and ‘Arachne the Weaver’. During the workshop, we were transported to a Greek theatre where we took part in re-enacting Greek myths and legends. At the end of the day, we had a visit from a Greek warrior fresh from battle. They demonstrated their weapons and armour. We also discussed the differences between the city states of Athens and Sparta and the importance of democracy.
Year 5
Year 5
Year 5 have been super busy already this term! From working hard to practising short division with remainders in, using VR headsets in history to explore different monarchs and practising our sawing skills in forest school! We have also had a brilliant trip to the Tower of London where we found out all about Henry VIII, his six wives and his role in the reformation of Britain.
Year 6
Year 6
This half term, Year 6 had the exciting opportunity to take part in a heart dissection workshop, where they explored the fascinating science behind how the heart works. They learned about the heart's structure, including its four chambers, valves and the septum, as well as its vital role in pumping blood around the body. The workshop also highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy heart through regular exercise, a balanced diet and making healthy lifestyle choices. Working in small groups, the children carefully dissected a lamb's heart, using their observations to identify the chambers, locate the valves, and examine the thick, muscular walls of the septum. It was a hands-on experience that brought their learning to life and deepened their understanding of this incredible organ!
X and Instagram
X and Instagram
@Grangeparkn21
@Grangeparkn21
Don't forget to follow us on X to keep up to date with all the news and events happening at Grange Park Primary!
@grangeparkprimary
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with all the news and events happening at Grange Park Primary!
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