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Principal's Welcome
Principal's Welcome
Dear Parents/Carers,
A warm welcome to 2025—despite the chilly weather at times! As I experience my first winter at Leigh Academy Hartley, I am reminded of how lucky we are to have such beautiful surroundings. The crisp morning sun reflecting off the trees as our first pupils of the day head into the woods is a truly special sight.
It has also been wonderful to see parents back in school for our face-to-face Parents’ Evenings. There was a real sense of calm and purpose as we came together to celebrate our pupils’ achievements, and the positive feedback was greatly appreciated. As always, our dedicated teaching team ensures that engaging and meaningful learning experiences take place every day. Visitors to Leigh Academy Hartley regularly comment on the impressive progress our pupils make and the high-quality work they produce, describing them as “happy learners who take their education very seriously.”
Maths continues to go from strength to strength, with NumBots now introduced in Key Stage 1, supporting early number fluency alongside Times Tables Rockstars further up the school. In reading, we are aiming for as many pupils as possible to achieve their Accelerated Reader targets—keep up the fantastic effort!
Our Big Adventures initiative, designed to broaden pupils’ experiences throughout their time at Hartley, is well underway. Recent trips have included visits to the O2, the RAF Museum, and an exciting conservation project, along with a variety of sporting clubs and fixtures. Meanwhile, our ambitious Careers Curriculum, which aims to expose pupils to 50 careers before they turn 11, continues to inspire. This term, our pupils have had the chance to meet firefighters, police officers, and musicians, helping to raise aspirations and provide insight into a range of exciting professions.
Wishing you all a wonderful half-term break—we look forward to welcoming pupils back on Monday 24th February!
Best wishes,
Mr Mitchell
Principal
Dates for the Diary
(Please note these are subject to change but we will inform you as soon as possible if this is necessary)
Monday 24th February - Start of Module 4/Start of Clubs
Tuesday 25th February - Year 3 swimming sessions start
Tuesday 4th March - SEN Coffee Morning
Wednesday 5th March - Open Classroom
Thursday 6th March - World Book Day
Monday 10th March - Scholastic Book Fair Week (Mon-Thur)
Friday 21st March - Comic Relief/First Aid Day
Monday 31st March - Last week of clubs (Parents invited in)
Thursday 3rd April - Braiswick Class Photos
Friday 4th April - Last Day of Module 4. Normal time finish.
The PYP at LAH- how we link learning to the World of Work!
We have been extremely fortunate this term to continue to welcome a number of parent visitors to talk to the children about their careers and their world of work. As the children progress through the school, it is crucial that they understand the importance of their learning and begin to recognise how the skills and knowledge they are developing will help them in adult life. We are so grateful to you all for giving up your time to inspire our children- a huge thank you!
Year 1 had the pleasure of inviting Firefighter, Mr Barton for a career talk. He explained his role and showed the children some equipment. The children were fascinated and asked lots of interesting questions. Year 1 have been focusing on the 'Sharing the Planet' theme, focusing on deforestation, so this linked well with their learning!
Nursery also had a visit from Mr Gregory who is a Firefighter. The children learned all about the job of a firefighter and how they are able to help us in the community.
Reception and Nursery had a visit from a Police Officer. They enjoyed finding out about the work of the police and the role of the police dog.
If you would like to visit us and tell us about your world of work, please contact us!
The PYP at LAH- how we bring learning to life!
Wherever possible, we aim to bring our PYP Units of Inquiry to life in order to make the learning real and relevant for our pupils: that could be through handling artefacts, visiting a museum, or inviting visitors into school to talk about their life experiences.
Year 6 were so fortunate to hear from two people who lived through World War II. Jack and Judy were ten and five years old when war broke out - they told the children all about evacuation and rationing, and shared their experiences of air raids. Year 6 asked some fantastic questions and were so excited to view some real shrapnel. What a fantastic experience!
Years 3 and 4 participated in VR workshops to bring their learning to life!
Year 3 focused on the Amazon Rainforest: they explored each layer of the rainforest flying over the emergent layer as well as exploring the forest floor. They came face to face with leafcutter ants, the Amazonian tarantula, the slow sloth as well as the mischievous capuchin monkeys!
As part of their Unit of Inquiry about ocean ecosystems, Year 4 looked at various underwater / marine habitats and discussed the different animals they could see. The learnt some interesting facts about these animals and also discussed the threats to these habitats by humans.
What a fantastic experience for our children!
Year 2 have been learning about animal migration in their Unit of Inquiry this term. They have been finding out about different animals and how and why they migrate. They looked at the migrations of a whale, a red crab, and a wildebeest. In Science, Year 2 have also looked at the food chains of the different animals. The children were able to recall lots of facts about the animals, as can be seen in this amazing example of Year 2 writing!
Year 5 Take Action for Water Conservation!
This term, Year 5 have looked at natural resources and the impact that these have on the survival of living things including plants and animals. They have considered what would happen if water ran out and the impact of this locally and around the world. As part of our action to encourage people to stop wasting water and to keep water clean, the children have created some posters to help share this message with our wider school community. This message has also been shared in the school with the poster distributed in and around the school building.
Hartley's Big Adventures!
Year 6 Trip to the RAF Museum
Year 6 visited the RAF museum as part of their learning about conflict, and in particular, World War II. The children investigated the different planes that were used during the war, and took part in a World War II classroom experience, where they learnt about what daily life was like during the war. As can be seen from these photos, the children had a fantastic time.
Year 1 Trip to Fenn Bell Conservation Project
Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed their trip to The Fenn Bell Conservation Project earlier this term. They had a tour with a zoo keeper and learnt lots of fun and interesting facts about a variety animals.
The children were able to answer questions about their current learning of the different animals groups and how they adapt.
Oak Class had a feeding experience with the otters and Elm class with the meerkats.
Stars for the Day- Young Voices 2025
YV 2025.mp4On 20th January, 29 choir members from Years 4, 5 and 6 spent the afternoon at the O2 Arena rehearsing with 8,000 children from schools across the country as part of the Young Voices Choir.
The choir had signed up in October and from then, were dedicated by coming to weekly rehearsals. Leading up to the big day, they had 2 weeks where they met each day to ensure they were O2 ready!
The children (and adults accompanying them) performed amazingly on the night: they performed 10 songs to a packed O2 audience, ranging from a Marley Mash-Up, a Hairspray the musical Medley and a YV original song. The children had a fantastic day and it is definitely an experience that will stay with them for many years to come.
A huge thank you to Ms Bayliss for organising this wonderful opportunity and also for collating a fantastic video of the day's events!
Music Week
We were lucky enough to welcome two parent visitors in assembly this week as part of our Music Week celebrations. On Monday, Mr Dwight told us about his work in the music industry- the children were very excited to see and hear about his adventures with some very famous names including Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Harry Styles, to name but a few! On Wednesday, Mr Turner played the electric guitar and talked about his work linked with playing and teaching music. We definitely have some budding musicians here at LAH who no doubt will have been inspired by these visitors!
On Tuesday, Year 3 took part in a Rainforest Soundscape workshop.
On Wednesday, Miss Hannah May led Musical Theatre workshops with each year group, featuring songs from 'The Lion King', 'Wicked' and 'Six'!
On Thursday, we dressed up as characters from Musicals or as our favourite Musical Icons!
And of course the staff got involved too!
To finish off Music Week, the whole school gathered together on Thursday afternoon for a showcase of favourite songs. From Nursery, all the way up to Year 6, everyone sang and danced brilliantly- what a wonderful way to finish off not only this special week, but a fantastic Term 3!
Huge thanks to Ms Bayliss for organising Music Week; thank you to those who visited us and gave up their time to inspire our pupils, and thanks to all of the staff for helping to prepare the musical extravaganza at the end of a very busy term!
Hartley Sports News
HPA recently took part in a basketball competition at Northfleet Technology College. It was a highly competitive event, with an impressive standard of play on display.
After six hard-fought games, LAH successfully progressed through the group stages and into the semi-finals, showcasing fantastic skill, teamwork, and determination along the way. In the semi-final, they met their match in a closely contested game, narrowly losing by four baskets.
To round off the experience, the pupils had the incredible opportunity to receive coaching from the college coach of the U18 National Champions—though the real highlight may have been Mrs Fewell showing off her basketball skills!
Well done to all involved!
PTA News
Our amazing PTA have been busy planning lots of wonderful events for over the coming months. Last week, the children enjoyed 'Break the Rules Day' and next term the PTA are planning for the Easter Bunny to return with eggs for the children!
The PTA are also planning to have a Movie Night (in Term 5), a Special Person's Day gift activity (similar to the Christmas card activity), an Easter/Summer Disco and a Summer Festival.
Just to make you aware we have raised £357.05 through the Asda Cashpot for Schools app! Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
Celebrations Galore!
Celebrations Galore!
It has also been a term to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young artists. This term, we recognised outstanding contributions in Hartley’s Termly Art Competition, where pupils impressed us with their imaginative and inspiring photographic entries in the style of Mitchel Wu. Congratulations to Lucia in Year 1 and Rafferty in Year 6 who were selected as overall Key Stage winners. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork this term- the entries were all so amazing that we will be sharing them all on our Leigh Academy Hartley's Facebook Page. In the meantime, here are just some examples of the entries received!
It has also been a term to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young artists. This term, we recognised outstanding contributions in Hartley’s Termly Art Competition, where pupils impressed us with their imaginative and inspiring photographic entries in the style of Mitchel Wu. Congratulations to Lucia in Year 1 and Rafferty in Year 6 who were selected as overall Key Stage winners. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their artwork this term- the entries were all so amazing that we will be sharing them all on our Leigh Academy Hartley's Facebook Page. In the meantime, here are just some examples of the entries received!
Our winning entries!
Our Accelerated Reader Winner was awarded to Essie in Year 4 who demonstrated outstanding determination and a love for reading by meeting her target with over 85% accuracy in her quizzes. A huge well done to all pupils who worked hard to reach their goals and showed a genuine passion for reading. A special mention for Chestnut Class who achieved the most certificates this term! As we look ahead to Term 4, we encourage all our pupils using Accelerated Reader to aim high and achieve their targets!
Our Accelerated Reader Winner was awarded to Essie in Year 4 who demonstrated outstanding determination and a love for reading by meeting her target with over 85% accuracy in her quizzes. A huge well done to all pupils who worked hard to reach their goals and showed a genuine passion for reading. A special mention for Chestnut Class who achieved the most certificates this term! As we look ahead to Term 4, we encourage all our pupils using Accelerated Reader to aim high and achieve their targets!
Attendance Term 3
Please have a look at our Attendance Policy to make sure you are aware of our procedures regarding lateness and unauthorised absences.
We have a number of classes who have done really well with their attendance, as you can see below:
Term 3 attendance data:
Well done to Rowan, Maple, Beech and Sycamore for achieving a fantastic 97% attendance this term.
Congratulations to Silver Birch and Ash for achieving over 95% attendance!
Year to date attendance data:
Wellbeing Resources
Here are some links to helpful resources from Place2Be, to help you and your family:
Wellbeing resources for families
Helping your child prepare for Primary School
Helping your child prepare for Secondary School
Parenting Smart - advice on dealing with a range of challenges as a parent
Free School Meals
If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you may be able to get free school meals for them if you receive certain benefits. The quickest and easiest way to check whether your child is eligible for free school meals and to apply is via the KCC website:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals
If your child is already registered for free school meals, you do not need to reapply. If you’re not sure whether your child is already registered, please call the school and we can check our records, or you can contact KCC on 03000 416464.
Check out our Facebook Page!
Check out our Facebook Page!
If you haven't already, please like and follow our Facebook page Leigh Academy Hartley for updates and information about our school.
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