Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers

I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year period. Whilst many of us look forward to the festive period, for some it can be a lonely or challenging time. Please do reach out to us if we can support in any way. Did you know we are able to issue food bank vouchers for families in need? This is treated in confidence and is dealt with by the office staff and I. 

If you are concerned about a child over the Christmas break you can report concerns to Medway Children's Services by following the details here.  

We try to instil the true meaning of Christmas in our pupils - the gift of giving. Pupils have had the opportunity to buy gifts at the Christmas shop. Thank you to the PTA for organising this successful event. Pupils also had visitors from the Family Trust who delivered a Christmas show linked to the true meaning of Christmas. The pupils were so engaged throughout and even showed some good dance moves and singing! I am sure you will agree that the pupils did a wonderful job in the Christmas nativities and shows at remembering the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of kindness and giving. 

I am sure you will enjoy reading the newsletter (hopefully with a mince pie)!

We look forward to welcoming pupils back to the academy on Tuesday 6th January 2026. The gates open promptly at 8:35am and close at 8:45am each morning so please arrive on time.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful New Year! 

Mrs G Stangroom

Principal

Hatchlings

This module we have been exploring how we express ourselves. We have been looking into how we can express ourselves through dancing, singing, stories and art. The Hatchlings put together their Art Show, displaying all of their amazing work this module. We also worked very hard throughout the Nativity and we are so proud of the children! 

The confidence and independence that the children are developing is wonderful to see. It is lovely to hear and see children comparing numbers when building towers, developing their cutting skills when being creative, communicating with each other clearly in the home corner, taking risks to try a new balance without holding a hand and showing their mark making skills. 

I would like to wish all of the Hatchlings and their families a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Please note that the new nursery timings are 8:35am -11:35am or 8:35am-2:35pm. Additional time can be booked until 3:20pm.

Grasshopper Class

What a wonderful time we have had in Module 2!  Our Central Idea, which linked to Celebrations, was really well placed as we celebrated Fireworks night, Diwali, and Christmas!  The children have really enjoyed all that those celebrations have brought to Grasshopper Class, particularly the Diwali Festival which saw us making our own Diya lamps and Christmas when we have made Christmas cards, decorations and learnt all about the birth of Jesus in our nativity.

Throughout the module, we have also started to learn about our feelings.  The Colour Monsters came to visit and loved it so much they have stayed!  This has really helped us to understand what we are feeling and how to communicate that to others.  

In Maths, we dived into numbers, learning numbers 1 to 5 and how they are made up. Practical maths activities are seen in all areas of our classroom, and the children have really engaged in counting, subitising and making amounts using all sorts of wonderful materials.

Grasshoppers Class achieved the ultimate in writing at the end of the module; as they wrote their own letters to the main man - Father Christmas!  Using all their phonics knowledge they were able to write a list of the presents they would like.

We were very proud of all the children in our nativity performance; they had worked so hard on this in the last few weeks.  Well done Grasshoppers for a fantastic magical term, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in Module 3.

Dragonfly Class

The Dragonflies have enjoyed another wonderful module, working incredibly hard and showing great curiosity in their inquiries.

We began the module by exploring how nature changes throughout the year. The children observed and recorded the weather over a two-week period, using symbols to track different conditions. Our classroom was soon transformed into a mini weather station, where the Dragonflies bravely stepped into the role of weather forecasters - confidently sharing current and future weather reports with their classmates! This investigation naturally led us into learning about the four seasons and the types of weather we experience in each one.

Next, we considered how people use nature for enjoyment. Many children shared how much they love visiting the beach in summer to build sandcastles. This sparked our curiosity about seaside holidays in the past, and we learned all about how the Victorians enjoyed their time at the seaside. We ended the term with a fantastic Victorian seaside day, where the children created and performed their very own Punch and Judy shows - an experience they all thoroughly enjoyed.

As we approached the festive season, the Dragonflies took part in a range of special Christmas activities and events. They joined Hatchlings, Grasshoppers and Ladybirds for a beautiful Christingle service, and they have worked exceptionally hard learning their lines, songs and actions for our Christmas Nativity.

Thank you for all your support this module. I hope all the Dragonflies and their families have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Ladybird Class

This module has flown by and it is amazing how much learning we have done! Ladybird Class work hard all the time and have completed some lovely work and have also demonstrated how much progress they have made already.

Our inquiry learning this module has been linked to learning about another culture and we have focused on Africa and Ghana. We have learnt about the human and physical features of Africa and compared them to the UK. We have also read important stories from Africa such as ‘Fly Eagle Fly’ which is set in Ghana and How Anansi got his stories which is an important traditional tale told in Africa. We created some beautiful art work using the descriptions in ‘Fly Eagle Fly’ and have written our own short story based on Anansi the spider.

We have also been learning about some significant celebrations in Africa and in the UK. We celebrated Christingle this module with Year 1, Grasshopper Class and the Hatchlings and learnt about Kwanzaa- an important celebration in Africa.

In science we have been learning about animals and their habitats and have learnt how some animals are adapted to their environment such as the camel and the giraffe.

We also worked hard on our Nativity this year which we performed with Year 1 and we were all very proud of how confident the pupils were.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families and I look forward to welcoming the pupils back in 2026! Merry Christmas.

Spider Class

Module 2 has been another busy one full of learning and fun! This module, Spider Class has been learning all about how people from different religions and times express themselves in a variety of ways. We looked at fascinating artefacts from the Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, interpreting the meaning behind their artwork. We then replicated some of these designs, adding our own creative expression to the work. Using our knowledge from the artefacts we studied, we then wrote non-chronological reports about the Celts, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, using Google Slides to showcase our knowledge and research skills. In addition, we listened to a range of different music and expressed our interpretations through dance, which was a fantastic way to combine creativity with personal reflection.

One of the highlights of this module was our trip to Rochester Cathedral, where we learned about how Christian beliefs are expressed through the beautiful stained glass windows. The class were excellently behaved throughout the visit — they were open-minded, respectful and curious. We couldn’t have been prouder of them!

Of course, the excitement of Christmas well and truly kicked in, with productions, pantomimes and jumper day all adding to the festive fun. It has been a joyful and busy end to the module.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026!

Cricket Class

As we look back on our learning in Module 2, it’s amazing to see just how much we’ve achieved during such a busy and exciting term! We’ve been diving into The Arts and exploring how different art forms help us express ourselves.

We began the module by learning about a variety of artists and musicians, discovering how painting styles and music have changed over time. From there, we explored the Pop Art movement and created our own vibrant pieces inspired by Andy Warhol and his unique artistic techniques.

A real highlight has been publishing our English work. We dug deeper into the lives of musicians across the decades, focusing on Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, and Taylor Swift. We produced detailed biographies, listened to their music, and enjoyed learning more about their fascinating journeys. We also explored how music genres have evolved and created our own “book creators” to showcase this learning.

Our inquiry into sound has been equally exciting. Cricket Class loved discovering how sound is made and how it travels to our ears. We carried out lots of hands-on experiments to explore vibrations, and the results were truly fascinating!

Without a doubt, one of the most memorable parts of this module has been uncovering our own artistic talents—both in visual art and through performance. Preparing for the Christmas production and the Young Voices concert has filled us with enthusiasm and pride. To say we are excited would be an understatement!

As we wrap up the module, Miss Spittles and Mrs Larkin would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ant Class

Ant Class have had a fantastic, sporty module, learning about the Ancient Olympics and considering how sport can bring people together.  We have interviewed Ancient Olympians, made Stop Motion Animation of an Olympic Sport and written Non Chronological Reports, Biographies and even made Quattrain poems!  In our inquiries we investigated the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the class had great fun finding Olympia on Google Earth.

In RE this Module, we have been learning about Islam.  The class have been learning about what it means to be Muslim in today's world.  We were fortunate enough to have a visit from two members of the same Muslim family who attend the local Mosque in Gillingham.   They taught us about their beliefs, how they celebrate Ramadan and why, as well as discussing the 5 Pillars of Islam in more detail.  We were lucky enough that the father was able to write in Arabic and he even gave the children their own name cards!

Butterfly Class

Everyone in Butterfly Class has impressed me throughout Module 2. They have been really engaged in their inquiry learning linked to the Tudor period of history. The biography of Henry VIII and their recount linked to the text My Friend Walter have shown the knowledge they have gained during this module. Pupils have been able to consider events in chronological order during the Tudor period and consider how decisions made by some Tudor monarchs have changed history. Additionally, pupils have been becoming more resilient when thinking about their arithmetic strategies. Our knowledge of fractions has really progressed this module too.  Many pupils went home and created posters for our maths learning wall to help our understanding in class. 

In the last few weeks pupils have been expressing themselves though art by producing Tudor portraits as well as AI art!

Well done Year 6! Thank you for helping me dust off my class teacher skills too! I have enjoyed every minute! Happy Christmas! Mrs Stangroom

Gold Passes - Module 2

Congratulations to the pupils who were awarded a gold pass in Module 2 for showing exemplary behaviour:

Year 1: Elliott L, Fia G, Henry W, Harry G

Year 2: Axel H, Frankie W, Leo W

Year 3: Orla D, Jacob J, Stanley F, Evie N

Year 4: Olivia L, Ellia S, Rose H, Lottie M

Year 5: Mia R, Kai P, Jensen J, Hunter G

Year 6: Mya H, Halle W, Lottie C, Hannah O

Enterprise Week

Following Enterprise week at school, Lily in Year 5, produced a business plan and organised a slime-selling venture from her kitchen window, where she raised a total of £65!   She chose to use the money to purchase new toys which she donated to the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal.

The family spoke to Ruth (the leader at the Strood Salvation Army) who informed them they were lacking donations for 8 year olds. Lily picked a selection of toys and they met with Ruth who informed them they were receiving a lot of requests for presents this year from local families Lily said “It was so nice to be able to help others”

Sports Update

Well done to our pupils who took part in the LAT Swimming gala in November - they were placed 7th out of 15th so a very good result. We are looking forward tot he Mini Youth Games Swimming in January when a team of eight will represent the academy.

PTA

Thank you again to the PTA.  In addition to assisting pupils with the Christmas shop, they organised raffle tickets for the 8 Christmas Hampers. All lucky winners have now been contacted - congratulations.  The PTA even arranged for a special visitor from the North Pole who took time out of his busy schedule to visit pupils.

Punctuality

Please note that the school opens from 08:35am and the gates close promptly at 8:45am  Please support your child in attending on time so that registration can be taken, ready to start their learning.

Communication / Outstanding Debts, etc

A polite reminder to regularly check the MCAS app to keep updated with all communication and to check that there are no outstanding debts, etc.

Photographs

Please see the attached certificate from Braiswicks photographers.

Useful Information:-

Helping Families Access Wraparound Childcare Through Universal Credit

Did you know? Parents who receive Universal Credit can claim up to 85% of their childcare costs, including Wraparound care such as breakfast clubs and after-school provision. This support can make a real difference for families, helping them manage work commitments while ensuring children have access to safe, enriching environments before and after school.

How to claim:

• Parents can apply through their Universal Credit account.

• They will need to provide evidence of childcare costs (such as invoices or receipts).

• Payments are made directly to parents after costs are incurred.

If you have any questions or would like additional support, please contact Kali Sterling Childcare Specialist and Work Coach at the Department for Work and Pensions kali.sterling@dwp.gov.uk

Free Adult Counselling:-

Please see information on free Adult Counselling  Appointments are available in January.

Please see the following message regarding e-scooters from the Road Safety Team at Medway Council :-

Strive Active  are excited to extend their FREE sessions throughout January 2026.  Pickleball is a fun, fast-growing sport that’s perfect for children, adults and all abilities — a great way for families to get active together while learning something new!

When: Saturdays from 11am to 12-midday throughout January 2026
Cost: Completely FREE!
Who: Any family members aged 8 years and up, and all abilities welcome!
Where: King’s Sports Centre, Rochester

Places are limited, so please sign up via Pebble to secure a place using the QR code on the attached flyer.

MedwayGo Christmas activities:-

Dates for your diary

Please see dates for your diary under Important Documents in the MCAS app.  Please check regularly as these dates are subject to change and are updated regularly.