High Halstow Primary Academy Newsletter

July 2024

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents/Carers

Module 6 has provided our pupils with the opportunity to participate in our annual Sports Day and what a day it was! Well done to the Herons on their victory in 2024! There have been further sporting successes to celebrate too. 5th placed position in the Mini Youth Games Cricket event, 3rd in the LAT Athletics event, 3rd in the LAT Cricket event and 8th in the Mini Youth Games Athletics event. I was particularly proud of the athletics team who represented the academy with me at the Mini Youth Games event. They received the Fair Play Award which was voted for by the other 28 schools in attendance. Well done to all of the competitors at this year's events.

Our Year 6 pupils received their end of KS2 SATS results last week. The results are amongst our highest to date! 81% of Year 6 achieved the expected standard in reading, maths and writing, 20% above the national outcome. The pupils already knew how proud we were of them but we are delighted that their results have reflected just how hard they all worked. We wish Year 6 every success as they leave High Halstow Primary Academy.

Our pupils have had the chance to spend some time in their new class with their new teacher and teaching assistant in the last few weeks. The teachers have been busy holding meetings where they discuss the pupils in detail to ensure the new teacher is as informed as possible. You will have also received the transition books with some photographs and information that you might find useful to share with your child at different times over the summer.

As another academic year draws to a close I would like to thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to your child's education. We know we ask you to remember a lot and to support us with a great deal to help provide your child with the best learning opportunities during their primary education. We certainly couldn't do it without you so thank you.

I hope you all have an enjoyable summer break and we will look forward to welcoming Year 1-6 back on Monday 2nd September.

Mrs G Stangroom

Principal

Grasshopper Class

This module we have been learning and exploring all about pirates and the sea. We found a map and some clues in our classroom that we followed together around the school and this led us to buried treasure in our garden! We made lists of the treasure, counted the things we had found and even made our own maps and told our own stories all about pirates. We have particularly enjoyed looking at different sea creatures and learning about the strange and mysterious animals of the deep- we thought some of them looked very interesting!

As we draw to the end of our Reception Year together we have spent lots of time thinking about talking all about what we have learnt this year, and what we would like to achieve in Year 1. We have spoken about how we feel and we know that everything that we feel about this big transition is normal and ok. We are learning to also develop empathy for how others in our class feel and ‘oking’ this feeling too. Us staff in Grasshopper class can’t wait to hear and see about all the wonderful things they all achieve in Year 1.

From all of us in the Reception team- have a fabulous summer!

Dragonfly Class

Wow Dragonflies, what a way to end the year and hasn’t it gone by quickly! We started by looking at changes of school across different time periods. We wrote fantastic letters to our adults at home to ask them all about their time at school. Thank you for all your replies, we thoroughly enjoyed reading them in school. We learnt so much about different games played, the lessons that were taught and how technology has changed. We had an absolute blast during our Victorian Day. We learnt to write like a Victorian, sew and do technical drawings of Queen Victoria. Miss Spittles and Mrs M took the role very seriously but Dragonflies ended up enjoying it way more than a normal school day. We were asked many times to change our classroom so we could always sit in rows! Dragonfly class have not only been amazing writers but also brilliant inquirers this module using their geography skills to create their own maps of the classroom and school. We also did some fieldwork using our senses to explore what we would find in our school. Dragonflies have become very knowledgeable about the different seasons and the changes we would expect to see happen.

It has been an absolute pleasure to teach Dragonfly Class this year. I have loved watching you grow and mature into wonderful individuals. Thank you for all the laughs and the memories we have had. Enjoy your summer and I can’t wait to see what you get up to in Year 2!

Ladybird Class

I can’t believe that we have come to the end of the school year again. I am so proud of all the pupils in Ladybird Class - they have all worked so hard and have all made so much progress. I have really enjoyed teaching them this year and I know that they are all going to be fantastic in Year 3!

It has been a very busy module as usual with lots of learning and events. Active week was very successful again this year and Ladybird Class all had their own individual successes during the week to be proud of. They really enjoyed taking part in the rounders tournament and the relay races.

In science we have been learning about animals and humans and this has included learning about life cycles and keeping healthy. Our D&T linked with our science work and we designed and made healthy sandwiches. We then had a picnic when we were able to eat our sandwiches!

In history we have been learning about Florence Nightingale and the work she did to improve hospitals. Ladybird Class really enjoyed this learning and were really enthusiastic to learn about the war in Crimea and what the conditions were like when Florence first arrived.

Ladybird Class enjoyed meeting their new Year 3 teacher during transition week and are all looking forward to being in Spider Class next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents and carers of the pupils in Ladybird Class for your support this year- it really does make a difference to the pupils.

Have a lovely summer break with your families.

Mrs Martin

Spider Class

Although I have said at the end of each module that I can’t believe how quickly it has gone, I really can’t believe we have already come to the end of Year 3! We have enjoyed all of the modules because they have all been so interesting and different however the class really enjoyed module 6!

In our inquiries and through our English lessons we have learnt all about the Ancient Egyptians - although there is still so much we could have learnt. The class were fascinated by the beliefs and rituals of this ancient civilization, particularly by the process of mummification - we even mummified tomatoes. We also enjoyed our school visit to Maidstone Museum and seeing Kent’s real life mummy. During the workshop, we had the opportunity to handle actual artefacts from thousands of years ago.

Active Week was also a fantastic week. The pupils enjoyed trying new things such as rounders. Their efforts at Sports Day was amazing!

Thank you for a great year Spider Class!

Miss Lewis

Cricket Class

Here we are coming to the end of Module 6 and it really feels like it was only yesterday when the children first entered Cricket Class. Where did that time go? This module we have delved into the world of tourism, have explored various locations around the UK and have seen what our beautiful country has to offer. We used our extensive research to write some interesting non-chronological reports all about a county of our choice and what tourist attractions can be found there. We studied and evaluated a range of famous landmarks and buildings so that we could design and make our own. In science, we have been looking at our local environment, have undertaken habitat studies to see what living things we have all around us and have learnt how to classify a range of living things. Lastly, we cannot forget the excitement of Active week. The children did so well in their sports activities and were able to take part in many competitive games such as a rounders and football tournament.

I have loved having the opportunity to teach Cricket Class this year and cannot express how much I have enjoyed watching the children blossom and grow in confidence as learners. Crickets really have been an incredible class and I look forward to seeing them flourish as they progress through the academy. I wish you all the very best in the future-I know that you will be amazing in Year 5. Keep smiling, keep laughing and keep learning! Have a fantastic and well deserved summer break.

Miss Tyler

Ant Class

Can you believe that Ant Class have come to the end of Year 5 already?! This year really has flown by. I’m so proud of every member of the class for the progress they have made and the memories created along the way.

This module we delved straight into inquiries around importation and exportation around the world, before focussing on South America. The children’s South American geography has become very impressive! They not only learnt to locate the countries and capital cities, but we also looked into the climate there and the different vegetation belts and biomes.

The children have written brilliant setting descriptions this term, based around the Amazon rainforest. They have also written extremely persuasive letters to you all, persuading you to buy Fair Trade!

We’ve been really enjoying our PE lessons this term too. Charlie, a coach from Kent Cricket, has been with us each week and we’ve been lucky enough to use the cricket club.

What an amazing year we have all had Ant Class… well done for all your hard work, you are all superstars! Have a great summer holiday.

Mrs Hughes

Butterfly Class

As we approach the end of the academic year, we reflect on the incredible journey Year 6 has had during our final module. It has been an eventful term filled with valuable experiences and remarkable achievements. During Enterprise Week, the pupils came together and showcased their creativity and teamwork by creating colourful designs on bubbles. Their entrepreneurial spirit was truly inspiring, and it was wonderful to see them applying their business skills in such a practical and engaging way. Butterfly Class had the opportunity to participate in money workshops, where they gained valuable insights into financial literacy and the importance of responsible money management. In PSHE the pupils engaged in thoughtful discussions and thorough preparations for the challenges that lie ahead in secondary transition. By addressing their concerns and providing guidance, we have supported our students in building resilience and equipped them with the necessary tools to navigate this crucial phase of their educational journey. Of course, our year wouldn't be complete without an outstanding production. This year, Butterfly Class took on the challenge of 'Robin and The Sherwood Hoodies’' and demonstrated exceptional acting and communication skills. In summary, they have exhibited enviable skills and an unwavering commitment to their education. Year 6 also attended a three day residential at Carroty Wood where they enjoyed a range of activities and showed new talents and skills. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and how they have embraced the opportunities presented to them. They truly have made this year a memorable one and have set a high standard for future Year 6 cohorts. We wish the pupils the best of luck in the future!

Miss Limb and Mrs Atkinson

SPORTS / PE

What a brilliant final module of sport it has been at High Halstow!

The module started with the football Mini Youth Games at Anchorians Football Club. A team of 10 children went along and played extraordinarily well all day. They worked incredibly hard as a team and respected their opponents at all times. Their hard work and team work paid off! After winning all of our 8 matches, High Halstow finished in 1st place out of 37 schools! We were officially crowned football Mini Youth champions… What an achievement!

However, the success did not stop there. A team of 10 children went to the cricket Mini Youth Games at the end of June. Again, they played extremely well all day, showing excellent sportsmanship and winning every single match that they played! We were ecstatic when we found out that we’d finished in 3rd place out of 26 schools! Another trophy to add to our library shelf; it is filling up quickly!

Last week, we had three more sports competitions! The first of the week was the Leigh Academies Trust Athletics at Dartford Athletics Club. Twenty children from Year 5 and Year 6 enjoyed a variety of track and field events in a really fun and friendly environment. We were absolutely thrilled to find out we’d come 3rd out of the 14 LAT schools! The children all received a bronze medal and again, another trophy to add to the shelf!

Two days later, we had a team go off to the LAT cricket tournament, whilst another team went to Medway Park for the Athletics Mini Youth Games! Both events were a huge success, where the children’s exceptional behaviour and attitudes really shone through. In the cricket, the team won all their matches and therefore made it through to the semi-final! Unfortunately, they were knocked out by just 3 runs! However, we were over the moon to have finished 3rd out of the 14 schools.

The athletics was a brilliant day, with a double-celebration at the end! The children not only came in 8th place out of 29 schools, but they also won the Fair Play award! We were so proud of them all.

Back at school, Active Week was once again a tremendous success, allowing every child to take part in a variety of events and experience some intra-school competition, whilst having a lot of fun along the way! The children loved taking part in our version of the Euros (it was a very exciting final between Spain and Croatia!); a morning of fun relay races; running race heats; a KS1 ball festival; a whole school rounders tournament and of course… Sports Day! We had a very eventful and fun-filled day over at the park and cricket club, where the children participated in a variety of races and activity stations. A huge congratulations to the Herons who have taken the title this year as our new champions!

Well done to everyone for a phenomenal sporting year at High Halstow!

Jazz and Baxter

Jazz and Baxter would like to wish everyone an enjoyable Summer break.

GOLD PASSES - Module 6

Congratulations to the pupils who were awarded a gold pass in Module 6 for showing exemplary behaviour.

Year 1: Cady-Leigh, Lucy, Roseann, Hallie, Matilda, Ronnie

Year 2: Jake, Charlotte, Amelie, Elsie, Ellia, Aimee

Year 3: Teddy, Jensen, Sienna, Mia, Ella, Rose

Year 4: Charlotte, Pearl-Blossom, Martin, Tommy, Mya, Jemima

Year 5: Isaac, Thomas, Lily, Freya, Leighton, Edward

Year 6: Kenny, Amy, Chloe, Lois, Jack, Mason

House Point Winners - Module 6

1. Skylark

2. Heron

3. Lapwing

4. Redshank

PTA

A big thank you to our PTA for all of their hard work this year in raising funds. I am sure you will agree that they do an amazing job a putting on events and raising vital funds for the academy. The inflatable event on Wednesday was a huge success!

Please look out for the dates of the PTA meetings in the new academic year-your support will be greatly appreciated.

Reporting Absence - School Text Number

You can text the school directly on 0786 005 4448. Please use this or the messaging function in MCAS if you need to report your child's absence from school. For safeguarding reasons absences must be reported by 09:00am. Please note that all TEXT messages will be read and acted upon but we are unable to send a response.

Learning starts at 08:45. Please ensure that your child arrives at the gate by 08:35 to ensure a prompt start.

Dates for your diary

Summer Break:

Monday 22nd July to Friday 30th August 2024

Monday 2nd September: Pupils in Year 1-6 begin Module 1

Tuesday 3rd September: Year R begin school

Wednesday 4th September-Meet the Teacher event 3:15pm in your child's classroom.

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