Respect Collaboration Kindness Perseverance Honesty Responsibility
Welcome back, everyone! We hope you all had a wonderful bank holiday weekend and are feeling refreshed! As you would have seen in the email that came out this week, we would like to welcome our new headteacher, Miss North, who will be joining us in September! We know you'll all make her feel very welcome. This week, Year 3 went on a fascinating trip to the local Gurdwara right here in Rochester to learn about Sikhism and Year 5 learnt some important tips about staying safe online from Officer Rowan. Also, a big well done to our Year 6s who have been working incredibly hard on their SATs practice this week ahead of their tests next week. We're all wishing you the very best!
Our Core Value this term: Honesty
At Delce Academy, honesty means telling the truth, owning up to our actions and being trustworthy in all we do. It's about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
This half term, we are focusing on honesty as one of our core values. We hope to see all our children embrace honesty by speaking truthfully, admitting mistakes and showing integrity in their choices. By being honest, we build stronger friendships and create a safe and respectful school environment. Let’s celebrate honesty together and encourage one another to live by it every day!
Junior Leadership Team
This half term the JLT are working on supporting the school with the environment, raising the standard of presentation in books and encouraging all children to be fantastic role models. The JLT have delivered a meaningful and encouraging assembly to the whole school, we are so proud of them!
The JLT have participated in the presentation panel - a great opportunity for children to submit their work if they think they are meeting the success criteria for a pen licence. They have also been litter picking on the playground and encouraging everyone to look after the environment. Other members of the JLT have been tidying book and library areas.
The JLT met with Chartwell's to discuss the lunch menu at Delce Academy. They reflected on the variety of options, identified what worked well for the children at our school and also put forward some great suggestions for next year.
They worked collaboratively and discussed their thoughts and ideas, showcasing Delce values.
Well done team!
JLT excellent monitors were out and about this week. They visited every classroom to check the tidiness. They completed a thorough checklist and left thoughtful feedback for children to think about. Team work is dream work!
Year 3 have been developing their artistic skills by practicing different shading techniques to add depth and detail to their drawings. Inspired by artist Clare Haxby, the children created stunning interpretations of London Bridge, using pencil shading to bring their work to life.
Year 4 children have been learning about the Roman Empire. First we researched some key figures and then we looked at why the Roman army was so powerful and effective. We have also been thinking about in English what makes us different and how we can make sure all people including those with disabilities are treated equally. We then learnt about what makes a balanced argument and how we should listen to both sides of an issue fairly before making a decision for or against it.
Year 5 children have been busy learning about materials this half term. They have been experimenting with different solutions and working out if they can reverse any changes. They used the method of sieving and filtering to see if they could separate a mixture. Lots of discussions were had around the need for this process. They made links to real life and the process it takes for us to have clean water from our taps!
Year 6 have shown great collaboration to overcome situations that have become apparent over the past few weeks. The children have helped one another create strategies to cope with different situations, creating a toolbox of coping mechanisms. Discussions were had around how these strategies have helped in day-to-day school and personal life.
The DEC enjoyed a recent trip to Upnor castle and Upnor beach. The children role played different characters while at the castle, noticing the different size steps built to trick the enemy. We enjoyed watching a video of the history of the river Medway while having lunch linking it to our past learning.
Attendance
Attendance Matters!
Well done to Bell Class and Adams Class for great attendance the past two weeks!
Jackson - 92.22%
Adams - 97.62%
Rhodes - 92.04%
Dickens - 94.65%
Goulding - 92.78%
Brunel - 94.07%
Curie - 95.02%
Darwin - 90%
SEND
A message from our SENCO, Mr Palmer...
Mr. Palmer's Strategy of the Week!
Do you find your child struggles to regulate in the heat and this can often lead to frustrations? Do they forget to drink and this further leads to frustrations and becoming overheated?
Try using a water bottle with specific marks and specific times on it. This will help some children to understand how much they need to drink. Something like this may help:
Got a question or a concern about SEND? Book to get a 15 minute slot with Mr Palmer to discuss any concerns and strategies that may help! Just scan the QR code on the poster to book your slot.
Wishing the following children a Happy Birthday for the next two weeks!
Olivia-Mae - Brunel
Harley - Adams
Maksyms - Dyson
Skylar - Goulding
Elsa - Brunel
Rafael - Bell
Bobby - Dickens
Zachary - Brunel
Oluwalonimi - Earhart
Isla - Curie
Mohammed - Bell
Oliver - Dyson
Luca - Adams
Uniform at Delce
No hooped / dangly earrings, no trainers and long hair is to be tied back.
Please refer to our uniform policy or speak with the class teacher should you have any queries. The full overview of the uniform guidelines can be found here.
Pinafore dress – black/grey
Skirt – black/grey
White polo t-shirt
Jumper/Cardigan – with logo (purchase from School Time in Chatham)
Trousers – black/grey
Plain black/grey tights (worn with pinafore or skirt)
Socks - black /grey
Summer Dress - Chequered Blue dress
Shorts - Grey / Black shorts
We have observed an increase in footwear that does not comply with our school uniform policy, specifically non-black trainers. We understand that there may be temporary situations requiring alternative footwear, such as when new shoes are being purchased. We kindly request your cooperation in ensuring your child wears appropriate black footwear as per the uniform guidelines.
Additionally, we wish to remind you of our policy regarding jewellery. With the exception of items worn for religious or cultural purposes, bracelets, necklaces, and hooped/dangly earrings are not permitted. Starting Monday, any such items will be respectfully collected by staff and placed in a named envelope for collection from reception. This measure is to prevent loss or damage during the school day.
Please ensure your child is in full and correct uniform. Your support in maintaining our school's uniform standards is greatly appreciated.
Healthy Snacks!
A reminder about break-time snacks.
To support the health and wellbeing of all our pupils, we ask that children bring only healthy snacks to school for break times. This helps us to promote a positive and healthy eating environment for everyone.
Examples of healthy snacks include:
Fresh fruit (e.g., apples, bananas, grapes, berries)
Vegetable sticks (e.g., carrots, cucumber, peppers)
Yogurt
Rice cakes
Small portion of cheese
Homemade popcorn (no added sugar)
We appreciate your support in reinforcing healthy eating habits. Your cooperation ensures that break times contribute positively to our children's energy levels and overall wellbeing.
As we are now in the summer term, we are looking for enthusiastic parents and carers to join the Friends of Delce Academy and help make a positive impact on our school community.
Being part of this group is a fantastic way to support school events, fundraising initiatives and create memorable experiences for our children. Whether you can offer a little time or a lot, every contribution makes a difference!
We also welcome parent helpers to assist with activities such as school trips, special events and classroom support. If you’re interested in getting involved, please speak to a member of staff or contact the school office.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
If relevant staff are not available and your concern is urgent you can contact:
Medway Children’s Services directly on 01634 334466 and / or,
The Police on 101 (non-emergency) or,
999 (emergency) depending on the level of concern
If you have a safeguarding concern about a member of staff, please inform our Headteacher, Mr Harris.
Monday 12th May - Thursday 15th May 2025 - SATs Week (Year 6)
Monday 19th May 2025 - Year 6 Residential Information Evening - 3.45pm - 4.30pm (for those who are attending)
Monday 19th May 2025 - Friday 13th June 2025 - Medway Test (11+) registration opens via Medway Council website
Tuesday 20th may 2025 - Learn with your child session (in school) 9am- 9.20am
Thursday 22nd May 2025 - Whole Class Photos
Friday 23rd May 2025 - Last day of Term
Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May 2025 - Half Term
Monday 2nd June 2025 - First day back
W/C Monday 2nd June 2025 (2 weeks) - Year 4 Multiplication Checks
Friday 6th June 2025 - Year 6 Chessington Trip (Pay via Arbor for Year 6 Leavers Activities)
Wednesday 11th June - Friday 13th June 2025 - Year 6 Residential
Friday 13th June 2025 - INSET Day (School is closed to pupils)
Wednesday 18th June 2025 - Year 6 Theatre Trip (Pay via Arbor for Year 6 Leavers Activities)
Wednesday 25th June 2025 - Sports Day (details to follow)
Friday 27th June 2025 - Year 6 Sleepover (Pay via Arbor for Year 6 Leavers Activities)
Thursday 3rd July 2025 - SEND Coffee Morning 9am - 10am
Friday 4th July 2025 - Year 6 Beach Trip (Pay via Arbor for Year 6 Leavers Activities)
Friday 11th July 2025 - Year 6 leavers Production (Timings to be confirmed)
Friday 18th July 2025 - Year 6 Leavers Assembly / Graduation (9.30am - 11/11.30am)
Summer Term Foodie News
Chartwells - our school meal provider – has launched their new Summer menu, filled with crowd-pleasing classics and fresh, seasonal flavours.
See the new menu below or visit the school website.
There is plenty of foodie fun planned for the summer term with themed menus such, Mexican themed Fiesta Fun in May and celebrating National Picnic Week in June.
All theme menus can be found here.
Complaints procedures
At Delce, we aim to meet our statutory obligations when responding to complaints from our parents. Parents should follow our Complaints Policy that explains the procedures that should be followed.
Stage 1: Informal
The complainant should raise the complaint as soon as possible with the relevant member of staff or the headteacher as appropriate, either in person or by letter, telephone or email. If the complainant is unclear who to contact or how to contact them, they should contact the school office.
If the complaint is not resolved informally, it will be escalated to a Stage 2 formal complaint. The school will maintain a log of informal complaints and review this on a termly basis.
Stage 2: Formal
If the issue cannot be resolved through informal action the complainant should inform the headteacher in writing. This letter will be acknowledged within three working days. Formal complaints must be reported the local governing body. The local governing body must then be kept informed about progress and outcomes. This letter should provide details such as relevant dates, times, and the names of witnesses of events, alongside copies of any relevant documents. The complainant should also state what they feel would resolve the complaint.
For more details visit our website.