Respect Collaboration Kindness Perseverance Honesty Responsibility
A very warm welcome back to school after what I hope was a restful and enjoyable Easter break for you all. The school feels vibrant again with everyone's return, and it's wonderful to see so many smiling faces ready for the term ahead.
We're incredibly excited about the learning journey that awaits us this term and we're also delighted to re-introduce our Delce Learner points! This initiative is designed to recognise and celebrate our pupils who consistently demonstrate our core values and show positive attitudes towards their learning and towards each other throughout the school day.
Each day, children will have the opportunity to earn up to 3 Delce Learner points by embodying these important qualities. We encourage you to have a chat with your child each day to celebrate their successes and acknowledge the points they have earned.
We're thrilled to offer an extra incentive for consistent effort. If children earn more than 12 Delce Learner points each week, they will be rewarded with additional playtime on a Friday. This will be a fantastic opportunity for them to enjoy fun games with their peers and staff.
Furthermore, we will be recognising significant achievements through certificates awarded for reaching certain milestones of Delce Learner points. For those children who continually demonstrate our core values and exemplary learning behaviours every single day, there will be a special reward at the end of each big term as a further acknowledgement of their outstanding commitment!
Beyond the Delce Learner points, our teachers have been busy planning a range of engaging and inspiring lessons across all subjects. From exploring new scientific concepts and delving into fascinating historical periods to unleashing creativity in art and music, there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to grow and discover new passions.
This term is also packed with exciting events and activities that will enrich your learning experience and foster a strong sense of community within our school. We'll be sharing more details about these in the coming weeks, so please keep an eye on the newsletter and our website.
As we embark on this new term and with the exciting return of Delce Learner points, I encourage all our pupils to continue to strive for their best, both in their learning and in how they interact with one another. Remember that our dedicated staff are here to support you every step of the way.
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!
To celebrate the learning we completed last term on Rivers,Year 3 and Jackson set off on their boat ride along the River Medway. They had a fantastic time and showed our values throughout, Well Done!
This term we have dived right in and considered what makes a good leader making links to our core text 'The Accidental Prime Minisiter'.
This week, we have been immersing ourselves in our new core text Wonder, by R J Palacio. We discussed what it means to be 'normal' and justified our opinions. We thought about the impact judgements can have on individuals. We then used our knowledge of expanded noun phrases to describe how the protagonist looks and feels.
Year 5 have settled into their first week back. They have immersed themselves into their new core 'Too Much Trouble' written by Avary Tom. The children explored Delce values and identified how and when rules are broken. Year 5 reflected on the importance of having rules and why following them supports both inside the school and the wider community.
Year 6 have been delving into multi-step problems this week. The children have showed responsibility and collaboration throughout the week to ensure all pupils have engaged and understood the order the operations. Year 6 have persevered this week through the hardships of revision!
Jackson class have enjoyed using rulers to measure length and height. We then used our adding and times table skills to work out the perimeter of a shape.
Adams class have enjoyed using new resources to enhance their reward times and playtime.
Attendance
Attendance Matters!
Well done to Goulding Class and Adams Class for great attendance this week!
Jackson - 81.82%
Adams - 87.5%
Rhodes - 93.75%
Dickens - 93.75%
Goulding - 96.12%
Brunel - 92.08%
Curie - 89.17%
Darwin - 88.33%
SEND
A message from our SENCO, Mr Palmer...
Mr. Palmer's Strategy of the Week!
Do your children with SEND enjoy sensory exploration and creative expression in a calm, familiar setting?
Have you considered creating a dedicated sensory play area at home? This can be a corner or even a whole room filled with items that engage their senses in different ways, like textured fabrics, soft lighting, calming sounds, and safe, open-ended materials for exploration.
For ideas and inspiration on setting up a home sensory space, you might find resources on websites like Sensory Trust: https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/
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!
Bornil - Rhodes
Maisie - Goulding
Mynhardt - Sharman
Sky - Goulding
Elijah - Dyson
Carter-Jay - Wright
Onyx - Darwin
Tazivaishe - Rhodes
Archie - Earhart
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 enter 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.
School Admissions
Admission information for Year 3 September 2025
Year 6 Secondary School Admission information.
Monday 5th May 2025 - Bank Holiday (School is closed)
Thursday 8th May 2025 - SEND Coffee Morning - 9am - 10am
Tuesday 8th May 2025 - Year 3 Trip to Gurdwara 9am - 12pm
Monday 12th May - Thursday 15th May 2025 - SATs Week (Year 6)
Monday 13th May 2025 - 11+ Registration opens for parents to apply
Monday 19th May 2025 - Year 6 Residential Information Evening - 3.45pm - 4.30pm (for those who are attending)
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.