Autumn Term Newsletter #9

14th November 2025

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been another productive week in school: our phonics advisor was back on Tuesday to work with Miss Henney designing bespoke coaching for all our staff who deliver phonics sessions; our JLT Votes for Schools Ambassdors helped to lead a webinar for a range of schools across the country as part of Anti-Bullying Week; Y6 have begun their booster sessions and the teaching team were at Jupiter Primary on Wednesday sharing their excellent practice with our Trust colleagues; this morning, the Mayor of Watford joined us in assembly to present certificates to Dylan, Reza, Fraser and Nana for their contributions to the 'Guardians of the River Colne' project.

Values: This week appreciation has been the theme as we participated in an assembly and a minute silence to mark Remembrance Day. In Celebration Assembly, we recognised children who are always appreciative and respectful of others in our community. Next week, we shine a light on kindness and consider how our actions impact upon others.

Votes for Schools: This week's question has been the focus of our Anti-Bullying Week work as children considered 'Is it easy to stand up for yourself?' The workshop explored a range of strategies children can implement and explored a selection of scenarios to discuss solutions. Next week, we change topic to consider 'Should people still be given knighthoods?'

DSPL9: Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL) coordinate SEND provision across our area of the county. They have tips and advice for families which can be found on their newsletter here.

Nativity: Year 2/3 will be performing a festive production this term. Each class will hold their own performance on the following dates: 10/12, 2.30pm - Tokyo, 11/12, 2.30pm - Jakarta, 12/12, 2.30pm - Colombo. Details about tickets will be available shortly. We are currently in the process of coordinating our annual sing-along events with other community stakeholders.

Next week, temperatures are predicted to tumble. Please make sure your child is wearing suitable layers for the cold: a warm coat will be essential. Have a great weekend.

Best wishes,

Mr. Matt Morey - Headteacher

Upcoming Dates...

Thu 20th Nov - Y5 Science Museum Trip

Y5 are off to London to enrich their science learning

Fri 21st Nov - PTA Disco

Three events in one for different age groups. Check the PTA section below for details.

Mon 24th Nov - Matt Turmaine MP Visit

Matt Turmaine will be answering questions from pupils and visiting classrooms

Fri 28th Nov - School Closed

Occasional Day - school shut to pupils and staff

Mon 1st Dec - Inset Day

School closed to pupils for staff training

Fri 5th Dec - Pantomime Trip

The whole school will be off to Watford Palace Theatre to enjoy the story of Jack and the Beanstalk

School calendar

Attendance

Attendance is much improved 96.0% this week back to the high standards we set ourselves earlier in the term. Excellent attendance is vital for successful learning. Lots of sleep, plenty of water and a balanced diet can help to keep childen healthy and in school. Congratulations to Rome who have taken the top spot for the first time with an impressive 100%. Learning is cumulative and each lesson builds on the last.

Class Attendance Summary:

1. Rome 100%

2. Colombo 99.6%

3. Kingston 97.8%

4. London 97.4%

5. Cusco 97.4%

6. Cairo 96.9%

7. Tokyo 96.4%

8. Rio 95.8%

9. Jakarta 94.0%

10. Kampala 90.3%

11. New York 89.2%

Values Champions

This week has been full of children making excellent choices and working on our school values. The children listed below were recognised in assembly for their outstanding efforts! They were ready to learn, respectful of the environment and their peers and they were resilient and worked hard throughout. Well done, everyone!

Reception:

London - Lola

Year 1:

Rome - Ronnie-Dean

Year 2/3:

Colombo - Derin

Jakarta - Rohan

Tokyo - Isaac

Year 4:

Cairo - Ellie

Kampala - Frida

Year 5:

Rio - Ralph

Cusco - Amina

Year 6:

New York - Isabelle

Kingston - Sophia

House Points

Children’s attitude to learning has been recognised through the collection of dojo points, which are then totalled as house points across the school. Every child continues to show their commitment to being Ready, Respectful and Resilient, earning points for their house. Each half term the points are reset and a new competition begins. This week Curie have raced ahead and taken a sizeable lead this early in the half term. Congratulations to everyone involved. Every point represents a moment of success this term.

Here’s how the points stand:

1st: Curie with 890 points (+431 points)

2nd: Alhazen with 851 points (+382 points)

3rd: Sharman with 790 points (+320 points)

4th: Carver with 780 points (+349 points)

Let’s keep up the great work and continue to support each other as we aim for the top!

Class News

This week in Reception

This week, the children in Reception have been learning about Remembrance Day and the significance of the poppy. We talked about why we wear poppies-to remember the brave soldiers who helped keep us safe. To help us think about this important day, we got creative and the children enjoyed making poppy pictures. It was a very thoughtful and creative way for our youngest students to mark the occasion.

This week in Year 1

Year 1 have been learning about Diwali, building on their previous knowledge and first-hand experiences of this celebration. The children explored the story and meaning behind the Festival of Light, then had the opportunity to create their own diva lamps from clay. Once dry, they carefully painted and decorated them to represent light and joy—symbols that are central to the celebration of Diwali.

This week in Year 2 / 3

This week in Year 2/3, we've been busy getting creative! The children made beautiful poppies for Remembrance Day and took part in a two- minute silence to show their respect to those who lost their lives during the war. In English, we explored our focus text 'Perfect Parrot for Sale'. The children created colourful 'Parrot for Sale' posters, using persuasive language and plenty of imagination.

This week in Year 4

In Year 4, we've been busy across the curriculum! In Maths, we've started exploring the concepts of area and perimeter, learning how to measure the space inside and the distance around 2D shapes. Our Science topic is the fascinating digestive system, where children had a hands-on session drawing and labelling the various organs.

In English, our exciting "hook" lesson was a journey right out of a storybook! We stepped through the wardrobe and discovered the magical, snow-laden world of Narnia. This exciting trip has set the stage for our main writing focus this half term: drafting a truly imaginative recount titled, "The Day I Met Aslan," where children can bring the magnificent lion to life on the page!

This week in Year 5

It's been a very busy week for year 5. Remembering our fallen heroes on the 11th November, creating beautiful poppy art and Anti-bullying week have been just a few of the things we have done. In support of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, children created a PSHE bingo card which they stuck on their tables. Kindness throughout the next week should help them complete these. Children also created posters to show they know which steps to take to stand up to bullying.

This week in Year 6

This week, Year 6 explored the fascinating world of vision as they learned about the different parts of the eye. Pupils were eager to ask questions and showed great curiosity as they discovered how each part works together to help us see. It’s been wonderful to see them so Ready to learn and engage with their science learning.

This week in Staff Meetings

The team completed a moderation exercise ensuring that we are all assessing children's written work in a consistent way. There were some great discussions to iron out some details. Thank you to Mrs Tang for coordinating our writing journey at Lanchester.

Friends of Lanchester

It’s only a week away until our first event of this half term and we have lots more coming up!

Please do sign up for a volunteer slot and help us make these events a success. We can’t do it without you! Sign up here:

https://volunteersignup.org/YPJQW

Christmas cards

You should have received a proof back with your child’s lovely festive design. Ordering is now open for cards, mugs, wrapping paper, diaries and much more! Please order by the end of today.

Winter disco

Don’t forget to get your ticket for our Winter Disco next Friday 21st November.

Tickets include music, fun and games with a professional DJ as well as unlimited squash and a small snack. Please let us know if there are any dietary requirements.

Reception: 2:15- 3:10pm Tickets £3

Years 1-3: 3:20 - 4:20pm Tickets £5

Years 4-6: 4:30 - 6pm Tickets £7

You can buy your ticket online via the clickable link in the attached flyer or click here: https://www.pta-events.co.uk/friendsoflanchester/

Non-uniform day

Children can come in non-uniform on Friday 21st November (the same day as the disco) for a voluntary donation to our Christmas Hampers. This year we’re trying some slightly different themes and all hampers will be raffled at our Christmas Fair.

Please see your year group theme below:

Reception - Get baking - kids baking set, sprinkles, cookbooks, food, drink, anything to bake!

Year 1 - Family night in - popcorn, sweets, drink, chocolate, hot chocolate, crisps, takeaway voucher, anything film or movie related

Year 2/3 - Christmas festive treats hamper - anything related to Christmas including fairy lights, cakes, sweets, chocolate, drinks, biscuits, hot chocolate etc.

Year 4 - Book lover - kids and adults books in good condition, pens, bookmark, reading lamp, magazines.

Year 5 - Pamper hamper - baby, child and adult pamper related items such as bubble bath, eye mask, face mask, lip balm.

Year 6 - Toys and games - toys, sports items, anything science, craft or games

If you have items for any other hampers, we’d be very grateful.

Please bring donations in on Friday 21 November and leave in the glass foyer.

Christmas Fair

Our Christmas Fair is less than a month away. We’ve got lots of exciting games and stalls for all to enjoy.

Please do put the date in your diary, Saturday 6th December and invite friends and family.

We’ll be asking for donations in the lead up so please do support us where you can. It makes a huge difference.

Elfridges

Throughout the week of 8th December, our pop us seasonal shop, Elfridges, will open. Children will have the chance to come to school and choose presents for friends and family. They can then take them home, wrapped and labelled, ready to hand out.

There will be a wide range of gifts for males and females of all ages. Gifts will range in price from £1-3.

Dates for your diary

Friday 21st November - Disco and non-uniform day

Saturday 6th December - Christmas Fair

W/C Monday 8th December - Elfridges

Monday 15th and Thursday 18th December - Christmas Craftanoon

Don’t forget to follow us on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendsoflanchester or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsoflanchester/ or contact us by email: friendsoflanchester@gmail.com

Thanks for your support!

Friends of Lanchester committee - Tracey Bravo, Lawrence Brown, Louise Brown, Helen Gibson, Chloé Harper and Laura Robson

On Behalf of 'Friends of Lanchester CFS'

Registered Charity 1161580