leigh academy paddock wood

Newsletter

Mr moore's news update

Dear Parents and Carers,

I write to you all on the final day of this term. The year has raced by and I am proud of the children for what they have achieved thus far whilst looking forward to what term 6 has in store. There are so many fantastic community events, trips, learning opportunities and preparations for next academic year taking place already.

Across this last week we saw our squadron of mini police cadets take part in their fist session. The team are gearing themselves towards a social action and raising awareness across the community whilst learning more about what the police force do and what it takes to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Year 3 also continued their inquiry into how our locality has changed and continues to change over time. The tour of the local area saw the children taking the lead role as tour guides, demonstrating their knowledge of Paddock Wood and how it has changed year after year.

Furthermore, see below to find out all about how our Wellbeing Champions are taking action to raise awareness for Mental Health month.

Action is a huge part of our curriculum. What we mean by this phrase is the process of deciding to act to make somebody's life better or to make the world a better place. This can be litter picking, writing to the local government to push for change or raising money for charity (amongst many other initiatives). A great point of conversation is to talk about how we can all take action both locally and on a wider global scale. We want all children to feel motivated to make their communities better places and we can help inspire them together. I feel strongly that this is a key part of their personal development and have noticed how the children of Paddock Wood have initiative and want to work collaboratively to make positive changes. We should all be proud of this and do all we can to foster such ways of thinking.

I have recently received a vast number of requests for holidays to be taken during term time. Over the year, I have received over 100 requests for term time holidays. I would like to reiterate Kent County Councils stance below:

Taking a child on holiday during term time in England is not permitted, and parents can face fines or legal action. Kent County Council (KCC) has a statutory duty to set term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools, and the Department for Education (DfE) has made changes to the legislation regarding term time holidays. Specifically, the DfE no longer allows schools to authorize term time holidays in any circumstance.

Please be reminded that we must align with this legislation and will not authorise term time holidays. Every day of learning is of utmost importance to us in our drive to ensure that every child is as successful as possible and makes outstanding progress with us. Missed days of learning have a profound impact. Please be mindful of this when sending requests for absence.

We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 3rd June following our Inset day on Monday 2nd June.

Yours sincerely and have a lovely half term break,

Mr Moore

attendance

This week our overall academy attendance has been 95.4%. Our attendance this academic year is 95.7%.

Our winning year group is Year 4 this week with 97.7% so congratulations to all pupils for being in school as much as you can!

All Year 4 children have received some additional playtime today to celebrate this...and of course will be the holders of the Attendance Weekly Cup for a week!

Proud@paddockwoodcommunity

This week we are really proud of...

lucy

goldings class

Lucy will be walking 12 miles over half term to raise money for Demelza Hospice for "Miles in May". Any donations are kindly being DOUBLED by the owners of Babyccino, the local coffee shop. We are really proud of her fundraising efforts, for such a worthwhile cause.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/l-cooper-4?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=WA

frankie 2t

Frankie was very pleased to receive her gold award at Rainbows . She worked very hard. Well done Frankie, we are so proud of you!

genevieve 3m

Genevieve took part in the Kent regional heat of the UK Aerial Performance Championship. She did amazingly well! We are very proud of her!

jack 1OB

Jack is super excited to have achieved his yellow stripe (9th Kup) in Taekwondo! Well done Jack; we are super proud of you too!

Marley 1M

Marley was recently a mascot for the Chelsea Women's Team. He walked out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge with pride. To make it even better, Chelsea won on the day, too. We are so proud of all of your achievements, Marley!

abigail 2D

Abigail was awarded her Rainbows Gold award this week, a result of 2 years of hard work. Well done Abigail, we are so proud of you!

lola 4db

After a series of successful trials, Lola has been selected to represent West Kent SFA District Squad for the

2025/26 season. What an incredible achievement. We are super proud of you Lola, well done!

mini police cadets

We enjoyed our first visit from Mark from Kent Police today who started the Mini Police Cadets programme with some of our Year 4 pupils.

Our mini police cadets practiced their first parade, having to answer "yes staff" to their name when called.

We look forward to seeing them do their parade officially at the end of the programme in front of their parents/carers.

Paddock Wood Influencers Brand poster.pdf

paddock wood influencers

Last week, the Paddock Wood Influencers started obtaining data from all our students about what technology they have at home.

We will be putting this information together and sharing it with the whole school community in order to identify next steps in our fight to keep all our children safe whilst online.

mental health awareness month

Our Wellbeing Champions have set up a Positive Affirmation Hunt on both the KS1 and KS2 playground for the children. This is part of Mental Health Awareness Month. As the theme is community they thought hard about how they can improve the mental health of the school community. They designed them all themselves and there are 15 to find across the playgrounds. Can you find them?

Watch this Parents and Carers space as we will be reaching further into our school community soon and will need you!

Office Messages

School Uniform - Brigade are offering a 15% discount on new uniform orders from Saturday 7th June to Sunday 8th June. Use code LASTCHANCE15susi

Year 6 Summer Trips - final payment due today (Friday 23rd May). Please make payment via MCAS>Outstanding Payments if you haven't already done so.

Year 2 Riverhill Himalayan Gardens - consent and first instalment is due today (Friday 23rd May) via MCAS>Trips. Don't forget to also request a school provided packed lunch via MCAS>Products if you would like a school provided packed lunch for this trip.

Year 3 Communigrow - payment and consent is due via MCAS>Trips today (Friday 23rd May).

Dates ahead

Some dates for your diary:

2.6.25 Inset Day (No children in school)

Registration opens for the Kent Test (Year 5 children)

3.6.25 Start of Module 6

Archer class to Hastings Aquarium and Seafront

4.6.25 Goldings class to Hastings Aquarium and Seafront

5.6.25 Phoenix class to Hastings Aquarium and Seafront

9.6.25 3G and 3HE to Communigrow Park Farm

12.6.25 EYFS Father's Day Build and Field Event 2.45pm - 3.15pm

16.6.25 3M to Communigrow Park Farm

19.6.25 Emergency Services Community Day

19.6.25 - 26.6.25 Book Fair

20.6.25 Paddock Woodstock - more details in MCAS>Announcements

25.6.25 Sports Day - more details in MCAS>Announcements

1.7.25 Registration for the Kent Test closes (Year 5 children)

2.7.25 Back up Sports Day - only if cancelled in the previous week due to bad weather

8.7.25 Year 2 visit to Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

14.7.25 Year 3 Ukulele and Instrument Concert to parents

16.7.25 Rocksteady Concert

18.7.25 PTA Colour Run

22.7.25 Year 6 Leavers Assembly to parents 10am

End of Module 6 - 1.30pm finish (No After School Club)

Learner Profile / Approaches to learning Certificates this week go to:

6C

Freddie

For writing a descriptive and well structured story about Rose Blanche. You have shown that you can use a range of writing features that have really improved your writing. Well done!

6j

Alex

For facing your fears at Go Ape this week. You were unsure at first but your confidence grew throughout the day and by the end were tackling each obstacle with a smile on your face. Well done Alex.

6S

Callum

This week we saw your resilient, fearless side as you were quick to jump on rides and climb into the air at Go Ape. We enjoyed seeing you challenge yourself and embrace these different experiences!

5c

Oscar

For being a caring communicator who was willing to help others and share knowledge during our practical science lesson about pulleys and gears.

5g

Ethan

Ethan has completed and edited a brilliant setting description ready to show off on the writing wall. He has listened well to feedback during conferencing with his peers. You should be very proud of your effort! Well done.

5s

William

For your resilience with your writing this week. You have written a lovely setting description and are taking the time to edit and improve your work to ensure its quality. Your writing has really flourished this term and it has been lovely to see you taking more pride in the outcome of your pieces. Well done!

4DB

Archie

Archie, you are an amazing risk taker in inquiry, delving into all areas of the cities we have studied and how they each express their cultures. You have thrown yourself into your learning and produced detailed and thoughtful work. We are very proud of you.

4j

Toby

Using your great listening skills, you were able to clearly summarise and discuss our inquiry into slavery this week. You used your communication skills to sequence the events of the triangular slave trade, which shows great comprehension skills. I am so proud of your effort this term!

4T

Simas

Simas has been a brave risk taker this week. He has settled well in school every day and been ready to learn. We were all so pleased to have you back in class with us Simas.

3g

Amelia

Amelia showed herself to be both a risk taker and a resilient learner this week, working to improve her addition and subtraction skills when working with money.

3HE

Oscar

Oscar really shone in maths this week. He was knowledgeable and his confidence when contributing ideas was excellent. Keep up the good work Oscar.

3M

Leon

Leon was an excellent inquirer and communicator this week. He worked with his team to create a fantastic model of an oast house and could explain what all the parts did. Well done!

2d

Elsie

Elsie has been an enquirer this week in our maths lessons. Elsie has shown she is curious to learn more about time as she has asked a range of relevant questions and expressed clearly the parts she found tricky. Well done Elsie!

2r

Lily

Lily has been a thinker this week. She has worked hard to complete her learning in a timely manner. She has independently completed tasks and wanted to showcase this work to me and others. Lily has also made valuable contributions to class and peer discussions. Lily has been fantastic and I hope she continues on this journey! Well done to you.

2t

Grant

Grant has impressed us with his thinking skills this week. He has thought of some fantastic extended sentences for his story writing and has wowed us with his problem solving in maths. Well done Grant, we are so impressed with the progress you have made!

1M

Lilan

For being a wonderful communicator this week. You confidently portrayed your strong knowledge of our phonics sounds by blending a wide range of digraphs, trigraphs and split digraphs seamlessly.

Keep up the amazing work!

1ob

Frankie

You have been a fantastic communicator this week. You are working so incredibly hard on your reading and we are seeing a huge difference in your confidence! You were able to decode and blend in our phonics screener beautifully. Well done Frankie! Keep up the incredible work!

1p

Everly

You have been a wonderful reflective learner this week. We have been impressed by your resilience and drive in writing your published piece. You showed great focus on the context and quality of your work checking for accurate punctuation and presentation. It is in pride of place on display. Well done!

ARCHER

Austin

For demonstrating that he is a caring friend this week. He has been taking care of his friends who have been hurt or upset. He shows us all how to be a good friend.

Goldings

Evie

For being a knowledgeable inquirer! Evie has shown loads of enthusiasm toward our research all about caring for the planet in our inquiry learning. She always puts 100% effort into her work and it shows! We are so happy with how much Evie has achieved this year, we hope she is proud of all her accomplishments.

phoenix

Isabella

For being an inquirer during Child Initiated. I loved seeing all of your creations with the colourful pebbles, you have a great imagination! Well done!

ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES THIS WEEK GO TO:

6C

Isla

For showing great confidence whilst on the school trips this week. You were a supportive friend and helped others in a kind way. Well done!

6j

Joey

For your great story writing this week. You showed the emotions of the character and developed the atmosphere for the opening to the narrative brilliantly. Well done Joey.

6s

Niyam

Not only did you show impeccable behaviour on the school trips but you have produced writing which showcases your inquisitive nature and principled approach. Well done!

5c

Joseph & Edison

For your collaborative efforts with your group during our science lesson about pulleys and gears. You worked well with others and applied your knowledge in a balanced and reflective manner.

5g

Henry

Henry has been a reflective learner this week and has worked more independently, using feedback and really showing he can be principled in his own learning. Keep it up Henry.

5s

George

George, it has been wonderful to see your resilience in all areas of your learning this week. You always take on new challenges with a smile and demonstrate a genuine determination to do your best. Your hard work has been evident and you should be incredibly proud of the progress you’ve made. Well done!

4DB

Libby

Libby, you have been an amazing learner in every area of our inquiry this term from incredible art skills to top quality writing, you have shown such interest and enthusiasm. Well done!

4j

Freya

With your determined effort to improve your English, I have been blown away by how much you have been reading lately! You have devoured books in your spare time and I can see your love and enthusiasm for reading growing daily. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on your English and overall learning experience. Well done, Freya - you are such a positive influence in the classroom.

4T

Henry

Henry worked in a focused and careful way to produce a quality piece of writing, inspired by a short film about a post apocalyptic world. His use of powerful language and detailed descriptions enabled the reader to be transported to the scene and really picture what was happening. Well done Henry!

3g

Oliver

Oliver has worked very hard this week drafting and redrafting his script for his historical guided tour of Paddock Wood, until he had it just right. Well done Oliver, you’ve shown tenacity and determination in your work - keep this up!

3HE

Charlie B

Charlie wrote and delivered a detailed and exciting tour of our local area. We were impressed - and so was his dad, who said he'd learned lots of new things from the tour!

3M

Tilly

Tilly has worked really hard this year and her effort and enthusiasm for her Paddock Wood tour notes and the information for her group's oast house model reflected the progress she has made. We are very proud of you!

2d

Lily

This week, Lily has shown what a kind and caring friend she is. Several times this week I've heard her saying positive and encouraging things to her friends when someone is feeling down. My favourite being when she reminded someone that Sports Day was just for fun and not about winning. Keep it up Lily.

2r

Jesse

Jesse was able to find o'clock and half past on his clock. He then pushed himself and was able to locate quarter to and quarter past effectively in a small group. Jesse then worked independently to complete tasks and presented this well in his book. He has taken a lot of pride in this work and it shows in the end result.

2t

Amelia

Amelia has wowed us with her fantastic artistic skills this week. She worked hard carefully collaging an amazing picture of a sheep, using different tones to create a dimensional picture. Well done Amelia, you should be very proud!

1M

Hudson

I am very proud of you this week for showing wonderful perseverance and resilience when working on your handwriting. You have worked extremely hard to form your letters neatly and consistently. You have also tried your best to use finger spaces when writing at length.

Keep up the great work!

1ob

Amelia

You have been a superstar this week! You have engaged in all our lessons beautifully and participated in all class discussions with excellent ideas. You have also had lovely ideas for an invention to help people in Bereko! Well done Amelia!

1p

Emily

You have shown exceptional learning in your phonics this week! You have been able to blend seamlessly during our reading together this week and have shown wonderful confidence when doing this. Well done Emily!

ARcher

Isla

For some wonderful writing this week in phonics and during Inquiry. She has shown us that she is taking on board all of the feedback about how to improve her writing! Well done!

goldings

Tilly

For being a caring friend! Tilly is always looking out for her peers and ensuring everyone is included. She has a brilliant understanding of all the different ways her friends learn meaning she is a brilliant role model! We can always count on Tilly to put a smile on our face. Well done!

phoenix

Max

For making great choices this week! You have played nicely with your friends and completed some super learning independently during Child Initiated. Keep it up!

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