Readers of the Week

Year 4 - Boudica Class

This week, the children have had a shockingly good time in Science, getting hands-on with electrical circuits! They started by transforming into engineers, using batteries, wires, and bulbs to figure out how to build their very first working circuit, celebrating the moment the light finally switched on after moments of trial and error. We then  completed a "Great Material Test," they got to act as true scientists, testing everyday items to see if they would allow electricity to pass through (a conductor) or block the flow completely (an insulator). Finally, they completed a "Brightness Challenge," where they experimented with components to make the bulb glow as brightly or dimly as possible, observing the direct cause and effect of their changes. 

This unit was filled with great discoveries and helped the children to develop strong problem-solving skills through active investigation. Next week, we will be using our electrical circuit knowledge to combine with DT to make a spy gadget with a working light bulb!

Writing

Here you can see the work from our Wow Writers this week! 

Every week we will showcase the winners of our weekly writing certificate so you can see the piece of writing they won their award for.

Reading

We ask that parents listen to their child read at home at least three times a week to help build on the reading skills they are learning in school. A reading diary has been provided for you to record any comments about their reading practice and to be signed once your child has read.

It is important that these diaries are brought to school daily, as they are checked by teachers and are also used for reading practice in school. For consistent home reading, your child will be rewarded with a token for our reading book vending machine, where they can choose a new book to keep.

In addition to individual awards, we also have weekly class reading awards. Every Friday, the percentage of children in each Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 class who have read at least three times is calculated, and the winning class is announced in our weekly assembly.

This week's reading scores: 

Julia Donaldson Class - 34%

Michael Rosen Class - 62%

Nelson Mandela Class - 12%

Boudicca Class - 40%

Rosa Parks Class - 83%

Lewis Hamilton Class - 53%

Kadeena Cox class - 82%

Congratulations to Michael Rosen Class (Year 2) and Rosa Parks Class (Year 5) , who are the reading winners this week and have been rewarded with extra playtime. 

Behaviour and rewards 

At Leigh Academy Peninsula East, our clear expectations and rules are displayed in every classroom and have been agreed upon by the children. These are regularly explained and discussed to ensure a shared understanding. Our classroom rules are directly linked to our three main school rules:

• Be safe

• Be respectful

• Be prepared

Although rewards are central to the encouragement of good behaviour, there is a need for consequences to register the disapproval of unacceptable behaviour and to protect the security and stability of the academy community. In an environment where respect is central, loss of respect, or disapproval, is a powerful deterrent. Children will be given verbal warnings in class if they are not following their ‘Essential Agreement’. Initially, children will be given up to two verbal warnings and members of staff will use 30 second interventions, but if the child’s behaviour persists, they will be moved to our behaviour consequence ladder

Should a child demonstrate 10 consecutive low-level disruptive behaviours, including those outlined in stage 1, 2 & 3 of our behaviour consequence ladder, their actions will lead to progression to Stage 4 of our behaviour consequence ladder. At this stage, more serious sanctions will be implemented, which may include internal exclusion. If these low level behaviours continue beyond 20 consecutive behaviours, this will be escalated to stage 5 of our behaviour consequence ladder which could result in a suspension from school.

Rewards

The positive reinforcement of good behaviour is acknowledged to be the most effective form of behaviour management. This is where appropriate behaviour is actively noticed and noted by adults and promoted to all pupils. 

● Each class will have access to Class Dojo where children will be rewarded for both behaviour, attitudes and for good work ethic aligned with the IB learner profiles. These points will be displayed in the classroom and with each 100 points the children receive, they will be rewarded. 

● Children will also have access to house points where they will be rewarded for behaviour, attitudes and presentation aligned with the IB learner profiles when moving through the school and during their breaks and lunchtimes. Children will be rewarded with a coloured ticket in which they are able to place into a box to contribute to points for their house teams.

We are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure our behaviour expectations are consistently met. When we all share the same language and approach, it creates a unified and supportive environment for our children. Your support in reinforcing our key principles of being safe, respectful, and prepared at home is invaluable.

Essential Tips for Staying Safe Online

The digital world is a fantastic place for learning and fun, but it's crucial we work together to keep our children safe online. Here are some essential tips and conversation starters to help you guide your child's online journey.

1. Talk Early and Often 🗣️

Online safety isn't a one-time chat; it's an ongoing conversation, just like road safety.

• Be Curious: Ask your child what they enjoy doing online, who they talk to, and what games they play. Show genuine interest.

• Establish Ground Rules: Agree on what apps and games they can use, and set clear time limits. A family media agreement can be very helpful.

• The 'Stranger Danger' Rule Applies: Teach them never to share personal information (full name, address, school name, photos) with anyone they don't know in real life.

• Promote Openness: Ensure they know they can tell you anything without fear of getting in trouble, especially if something online makes them feel worried, scared, or sad.

2. Manage Devices and Content 💻📱

Where and how your child uses the internet matters.

• Keep Devices Visible: Encourage children to use devices like tablets and computers in family spaces (like the living room or kitchen), not hidden away in bedrooms. This makes supervision easier and promotes accountability.

• Use Parental Controls: Learn how to set up parental controls on your home internet, devices, and specific apps (like YouTube Kids or gaming platforms). These tools help filter out inappropriate content and manage screen time.

• Check Age Ratings: Always look at the age ratings on games, apps, and social media platforms (e.g., PEGI ratings for games). If an app is rated 13+, your primary school child should generally not be using it.

3. Understand Passwords and Privacy 🔒

Teach your child the basics of protecting their digital identity.

• Secret Keeper: Explain that a password is like a toothbrush—you never share it with anyone, not even best friends. Help them create strong, memorable passwords.

• Think Before You Share: Discuss the concept that anything posted online is permanent and can be seen by anyone, even if they delete it later. This is often called a "digital footprint."

Question to ask: "If your Teacher or Grandma saw that picture/comment, would you still want to post it?"

4. What to Do If Something Goes Wrong 🛑

Have a plan in place for when they encounter a problem.

• The "4 C's" Strategy: If they see something that upsets them:

  1. Close the screen (turn off the monitor/app).

  2. Call an adult (you!).

  3. Calm down.

  4. Confide in you about what happened.

• Reporting Tools: Show them where the report or block buttons are on the apps they use and explain what they are for.

Key Takeaway: You are your child's best defence online. Stay engaged, stay informed, and enjoy the wonderful opportunities the digital world offers safely!

Road safety advice from our local police officers

Our aim is to ensure that the young people of the Peninsula are safe, as part of this we need your help in keeping them safe when they are heading to and from school.

Parking restrictions are put in place around schools to give good visibility allowing pedestrians to see to cross the road.

To ensure this, please be responsible, following the restrictions, such as not stopping on the zig-zags around the schools, being mindful of your speed and making sure that your child is visible, as the nights get darker.

We will be around the schools at various points, so please come and say hello.

PCs Richard JONES and Josh WATERMAN

Harvest Festival celebrations

Thank you for all of your generous donations to our Harvest collection, next week The Medway Foodbank will be collecting your donations and presenting an assembly to the children so they can learn about where the food is going to and will be used. Our children enjoyed celebrating Harvest and it was great to see their performances of dances, songs and Makaton that they shared with parents and carers too. Thank you for all of your support with the events and donations.