Leigh Academy Peninsula East

Module 1 | 19th September 2025

Attendance

Oliver Jeffers - 91%

Julia Donaldson - 99%

Michael Rosen - 98%

Nelson Mandela - 96%

Boudica - 97%

Rosa Parks - 99%

Kadeena Cox - 99%

Lewis Hamilton - 96%

Leigh Academy Peninsula East - 98%

Well done to Julia Donaldson class for having the best attendance this week in KS1. In KS2 this week, Rosa Parks and Kadeena Cox class are the winning classes so congratulations to them too! We have fantastic whole school attendance this week at 98%. Well done to everyone!

PYP Learner Attribute Awards

Julia Donaldson Class - Bear (Knowledgeable) & Sienna (Thinking skills)

Michael Rosen Class - Kenzie (Communication Skills) & Brooke (Principled)

Nelson Mandela - Ollie (Communication) & Izabella (Research skills)

Boudica Class - Bella M (Reflective) & Alexis (Communication Skills)

Rosa Parks Class - Leo (Principled) & Edward (Communication Skills)

Kadeena Cox Class - Ellice (open-minded) & Joe (self-management)

Lewis Hamilton Class - Florence (Thinker) & Zoha (Self-management)

WOW Writer Awards

Congratulations to these children for fantastic writing this week...

Julia Donaldson Class - Scarlett

Michael Rosen Class - Bobby M-W

Nelson Mandela Class - Harrison

Boudica Class - Ryleigh

Rosa Parks Class - Freya S

Kadeena Cox Class - Mya

Lewis Hamilton Class -Austin Snook

Readers of the Week

Julia Donaldson Class - Parker

Michael Rosen Class - Brody

Nelson Mandela Class - Alfie

Boudica Class - Finn

Rosa Parks Class - Felicia

Kadeena Cox Class - Joseph

Lewis Hamilton Class - Grace Haward

Our Wonderful Inquiry Work

Reception Class

Oliver Jeffers Class have had a wonderful start to the school year. They have been busy exploring our classroom environment and making new friends.

Our central idea focusses on building relationships and as part of this we have been exploring relationships within our families as well as with our new (and old) friends.

We have already created self portraits, pictures of our families and explored the story, "Lulu's Nana Visits".

This week we have also been learning about where our own families come from and have shared this together as a class.

PEPA Tots

It has been a wonderful start to the new term in the PEPA Tots room, and we are so pleased to see how well all the children have settled into the nursery routine.

Our central idea for the next two modules is "Learning about myself helps me grow." We will explore what makes each of us special while also discovering what we have in common. As part of this, we'll be looking at and discussing family photos. We will also explore the five senses through a variety of engaging, hands-on activities.

The children have been fascinated by the new season of autumn. We've been making beautiful arts and crafts, including hedgehogs, colorful leaves, and trees. These activities are a fantastic way to learn about the changing environment around us.

In our math lessons, we are beginning to learn about comparison. We are using the children's interests to explore and compare collections of different sizes, helping them understand concepts of "more" and "less."

Year 6 Heart Dissection

On Tuesday 16th September 2025, our Year 6 pupils stepped into the shoes of real-life scientists as they took part in a heart dissection workshop involving a hands-on experience that brought biology, ethics, and literature to life.

Linked to one of the characters ( Dr. Bryce), pupils explored the form and function of the heart, identifying chambers, valves, arteries, and veins. Using real pig hearts, they examined how blood flows through the cardiovascular system and discussed how each part plays a vital role in keeping us alive.

This immersive session linked beautifully to our current class novel, Pig Heart Boy, where Cameron undergoes a life-changing transplant using a pig’s heart. Seeing the organ up close helped pupils understand the science behind Cameron’s surgery, but also sparked deeper conversations about beliefs, values, and medical ethics. Would they make the same choice as Cameron? How do our personal beliefs shape the decisions we make?

As part of our PYP transdisciplinary theme, “Who we are,” pupils explored the line of inquiry: form, and reflected on the central idea: Beliefs and values can influence how we live our lives. This experience encouraged them to think critically; not just about anatomy, but about identity, courage, and the choices that define us.

From mini cardiologists to ethical thinkers, our Year 6 learners showed curiosity, empathy, and scientific precision. We couldn’t be prouder of their thoughtful questions and brave reflections.

School information

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.

Year 1: Using adjectives

Insert text here

Year 2: Writing Similes

Year 3: Drafting a diary entry

Insert text here

Year 4: Spy Recruitment Advert (Persuasive writing)

Year 5: Writing a narrative

Year 6: Using historical language to explain connections, contrasts and trends across different times, places and cultures

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 - 45%

Michael Rosen Class - 52%

Nelson Mandela Class - 68%

Boudicca Class - 53%

Rosa Parks Class - 60%

Lewis Hamilton Class - 96%

Kadeena Cox class - 82%

Congratulations to Michael Rosen Class, who has won for the second time this term and will be awarded with some sweet treats next week. Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton Class, who are the KS2 reading winners this week and have been rewarded with extra playtime.

Reading for Pleasure

At Leigh Academy Peninsula East, we believe that reading for pleasure is a fundamental entitlement for each and every child. Our aim is to develop and embed a strong reading culture within the school community to foster a lifelong love of reading in our pupils.

There are many resources on the Oxford Owl website, including free e-books, articles on how to build a culture of reading at home, how to help your child choose books and lots more. https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-for-pleasure/

Here are some top tips, from The Open University, to encourage reading at home, suitable for all primary ages, from EYFS to Year 6:

Leigh Academy Peninsula East Head boy and Head girl

At the start of Year 6, all of the children have an opportunity to apply to be a Head pupil. This is a great opportunity for increased leadership responsibility across the school. Head pupils will take the lead on celebration assemblies, providing feedback to staff from other children across the school and representing our younger children at school council events as well as take the lead on other school events too.

We had some really strong applications and are pleased that so many children put their applications forward. We also want to thank them for the time and effort that they put into them. After feedback from all staff looking at the applications, the following children below were successful in securing a Head leadership role in Year 6 and we want to offer a huge congratulations to them;

Head boy - Teddy C

Deputy Head boy - Vinnie M

Head girl - Ivy L

Deputy Head girl - Izzy H

All children in Year 6 will be awarded with various other leadership roles so that all of them will have an opportunity to take on extra responsibilities and this includes House team captains and play leaders. We are excited for them all to take on these roles and to see what contributions they make back to the whole school.

Year 6 Medway Tests

We have a number of children who sat their Medway tests this week and we just want to say well done for all of their hard-work and resilience.

If your child is in Year 5 and you are looking for them to complete the Medway tests next academic year, please do speak to your current class teacher. We will send out and share any information we receive from Medway on how to sign up to these once we receive it.

Harvest festival

Please check your MCAS in regards to the letter that went out this week about our Harvest festival celebrations and ensure you book on to come and watch your child in their classes presentation to the school. We look forward to seeing you there!

Every year, we give donations of packaged food that goes to Medway Foodbank for use for the homeless or families in need of support and this is such a great cause. Please see a list of what they would ask to be donated due to shortages;

We currently have shortages of the following items.

FOOD AND DRINK :
Pasta Sauce
Instant Mash
Tinned Ham or Corned Beef
Tinned 'Meals with Meat' such as Pies, Chilli or Bolognese
Tinned Fruit
Fruit Juice - long-life
Squash/soft drinks - small bottles
Tinned Potatoes
Tinned Tomatoes
Instant Soup/Cup-a-Soup
Sugar - 500 g packs or smaller
Instant Coffee - small jars/packs
Tinned vegetables
TOILETRIES AND HOUSEHOLD :
Shampoo
Deodorants for men or women
Washing-up Liquid
Shaving Foam & razors

Thank you for your continued support!

Climate Anxiety

Medway Public Health have worked in partnership with Education Psychologist Dr Caroline Daw to create a resource to support children with climate anxiety.

This recorded session will provide information and guidance on climate change anxiety for parents and carers.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/LHvZ3-u6f3Q

Suicide Prevention: The P.L.A.N Approach for Parents

This pre-recorded session provides parents with a compassionate, in-depth exploration of suicide prevention. It is designed to build confidence in recognising signs, having important conversations, and knowing how to support young people effectively.

In addition, parents will learn about available support resources and how to access them, alongside strategies for managing their own emotional wellbeing when supporting loved ones through difficult times.

Session Learning Objectives:

Understand the prevalence and impact of suicide on individuals and families
Recognise key warning signs and risk factors in children and young people
Apply the P.L.A.N. approach to respond safely and supportively
Explore cultural influences on suicide and its prevention
Identify and access relevant support resources for themselves and their families
Reflect on the importance of self-care when supporting others

This resource session will be hosted on the Child Health YouTube Channel and will be available in October 2025.

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