Dear Parents

Another busy week! Our assembly on Monday was led by Sidra Naeem, one of the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Essex. She came to talk to the children about the Islamic faith and we are grateful to her for giving up her time particularly when she is busy with county-wide events for the Platinum Jubilee. She visits many schools and commented on how well behaved and knowledgeable our children are.

We have been thinking of Mrs Theo this week as she recovers from an operation. We can't wait to see her back in Dolphins class after half term.

Our library has beautiful new carpet in and we are in the process of sorting out the furniture and other items to complete it. It's going to look fantastic!

There are exhibitions in the village hall this weekend for the 2MT celebrations (celebration of the first radio broadcast). Some of our Year Two children made models in partnership with some Year Five children and they will be on display. My thanks go to Peter Watkins who provided all of the resources and kits for the models.

Next Wednesday 25th May we will be having a Family Learning Time session for our theme week of Kings and Queens. Please come into the classroom from drop-off time until 9.30am. This will be a very practical session, preparing things for the children's street party lunch on Friday 27th. The children are invited to wear red, white and blue alongside non-uniform next Friday.

Dolphins' parents lunch is also on Wednesday 25th May at 11.55am. Sharks will be on 8th June at the same time. I will meet parents at the red gate to the playground and lead into the hall. Please avoid bringing younger siblings.

Please remember that our new Forest School club attendees start next Wednesday 25th May and continue with this club after the half term break. Some of those who attended Forest School club until Wednesday 18th May will transfer to new staff clubs on Wednesday.

A reminder we break up for half term next Friday 27th May. Children return on Tuesday 7th June as 6th June is an INSET day. Please note staff will be working off site on 6th June as we are having works done which means the water turned off that day, so please do not come up to the school.

Finally a plea for donations of any unwanted small farm figures, Lego figures or Happy Land figures - we would be grateful to have them!

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes
Helen Castell

A reminder that teachers cannot always check the class email during the day. Please send urgent messages to parents@writtleinfantschool.com.
We love to share awards, medals, trophies, even anecdotes from children’s achievements outside of school. Please hand them to me or email parents@writtleinfantschool.com for assemblies on Friday.
Diary dates and school events can added from our website to the calendar on your phone. Click on your chosen list of dates from the Links section and then click export at the bottom of the page.

SHARKS - Myla for independently writing a fantastic character description. Nuala for being polite and helping others this week when they have been sad.

DOLPHINS - Lincoln for always working hard and also for his politeness and Luca for his inclusivity of others.

PARROTS - Eden-Rose for beautiful independent writing and Rowan for persevering during tennis!

TURTLES - Rachel for independence with her reading and phonics, Reuben for perseverance in maths and
Alice for always being polite!

SQUIRRELS - Maddie for wonderful independent writing and Alexis for perseverance with putting on her shoes, boots and wellies!

FOXES - Imayah for her perseverance during our PE sessions. Willow for always being inclusive during her play.

This week we have continued to make use of the improved weather! Our Maths lessons have included looking at different measurements. Everyone had lots of fun estimating and measuring different areas and objects around the school using tape measures, rulers, metre sticks and trundle wheels. We also compared and ordered lengths and enjoyed describing different movements (half turn, quarter turn, forwards, backwards, left and right).

We revisited Grey Island, Red Boat to create character profiles for the main characters and wrote descriptions of the Island of Ashes. During Art, everyone drew their own interpretation of the castle on the Island. If you’re able to come in for reading or Family Learning Time next week, you’ll see them on display.

In Science, the children have been learning about a plant’s life cycle and investigated the conditions for growing beans which they will bring home so they can watch them grow.

We look forward to seeing you next week for reading and family learning time.

Click here for this week's home learning.

Our email addresses are dolphins@writtleinfantschool.com and sharks@writtleinfantschool.com.

This week the children have created their own non-fiction books using facts about the moon. They ensured their books included a front page, titles/headings and questions. We have explored position and direction in Maths, using the vocabulary left, right, up, down, forwards, backwards, above and below. We have also finished our marvellous moon paintings and rocket paintings!

Click the link for this week's home learning.

Our email addresses are parrots@writtleinfantschool.com and turtles@writtleinfantschool.com.

This week we have been reciting the poem 'Pitter Patter' and learning all about the rain! We have been collecting the rain - we were so glad that it rained this week! In Maths we have been learning about number 14 and talking about higher and lower numbers up to 20. In phonics we have been revisiting ure, er and have started phase 4. We have continued to practise our ball skills in PE, this week we practising throwing longer distances and bouncing a smaller ball to a friend. We said goodbye to Mrs Etty who has been with us for 6 weeks, she has gone back to her Year 2 class to finish off her teaching practice. Miss Williams, who has been teaching in Year 1 will be back with us on Thursday!