Author: HEAD

Grange Primary School
Elder Avenue, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0LR
Tel: 01268 734420
Headteacher: Mrs M Elfenich
Deputy Headteacher: Miss B Langley

Friday, 9th May 2025

Year 6 SATs next week
Next week, the children in year 6 will be sitting their SATs. They have worked incredibly hard throughout their time at Grange, particularly over the last few months, to get themselves prepared and we are so proud of how far they have come. The children across the UK all sit these papers on the same day and the timetable is as follows:
We are aiming to start each paper as close to 9am as possible, so it is vital that all children are in school and registered on time. As we do every year, we are running a free SATs breakfast for all children in year 6, which will run from 8am. The children will have a chance to chat to their friends, prepare for the day ahead and have a delicious breakfast at the same time.
Again, the children have worked incredibly hard to prepare for their SATs and we will be proud of them no matter the outcome. The children recently had mock week so that they know exactly what to expect next week and are completely at ease. Of course, there will be some nerves, but please remind children that this is nothing to worry about and that they will make everybody proud no matter what.
To support the children to feel calm and composed the mornings of SATs, we would encourage you to do the following:
Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep each night.
Encourage your child to drink a lot of water.
Try to discourage your child from too much screen time in the evenings - chatting or playing a game together might help them to relax.

New school dinner menus
Next week, Thursday and Friday’s meal options have been swapped over as Thursday is census day - please encourage all children to be a school dinner on Thursday as this affects the school’s funding moving forwards. Thank you for your support.

Thursday
Grab-a-bag
Fish fingers or veggie fingers and chips

Friday
Curry day
Diced chicken or quorn with curry sauce, rice and naan bread

MMR immunisations
The East of England Community and School Aged Immunisation Service have shared the following dates and venues when any children can be brought along for an MMR immunisation on a ‘walk in’ basis:
Thursday 15th May at Northlands Family Hub (9:00—11:45)
Monday 19th May at All About Family Hub (10:00—15:45)

Drop off and pick up time
A polite reminder please that children shouldn’t be playing on or with equipment at the start or the end of the school day. Please encourage children to go straight into class in the mornings and then leave the school straight away at home time as we need to lock the gates to safeguard the children at Twilight Club.
Can we also please remind parents that children (including siblings)should not be scooting or cycling on the school grounds. Please remind children to park their bike or scooter in the storage at the gate and to walk into school to ensure the safety or everyone at these very busy times of day. Thank you for your understanding.

Diary dates - upcoming events

May
Monday 12th - Thursday 15th	Year 6 SATs assessment week (children have breakfast at school!)
Thursday 15th	Phonics screening check meeting for year 1 parents at 3pm
Monday 19th	Mersea residential meeting for year 6 parents at 3pm
Friday 23rd	Years 3-6 science dome
Monday 26th - Friday 30th	Half term
June
Monday 2nd	Children return to school for their launch days!
Thursday 5th	Workshare (times to be sent out closer to the time)
Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th	PTA father’s day sale
Wednesday 11th—Friday 13th	Year 6 residential to Mersea / Friday—Year 5 bushcraft day
Thursday 19th	School science day
Friday 20th	INSET day - school closed to pupils
Monday 23rd	Year 1 and 2 trip to Southend Sealife Centre
Thursday 26th and Friday 27th	Year 6 transition days / Move up day for other year groups
Monday 30th	EYFS and KS1 drama workshops

There is lots happening over the last few months of term and there may be other dates that are added to the calendar so please keep an eye out! Any important events will be communicated to parents via email beforehand too.

July
Thursday 3rd	Sports Day
Friday 4th	Year 5 transition day at Bromfords
Wednesday 9th	Year 5 transition day at Beauchamps
WB Monday 14th	New year group meet the teacher meetings
Thursday 17th	SEN coffee morning with Mrs Black / House reward - Summer fun!
Friday 18th	Year 6 coffee morning for parents at 9:30am
Tuesday 22nd	Year 6 leavers’ events: Assembly at 9:30 / Clapping out and leaving at 2:30 / Last day of term for all children
Wednesday 23rd	Summer holidays!
September
Wednesday 3rd	Children return to school

PE kits
As the weather begins to improve, we are seeing more children wearing shorts as part of their PE kit. Just a reminder please that these should be either school PE shorts or longer cycling shorts - please do not send children in wearing super short cycling shorts as we will ask them to change into a pair of school football kit shorts. Thanks

Celebration
We enjoy seeing what the children are proud of outside of school, so please send your photos to Miss Langley!
Jasmine was awarded a blue card at football.
Lily May was given a gold card by her teacher.
Parker received a postcard from his class teacher.

Rewards and achievements in school
This week’s Headteacher awards for determination, co-operation, imagination and excellence were awarded to the following children. It’s lovely to see a few extra names mentioned this week too!
‘Star Readers’ this week who got a book from the vending machine were:
EYFS and KS1— Esme D, Jaxon S, Harlie T, Jenson S and Harvey OH
KS2 — Peggy C, Bobby F, Bobby B, Hattie ST, Jake F and Lila M
A big well done to our attendance winners this week:
Class attendance - spin the wheel! - Willow and Maple classes, with 99% each!
Individual 100% attendance - Kiera O in Willow class

EYFS
Odran F / Maisie N	Excellence / Imagination
Year 1 and 2
Leo L / Levi M / Arthur M	Determination / Imagination / Determination
Year 3 and 4
Charlie S / Finley P / Amelia MS	Imagination / Excellence / Determination
Year 5 and 6
Darcie J / Imogen H / Albie S	Excellence / Determination / Determination

Monday 12th	Tuesday 13th	Wednesday 14th	Thursday 15th
Grammar and spelling	Reading	Arithmetic / Reasoning 1	Reasoning 2