Friday 20th January 2023

 20.1.23

It's the end of another week- happy Friday everyone! The children have been working hard researching Queen Victoria in line with our project - Victorian Britain. We have continued to work on character and setting descriptions when writing a narrative in English. In year 5, we have continued to explore statistics, and year 6 have been exploring shapes.

Homework

The children's Maths and English homework has been set on Google Classrooms. They have also been asked to log into their Spellingframe accounts to practise some of their spellings (passwords have been handed out and children have been using them in school, so should know their login details).

PE

As you may have noticed, we are taking part in Cross Country in PE. This week, many children went home covered in mud. Next week, if your child would like to bring in a second pair of (old) trainers to change into, specifically for Cross Country then please feel free to send them in.

On Wednesday, 24th January, a group of children will be performing in The Primary Dance Festival at The Palace Theatre in Southend.

We hope that you have a lovely weekend,

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin, Mrs Witherall and Miss Parsons

13.01.23

Happy Friday everyone!

This week, in Year 5 and 6, we have been busy creating characters for a story based on the short film, The Wish Granter.  The children have planned and started writing some lovely stories.

In Project, we have started to research The Victorians and have completed some art activities inspired by William Morris.

As you may have noticed, we are taking part in Cross Country in PE.  This week, many children went home covered in mud.  Some of the 'falls' were accidental, but some were not!

Next week, if your child would like to bring in a second pair of (old) trainers to change into, specifically for Cross Country then please feel free to send them in.

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

Next Monday (16th) the Year 5/6 Mixed High 5 team will play in their first league match at home against Westerings.  Parents are more than welcome to come along and cheer us on!

On Tuesday, some of our children will be going to The Deanes School to take part in an indoor athletics event.

On Wednesday 24th, a group of children will be performing in The Primary Dance Festival at The Palace Theatre in Southend.

Lots going on in the next few weeks.  Watch this space..........

Homework has been uploaded to Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

06.01.23

Happy New Year everyone!

It has been lovely to welcome the children back to school this week for the start of the Spring Term.  

This term, we are all looking forward to getting stuck in to our new project, Victorian Britain.  We will be learning about the changes and inventions of this important period of British history.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Club booking has opened this afternoon via scopay, so if your child would like to join one of our after school clubs, please go online to book their place.  

Homework has been posted on Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

16.12.22

Dear Parents/Carers

Happy Friday everyone!

This week, in Year 5 and 6, we have been in a very festive mood!

We have been making Christmas decorations, watching the KS1 performance, enjoyed Christmas dinner day on Wednesday and today, we watched an online pantomime performance of Jack and The Beanstalk.  

The children spent this afternoon visiting Santa in his grotto and did a bit of Christmas shopping.  

Next week, we say a sad farewell to Miss Haste, who has been working in Sapphire Class this term.  We would like to say a huge thank you to her for all her hard work and dedication to the class and wish her lots of luck and happiness in her future career as a teacher.  

She would like to share this message with you.

Hello everyone!

Just a message from me to say a massive thank you to all of the children and parents for making me feel extremely welcome at Down Hall for the term! I have absolutely loved being in the school and making lots of memories throughout my first term training. It has been amazing to be in a school that I will remember for the rest of my career. I’m sure I’ll be back at some point in the year to say hello to everyone again, but for now, it's been a pleasure to teach you all, and I wish you all the best for this next year at school!

Miss Haste

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin, Mrs Witherall and Miss Haste

09.12.22

Dear Parents/Carers

Happy Friday!

This week, our Youth Sport Board took part in their first Zoom meeting with Mr Bish from Deanes.  He explained that they would be taking part in some training sessions at Deanes next term and how their input will be valuable to the School Sports Partnership.

The children are extremely enthusiastic to work alongside Mr Bish and children from other local schools to develop the events provided through the SSP.

A message from Mrs Yuille about Christmas Jumper Day!

All the children looked amazing in their Christmas Jumpers today and we have raised money that will continue to sponsor Thoko and her local community in Malawi. We thought you might like to hear what Thoko wrote in her most recent letter to us. She writes:

Dear Down Hall

I am learning in Standard 4. I go to school everyday. I always work hard in classes and my end of term results are always good. When I finish school I want to be a nurse. Very soon we will start harvesting crops. Greetings to you!

Thoko

A local representative who oversees Action Aid's money also adds:

Dear Supporter

One of the problems in Primary Schools is the shortage of desks. As a way of addressing the issue, we bought desks and shared them with two Primary Schools in the Kalowe Zone. This initiative has helped increase the number of children who have access to sit at a desk. Thank you for your support which has really promoted education in the area.

It's amazing to think that from such a small act on our behalf, we can make such a big difference for the young people who live such a long way away but share our right to an education. Thank you all so much!

Don't forget......

Next week, we have our Christmas dinner on Wednesday and Christmas Bazaar on Friday.  Lots going on as Christmas fast approaches.

No homework this week as the children have been taking part in assessments.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

 

02.12.22

Dear Parents/Carer

Happy Friday!

This week, children in Ruby and Topaz completed their Bikeability course.  Well done to everyone across all three classes who took part.  Badges and certificates will be awareded soon.

There have been lots of sporting events this week.  Children have taken part in football, dodgeball and high 5 netball.  We are, as always, extremely proud of how our children conduct themselves at matches and tournaments and are delighted with how well they represent the school.  Well done everyone.

Children also received their flu immunisations this week.  If your child missed their immunisation, we would encourage you to get them booked in with your local health care provider.

Next week.......

Brrrrr!  According to the Year 5/6 weather expert (Mrs Devlin) the weather is likely to turn even colder next week.  Please ensure that your child brings a jumper/cardigan and a warm coat for playtimes and lunchtimes.  Scarves, gloves and hats are also encouraged.

CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY - A message from Mrs Yuille

Our Christmas Jumper Day is Friday 9th December.  On this day, the children can wear their fabulous festive jumpers and make a £1 donation which goes to our continued sponsorship of Thoko.  The charity Action Aid use this money to ensure that Thoko and the other children in her community enjoy their right to an education, just like all of us at Down Hall!  

Homework has been uploaded to Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

25.11.22

Dear Parents/Carers

Happy Friday folks!

A huge thank you goes out to all parents who braved the rain and allowed their children to attend the big switch on of the Rayleigh Lights last night.  The children sang beautifully and, once again, did you and the school proud.  Thanks also goes to the teachers who gave up their lunch times for the past few weeks to help the children rehearse.

Thank you for supporting our PTA with their non-uniform day today with your kind donations.

YEAR 6 MATHS HOMEWORK

Year 6 have brought home new homework books this week.  These will replace the CGP books, which now need to be returned to school.  We will begin using them next week (so no maths homework for Year 6 this weekend).  

They contain a range of questions in the style of the ones they will face in their SATs tests in May.  We are confident that these books will be excellent when revising for the tests, nearer the time of taking them.

BIKEABILITY

This week, Sapphire and some children from Topaz took part in a Bikeability course.  Next week, children from Ruby and the rest of those from Topaz who signed up, will complete their sessions.

Bikes can be left at school overnight during the week of the course.  Helmets must be worn and coats are essential.  Girls may bring leggings or jogging trousers to change into if they usually wear a skirt to school.  All children need sensible shoes such as trainers please.

FLU IMMUNISATIONS

Next Tuesday, children will receive their flu immunisations in school.

MOVIE NIGHT

On Wednesday, the PTA will be hosting a KS2 movie evening.  Please see the PTA section of the school website for details.

Homework pages have been uploaded to Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall