We hope you've had a wonderful week. Here's a roundup of the exciting events that took place at our school this week: 

Year 5/6 Girls Football vs Springhead @ Home 

Our Year 5/6 girls football team had an exhilarating match against Springhead at home. The girls showcased incredible teamwork and sportsmanship, making us all proud. It was a close game, and the enthusiasm from both teams was truly inspiring. Once again, we can report a victory! Well done, girls! 

Year 5 Planetarium Workshop 

Year 5 learners had an out-of-this-world experience with the Planetarium workshop held in school. The children were fascinated by the wonders of space, learning about stars, planets, and galaxies. It was a fantastic educational experience that sparked curiosity and excitement about the universe. 

Class Photographs 

This week, we captured beautiful faces with class photographs. We will be in touch when the photographs are ready for viewing. 

Red Nose Day (Wear Red) 

On Red Nose Day, the school was a sea of red as learners and staff donned their brightest red attire to support a great cause.  Thank you to everyone who participated and made the day special. 

Science 

This year, British Science Week was filled with hands-on experiments and fun learning opportunities! Learners across the school engaged in a variety of activities, from online workshops and live lessons, to creating their very own balloon rockets, making ice cream, and even their own butter! It was a wonderful way for the learners to explore the wonders of science in an interactive and enjoyable way.  

A highlight of the week was the incredible creativity displayed in our poster competition. We had so many fantastic entries showcasing the students' passion for science. It was tough to choose winners, but every child should be proud of their efforts! You can find some pictures over on X.  

Thank you to all the learners for their enthusiasm and curiosity. We look forward to many more science-filled adventures! 

Mrs Holmes 

Important Notice: Gate Closure at 3:25 PM 

Unfortunately, due to a handful of incidents involving unsupervised (and occasionally supervised) learners at home time, we will now be closing the school gates at 3:25 PM. They will then be reopened in time for you to collect your child(ren) from clubs if they attend. This measure is to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners. We kindly ask for your cooperation in picking up your children promptly. 

Thank you for your continued support. Have a great weekend! 

Mrs Preston

Head of School

What an exciting week filled with various activities and events that we are thrilled to share with you! 

Year 6 Boys Football Match: Our Year 6 boys played a fantastic match against Anlaby Primary Tuesday after school, securing a 6-0 victory. Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performance, and thank you to those parents who came to support our players! 

Year 5 Robotics Workshop: The Year 5 learners participated in a Robotics Workshop, which saw lots of engagement and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see them so involved and excited about technology and science.  

Year 5/6 Film Night: Our Film Night featuring "Shrek" was well attended as always and enjoyed by all. Respectfully, please ensure the letters are read carefully as this stated that learners would not be allowed to walk home alone. However, we did receive a number of enquiries at the end of the film. It is to safeguard your children and our learners that we ask that they are collected at this time. Thank you for your cooperation. 

World Book Day: We celebrated World Book Day with a "Dress as a Word" theme. The creativity and effort put into the costumes were truly impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed popping my head into classrooms to see the breadth of words on display. The children love to challenge the adults to guess the correct word! 

Eco Furniture Delivery: Mrs Smith and I are pleased to announce that the eco-friendly furniture, made from collected bottle top tokens, has been delivered. This initiative has been a great success, and we appreciate everyone's contributions. 

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. 

We’ve had a busy final week at Penshurst this week. 

On Wednesday, a selection of our learners had an incredible opportunity to connect with nature through the "Rewilding Youth" program, hosted by the Humber Forest Visitors. The learners played a key role in shaping our forest area through tree-planting, and I thoroughly enjoyed the moment when one of them proudly took me on a tour of the newly planted area. It is wonderful to see these learners having deeper appreciation for the environment.  

Later in the day, the PFA Friendship Disco brought joy and laughter to our school community. The event was a fantastic success, with the highlight of the night possibly being the year 6 boys serenading the Year 6 girls and vice versa in a sing’off! I’m not sure there was a winning team, but it was entertaining, nonetheless. A big thank you to the PFA and all the volunteers who made this event possible! 🎉💃 

Reports 

Please look out for learner reports which will be distributed by the end of today. These reports provide valuable insights into your child's progress and areas for improvement. We encourage you to review them carefully and reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns. 

Parking Reminder 

We kindly ask all parents to be mindful of parking on Winthorpe Road and Penshurst Avenue. This week, we had a report from a resident of a car rolling backwards into their own Needless to say, this could have been a child and so we politely remind you to ensure your vehicle is securely parked and consider using alternative parking areas if necessary. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 

Health Alert: Chickenpox and Scarlet Fever

Lastly, we want to make you aware that chickenpox is still circulating in the early years and the community. We have also been notified of 2 cases of scarlet fever in our Nursery. Please remain vigilant and monitor your child for any symptoms. If your child shows signs of chickenpox or scarlet fever, we advise keeping them at home and consulting with your healthcare provider. Let's work together to keep our community healthy and safe.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Have a wonderful half-term break and I look forward to seeing you upon our return. 

Mrs Preston

Head of School

We’ve had an exciting and productive week at school this week, and I wanted to share some highlights with you: 

• Nursery learners have been engaging in bird watching, sparking their curiosity about nature. 

• Reception classes have been thoroughly enjoying their music lessons, especially playing the glockenspiels with Charanga music! Learners have also been captivated by the story of "Shu Lin’s Grandpa," enhancing their literacy and comprehension skills. 

• Year 1 learners have been learning about money management by spending "penguin pounds" in various activities. 

• Year 2 has been delving into the life and works of William Morris, exploring his contributions to art and design. 

• Year 3 learners have been exploring coding and programming through Scratch, developing their problem-solving abilities. 

• Year 4 have been busy with their weaving projects, showcasing their creativity and fine motor skills. 

We look forward to more exciting learning adventures next week! 

Speaking of next week... 

Next week, NSPCC Number Day will be held on the 7th February. On this day, learners will be participating in a range of number-related activities. They are also invited to dress up imaginatively, incorporating the theme of Number. I look forward to seeing what they come up with! 

Also next week, as part of our plan to increase learners’ exposure to a wide range of careers, a visitor from Reckitts will be giving an assembly on Wednesday. We will also be sending out our comms to parents, looking for volunteers from all sectors to support the school. We look forward to your responses.  

Polite reminders: 

• We would like to remind parents that the show "Squid Game" is rated 15+ and is not suitable for children. Please ensure that your children do not have access to this content as we have had instances of learners discussing, and acting out, Squid Games. Thank you for your cooperation.  

• As you are aware, we are a no-smoking and no-vaping school. Whilst not found on the school site, a pipe containing what smelled like cannabis was found just outside the Penshurst Avenue gates on Thursday evening. We must remind parents that this is a serious safeguarding concern for our learners and that should we find such items again, we will need to call the police.  

• We have been notified that a number of parents have been emailing the SEND email address, and these have not been coming through. Please find the email address here: ppssend@hessleacademy.com 

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend. As always, I look forward to seeing you on Monday.

Mrs Preston

Head of School

I can’t believe how quickly time flies when we are in the swing of education! We have reached the end of the second week of Spring term already!  

I have a couple of reminders this week: 

We would like to remind you that our Homework Club runs during lunchtimes, providing learners with an excellent opportunity to complete homework or receive additional support in a quiet and focused environment. Your child doesn’t need to book onto this – they can just turn up. 

Also, if your child will be arriving late to school and requires a school meal, please ensure that the office is informed as soon as possible. This helps us make the necessary arrangements and ensures your child receives their meal on time. 

Thank you for your cooperation and support. Have a super weekend and we will see you for another speedy week next week! 

Mrs Preston 

Head of School

What a fantastic week we’ve had here at Penshurst! The festive season is truly upon us, and our school has been buzzing with excitement, creativity, and community spirit. Here are the highlights from this memorable week: 

Nursery Stay & Play: A Warm Welcome for January Starters 

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting our "Stay & Play" session for our new Nursery starters who will join us in January. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces—both children and parents! This was a lovely opportunity for families to meet the Nursery staff, explore our vibrant learning spaces, and take part in fun, hands-on activities designed to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible. A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped create such a welcoming environment. 

Year 1 & Year 2 Productions: A Show to Remember 

Our Year 1 and Year 2 learners dazzled us with their holiday productions this week. From stunning costumes to heartfelt performances, it was a treat to see their hard work and enthusiasm on full display. Each learner played their part beautifully, and the hall was filled with laughter, applause, and perhaps a tear or two!  

Year 3 & Year 4 Church Performance 

The Year 3 and Year 4 learners brought the true spirit of the season to life during their church performance at All Saints. Through song, storytelling, and reflection, they reminded us all about the values of kindness, togetherness, and hope. The church was filled with proud families and an undeniable sense of community. 

Year 5 & Year 6 Church Performance 

Not to be outdone, our Year 5 and Year 6 learners delivered their own stunning performance at the church later in the week. Their confidence and talent shone brightly as they sang, recited, and performed with passion. This special event was a testament to their maturity and teamwork, leaving everyone in attendance inspired and uplifted. Bravo to our older learners—you’ve set a wonderful example for the younger years! 

Year 2 Polar Express Day: All Aboard the Holiday Fun! 

Thursday saw Year 2 transformed into the enchanting world of The Polar Express. From pyjamas to hot chocolate, and from storytelling to crafts, the students were fully immersed in the magic of the day. A big thank you to the Year 2 team for organizing such a delightful experience for our little ones. 

In other news: 

Please note that the ppsssend@hessleacademy.com email address is now active again. Should you have any concerns or queries, please use this address and Miss Loveridge or Mrs Anderson will pick this up. 

Just a reminder to check the recent Homework letter that you will have received which outlines the homework expectations for after Christmas. 

Please also ensure that you are using the new Breakfast Club booking system if you would like your child to attend Breakfast Club after Christmas.  

All that remains is for me to wish you the most wonderful Christmas. Enjoy time with loved ones and I look forward to hearing all about it from our learners in the new year. See you on Monday 6 January 2025.

Mrs Preston

Head of School