Newsletters

24/25 - Summer 2, Week 4

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Dear Parents and Carers,

✨ Consulting on our Christian vision

As a Church of England school, we are required to have a biblically focused Christian vision that truly reflects the community we serve. Our current vision, “Learning from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to work diligently, act generously and live at peace with everyone,” has guided us well for many years. However, we now feel it is time to review and update this to more fully embrace all that we aim to do and offer here at William Ford.

Our proposed new vision is, "We enable our pupils to thrive, giving them the tools and confidence to be successful, healthy, fulfilled and empowered to make a positive difference - strengthened by the hope and example of God."

This is underpinned by Psalm 25:4-5a:
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me.”

This perfectly reflects our commitment to our children’s success across every aspect of their lives academically, spiritually, mentally and physically recognising that we can only do this with God’s help.

We have already consulted governors and staff and would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts too. Whether you fully support this new vision or feel there are elements you would like to see refined, please do contact me via the school office. Every view matters as we shape a vision that truly reflects our school community.

💬 Respectful conduct and communication

We are proud of the partnership we have with parents and carers. Most interactions reflect the shared Christian values of kindness and respect that are at the heart of our school. However, like other schools across the country, we subscribe to the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT)’s No Excuse for Abuse and Safe, Kind, Inclusive campaigns. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in incidents where staff have been subjected to inappropriate language, shouting or parents storming off mid-conversation. On some occasions, this has even extended to unkind comments about other children.

Our staff come to work expecting to be treated with dignity and respect, just as would be expected in any public service environment such as a hospital, dentist, GP surgery, library or police station. Please remember that, as with children, the behaviour of adults is a powerful example. It is vital that we all model patience and courtesy.

    

If there are issues or frustrations, please do raise them calmly so that we can listen and respond appropriately. Our complaints policy is available on the school website to help you address any concerns.

Thank you for working with us to ensure our school is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

⛪ Collective Worship focus

Finally, in collective worship this week, Reverend Joel Edwards led a wonderful session on Jesus’s miracle of feeding the 5,000. This powerful Bible story reminds us that even what feels small can become abundant in God’s hands and that we all have the capacity to help one another if we offer what we have in faith.

Please do talk to your children about what they have learnt this week. They have been sharing some lovely reflections.

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

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The children are preparing for their transition to their new class and year group. You will receive information on who your child's new class teacher is next week.  

Please remind your child to bring a refillable water bottle and a hat. We would also advise applying sunscreen each morning.

We have a limited number of William Ford Water Bottles for sale in the school office for only £2 each CASH ONLY PAYMENT.

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NEW MENU starts this week!! We are so excited to share the menu. Please ensure you book week two and onwards to ensure your child has a hot meal 

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Year Three

Khadija

Year Four

Abigail

Year Five

Morgan

Year Six

Belita

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Nellie Choc-Ice and the plastic island 

This is an exciting and interesting book to read. I learnt lots of interesting facts about looking after the environment and recycling plastic.  I enjoyed this book as it is adapted to support my reading.  

 

Faith 3M  

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Sports Day - Year 3 and 4
9:30am – 11:30am
03
July
Sports Day Years 5 and 6
1:00pm – 3:00pm
03
July
Y6 Secondary Transition Day
All Day
04
July
Y6 Swimming wk5
8:00am – 8:30am
04
July
Walton on Naze Trip Year 3 & Lighthouse
8:00am – 8:30am
07
July
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27 Jun 2025
Year 6 trip to Eastbrookend Country Park
This week Milana in 6B tells us about the Year 6 trip.
Read more
27 Jun 2025
Year Six learn financial life skills.
Learning from Mr. Manning who works in finance.
Read more
19 Jun 2025
Community month - Year 4 care home community visit
Community month - Year 4 care home community visit
Read more
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Year Three

This week year 3 have worked exceptionally well during the warm weather.  

What we have learnt about this week 

This week we have continued to dive into our ‘The Boy who grew Dragons’ book and explored instructional writing. The children followed instructions and planned their own set of instructions on how to grow a dragon.  

In RE, we have continued to learn about Sikhism and developed an understanding of what the Khalsa is and why it is important.  

Geography. This week we looked at erosion along the coastline and understood how stacks and stumps are formed.  

History was exciting this week; we stepped back in time and explored a range of activities around Ancient Greece. It was lovely to see the children dressed up.  

What we will learn about next week 

In English, children will write their own set of instructions on how to look after a dragon. We will then start to prepare for their final year 3 writing assessment.  

The history unit will be brought to an end with a lesson focusing on the legacy of the Ancient Greeks.   

Science the children will become gardeners and plant their own seeds to look after and then bring home in a few weeks.  

DT/Art - we will be focusing on our garden designs for the king and exploring what we should include and why.  

We hope you a fantastic weekend in the lovely warm weather!

Year Four 

It's been a week filled with learning and creativity, and we are proud of the effort from the children. 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week in English, the children worked diligently on researching life in Colchester following the Roman invasion. They demonstrated great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the project. 

In Maths, we focused on statistics and interpreting graphs, enabling the children to develop their analytical skills. Meanwhile, in Geography, the students explored the fascinating biome of the rainforest, learning about its unique flora and fauna. In history, the children engaged creatively by constructing their own Roman town, which helped to deepen their understanding of this significant period. 

What we will learn about next week 

Next week in English, we will continue to explore our class book, Revolt of the Romans. The children are thoroughly enjoying this engaging story, and we aim to delve deeper into its themes and characters. 

 In Maths, we will be focusing on a new topic: Position and Direction, where the children will learn to describe movements and interpret maps.  

In Science, our lessons will centre around the layers of the teeth, allowing students to understand their structure and function. 

 Additionally, in Design Technology, the children will have the exciting opportunity to design and create a pavilion using various materials to enhance their creativity and practical skills. 

 

Year Five

Year 5 have had yet another great week, focusing on sustainability in science and enjoying our newspaper writing, 

What we have learnt about this week 

This week in Year 5, pupils have been learning about the features of newspaper writing, as well as planning and beginning to write their own newspaper report, based on their book: The Nowhere Emporium.  

In maths, we have begun our unit of decimals and pupils have been learning and practicing how to add and subtract decimals within 1 and outside of 1 whole.  

In Science, pupils have really been enjoying their sustainability unit, learning about global warming and how they can reduce their own carbon footprint, as well as making a poster all about raising awareness of global warming. 

What we will learn about next week 

Next week, we will be continuing our decimals unit in maths looking at decimal sequences. 

In English, we will be completing and publishing and editing our Newspaper reports. 

In RE, we will compare what religions believe about God and life after death. 

In art, we will be looking at architecture, sketching and recreating our own architectural drawings.  

We hope you have yet another lovely, sunny and warm weekend! 

Year Six

Year 6 have worked exceptionally well this week, showing creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm in everything, they’ve done. It’s been a fun and productive week, filled with memorable moments and impressive achievements. 

What we have learnt about this week 

The children began by designing exciting new playgrounds, full of imaginative features. Their teamwork stood out during a lively game of rounders, where they played with energy and great team spirit.  

A real highlight was the trip to The Chase Nature Reserve, where they played games, listened to music, enjoyed a scenic walk, and explored the apparatus area.  

Back at school, they created symbolic artwork that thoughtfully reflected their personal experiences. Well done, Year 6! 

What we will learn about next week 

Next week promises to be another exciting one for Year 6 as we continue our journey toward the end of term. 

The children will be carrying on with their Design and Technology project, where they are creating their own healthy starter or dessert — a great opportunity to showcase their creativity and understanding of nutrition.  

We’re also looking forward to welcoming a Christian pastor into school; Year 6 will have the chance to ask thoughtful questions and learn more about the role of a religious leader. 

 Rehearsals for School of Rock will continue — the children are doing brilliantly, and their enthusiasm is shining through in every performance.  

One of the biggest highlights of the week will be Sports Day, a much-loved event for the whole school community.  

Well done, Year 6 — you’re doing an amazing job. Not long to go now until your time at William Ford comes to an end — keep going, you're nearly there! 

 

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Each week, staff select three children from each class who have shown effort and commitment to upholding an aspect of our school vision, shown at the bottom of the page. Congratulations to this week’s ‘stars of the week’ for their tremendous endeavours!

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