Newsletters

Summer 1 - Week 1

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Dear parents and carers,

Welcome back!

This week I am writing our newsletter on a Tuesday instead of the usual Friday rush.  All being well, at the time this is published I will be travelling back from what I imagine is going to be a fantastic residential to France.  Hopefully parents have enjoyed viewing the numerous photos we (hopefully) managed to send back to the UK and are looking forward to hearing from the pupils about their adventures.  I look forward to sharing more next week.

Staffing news

I wrote to the parents in Class 3P at the start of the week to inform that following a period of illness, Mr Pearson will not be returning to William Ford.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Pearson for his years of service at William Ford and to wish him every success for the future.  3P will be taught by Miss Finch and Mrs Legg for the remainder of this academic year.  My thanks to both of these individuals.

Our playground miracle

So, it is about 8:30am, Tuesday morning. A few pupils are already in school for various boosters etc and the level of excitement our new playground is palpable.  I am certainly looking forward to visiting the playground at break times to see all our hard works being enjoyed by the children.

I believe it was September when I first shared the plans for the playground with the pupils.  The truth is we had been planning this for several months previous.  I actually believe the completion of the playground is our own little miracle. Firstly, when the quotes came through we knew we could not afford it but, with the playground in such a bad shape - dangerous in parts - plus knowing we had a responsibility to get pupils active, we applied for various loans that are available to schools, only to be repeatedly told no.  Eventually we convinced those who can support that this was a necessary - be it essential - project and monies were provided, and we are talking about an amount close to £100,000.  During the summer, the next problem occurred as various tree roots started to destroy the concrete meaning significant digging and repairs was needed, and some trees had to go.  This was going to wipe out a significant amount of the money that was needed.  However, despite us receiving around £450,000 the previous year for a new roof, the Diocese of Chelmsford agreed to pay 90% of the cost to repair the playground!  As I type, it is now 8:45 and children are entering the playground behind me.  The screams of delight and excitement are just amazing to witness!  Certainly through this experience, I have learnt a lot about trusting God, but also about patience - something I know I lack at times!  I will forever be grateful for what God has provided for the pupils at William Ford.  Pictures below.

Monday's inset day - another day off?

What is an inset day?  Is this a day off for teachers?  Certainly not!  The government requires me to arrange five full days of training across the year. But what are they used for?

Hopefully you are aware that our whole school curriculum is based around the idea that we engage pupils in learning that fulfils a real life or make belive purpose.  For example, in Year Three rather than learning about volcanoes, pupils have been working as volcanologists.  In Year Four we have had pupils in role as archaeologists.  Parachute designers have been working hard in Year Five whilst Year Six have been 'commissioned' by the South American Tourist board to promote their continent.  Yesterday was a chance for our fantastic teachers to receive more planning on this radically engaging approach to teaching and to consider what the next projects will be.  I can promise you there are some very exciting experiences planned for the pupils!

But why do we do this?  What we are doing is firstly tapping into everyone's love of a story (that's why many of us have Disney+, Netflix etc).  We also believe that this approach is much more engaging and if pupils are engaged and excited by their learning, they will learn more and remember more.  We also want to raise aspirations and expose pupils to a range of new careers that they might just not realise even exist.

This approach is very new but, as the weeks and terms progress, you will hear your children coming home telling you about the new roles and careers that they are experiencing.  This is a large part of what makes William Ford such a great school!        

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

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Psalm 107:1

Thank the Lord because he is good.
His love continues forever.

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Reading Boosters for all year groups will continue this term. Just a reminder that the boosters start at 8.30am. Children will arrive through the school office where they can collect a drink and some breakfast. They will then go to their classrooms to read with their designated adult. 

Please ensure your children are on time, so they can get the most from this valuable opportunity.

There have been a few changes to the way we will charge for after school clubs. We have set up the ParentPay as AFTER SCHOOL CLUB.

You can credit this with as little or as much as you like (as long as it covers the cost of the clubs for this half term) In a similar way to the School Dinners credits operates

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Year Three

Andrew (3M)

 

Year Four

Uwa (4D)

Year Five

Ewaen (5N)

 

Year Six

Emmanuella (6T)

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I recommend 'My Best Friend the Suffragette' by Sally Morgan this week. The book is about two young girls who have different views about 'Votes for Women'. They become pen friends, writing letters to each other. I like this book because it teaches you about equal rights and the past. 

Khadeeja 5N

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France residential trip Y5&6
All Day
From 20 Apr until 21 Apr
20
April
Matilda London - Year 5
12:30pm – 5:00pm
26
April
STRIKE DAY
8:00am – 8:30am
27
April
May Day -
All Day
01
May
STRIKE DAY
8:00am – 8:30am
02
May
Cooking in the curriculum Y5
1:30pm – 3:00pm
03
May
Kings Coronation - Bank Holiday
All Day
08
May
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21 Apr 2023
New Fun Fitness Area
This week Reggy and Bethany from 4W write about our new fitness area in the playground.
Read more
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Year Three

In English this week the children have started work on a new text, Here Come Hercules by Stella Tarakson. They have been using the text to improve their use of descriptive language. Ask your child if they can tell you what has happened so far.

In maths, the children have continued their work on fractions by placing fractions on to number lines and scales. In RE, the children are coming towards the end of their work on Judaism, thinking about Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. They have discovered that this rite of passage is the time at which Jewish children are seen as Jewish adults. They have then considered a number of milestones in their lives. The children have also come to their geography and science unit 'We are Geologists'. They will be starting a new geography unit on the Coast next week. Science will see them starting a unit on Plants. We are really looking forward to starting these units with the children.

 

Year 4 

Year four has settled in really well after the Easter break, and they have produced work they can be proud of. In English, we have started reading our exiting new book called Revolt against the Romans. We introduced the main character by completing a character description and a diary entry. In maths, we continue our unit on fractions. This week we looked at improper fractions and mixed numbers. In history, we looked at the mystical enigma called Stonehenge. We explored its history and purpose and found the facts ever so fascinating. We completed our RE assessment on our Salvation unit to show what we have learnt.

We are looking forward to starting our new history topic The Romans next week. This will provide us with the opportunity of lots of cross-curricular work.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Year Five

In English this week, Year Five have started work on the much-loved Roald Dahl story of Matilda. They have been identifying vocabulary within extracts from the story to discuss and analyse the behaviours and traits of some of the key characters. We explored how these characters are portrayed in the film adaptations of the written text. Next week, we will be using drama techniques to perform a retelling of an event from the story.

In Maths, the children have begun their work on perimeter and area of rectilinear and compound shapes. We will continue to work on this area, next week, to consolidate our learning on how to accurately calculate both perimeter and area. In RE, we are coming towards the end of our study on Gospel. We have looked at how Christians today use their understanding of New Testament teachings on forgiveness, healing and generosity to make a positive difference in the world. Next week, we will begin our new unit on the study of Islam.

Year Six

Despite the 4-day week for the children, we have squeezed a lot into this week in Year 6. In English, we have started a new unit where the children will focus on editing and improving their own writing. They have been looking carefully at writing they completed in previous units of work and making adjustments, additions and corrections to move their writing on. This will be continuing over the next few weeks. In maths, we have looked at reading and plotting co-ordinates, and we have started to revise previous units of work in preparation for SATs. We have also included extra maths lessons this week with a particular focus on arithmetic. In RE this week, the children have continued to learn about Sikhism. The children created a timeline to represent the 10 Gurus and made a fact file about the 5Ks. Next week, the focus will be on the Sikh place of worship, the Gurdwara. In our reading sessions, we have been reminding ourselves of the strategies needed to answer comprehension type questions as well as improving the pace of our reading. Much of this will continue next week as we get closer to the SATs tests. Please encourage your children to continue with their revision at home, using the books given out before the holidays.

 

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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!

 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Three

3M

Name: Azraq

For: working diligently in all areas of the curriculum.

 

Name: Divine 

For: showing kindness by helping other members of the class.

 

Name: Lilly

For: always being calm, settled and beuatifully behaved.

3N

Name: Malachi

For: working diligently in all lessons this week.

Name: David

For: being keen to be helpful in the classroom.

Name: Arbi

For: being calm in class and ready to learn.

3P

Name: Jada

For: working diligently across all areas of the curriculum.

Name:  Amiyah

For: acting generously to help her peers.

Name: Maria

For: living at peace and always being ready to learn.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Four

4B

Name: Adam

For: working diligently in a range of subjects

 

Name: Sami

For: working well with his group in maths

 

Name: Amina

For: having a calm approach to her lessons

4D

Name: Jerry

For:completing sentences independently

Name: Uwa

For: being helpful and kind to others

Name: Michael F

For: being calm in all situations around school

4W

Name: Harley  

For: giving 100% effort in all his work 

Name: Archie  

For: always thinking of others and being respectful to classmates 

Name: Bethany  

For: always remaining calm and setting a great example for the class
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Five

5A

Name: Julian

For: working diligently in maths.

 

Name: Deborah

For: being a role model for kindness.

 

Name: Hope

For: being a calm influence to those around her.

5H

Name: Lucas

For: for great effort in all lessons this week.

Name: Deborah

For: for always being so cheerful and helpful.

Name: Adoniya

For: working as a great, cooperative member of his group in class.

5N

Name: Jasmine

For: showing enthusiasm and commitment to achieving high standards.

Name: Jackson

For: always being courteous, helpful and considerate towards everyone in our school community.

Name: Tishe

For: being a great team player during small group work.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Six

6I

Name: Kayden

For: Being focused and working hard in all lessons.

 

Name: Chris

For: Always being generous when helping others and setting a good example.

 

Name: Pola

For: Being at peace at all times.

6P

Name: Demi

For: showing great focus in lessons and a positive attitude to learning.

Name: Dionis

For: working well with his partner in maths, patiently explaining his methods.

Name: Joey

For: being calm during lessons and around the school.

6T

Name: Emmanuel

For: great photography work in art, using technology to edit his work. 

Name: Sali

For: always being willing to help others. 

Name: Cristina

For: being focused and living at peace with her learning. 
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