Newsletters

23/24 - Summer 1, Week 2

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Dear parents and carers,

Year Three and Four France Day Trip

Another busy week at William Ford has come to an end.  This time last week, our Year 3 and 4 pupils were still in France on what was a very successful day trip.  The pupils enjoyed making croissants with a very strict but hilarious French baker, learnt how bread was made, enjoyed a meal in a French restaurant overlooking the river and also visited a snail farm where several pupils tasted these for the first time!  This was all in addition to the excitement of the ferry crossing where pupils could order their own breakfast and dinner along with enjoying being out in the sea breeze on deck, seeing the sun set over the UK as we returned.

In about three weeks' time, just as the SATS examinations draw to a close, the trip will be repeated, with a few tweaks made, for our Year 5 and 6 pupils to ensure they get the same experience.  On Tuesday 14th May, I will be hosting a Zoom meeting after school for the parents of pupils who are attending (pupils are also invited).  Before then, if your child is planning to attend, please do ensure all monies have been paid and that you have ensured your child's passport is in date (not expiring before 18th August 2024).

 

British Values Day

We all have values - principles or standards of behaviour - that we view as important.  We may try to hold these values ourselves.  Sometimes we expect to see them in others.  Our values are often influenced by our upbringing, culture, life experience and any religious or political affiliations that we may have. 

On Tuesday we celebrated British Values Day - which once again coincided with St. George's Day. Whether our families have been in Britain for several generations, recently moved here or hold citizenship in another country, we all live in the UK, hence it is important for the pupils to learn about the values that the country holds dear.  These are:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 

As usual, each year group focused on a different value, meaning all will be covered during their time in the school.  You can read more about this important day below.

 

I pray you all have a wonderful weekend.

 

Mr. David Huntingford

Headteacher

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Support plan reviews

If your child has a support plan in place, you will soon be receiving a copy of the review that has taken place against their individual targets. This is following our assessment week before Easter, parents' evening discussions with yourselves and class teacher feedback. If you have any questions about their plan or the review, please speak to your child's class teacher. Alternatively, you can phone the office if you need to speak to me. 

Just a brief reminder of the school rules around attendance, presentation and pets.

If your child is unable to come into school please call the attendance line or email the school office.

Please remember jewellery, make up and fake / false nails are not permitted in school.

Can we also remind parents that  pets are NOT allowed in/on school grounds.

Thank you

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This week 'Black and British' by David Olusoga has been recommended. 

I enjoyed reading this book because you get to learn about Black History as well as discovering many other interesting facts about the past. 

Deborah 6F

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Pupil Voice Meetings
All Day
From 22 Apr until 26 Apr
22
April
SATS WEEK
All Day
From 13 May until 16 May
13
May
End of SATS treat trip
All Day
17
May
France Day Trip Yr5&6
6:00am – 11:00pm
17
May
Pupil Voice Meetings
All Day
From 20 May until 24 May
20
May
Parent Meeting - Our approach to Sex and relationships education
9:30am – 10:30am
20
May
Parent Meeting - Our approach to Sex and relationships education
5:00pm – 6:00pm
20
May
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26 Apr 2024
British Values day 2024
British Values day 2024. A fantastic day, full of educational discussion, debate, opinions and collaboration! 
Read more
26 Apr 2024
Year 5 Litter patrol design unveiling
Year 5 Litter patrol designs unveiled in Dagenham park and surrounding area! 
Read more
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Year Three

The children have begun a number of new topics of work over the last week and have also had the valuable opportunity to consider the Rule of Law through various activities during our British Values Day.

What we have learnt about this week

This week in English, the children have been revising expanded noun phrases and have used these in a setting description. They have also planned and written a chronological piece of writing using time conjunctions.

In maths, we have looked at non-unit fractions, recognising a whole and reading fractions on scales. The children are beginning to have a more solid understanding of fractions now.

In science, we found out about the parts of a plant and their functions and in R.E. we learnt about the different types of cross used by Christians, especially during the festival of Easter.

What we will learn about next week

In English next week we will learn about similes and metaphors and use these in a character description of Hercules. 

In maths, we will look at fractions on a number line and use this to support the introduction of equivalent fractions.

In science, we will investigate what seeds need to germinate. We will also be concluding our geography unit of work, which has seen us studying volcanoes, with an exciting and memorable lesson which we are sure the children will enjoy.

 

Year Four 

Year 4 have had a wonderful week beginning their new unit in English and Reading on the Revolt against the Romans! They also had a fantastic time learning about Tolerance and Respect during our British Values day. 

What we have learnt about this week

This week in English and Reading, year 4 pupils started their new unit in English and Reading on the Revolt against the Romans!

In Maths, pupils have been learning all about time, learning about the days, weeks, months, years, as well as how to convert between analogue and digital timings.

During art, pupils learnt how to draw in the style of an artist (Picasso), using cubism to recreate a picture.

In geography, pupils did research and compared two European capital cities: London and Paris.

They also had a fantastic time learning about Tolerance and Respect during our British Values day. 

What we will learn about next week

Next week, pupils will be shifting their focus towards Roman Britain and looking at how the Romans impacted Britain, when they attempted and then finally conquered Britain. 

In geography, pupils will be looking at the human and physical features of a capital city.

In RE, pupils will be looking and the role and responsibilities of the holy spirit, in Christianity, as they study the 'Kingdom of God.'

Year Five

Year 5 have been working really hard, as usual, this week. 

What we have learnt about this week

In maths, we have been using protractors to measure and draw angles. This is a tricky skill to master, but everyone has tried really hard and are becoming experts.

In English, Year 5 have been exploring the language used by William Shakespeare. We have looked at idioms, trying to work out their true meanings, and we have looked at some of the words and phrases used during the Elizabethan times. We had great fun writing monologues using that language.

In history this week, we have been finding out about the city of Baghdad. The children had to use information from historians to create their own diagrams of the city. They also came up with some fascinating questions that they would like to ask the historians.

What we will learn about next week

Next week in English, the children will have a closer look at playscripts and stage directions, in preparation for writing their own script.

In maths, we will continue to look at angles, in particular, angles on a straight line, before moving on to shapes.

In RE we will be continuing with our unit on Islam, finding out about the 5 pillars and why they are an important part of this faith.

Year Six

Once again, the Year Six teachers have been impressed with the hard work shown by the children this week.

What we have learnt about this week

This week, the children have completed their last set of formal assessments before their end of key stage SATs that will take place during the week beginning 13th May 2024.  As always, the children have worked solidly and many are making excellent progress in their attainment and understanding.  As well as their assessments, the children have continued with their P.S.H.E. and P.E. lessons.  On Tuesday, Year 6 looked at democracy as part of our British Values Day.  After learning about the main political parties in the U.K., they worked in small groups to create their own political party.  They had to think of a suitable name and logo to represent their party and then worked on developing the key  points that would form the basis of their manifesto.  It was very interesting to see what issues concerned the children and how they felt these could be addressed.

What we will learn about next week

Next week, the children will spend the majority of their lessons revising and preparing for their SATs.  As always, they will continue with their P.S.H.E. and P.E. lessons and there will be some opportunities to continue with other areas of the curriculum.

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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

3F

Name: Naqi

For: working diligently in Maths when leanring about fractions.

 

Name: Maddison 

For: acting generously with her time and always willing to help others 

 

Name: Favour

For: living at peace and being a more settled and focused member of 3F

3M

Name: Demi

For: trying hard in all lessons and producing some really effective descriptions in English.

Name: Samuel

For: trying hard to use lovely manners and for being patient and polite to others.

Name: Alex

For: making a real effort to be less talkative and more focussed in class this week.

3N

Name: Israel

For: working hard in all lessons and displaying good knowledge in his RE lesson.

Name: Sofia 

For: being kind and thoughtful to adults and her friends.

Name: Azaan

For: being a calm influence in the classroom and being ready to work in all lessons.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Four

4D

Name: 

For: 

 

Name: 

For: 

 

Name: 

For: 

4IW

Name: Jami

For: taking time to improve his handwriting this week. 

Name: Nafisa

For:  being helpful and focused in the classroom. 

Name: Kamso 

For: having a calm approach to learning and making progress in Maths. 

4W

Name: Will

For: creating a fantastic persuasive advert. 

Name: Liyanah

For: creating a fantastic persuasive advert. 

Name: Orisha

For: always living at peace and making lots of progress in reading.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Five

5A

Name: Aisela

For: listening attentively and working hard in maths.

 

Name: Zech

For: always going above and beyond to help members of staff.

 

Name: Milana

For: being a calm influence in class this week.

5H

Name:  Elliott

For: excellent work effort and contribution to lessons.

Name:  Shruthikka

For: her quiet kindness to those around her.

Name: Joanna

For: always showing respect to others .

5P

Name: Emmanuel

For: working really hard to produce a monologue using Shakespearean language.

Name: Ava

For: always being willing to help, without needing to be asked.

Name: Aneisha

For: comforting another child when they were upset.
 

Working diligently

 

Acting generously

 

Promoting peace

Year Six

6B

Name: Alexandra

For: excellent effort with her writing assessment.

 

Name: Zaiya

For: working collaboratively and sharing her ideas with her partner.

 

Name: Isaiah

For: displaying a calm and peaceful approach during classroom activities.

6F

Name: Okigbo

For: great focus and hard work during SAT's assessments this week. 

Name: Chidimma

For: sharing her ideas and methods when working in a group. 

Name: David

For: for showing great calmness and living at peace in the classroom.

6I

Name: Chelsea

For: Working exceptionally well and great improvements in her arithmetic scores.

Name: Joy

For: Always being generous and lovely to others.

Name: Yogi

For: His politeness this week. It's been lovely seeing his great manners.
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