Heartsease Primary Academy Newsletter - 4th April 2025

joanne.rowley • April 4, 2025

Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a very exciting term which has culminate in Keeping safe month and Kindness week this week. The children have been learning about how to be kind to each other, talking positively about each other, giving and receiving compliments and undertaking a variety of team building activities.

I met with the Chair and Vice Chair of the school council this week where they highlighted things that are going well - believe it or not the children love playing with the tyres donated by Spixworth MOT Bay!

Areas that they want to look at are more clubs for the children that are not just sports and so the school council will be launching a pupil survey next ½ term to find out what clubs the children would like to take part. This will then help us make the transition from Thursday "keep up and catch up" groups run by teachers to things that are more interest based.

I will keep you updated once the survey has been completed and the array of after school activities that will be in place after May half term.

Thank you again for your ongoing support and have a lovely Easter Break.

Term starts again on Tuesday 22nd April.

Kind regards

Mr N Campbell

Office update

Aspens Select - Lunch ordering system

If you wish to order your child a school meal please note that the orders have to be placed before 9am on the day. If you have not set up your account and need some assistance please visit the school office so we can provide you with your log in details and help with setting up your account. To find the link to access Aspens Select, go onto MCAS, select 'announcements' and the link can be found in this section.

If an order is not placed for your child we will not be able to offer them a choice on the day, they will be given tomato pasta.

Free School Meals

A reminder that if your child is in Yr2 (Amber and Aqua), they will no longer be entitled to a universal free school meal when they move into Yr3 (Coral/Crystal). You may still be entitled to free school meals and you can check if you are at www.norfolk.gov.uk/neo You could save up to £400 a year.

Diarrhoea/Vomiting

Please be reminded that if you child has an episode of diarrhoea / vomiting they need to be at least 48 hours clear from the last episode before returning to school.

After School Activity Clubs

The Cheerleading and Tag Rugby club has now finished for the Term.

The after school running club will still be going ahead after we return from the Easter break and will continue to run until we finish for the Summer holiday (there is no need to enroll your child again for this club if your child already attends as their place will be held). Please note that if your child does miss 2 consecutive sessions you will be contacted to advise that their place has been removed and this place will then be offered to a child on the waiting list.

After the Easter break, clubs will take place during the lunchbreak rather than after school.

Jewellery

Stud earrings or a watch may be worn to school. For health and safety reasons, no other jewellery is permitted. Earrings must be removed for PE/Swimming.

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY – Neurodiversity Café

On Wednesday 23rd April we are hosting the Schools and Community Team Neurodiversity Café.

All parents are welcome, but we would particularly like to reach out to our parents with children who have a diagnosed OR suspected Neurodivergent need and are struggling to support these needs at home.

The café will provide an opportunity for you to share your worries and concerns and learn about ways to help your child. The team will also share information about other organisations that you could access for help and support. Unfortunately, they are not able to help with any diagnosis but can talk you through strategies to help you and your child.

If you are interested, please come along from 9.00am – 10.00am on 23rd April at Heartsease Primary school.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Fortnightly class updates and achievements

Nursery

Week commencing 24th March

This week the younger children learned some different Nursery Rhymes. They practised saying Humpty Dumpty. They thought about how to make a strong wall for Humpty to sit on using different construction kits. The other Nursery Rhyme was Baa Baa Black Sheep. This led to looking at different textures of materials. They learned about the concepts of hard and soft and were able to sort into these categories.

The older children looked at the different things they might see in spring. They used a non-fiction book to find this information, They learned about the special parts of a non-fiction book — page numbers, contents page, index page, page headings and labels.

Week commencing 31st March

The younger children have been thinking about Easter and Easter traditions. They have learned how to do bunny hops, had an egg and spoon race and been on an egg hunt.

The older children have read the book ' The Good Egg'. They have learned about how to look after themselves and others by working together, helping and considering others. They have had a close look at the parts of an egg. Finally they have talked about Easter and different Easter traditions, such as chocolate Easter eggs, egg hunts and egg rolling.

We wish everybody a lovely holiday and look forward to seeing you again on 22nd April.

Ruby Class

Week commencing 24th March

This week, Ruby class started reading and writing about Flat Stanley - The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery. In Maths, Key Stage 1 continued working on reading the time, Reception worked on being more confident using numbers to 20. In RE, we learnt the story of Moses and the 10 plagues, and about the symbolism of the food at the Passover Seder. In computing, we took photos of objects that we lit from different angles. In outdoor learning, we looked for signs of Spring. In History, we learnt about mummification, then in Science, we designed an experiment to test what would or would not preserve apples, we decided to find out if it made a difference when they were in the dark or the light.

Week commencing 31st March

This week, we finished reading and writing about Flat Stanley, and consolidated our maths learning from last week. The whole school focussed on kindness this week. Ruby class thought about including friends we don't usually play with; worked as a team during outdoor learning; and made kindness bookmarks for our friends. In Science, we looked at the results of last week's experiment and revisited habitats, learning about why plants and animals need each other. In RE, we learnt about Easter.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Liam & Jaxson-Lee

For great progress in phonics.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Alec

He always tries his best, and is always kind.

Reception (Jasper / Jade Classes)

Reception have been learning about the life cycle of a frog through the story 'Tad' by Benji Davies and the orgins of the Easter festival. The children have all made Easter baskets and had an Easter Egg hunt on Friday. They have worked so hard to develop their reading and writing through our new phonics scheme 'Sounds Write' this term and deserve a much-needed rest.

After the Easter holiday, we will be getting our 'Green fingers' on as we learn about plants and develop our garden area, so it looks beautiful. Any cuttings you could send in that we could replant would be gratefully received. Have a lovely break - The EYFS team :0)

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing 24th March

Jade Class

Lyas

For independence and perseverance.

Jasper Class

Eli

For effort and motivation in phonic sessions.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Jade Class

Eleanor

For making excellent progress, Well done!

Jasper Class

Izakuje

He is a kind and hard-working member of our class. He has made fantastic progress with his writing and with his understanding of the number system this term.

Year 1 (Onyx/Opal Classes)

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Opal Class

Emmie-Rose

For kindness towards others this week.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Onyx Class

Oliver

For always being on tasks, working hard and helping others.

Opal Class

Halima

Halima is always showing Kindness towards other. She supports others, listens to them and acts accordingly; showing teamwork. Halima is extremely respectful both towards her peers and adults. Due to this she has achieved in all areas of the curriculum by thinking hard, listening to advice to improve writing outcomes and thinking independently.

Year 2 (Amber/Aqua Classes)

In math the children have been adding and subtracting two 2-digit numbers. In writing we finished our recounts from personal experience using first person and past tense. We included adjectives, adverbs and expanded noun phrases then edited to demonstrate the secure use of punctuation. The year group finished reading and analyzing our Core text, The Rhythm of the Rain, which we all enjoyed. In history the children completed the final lessons regarding studying the people, places and events in the local area. Our final art pieces inspired by the work of Katie Vernon will be on display at our Art and Design Festival later in the year.

We wish you a very happy and peaceful Easter break.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Amber Class

Natalia

For showing a kind and caring attitude towards her peers and is a very supportive learning partner. In lessons, she always tries her best.

Well done Natalia.

Aqua Class

Olivia

For her growing confidence in reading. She is reading prosody texts with choral reading and good intonation.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Amber Class

Oliver K & Theo

For being fully engaged with their learning and they have worked hard in all subjects. They have shown a real drive to succeed and should be pleased with their achievements.

Aqua Class

Nellie

For her immense curiosity and ability to share facts. Your learning is reflected in your writing and what you communicate in class, fantastic Nellie!

Year 3 (Coral / Crystal Classes)

Year 3 Have completed their DT projects and have taken home the toys they successfully made using linkages and levers home. They have started a new science topic all about plants - any chances to look at the different parts of a variety of plants outside of school would be a great chance to connect with their learning! In writing we are moving onto writing descriptions of settings. During the holidays, it would be really helpful to them if you could take a trip into Norwich for some firsthand experience that they could use in their writing. In maths, we are continuing with our learning journey into fractions; we are learning how to add, subtract and solve problems with them.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Coral Class

Penny

Penny has consistently shown such kindness to all the class. She is forever ensuring resources are cared for and where they should be. She looks after members of the class when they are not feeling at their best – in class and on the playground. She has proved herself to be a thoroughly kind person and we are proud to know her. Well done, Penny!

Crystal Class

Lukey

For working hard in class. Lukey is always keen to help the class teacher and other children whenever he can and is a great partner in class to lots of children. He also enjoys sharing ideas and answers too. Well done Lukey!

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Coral Class

Jayden S

He has worked so hard to correct an element of his handwriting. It's taken him a while and he has finally beaten it!

Crystal Class

Rachel

For always trying her best and being eager to contribute in discussions in class. She is extremely helpful in class and is always looking for ways to help whenever she can.

Year 4 (Garnet/Topaz Classes)

Its been a fascinating few weeks for year 4 in this final fortnight of term. As the temperatures have increased, its been fantastic for the children to be able to use the field regularly. In lesson time, year 4 have started to learn the writing skills they will need to master when they write third person adventure stories about an exciting escape from a dangerous disaster. In reading we have been finishing up the boy in the back of the classroom, where our main character has become a national sensation after jumping the gates of Buckingham palace. In maths we have been continuing our journey with fractions, learning all about what happens when you add two fractions together. In History, we learned how while the Vikings may have mainly been farmers and fishermen, they had their reputation as fearsome warriors for a reason. In Science, we have started learning about electricity and how powerful and yet dangerous it is. In art, we have been creating sculptures made from wire and tinfoil, inspired by Jacometti and his oddly-proportioned pieces.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Garnet Class

Anna

For consistently excellent work in her reading, writing and maths. She is always really good at making sure the work is the priority.

Topaz Class

Daniel

For always trying his best in class. He will always listen quietly to the teacher’s instructions and is eager to learn. He has particularly impressed me with his participation this week, and how organised he is for each lesson

Brilliant!

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Garnet Class

Aisha

For being a helpful and polite person within the class. If there is any job that needs to be done, she is always eager to help no matter what!

Topaz Class

Grace

For having an outstanding attitude to learning, always trying her best and for being wonderfully attentive and engaged at all times.

Year 5 (Emerald/Sapphire Classes)

What a busy term it has been in Year 5. We are just finishing off our biographies about will be starting with myths and legends when we return. In maths we have been focusing on area and perimeter and will be securing our knowledge of decimals when we return. It has been an excellent half term and we are all looking forward to seeing you in the Summer term.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Emerald Class

Connor

Throughout this week and every week he has shown a real determination to achieve in all subjects. He's engaged, switched on and a valuable member of this class!

Sapphire Class

Enoch

Sapphire class are proud of Enoch because of his marked improvement over the Spring term. Excellent progress in all areas of learning but foremost being his concentration, focus and application during lessons.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Emerald Class

Taylor-Rey

For being an excellent friend who can be relied upon to cheer people up when they are down and he shows excellent kindness at all times!

Sapphire Class

Chloe A

An outstanding Spring term with marked improvements in all areas of learning, especially math. Excellent work and well deserved.

Year 6 (Diamond/Quartz Classes)

Week commencing 24th March

Year 6 have been planning and have started to write up their fantasy narrative. They are also practising their editing skills in between writing each paragraph to make sure their work is structurally and grammatically correct, as well as making it exciting for their target audience. In Maths, we have started to learn about translations and co-ordinates, which builds on from work they would have completed in Year 5.

Week commencing 31st March

We have continued writing and editing our fantasy stories in class. The children have been adding dialogue, action and response in their stories to add more excitement. Building on from our work on translating shapes, we are now working on reflection in Maths. Year 6 have been completing a range of activities in the afternoon for Kindness Week. This has included creating their own kindness leaf, discussing and performing kindness related scenarios and completing lots of team building activities in the hall with Year 5 on Thursday.

Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 24th March

Diamond Class

Mason

For his amazing achievement this week. He has worked hard and improved in every lesson. He shared some great ideas with the class in Geography. Well done!

Quartz Class

Lilly-Mae

Lilly has shown great improvement in her Writing. She has really focused on writing a very detailed setting description in the opening of her Extended Third Person Narrative, using expanded noun phrases, verbs and a wider range of vocabulary to draw reader in. Lilly has also shown more confidence in her editing skills to make any corrections.

End of Term Head Teachers Award

Diamond Class

Salma

Salma has been very welcoming to all the new girls we have add this year. She has supported them in class and looked after them at break times.

Quartz Class

Yu Rong

For always looking to use a range of descriptive devices to improve his Writing.

Commendation Awards

Bronze Award

Received 30 Commendations

Jaxson-Lee / Sidney / Peter - Ruby Class

Norbet - Onyx Class