Merry Christmas

Wishing all our pupils, parents and carers a very happy Christmas and new year from everyone at the school. I would also like to thank everyone for the wonderful cards and presents we have received. Happy Christmas!

Mrs Folan's last day

Today is Mrs Folan's last day. She has worked at our school for 26 years and taught many of your children and probably some of you as well. I would personally like to thank her for her hard work since I have been headteacher, but also for the many years prior to my arrival. Her smiling face and bubbly character will be sorely missed. We wish her every happiness and success. Thank you Mrs Folan!

Whoopsy Daisy Angel

What an amazing 2 performances we have had from Rome and Paris class over the last two days. The children sung, spoke and danced beautifully and their performance of Whoopsy Daisy Angel was truly magical, angelic if I may be so bold. Thank you to the children, staff and parents for a memorable couple of performances. The behaviour of the children was incredible, which is testament to their character as a naughty elf has invaded our Reception classes recently, disrupting lots of activities!

Magical Christmas Jigsaw production

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend either the morning or afternoon production (or both!) of the Magical Jigsaw. The acting, singing and costumes were fabulous and the children and adults had a great time. Thank you also to all the Key Stage 1 staff for their hard work organising the Christmas show!

Christmas Dinner - 9th December

Christmas dinner was a huge success today! Many thanks to everyone who helped: the kitchen staff for cooking an amazing meal; the PTA for distributing and organising the crackers for your children and all the staff for serving. A good time was had by all and there was a lot of singing and dancing. Photos can be found on the front page of the website.

Construction of new play boat

We have a new construction being erected in the Key Stage 1 playground. The shipwreck of a playboat has landed in the playground. We are hoping that the shipwreck becomes fully functional by the end of next week. We will keep you posted as to the developments of the playboat and when it will be open for pirates to explore!

Pantomimes

The children thoroughly enjoyed the pantomimes today. There were many happy faces and screaming children both at the Towngate theatre and in the Key Stage 1 hall this afternoon. No doubt many of your children will talk to you about their enjoyment of today. A big thank you to the PTA for contributing to the pantomime experience this year.

Nursery Christmas Songs

Yesterday, our Nursery officially started the Christmas period within school. After the bazaar at the weekend organised by the PTA, we had the start of our concerts/performances and our Nursery children kicked everything off in style. The children sung beautifully and waved their wands and stars perfectly. Thank you to everyone for a fantastic start to the week and the Christmas festivities.

Christmas Bazaar - 5th December

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the school's Christmas Bazaar on Saturday. It was wonderful to see so many people there. A huge thank you to all the PTA for organising the event, spending many hours finalising plans to ensure it ran smoothly. We will keep you informed as to how much money was raised in a future letter/post.

Final Day of Clubs - Friday 4th December

All before, lunchtime and after school clubs will finish today for this term. They will restart again in the new year and we will send out a letter informing you when they start and if there are any changes.

Decoration day

Thanks you to everyone who was able to attend this morning and to all the parents/carers who sent their children in Christmas jumpers and t-shirts this morning. It truly has been a festive morning an Santa's little helpers have been busy making decorations. We do hope you are able to attend the Christmas Bazaar tomorrow to maybe buy a decoration or two that are being sold by the school council. Santa will also be in attendance. We have had a fantastic morning and thank you to everyone who was able to help! Lots more photos on the front page of the website!

Dodgeball Competition quarter finalists

Congratulations to both teams who participated in a Basildon Schools' dodgeball competition today. Both teams made it through to the quarter finals. An excellent effort!

Reception Wedding Day Celebrations

Today, our Reception pupils took part in a wedding ceremony. They came in dressed for the occasion and sang and danced as if at a real wedding. They enjoyed cakes and then finally watched the bride and groom say their vows and live happily ever after. Congratulations to everyone!

Road Safety assembly

This afternoon Mrs campkin led a safety assembly about being safe by the roads and wearing bright clothing at night during the winter. The link below will take your child to a website wear they can learn and play games about being safe by roads.
http://talesoftheroad.direct.gov.uk/

Handwriting Videos

Some parents have asked for guidance on the school's handwriting scheme. You will find a page on the website showing you the school's handwriting scheme and how letters are formed. If you click on the link below it will also take you to the page:
https://sites.google.com/a/kingswoodprimaryschool.net/public/handwriting-scheme

Year 2 - Gretel on Trial

In Year 2 today, Gretel, from the story of Hansel and Gretel, was placed on trial for her actions. The pupils had a debate about her actions, deciding if she was innocent or guilty of poor behaviour. It was a lengthy trial and a decision was made in the end. Please have a look at some of the trial pictures!

Clubs

All clubs return to normal next week, week beginning 23rd November 2015.

Official opening of Kingswood Play Park

We were lucky enough to be invited to the official opening of the new play area in Kingswood Park this afternoon. Last year's school council worked with Basildon council to talk through play equipment they would like to see in the park. Their ideas were duly taken on board and the council gained funding to build the new area. As you can see from the picture, I am certain that this area will be used and bring excitement to many of our pupils now and in the future.

Red, White and Blue Day

We raised an astonishing £370.20 on Red, White and Blue day. Thank you for your support and your generosity. The money has already been sent to the charities that support this brilliant day!

Football Result

Well done to the boys tonight who came from behind to draw their game with Janet Duke 2 - 2, in the wind and drizzling rain. Unfortunately the game against Phoenix school has been cancelled on Friday. The boys remain unbeaten this season!

Kingswood Balloon Found in France

We had the most amazing email today from a couple who were on holiday in France and found a Kingswood balloon released on our official opening day. They were on a beach near to a town called Cayeux-Sur-Mer, when their dog, called crumpet, found one of our balloons and chased after it. After discovering the balloon and taking photographs, they released it and it flew high into the sky over the trees into inland France. Unfortunately we do not know whose balloon it was or where it is now, but an amazing story I am sure you will agree! You can see a picture of Jacki and the balloon as well as the whole family: Jacki, Terry and the discoverer of the balloon Crumpet!

Lunchtime & After school clubs next week

As we have parent consultation evenings on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th November, there will be no lunch time and after school clubs EXCEPT FOR KARATE! All pupils will finish at normal school time for that week only!

New Curriculum Information Meetings Tomorrow

Don't forget that tomorrow, Thursday 12th November, we are inviting parents and carers in to the school to find out about our new school curriculum and assessment procedures. The meetings will be taking place at either 9.15am or 6.00pm.

We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

Children in Need - Friday 13th Novemner

To celebrate Children in Need day on Friday 13th November, pupils will be allowed to attend school in spots or ballroom clothes, but they must contribute £1. We will be having a dance competition in the afternoon, organised by the school council.

Reading/Phonics Workshop next week

On Tuesday of next week (10th November), we are holding a parent workshop for Reception and Year 1 parents in regard to reading and phonics. We are holding the same meeting twice, one at 9.15 am and one at 2.30 pm. They will be in the Key Stage 1 school hall and if you wish to attend, please return your slip to the school office. We hope as many of you as possible can attend this important meeting.

Dino Dig Day

Dino Dig Day has been very successful. According to many of the school's new paleontologists there are many dinosaurs that roamed the Kingswood  field years ago. Bones have been found and spotted near the school and under the conker tree. I am not certain what will be discovered this afternoon?