Riverside News Issue 441 – 24.01.25

Home > Newsletters > Riverside News Issue 441 – 24.01.25

STAR of the Week

Leopard: Liam H

For being such a kind, caring and sensible member of Leopard class. You are a great friend to everyone Liam and we love having you in Leopard class.

Zebra: Aurora B

For working so hard this week to follow the class promise and for really challenging herself to become a Risky Risk Taker with her writing this week. Great work Aurora, keep up the fabulous work.

Lion: Lillie H

For working so hard on your caption writing this week. I am so impressed.

Bear: Isla M

For amazing effort in handwriting and maths this week, trying really hard in your maths quiz and striving to do your very best.

Otter: Nathan H

For working super hard to recall all the codes we have learnt so far in our Phonics lessons and for using this knowledge to try and write your senetnces independently. Keep up the good work!

Seal: Jake M

For writing a fantastic ‘defeating the monster’ story, following the structure of our class text ‘The Snow Queen’ to support him. Jake used expanded noun phrases and verbs to improve his writing. Great job Jake!

Dolphin: Sawyer B

For demonstrating remarkable improvement in his behaviour and attitude towards learning, particularly with his enthusiastic contributions during carpet time. His excellent explanations of mathematical methods and creative ideas for our class story in English have been outstanding. We are incredibly proud of you – keep up the fantastic work!

Tiger: The Tiger Class!

For working hard, being a team and performing a spectacular performance at the Palace theatre. Well done!

Panda: The Panda Class!

For  your excellent effort and participation during our Y3 dance festival. You all showcased your hard work and performed fantastically with so much enthusiasm, I am so proud of you all!

Turtle: James M-L

For using fantastic scientific words during class discussions and explaining his ideas so clearly. He does a great job using data from our experiments and linking it to what he already knows. Well done!

Giraffe: Oliver R

For your beautiful handwriting in your suspense story this week. It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of effort into improving your handwriting, and your dedication has not gone unnoticed. Well done—you should be proud of yourself!

Monkey: Warwick B

For outstanding achievement in writing. Your work is impeccably presented and showcases exceptional vocabulary.

Kangaroo: Lydia H

For fantastic demonstrations in gymnastics and for always trying her best in all subjects

Koala: Daisy C

For her amazing descriptive writing, using all the success criteria to describe a mythical creature and the setting it was found in – some great vocabulary choices made the creature easy to imagine!

 

Attendance

W/E: 17/01/25

Otter99%
Lion98.6%
Giraffe98.3%
Seal98.1%
Bear97.9%
Tiger97.4%
Zebra95.5%
Koala95.3%
Monkey95.2%
Leopard94.8%
Turtle94.6%
Kangaroo92.6%
Panda92.2%
Dolphin90.6%
95.7%
Overall Attendance

Reporting Pupil Absence

This is a reminder to all parents/carers that the correct way to report absences is to leave a message on the absence line answerphone daily. If messages are sent by email to the admin email address they will not be registered in time for the morning attendance and you may then receive a call from our attendance team.

Letters

Below are a list of letters, leaflets and posters uploaded to the website this week.

Leaflets/Posters for Parents

Letters sent this week

Parent Consultations Spring 2025 – 24.01.25

PTA AGM notice – 24.01.25

Previous letters, leaflets and posters can be found on the school website Events & Letters > Letters & Parent Meetings

Reminders

No Crossing Patrol
We have been informed by Essex County Council that the crossing patrol lady will not be on duty on

  • Friday 31 January 2025
  • Friday 28th February 2025
  • Monday 3rd March 2025

Please therefore ask your children to be vigilant when crossing.


KS1 Playground
Please do not allow children to play on the equipment either before/after school. At the end of the day, parents and children should leave the site promptly . This enables us to open up the playground for our other clubs. Thank you.


KS2 Playground
Please note that the day in KS2 does not start until 8:40am when the doors open. Children should not be left unsupervised on the playground before this time. Children should not play on the equipment. Thank you


SEN coffee mornings

Here are the SEN coffee morning dates for 2024-2025. If you have a child currently on the SEN register, are curious about an element of SEN or simply would like to come along for a chat about something SEN related, please attend.
 
They will be held in the red building meeting room at 9:10. If you would like to attend, please drop an email to sen@riversideprimary.co.uk.
  • 6th February- 2.30pm
  • 20th March- Focus to follow
  • 8th May- Focus to follow
  • 26th June- Focus to follow
We look forward to seeing you, 
Miss Marshall and Mrs Rice

O2

A Night to Remember – Our Choir Shines at Young Voices at the o2 Arena, London!

This week, our choir took to the stage at the Young Voices concert, and we couldn’t be prouder of their amazing performance. From the very first note to the final song, they sang their hearts out, filling the arena with energy, passion, and joy. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and their brilliant behaviour made them fantastic representatives of our school.

The Power of Singing
Singing is more than just making music—it’s a powerful tool for personal development, building confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of performing. As part of our music curriculum, opportunities like Young Voices not only enhance musical skills but also support children’s wider growth. Through this experience, they developed resilience, communication skills, and self-belief, stepping outside their comfort zones and rising to the challenge of performing in a large arena. It was wonderful to see them come together, learning from professional musicians and experiencing the magic of being part of something truly special.  

A Sneak Peek!
Here are some fantastic photos from the night, capturing the excitement of the performance. You can also enjoy a sneak peek of some of the songs they performed.

What’s Next? Join Us for the Summer Concert!
Now that Young Voices is over, we’re looking ahead to our Summer Concert at the Cliffs Pavilion, and we’d love to welcome new members! If your child would like to be part of our choir, now is the perfect time to join. Choir practice is every Friday after school until 4.20pm, and Mrs. Watts would be delighted to see some new faces. Just pop into the office and ask Mrs King to add your child’s name. Our next session is on Friday 31st January.

Let’s keep the music going—see you at choir! 🎶

Mrs. Watts

10% Discount for Parents until 31 March 2025

Photo and Video Permissions Update

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Facebook page and Instagram page coming soon! This will allow us to share updates, events, and the vibrant life of our school with our community. Due to this new development, it is essential that we ensure we have accurate permissions regarding the use of photos and videos of your child.

To streamline this process and ensure clarity, we will rely solely on the permissions you provide via the designated Google Form. This form allows you to indicate your preferences regarding the use of your child’s photos and videos for school-related purposes, including on the new Facebook/Instagram page.

We kindly ask that you complete the Google Form by Friday 31st January at 9am to ensure your preferences are recorded accurately. If you need to update your preferences at any time, please contact the school office for assistance.

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/FBCx64qztsxTL8Hx5

Follow us on:

Important Reminder: No Riding Bikes or Scooters on School Grounds

We would like to remind all parents and carers that, for the safety of everyone, children (including younger siblingsare not permitted to ride their bikes or scooters on the school site. Mornings and afternoons are particularly busy, and riding on school grounds presents a serious hazard to others.

Please ensure that your child[ren] dismounts from their bike or scooter before entering the school gates and walks it to the designated racks. At the end of the day, they should collect their bike or scooter and walk it off-site before riding home. 

If school staff notice children riding bikes or scooters on site, they will be asked to dismount immediately.

Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and welcoming for all.

Persistent Absences

If your child takes too much time off school they will become categorised as PA or persistently absent.  Missing school will make your child fall behind in lessons and will impact on their academic progress and achievement. 

Below is the percentage of children per year group who currently fall into this category.  If you are worried about your child’s school attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school where we can work with you to improve this.

Year Group % of
Persistent Absences
R 20%
1 7%
2 11%
3 9%
4 13%
5 7%
6 16%
Overall 12%

Bronze Reading Awards

Well done to the following children who have received their Bronze award for reading 50 times.

Year R

  • Olivia B
  • Aleanna W
  • Archie T
  • Austin M
  • Harley W
  • Liam H
  • Miley M
  • Mabel S

Year 1

  • Grace H
  • Nellie H
  • Elsie M
  • Lily V
  • Hollie N
  • Isla M

Year 2

  • Polly S

Year 3

  • Oliver S
  • Leilani K

Year 4

  • Jack T
  • Thomas P

Year 5/6

  • Joseph L
  • Seb D
  • Roman E
  • Jayson A
  • Millie B

Silver Reading Awards

Well done to the following children who have received their Silver award for reading 100 times.

Year 1

  • Teddy L
  • Finley C
  • Willow A
  • Adalyn T

Year 2

  • Freddie H

Year 3

  • Oliver S
  • Leilani K

Year 4

  • Joshua C
  • Alice C
  • Serenna H
  • Mia B
  • Ella S

Year 5/6

  • George W
  • George N
  • Freya S
  • Finley J
  • Riminee P
  • Evie A-B
  • Sadev W

Gold Reading Awards

Well done to the following children who have received their Gold award for reading 200 times.

Year 5/6

  • Scarlett R
  • Deekshitha Y

Team Points

Personal Contact Details

As you are aware we keep confidential records on our systems with parents/carers contact details, ie. addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts and email addresses.

If you have recently made any changes could you contact us on admin@riversideprimary.co.uk so we can update our systems please.

Makaton Sign of the Week

We’re excited to share our ‘Sign of the Week’—Nice

 

Year 6 SATS Information Recording

 

Times Tables Challenge - Quiz! - Microsoft AppsTimes Tables

Congratulations to the following Year 3/4 children who have earned their;

Bronze award as they can fluently and rapidly recall the 2,5 and 10 times tables.

  • Xavier W
  • Koben P
  • Noah P
  • Reggie R

Silver award as they can fluently and rapidly recall the 3, 4, 6 and 11 times tables.

  • Alfie B
  • Ella S
  • Max K
  • Esme M

Supporting Families with ADHD: A Resource for Parents

Are you a parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD or showing traits of it? You’re not alone. Navigating the world of ADHD can be challenging, but an invaluable support network is just a click away!

Our featured website, created by a dedicated group of volunteers, is a hub of information, advice, and resources for families managing ADHD. Whether you’re looking for practical strategies, up-to-date information, or a supportive community, this platform offers it all.


What Does the Support Group Offer?

  • Peer Support: Join a network of parents and individuals with ADHD sharing real-life experiences, tips, and encouragement.
  • Positive Environment: Discover ways to help children with ADHD enjoy life while connecting with others in a relaxed, helpful setting.
  • Community Engagement: Learn how this group is raising awareness of ADHD in schools, healthcare, and beyond.
  • Informative Events: Attend focus groups, online support sessions, and talks led by experts to address key topics like managing emotions, school strategies, and ADHD in adults.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar for these exciting opportunities to connect and learn:

  • ADHD Family Focus Group Support Sessions: Held monthly in Chelmsford at Boreham Village Hall.
  • Online Support Sessions: Easily accessible from home, with topics like “Understanding ADHD” and “ADHD and Emotions.”
  • Special Talks and Guest Speakers: Gain insights from professionals on ADHD management and education.

For a full list of events and booking details, visit the website’s Eventbrite page or their Facebook community for updates. 

Learn More

ADHD+ Support

OPAL

We are excited to share that we have begun the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) project to enhance the lunchtime experience even furtherfor your children. The aim is to provide more opportunities for creative and active play. 

Please keep an eye out for a parent survey that will be sent to you soon. This section of the newsletter will keep you updated on our OPAL journey, including upcoming developments and ways you can get involved.

Also, if you are having a clear-out, please look out for our donation requests for resources to enhance the playground. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated!


Parents’ survey about playtime at school

Dear parents and carers,

We are looking at our playtimes and thinking about how we can improve them by introducing the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme.

Can you help? We really want to know what you think of playtimes now.

https://forms.gle/E19nbzGJUyYqtuzu6

Thank you in advance.


Please can any donations brought in be left in the red building reception area. Thank you

11+ 2025 Entry Important Dates

1 March 2025 — NATIONAL OFFER DATE

Achievements

At Riverside, we love celebrating our pupils’ achievements, both inside and outside of school. If your child has accomplished something beyond the classroom, we want to hear about it!

Please email admin@riversideprimary.co.uk with a brief description along with any photos of their achievement. We’ll be thrilled to showcase their success in our weekly newsletters.

Childcare Vouchers

Tax free childcare vouchers can be used to pay for Breakfast and Twilight sessions.


Breakfast club cost £6 per session.

Please arrive in between 7.30 – 8.15am. Your child will be walked back to their class by a member of staff when the school day begins.

Included in this cost will be a drink and a breakfast of toast and cereal.


Twilight club cost £7.50 per session.

Twilight Club runs from 3:15pm to 5pm. Your child will be taken to Twilight club by their class teacher at the end of the school day.

Included in this cost children are provided with a drink and healthy snack

Bookings must be booked 24 hours in advance via ParentPay.

To contact a member of the Twilight staff, please call 01702 230911 and select the Twilight Club option.

Safeguarding
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Adult Shirts Needed!

As part of our OPAL project, we are looking for donations of old adult-sized shirts to be used in our outdoor digging area. These will help keep the children clean and comfortable while they explore and enjoy outdoor play.

If you have any old shirts to spare, please drop them off in the red building foyer.

Thank you for your support in helping us create a fun and enriching outdoor play environment!

Dinner Menu

We are operating a two week rolling menu. The menus, ingredients and allergen lists can be viewed on our website by clicking here.

Schools Dinners are free (UFSM) for children in EYFS & KS1 (Years 1 & 2) and for families eligible for FSM (Free School Meals). For children in KS2, who are not entitled to FSM please see pricing below.

Main Meal
£2.70
Vegetarian Meal
£2.70
Jacket Potato
£2.70
Grab Bags
£2.90

Football/Netball fixture list for 2024/25

Trouble viewing? Please click here.

PTA

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH UPCOMING EVENTS!

Dates not shown on previous issues are added in RED!

Spring 1 2025

27/01/25 — EYFS Fire Officer Visit

27/01/25 — KS1 Computing Workshops

28/01/25 — Year 3 Dance Show to Parents – Blue Hall at 2.30pm

31/01/25 — No Crossing Patrol

31/01/25 — Year 1 Library Visit

31/01-06/02/25 — Year 1-6 East of England Maths Contest

07/02/25 — Police officer/cars visit to EYFS

11/02/25 — Safer Internet Day 2025

11/02/25 — 2 Johns Workshops – Details to follow

11/02/25 — EYFS Road Safety Presentation to parents and children

12/02/25 — EYFS Road Safety Presentation to parents and children

12/02/25 — Active Maths Festival – Year 3

13/02/25 — 2 Johns Parents Workshop – Details to follow

14/02/25 — Children break up today

Half Term – Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February 2025

Spring 2 2025

24/02/25 — Children return back to school

25/02/25 — Parent/Teacher Consultations 3:30 – 6:30pm

27/02/25 — Parent/Teacher Consultations 3:30 – 6:30pm

06/03/25 — World Book Day 2025

11/03/25 — Year 4 MTC presentation to parents – 3:30pm

12/03/25 — PTA Wonderful Women’s Sale

20/03/25 — Year 1 Phonics Presentation to parents – 3:30pm

Easter Holidays – Monday 7th April – Monday 21st April 2025