Dear families,

What a packed summer term we've had – the year is almost over! As I sit here reflecting on these past few weeks, I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of memories we've created . From school trips, to International Day celebrations, Science Day, the excitement of Sports Day, and soon - discos that will have everyone dancing – it promises to be a term filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments.

The sun has been absolutely relentless, but who's complaining? This glorious weather has added an extra sparkle to everything we've done, and I've loved seeing the pupils' faces light up as they've embraced each sunny day with enthusiasm.

I must take a moment to celebrate our incredible International Day – what a phenomenal success! Events like this remind us of something so important: we are stronger together than divided. The sense of community, the sharing of cultures, and the way our families came together was truly heart-warming. I'm delighted to share that we managed to raise £1200 from the profits of International Day. Thank you all for making it such an important and memorable event for our school community.

I'm sure you have, however, heard the sad news that the PFA have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the Big Bounce. This is not a decision that was taken lightly, but unfortunately, without the support from parents and carers, events like this simply cannot go ahead. We are hopeful that we can bring the Big Bounce back next year, as not only is this such a fun event for families, but the school is in desperate need of the funds these events generate. Please do contact us if you would like to join the PFA – your involvement makes all the difference.

Assessments have been underway in Key Stage 1, with children in Year 1 and a small group of children in Year 2 taking their Phonics Screening Check. This is a short assessment that evaluates children's ability to decode and blend sounds – fundamental skills that support their reading journey. Meanwhile, our Year 4 pupils took on the Multiplication Screening Check, demonstrating their mathematical prowess by answering 25 multiplication questions on a computer. Some other non-statutory assessments have also taken place across the school. We are incredibly proud of our children who have shown our school value of resilience throughout these assessments, approaching each challenge with determination and a positive attitude.

I am reminded every day that children are remarkable beings, capable of surprising us with their insights, their kindness, and their incredible capacity to learn and grow. Watching them navigate their learning journey with such grace and enthusiasm fills my heart with pride.

As we move towards the end of this wonderful term, please look carefully at the events calendar, as there are many exciting events taking place between now and the end of the summer term. Please also pay careful attention to timings, as we want to ensure everyone can participate fully in these special occasions. We will send out a calendar soon with the dates for the Autumn term, so you can plan ahead.

A reminder during this hot weather – please apply suncream before school to keep your children protected. Small fans can be used to help keep cool, but sunglasses are only permitted for medical reasons.

Finally, a reminder that school reports will be sent home on 11th July, and children will find out who their new teacher is on Monday 14th July – a letter will be sent home with all the exciting details.

Thank you for your continued support and for being such a wonderful school community.

Ms M Nwankiti

Headteacher 

YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL AND ACTIVITY WEEK

Our Year 6 pupils had a fantastic time during their residential trip to Wales. They took part in a range of exciting outdoor adventures, including team-building challenges. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to build confidence, develop independence, and make lasting memories with their friends before moving on to secondary school.

As part of Year 6 Activity Week, pupils enjoyed a fun-filled schedule packed with memorable experiences. They visited London Zoo, explored the animal exhibits, and learned about wildlife conservation. The week also included a bowling trip, an engaging workshop with a local theatre company, and a hands-on cooking session where pupils prepared biscuits. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of their primary school journey!

DEAF AWARENESS WEEK

The children at Roding celebrated Deaf Awareness Week by learning all about communication and how to communicate with their Deaf peers. They learnt about different ways of communicating from Rose Ayling’s new book, ‘Marvellous Messages.’  They all made a leaf for our communication tree to show others how we can be better communicators.

During the week, all the children received a workshop led by Deaf adults. These included music, drama and football.  The children learnt how hard it is to lip-read and took part in a lip-reading competition.

We also raised over £200 for the charity Sophie and Chloe’s Special Ears Foundation. A charity that supported Deaf Awareness Week by funding our football workshop.

SCIENCE DAY 

On Tuesday 18th June, we celebrated Science Day with a range of exciting, hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and encouraged scientific thinking across the school. Pupils took part in experiments, investigations, and challenges linked to real-world science, exploring topics such as forces, materials, habitats, and more. The day was filled with wonder, discovery, and enthusiastic discussions as children worked together like true scientists. It was a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love of science and showcase the importance of questioning, exploring, and learning through experimentation.

YEAR 2 TRIP TO LONDON ZOO

Year 2 had a fantastic trip to London Zoo, where they explored a wide range of animals from around the world. The children were especially excited to see the penguins, lions, and monkeys up close, and they learned lots of interesting facts about animal habitats and behaviour. The trip supported their science learning and helped bring their topic on animals to life. It was a fun, educational day full of wonder, excitement, and discovery!