September Newsletter 2025

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Welcome to our new families! 

I would like to introduce myself. I am Ms Nwankiti, and I am proud to be the Headteacher of this wonderful school. This is now my 7th year at Roding. I first joined as Deputy Headteacher and later became Headteacher, a role I feel very privileged to hold.

What a great start to the new school year we have had. It’s such a pleasure to be greeted by so many friendly faces on the gate (parents and pupils alike) every morning and after school. The children have settled in well and, although we are just four weeks in, there have already been a number of exciting new initiatives and projects taking place. We recently had professional photographs taken to revamp our school website and to capture learning across the school. Please do take a look at the photos already on the website and keep an eye out for new ones that will soon be displayed around the school.

The pupils have returned looking very smart in their uniforms. I would like to thank our parents for supporting the school’s uniform policy. Uniform is an important part of our school identity, and it can be difficult for children if some families adhere to the rules while others do not. Your support ensures consistency and helps us maintain high standards for all.

It has also been such a joy to welcome our new Reception pupils. Their confidence never fails to surprise me, and it is always a reminder of how well-prepared our youngest children are for school life. The vast majority of our Reception children have moved up from our nursery, and it is wonderful to see them transition so smoothly. We do still have some places available in our nursery, so if you have a child aged three, or know of anyone who does, please get in touch if you would like them to attend.

At the beginning of this year, the whole school community worked together to reflect on our vision and set our priorities. Our strap-line for the year is driving school improvement through high-quality teaching. Although our most recent OFSTED inspection affirmed that teaching at Roding is very good and that the school has high expectations, we are committed to constantly reflecting on how we can be even better! One of our key areas of focus this year is transcription, which includes handwriting, spelling and accuracy in written work. To support this, we have introduced weekly spelling tests for Years 1–6, as well as daily handwriting practice during the first 15 minutes of the school day. You can help us by ensuring your child practices their weekly spellings at home and by supporting punctuality so that they are in school ready to start learning at 8:30am each day.

We are also thrilled to announce that Roding are finalists for The National School Song Competition this year. Fifteen of our children will be travelling to Hertfordshire to perform songs composed by our very own Mr Parry, with the support of Mrs Gage. Both teachers work tirelessly to bring the joy of music to our pupils, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements as well as those of our children.

Finally, please do take note of the events calendar that has been shared with you. An updated version will also be sent out later this week so you can stay informed about the exciting things happening across the school.

Thank you for your continued support — together, we make Roding the special place it is.

Warmest wishes,

Ms M Nwankiti

Headteacher 

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS

We recently had professional photos taken—see some of them below! I look forward to seeing these lovely images being used around the school and enjoyed by everyone.

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RODING READING RECORDS 

Children should have now come home with a reading for pleasure book and a yellow or green reading record. Research shows that children who read for pleasure regularly perform better academically and develop stronger emotional wellbeing.

In Years 1 & 2, children are expected to complete at least two entries per week in their yellow reading record. Some children may choose to write more frequently, which is absolutely encouraged. If a child does not complete the minimum of two entries, their class teacher will contact parents to offer support and guidance. We understand that children in Nursery, Reception, and some in Year 1 may not yet be ready to write their own entries. In these cases, parents should record what their child says about the book they have read. This helps us continue to foster a love of reading while supporting early language development.

In Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6), children will use a green reading record and are expected to write their own entries. As with KS1, they should complete at least two entries per week. Teachers will follow up with children who do not meet this expectation to ensure they are supported in developing consistent reading habits. We encourage children to read books from home, but we will also continue to provide a wide range of books from our classroom libraries.

Reading achievements will be celebrated in assembly and there will be opportunities to receive Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for completing their reading records.

If you need more support, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance. You can also speak to Mr Albert, Assistant Headteacher and English Lead and Miss Butt, Lower Phase leader and Early Reading Lead.

Reception Prospective Pupils and Parents – Intake September 2026  

Is your child turning 4 years old between the 1st September 2025 and 31st August 2026?

If yes, then we warmly invite you to our open day sessions on the following dates:

Tuesday 4th November 9am–11am
Thursday 27th November 9am–11am

Come and learn more about life at Roding, meet our staff, and see what makes our school a special place to learn and grow.

If you are unable to attend on the day but would still like to visit, please contact the school office, and we will be happy to arrange a tour at a convenient time.

NATIONAL POETRY DAY – THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2025

This Thursday is National Poetry Day! To celebrate, Mr. Albert shared a poem he had written called “What to Write.” Inspired by his creativity, Beth decided to write her own poem about Outer Space. It’s wonderful to see our pupils engaging with poetry and expressing their imagination in their own unique way!

 

OUTER SPACE

Written by Beth – Year 5

(Inspired by Mr Albert)

 

Outer space is a wonder filled with stars, comets and planets,

It has astroid belts, shooting stars and black holes,

Not to mention our sun, 

The gravitational pull keeps our little planetary family in orbit, 

And, of course, I won't forget, 

Our Goldilocks planet that permits life on Earth to exist, 

Multiple galaxies alike, 

But the one in which we live, the Milky Way, 

Filled with purple, blue and golden skies that glimmer in the light, 

It's a wondrous adventure, a wondrous sight, 

Where the world up there is always night.  

LOST PROPERTY 

We currently have a large amount of lost property, including a number of reading glasses, jumpers, fleeces etc- a lot of them Early years age.

To help us return items to the correct children, please ensure that all belongings – including jumpers, packed lunches, water bottles, and glasses cases – are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school tidy and organised.

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We know mornings and afternoons can be busy, and getting your child to and from school is a priority. However, we must emphasise the importance of being considerate to our neighbours.

We urgently ask all parents and carers to avoid blocking driveways, obstructing pathways, or double parking. These actions create congestion, pose safety risks, and cause frustration for other road users and residents.

Additionally, please remember that the school car park is strictly off-limits for parents and carers. This includes after school when collecting your child from a club.

For everyone’s safety, children should never be in the car park or use it as a walkway.

Parking responsibly is essential for keeping our streets safe and accessible, especially for our youngest learners.

Whenever possible, consider walking, biking, or using public transport to reduce traffic and promote healthy habits for your child.

Let’s work together to ensure a safe and smooth drop-off and pick-up experience for everyone, while maintaining positive relationships with our neighbours.

Thank you for your cooperation and for being a valued part of our school community.