Headteacher's Message
This week Year 6 children completed their SATs tests in grammar, spelling, reading and maths. I was really pleased with the way they approached the tests and the effort they and the staff team have put in to ensure they are properly prepared.
These test are incredibly challenging but remember, they are not a measure of the whole curriculum or indeed our children. They are simply a measure of how well children perform in grammar, spelling, reading and writing tests.
You may have heard or read recently that the Government is challenging schools to improve attendance and punctuality nationally, this has suffered after the pandemic for a number of reasons. As a headteacher, for a number of years now, I know that the life chances of children are significantly increased if they attend school regularly and on time. Teaching is planned carefully, timetabled and sequenced. Children who arrive late miss vital sessions in phonics and reading. Children who have odd days off miss the next steps in learning and although we put things into place, these children are constantly trying to “catch up”. The only reason children should miss days of schooling is when they are too ill to attend and the school’s ability to grant leave in ‘exceptional circumstances’ is being greatly reduced.
Children learn and achieve the best when they are in school.
The Fourth Plinth
In her design Matilda included London landmarks and famous buildings depicted in a range of bright colours to represent all the different people that live in London. It’s a beautiful and thoughtful artwork and we are immensely proud of Matilda’s achievement.
All the winning works are on showcase online here: FOURTH PLINTH GALLERY and in an exhibition at New City Hall, which is open to the pubic over the summer. We encourage you to make a visit to see Matilda’s artwork and the other creative winners on show.
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School Council
Next week is Walk to School Week. Children will be talking about the different ways they come to school and how they would prefer to come to school. If you walk to school, tag a photo on social media of you walking to school and share it with us on and Lewisham Council on Twitter here: @KG_Sydenham and tag @LewishamCouncil and the hashtag #PowerUp
We also looked at some old photographs of around our school and looked at what has changed and what has stayed the same. We are really interested in finding out more about this so if you have any information about the history of the local area or know anyone who has information about the history of our school, please share this with us.
Jubilee Day
Children are invited to come to school dressed in red, white and blue clothing, and will take part in learning about the Platinum Jubilee. On this special day, we will also be celebrating with a ‘regal afternoon tea’ style school dinner!
If your child is usually packed lunch but would like to have the special Jubilee Day menu, SEE MENU HERE, you will need to pre-order their school meal. For more information and to book, READ the Jubilee letter HERE.
If you have any artefacts or first-hand accounts from previous jubilees please contact your child’s class teacher, as we would love to include these on the big day.
Music News
Lavender have learned a new pattern on the Djembe in their African drumming with Remi – watch here:
Class News
Jade Class News
We are a few weeks into our ‘getting to the root of it’ topic where we have been learning about what plants need to grow. We
Violet Class News
In science, Violet class have been learning about human development. We learnt all about the human life cycle from foetal development to old age. How exciting!
Orchid Class News
In Orchid we have been learning all about ‘Under the Sea’. We have been reading the book ‘The Big Book of the Blue’ and finding out
Turquoise Class News
This week in English, we began our new text, ‘Arthur and the Golden Rope’. Today, we worked in pairs and had to select an image of
Amber Class News
In English, our text has been ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ We were shocked to find a beanstalk outside our classroom which had grown overnight just after
Emerald Class News
Emerald class have been exploring the text ‘Winter’s Child’ in English and writing a letter as the character Tom about the changes that have occurred in
Ochre Class News
In Ochre class this week we have been learning about seed dispersal in science. We learnt that there are many ways that plants disperse their seeds
Indigo Class News
Ever wondered what life was like during the Stone Age? Well get your passport ready! Indigo class is taking a virtual tour of the Lascaux in France
Green Class News
This term in Green class, we have been enjoying a water-filled, fun learning journey. We loved finding out about how essential water is and where it
Letters sent home
Year 1 Newsletter – 13 05 2022
Reception Newsletter – 13 05 2022
Lavender Class – Local walk
Indigo Class – Local walk
Violet Class – Local walk
Relationships and Health Education
Jubilee Day at KG – 27th May 2022
Reception Newsletter – 06 05 2022
Rascals Soft Play Trip
Year 6 SATs week information
Summer Fair – Local businesses 2022
Year 1 Newsletter – 06 05 2022
Nursery Curriculum – Summer 1, 2022
Blue Class Curriculum – Summer 1, 2022
Year 6 Curriculum – Summer 1, 2022
Year 4 Curriculum – Summer 1, 2022
Governors' and Friends News
the Governors
This week we held the termly Achievement Committee meeting. Broadly, the role of this committee is to look at the curriculum, teaching & learning and pupil progress.
In this meeting we heard about the early reading strategy and plans at KG to ensure our young people become the best readers they can. Everyone at KG is passionate about reading and we would like to encourage parents to read with their children, as often as they can as this really helps with their learning and love of reading.
We also heard how in February a teaching and learning review was carried out by external reviewers, leaders from Kelvin Grove and other local schools. We received some really useful feedback. Of the many strengths highlighted by the review this stood out to governors:
“This is a delightful school with an amazing and caring atmosphere which encourages a calm learning environment” This is great feedback and we would like to congratulate all staff and pupils.
And a final ‘well done’ to all of our pupils who took their SATs this week, and to the staff and families who supported them. We hope you feel proud of yourselves!
The Friends
On Friday 10th June there’ll be an ‘own clothes day’ at school when children don’t have to wear uniform in return for bringing in empty jam jars (or you can fill them with sweets), new tombola prizes (e.g. a bottle of something or a box of chocolates) or a teddy for the teddy bear tombola.
The main purpose of the fair is to raise money for the school (whilst also having a lot of fun), so we think it’s important that the children have a say in where the money is spent. Yesterday we met with the School Council to hear their ideas and answer their questions – I’ll report back next week on some of the ideas that came up.
Janine, Jenni, Georgina & Simone
Community News
Children's Centre
Seaside trip to Westbrook Bay on Thursday 18th August, tickets can be purchased at Kelvin Grove Children centre on Mondays, Tuesdays 09.00-15.00
Babies & Crawlers at Eliot Bank CFC on Monday 10.00 – 11.30
Art Attack at Eliot Bank CFC on Mondays 13.30-14.30
Latino Bambino Toddlers 9.30-10.15 & Latino Bambino Babies 10.15-11.00 at TNG on Tuesdays
Adventure Time (soft play) or Giant Messy Play at TNG on Wednesdays 10.00-11.30
KGEB Community Supermarket at Kelvin Grove CFC on Thursdays 9.00 – 12.30 & 14.00-16.00 £4 membership fee per week
L.I.F.E. Cooking Sessions for mums aged 16-35 at Eliot Bank CFC on Fridays 11.00 -13.15
Free Legal Advice Duncan Lewis via phone on Friday 10.00-12.00
All sessions held at TNG will be charged @ £2 per adult. Low income families are free
CHILDREN’S CENTRE TIMETABLE – SUMMER Term 2022
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Summer Half Term Camp
A unique mixture of language learning, sports coaching, arts & crafts and outdoor adventure to keep your young ones active and engaged during the school holidays.
Find out more information or make a booking through our website: