Heads Up
CEO’s Welcome
Welcome to the first Heads Up of 2025
To start the year on a high note, I’m thrilled to share the KS2 data released by the DfE to show three of our Boleyn schools ranked as the top 3 schools in Newham. Tollgate Primary School (95%), Cleves Primary School (93%), and Rosetta Primary School (92%). All our Boleyn schools scored highly and are well above the national averages in the 80-90% range. A huge congratulations to all our Headteachers and their teams. You truly are making a difference to a generation of young people.
Without doubt, the biggest challenge facing our schools this year is to raise attendance levels and to reduce levels of persistent absence. FFT figures show the national primary attendance average for the week of 13-17 January 2025 at 95%. DfE data shows us that at the end of academic year of 2023/2024 persistent absence had fallen to 14.7%.
These above figures are what we are working towards. I acknowledge the difficulties and also the hard work that teams are putting into this, however, as you can see, we still have much to do.
Wishing you all a joyful and successful year ahead.
Best wishes,
Tom
Tom Canning CBE
Attendance
Attendance Data
Below is the attendance and persistent absence data across the trust for the week of Monday, 6 January 2025 to Friday, 17 January 2025.
Y2 DTSandwiches
In Design and Technology, we have been learning how to make sandwiches. First, we explored how to choose the perfect filling, considering different flavors and combinations. Next, we selected the type of bread that would best complement our filling choices. As we worked, we practiced important skills such as spreading butter or spreads evenly, using a knife carefully to cut ingredients safely, and assembling the sandwich neatly. After paying attention to presentation and balance, we finally got to enjoy our creations—and they were absolutely delicious!
Y5 - Musical Instruments
In Design and Technology, we have been learning about a variety of musical instruments and how they are constructed. We explored different materials and techniques used to produce sound and considered how design impacts functionality. Using this knowledge, we designed and created our own instruments, developing skills such as measuring and cutting materials accurately, assembling components securely, and experimenting with ways to produce different sounds. After testing our instruments, we refined our designs to improve their performance. We then showcased our work by performing a song using our handmade instruments. Finally, we evaluated our creations, reflecting on what worked well and noting ideas for improvements to make them even better next time.
Chinese New Year
From the Garden
Pathway1 has been reading the book From the Garden. The children showed great enthusiasm in exploring various fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, carrots, lettuce, onions, and radishes. They used visual core boards to describe and create collages of their favourite fruits and vegetables. The children were thrilled to grow their own cress, following visual step-by-step instructions on how to cultivate it.
Pathway 2 Adventures with Aliens Love Underpants
This week, Pathway 2 students have been captivated by the wonderful story Aliens Love Underpants. The children eagerly answered key questions using the Colourful Semantics method, enhancing their understanding and communication skills.
In our maths activities, pre-formal learners measured various props from the story and recorded their findings. It was a fantastic hands-on experience that brought the story to life! The students also honed their fine motor skills by pegging underpants on a washing line, practicing their finger pointing from 1 to 5. It was a fun and engaging way to develop their coordination and counting abilities.
Reception
In Reception, we have been reading ‘Aliens Love Underpants’. The children have enjoyed reading the story and taking part in different activities. They were able to create their very own aliens using play dough and loose parts. They used skills such as rolling, pinching and squeezing. We also had lots of fun creating our very own superhero underpants.
Addition and Subtraction
This week in Maths, Year 2 have been using concrete resources add and subtract 2-digit numbers. They have also used number lines and dienes to help them calculate the answer, solve one step word problems and two-step word problems.
Year 6
In Year 6, we have started our new History unit (The World Wars) by focussing on the Treaty of Versailles. The children were able to understand how the war started and think critically about how the Treaty of Versailles was negotiated. After research, the children were able to have insight into the repercussions of the actions of Germany such as the compensation for the war and the land reparations. During week two of History, pupils created a timeline of events that led to World War II and pupils then began to research these key events.
Lunches at Monega
At Monega, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of every child. We ensure that our school lunches are both nutritious and delicious. The kitchen serves freshly prepared dishes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs. The star attraction is the salad bar and pupils are encouraged to build their own salads and to try different items each day. It is no wonder the school lunches are a hit with pupils and staff alike!
Respect Charter
Pupils at Monega Primary School proudly follow a Respect Charter, committing to a zero-tolerance approach to racism, religious hatred, disability discrimination, and sexism. The initiative, introduced as part of the school’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, encourages students to celebrate diversity and treat everyone with dignity and fairness. We are determined to create a culture of respect, ensuring every pupil feels valued.
Visit to West Ham Stadium
Pupils from Monega recently enjoyed an unforgettable visit to West Ham United football ground. The pupils had a guided tour of the stadium, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the home of the Hammers. They explored the players’ tunnel and even had a look in the dressing rooms. It was an experience that will stay with our pupils for years to come.
Chinese New Year
New City Primary marked the Year of the Snake with a captivating performance by the Confucius Institute. The children were treated to a stunning display of Chinese music, dance, and martial arts, offering them a window into Chinese culture and the significance of the Lunar New Year festival. It was a memorable experience that brought the traditions of Chinese New Year to life for our students. (Xīnnián hǎo – Happy New Year!)
Formal Pathways at New City
In the formal pathway we have been reading the gruffalo this week. We have acted out the story and made our own props. We have described him using colourful semantics and drew our own pictures of him. We enjoyed making a healthy snack for the gruffalo and wrote him a recipe. In computing we used the beebots to direct the gruffalo through the woods and introduced maps to help guide him
Transport for London
On Tuesday afternoon, our Year 6s had an incredibly opportunity to learn about transport around their city as a representative from Transport for London came to New City to deliver a presentation. The presentation took the pupils on a virtual tour of the city via numerous public transport routes and they were taught how to travel around London safely- something that will be invaluable for them as they progress through life. It was an insightful and entertaining presentation that our pupils fully engaged with, showing respect to everyone.
Wet Ham United!
Mr Archer was delighted (as you can imagine) to take some of our children on a tour of the London Stadium, home of West Ham United, A fun time was had by all as they toured the iconic stadium-Come on you Irons!!
Nursery Stay & Play
We invited our Nursery parents to come in with their children and stay and play with them. It was a great opportunity for the parents to see what kinds of activities that the children take part in during their day, to show how independent they are during exploring time and also how well they have settled into a routine.
Year 6 –Empowering Workshop
Last week, the Educational Mental Health Practitioner held a workshop for thirty of our Year 6 pupils to help with various topics that may arise in this stage of their education.
They discussed anxiety and stress around exams and transitioning to Secondary School, including how to help manage these feelings and learning about different coping strategies.
The workshops will be a continuing programme for Y6 this year to provide ongoing support.
Year 6 –Junior Citizen Programme
Our Year 6 pupils took part in the Metropolitan Police’s Junior Citizen programme this January.
There were many different agencies involved including the Fire Brigade, the London Ambulance service, Thames Water and Docklands Light Railway.
They discussed topics including: how to call the emergency services, how to be safe whilst on the train platforms and what not to put down the drains and toilets.
There was also a talk on ‘Gang Safety’ and ‘Online Safety’ from the police.
On completion of the programme, the group of children who did exceptionally well received a medal from the police. The winners were hard to choose as all children did well.
The children enjoyed their sessions and there was plenty to discuss back in school on their return.
Pre-formal SEND Provision
During the past week, the SEND children within our pre-formal provision have had a fantastic time taking part in tailored activities to meet their sensory and learning needs. Each week the activities are based around a nursery rhyme or book and the children are in their element, enjoying the hands-on and engaging activities being provided. They’re especially loving ‘Foodie Fridays’ where they get to make and taste new foods and textures. Our pre-formal provision is still in its early stages, but the children have now settled in really well and are happy and engaged in their new learning environment.
Year 1 – The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch
This term Year 1 have been reading the book ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’. In the story the Lighthouse Keeper, Mr Grinling, keeps having his lunch stolen by pesky seagulls! His wife, Mrs Grinling is getting fed up with going to all that effort of making his lunch, just to then have it pinched by the seagulls. The children in Year 1 are learning and practising how to make a sandwich and then will be writing instructions on how to make that sandwich. Let’s hope they think of some crafty ideas on how to stop the seagulls from stealing them though!
Year 6 – Into University
The Year 6 children are visiting ‘Into University’ this week, with a focus on Engineering. Today they have been learning about the different types of engineering (civil, robotic, environmental, and aerospace) and engaging with different activities to further their understanding and learn about the engineers. It’s a great educational visit to broaden their horizons and show them future jobs and careers that they probably didn’t even know existed.
Nursery prepare for xmas
Year 1 Fruit Salad
Children in Year One have been learning all about healthy eating. As a part of their D&T project, the children created their very own fruit salad; learning to safely use a knife and the importance of food hygiene along the way. At the end of the day the children were able to enjoy their delicious creations.
Winter Fair
Despite the weather and the dark afternoon, parents, carers and children turned out in their hundreds to visit the spectacular Winter Fair. What with stalls, games, bouncy castles, hot chocolate, Santa and the raffle; everyone had a marvellous time. The Shaftesbury staff gave willingly of their time to make the event a roaring success.
Gurdwara 2
Year 3 had the opportunity to visit our local Sikh Gurdwara to learn more about our topic in R.E this term. We got a chance to listen to the history of Sikhism, ask questions about how Sikh people live their lives and also look at some of the important items Sikhs carry with them in their day to day lives. We even got to enjoy some drinks and snacks as Gurdwaras always provide food to visitors from all religions!
World food day
Year 3 had the opportunity to visit our local Sikh Gurdwara to learn more about our topic in R.E this term. We got a chance to listen to the history of Sikhism, ask questions about how Sikh people live their lives and also look at some of the important items Sikhs carry with them in their day to day lives. We even got to enjoy some drinks and snacks as Gurdwaras always provide food to visitors from all religions!
Y4 buzzers
Year 4 have been investigating circuits in Design & Technology in preparation to make their very own burglar alarms. They made switches and learned that the circuit wires need to be complete in order for the electricity from the battery to flow and for the buzzers to sound! Children were all very pleased when they heard their buzzers working, though it became a little bit of a headache for teachers.
100% Attendance Award
This term, we have placed a strong emphasis on the importance of attendance, and I am thrilled to announce that all students who achieved 100% attendance will receive a special book token. This initiative has not only encouraged punctuality but also fostered a sense of commitment and responsibility among all of our students. By attending school every day, the children have maximised their learning opportunities, allowing them to fully engage with their subjects and enjoy a continuous learning experience. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and look forward to seeing how they will utilise their book tokens to further enrich their reading and learning journey!
Child of the Term Trip
This term, our children of the term had the exciting opportunity to celebrate their hard work and achievements with a special outing as the ‘Child of the Term’ trip. The highlight of the day was enjoying delicious pizza together, which not only filled our tummies but also fostered teamwork and social skills amongst the students as they shared and conversed over their meals. Before our delightful lunch, we watched the much-anticipated film ‘Moana 2’, which sparked discussions about the themes of friendship, bravery, and perseverance. The joy on the students’ faces was priceless as we shared this cinematic experience, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and enjoyment in learning environments. Overall, this trip was a fantastic culmination of the term’s efforts, and everyone had a great time making lasting memories!
Street Doctors Visit Year 6
This week, Year 6 took part in an eye-opening workshop led by the charity Street Doctors. The session focused on teaching vital first aid skills to help someone injured on the streets. Pupils learned how to assess emergencies, call for help, and apply basic life-saving techniques like stemming blood loss. The interactive activities empowered students to respond calmly and confidently in challenging situations, fostering responsibility and awareness about community safety and care for others.
Wild Fangs Visit EYFS
Our EYFS had an exciting visit from Wild Fangs, who introduced them to some amazing creatures! The children got to see a corn snake, a tree frog, a millipede, a stick insect, and a bearded dragon up close.
Some brave pupils even touched the animals as they learned fascinating facts about each one. It was a wonderful hands-on experience that sparked curiosity and excitement about the natural world!
