Heartsease Primary Academy Newsletter - 23rd May 2025

joanne.rowley • May 23, 2025

Welcome



Dear Parents and Carers, 



As we reach the end of this half term, we want to take a moment to reflect on the achievements, resilience and growth for the children. From classroom successes to extracurricular triumphs, our students and staff have shown incredible dedication and resilience.


This half term also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our school. We are delighted to welcome our new Executive Headteacher, Mrs Guy, and Deputy Headteacher Miss Gillard who join us with a wealth of experience, a passion for education, and a deep commitment to nurturing every child’s potential.


Mrs Guy has already begun meeting with students, staff, and families, and is eager to build on the strong foundations of our school community. In her own words:

“I am honoured to join such a vibrant and caring school. I look forward to working together with you all to continue creating a place where every child feels valued, inspired, and empowered to succeed.”

As we head into the break, we encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. We look forward to returning refreshed and ready for the exciting opportunities the next half term will bring.


Wishing you all a safe and happy break.


Warm regards,



Mrs Jo Brown

Director of Education


Office update

Aspens Select - Lunch ordering system

If you wish to order your child a school meal please note that the orders have to be placed before 9am on the day. If you have not set up your account and need some assistance please visit the school office so we can provide you with your log in details and help with setting up your account. To find the link to access Aspens Select, go onto MCAS, select 'announcements' and the link can be found in this section.



If an order is not placed for your child we will not be able to offer them a choice on the day, they will be given tomato pasta.

Free School Meals

A reminder that if your child is in Yr2 (Amber and Aqua), they will no longer be entitled to a universal free school meal when they move into Yr3 (Coral/Crystal). You may still be entitled to free school meals and you can check if you are at www.norfolk.gov.uk/neo You could save up to £400 a year.

Diarrhoea/Vomiting

Please be reminded that if you child has an episode of diarrhoea / vomiting they need to be at least 48 hours clear from the last episode before returning to school.

After School Club provision


We have noticed an increase in children not being collected on time at the end of the school day.

 The school day ends at 3:20pm, please make sure that your child is collected promptly at this time. If you are not able to collect your child at 3:20pm please book your child into the After School Club provision which can be found on MCAS. The charges for the After School club are as follows:-


3:20pm - 3:50pm - £2.50

3:20pm - 4:30pm - £5.00

3:20pm - 5:00pm - £6.00


Children being collected late has an impact on staff being able to attend meetings after school and causes distress to the child. If your child is not collected on time and the teacher has to put your child in the After School club we will have to add a charge to your MCAS account.

If you need assistance with booking your child into the After School club on MCAS please see a member of staff in the office who will be able to help.

Thank you.

Lost Property

We have accumulated a large quantity of lost property which has not been named. Please could you name your child's items so if these are lost and found we can then return them back to the child they belong to.

Thankyou

Swimming Timetable

After we return from the May half term break the swimming timetable will change, please see a list below of which classes will be swimming:-



Wednesday PM - Year 5 / Emerald Class

Thursday AM - Reception / Jade Class

Thursday PM - Year 2 / Amber Class

Friday PM - Year 1 / Onyx Class

Fortnightly class updates and achievements

Nursery


Week commencing 12th May

The younger children read the book 'Oliver's Fruit Salad'. The children were able to look at and name some of the fruit in the book. They learned how to use a knife and had a go at chopping some fruit to make a fruit salad for themselves. They were also able to try some pineapple.

The older children read the book 'Winnie-the-Pooh helps the Bees!' Through the book they were able to learn all about bees, where they live, what they eat and how we can help to keep them happy, so they produce lots of honey. We discussed why bees are so important for our food. The children were able to taste some honey when they made a honey sandwich. Yum yum!


 Week commencing 19th May

Following the younger children's interest the children have been doing work around the story of 'The Gingerbread Man'. They have been retelling the story in the nursery garden. The children have used ginger scented playdough to practise using cutters to make gingerbread men. They had the opportunity to decorate a gingerbread man biscuit to take home.

The older children have looked at another minibeast this week - the caterpillar and butterfly. We were very excited to have a delivery of our own Painted Lady caterpillars so we can watch them grow. They are growing very fast! We will keep you posted about how they are changing. We have read the story 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. The children have learned about the life cycle of a butterfly. They have printed their own caterpillars and made butterflies. The beans and sunflowers we planted earlier in the term are growing well.


Have a lovely holiday next week.


Ruby Class


Week commencing 12th May

This week, we finished writing our own version of 'But Martin.' Key Stage 1 continued multiplication and doubling in maths; Reception revised counting forwards and back on a number line. In PE, we developed our balance skills. In Science, we considered how to eat a varied diet to keep healthy. In DT, we made salad in a jar, developing our cutting skills - cutting with claw or bridge hands, ribboning and grating. In outdoor learning, we worked as a team to make something. In History, we compared past and present - sorting pictures of objects from 1969 and the present day.


  Week commencing 19th May

This week, Key Stage 1 consolidated multiplication and doubling in maths; Reception revised and extended pattern. We welcomed the new children who will be joining our class after half term, and did a circle time to say goodbye to our leavers. In History, we learnt about the 'hidden figures' who helped with computing so that the rockets could travel safely. We also learnt about key events in space history and sequenced them on a timeline. In PE, we practised changing direction. In DT, we made tortilla quiches, evaluating them to see if they provided a varied diet.



Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 12th May

Alfie

For achievement - making great progress in phonics.



   Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May

Peter

For achievement - working really hard in speech.

Reception (Jasper / Jade Classes)


Reception have been learning about Africa through the stories Handa's Surprise and Anaasi and the golden pot. We have looked at the fruit, animals, climate and some of the countries that make up the continent. 


The children have been taking great care of their new garden area and hope to add their sunflowers to it soon. If you have any cuttings at home you are happy for us to have we would be very grateful. 


In maths we have been learning about odd and even numbers and doubles.


Next term we are hoping to go on a school trip to Africa Alive. More details will follow.


Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing Monday 12th May


Jade Class

Scarlett

We are proud of Scarlett for her amazing progress in phonics and a super job with her homework. You have been working mega hard in all subjects this week, Scarlett, keep up the fantastic work! 


Jasper Class

Eli

For being responsible in class and having a good attitude to his learning this week. He has shown kindness to others and has worked hard with his reading and writing.


Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May


Jasper Class

Scarlett

For being responsible in class and having a good attitude to her learning this week. She always shows kindness to others and has worked hard with her reading and writing.

Year 1 (Onyx/Opal Classes)


The past two weeks we have thoroughly enjoyed the two books we are studied; Here we are and Rang Tan in my bedroom. We have writing a letter to a chocolate factory boss to ask him to stop cutting down the rainforest to grow palm oil trees as this is destroying animals habitats. 

In maths we have started to learn about multiplication and fractions we even served halves and quarters in a pizza restaurant! We have great fun drawing maps of our bedrooms and from stories such as the storm whale.



Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Onyx Class

Dua

For her fantastic achievement in reading since joining year.


Opal Class

Cody

For an improved attitude to learning specifically within Maths.


Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May



Onyx Class

Ethan

For having a positive attitude towards learning, particularly in maths.


Opal Class

Isabel

For improving her writing in all lessons with a positive attitude.

Year 2 (Amber/Aqua Classes)



Week commencing Monday 12th May

The children completed the unit on money where the focus was on finding the most efficient strategies to find totals and change. In English the children finished writing the narratives based upon the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill. In science we looked at our bulb and cress experiments and wrote up notes about their developments. Our focus for the lesson was finding out what can happen if plants do not get the things they need. In history we found out about Landguard Fort in Felixstowe, when it was built and what it was used for. We finally started painted our fish sculptures with designs based upon Aboriginal art. They are looking great so far.



Week commencing Monday 19th May

Our focus was on completing addition and subtraction word problems. In writing we started a new block looking at the features of nonn-chronological reports which will continue to us starting to write our own reports based upon plants which crosses over with our science.In reading we continued focusing on famous woman in history. The children started a new Design and Technology block Understanding materials. We identified properties of materials and then explored and tested them. In our geography lesson we looked at the physical and human features in our local environment.


We wish everyone a happy and restful half term.



Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Amber Class

Leo

Leo is someone who consistently puts in a great deal of effort in all lessons. He is always willing to take on a challenge! Well done.


Aqua Class

Harmony

For always being friendly and kind to all your classmates. What a star you are!


Attitudes to Learning Award

     Week commencing - Monday 19th May



Amber Class

Riley

Riley worked independently when completing subtraction of two 2-digit numbers this week.

He used base ten equipment accurately.

Well done and keep it up!


Aqua Class

DJ

For being brilliant at comprehension after persevering to improve his reading skills. Well done DJ!

Year 3 (Coral / Crystal Classes)


Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Coral Class

Yeva

 For her demonstration of teamwork during every day this year. She always supports other children, particularly those who speak the same language as her where she helps them engage in the learning constantly. She is respectful, listens well and helps make sure the classroom is learning ready. Well done, Yeva!


Crystal Class

Re-Joice

For spending hours doing extra homework working on her times tables and writing skills.

Year 4 (Garnet/Topaz Classes)


Its been another enriching fortnight for year 4. In English we have been writing our cultural reference story. With this, we set our story in the Viking ag to match with our current history topic. In reading we have been using the text ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ as our current core text. This contains a collection of biographies of influential black people, such as Pele and Martin Luther King. In Maths we have continued our decimal journey, learning how we can divide a 1 digit number by both 10 and 100. In Science, we have moved on from electricity to learn all about sound! Its fascinating to think of sound as just vibrations in the air!


Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Garnet Class

Kiko

For his amazing teamwork and help around the class. Whenever he finishes his maths, he is always eager to help those around him.


Topaz Class

Alan

Alan has shown wonderful kindness over the last week. He should be very proud of his attitude in helping others. He has been particularly supportive in reading and navigating ipad access for other children. Fantastic!


Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May


Garnet Class

Aria

She has worked very hard on her times tables this year, going all the way from scoring 4/25 in September to 25/25!


Topaz Class

Isobelle

For showing a great attitude to her learning throughout the week. I am so impressed at her outstanding progress in reading comprehension. Be very proud of your achievement.  Brilliant!


Year 5 (Emerald/Sapphire Classes)


Over the past two weeks, Year 5 have been working hard across all subjects. We’ve completed our unit on myths, with students writing imaginative stories inspired by traditional tales. In maths, we’ve been learning to multiply and divide by 10, 100, and 1000, building confidence with place value and problem-solving. In science, we’ve continued exploring animals and their life cycles, comparing how different species grow and change. Meanwhile, in art, the children have created some fantastic prints, experimenting with patterns and colour. It’s been a productive and creative fortnight—well done to all our students!



Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Emerald Class

Theo C

Throughout the week he has shared good ideas with the class and has worked hard to include all the technical vocabulary and grammar expected in his writing. 

Keep it up. 


Sapphire Class

Lorna

For her amazing work in class this week. Well done!


Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May


Emerald Class 

Talha

Throughout the week he has, as always, tried hard in all the lessons. This has come across especially in your English where he has written a truly magnificent myth. Well done!


Sapphire Class

Ethan

For an amazing attitude to learning this week. He has been focused and has produced a brilliant myth that has included all the necessary writing elements. 

Year 6 (Diamond/Quartz Classes)


Week commencing Monday 12th May

Year 6 have had an extremely busy week with SATs. They all worked incredibly hard and we couldn't be prouder for the way that they conducted themselves this week.


Week commencing Monday 19th May

With SATs out of the way, our focusing has turned to our Writing. Year 6 our in the process of producing a newspaper report based on the German bomber attacks during WW2. They have planned using evidence from real life scenarios, that happened during the Second World War to give them further ideas.

Year 6 have had the Yes Project in visiting this week. This is a service that helps with transition up to high school. They will visit over the coming weeks after half-term, working with small groups to prepare them for September.

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Year 6 Residential Meeting on Tuesday. Anyone attending the trip, who was unable to attend the meeting will have had information sent home with their child, as well as a medical form that needs to be completed and brought back into school as soon as possible.


Attitudes to Learning Award

Week commencing - Monday 12th May


Diamond Class

All of Diamond Class

For their amazing achievement in their SAT's this week. They have all really done their very best. Well done!


Quartz Class

All of Quartz Class

For their amazing achievement in their SAT's this week. They have all really done their very best. Well done!



Attitudes to Learning Award

   Week commencing - Monday 19th May


Diamond Class

Bella

For how well she has settled into class this week. She has already shown how determined she is to  learn and achieve. Well done!


Quartz Class

Harley

For showing real perseverance when completing his newspaper report in Writing this week. Harley has tried really hard to include many of the key literary devices in his piece of work in order to deliver an informative and engaging news report based on the WW2 air raids.

Commendation Awards


Bronze Award

Received 30 Commendations

Sullee-Jan - Ruby Class

Alfie - Ruby Class

Anya, Halima, Charlie - Opal Class

Luna - Crystal Class

Djara, Lexi - Diamond Class


Silver Award

Received 50 Commendations

Elisio - Amber Class

Rainbow Reader


Julia - Onyx Class

Theo / Aria-Louise - Opal Class

Additional Forthcoming events / Dates for the diary

Friday 23rd May

Last day of term.


Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May

Half term holiday - School closed.


Monday 2nd June

School reopens.


Week commencing Monday 23rd June

Reception - Year 5 Parents Evening - Details will be sent out after the May Half term break.


Friday 27th June

Inset Day - School closed to pupils.


Monday 30th June

Nursery Sports Day

 9am-10am


Tuesday 1st July

Friends Disco

Nursery and Reception - 3:25pm -4:30pm

Years 3 & 4 - 4:40pm - 5:45pm

Letters will be sent home after the May Half term break.


Wednesday 2nd July

Reception (Jade/Jasper Class) - Sports Day

9am-11am


Friends Disco

Years 1 & 2 - 3:25pm - 4:30pm

Year 5 & 6 - 4:40pm - 5:45pm

Letters will be sent home after the May Half term break


Thursday 3rd July

KS2 (Year 3/4/5/6) Sports Day

9am-12


KS1 (Year 1/2) Sports Day

1:15pm-3:20pm.


Saturday 5th July

Friends Summer Fete - 11am-3pm.


Thursday 10th July

Nursery Graduation - Time to be confirmed.


Friday 18th July

Year 6 leavers assembly - time / details to be confirmed.


Year 6 Prom - 6pm - 8pm.


Last day of term.

Flyers / Leaflets