Primary Newsletter – Friday 29th September 2017 Apologies for the late newsletter. Our IT systems were down on Friday so we couldn’t get the newsletter printed. HEAD BOY AND GIRL Last week, we elected our new Head and Deputy Head boy and girl and Head Prefects. All of our year 6 children were encouraged to apply, and the shortlisted children prepared speeches and presented them in assembly in front of the other children in years 2 – 5. We then held an election, where each child was given a ballot paper and placed their vote at our polling station in the playground. Each candidate was also called for an interview with the Senior Leadership Team! All children did really well and we are ever so proud of them all. Please meet our new Student Leadership Team at St Matthew Academy Primary. Head Boy – Dimitri Head Girl – Emily Deputy Head Boy – KC Deputy Head Girl – Bolu Head Prefects Zavion Nikoyah ‘I love my role as Head Boy because I think since I have been given the role, I have changed my attitude towards learning. My future aspiration is to inspire others.’ ‘I was very happy and surprised when I found out I was Head Girl. I really like being Head Girl because I have good duties.’ ‘I wanted to be a representative of SMA’s Primary Stage. I really want this school to shine. I am very grateful that I was accepted and I will try my best helping students.’ ‘Being a Deputy is a big thing and I thank you to everyone who voted for me.’ ‘I love my role as Head Prefect. I enjoy being responsible and making the school a better place. I love keeping the children in the school safe and out of trouble.’ ‘I am absolutely flabbergasted to have this role. I am so grateful. Thank you SMA for voting for me and thank you Mrs Beckley for presenting me with this great responsibility.’ . PHONICS WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS On Wednesday 4th October we will be holding two short ‘Phonics’ training sessions for parents of children in Bumblebee, Frog and Dragonfly class. These sessions will explain the importance of teaching phonics to help children to read, and will inform you of how we teach it in Phase 1 at St Matthew Academy. It will also give you some really good advice on how you can help your child at home with their acquisition of phonics. For the Reception age children, we will inform you of early phonics acquisition and for Year 1 age children, we will be going through the Phonics Screening testing that your child will take part in at the end of the year. The sessions are being held at 8.50am and 2.50pm and separate letters have gone home to give more details of the sessions.

Let Your Light Shine Class 5E ATTENDANCE WINNERS CLASS 6E ASSEMBLY CELEBRATIONS Each week, one child from each class is named as ‘Star of the Week.’ They are awarded the title for working really hard on one of our school priorities: Persistence, Aspiration, Collaboration, Independence and Versatility. This week we congratulate the following children: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 3rd and 4th October SMA Secondary Open Mornings 9am – 11.30am Wednesday 4th October Phase 1 Phonics Workshop for parents 8.50am and 2.45pm Friday 6th October 6E Class assembly 2pm – Main Hall Wednesday 11th October Reception 2018 Open Morning Friday 13th October 5E Class assembly 2pm – Main Hall Tuesday 17th October Parents Evening 3.45pm – 6.45pm Wednesday18th October Friday 20th October 4E Class assembly 2pm – Main Hall Monday 23rd October – Friday 27th October Half term – school closed Bumblebee Class Raheem Hollywood Frog Class Paris Duncan Dragonfly Class Mikayla Obazogbun 2E Brianna Brown Reid 2W Precillia Tampo Reid 3E Theo Fishley 3W Rashika Magar 4E Carolina Candia 4W Zunaira Bakth 5E Tatiana Tampo 5W Barakat Arole 6E Naomi Alabi 6W Jahmoi Ellis ATTENDANCE WINNERS Attendance Cup was awarded to: Class 5E GOLDEN TABLE WINNERS Well done to the ‘Golden Table’ winners this week who displayed excellent manners in school: Year 1: Sophia and Zainab Year 2: Juan Andres Year 3:Diya and Noe Year 4: Shavantae and Nico Year 5: Harrison and Kylie Year 6: Sahara and Betsaleel CLASS 6E ASSEMBLY On Friday 6th October, class 6E are leading our weekly celebration assembly by presenting on what they have been learning so far in the new academic year. Parents of children in class 6E are more than welcome to attend. It will take place at 2pm in the Main Hall. Please arrive at the main reception at 1.55pm to be seated. RECEPTION 2018 WELCOME MORNING If you have a child born Between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014, they are due to start school in September 2018. On Wednesday 11th October, we are holding an Open Morning where families can visit our Early Years department to see the excellent facilities on offer. We can also support you with the application process. If you would like to visit, but can’t make that date and time, please contact the main reception and request a personal tour around the Primary Phase at your convenience. Have a wonderful weekend Mrs Beckley Head of Primary