This week at Gainsborough…
Summer 2
This half term we are focusing on:
As Summer term. Our reflections on our current learning tell us we need to focus on the following:
- Improving the academic achievement in maths, for both children finding maths hard and those who work really efficiently in maths
- Developing our music curriculum and wider music offer for children
- Developing a play strategy for children and families
- Applying the teaching and learning policy to all areas of the curriculum
- Developing the application of SCERTS at Gainsborough to support children with communication and language needs
Class Pictures
All pupils should have had a photocard returned in their child’s bag with the instructions on how to order your child’s class picture. If the card does not make it to you please speak to your child’s class teacher or the school office. All orders will be sent to your home address and not school.
End of Year Reports
We hope you enjoyed reading about your child’s achievements in school via their end of year report. If there is anything you do not understand please speak with your child’s class teacher or book a meeting with them via the school office.
Thank you to Ms Castellvi
It is difficult to put into words the impact that Ms Castellvi has had on our school over the past seven years.
Some people leave behind memories; others leave behind something that can be seen, felt and experienced every single day. Through the murals that brighten our walls, the creativity that fills our classrooms and the beautiful forest school spaces that have been so thoughtfully developed, Ms Castellvi has left a legacy that will continue to inspire children for many years to come.
Her passion for art has taught our children far more than how to paint, draw or create. She has helped them to see beauty, to take risks, to express themselves with confidence and to understand that every child has something unique to offer. She has celebrated individuality and encouraged children to believe that their ideas matter.
As our Forest School Lead, she has shown the same care and dedication. Every corner has been carefully considered, every activity planned with purpose, and every child given the opportunity to discover, explore and grow. She has created places where children have felt calm, curious and connected—to nature, to one another and to themselves.
While we will miss her enormously, we know that everything she has created here will continue to tell her story. Every mural, every painted corner, every tree planted, every den built and every child inspired will stand as a reminder of the remarkable teacher and person she has been.
Thank you, Ms Castellvi, for your creativity, your compassion, your dedication and your belief in our children. Thank you for making our school more colourful, more adventurous and more beautiful than you found it.
We wish you every happiness and success in the next chapter of your journey. Wherever you go, you will undoubtedly leave the same lasting mark that you have left here.
With our deepest gratitude and very best wishes,
From all of us at Gainsborough Primary School
Reader of the Week
Each week we will award one child from Years 1-6 with a new book, as the Reader of the Week. The award is for commitment, reading progress, engagement or sharing their love for reading. Please support your child with reading at home! After all, reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Year 1 Samuel
Year 2 RJ
Year 3 Nathaniel
Year 4 Joseph
Year 5 Evelyn
Year 6 Owen
Most Improved Writer of the Week
Each week we will award one child from Years 1-6 as most improved writer of the week. The award is for those who have shown a significant improvement in handwriting or writing throughout the week.
Year 1 Kyro
Year 2 Alya
Year 3 Tyrell
Year 4 Savannah
Year 5 Dovon
Year 6 Ava
Golds!
Each week we celebrate an amazing achievement from each class. Children are celebrated in assembly, receive a gold certificate and their name in the newsletter. Please celebrate their learning at home too!
Nursery Ducks
Cadhla was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for using great imagination with her friends in role play sessions this week. Well done Cadhla!
Nursery Geese
Martin was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a role model at carpet times and always trying her best. Well done Martin!
Nursery Swans
Khobie was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a great role model and sharing wonderful ideas with his freinds. Well done Khobie!
Reception Magpies
Anas was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a model student and always modelling excellent behaviours for learning. Well done Anas!
Year 1 Doves
Favour was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for writing a great retell of a known story. Well done Favour!
Year 2
Yusuf was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for working incredibly hard over the last 2 weeks and doing very well in his reading assessment. Well done Yusuf!
Year 3 Owls
Fatima was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for her hard work, resilience and overall positivity in the heat. Well done Fatima!
Year 4 Hummingbirds
Zaniyah were awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for her fantastic narrative in writing where she used amazing fronted adverbials and figurative language. Well done Zaniyah!
Year 5 Hummingbirds
Raphael was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for his contributions and showing great curiosity in science. Well done Raphael!
Year 6 Skylarks
Treasure was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing great effort and determination when learning the songs for the Year 6 play. Well done Treasure!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Nursery Graduation
This week we will enjoy the tradition of Nursery children graduating. Children will sing to families while being awarded a certificate marking the end of their informal schooling and the start of Reception. Please join us in celebrating the end of Nursery with our Nursery Swans and Geese classes on Wednesday 15th at 11am and 3pm.
Sports Day for Years 1 2 3 4 5
We have rescheduled a Sports Day for children on site to ensure we can manage the heat. Children will be in smaller groups, with better access to shade and a slower pace! We will start the day with years 3 4 5 at 9.30-11am and then Years 1and 2 at 11-12.30pm. Thank you to families for supporting children with this change, we understand they will have been disappointed. We will ensure a great event is put on and we hope you will be able to come and cheer them on!
Ballet at Gainsborough
We have being working behind the scenes to provide ballet lessons, through an established ballet school, for pupils at Gainsborough. To register interest please email admin@gainsborough.hackney.sch.uk and we will send the registration document. Below is some information on the ballet school:
I am en ex professional ballerina from English National Ballet company and director of Regal Ballet which I started in 2007. I am a qualified ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and International Dance Teachers Association.
Regal Ballet has run ballet lessons in the American School, Southbank International School, The Harrodian, North Bridge House school, South Hampstead Junior School, Channing Junior School Highgate, St Mary’s School Hampstead, Broadhurst School, St Saviours School, and St Christina’s School. We also run lessons in several locations outside of a school setting too, eg St Johns Wood, Pimlico, Islington, Stoke Newington, West Hampstead, Hoxton, Richmond and more.
Regal Ballet can take care of the bookings for the classes, so there is no extra admin for the school. Bookings are made via our website www.regalballet.com
Regal Ballet provides qualified, experienced instructors all with enhanced DBS checks on the update service. We teach an inspiring introduction to ballet for nursery and reception children and the highly respected Royal Academy of Dance syllabus from age 5 all the way through to Year 6, so the children can work towards ballet exams and keep progressing. We also do a show every 2 years. The last show took place in the Watherlow Hall theatre at the South Hampstead High School last February. Here is a link to some highlights from a previous show a few years ago at Saddlers Wells https://youtu.be/qzvgXlq2Sfk?si=7sAsLELni7HXZgwz
End of Term
We will end the school year on Friday 17th July at 2pm. This is for all pupils from Nursery to Years 6. Paid Preschool places will still be open until 6pm. This early finish allows staff to pack the year away and reset rooms ready for September.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Gainsborough Families
As another wonderful school year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to thank every member of our Gainsborough community for the support, kindness and trust you have shown throughout the year.
A successful school is built on strong partnerships, and we are incredibly fortunate to have families who work alongside us every day to help children flourish. Whether you have volunteered at school events, supported educational visits, welcomed new families into our community, encouraged your child to complete their homework, or simply ensured they arrive at school every day ready to learn, you have played an important part in everything we have achieved together.
This year we have seen attendance continue to improve across the school, with more children benefiting from being in class every day. We have also seen improvements in punctuality, meaning our children are beginning their learning calmly and confidently each morning. These achievements belong to all of us and demonstrate what is possible when school and home work together with a shared purpose.
We are especially proud that Gainsborough continues to grow as a thriving school. We are now full in every year group except one, with waiting lists for both Reception and our Preschool. This reflects the confidence that families place in our school and is something we never take for granted.
Our commitment to inclusion continues to be recognised beyond our own community. This year, the Department for Education recognised the inclusive spaces we have developed, celebrating our determination to ensure that every child feels welcomed, valued and able to succeed. We remain proud to be a school where every child belongs and where differences are celebrated as strengths.
Our curriculum has continued to develop, with the introduction of an inspiring and engaging Design and Technology curriculum that encourages children to think creatively, solve problems and develop practical skills for life. Alongside this, we have continued to provide the rich opportunities, memorable experiences and nurturing environment that make Gainsborough such a special place to learn.
Most importantly, our children continue to demonstrate our school values every single day. They show kindness to one another, remain connected to their community, keep themselves and others safe, make healthy choices, care for the world around them and give generously of their time and talents. These values begin at home and are strengthened through the partnership we share with you. Thank you for reinforcing them and helping your children become compassionate, confident and responsible young people.
We are incredibly proud of the diverse, inclusive and ambitious community we serve. Every success this year has been made possible because of the commitment of our staff, the enthusiasm of our children and, importantly, the unwavering support of our families.
Thank you for believing in Gainsborough, for working with us and for helping us make our school a place where every child can thrive.
On behalf of all the staff and governors, I wish you and your families a happy, restful and safe summer holiday. We look forward to welcoming you back in September as we continue to build on everything we have achieved together.
With sincere thanks,
Jenna Clark
Executive Principal
Gainsborough Primary School
