This week at Gainsborough…
Autumn 1
This academic year we will be focusing on:
Improving school punctuality and attendance
Launching a school food initiative
Striving towards being a more sustainable organisation
Improve our academic outcomes for pupils at statutory checkpoints.
World Mental Health Day
Friday 10th October is world mental health day. Children in Years 1 -6 have been considering ways in which we can look after our own physical, emotional and mental health to ensure we are happy and can help one and other if they are unhappy. The children voted to wear yellow on Friday and we will completing a range of meditation, relaxation and regulation activities with them. The chidlren will be making posters for homework this week for us to raise the awareness of World Mental Health day on Friday 10th October. For more tips and ideas on how to support your child to relax, keep calm, share their feelings and regulate see https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
Gainsborough is part of the NHS EMHP project, this means we have an Education Mental Health Practitioner supporting us in school. We have had huge success in supporting parents in this role and we will be introducing our new EMHP team to you this term. These practitioners will be running workshops, supporting the connection between CAHM’s services, school and parents, signposting parents and advising school staff. For more information on the role of the team please see https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/education-mental-health-practitioner
Children versus Staff x table Rockstars Battles
Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 were challenged to a TT Rockstars battle against Mr Little last week for the second time. 2 children scored enough points to beat Mr Little, well done to Lola and Melisa from Year 5 who all scored more then Mr Little. The children have voted to challenge Miss Kee in our next Gainsborough children versus teachers TT Rockstars timetable battle! Good luck Miss Kee!
Reading Plus Champions
We have some incredible readers at Gainsborough, this week we saw Jahmal in Year 6 read over 40 000 words on Reading Plus! Creating a reading culture in your school and in your home can happen in mysterious ways. We are incredibly proud of the phenomenal efforts you and your children are putting into becoming a school of avid readers, keep it up! Children have shared the good habits they have got into to complete their allocated reading: reading on the bus in the morning, reading at bed time, reading after school while they wait for dinner and reading in breakfast club and after school clubs. At Gainsborough we want all children to be avid readers, enjoy reading and talk about reading. Please support your child by reading with them at home, helping them allocate ‘quiet time’ in their day to read and rewarding them for reading.
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 Timur
Year 2 Ismail
Year 3 Niqo
Year 4 Mercy
Year 5 Aaliyah
Year 6 John Francis and Mohamed S
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 Antonio
Year 2 Henry
Year 3 Michael-Pius
Year 4 Inaaya
Year 5 Johnny
Year 6 Mia
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 Geese
Micheal Jordan was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for sharing his ideas in carpet sessions. Well done Micheal Jordan!
Nursery Swans
Khobie was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being such an enthusiastic learner and retelling the story ‘So Much!’ Well done Khobie!
Reception Magpies
Jaynnara was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for always making great choices and being a great role model. Well done Jaynnara!
Year 1 Doves
Prince was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing excellent focus, especially during carpet sessions. Well done Prince!
Year 2 Wrens
Alya was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing great resilience in her learning. She has written fantastic instructions and shown great understanding in maths this week. Well done Alya!
Year 3 Owls
Fatima was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for always being cheerful and positive and working exceptionally hard on reading plus. Well done Fatima!
Year 4 Hummingbirds
Aamilah was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing great resilience and working incredibly hard in writing and maths groups. Well done Aamilah, you are a super star!
Year 5 Herons
Lola was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for making and justifying excellent predictions in both reading and science lessons! Well done Lola!
Year 6 Skylarks
Ibrahim was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being an excellent role model by demonstrating kindness, resilience and determination. Even when learning is tough Ibrahim keeps going. Well done Ibrahim!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Wear Yellow for Wolrd Mental Health Day – Friday 10th October
Wear yellow for World Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October.
Reception Application Process
Reception applications are for children aged 3 and 4 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022) who will start reception class at primary school in September 2026. All parents should apply by 15 January 2026, even if your child is already in the nursery class. Please see Hackney’s admissions information page for who, when and how to apply. https://education.hackney.gov.uk/content/primary-before-you-apply?guidebook=188
Gainsborough will be offering tours and visits throughout the Autumn term. Families will be able to visit Gainsborough for a full site tour on Friday’s from 9-10am or from 5-6pm. To book a tour please email admin@gainsborough.hackney.sch.uk
Punctuality – why is it important to be on time to school?
Arriving at school on time helps children start their day feeling calm, confident, and ready to learn. Punctuality is a simple habit that has a big impact on their overall wellbeing and success.
When children arrive late, it can affect them in several ways:
🚫 Socially: They may feel left out when their friends have already begun morning activities or conversations.
💔 Emotionally: Arriving late can cause feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, or frustration.
📉 Academically: Missing the start of lessons means missing key instructions and learning opportunities, making it harder to keep up.
However, arriving on time brings many positive benefits:
✅ Confident and happy learners: Children begin their day with a sense of readiness and pride.
🌈 Well prepared for school: They can settle in, organise their belongings, and fully engage from the very start.
🎓 Access to all learning: Being present from the beginning ensures they benefit from every part of the school day.
Supporting children to arrive on time each morning helps them develop lifelong habits of responsibility, confidence, and success. A calm and punctual start sets the tone for a positive and productive day of learning!
