This week at Gainsborough…
Autumn 2
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
It was Panto time again! Oh no it wasn’t….
On Thursday 4th December Years 1 -6 traveled to Stratford to watch Mama Goose. The children loved the costumes and range of engaging characters. They were able to tell us the story of Mother Goose and Jack’s search for love leading him into some tricky situations. A huge thank you to the team at Stratford East for making the visit so easy and supportive for school staff. For more information please visit https://www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/mama-goose
Year 4 Nike Running Event
Year 4 were given the exciting opportunity to take part in the launch of Nike’s new Stellar ride run trainers in partnership with Sports Direct. Sports Direct put together a fun filled afternoon with a colour fun run on Tuesday 2nd December 2025. The children took part in the 2km colour fun run. Throughout the course, children were sprayed with non-toxic coloured chalk. Each participant also received a Nike t-shirt to wear during the run and a pair of the new trainers to wear during the race and take home afterwards. The event will be photographed and filmed in partnership with Nike and we were really impressed the goodies the children brought home. The children from year 4 had a wonderful day out, thank you Nike and Sports Direct.
Parents in Class- Friday 5th December
On Friday 5th December we invited families from years 1 -6 into class to sew with us. We have developed our DT curriculum this year and the Autumn 2 unit was sewing, including making Christmas decorations. Families came into class to sew with us, we were very grateful for the support with tying knots, threading needles and stitching! The children will finish their Christmas decorations this week, ready to hang in the hall for the last week of term!
Children versus Staff x table Rockstars Battles
Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 were challenged to a TT Rockstars battle against Ms Lewis. Ms Lewis was finally knocked off teh top spot and beaten by Princess from Year 6. Princes has chosen for Mr Alexander to be the staff TT Rockstars battle opponent. Will any of the children be able to beat Mr Alexander in this week’s timestable battle?
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 Muaz
Year 2 Emma
Year 3 Jazmin
Year 4 Derek
Year 5 Johnny
Year 6 James
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 Netsuh
Year 2 Rukia
Year 3 Suyane
Year 4 JJ
Year 5 Moyo
Year 6 Ronnie
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
Selina was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for settling in to her new morning routine so well. Well done Selina!
Nursery Swans
Stella was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for working incredibly hard on her name writing. Well done Stella!
Reception Magpies
Jaqueline was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being kind to others. Well done Jaqueline!
Year 1 Doves
David was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for excellent improvements in writing, and also setting a good example on the panto trip Well done David!
Year 2 Wrens
Jayzen was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for settling into Year 2 brilliantly this week. You are a pleasure to have in our class. Well done Jayzen!
Year 3
Fatima was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being an excellent helper all week and showing kindness and support to a new freind. Well done Fatima!
Year 4 Hummingbirds
Ze’Viyon was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for his hard work and resilience in all lessons this week. Well done Ze’Viyon!
Year 5 Herons
Dovon was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for working incredibly hard in all lessons this week. Well done Dovon!
Year 6 Skylarks
Year 6 Skylarks was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for modelling incredible behaviour, maturity, respect and kindness this week. In particular on the Panto trip. Well done Skylarks!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Christmas Jumper Day – Friday 12th December
We are selling our very own, school council designed, Christmas jumpers! School council have chosen the viral meme ‘6,7’ as the theme for their Christmas jumper this year. They chose the patterns to fill the numbers, the hand design and the colours. The jumpers are available from the school office and are selling for £15. All the proceeds go towards the school, we are currently saving for playground resources. Thank you to all of our families for their wonderful support in purchasing the jumpers.
Sibling and Individual Photographs
All children from preschool through to Year 6 were given their photo cards this week. On the card is a QR code to take you straight to your child’s profile. There is a 20% off offer is orders are placed by 16th December. This will also ensure you get the orders before Christmas. The company we used this time has managed to capture some excellent pictures which really capture some character and personality. We hope to use Pret-a-Portriat again for our school photos, and we welcome your feedback on this company.
Week 7 Reminders
Christmas Lunch – Tuesday 16th December
Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2 Nativity – Wednesday 17th December, 9.30am at St Mary of Eton
Years 3, 4, 5, 6 Winter Celebration – Wednesday 17th December, 2.30pm, Gainsborough middle hall
PTA Annual Christmas Party (including special guest) Wednesday 17th December, 3.30-5.30pm
Christmas Trees at Barge East
We are very grateful to Tommo and the team at Barge East who have donated a Christmas Tree to us this year. Barge East, in Hackney Wick, is selling Christmas trees again this year. Gainsborough parents can get 10% off by using the code “GAINS10” when purchasing via https://www.bargeeast.com/christmas–trees .
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
