This week at Gainsborough…
Summer 1
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
Gainsborough Keep Green!
We are focusing on Keep Green this half term. This week in children’s homework books they will be completing activities relating to reuse, reduce and recycling. We will be working with school council to improve out approaches to saving energy at school, planting wild flowers, working with our new gardener Stanley and celebrating World Bee Day at the end of term. Please support the children by engaging with homework activities and making small changes at home as well.
Reception 2026 Allocation
We would like to say a huge welcome to all of the families who have secured a place at Gainsborough for Reception 2026, we look forward to the journey together over the next 7 years. As many of you are aware, there are falling birth rates across London, Hackney in particular is facing huge challenges in its schools with falling numbers. I want to reassure families that Gainsborough has a full allocation of pupils for Reception 2026. Full classes brings financial stability, in the current climate being a full school is a significant achievement and brings the security of good provision, continued interventions when needed, a rich offer across all curriculum areas and a well staffed school. Word of mouth is by far the best marketing we could hope for, and we ask all families to join us on our marketing journey in recommending Gainsborough to others. We hope to continue to provide a happy, safe and rich environment for all ages and being full enables us to do this!
TT Rockstars Battle
Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 were challenged to a TT Rockstars battle against Coach Terry over the Easter break. We have some children at Gainsborough who are becoming very hard to beat in our TT Rockstars battle. This week on average Coach Terry beat the children of Gainsborough, however there was one child who manged to score again to well and truely beat Coach Terry- James, year 6. The children have nominated Mr Little to battle against them this week. Will any of the children be able to beat Mr Little, or in fact get a higher score than James?
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 Kyro
Year 2 Henry
Year 3 Niqo
Year 4 Destiny-May
Year 5 Riley
Year 6 Jahmal
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 Didac
Year 2 Yusuf
Year 3 Ahad
Year 4 Charlie
Year 5 Melisa
Year 6 Princess
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
Amelia was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for settling really well into new routines in her new classroom. Well done Amelia!
Nursery Geese
Jimmy was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being an excellent role model at tidy up time. Well done Jimmy!
Nursery Swans
Betsy was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for showing great engagement in carpet sessions and always trying her best. Well done Betsy!
Reception Magpies
Aaminah was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a responsible and helpful friend all week. Well done Aaminah!
Year 1 Doves
Prince was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for being a brilliant line up monitor this week and taking his role very seriously. Well done Prince!
Year 2 Wrens
Caden was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for completing some excellent homework over the holidays and making a wonderful pop up book. Well done Caden!
Year 3 Owls
Siyam was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for completing excellent work to a really high standard all week, you have completed some excellent descriptive writing. Well done Siyam!
Year 4 Hummingbirds
Rafi was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for his excellent homework and consistently great writing in writing lessons. Well done Rafi!
Year 5 Hummingbirds
Seamus was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for completing excellent work to a high standard all week. Well done Seamus!
Year 6 Skylarks
John-Francis was awarded a Gainsborough Gold award this week for his excellent subject knowledge in science. Well done John-Frances!
Coming up at Gainsborough…
Gainsborough March for Earth Day
This Tuesday, 22nd April, we will march for Earth Day. Years 1 -6 will walk from school, along Berkshire Road, to the Loop. Then over the bridge, along the canal and back across Gainsborough Bridge. We will be chanting as we walk raising awareness of the need to reuse, recycle and reduce our waste!
Gainsborough Play Strategy
Many schools across Hackney have started to consider how children play, take risks and build their communication skills during their playtime. With less and less children playing outside and spending more and more time in adult led environments we have seen a reduction in the types of play children engage in. At Gainsborough we will:
- Introduce play leads in our teaching, pupil, parent and governor groups
- Work withe all groups to design a better play environment for our children
- Learn about the different types of play there are and how to provide opportunities for this type of play
- Provide opportunities for children to take risks and think creatively
- Collect as many free and reusable resources to improve play in a sustainable way
We hope that working in this way will:
- Build a community understanding and appraach to play
- Improve attendance through a happier and more exciting play experience at school
- Reduce playtime incidents
- Improve children’s communication skills through play
Gainsborough Food Co-Op Opportunity
We will hold an introductory meeting on Wednesday 20th May at 3.30pm in the middle hall. Saul will lead this. It will be a chance to ask any questions, plan how the co op will run, where we might need volunteers, and agree on the best days so we can get started soon after. With the sunnier weather coming, it feels like a great time of year to begin and we want to make sure we start in a well organised way. In the meantime, if you know anyone else in the school community who might be interested, please do share the flyer on the school Instagram account.
