UKS2 Girls' Football Tournament
Our girls’ football team had the exciting opportunity to take part in a tournament at the Gallagher Stadium. They faced some tough competition across their five matches and showed fantastic teamwork and determination throughout. A highlight from the game was Chidimma scoring a well-deserved goal, which lifted everyone’s spirits and showcased their hard work. Most importantly, the players thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing in a professional stadium, learning new skills and supporting one another on and off the pitch. It was a fantastic day full of team spirit, resilience, and fun! The team should be proud of their efforts.
Year 6 Kent Police Visit - Walk safe
Kent Police visited year 6 to talk to us about staying safe. They talked about an app called Walk Safe which allows our parents to check where we are and also allows us to report if we feel unsafe while we are out on our own. We talked about how to stay safe online and how to behave appropriately within online communities. We were also told about the dangers sending indecent images and how it is illegal. They are going to come back and talk to us at the end of year 6 and we are looking forward to asking them more questions.
Key Stage Two Author Visit
We were incredibly lucky to welcome author Jennifer Claessen to our school! Her series of monthly witch books is in shops now, as is her new mythology series and she ran a brilliant assembly and Q and A for KS2 children. This was followed by a drama workshop for Year 5. Jenny was really impressed in the children's participation, commenting that we were the most enthusiastic school yet! She spent time talking to staff about being a dyslexic reader and was amazed by our beautiful library, which our librarians showed her round. A huge thank you to Maidstone LitFest for organising this free visit!
Year 2 Art exhibition
Year 2 have been learning about Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is a contemporary artist that uses polka dots in her work. She creates sculptures and paintings and she covers objects in dots such as whole rooms, people, objects and even a horse!
The children all created some artwork using cotton buds to create dots and then had a class discussion about what they would like to do for their final piece. The children thought of lots of ideas including a spotty dog and a submarine and voted for making an aeroplane that they could sit in. They worked really well as a team to create this and invited families in to have a look at their spotty dogs and to take their own photos in our aeroplane.
uks2 Boys' football tournament
Our boys’ football team had an exciting opportunity to take part in a tournament at the Gallagher Stadium this week. They put on a fantastic display of skill, teamwork, and determination, showing good sportsmanship throughout the day. Facing some of the toughest teams, they held their ground brilliantly, drawing most of their matches. The boys scored some impressive goals — including an unforgettable strike from almost halfway up the pitch! Our goalkeeper was outstanding, making incredible saves throughout the day and keeping the other teams’ scores low. It was a great performance from the whole team - they should be very proud of their efforts.
Art competition
We were absolutely thrilled that Lillie-Mai’s artwork, created during her art lesson in Year 6, was selected to be showcased in the art exhibition at The Mote Park Learning Space. During October half term, Lillie-Mai had the opportunity to attend a special event at the exhibition with Mrs Clarkson, where she thoroughly enjoyed viewing her work on display.
english and art - Whole school Experience
In the week before half term, the whole school took park in our first Whole School Experience week of the year, focusing on the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Each year, they run a competition for children called The Global Canvas which highlights the need for conservation work to be done around the globe. The children explored the idea of extinction and near extinction through art, discussion and drama. We created a story which featured the Book of Life as a metaphor for assembly, made shields for animals that were near extinction to protect them, collated facts and persuasive writing pieces, became journalists back in the time of the dodo's extinction and created small sketch studies of a range of species. Our school value's include Curiosity and Collaboration, and we wanted to create an inclusive canvas that reflected this to enter into the competition.
Year 5 Victorian School Day
Year 5 were surprised with a Victorian Day. During the morning session, they experienced a Victorian school, this included lessons for reading (reciting a poem), writing (handwriting using chalk and slate) and arithmetic (reciting timetables) as well as PE Drills. Mrs McKenzie enjoyed being strict and all of the class were engaged with the Victorian way of life. After break, they learnt more about Queen Victoria as well as the British Empire. Here are some of the things that the class had to say about the day:
I liked that we had to stand when we spoke to the teacher and call the teacher Mrs as well as address teachers when they came in – Alicia and Niamh
I enjoyed wearing the Dunce's hat – Bear
I liked when Mrs McKenzie walked around with the cane – Alex
I liked Mrs McKenzie being a strict teacher – Calin
Remebrance Day
Children from Year 5 and 6 proudly took part in the Remembrance Day parade through Maidstone town centre. They walked alongside veterans, service personnel, and local community groups to remember those who have served and sacrificed their lives in war.
The parade ended at the war memorial, where everyone gathered for the Service of Remembrance. It was a special and respectful moment, and the children represented the school beautifully. We’re really proud of them for being part of such an important event that reminds us all about the value of peace, unity, and remembering those who came before us.
School council visits the houses of parliament
On Tuesday the 11th of November, we took this year's and last year's school council all the way to London to visit the Houses of Parliament. The mini-bus took us past some fantastic tourist spots such as the London Eye, The Thames, Horse Guards Parade and Billingsgate Market- a great introduction to our day in the city! Our guide Mia took us through bag check and security, which was just like an airport, before we gathered our headsets for a full historical and political tour of the building. We learnt some excellent facts and got to see politicians dash through the building on their way to work. Mia also told us that King Henry VIII liked to play tennis in the great hall! Tom, our workshop lead, was super energetic and lead us in a session on voting and how laws are passed. Finally, we got to meet our MP, Helen Whately, who introduced herself and shared some information on what being an MP is like, and the work she was most proud of. The children were a credit to the school, and were very well- behaved. A huge thanks to the PTA for part-funding the journey and to Mrs McKenzie for booking the day!
Anti-bullying week
The week started with Odd Socks Day. This fun tradition celebrates what makes us all unique. It was a great reminder that being different is something to be proud of and that kindness and acceptance should always be in fashion.
During the week, the children have been engaging in Anti-Bullying Week through their PSHE lessons. They explored the importance of kindness, respect, and standing up against bullying in all its forms. Activities included discussions and role-play scenarios that encouraged empathy and teamwork. The lessons helped children understand how their words and actions can make a positive difference, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe and supportive school environment.
children in need
Thank you so much for your kind donations today. Mrs Sweeney, Miss Lee and Miss Munday wore their graffitied t-shirts with pride and children enjoyed a late assembly to find out who had won the raffle prizes! Classes completed numerous Pudsey- themed activities through the day, and the School Council have been brilliant in deciding on fund raising ideas and running the day- special thanks to Krish and Sunia in Year 6! We will be counting up the cash donations over the coming week, but have already had £150 through online donations.
english national opera project - Year 5
Year 5 have been busy working on their English National Opera (ENO) project this term and they were sent a letter inviting them to finish an opera for the ENO in their music lessons. It is called 'Plant This Seed' and the children have considered how their music can follow on from two pieces already studied with a focus on how they would like our world to look in the future. This is their chance to plant their seed and bring their new world to life through music. Throughout the project so far, Year 5 have researched the different roles within an opera and took on the role of a librettist brilliantly, choosing lyrics for our final class opera. Last week they composed their final melody for their song 'How things could be...' and they are continuing to explore accompanying vocal, body and percussive sounds to suit our melody
friendship workshop - year 4
Year 4 enjoyed an engaging Friendship workshop, designed to explore the qualities of positive, healthy friendships. They discussed what friendship means, how to make and keep friends, and reflected on the similarities and differences they share with their own friends. They discussed the importance of understanding that it’s okay not to like the same hobbies, and that respecting differences helps friendships grow stronger. The children enjoyed taking part in some teamwork activities, encouraging communication and cooperation. An activity the particularly enjoyed was trying to line up in alphabetical order without speaking to each other.
uks2 boys' football tournament
Our Year 5 and 6 football team competed in their second league fixture this week. The team played extremely well together, demonstrating excellent communication and outstanding teamwork across the pitch, which was commented on by our opponent’s coach. Although the game finished in a narrow 2-1 defeat to the other school, the team remained positive and determined throughout. Their resilience was clear to see right up until the final whistle, reflecting great maturity and team spirit in challenging moments. Equally commendable was their sportsmanship, with respect, fairness, and encouragement shown consistently throughout the fixture. They continue to grow with each match.
year 6 bikability
our Year 6 pupils successfully completed their Bikeability course, gaining essential skills for safe and confident cycling. The training covered road awareness, signalling, and practical tips for navigating different traffic situations. We’re proud of their hard work and enthusiasm and these skills will help them stay safe and enjoy cycling for years to come!
The Lollies- Scholastic Publisher's Aware Ceremony
Mrs Dixon and Mrs Heard travelled with our Year 6 librarians (Madaleine, Lillie-Mae, Isla and Beth-Erin) to the South Bank Centre to attend The Lollies, Scholastic Publisher's award ceremony for the funniest children's books released the year.
Presented by Stephen Mangan, we were introduced to authors and illustrators, took park in quizzes and live illustrations and also received a generous goodie bag! The top moment, however, was an appearance by a surprise speaker in the form of the legendary children's poet, Michael Rosen, who was on stage to present an award. It was a great day, and our librarians were an absolutely credit to the school and themselves!
The shortlisted books have been purchased for all children in the school to access with the some of the money from last year's Book Fair, and will be in the library
Art competition
A huge well done to Dolly for a super Christmas card design which was shortlisted in the KIMS Hospital competition!
rocksteady
Friday morning began on a high note with two fantastic performances from our Rocksteady bands! The children thoroughly enjoyed showcasing their talents in front of the whole school and their families.
Christmas Panto
A huge thank you to our wonderful PTA who fully funded a pantomime on Tuesday afternoon. The children thoroughly enjoyed watching Jack and the Beanstalk!
STEm week - whole school experience
Across the school, pupils have been working hard to create their own designs to enter into the annual cross-curricular STEM competition from Primary Engineer. After learning about engineers, they have been encouraged to look for problems they can solve, draw and annotate a solution to it and add a letter to an engineer explaining why it should be built. We will be sending off all of our designs, and we really look forward to hearing the feedback from a real engineer.
I enjoyed drawing my invention - Amelia Y2
I really liked drawing my design and writing to the engineer - Luke Y2
It's been really good to invent something new that could help people - Jimmy and Riley Y4
The week was great! We planned our design and I can't wait to find out how we did - Zaynab Y5
We really enjoyed the week, especially the drawing. It made you think and the whole design process had a purpose. - Elizabeth and Lillie Y6
As a school, we would also like to say a big Thank You to the PTA for buying us the book which is linked with the project. It really helped to inspire us with our own designs!
NSPCC Number Day
There was a real buzz around school today as pupils celebrated NSPCC Number Day with fantastic enthusiasm! The corridors were alive with colour and creativity as children arrived in brilliant number-themed outfits, from sporty shirts to homemade digit designs. Maths was at the heart of the excitement, with fun challenges, games and problem-solving activities taking place in every classroom. Most memorable of all was the cheerful chorus of “6, 7!” echoing around the corridors!
"We have been playing games to help us learn more about Fractions" Yu Qi and Zaynab Year 5
"I really enjoyed numbers day, we have watched videos to help us learn maths through songs and actions and we practiced our French with French number Hop Scotch." Isabella Y3"
I loved Numbers Day because I love maths!" Alex Y2
It was a wonderful day of learning and fundraising for a great cause.
year 5 art exhibition
Year 5 have been working really hard producing some amazing space paintings inspired by the work of artist, Cathrin Machin. They used a variety of materials including watercolour paints, pencils, pens, chalks and pastels. These will be going on display in the hall - the children are really excited to be showing you their hard work!
secret artist
This term we have been playing Secret Artists. Staff members and children created a piece of art which were then hidden around the school. We had to work out who had created the artwork and the secret artist staff members were then revealed in assembly!
Light up Maidstone - year 2
Our Year 2 children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this year’s Light up Maidstone Parade. In the lead-up to the event, the children worked with Mrs Clarkson to design and create their very own beautiful lanterns.
On the day of the parade, the children proudly carried their lanterns through the town, joining a vibrant display. They were especially excited to see the huge dragon, performers, and the many dazzling creations from other groups.
Safer internet day
Across the school, pupils have been learning about how artificial intelligence (AI) can support us, as well as the importance of using it safely and responsibly. We explored different forms of AI, including smart speakers and AI chatbots, and discussed how technology can be helpful while still requiring careful and sensible use.
Year 2, 3 and 4 pupils took part in a Safer Internet workshop where they learned about protecting personal information online and how to use smart devices safely. A key focus was helping children understand that AI is not human — it works using programmed responses, much like a robot — and that we should always think carefully, check information and ask a trusted adult if we are unsure.
children's mental health week
This week, our school launched Children’s Mental Health Week with a special whole‑school assembly led by Mrs Dixon. The assembly introduced this year’s theme and encouraged pupils to think about how they can look after their own well-being, as well as support the people around them. This website has useful resources and information about this week and how to support your child's mental health.
young voices
Our school choir had the incredible opportunity of performing at the O2 Arena as part of the Young Voices concert.
The children absolutely loved taking part in such a huge event. Singing alongside thousands of other young performers created an amazing atmosphere, and the children were mesmerised. It was a wonderful chance for them to showcase their hard work and experience the excitement of performing in one of the country’s most iconic arenas!
A huge well done to all our choir members—what a fantastic achievement!
Local Walk - Oak Class
Oak class took a trip to the local library. On the walk the children were talking about what they could see, including counting buses and looking at the different shaped road signs. Once they got to the parade of shops, we spoke about the different amenities and buildings. At the library, Oak class had lots of time exploring a wide range of books, and listened very well to Shelia, who spoke about what libraries are for, and the importance of reading. The children loved seeing their art work on display in the library. Although the walk back was far more tiring, the children were motivated by the biscuits Mrs Austin bought from the co-op!
boys football tournament
The UKS2 football team showed commitment and growth throughout this year’s fixtures. While results did not always go their way, the players’ determination and positive attitude developed throughout the competition. Match by match, their teamwork improved significantly, with better communication, support, and understanding on the pitch.
St George's Day
To mark St George’s Day, children were invited to come into school wearing their scouting uniforms, and it was lovely to see the wide range of organisations our children belong to. Baden‑Powell chose St George as the patron saint of Scouts because he saw him as a powerful symbol of courage, duty and moral strength. The story of St George bravely facing the dragon is used in Scouting as a metaphor for overcoming challenges with calm determination, helping children understand the importance of resilience, bravery and doing the right thing.
UKS2 Maidstone united flag bearers
Our UKS2 Boys’ football team had an unforgettable experience as they proudly took on the role of flag bearers for Maidstone United, leading the team out at the start of a truly special match. The occasion was made even more memorable as it marked both the club’s final home game of the season and the last home game for their manager. During half-time, the children were also given the exciting opportunity to participate in a penalty shoot-out, which was a big highlight! Although there were a few nerves about performing in front of a crowd of 3,300 fans, the team rose to the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. To top it all off, Maidstone United secured a win, making it a fantastic experience for everyone involved!
David Attenborough's 100th birthday
To celebrate David Attenborough's 100th Birthday today, the children took part in a nationwide live assembly to learn more about Sir David's life and brilliant achievements. Alongside this, Oak Class explored the picture book, Little People, Big Dreams: David Attenborough to discuss his life's work. The assembly was held by Picture News at 2.15 across the country, and children were able to see archive footage, famous moments from the natural world and listen to some of the icon's wise words about climate change and our responsibility for Planet Earth.
Year 3 and 4 trip - Living land
Year 3 and 4 had a fantastic day at the Living Land event at Detling Showground. We had a very busy day learning about all different aspects of farming and agriculture, from different types of machinery to local farms and the animals that belong to them. We were also able to pet lots of the farm animals. We saw cows, rabbits, horses, goats and sheep, and watched an exciting falconry show where the naughty bird of prey flew away and wouldn’t come back for its food! We were able to taste-test lots of the produce made by local Kent farmers – the smoothies and homemade butter were definitely our favourites! One of the funniest parts of the day was watching the sheep show, where we even got to see some sheep dance! A very fun day was had by all!
Art competition
We are delighted to announce that our entry for Kent Garden Show's Bee and Butterfly competition came third and we won £100! Well done to Art Club who made this work last term. The money will be used to buy extra art supplies for our upcoming art day.
Year 5 Trip - Howletts
Year 5 pupils in Maple Class enjoyed an exciting visit to Howletts Zoo, where they had the opportunity to see a wide variety of fascinating animals, including gorillas, lions, lemurs, Capybaras and rhinos. A particular highlight of the day was catching a glimpse of the zoo’s baby tiger cubs! During an engaging primate talk, the children learned many interesting facts about primates and even discovered how gorillas beat their chests to communicate, with some pupils keen to try it themselves! The children also enjoyed their lunch while watching the elephants, making for a memorable experience. Despite the rainy weather, everyone remained enthusiastic throughout the trip, and their behaviour was excellent. The pupils represented the school brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed their day out.
year 6 - safety in action
Year 6 had a fantastic and informative day at Safety in Action. The children took part in a range of practical workshops designed to help them understand how to stay safe in real-life situations as they become more independent.
They learnt about important topics such as water safety, personal safety, and making sensible choices. The sessions really brought learning to life, and the children represented the school brilliantly.
Here are some of the things they learnt and enjoyed:
I learnt you can get arrested for having a knife on you- Eva
Soldiers backpacks are really heavy, they’re 15kg- Sienna G and Willow
I liked wearing the soldiers vest, helmet, mask and backpack - Leyton
If you get into trouble in water, float don't swim - Fraser
Listening to music when walking is dangerous - Archie
year 2 trip - wildwood
The relentless rain did not stop our Year 2 class from having an amazing time at Wildwood. Throughout the day, the children explored the park and discovered a variety of fascinating animals, including bears, boars, pine martens, and bison. They particularly enjoyed taking part in a food chains workshop, where they had the opportunity to dress up and investigate a range of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore skulls.
Year 6 - Magistrates visit
Year 6 had a talk from Alvin Shaw, a local magistrate. He talked to us about why we have rules, the consequences of breaking laws, reasons why people might commit a crime and the punishments they might receive. The most common reasons for young people to go to a magistrates court are lashing out when they're angry or listening to people telling them to do dangerous or illegal things. We learnt that over the age of 10, punishments can include a fine, community service, curfew or even prison. We saw pictures of a prison cell. It was an interesting talk and we learnt a lot.
Louie- "I'm never going to court."
Beth- "Think before you act."
Ellie- "Never commit a crime."
Ella- "Court isn't as fun as it sounds."
Jasmine- "Try to control your anger."
Madaleine- "I want to be on a jury."
year 1 trip - wingham
Year 1 had a fantastic day at Wingham Wildlife Park. They saw lots of animals including giraffes eating their lunch and some rather smelly penguins!
food tasting assembly
We were visited by the team who provide our daily school dinners. They talked to us about “Eating the Rainbow” and why it is important to eat foods of many different colours to stay healthy. We then enjoyed a taste-testing session and tried a variety of foods. The dried apricots were a clear favourite and were a big hit with everyone!
LKS2 boys' Football tournament
A fantastic effort from the whole team! The players performed brilliantly throughout the competition, showing excellent awareness to find space, move the ball with confidence, and defend with determination. After an anxious wait to discover whether they had progressed, they were delighted to learn that they had reached the quarter- finals! The draw paired the team with one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Despite a courageous defensive display and giving everything they had, it wasn't enough to secure a place in the next round. The team should be incredibly proud of their resilience, teamwork, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the competition. It was a pleasure to take them to represent Senacre Wood, and they were a credit to the school.
UKS2 boys' Football tournament
This tournament marked the final time the UKS2 team would play together, and they were determined to make it count. Inspired by the success of the LKS2 team, the players arrived motivated, enthusiastic, and ready to get stuck in. They produced some of the best football and teamwork we have seen from them all year, consistently looking to pass the ball to teammates in open spaces and supporting one another across the pitch. Their defensive efforts were particularly impressive, with the team working tirelessly to prevent opposition attacks and deny many scoring opportunities. Although the tournament did not end with the result we had hoped for and our journey ended at the group stage, the team should be proud of how they represented the school. Their determination, teamwork, and excellent sportsmanship were evident right until the final whistle.
year 5 greek day
On Monday, Year 5 pupils enjoyed a fantastic Ancient Greek Day to help them answer their Big Question: What legacies did the Ancient Greeks leave behind? Throughout the day, the children took part in a range of engaging activities and showed wonderful curiosity. They tasted Greek food, learnt the Greek alphabet, and explored the etymology of words linked to Greek roots. They also discovered more about democracy and its importance, before learning about Greek theatre and creating their own colourful Greek masks.
"My favourite part was tasting the food. I thought I would hate all of the foods but actually I liked all of them." Yu Qi
"I enjoyed tasting the food and seeing what my friends thought of the food" - Niamh
"I enjoyed everyone dressing up." Bear
"I liked making the masks and also tasting the different Greek foods." Alex
"I liked trying some new foods." - George
It was a brilliant day full of learning, creativity and enthusiasm, and the children should be very proud of their efforts.
year R trip - tyland barn
Oak class had a fabulous day at Tyland Barn. We really enjoyed our pond dipping and learning all about different wildlife that lives in ponds and lakes. Some groups caught tiny fish which was very exciting! After our dipping, we looked at the creatures under a clever telescope.
After eating our lunch, we had a Forest school session. Each child experienced starting a small (and supervised) fire, with the help of our adults and group leader. The children also had fun playing with logs, tree stumps and sticks!
Art builders day
We took part in Art Builders Day. The challenge was to recreate a piece of art, only using squares! We chose Kent artist Valerie Potter and each class recreated a part of her cross-stitch monster. Then we joined it all back together to create our masterpiece.
Jo and her team from Animate Arts Company also came into school to run their Crafty Cart workshop. They worked with Years 1, 4 and 5. The children were really excited to see the glue sticks turn into soldiers and the scissors turn into birds! The children used the materials from the crafty cart to create their own piece of art which they displayed in a gallery at the end of the session. Lots of fun was had by all!
sports week - whole school experience
This week, we enjoyed a fantastic, if very hot, Sports Morning. It was lovely to see every child taking part with enthusiasm and great team spirit as they earned points for their house teams. We started with a variety of exciting team games, where everyone enjoyed competing against the clock and working together to achieve as many points as possible. Throughout the morning, the children proudly supported and encouraged their teammates and celebrated each other's successes. This was followed by the sprint races, which showcased the impressive speed of so many of our talented runners. Every child demonstrated resilience and perseverance, trying their hardest from start to finish. A huge thank you to all our families and spectators who came along to cheer on the children and support another fantastic celebration of sport, teamwork, and achievement. Congratulations to the Purple Team, who were crowned our overall Sports Day champions! While Purple proudly took home the trophy, every child should be proud of their efforts and positive attitude throughout the day!