The Christmas celebrations included a festive Christmas dinner, enjoyable performances, and a Christmas jumper day, all of which helped to create a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to celebrate the season together and share in the festive spirit.
Year 3 had a very exciting visit to Colchester Castle! The pupils enjoyed visiting the castle museum and exploring the different artefacts they had. They were also able to practice building an Iron Age Round House and a Roman Villa (which proved a little tricky, even for the adults!). We then explored underneath the castle (which used to be underneath a Roman temple, how exciting!) and learnt all about the battle between the Romans and the Celts. It was a fantastic trip with lots of great learning taking place and memories being made!
The Gateway Primary Free School children who earned a place in the 100% Club for their fantastic attendance in Autumn 2 were rewarded with a brilliant silent disco celebration. Smiles and dancing filled the room as the pupils enjoyed a well-deserved treat for their outstanding commitment. Their enthusiasm and dedication made the event a joyful reminder of how important and exciting great attendance can be.
This term, two of our PE Ambassadors introduced a new Health Strategy during assembly. They presented on the importance of making healthy snack choices and suggested eating two 100-calorie snacks per day as a simple way to manage portion sizes. The ambassadors also encouraged everyone to reduce their intake of sugar, salt, and fats to help maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
Their presentation helped raise awareness across the school about how small, healthy choices can make a big difference to our overall well being.
We had a brilliant time at our first-ever 'Campfire Stories' event on Thursday 16th October. Over 170 children took part in the event, which took place in the Forest School area on the school field. Mrs. Alexander, our specialist Forest School teacher, Mr. McQuade and Miss Banfield started us off with some great songs around the campfire. Then, the teachers read some much-loved stories to the children. We all read together and the children were encouraged to join in the fun! It was great to see everyone loving books and loving reading. It was a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and see how much our children are developing a love for reading!
Gateway Primary Free School recently enjoyed an exciting trip to Barleylands Farm. During their visit, they took part in a fun and interactive pizza-making workshop where they learned how to prepare their own delicious creations. The children also had the opportunity to feed a variety of farm animals, getting up close with goats, sheep, and more. One of the highlights of the day was a scenic tractor ride around the farm, giving everyone a chance to see the countryside and learn more about life on the farm. It was a memorable and educational day out for all involved!
The children had a fantastic time on our recent trip to Grangewaters, enjoying a range of exciting outdoor activities in a beautiful natural setting. It was wonderful to see them stepping out of their comfort zones, supporting one another, and building strong friendships along the way. The trip truly highlighted the importance of teamwork, resilience, and cooperation, and we couldn’t be prouder of how well they represented our school.
We are thrilled to share that our learners in The Burrow have settled exceptionally well into their new environment. They have embraced the new routines, expectations, and learning opportunities with enthusiasm and curiosity. It is heartening to see them adjusting so positively, which sets a wonderful foundation for their growth and development this year.
A key focus in The Burrow this year is supporting speech, language, and communication needs. To support our learners effectively, we are implementing strategies at both targeted and universal levels, utilising a variety of alternative and augmented communication aids. In every lesson, activity, and play session, we incorporate communication boards to model language and foster engagement. We are delighted to report that the learners are making good progress, and it is wonderful to hear their voices developing as they become more confident in their expressive communication skills.
Eight girls proudly represented GPFS at a girls' football tournament in Thurrock.
The team faced off against four other local schools, playing a total of five matches.They demonstrated impressive resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament securing a well-earned victory. The team finished 4th in the group.
This week, students from The Gateway Academy continued their impactful peer-to-peer mentoring sessions with Year 6 pupils from Gateway Primary Free School. These sessions provide invaluable support to the younger pupils, while the mentors consistently embody the GLC core values through their leadership.
This week, Gateway Primary Free School held its annual Pupil Leadership and House Captains elections, giving our Key Stage 2 pupils the opportunity to step into leadership roles and have their voices heard. Candidates presented thoughtful speeches and demonstrated impressive confidence, vision, and enthusiasm for representing their peers. Staff and students alike were inspired by the maturity and dedication shown throughout the process. Congratulations to all the newly elected Pupil Leaders and House Captains—we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make across the school community this year!
The Gateway Primary Free School celebrated their best ever phonics results. Congratulations to the Year 1 pupils.
