Holiday Greetings

Mr. Griffiths, staff and Governors would like to wish all pupils and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Return to School

We return to school on Monday 4th January 2010.

School Dinners

Monday
Sausage & Mash with Broccoli
Pasta Bake (Veggie Option)
Ice Cream Roll

Tuesday
"Mystery Meal"

Wednesday
Roast dinner with carrots & cabbage
Lentil pie (Veggie option)
Jelly

Thursday
Meat pie with mash & broccoli
Jacket potato (veggie option)

Friday
Fish fingers and chips with beans
Chocolate sponge with custard

Fresh homemade bread, a salad bar and water are available every day. Also fresh fruit salad and yoghurts are alternative desserts.

Special Points of Interest

We are looking forward to hearing the choir sing at St. Catherine's Church on Sunday, 20th December at 4pm. (Children to arrive at 3.40pm please). Parents and friends are most welcome to attend the service.

Top attendance this week with 100% was class 5/6SD. Fantastic - well done to you all.

Christmas and New Year Birthdays

Happy Birthday over the Holidays to:

Emily Baker, Louisa Barratt, Brea Bennett, Lily King, Emily Coles, Thomas Gregory, Kieran Atkins-Barker, Connor Booker, Sam Custus, Daniel Harris, Rebecca Boultwood, Ryan Sutton, Harry Byrne, Joe Carson, Maria Daniel, Tia Purkiss, Joshua Foster, Ben Stiff, James Flux, Reece Williams

School Performance

Congratulations to all those who performed in 'The Sorcerer' Christmas production this week. The children performed so confidently and sang so well.

Thank you to all those who gave so generously for our collection. We raised £285 for Little Havens Hospice.

3 Easy Steps to Create New Woods

1. Recycle your Christmas cards at WH Smith, TK Max or M & S
2. Choose where you'd like us to plant more native trees at woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards
3. The area that gets the most votes gets the most trees

Recycle your cards in store before 31st January, 2010

School Closure due to Snow

In the event of adverse weather, please note that Essex FM will broadcast details of schools forced to close this Winter. Tune in and listen to 102.6 or 96.3FM.

Alternatively, visit the school website at www.easttilburyjunior.thurrock.sch.uk and the school will post a notice on the gates.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday this week to:

Stephen Carson

Holly Adams

Georgie Campbell

Jack Robinson

George Whalley

Special Points of Interest

• A reminder that school closes for the Christmas holiday on Friday 18th December, 2009 at 3.10pm.
• Top attendance for this week is 5/6ME with 98.9%. Well done to you all.

After School Clubs Next Week

Monday: Football and netball are on
Tuesday: Tag rugby is on
Wednesday: Ball skills and choir
Thursday: Rugby is cancelled. Art club is finished for this term. It will start again in the New Year.
Friday: Badminton is cancelled

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were presented this week to:

3/4AM - Ethan Ansell - Good drama work
3/4GM - Billy Saunders - Very good literacy work
3/4HW - George Whalley - Good sewing skills in DT
3/4LC - Charlotte Gibbons - Always working hard
3/4TL - Derry Mager - Good sewing skills in DT
5/6AR - Sam Shaw - Trying hard with school play
5/6AW - Katy Bannister - Working well in class
5/6 ME - Reece Williams - Positive attitude in school
5/6PD - Joe Cole - Trying hard in art
5/6SD - Marney Dobson - Working hard in literacy

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday this week to:

Jack Fairman

Drew May

Harry Gregory

Amiee Weston

Special Points of Interest

Thank you for all the shoe boxes, donations and gifts received. We have 57 boxes to send to Operation Christmas Child. Thank you for your generosity.

The class with top attendance this week is 3/4LC with 97%. Well done.

Years 5 and 6 have bought home cast letters for their Christmas Concert. Please ensure you return the forms promptly. Seats will be allocated but no tickets will be issued.

Please note: All swimming payments for Year 4 are extremely overdue. This must be paid before the end of term. Thank you.

Christmas Hats
The children are invited to make a hat to wear at the Christmas Dinner on Thursday, 10th December.

The hat must be no taller than 25cm and no wider than 25cm and be wearable.

It can be based on any Christmas theme: Nativity, Snowman, crackers, angels, presents, Christmas trees, Father Christmas etc.

Purchased or simple hats will also be acceptable.

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were awarded to the following pupils this week:

3/4AM - Maria Daniel - Good PSHCE work
3/4HW - Holly Butcher - Good ICT work
3/4 LC - Megan Weldon - Improved writing
3/4TL - Brandon Carpenter-Prout - Improving his Literacy
3/4GM - Lucy Grover - Improved Literacy skills
5/6PD - Chloe Brown - Always setting a good example
5/6 SD - Frazer Grewal - Trying hard with school play
5/6 ME - Tommy Lawrence - Improvement in Maths and Literacy
5/6 AW - Madeleine Flux - Good work in Maths
5/6 AR - Tegan Stock - For always being enthusiastic and working hard

Swimming Awards

Well done to all those who achieved awards this week:

10 Metres: Katie Knight, Ethan Ansell, Rory Cox, Joshua Ware, Morgan Lowe, Bailey Wilden, Alfie Pacey, Ellie Quinlan, Lewis Ashdown, Justine Baylis, James Flux, Asa Gregory, Harry McInally, Abbie Mott, Jack Robinson, Mia Seeley, Cassandra Aina, Kieran Conoley, Daniel Harris, Luke Pearson, Samantha Umoren

Green Stripe: George Whalley

Red Stripe: Max Jex, Kieran Atkins-Barker

Yellow Stripe: Max Jex, Kieran Atkins-Barker, Bradley Scott, William Derby

Blue Stripe: Max Jex, Kieran Atkins-Barker, Spencer Watling, Emily Stevens, Sophie Gibbons, Olivia Clements-Hendy, Jasmine Yeomans, Elsie Andrews, Toni Case, Ellie Quinlan, Lewis Ashdown, James Flux, Asa Gregory, Harry McInally, Abbie Mott, Jack Robinson, Mia Seeley, Cassandra Aina, Kieran Conoley, Daniel Harris, Luke Pearson, Samantha Umoren

5 Metres: Harry White, Holly Adams, Jake Griffin

PFA News

At the recent Table Top sale, the PFA raised £120. Half of this money will go towards some outdoor musical instruments for the Infant School, the other half will go towards some outdoor bins for the Junior School. Thank you to the people who did come along to support them and the stall holders who had a good time even if they did not sell a great deal.

The PFA would like to thank local businesses for their donated raffle prizes - Park Inn, Top 2 Toe Hairdressers, J York Butchers, Mitchels Hairdressing, Tubby Tel's Seafood Store, East Tilbury Post Office, Lloyds convenience store (Linford) and Liz Pettican. An extra thank you goes to East Tilbury Post Office for help in changing money for floats.

Unfortunately, the Adult Disco scheduled for this Saturday (5th December) has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Everyone should have received their refund, but if not, you can contact Julie Willett or Meresa Wilkins.

The next PFA meeting will take place in the New Year on Wednesday, 6th January at 5.30pm in the Junior School. Please feel free to join us and voice your opinion. The PFA are always looking for volunteers and feedback on events and ideas for possible future events.

Puffin Book Club

Did you know you can order Puffin Books online. If you use the account number registered to the school, the school will receive commission for books ordered.

The website has a great selection of books and it's not too late to order books for Christmas. The last date for ordering is Midday on 21st December.

The website address is www.puffinbookclub.co.uk and the school account number is 0007192333.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday this wek to

Paige Alston

Katie Huckle

Christmas Concert Dates

Christmas Concert dates are 15th and 16th December. Performances at 2pm and 7pm Years 5 and 6.


A reminder that school closes for the Christmas Holiday on 18th December at 3.10pm.

Special Points of Interest

Library Events

Coffee Day in aid of Little Haven's Hospice on Tuesday 8th December from 9am to 5.30pm.

Delicious homemade cakes, tea and coffee. All welcome.

Free Christmas Card Workshop on Thursday, 10th December. They are running two sessions on 'How to make a Christmas card on the computer', 12 noon - 1.30pm and 2.15pm-3.45pm. If you would like to attend please book a place as numbers are restricted. Call Maureen or jenny on 01375 844921.

PFA EVENTS

Saturday 5th December - Adults Only Disco 7.30pm to 11.30pm in East Tilbury Village Hall. Tickets now on sale and cost £5 per person. Please contact either Julie Willett on 845421 or Meresa Wilkins on 840417 to purchase tickets.

PFA new web address: www.facebook.com/easttilburyschoolspfa

THANK YOU

We received a letter this week from the Royal British Legion which thanked the children for their help in raising money for the men and women of our armed forces that have or are now suffering from injuries. We managed to raise £61.48. They said that we always manage to do so well. Thank you.

The classes achieving top attendance this week are 3/4TL and 3/4LC both achieving 97%.

A parent has lost a gold engagement ring outside the school. It has great sentimental value and if anyone has found it, please contact the school office. Thank you.

A reminder that the school office and telephone absence line opens at 8am each morning. Please call after this time.

The menu for this week is Week One and the Mystery Meal on Tuesday, 1st December will be lasagne.

Merrie Loots Farm are holding a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, 6th December at 4pm. There will be a Santa's Grotto, roast chestnuts, a raffle and much more.

Operation Christmas Child

There is still the opportunity for those who have not yet sent in a shoe box to do so. If you require another label/information sheet, please visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk or the school office. The shoe boxes will need to be in school by Thursday, 3rd December so make sure you bring it in as soon as possible. (A reminder to enclose £2.50 inside the box, thank you).

Sports Reports

NETBALL

On Wednesday, 25th November we played an away match against Corringham. We won the match 9-3.

The players were:

Katie Huckle
Georgie Campbell
Georgia Whiteaker
Megan Thorn
Tegan Stock
Lorna Grigsby
Amy Springham

Player of the Match - Georgie Campbell

On Thursday 26th November, we played at home against Orsett Primary. We won the match 5-0. All the players performed to the best of their ability. The team consisted of:

Amiee Langridge
Renie Bell
Katie Huckle
Georgie Campbell
Georgia Whiteaker
Tegan Stock
Lorna Grigsby
Amy Springham

Player of the Match - Katie Huckle

Miss Coldwells

FOOTBALL

Yesterday, East Tilbury Junior School played Stanford le Hope Primary School. East Tilbury started very strongly and took an early lead with a fantastic run and strike from Harry Woodrow. Stanford le Hope responded by equalizing with a well taken free kick.

Both teams continued to battle hard but on the stroke of half time, Stanford took the lead. East Tilbury kept their heads up and showed great character which resulted in a superb effort from Callum Offord to bring the scores level. The final score was 2-2 and the Man of the Match was awarded to Adam Newman.

Mr. Ellen

Top Attendance

Congratulations to 5/6AW and 5/6SD who have both achieved 97.2% attendance this week.

Special Points of Interest

• There will be no Football Club or Netball Club on Monday, 16th November.
• PLEASE NOTE - the road gate to the school will now be closed from 8.35am to 9am each morning to stop vehicle access. This is to ensure the safety of your children.
• The School Office opens at 8am each morning. Please call for absences from this time.

PFA Forthcoming Events

• Tuesday, 17th November from 1.15pm - volunteers needed to help plant some trees in the Infant School grounds.
• Wednesday 25th November from 5.30pm - PFA Meeting to be held inthe Infant School. We are always looking for new members, so do come along.
• Saturday 28th November 10am to 2pm - Table Top Sale at Linford Village Hall. For a stall contact Meresa on 01375 840417.
• Saturday, 5th December 7.30pm to 11.30 pm - Adults only disco (over 18s) £5 per person

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday this week to:

Katie Knight

Emma Gray

Olivia Hall

Tommy Lawrence

George Sheldrick

Merit Awards

The following pupils received the merit award this week:

3/4AM Rio Stock - Working hard and setting a good example
3/4 HW Morgan Hall - Improving her writing
3/4 LC Paige Thurston - Good, clear instructions in writing
3/4TL Luke Pearson - Working really hard in ICT
3/4GM Lacie Miles - Gopod attitude towards her work
5/6PD Georgina Gisby - Always showing a positive attitude to all of her work
5/6SD Kyle Boston - Excellent improvement in numeracy
5/6ME Callum Offord - Demonstrating a superb attitude in all lessons
5/6AW Kerry Parkinson - Good, sensible behaviour
5.6 AR Drew May - For having a better attitude towards his work especially in numeracy

Swimming Awards

Congratulations to the following children who have achieved awards this week:

Blue Stripe
Samantha Umoren
Holly Adams
Harry Prothero
Lauren Bloss
Bradley Beszant
Rory Cox

Yellow Stripe
Harry Prothero
Lauren Bloss
Bradley Beszant

25 Metres
Lauren Bloss

Red Stripe
Holly Butcher
Charlotte Joy
Alice Bigland
Harry Prothero
Lauren Bloss
Bradley Beszant

Green Stripe
Toni Case
Zak Curley

Blue Stripe
Rory Cox

Football Report

On Wednesday, 11th November, we played a cup match against Dilkes Primary. Before the game we had a minutes silence to respect the lives of people lost in the wars. We dominated the first half but failed to score. The half time score was 0-0.

We continued to dominate the second half and got our reward. A great cross saw Jake Nickels score. We switched off for a few minutes and conceded to level the scores. We still had faith in winning the game and got what we deserved. A goal!! Scored by Harry Woodrow in the last minute.

We gave three cheers to the opposition and they did the same. The final score was 2-1 to East Tilbury Junior.

Harry Woodrow and Jake Nickels

Netball Report

On Thursday, 12th November we took part in a fun Netball Rally at Hassenbrook School. We played against four other schools. The results were:

ETJS 4 - Chafford 0
ETJS 0 - Stifford Primary 0
ETJS 3 - Woodside B 0
ETJS 1 - Stifford Clays 0

Well done to all the players. Thank you to all the parents for their support and help with transport.

The team were: Megan Thorn, Amy Springham, Georgia Whiteaker, Georgie Campbell, Katie Huckle, Kerry Parkinson, Lorna Grigsby, Tegan Stock.