STIFFORD Clays Primary School's cricket team became Thurrock's ASDA kwik cricket champions following a decisive win over Warren Primary in the final of the event organised by the Thurrock School Sport Partnership and hosted by Belhus Cricket Club on Thursday (6th June 2013).
A-LEVEL student Ashleigh was diagnosed with a Ganglioneuroblastoma tumour when she was seven years old but after fighting back hard from the disease she was able to celebrate by joining record-breaking round-the-world sailor Ellen MacArthur for the race's 76th running on Saturday 1 June 2013.
LOUISE Coates, head teacher at Bonnygate Primary School in South Ockendon, has been awarded a runners-up prize in the prestigious regional Headteacher of the Year awards.
She achieved a distinction in the annual Pearson Teaching Awards, which means she was an outstanding candidate for head teacher of a primary school in London and the south-east.
A NEW head with a reputation for dynamism and trouble-shooting has been appointed as the head of Grays School and Media Arts College. James Howarth is the former vice-principal of Harris Academy (Crystal Palace) as well as having experience of running challenging pupil referral units.
IT IS going to be a lovely weekend so why not go down to Davy Down park for a summer family fun day.
Davy Down is hosting another of its successful Family Activity days on Sunday June 9th from noon to 5 pm. You just turn up at Stifford Pumping Station on Back Lane and join in any of the free giant garden games.
A GRAYS pre-school has been placed into special measures after a disappointing inspection report by Ofsted. The government inspectors visited the Grays Baptist pre-school at its premises in Hathaway Road in March and have just published their findings.
STUDENTS from Harris Academy in Chafford Hundred are at the centre of a fraudulent bus ticket investigation. The investigation was triggered after two of the schools students were allegedly caught in possession of the false four week adult season tickets as they boarded the Ensign bus in Aveley.
THIS report is confirmation of Tudor Court’s progress over time, especially since our last inspection. Our School’s achievements can be seen in the rise in attainment in all Key Stages. This has happened because of a massive team effort and commitment by all Staff, with clear support of the Parents, Governors and hard work by the children. Above all, this has been achieved whilst the children have remained well cared for in all areas of their development; they have had fun, enjoyed themselves and developed good interpersonal relationships with adults and other children.”
THE Thurrock Education Commission, announced to schools and educationalists earlier this year, started work in earnest last week. Council Leader, Cllr John Kent has welcomed the commission, saying he wants a “warts and all” final report that will “help lead all of Thurrock’s schools forward”.
A number of prizes were awarded to students including players’ player, player of the year and sportsperson. The Outstanding Sporting Success award went to Lucy Dudley for her superb contribution to college sports. Ritchie Naylor, organiser of the event and teacher at Palmer’s College said: “The event was a great success; it is so rewarding to see so much sporting talent at the College being recognised. I would like to thank all the students for their commitment and sporting achievements this year, their efforts and behaviour have been commendable to themselves and the College."
AN INTERNET war of words has broken out over claims that a Thurrock school has not reacted strongly enough after a student was allegedly beaten while being filmed by a gang of fellow pupils.
The alleged incident at Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope came to light when a member of the victim's family posted details on the "Stanford-le-Hope" Facebook page.
When Thurrock Council launched its six-month CCTV vehicle trial, local schools were invited to come up with a name as the car’s main aim is to try and bring an end to dangerous and thoughtless parking outside schools.The winner was eight-year-old Jodie Fullerton, from Grays a pupil at St Thomas of Canterbury primary in Ward Avenue.
THE Department for Education has today confirmed that it has approved the application for a new primary Free school to serve Chafford Hundred.
The application was submitted following the shortage of school places in Chafford last year. After parents campaigned for more school places, Jackie Doyle-Price proposed a new free school and invited people to support the campaign. Parents joined with Jackie Doyle-Price and with Harris Federation to make the application. The application was submitted at Christmas and has now been approved.
THURROCK Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, says he welcomes the decision of the Schools Adjudicator over admission proposals by one of the borough’s new academies.
Woodside Academy in Grangewood Avenue, Little Thurrock, had wanted to change its admission criteria to give precedence to children in its nursery classes.
NATIONAL Walk to School Week starts on Monday (20 May) will sees all 40 infant junior and primary schools in Thurrock encouraging their pupils to walk and ride bikes to school.
Thurrock Council’s transport portfolio holder Cllr Andy Smith, said: “It’s well known that walking is key in fighting childhood obesity, but walking to school can be good for children in other ways; helping them learn vital road safety skills, interact with their local environment and developing independence for example.”
