Old Ford Newsletter

October 10th 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Today we celebrated WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY. Pupils and staff all wore yellow to celebrate. You can see our photographs below.

We have discussed how important it is to look after our mental health as well as our physical health.

The pupils are planning fun activities in their classes to highlight the importance of looking after yourself, doing something you enjoy and taking a break sometimes.

It’s also important that we, as adults take care of our own mental health! There are some great tips from the Mental Health Foundation here.

How can I be more punctual?

Be prepared

Go to bed at a reasonable time

Give yourself more time in the morning

Be aware of the time

Black History Month

October is Black History Month where we highlight and celebrate the historical and contemporary contribution of black Britons.

As well as assemblies and looking at famous black Britons, all year groups will be covering different aspects of Black History in their learning:

EYFS – Black British contributions in the UK
Y1 – The Notting Hill Carnival
Y2 – The Empire Windrush
Y3 – Black soldiers in WWI
Y4 – Roman Africans
Y5 – The African Diaspora who lived in Tudor Britain
Y6 – The Slavery Abolition Act

After last year’s success, we are also running our BHM home learning project again. Last year we had some fantastic contributions!

This week's Cake with Kevin Value Award Winners! EYFS and KS1

RC – Ishaaq: Ishaaq is receiving an excellence award for always trying his best in everything he does. He has a fantastic attitude to learning. Well done!

RE – Amelia: Amelia R was awarded excellence for showing kindness to her friends new children.

RI – Rahma: Integrity – Rahma, you are an absolute super star who is always doing the right thing. You are kind to all your friends and you always listen to instructions Well done Rahma, Keep up the good work.

1C – Amaana: Amaana was a superstar helper in art this week! Even when the clay got messy and sticky, she came to the rescue, helping her friends and making sure everyone was okay. She showed kindness, teamwork, and a big smile while doing it – what a great member of our class community. Well done, Amaana!

1E – Yahya: Community – Last weekend Yahya visited the Ragged school Museum with his family. Whilst there, he looked at the Victorian classroom, where he took photos and films. He then presented his findings to the class. Yahya spoke confidently and we really enjoyed him sharing his experience with the rest of the class. Thank you Yahya for your enthusiastic attitude. He noticed the Victorian cane in the ragged school was bigger than the one in OFPA!

1I – Emad: You’re doing very well in Maths! You put 100% effort and you always help your talk partner. Well done. Keep it up!

2C – Adion: Integrity – Adion, you are always doing the right thing each and every day. Thank you for tracking the speaker, showing STAR and trying your best in every lesson. I am so proud to have you in 2C!

2E – Jenson: Well done Jenson for always giving 100% in every lesson, no matter what the time or day. It really shows in your progress. Keep it up 🙂

2I – Is’Haaq: You have been trying so hard in your lessons and listening really well. You set a great example to the class. Keep it up!

This week's Cake with Kevin Value Award Winners! KS2

3C – Ariana: Excellence- For sharing some amazing ideas during extended writing and for writing a very imaginative poem using alliteration. Keep up the good work!

3E – Aliyah: Excellence: For applying different strategies in maths. This shows how well she has been listening in her maths lessons. Well done.

3I – Manha: Community – Manha, you have shown kindness and support towards others in the class. You have also produced some beautiful pieces of work through sheer focus and determination. Keep it up.

4I – Inara: Well done for such a brilliant art week. It has been such a pleasure to see you in your creative element.

4C – Inaaya: Inaayah you have been incredible this week, the way you help your peers, your eagerness to be a great role model and the care you bring into the classroom – it is all amazing to see! Keep it up!!

5E – Yusuf: Integrity – Congratulations, Yusuf! You demonstrated integrity by making the right choices, even with a different teacher in class. You upheld all of our school values, and Rahela was especially impressed with your excellent behaviour.

5I – Noor: Congratulations Noor for your continuous commitment and dedication at school. So far this year, you have shown all trhee values of community, integrity and excellence. Thank you for being a role model for our class. We are very proud of you! Claudia

Clubs

We still have spaces in some of the clubs below. Please call into the office if you’re interested.

CLUB	DAY	Year Group
Art	Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri	All
Korean Club	Mon	All
Football	Mon	Y3, 4, 5, 6
Homework	Mon	Y2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Football	Mon	Y1, 2, 3
Ukulele	Tues	Y3, 4, 5, 6
Dodgeball	Tues	Y5, 6
Homework	Tues	Y2, 3, 4, 5
Jewellery	Tues	Y1, 2, 3, 4
Archery	Wed	Y3, 4, 5, 6
Dodgeball	Wed	Y1, 2, 3
Multisports	Thurs	Y1, 2, 3

Different musical instruments on color background

Online safety

We are still getting reports of pupils on social media apps such as Snapchat.

As you know, an important part of our curriculum is teaching pupils about esafety. We know that a lot of our pupils spend a lot of their time online, either through online gaming or on social media apps. This can sometimes lead to contact with inappropriate people
and/or exposure to inappropriate language. We strongly recommend that you monitor your children’s usage of the internet and that you are aware of what they are doing online.

Most social media apps have an age limit of 13+. If you are allowing your children to access these apps you are putting them at risk!

Academy Council

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 11th November at 9.15am.

See the minutes from previous meetings here

art toys Labubu key chain labubu macaron collection from Pop Mart blind box collectable cute toy ้hanging on ivory backpack bag with background of white table, Popmart popular item doll

Secondary School Open Days

Two of the secondary schools in our area are holding events for Y6 children and their parents/carers, so they can look around and ask questions before deciding where they will attend.

Bow School
Open Days: 13th and 16th October. Tours run at 9.45am, 11.30am and 4.00pm.

Find out more about Bow School here

Mulberry Academy Shoreditch
Saturday Open Morning: 11th October, 9.00am-11.00am.

Find out more about Mulberry Academy here

Start and end of the day

Please remember that there are no staff on duty in the playgrounds before and after school so parents/carers should supervise their own children. Children should not be playing with balls or on the climbing frames.

To keep children safe please do not park on the double yellow or zig-zag lines when you are collecting or dropping off. Tower Hamlets parking enforcement officers are conducting regular patrols in the area.

When collecting your child at the end of the day please wait until all pupils are in their lines before speaking to the teacher and collecting your child. We need to make sure that all of our pupils go home with the right adult!

Unauthorised Absences in Term Time

We follow government guidance on term time holidays and we do not authorise pupil holidays during term time. We encourage parents/carers to take their holidays during one of the scheduled holiday breaks.

You can be fined or face legal action for taking your child on holiday during term time.

Read the government guidance here

Autumn Term Calendar

Last day of half term

Fri 24th Oct

First day of new half term

Mon 3rd Nov

SEND coffee morning

Tue 4th Nov

Individual photographs

Wed 12th Nov

Flu vaccinations

Mon 1st Dec

Winter Fair after school

Thu 11th Dec

Last day of autumn term

Fri 19th Dec

A blue pen rests next to a name tag for a child on a soft fabric.

Bow Foodbank

Did you know Bow Foodbank now operates out of Bow Community Hall?

Tuesday 10am – 12pm
Tower Hamlets residents only

Tuesday 12.30pm – 4pm
Click and Collect, order by 1pm Sunday.

Wednesday 2pm – 7pm
Open to all

Thursday 10am – 1pm
Tower Hamlets only

Friday collection 8am – 12pm
Order by 9pm Wednesday

Bow Foodbank is open to all, there’s no need for a referral or voucher. Visit them at:

Bow Community Hall
1, William Place,
E3 5ED

OFPA took part in the Tower Hamlets cross country competition this week.