Summer Term Issue 30: 15th May 2026
Flourishing in the love of God, love of life, love of learning
Dear SJSC Families,
This week our Year 6 children sat their SATs tests, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them. They have worked so hard throughout the year and showed such determination and resilience this week. Well done, Year 6 - you have been brilliant, and as always, you continue to remind us just how wonderful you are.
It’s hard to believe that next week is already the final week of Summer 1!
A few reminders for the week ahead:
Wednesday: School disco – this is also an own clothes day
Friday: Early finish at 1:50pm
Wishing you all a lovely, restful weekend.
Warmest wishes,
Alli
Reception
This week in Reception we have been finding out all about minibeasts. We have played lots of “guess who” using it to practise identifying different features “do you have legs” “can you fly?” Then pretending “I have got six legs, I am red and spotty”. This is all to help us to write ‘Guess what I am’ flip books. The children loved finding out facts and sharing things they already knew- we have some budding entomologists!
In Maths we have continued to look at the composition of ten- practising our number bond facts till we know them by heart- using practical resources to help us understand.
In RE we shared the photos of our special people with our class, it was lovely hearing why children had chosen their person. You will love seeing what they have written.
Stik class enjoyed another Forest School session where we enjoyed a mini beast hunt!
Please help your child at home by practising the yellow ‘tricky words’ we have been sending home throughout year, and by experimenting practically with you child to find all the different ways pairs of numbers can make ten.
Year 1
We have had a super week in Year One! The children had so much fun creating their very own superheroes, describing them using exciting adjectives and using verbs to explain what their heroes can do. We heard some fantastic superhero names, including Diamond Legend Warrior and Water Girl!
In Science, we have been learning all about birds and taking a closer look at their characteristics. The children have really enjoyed becoming bird experts, and we are very much looking forward to our bird-watching activity next week!
In Maths, we began our new unit focusing on the teen numbers, which we learnt means “ten and a bit.” During Choosing and Learning time, the children practised placing teen numbers carefully on a number line.
It has been a week full of creativity, curiosity, and wonderful learning. Well done, Year One!
Year 2
In PSHE, Year 2 have been learning all about relationships, with a focus on families this week. We discussed why families are important, how they help us feel safe and loved, and how every family is different. The children shared thoughtful ideas about who is part of their own family and what makes their family special to them. They also enjoyed drawing pictures of their families and writing about the people who care for them. It has been lovely to see the children celebrating and respecting the many different families in our class.
Year 3
Year 3 have been exploring the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt through their learning of hieroglyphics. The children discovered that hieroglyphics were one of the earliest forms of writing and were used by the Ancient Egyptians to record important information, tell stories, and decorate tombs and temples.
During the topic, children learned how symbols represented sounds, objects, and ideas. They enjoyed investigating how archaeologists and historians discovered the meanings of hieroglyphics and how the famous Rosetta Stone helped unlock the ancient language.
As part of their learning, the children became young scribes and created their own hieroglyphic messages. They carefully used symbols to write their names and short sentences, showing fantastic creativity and attention to detail. The classroom was filled with excitement as the pupils tried to decode each other’s writing and understand the different symbols used.
The children demonstrated excellent enthusiasm throughout the topic and developed a deeper understanding of life in Ancient Egypt.
Year 4
Year 4 have been incredibly busy with their writing this week. We began by producing an extended piece of descriptive writing, where the children worked hard to incorporate a range of expanded noun phrases to make their descriptions more vivid and engaging.
We then moved on to Chapter 4 of The Iron Man, using Ted Hughes’ writing as inspiration. The children explored how to vary their sentence structures to build suspense, just as the author does so effectively. It was wonderful to see them applying these techniques so thoughtfully in their own work.
To finish, everyone had the opportunity to publish their writing using handwriting pens. The results were fantastic—the presentation was truly phenomenal and reflected the care and pride the children have taken in their work.
Year 5
Year 5 have been learning all about four African American women who played major roles in NACA’s / NASA’s successes in the previous century. We have been inspired by their resilience, determination and their incredible maths skills! We’ve been using mirrors and protractors in maths this week as well estimating angles with the facts we already know. Please encourage the children to spot symmetry in the world around them or to estimate angles around them!
Year 6
In Science, we have been investigating light by experimenting with torches and shadows. The children explored how shadows are formed and discovered how changing the distance and angle of a light source can affect the size and shape of a shadow. There were lots of brilliant predictions, careful observations and scientific discussions throughout the lesson!
News from the Art Studio…
Another busy week in the Art Studio… Oscar in 3M brought his sketchbook from home and gave a lesson on doodling and using your imagination – his classmates were so inspired.
Year 1 made ‘Families of things’ by exploring design through making – diving straight into materials to understand their properties and uses. Year 2 and 4 are exploring structures, thinking about which shapes create the most stable structures – definitely some future architects amongst us!
Music this week…
On Monday, we welcomed some Year 7 musicians from Alleyn’s School into SJSC. These children performed to our Year 2 and 3 classes on their instruments; violins, violas, trumpet and guitar. It was truly inspiring to see such talent in children who are only at the beginning of their Secondary School journey. The music teacher from Alleyn’s praised both the behaviour of our children and their knowledge of orchestral instruments. Well done Years 2 and 3! We hope to repeat this event and build further links with Alleyn’s School.
Friends of SJSC
Our Summer Fair on Saturday 20th June is fast approaching! We need your help to advertise the event, please sign up to have a Truepenny’s advertising board outside your home in the lead up to the Fair to help promote it. The school gets £15 for each board so it raises money directly too. Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/Fxh7qhUXRSNswV5a9
A last reminder to buy a School Disco ticket for your child here: https://st-johns-and-st-clements-ptfa.square.site/
Children can wear non-school uniform all day and you need to arrange to collect your child at the right time.
**NO afterschool clubs will be running** - Magna is running as usual.
Year group times below:
During the school day:
Reception: 14:00-14:30 / Collection time: 15:20 (as usual)
Years 1&2: 14:40-15:10 / Collection time: 15:20 (as usual)
After school:
Years 3&4: 15:20-16:10 / Collection time: 16:10
Years 5&6: 16:20-17:00 / Collection time: 17:00
Any questions please ask, thank you for your support.
Dear Parents/Carers,
Hurry spaces are filling fast for our MAY HALF HALF TERM KIDS CAMPS RUNNING TUESDAY 26TH - FRIDAY 29TH MAY 2026. Join Team Magna for Urban Adventurers Week – a high-energy, engaging programme inspired by the creativity, culture, and excitement of city life!
Get ready for an unforgettable May Half Term with Magna Groups’ Urban Adventurers Week – a vibrant, action-packed programme designed to inspire, engage, and excite your children!
This exciting themed week invites children to explore the buzz of city life through creative arts, energetic street sports, urban den building, music and so much more …
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW 👉 View the full timetable here:
🌟 What to Expect Each Day
Children will take part in a mix of activities from our core Magna themes:
🎨 MAGNA CREATIVE
Graffiti-style artwork and stencil design
Creative crafts and design challenges
Music, rhythm, and performance activities
Talent shows, storytelling, and expression
⚽ MAGNA SPORTS & ACTIVE
Street football, basketball, and team games
Obstacle courses and agility challenges
Dance, movement, and fitness activities
Playground favourites like skipping and hoop games
🏕️ MAGNA ADVENTURE
Den building using urban materials
Treasure hunts and problem-solving challenges
Map reading and navigation tasks
Team-based building and exploration activities
👉 View the full timetable here:
⏰ Flexible CAMP DAYS
We offer a range of session options to suit your needs:
Early Start: 07:45 – 08:45* (*site specific)
Standard Day: 08:45 – 16:30
Extended Day: 08:45 – 18:00* (*site specific)
Important Information- Please note:There are NO half- funded spaces available this May Half Term.
All places are chargeable, and spaces are limited – we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
🎯 Why Book with Magna Groups?
A structured, engaging programme designed around child development
A balance of physical activity, creativity, and social interaction
Experienced, friendly staff who bring energy and enthusiasm
A safe, inclusive environment where children can thrive
📲 Book Now - CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Spaces are filling quickly – secure your child’s place today through your parent booking account.
If you need any support with your booking, our team is always happy to help.
We look forward to welcoming your child for an exciting and action-packed May Half Term!
Warm regards,
The Magna Groups Team
Star of the Week
Photo Competition
What an amazing response we have had this week to our Nature Photo Competition in honour of Sir David Attenborough turning 100! The photos were brilliant, and the Eco Team were truly tested when it came to choosing a winner for each phase. Congratulations to Immie, Maya and Sasho for their winning entries, and to Fox for winning the Most Creative award. We hope you enjoy your prizes! Also, a huge thank you to our adult entries and especially to Mr Rob for his photos of the nature found in our playground. What a diverse area we have!
Enjoy the weekend!