Spring Term Issue 24: 20th March 2026
Flourishing in the love of God, love of life, love of learning
Dear SJSC Families,
What a joyful and meaningful week it’s been at school! We have loved celebrating both Neurodiversity Celebration Week and British Sign Language Week. These special events remind us how important it is to recognise and honour what makes each of us unique. Celebrating our differences, and the strengths they bring, is such a core part of our value of ‘community'.
If you would like to continue the conversation at home, we have shared some wonderful resources to spark discussions with your child. You can find them here and here.
Somehow, this half term has absolutely flown by! A quick reminder that next week is the final week before the Easter break. School will finish at 1:50pm on Friday 27th April, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 13th April.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend—fingers crossed the sunshine stays with us! ☀️
Warmly
Alli
This week in Reception, we have been reading the book The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Broughton and it has been inspiring all our learning. We have been predicting what will happen in the story, coming up with solutions to problems the main character faces… how will he brighten up his dull community. In science we have been looking at our plant pots to see how our plants are progressing- some are reaching for the skies, amazing stuff! Children will be bringing their plants home to go in a bigger opt or into the garden. They can also plant them here if that is a better solution for your family. In maths we have been learning about doubles. We found out that when a number has two parts that are equal that is a double. We used practical objects to help us understand that as well as rolling dice. Today both classes are off to the Wildlife Gardening Centre just around the corner in Marsden Road. Photos of that to follow next weekend.
We would love to have bedding plants and more seeds next term so we can brighten up our garden too please. We are collecting eggshells to use as a chemical free slug and snail deterrent around our seedlings. One year they were all eaten over the Easter break!
Reception
Year 1
We have had such a fun and hands-on week in Year 1, full of excitement and curiosity! In Science we have been looking at ‘Plants’, and the children have loved getting stuck into planting their own radishes. We have been learning all about what plants need to grow, including water, sunlight, air, time and suitable temperature. The children have shown great care and enthusiasm, and we are looking forward to watching our plants begin to grow over the next week and into the Easter holidays- we have some very keen gardeners!
We also started the week by introducing our new text ‘Stanley’s Stick’, which sparked lots of imagination. Using simple sticks, the children created their own wonderful ideas- from microphones and fishing rods to a toilet brush! It was lovely to see their creativity shine and how confidently they shared their ideas.
In English, we have been exploring the past tense by adding -ed to verbs. The children really wowed us by talking about what they did with their sticks and putting this into their writing!
Year 2 had the most fantastic time on their trip to London Zoo! The children were full of excitement from the moment we arrived, and the day was packed with incredible learning linked to our current unit on conservation.
We were lucky enough to see several endangered animals up close, including the magnificent Sumatran tiger and the powerful western lowland gorilla. The children were fascinated to learn why these animals are endangered and what conservationists are doing to protect their habitats and help their populations recover.
Throughout the day, the pupils explored how humans can make a positive difference to the natural world, making thoughtful connections to our classroom learning about caring for our planet. They asked brilliant questions, showed great curiosity, and represented our school beautifully.
A huge thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who joined us on the trip. Your support, enthusiasm, and extra pairs of hands helped make the day run smoothly and unforgettable for the children. We couldn’t have done it without you!
It was a memorable day full of wonder, learning, and plenty of animal magic!
Year 2
We worked together to link contrasting ideas about the man in the Tin Forest by using the conjunctions but, yet, although, while, whilst, though. By manipulating our conjunctions and clauses, we investigated where best to use the conjunctions and the impact this has on sentence meaning.
Muriu class also enjoyed a lovely, sunny trip to Kew gardens where we learnt all about pollination as well as explored the amazing plant collections.
Year 3
Year 4
In English, we’ve begun our new book The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman. The children have been fascinated by the experiences of European immigrants travelling for up to 19 days in tough conditions to reach America. We explored Ellis Island and the famous ‘6‑second checks’ arrivals faced before entering New York. This led to thoughtful discussions about how the young boy in the story might have felt as he spotted the Statue of Liberty—balancing both excitement and hope with worries about what awaited him in his new life.
Year 5
This week in year 5, we have been very dedicated to our architecture projects so that we were fully ready to present our designs to 5 external adults – 4 of whom were architects! We are very proud to have taken on board all of the new knowledge we’ve been taught about sustainable design by our teachers and Michael in order to present confidently about our designs. Now we look forward to next week’s adventures…
Year 6
Year 6 have had another busy and exciting week! They took part in an action-packed and informative science workshop, where they explored new ideas and deepened their understanding. Whilst in RE, they enjoyed an interesting lesson focused on the meaning behind proverbs, discussing how these wise sayings can offer guidance and be applied to their own lives. It has been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and reflection across as always.
Hearing Resource Base
This week, we proudly celebrated Sign Language Week. We are delighted that our children have the opportunity to learn British Sign Language as part of their language curriculum, helping to foster inclusivity, communication, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Ms Allen was lucky to be invited to a BSL Reception at Camden Town Hall. This was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate British Sign Language (BSL) in education, and to think about how we can continue to work to strengthen and promote its use.
At the Reception children from Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, Camden, presented poems. One of these poems was about the Deaf Flag.
The Deaf Flag was designed by Arnaud Balard, a French deafblind artist.
· Turquoise Blue represents the deaf community and Sign Language, pride and unity.
· Yellow represents the colour of light, an enlightened spirit, life and “thriving in unison”.
· Dark Blue represents the earth, humanity and living in accordance with the planet.
Together, these colours symbolise an appreciation of humanity’s rich diversity, reflecting the wide range of languages and cultures that exist across our world.
News from the Art Studio…
This week in the Art studio, the amazing Guy Lockwood photographed Year 4’s fantastic sculptures for the 4th Plinth Schools Award 2026. Click on the link below to see the children’s artwork. The sculptures will also be on show at our Arts festival exhibition 2026 in May.
Fourth Plinth Schools Awards 2026 gallery | London City Hall
Music this week…
RBO Youth Opera Programme Applications (2026-2027)
The Royal Ballet and Opera have opened applications for places on our FREE Youth Opera programmes starting in September 2026. We invite applications from all enthusiastic young singers living in and around London, who will be aged 8 –11 on 1st September 2026 (currently in Years 3-5).
Young Voices Programme
Young singers who will be aged 8 on 1st September 2026 are invited to apply for our Young Voices programme – a FREE 6-month singing programme aimed at developing participants’ vocal skills and musical literacy.
Youth Opera Company
Young singers who will be aged 9-11 on 1st September 2026 are invited to apply for our Youth Opera Company programme – a FREE multi-year in-house chorus which offers all-round training in the performing arts and opportunities to audition for the children’s chorus in the Royal Opera Company’s productions.
All applicants should be able to demonstrate:
A passion for and commitment to singing
An interest in drama and performing skills
An enthusiasm for teamwork and collaboration
We particularly welcome applications from those typically under-represented within youth singing programmes including those who are from global majority heritages, lower-income backgrounds, those who are boys, and disabled children.
For more information regarding the RBO Youth Opera Programmes and how to apply, please visit our website here: RBO Youth Opera Programmes
Please submit your application by midnight on Sunday 10 May. Should you experience any issues completing the application form, please contact youthopera@roh.org.uk in advance of the deadline.
Year 4 having been making great progress as they learn the Ukulele. Having started with the names of the four strings (G, C, E, A) and plucking them individually, the children are now confident in playing the chords of C and A minor. Once we have perfected the chord of F, we will be all set and ready to perform Best Day of My Life. You can see a video of Year 4 Kapoor playing and singing Frere Jacques as a round.
Sports Update
On Monday, the year 6 netball team played against Goose Green Primary School. I am pleased to announce that we won 8-1. The girls showed team spirit and patience having to share positions and also try different positions. A big shout out to Elizabeth , Katie Ann and Xenia for their defensive skills and congratulations to Isla who was picked as player of the match.
News from OPAL: Outside Play and Learning
This week in our Outside Play and Learning I saw some great teamwork where children were building a giant water slalom track from loose parts, it was seeing the children trouble shooting their design and tinkering and fixing it so that it worked just right.
We got two new buggies- thank you for that they are such a popular item- we’ve had requests for a wheel chair too !
Speaking of wheels we are still hoping for skateboards, penny boards and dollies (for moving furniture.
Cable reels are a brilliant resource and we have nearly run out.
Finally we need your wood offcuts- and some volunteers o come and help saw up the longer wood lengths we have, for our ever-enthusiastic lunchtime woodworking fans. Bits of strip wood and even bits of chopped up pallets are ideal. More screws nails and washers to decorate our designs also really welcomed. Email Mrs Davies if you can help. Jo.davies@sjsc.southwark.sch.uk
Many thanks from your Opal team
RED NOSE DAY
A Big Thank You from School Council
A huge thank you to everyone for your incredible generosity on Red Nose Day. We had an amazing day filled with jokes, laughter and community spirit—all to help support those in need.
Thank you to every child who submitted a joke. They were absolutely hilarious, and School Council had a very tough job choosing the winners from each year group!
Joke Competition Winners
Year 1 – Wren (Kahlo Class)
Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Pasta.
Pasta who?
Pasta key through the letterbox!
Year 2 – Ayla (Kusama Class)
How do you make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogie in it!
What do you call a bear with no teeth?
A gummy bear!
Year 3 – Zach LC (Gormley Class)
Why are pigs the worst drivers?
Because they hog the road!
Year 4 – Toby (Monet Class)
What do you call an angry headteacher at SJSC?
Cranky!
Year 5- Axel (Lichtenstein Class)
Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Wendy
Wendy who?
Wind blows de candle will fall.
Year 6 – Amina (Shonibare Class)
What happens when the strawberry crosses the road?
Traffic jam!
Friends of SJSC
We are looking forward to some fun community and fundraising events in the summer term, so keep these dates in mind:
Wednesday 20th May - School Disco
Saturday 20th June - Summer Fair
Thanks for your support.
Stars of the Week
See you next week!