Autumn Term Issue 06: 10th October 2025
Flourishing in the love of God, love of life, love of learning
Dear families
What a wonderful week it's been at SJSC! There's been so much creativity, learning, and fun happening across the school.
A huge thank you to the OPAL team and parents who helped put together the gravel pit for our playground—how exciting! It's been a real joy seeing the children so engaged and enthusiastic as they explore this brilliant new resource.
And what a treat it's been celebrating Black History Month through Gospel music in our music lessons and through our Art studio project. On 5th November, parents and carers will have the opportunity to view our exhibit and see all the wonderful work the children have created.
We've also had some fantastic learning experiences around democracy this week, including Year 4's eye-opening session on the justice system bringing the courtroom to life in a memorable and hands-on way.
It's wonderful to see our children engaging with these important concepts, especially as our School Council elections take place on Friday 17th October.
Congratulations to Marie Perry, who has been elected as our new Parent Governor. We're delighted to welcome Marie to the role and look forward to working together.
A few quick reminders for your diary:
Friday 17th October – Year 1 & 2 Reading Parent Café, School Council voting, and our PTFA Bake Sale!
Parent Cafés: Monday 13th October (The Nest: 'Every Mind Counts: Embracing Neurodiversity in Young People') and Friday 24th (Reception Phonics Parent Café)
Thank you as always for your wonderful support. Have a restful weekend!
Alli
Please help us showcase the impact of our OPAL provision, we’d be so grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete a short survey. You can access it via this link, or simply scan the QR code below and on the posters at the school gate. Your feedback really does make a difference!
Upcoming Diary Dates
Reception
This week in Reception, we have been exploring the wonderfully funny story Penguin by Polly Dunbar. It has 2 exciting twists that had the children flabbergasted and in fits of giggles. We learned 5 new exciting words and drew and labelled our responses to the story- whilst imagining what amazing thing will happen when you say the secret code; the power of Drawing Club!
Outside we have been testing conker runs, building dens, making concoctions in the mud kitchen and excavating the sandpit. We’ve been learning to compare quantities in Maths and talk about our reasoning. We learned 4 new sounds and a tricky word- and today the children are brining home their first wordless reading books to start building on their phonics knowledge. There’s lots of good advice in the front for the grownups sharing the book with them.
Year 1
This week in Science, we kicked off our exciting new topic: Animals Including Humans! We began by discovering that humans are animals too — which sparked some brilliant discussions and a few surprised faces! The children then had a great time learning the names of different body parts such as the nose, arm, leg, elbow and ankle. To top it all off, both classes had lots of giggles labelling each other’s body parts during Choosing and Learning. It was a fun and hands-on way to bring our new vocabulary to life!
Year 2
This week, Year 2 began their new English unit with a musical surprise! As the children entered their classrooms, they were greeted by an unexpected scene: a keyboard, a bear dressed in a tailcoat and bow tie, and a concert invitation to a classical music performance. The room was transformed into a concert hall, sparking curiosity and wonder.
The children were full of questions: Who is the bear? Why is there a piano? What could the invitation mean? They eagerly shared their predictions about what the story might be about, using clues from the scene to imagine what adventures lie ahead.
Year 3
This week in Year 3, we have been exploring how tens fit into hundreds and how to partition numbers. The children have been working hard to build their understanding of place value using practical resources.
We looked closely at numbers such as 140 and discovered that there are 14 tens in 140. To help us see this clearly, we used Dienes blocks to represent the tens and then partition them into groups. This hands-on approach allowed the children to share and regroup the tens, making it easier to see the structure of the number.
The class enjoyed challenging themselves to find different ways to partition numbers and explain their thinking. It was fantastic to see so much mathematical reasoning and teamwork in action!
Year 4
This week in year 4 we have been extremely lucky to have visiting barristers (Miss Laidlaw's dad and brother!) to come and help us understanding our Big Idea of democracy. The children learnt about the justice system and had the opportunity to see a ‘real’ trial. Sadly Miss Jackie had been accused of stealing from the office. With Miss Laidlaw as acting judge and Miss Allen and Miss Evans as witnesses, the jury eventually decssied that Miss Jackie was not guilty.
We all had a such a fun morning and learnt so much. We are very grateful to Miss Laidlaw's’ family for giving up their time to support out learning.
Year 5
This week, in Science we have learnt about reversible and irreversible changes. After discussing safety procedures in detail, we heated bread, cheese, butter and chocolate over a candle and observed the changes that we could see, hear and smell. We learnt that some of these changes were reversible and when cooled they would go back to their original form and that others were irreversible as the heat caused a chemical reaction and a new substance to form. Although it made us all a little hungry, we really enjoyed carrying out such an exciting experiment.
Year 6
This week, Banksy Class laced up their boots and headed off to an exciting football tournament — and what a day it was!
From the very first whistle, they showed incredible determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, supporting one another throughout the day.
After a morning of high-energy matches, the afternoon ended with a well-deserved trip to the park. Laughter, games, and a bit tag made the perfect end to a memorable day.
News from the Art Studio…
This week in the Art studio, our lesson was led by Michelle, Andrea, Elizabeth and Shakayla. Their idea centred around the celebration and beauty of Black hair. We practised plaiting and crochet, and next week we will create our own beads. I’m so proud of our artists creating and leading their own art projects celebrating the things that matter to them.
Music this week…
To celebrate Black History Month, we have been looking at Gospel Music in our music lessons.
KS2 were looking at the history and origins of this Genre and how it was influenced by Spiritual and Blues music.
KS1 children were practising Call and Response songs and thinking about the way Gospel choirs move to the music and express their emotions.
From Mahalia Jackson (often referred to as the “Queen of Gospel”) to Kirk Franklin, children were listening carefully to the lyrics of Gospel songs and thinking about how they were songs of praise to God and often a means to escape the negative situations of the past.
Year 2 children singing and moving to Gospel Songs.
Year 4 children moving to Mary Mary’s song, Shackles
Year 6 interviews about favourite Gospel singers
Brass Lessons
Hearing Resource Base
The school holiday is coming soon, and Remark are excited to announce that their Playscheme for Deaf children and youth is just around the corner! They’ll be offering all-day activities from 10am to 4pm, at only £2 per session. Below is all the information regarding South London Playscheme.
Dates: 28th , 29th , 29th , 30th, 31st of Oct
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Rathfern Primary School, Rathfern Rd, London, SE6 4NL
For Kids
28th (IN) - Drama Workshop
29th (OUT) - Bowling in Lewisham
30th (IN) Bird feeder & Bird House
31st (IN) Halloween Party
For Youths
28th (OUT) Cinema
29th (IN) Drama Workshop
30th (OUT) Laser Quest in Bromley
31st (IN) Halloween Party
Here is the form to apply:
SOUTH PLAYSCHEME DEAF SELF - CLICK HERE
When you complete the form, please remember to then make payment using the separate link below.
Be sure to check out the attached poster too, to see all the fantastic activities we have planned. You won’t want to miss it!
Please also help us spread the word to other parents of Deaf children, so they can join in on 4 full days of fun!
If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out to us at community@remark.uk.com.
This week had been joyful in the playground as the children have been exploring three new resources. Th really big hit is the gravel put built by Paul and James, (Gabriel and Jude’s dads) on Sunday. Huge thanks to them! (Paid for by the PTFA) Thanks too to Sam’s mum Tansy (Our Opal parent Champion) and James (Collette and Rémy Jude’s Dad) for building the painting wall and putting up the slack line.
It’s been wonderful watching the children explore- create and enjoy a new textures, that gravel is so good for digging, tipping pouring- it’s been so busy! The big painting wall has been a smash hit too- who knew a squeegee would be so fun! Great to have a place to do big gestural mark making. Down in Red Zone there is a new slack line obstacle course which the children form KS2 have been loving getting to grips with. This feature is for KS2 only at first (to mitigate crowds while it’s new.) All of these features were discussed in our two Opal assemblies this week- where the Risk Benefit analysis was done by the children- and the rules for safe use of all our equipment is agreed on, by everyone. We reminded everyone of our Opal catch phrase, “Am I keeping my myself and my friends SAFE?” We do this by remembering “I am aware- THINK- PLAN”
Our Appraisal is on Monday the 13th- we are so excited to show just how amazing our playtimes at SJSC are. PLEASE do fill in the parent questionnaire to let us know what you think – your help is much appreciated. https://forms.gle/CAVgQGb42UEJo6ok7
School council
A reminder to parents: School Council voting will take place on Friday 17th October. Students will be voting for two classmates to represent their class. If your child would like to take part, you’re welcome to support them in preparing a simple campaign — perhaps a poster to share, a short speech or even a fun video. Participation is completely optional, but it’s a lovely opportunity for the children to build confidence and share their ideas!
Friends of SJSC
Next Friday 17th we have our Uniform Swap and Bake Sale. We are not accepting anymore donations of uniform as our stock is very full - please do come and help yourself to clean, good quality items so we can clear some space!
We do need baked or bought cakes, muffins and cookies (no nuts) to sell at the Bake Sale. Please bring them to school at 8.45am or 3.20pm on Friday 17th.
Thanks for your support.
Stars of the Week
See you next week!