Autumn Term Issue 6: 11th October 2024
Dear families
You may have noticed a unit fenced off in the playground recently because we have just had a new boiler fitted which is more reliable, efficient and more environmentally friendly. We take pride in our beautiful Victorian building, making sure that it is a great environment our children to enjoy being in, and bit by bit becoming more eco friendly. Last year we had our lights changed to LED, as well as the boiler this year we are also developing our indoor gardens - supporting well being and science learning at the same time!
You should have received information on how to book a Parent’s Evening appointment. There are two dates available- 22nd October and 6th November. On the 22nd October, all are welcome to visit the Black History Month Exhibit in the middle hall.
Next Friday (18th) we are hosting a phonics and reading parent cafe for those with younger children. If you would like to know more about how your child learns to read at SJSC and how you can help at home, please come along at 9:15.
Have a great weekend
Alli and the SJSC Team
Upcoming Diary Dates
Reception
This week we have been reading Penguin by Polly Dunbar, a cautionary tale about a ‘loquacious’ boy who has an ‘extraordinary’ experience with his ‘mute’ penguin! In Drawing Club, we learn exciting vocabulary and revel in the joy of words as well as use our pencils purposefully every day! Outside we have been creating new worlds for 8 little gnomes who arrived, tested our strength by cooperating to move all the tyres to build a portal together and made mud pies. In RE we learned about how Christians believe that God created the world and all it’s creatures. We read The Very Worried Sparrow, then made our own sparrows and talked about how we can share our worries. The children have been doing brilliantly in Phonics and can now sound out and blend simple words… c-u-p p-e-g p-e-t h-a-t p-e-n… try it at home with your flashcards we send home in your phonics packs.
Year 1
This week, Year 1 were very excited to go on a walk around the local area linked to our learning in Geography. We walked past the church and Goose Green to the leisure centre and spotted the post box and some shops on the way back. We worked hard to try and remember where these places were, using directional and positional vocabulary, and created our own maps. Next week, we will be looking at how a key can be used to help us identify places on a map.
Year 2
Year 2’s were so excited to show off their amazing singing skills at the Harvest Festival last Friday. They had been practising lots during their music lessons, at singing assemblies and in their classrooms. They enjoyed learning about the celebration and understanding that it is about giving thanks for all the good and positive things in their lives. We would like to thank those who brought in food and other goods to share within our community. Keep up the fantastic singing Year 2!
Year 3
This week, children took part in a wonderful science workshop. The two classes explored space, learning about some of the planets, animal food chains and a little about physical fitness. The children enjoyed the active participation. During science sessions in the classroom, we learnt about endoskeletons, exoskeletons and hydrostatic skeletons. Wow!
Year 4
This week, Year 4 are looking into our Big Idea of ‘sustainability’. They have begun exploring our new English book, Varmints - a story following a gentle creature whose peaceful, beautiful meadow is overtaken by towering skyscrapers and relentless noise. The creature, who is a secret gardener, has reached out to us for help! In response, we’ve planted seeds to restore some of the lost beauty. This hands-on activity, supported the children to use adverbials in their writing by crafting clear, step-by-step instructions for planting seeds.
Year 5
In PSHE this week, Year 5 have been challenged with some team building activities that develop collaboration and communication skills. In this particular challenge, the children had to create the longest paper chain with only a single piece of A4 paper, some scissors and glue. Through trial and error, the children learned that listening to one another’s ideas was the key to success as this led to many groups opting for longer, thinner strips to extend their paper chains. Now that we have completed the challenge, we will be attempting to connect each team’s chain to create one absolutely epic paper chain as a symbol of our whole class’s fantastic teamwork.
Year 6
This week, we've been diving back into the imaginative world of Shaun Tan's "The Arrival" for the final time. As promised last week, here is an update on how our own imaginary pets are turning out! We've spent time describing their appearance, considering best use of language and vocabulary. We've also thought about how they might interact with humans, whether they're friendly, mischievous, or even a little mysterious, and conveyed this in our writing using a variety of literary techniques.
We took turns reading our non-fiction reports aloud. It was fascinating to hear about everyone's unique creations. We'll be compiling all of our reports into a class anthology of interesting creatures at the end of the week. We can't wait to share our imaginary pets with the rest of the school!
News from the Art Studio…
This week in the Art studio, year 5 have explored the work of Kandinsky. Wassily Kandinsky loved music and saw sounds as colours. Year 5 listened to music whilst drawing, painting and mark making. Next week we will use these ideas to create our own musical paintings.
Music this week…
In music this week, Year 1 were using their bodies to show the pitch of the notes in our song, Rain Is Falling Down. Pitch means how high or low a note is. The children had to choose which parts of their body could reflect high, middle and low sounds.
Children in Year 3 were looking at the Pentatonic Scale (five notes only) and were creating a 3 note ostinato (a repeating melody or rhythm) which was accompanied by a note cluster from the Pentatonic Scale.
Eco Team Update
Well done to our Eco Team!
They have been awarded a Schools Award for Excellence through improving sustainability and environmental learning in our setting.
Next week, some of the team will be presenting at Southwark’s School Climate Action Plan Launch.
Friends of SJSC
Thanks for all your support, all the money we raise goes to help the school.
Bake Sale & Uniform Swap - 18th October
Come along on the 18th after school to the area under the shed, for our Bake Sale and Uniform Swap.
Please donate home-baked or shop bought cakes to the playground at 8.45am or 3.25pm on Friday 18th to be sold in the Bake Sale. Then come along after school to buy your snacks and treats! Cash and card accepted.
Come and help yourself to free uniform from our stock and help reuse and recycle. Clean and good quality uniform donations can be dropped at the school office before Wednesday 16th.
AGM - 8pm, 4th November
As a registered charity, the Friends of SJSC must hold an AGM to conduct some official business, including sharing financial reports and electing our committee. It’s also a chance to catch up & meet people. If you can’t make it in person to the Clockhouse Tavern, welcome to join online, we’ll share a Teams link nearer the date. Hope to see you there!
Sunday 13th October
3:45-5:00pm
We look forward to welcoming you to our harvest themed Messy Church!
Messy Church includes fun activities, music and children’s tea.
St John the Evangelist, East Dulwich, 62a East Dulwich Road
Stars of the Week
Stars are celebrated because they have demonstrated the school values, or gone above and beyond.
Well done to all our stars this week …
Have a great weekend. See you next week!