Summer term Issue 32: 24th May 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for such a wonderful journey over these past eight years at SJSC.
From my first day, SJSC welcomed me into the school community with such warmth and love. It has been joyous to be part of the SJSC journey, to grow with you and to be part of the children’s journey.
This morning’s service was a great way to end my chapter here, hearing the children’s words and seeing their joy when they sang their songs – that means so much to me and I thank you all.
Finally, I wish to pass on my gratitude to the wonderful team at SJSC and wish them the best for the future. I look forward to hearing all the exciting ways SJSC continues to innovate and inspire the whole community, a beacon of learning and a truly special place under the inspirational, determined, and authentic leadership of Alli Crank.
With warmest wishes,
Joseph Bell
Upcoming Diary Dates
Reception
This week as part of our RE Topic, Reception have been thinking about whose job it is to clear up? Whether that’s in the classroom, in the Reception Garden, at home or in the street. We all agreed it was all of our responsibilities to make sure that our community stays looking nice.
Our chicks have really grown, they have tail feathers now and can flap their wings we will be sad to say goodbye tomorrow. The children have been drawing lots of pictures and writing about them.
The dragon eggs are still here and we are all wondering when they will hatch. We have been writing sentences about our imagined dragons, using adjectives. In maths we have been proving that we know what (number) is missing when a tray of ten objects has some items taken away, by using our number bond facts. (I can only see seven so three must be missing.)
Thank you to everyone who has helped make Words and Pictures Club such a success so far, its great to see the children so enthusiastic about what they will be writing about and coming in in the mornings and getting on with it independently!
Year 1
Year 1 have continued to enjoy watching the ducklings grow this week while learning about their life cycle. On top of this, everyone has rewritten their own versions of our English text ‘Send for a Superhero’ by innovating who the superhero is that saves the day. To help familiarise ourselves with the order of events, we worked together to sequence the story using time adverbs. Thank you again to everyone who has brought in reading books this half term – the children love sharing them and we love reading them altogether! Happy half-term from the Year 1 team!
Year 2
This week, Kusma and Van Gogh combined their PE lessons to compete in some competitive and fun activities! We focussed on finding space, travelling, hand eye coordination and the importance of teamwork! Despite the weather, there was a positive atmosphere and a good level of friendly competitiveness – well done Year 2! Have a lovely relaxing half term everyone and we look forward to seeing you afterwards.
Year 3
This week in Year 3, we have continued to learn about fractions. We labelled and cut up a fractions wall. Then we compared different fractions. We know that (as long as the whole is the same size) the greater the number of parts (denominator), the smaller each part will be.
Year 4
Year 4 investigated shadows this week in science. First, we talked about the three different types of materials we would test, which were: transparent, opaque and translucent. We found that opaque objects absorbed most of the light that hit them, instead of reflecting it- and this is why opaque objects cast the darkest shadows when compared to transparent or translucent objects. See us in action!
Year 5
In Year 5 English, we have been enjoying our new text ‘The Tempest’. Recently, our classrooms underwent a remarkable transformation to recreate the atmosphere of a ship at sea. We quickly found ourselves in the midst of a storm!
This week, the adventure continued as we delved into crafting our own playscripts inspired by Act One, Scene One, and Act One, Scene Two. The students have been enthusiastically exploring the features of playscripts, putting their creativity in the spotlight.
Year 6
Year 6 have had the opportunity to unwind and relax after all their hard work this year. To celebrate their efforts, we organised a special outing to Peckham Rye Park. It was a beautiful morning, perfect for enjoying the sunshine. The students engaged in various activities such as playing football and rounders, and we all enjoyed a picnic together. Some of us even took the time to relax and unwind in the trees. Congratulations Year 6- this treat was well deserved!
Music this week…
Some wonderful singing performances from Year 3 children at the end of our lesson where we were looking at A minor and C major chord sequences.
Year 4 and Year 5 were both looking the Pentatonic Scale used in Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite (Laideronette; Empress of the Pagodas). We learnt how he wrote the score to be played on the black keys of a piano and then accompanied it using the same sharp notes on the glockenspiels.
Year 6 were brilliant at helping to chose songs they enjoy singing for the end of year performance. They also came together for a game of “Bump Up Tomato” before composing a simple beat on GarageBand to accompany a simple protest chant.
News from the Art Studio…
This week in the Art studio, year 5 have completed their Kara Walker-inspired display. Using silhouettes and stencilled slogans, they have created posters that show how children can be stereotyped, and how they would like to be seen.
School Council update
School Council met to reflect on our successes of the year. Here are some of the things we have achieved:
· Autumn 1 – Assembly contribution – SC introduced the new ‘dressing up clothes’ and talked about how to take care of things / where to store them in playground.
School survey – We conducted a whole -school survey on school lunch experience and met with the catering company to discuss our food preferences
· We raised £369.50 for Red Nose Day (made posters and publicised ‘joke time’ to our classes)
· We raised £291.44 for Children in Need
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At lunchtimes we all have so much fun, here is a taste of some of the activities that happen in just one day…
Half term values and reading champions
Stars are celebrated because they have demonstrated the school values, or gone above and beyond.
Well done to all our stars this week …
Summer Fair Support
We’re looking forward to our Summer Fair and are on the hunt for some first aid volunteers to help on the day. Do you have a first aid certificate and have an hour to spare on the day of the fair (22nd June)? If so, message Dave Rayment in 07967 644390 🙏
Farewell Mr Bell
I've been staring out the office window
Long as I can remember
Never really knowing why
I wish …..I could be a super - head
But I come back to this office no matter how hard I try
Every turn I take, every trail I track
Every path I make, every road leads back
To the place I know where I cannot go
Where I long to be
See the line where the sky meets the sea?
Dorset calls me
And no one knows how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know
If I go, there's just no telling how far I'll go
I know everybody in this school has a role, in this school
Everything is by design
I know everybody in this school has a role, in this school
So maybe I can roll with mine
Can I lead with pride, can I can make us strong
I'll be satisfied if I play along
But the voice inside sings a different song
What is wrong with me?
See the light as it shines on the sea?
It's blinding
But no one knows how deep it goes
And it seems like it's calling out to me, so come find me
And let me know
What's beyond that line, will I cross that line?
See the line where the sky meets the sea?
Dorset calls me
And no one knows how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know how far I'll go
Have a great week See you after half term!