Summer Term Issue 36: 4th July 2025
Flourishing in the love of God, love of life, love of learning
Dear Families,
This week we were delighted to receive our finalised SIAMS Inspection Report. You should have received a copy of the report along with a letter from Miranda Wightman, our Chair of Governors. The report beautifully reflects our school’s vision in action—highlighting the warmth, care, passion, and expertise that we aim for.
We were especially proud to read that our school has “a strong sense of belonging” and is a place where “pupils and adults are valued, inspired and supported to grow and flourish.” The report also praised our “highly inclusive curriculum,” which is thoughtfully shaped by our vision and celebrates the diverse cultures within our school. As a result, our children are developing wonderfully in both character and knowledge. I feel incredibly proud to lead a school where every child is nurtured and every member of staff brings such dedication and exceptional skill to their work. I would like to thank the team for making our vision a reality every day and for their inspiring passion, care and commitment.
Today marked the final of our OPAL Stay and Play sessions. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the playtime fun over the past couple of weeks – it has been a joy to see families getting involved! We’d love to hear your feedback, so please do take a moment to share your thoughts via this Google Form link.
As we look ahead to next week, the weather remains unpredictable! Some children have been bringing in personal fans, which is absolutely fine during particularly hot days. However, on regular days we kindly ask that these items stay at home to avoid distractions and the risk of them being lost or damaged.
Next week is Sports Week! We kick things off with our Fun Run at Peckham Rye Park on Monday morning, and we’d love to see you there. Then on Thursday, we’ll be at Alleyn’s Sports Field for Sports Day—a highlight of the year! (Reception’s Sports Day will take place on Wednesday at Goose Green.)
Finally, today you’ll receive a letter about your child’s new class and teacher for next year. Transition can be an exciting time, though we know it may also bring a few nerves. We will be supporting the children every step of the way—encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings and helping them feel confident and reassured as they prepare for this next step.
Wishing you a restful weekend and looking forward to a fun-filled week ahead.
Alli
Upcoming Diary Dates
Reception
It's been an action-packed week in Reception... Super hero day on the hottest day of the year! We had a brilliant superhero workshop- and designed our super costumes and identities. We wrote mini comic book strips and learned the story of Eliot Jones, midnight Super Hero off by heart- with actions! Do ask your child to show you.
On Thursday Himid class had our final Forest School Session, where we made journey sticks and found a dead fox skeleton in the stream, which the children were fascinated by. What an exciting lesson about lifecycles!
Year 1
In our PSHE lessons, we have been reflecting on how we have grown and changed through out the year. We discussed the differences between when we were babies to the beginning of reception to almost being in Year 2. Our ideas were so insightful and really reflective. Well done Year 1!
In Science, we started looking at senses and what organ matches to what sense. We tried smelling some mystery pots to see how well our noses worked. We also attempted to guess some different flavours using out sense of taste!
Year 2
In our PSHE lessons, we have been reflecting on how we have grown and changed through out the year. We discussed the differences between when we were babies to the beginning of reception to almost being in Year 2. Our ideas were so insightful and really reflective. Well done Year 1!
In Science, we started looking at senses and what organ matches to what sense. We tried smelling some mystery pots to see how well our noses worked. We also attempted to guess some different flavours using out sense of taste!
Year 3
This week, Year 3 students have been investigating how sound travels in waves through a fun and hands-on "telephone investigation"! Using string telephones, they explored how vibrations move through different length strings, discovering that sound travels in waves from one cup to another. The activity sparked curiosity and excitement as pupils made predictions, tested their ideas, and discussed how sound can be carried over distance, exploring how distance impacts sound volume and clarity. A fantastic start to understanding the science of sound!
Year 4
This week, Year 4 have continued their learning about teeth by making models using playdough, setting up fair tests to investigate the effects of coke, coffee, water, and vinegar (acids) on our teeth, making predictions and becoming researchers to discover the functions of different types of teeth. We also stepped up our science skills by recording our results in tables. A very busy week—and lots of fun!
Year 5
Last Friday, Year 5 had such a lovely day visiting Dulwich college to take part in Music, PE and Art workshops. In the music workshop, the children learnt all about how organs worked, by creating and controlling air flow pressure and finding out about how pumps and non-return valves worked. They then had the opportunity to collaboratively play the WOOFYT (Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technologists), where the air is pumped into the instrument and then each player plays a single note Today, they managed to successfully played to play ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’ and ‘Happy Birthday’! We then also listened to the organ played by an expert. In PE, the children played different games involving football, cricket and rugby. In the afternoon, year 5 then really enjoyed observationally drawing natural objects using charcoal, posca pens and ink and bleach and then made all our work into a concertina sketch book. What a great experience!
Year 6
This week, Year 6 put their mathematical knowledge and creativity to the test by designing and building their own board games. Drawing on topics we’ve covered this year - such as fractions, multiplication, algebra and problem-solving - the children created engaging, imaginative games that made maths both fun and challenging. From treasure hunts to space adventures, each game was packed with original questions and clever twists. Pupils then swapped games and tested them out, showcasing not only their maths skills but also teamwork, design thinking, and communication. A fun end-of-year project… and they looked fantastic in their Green-for-Shrek outfits!
Hearing Resource Base
Work Experience Student in the Hearing Resource Base
We’ve been delighted to welcome Mohamed, from Southwark College, to the Hearing Resource Base as part of his work experience placement. Mohamed has been a fantastic support across different classes, helping students in their learning and joining in with group activities. He’s also spent time supporting during playtime and accompanied the children on their visit to Forest School, where he got stuck in and helped make the experience enjoyable and safe for everyone.
The children have really enjoyed having him around, and his calm, friendly approach has made a real difference. A big thank you to Mohamed for all his help!
Music this week…
Last week, 13 pupils from Year 6 were good enough to give up their Friday evening and participate in a Percussion Festival held at Kingsdale School. It was wonderful that we were invited to this event which is run by Nuno Britto (who leads Samba lessons in Year 5) and a great opportunity for the children to showcase their skills in a concert setting.
Thanks so much to Lisa and all the parents who made this possible.
Over the last few weeks, Children in Year 2 have been using percussion instruments to accompany a song called The Clock Song which allows them to explore dividing the beat in 4-time. Please see the video to see Year 2 Kusama performing.
On Thursday, Year 5 children participated in a fantastic Samba performance on Goose Green. It was wonderful to see such focus, energy and enjoyment. Well done to everyone involved.
News from the Art Studio…
This week in the Art studio, Years 3, 4 & 5 beat the heat by taking their art lessons outside into the shade of Goose Green. We completed an Art Treasure Hunt focusing on ‘What we see when we look closely’.
This is something we consider during every Art session. As artists, we all see and experience things differently. We lay under trees, got lost cloud gazing, walked with our eyes closed, created artwork from found objects. At the end of each session the children described how they felt; calm, peaceful and happy were the standout feelings from most children.
We discussed how being creative and being in nature can give us a deep sense of well-being and calm. I’ve attached a copy of our treasure hunt, let me know if you have a go.
Sports Update
On Friday, we hosted a netball match against Heber’s Year 5 team.
Our Year 6s had the opportunity to play the opening part of the game, but only briefly, as they had to dash off to their drumming concert!
The remainder of the game was taken over by our Year 5s, who played the final two thirds and secured an impressive 13–2 win. The progress they’ve made this term has been remarkable, and both the Year 5 and Year 6 teachers were blown away by their skills and teamwork.
A big thank you to the Heber team for making the trip on such a hot day, to Ms White for keeping score, and of course to Ali for her fantastic coaching and weekly dedication.
We are now looking forward to the year 6 tournament on Thursday 10th July at HGAED.
Friends of SJSC
Thank you again to everyone who supported our Summer Fair - we raised an incredible £4394!!! Takings were up 27% on last year so thank you all for your generosity. We’ll let you know what the school will spend the money on in due course.
A reminder we have our last Uniform Swap of this academic year - next Friday 11th July - in the top playground at 3.25pm.
Please donate any good quality, clean uniform items to the school office by Thursday. And then come and help yourselves to all the clothes you need for the new year in September. 🌎♻️🌳
Star of the week
Well done to this week’s stars - children who have demonstrated our school values in wonderful ways.
See you next week!