Remembering

It is the 9^th of September. This morning as we gathered in the Hall we remembered the tragedy of September the 11^th 2001. It is remarkable how children that were not even born at the time know so much about the events of that awful day.  Our remarkable children not only spoke about what happened but sang so beautifully about letting their light shine out and being a light in this world.

Today we not only remember those far away but also those closest to us, as all pupils are invited to take part in our ‘Race For Life’ raising money for Cancer Research. The children will be completing laps of the playground (as many as they can in 20mins) and I am sure you have seen the sponsor sheets they have brought home.

Parents are welcome to stay with the pupils and cheer them on during their lap and we welcome everyone back from 2pm when we will have a group photo and a raffle. A huge thank you to all the parents’ and friends’ who  arranged the day and organised the raffle and prizes.  Well done to you and to everyone that took part. You have all helped to make a difference.

UPDATE

Year 1 and 2 completed their laps after lunch. Here are a few pictures of KS1 taking part.

 

 

 

 

 

A big St Jude’s WELL DONE to the Three E’s-

Mrs Eamer, Mrs Eldrid and Mr Esposito  who ran every single lap with their classes! Feet up and a rest for you this weekend!

Where does the time go?

It's mid-week already and there is no ‘hump-day’ in sight for our Year 2's as they prepare for their visit about The Great Fire of London.  We look forward to popping into classes to find out all the exciting facts that Aesop and Hargreaves class have learnt.

Both Miss Waelend and I will be continuing to spend lots of time in classes this term and we’re both teaching regularly this year. Today I have the exciting task of teaching poetry to Steinbeck class and I understand that this is going to be displayed in the Year 3-4 shared area. I have even promised to publish some on this blog!

Time to go now, Miss Waelend is off to teach Golding class and I am sure I have just spotted some library furniture arriving.

 

Izzy Lewis.

Library/Reading Update

Afternoon all,

As promised here is a short update on where we are with our Library and new Home Reading books.

Today we ordered 300+ new books for children across the school as part of our new reading launch. As you may be aware levelling has gone but book banding still exists and we’ve decided to band our books all the way to Year 6, this means that children will have an appropriately challenging book throughout the school and that the free-reader system will cease to exist.

Classrooms will still have a selection of books for children to read but every child will have their own banded book to bring home. I’m sure you’ve seen the new reading diaries, they not only have spaces for comments but also book reviews to complete and a passport on the back to encourage children to read a variety of texts, from recipes, to newspaper articles.

The diaries also have a wealth of tips and tricks for reading with your child at home so do take a minute to look through them.

The last bits of library furniture (the shelving) should be here very soon and then we can move the books from our temporary upstairs library to their new forever home.

Next Thursday, Mrs Simpson, Mrs Stallard and myself have the opportunity to select some amazing new texts for 9+, 10+ and 11+ readers from Waterstones, WHSmiths and Scholastic, this will ensure that our children have the option to read the newest and highest rated books for their age group. If you have any great recommendations then do email me- ilewis@st-judes.portsmouth.sch.uk

 

Survival of the fittest.

What an amazing day Year 5 have had and what a super example they’ve set to the rest of the staff and pupils in showing what an outstanding learning opportunity looks like.

To jump start their new topic, Stevenson and Golding class have spent the day in the wild area, building shelters, creating camouflage and keeping a fire going.

They are currently covered in mud, stinking of bonfire and having a whale of a time making sure their newly built bivi’s are waterproof - in an hour or so that will really be put to the test as 2 litres of water are poured over the shelter while the master builders are snuggled inside. Miss Waelend and I can’t wait to find out who gets wet!

I hope the adults have built one too, Mr Harris looks like he needs a shower based on the picture above, Mrs Jowers’ stinks of bonfire and there are so many leaves in Mrs Simpson’s hair that it’s going to need a very good wash indeed!

Well done Year 5, an awesome-awe inspiring start…..

Izzy Lewis

 

And off we go!

A huge, warm welcome back to all our families and friends. We trust that you have had a good Summer and feel relaxed and ready to get back into the swing of the school year.

Today we have been able to show off the new parts of the school building, including the office, dance and drama studio, walkways and reading nooks and the library area (to be finished). As I type, Dahl class are having a guided tour and we look forward to finding out the thoughts of the children.

All the staff are buzzing with enthusiasm as we begin what we are sure will be an awesome, awe-inspiring autumn.​

​Keep an eye on the blog as we share up and coming events and plans for the school.

Enjoy the weekend.

BOOK SALE

At the end of the school day tomorrow, we will be selling exercise books that we no longer need in school. 

They would make great scrap books, holiday diaries, drawing books and story writing books. We will even have some handwriting books if you want to get some summer handwriting practice in and a few high quality hard back sketch books with special art paper.

The books are a bargain – starting from just 10p.

 

New Class Collection Points 20th & 21st July 2015 ONLY

• New  Year 1 (Old Robins/Wrens) collected from Puffins and Kingfishers room (now Rosen and Donaldson) – Through main entrance, past hall on right hand side
   
• New Year 2 children (Old Puffins and Kingfishers) collected from Peregrines and Jays room (now Hargreaves and Aesop) – Through main entrance on left hand side
   
• New Year 3 children (Old Owls/Woodpeckers) collected from front of school by the tiles/benches.
   
• New Year 4 children (Old Swift/Pipits) collected from front of the school by the tree.
   
• New Year 5 children (Old Peregrines/Jays) collected from front entrance as previously
   
• New Year 6 children (Old Buzzards/Kestrels) dismissed through front entrance as previous
   
• Old Year 6 will leave from the EYFS building and will walk through the front entrance
   
  Adults in hi-vis vests will be able to direct you