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Junior School newsletter 19 October 2018

Dear parents

The first half of term has flown past and even the pupils seem surprised that we have reached the first break of 2018-19. Outdoor activities, sporting fixtures and creative playtime games have benefited from the lovely autumnal weather and we have been successful in dodging the occasional downpours.

Shortly after Year 3 pupils’ visit to Dame Bradbury’s for their collaborative ‘Island Adventure’, they explored the theme of Harvest in their RS lessons. After thinking about the importance of showing appreciation for all the good things in life, the children went on to discuss how we can help others through supporting charities. We were impressed by their awareness of homelessness and also of how social responsibility is an integral aspect of our curriculum wheel. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the amazing mountain of gifts for Jimmy''s and to those who participated in our Harvest Assembly last Friday.

‘When we went in the Hall for assembly I felt excited and nervous. First of all we sang the Harvest Samba, it was fun then we held up our posters to spell out a message and 14 children read out our poem about helping at Harvest time. Mrs Marty spoke to us about volunteering at Jimmy’s. They have a football team and learn how to cook. The Year 4s sang a song about conkers and the Year 5s put all the gifts in boxes for Barry and Sarah to put in the van for Jimmy’s. The van was full of food!’ Rose, Iňigo and Daniel

Harvest

Harvest

Harvest

Harvest

Harvest

Harvest

 

National Poetry Day proved very popular this year and we enjoyed a wonderful assembly when the Form Leaders in Years 4-6 shared the poems which they had chosen or written with their classmates. The theme was ‘Change’ and it was amazing and entertaining to hear how this had been differently interpreted by each class. Here are just a few lines from 4A’s poem, ‘Our future changes’, which we found very moving.

In the future we would like to see….

No more homeless people so everyone can have a safe place to lay their head.

No plastic lying around so animals do not mistake it for appetising food.

Less crime and people showing respect for their communities.

Harmony between all countries in our colourful world.

More hope put forward with trust so that we can believe in each other more.

Poetry

Ada Lovelace Day was a real highlight for Year 6 pupils last week. We were really pleased that a group had the opportunity to join some of their counterparts from Dame Bradbury’s and members of Year 8 for a special challenge in the Senior School. Meanwhile, the other members of Year 6 made the most of their morning off-timetable and immersed themselves in associated activities, including rather tricky digital problem solving.

Less than 24 hours after an outstanding Senior School and Sixth Form concert devoted to the works of Debussy, we were treated to the first Junior School Performers’ Platform Concert of 2018-19. The Year 5 & 6 soloists, including two Double Bass players, provided a delightful half hour of entertainment. Well done to all involved!

performers platform

It has been good to see this term’s clubs being well attended and appreciated. Many of these have been established for a while but a few, including Year 6 Quiz Club, Year 6 Mindfulness and Year 5 French Creations, are being offered for the first time this term. Judging by pupils’ enthusiasm for the various activities in these clubs, it seems likely that they will become firm favourites.

botanic walk

french

mindfulness

science

I hope that you and your family enjoy a good break from term time routines next week and we look forward to seeing many of you at our Parents’ Consultations and at the House Assemblies being held during the second half of term.

Best wishes

Katie Milne, Head of Junior School

Latest news

  • 19 Oct 2018
    Year 3 Collaboration Day
    Excitement levels were high on Wednesday 3 October as the Year 3 pupils from both the Junior School and Dame Bradbury’s boarded the ‘SPF ship’ to set sail upon ‘An Island Adventure’.
    Read more
  • 19 Oct 2018
    Ada Lovelace Day Reports by members of Year 6​​​​​​​
    On Tuesday 9th October, a very exciting day, the whole of Year 6 completed some very interesting activities about Ada Lovelace, the English mathematician and writer who was born in 1815. Some of us were at the Junior School and a few of us went over to the Senior School. I was at the Junior School w...
    Read more

Upcoming events

  • 30
    October
    Y6 Girls visit to Foundation Nature Reserve
    08:30 – 10:30
    This is the first of three visits to the Nature Reserve when Y6 pupils study plant and animal life in different seasons.
  • 30
    October
    Y3 and Y4 Parent Consultations
    18:00 – 20:30
    Location: Stephen Perse Foundation Junior School, St Eligius St, Cambridge CB2 1HX, UK
    With class teachers and some subject teachers.
  • 31
    October
    JS Y6 residential trip information meeting for parents
    08:30 – 09:00
    Location: Junior School Hall
  • 02
    November
    Individual and family group photographs
    08:00 – 13:00
    Location: Stephen Perse Foundation Junior School, St Eligius St, Cambridge CB2 1HX, UK
    Gillman & Soame
  • 03
    November
    Taster Morning for Y3 prospective pupils, including Y2 in Stephen Perse Pre-Prep
    09:30 – 12:30
  • 07
    November
    Y3 - 6 Bebras challenge
    All Day
    Location: Stephen Perse Foundation Junior School, St Eligius St, Cambridge CB2 1HX, UK
  • 07
    November
    Digital workshop for parents of pupils in Street House, followed by House Assembly
    08:00 – 09:00
    Location: Stephen Perse Foundation Junior School, St Eligius St, Cambridge CB2 1HX, UK
  • 07
    November
    Y3 and Y4 Parents’ Consultations
    18:00 – 20:30
    With class teachers and some subject teachers.
  • 08
    November
    Y5 trip to Epping Forest Field Centre
    All Day
  • 09
    November
    Remembrance Assembly for pupils and staff
    08:40 – 09:00
    Location: Stephen Perse Foundation Junior School, St Eligius St, Cambridge CB2 1HX, UK

See the full Junior School calendar here


Sports Roundup

Congratulations to Sophia Demetriou-Foale who trialled successfully for the Cambridgeshire girls’ U11 Cricket County Squad.

The U11 girls hockey team travelled to the Regional IAPS tournament at Framingham College. After a steady start we finished runners up in our group and therefore qualified for the Cup tier of the competition. With ten minute games it is so important to get off to a good start, but unfortunately we conceded early on in the Quarter Final against Langley Prep School and didn’t manage to level the score. To top off a busy half term for the girls they also recently finished 3rd in the county, winning 4 out of 6 matches. Well done girls.

js

 

The U9s are continuing to look very strong as a year group and both the boys’ football teams and girls’ hockey teams are producing good results. Most recently the U9A girls beat Kingshott 5-2 and Perse Prep 2-0, whilst the boys beat Kimbolton 4-1.

On Monday this week we hosted a friendly cross country fixture for running club with the Heritage School. The weather didn’t let us down and it duly poured with rain all day! The mixed terrain course provided a good, yet achievable challenge, and running club members thrived in the conditions. A special mention goes to Verity for winning the race, setting a new course record of 5 minutes and 42 seconds.

Remember to stay up to date with fixtures, results and more at www.stephenpersesport.com and follow us on twitter @SPFSport.


PFA Notices

Classlist

This app and website for parent communications was successfully trialled over the Summer for Yr 7 parents. In order for communications to be a success and that parents are kept updated of social events the PFA are running, you need to accept the Classlist invitation that was sent at the start of term, and add yourself to the list. Please can all parents respond to invitations asap so you don’t miss out on news and announcements. It is also a great way to stay connected to other parents in your child’s year group or class, and ask questions to other parents. Sign up today!

Spending PFA funds

The PFA are working with the School Councils across the Foundation to set up a process for pupils to nominate a project for PFA funds to be spent. More details will follow on Classlist.

PFA Christmas Puddings

The Stephen Perse Foundation PFA are delighted to be selling Christmas puddings again this year.

A competition is currently being held in Years 1-3 to design a personalised school label and once judged, this will be displayed on every pudding, alongside the school name.

Not only would these puddings be a delicious addition to your Christmas lunch, or a much appreciated gift for friends and family, they are organised through your Parents and Friends Association, and any profits made will go towards funding activities, events and equipment for pupils.

The number of puddings available is limited, so place your order as soon as possible, and final orders are before 23 November (if not sold out before). The pudding will be delivered to the school you select on your order.

Please go to Wisepay, tickets and events to order.

Arts Theatre pantomime tickets - reduced rate for SPF parents

A reminder to book your reduced-rate tickets for the pantomime at The Arts Theatre on 4 January - tickets and further information is available on Wisepay. The deadline for booking tickets is rapidly approaching, so please book asap!

Please go to Wisepay, tickets and events to order your Pantomime tickets.

The PFA Christmas Fair

***Save the date*** the PFA Christmas Fair will be on Saturday 1 December. Please make a note in your diary to come and support this popular event. More details will be published on Classlist.


  • StephenPerse Juniors Follow
    Y5 pupils working together and being mindful in the manner of Buddhist monks to produce mandalas. @SPFRSP https://t.co/bPsW5sZiCK
    17 hours ago
  • StephenPerse Juniors Follow
    Exciting work emerging from Y5 Science Club @SPFSchools https://t.co/Fx4YTLpwnj
    1 day ago
  • StephenPerse Juniors Follow
    Y6 Mindfulness Club making sensory bottles to explore feelings and thoughts. Developing our awareness by being present in the moment. #mindfulnessactivities #wellbeing https://t.co/fS33z4gp0C
    1 day ago