We celebrated National Poetry Day with a host of activities. Parents joined us in our reading and writing poetry workshops, where we produced amazing poems on this year’s theme ‘Refuge’. It was great to see pupils working alongside their parents and other children in different year groups.

Pupils in Year 2 & 3 visited The Grand Theatre to meet an author – Benji Davies. They heard all about the process of writing and listened to him read his new books! Pupils were surprised with their own copy of his latest book!!

In the afternoon, pupils learnt a poem and performed it to other classes. They focused on their speech and language skills as well as their performance skills.

Year 5 enjoyed their first guitar lesson with Mr Moffet. They learnt how hold the instrument and how to play key notes. Well done Year 5!!!

Students took part in Children’s Mental Health Week by undertaking activities throughout the week.

This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’. Let’s Connect is about making meaningful connections for all, during Children’s Mental Health Week – and beyond. People thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing.

When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing. And when our need for rewarding social connections is not met, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on our mental health.

For Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, we’re encouraging people to connect with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways.

Throughout the week, students looked at Mindfulness techniques and created artwork which connected together to create a whole school piece of art. The school council held a cupcake sale to raise money for CAFOD to make connections to those less fortunate. On Friday pupils enjoyed yoga sessions, learning strategies to stay calm and raise awareness for looking after their body and mind.

Year 4 showcased their amazing skills on the Ukulele in a concert to parents.

Throughout the term, students have been learning how to hold the Ukulele and play key notes / songs. They have learnt notes f-a-c-e, notation, rhythm, beats per bar, canon and unison and so much more well done Year 4! You are now ready to progress onto violins next term.

Today we had a beautiful Mass, led by Year 6, to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. We listened to Matthew’s Gospel account of Jesus’s Baptism and reflected on how we could live out the Baptismal promises in our own lives.

Well done Year 6 for leading such a reverent Mass!

Pupils enjoyed a focused Design and Technology Day. Each class had a project to create which was linked to other curriculum areas so the children had a genuine purpose. The children developed skills in drawing, cutting, joining, reinforcing and combining materials.

The new national curriculum describes a genuine design and technology experience in terms of 6 interrelated principles:

– User
– Purpose
– Functionality
– Design Decisions
– Innovation
– Authenticity

This means designing and making SOMETHING, for SOMEONE, for SOME PURPOSE. Pupils focused on these key principles throughout the day.