Sprowston Junior School Parent Portal

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Friday 26th January 2024

I've enjoyed seeing all the different learning opportunities this week across the year groups. The variety below is what a good curriculum is about - the children having the opportunities to shine in many different ways.

In Year 3, I've seen how well the children have responded to the work on Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' and some of the lovely bookwork based on the story. I also saw some of their 'yoga' work in PE and was impressed with their posture and balance.

Year 4 invited me along to hear a song they had practised in music. The singing was lovely - we have many good voices in the Year group! I was also impressed with the different layers they added to the song. It made for a lovely finish to my day! Year 4 have also shown me how well they are doing with their times-tables. I was impressed to see their progress since September and how well they are doing with their speech of recall. Keep it up Year 4!

I popped into Year 5 this afternoon and saw how well they are doing with the F1 project cars (STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). The children are working well in groups to perfect their designs and the teachers have been impressed with their efforts.

In Year 6, I was able to have a look at some of the wonderful narrative poetry the children have produced this week. We've had a lot of good quality and the children have enjoyed sharing them. I've just been past a great game of 'handball' going on in the hall. A great way to finish the week!

Have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards

Matt Walton, Headteacher

Image result for diary dates

January

Mon 29th - Adapted Games (UEA)

February

Mon 5th - Children's Mental Health Week

Mon 5th - Bikeability Year 5/6 (children need their bikes for 4 days)

Fri 9th - Cross Country @ Horsford Primary

Wed 14th - F1 in schools regional finals at Sprowston Academy

Thur 15th - F1 in schools regional finals at Sprowston Academy

Fri 16th - Half term begins @ 3:15pm

March

Mon 4th - Parents' evening - 3:30pm - 6pm

Mon 4th - Book Week (information to follow)

Mon 4th - NSPCC Speak out, stay safe (Yr 5)

Tue 5th - NSPCC Speak out, stay safe (Yr 6)

Wed 6th - Parents' evening - 4:30pm - 7pm

Thur 7th - World Book Day

Fri 8th - Cross Country @ Old Catton

Trip into Space!

We were delighted to be one of the few schools to have a visit from Ben Langley for a 'Space' assembly. He took the children on a journey into space, and he really entertained the children, as well as teaching them many important facts about this important science subject.

After the assembly, he held workshops to support Year 5 with their 'Earth and Space' work in science and went into further detail about the science topic. The children enjoyed listening to him and finding out more fascinating information.

'He gave us a lot of information about space and he told us that you can jump over 2 metres high on the moon!' - Jessica (Wroxham Class)

'He told us lots of interesting facts about the different jump heights when you are on different planets.' Ethan (Wroxham Class)

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Year F1 in schools project

This year Year 5 are taking part in the exciting F1 in schools competition. F1 in schools is a fully-resourced STEM and Design & Technology competition, engaging students aged 9-11 through a truly cross-curricular activity. Teams aim to compete at a Primary Class Regional Final, with the hope of progressing on to a National Final.

Year 5 have decided to use this as a theme for their Spring term DT project. All children have created 'teams' within which they will have the opportunity to design, build and race their very own paper model car powered by compressed air. As well as exploring racing car design, the project also involves looking at merchandise, marketing and promotion.

Four teams from the year group have been selected to represent Sprowston Junior at the upcoming regional finals. Dream Big, Electric Speed, Cyber Falcons and Bolt Action all visited Sprowston Community Academy this morning to test their first prototype car in the wind tunnel and speak to some Year 9 pupils about the project and preparing for the regional finals next month.

A big thank you to Mrs Bryant, Mr Wavell and Nova Racing (Finley, Jasper and Thomas) for all their help today.

'It was really fun seeing the cars go through the wind tunnel - you put the car in and see how far the car goes back. The further it goes, the less aero-dynamic it is.'

Aaron - Wroxham

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Reading

As staff, we are reflecting on the reading the children do during the school day and on how well the children read at home. Reading for enjoyment is such a crucial element of a child's learning and reading regularly in school and at home will support a child's progress. We will be sending out information about our reading scheme in the next few weeks and giving out log-ins for you to see the books the children have been reading in school. We are happy if the children would like to read a different book outside of the school day. If the book is on Accelerated Reader, they can quiz on the book. We'll send home details of how to do this too.

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to Marvellous Me. We currently have 157 parents & carers who have downloaded the app and are making the most of being able to find out what their children have been up, receive 'thumbs ups' and other notifications as well as receiving messages from classes.

Here are links to a parent walk through guide and a 'parent app explained' video with some useful information about how to get started.

If you have any questions, or need some help, please let a member of the year group team know. You can also email Mr Arthur (deputy@sprowstonjunior.norfolk.sch.uk) who will be able to get you up and running.

Need a bike?

A parent has kindly offered a bike to anyone that needs one. Contact the school office if you are interested.

Let us know if you have any items that you would like to donate, and we will include them in future newsletters.

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