Newsletters

SJS Newsletter - Friday 8th May 

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Friday 8th May, 2026


Dear Parents & Carers

Next week we somehow head into the Year 6 assessment week once again, with the children taking their end of Key Stage 2 tests. I wanted to highlight the effort of the children over the past few months and some of the excellent progress we have seen in their work. I wish the children all the best with their assessments. 

Whilst assessments are an important indicator of where children are in their learning right now, the progress and improvements they are making and noticing on a daily basis are just as important as we move towards the end of the school year.  I hope all the children can see the progress they have in areas of the curriculum and have particular areas they feel proud of. 

Before COVID-19, we used to host Welcome Wednesdays, when parents could pop into class now and again to do an activity with their child. We'd like to start these up again, but in a slightly different way. Every term, we'll invite you to stay and spend some time with your child if you are able to. This may be to share a book with your child, do a maths activity or perhaps some history fact-finding. This will take place away from the classrooms (it used to get extremely busy!) and will either be at the start or end of the day for half an hour. The first opportunities to do this are listed in the dates below. 

You'll see some information about our upcoming STEM day below. It promises to be a lot of fun, and you are invited into school to see what the children have been doing at the end of the day. 

Next week will see the building work finished, and we are looking forward to having all the outside space back. Unfortunately, we are unable to start using the new building as yet due to a planning issue, but we hope this is sorted very soon!

Have a lovely weekend. 

Kind regards

Matt 

Matt Walton, Headteacher 


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – St. Matthew's On-line

May

Mon 11th May - Year 6 SATs week 

Mon 18th May - Sprowston Academy visiting Year 6 (pm)

Wed 20th May - Tempest workshop (RSC club) 

Wed 20th May - Year 6 Hilltop Parents' Meeting 

Thu 21st May - Whole School STEM Day 

Fri 22nd May - End of term

June

Tue 2nd June - Learn to ride lessons this week

Wed 3rd June -  Welcome Wednesday - Year 3/4 (9am)

Thu 4th June - Cricket Coaching sessions 

Mon 8th June - Norwich East Cricket Competition 

Wed 10th June - Welcome Wednesday - Year 5/6 (9am) 

Wed 10th June - Tempest workshop (RSC club)

Thu 11th June - Matilda RSC workshop (Year 6)

Fri 12th June - Day of Welcome (Schools of Sanctuary)

Wed 17th June - Year 6 residential to Hilltop 

Thu 18th - Cricket Coaching sessions

Mon 22nd - City Sports Athletics - Field events @ UEA

Tue 23rd - City Sports Athletics - Heats @ UEA

Wed 23rd - Year 6 visiting Norfolk Show 

Thu 24th - City Sports Finals @ UEA

Fri 25th - Group 1 of Year 3/4 visiting West Runton 

Tue 30th - Year 3/4 Sports Day 

July

Wed 1st - Year 5/6 Sports Day

Thu 2nd - Group 2 of Year 3/4 visiting West Runton

Tue 7th - Friends' Colour Run (pm)

Fri 10th - Transition Day (meet your new teacher)

Fri 10th - Summer Fair @ 4:30pm 

Wed 15th - Year 6 Leavers' assembly (9am)

Thu 16th - Year 6 Leavers' BBQ and Disco

Fri 17th - End of term


Year 3/4 History 

Year 3/4 have been enjoying their history work in the last few weeks and there has been plenty of opportunities to be creative too!

Below you will see some pictures of Canopic jars made of clay.  Canopic jars are funerary vessels that were used by the ancient Egyptians to house embalmed organs that were removed during the mummification process.

The children also learnt about Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb and they experienced what it was like by entering our very own tomb! Afterwards, they wrote newspaper reports about the event. 

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NE SSP Cross Country event 

Well done to all the children who represented the school at the NE School Sport Partnership cross country event last week. Held at Sprowston Recreation Ground for the first time, the event was a huge success - plans are already underway for us to host next year's event.

A special mention also goes to Salhouse class, who helped marshal the event and represented the school superbly, showing maturity, responsibility and excellent teamwork throughout the event. 

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STEM day - Wednesday 21st May

We’re really looking forward to our whole-school STEM Day on Wednesday 21st May! Children will enjoy a fun, space-themed day filled with hands-on activities, including a special alien workshop where they’ll explore how living things adapt to survive on different planets.

We’re also delighted to welcome author Amanda Hartly, who will lead an inspiring assembly about STEM and future careers.

Parents and carers are invited to join us at 3:15pm to see what the children have been creating. Don’t forget – children are encouraged to come dressed as an alien for the day!

If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s class teacher.


NSPCC Speak Out. Stay Safe.

This week, children took part in the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. programme, designed for 7–11 year olds.

Through online assemblies and follow-up activities, children explored how to recognise when something isn’t right, identify trusted adults, and feel confident to speak out if they are worried. We were very proud of the mature and thoughtful way they approached these important discussions.

Children have also had the opportunity to take part in a short, voluntary survey to share their views, helping the NSPCC continue to develop their resources.

If you would like to continue these conversations at home, the NSPCC website offers a range of helpful resources for families. Click this link to find out more.

Speak Out Stay Safe - Delamere School


Kooth in Salhouse

This week, the children in completed a session introducing them to Kooth, a free and safe online mental health support service for young people.

They learned how Kooth can offer support with wellbeing, including access to trained counsellors and helpful resources in a safe, anonymous space.

If you would like to find out more, please visit www.kooth.com


Pokémon Cards in School

We have recently had a few issues arising from children swapping Pokémon cards in school. To help avoid upset or disagreements, we ask that any cards brought into school are for looking at and sharing only, and are not swapped or traded.

Please also ensure that children do not bring any precious or valuable cards into school, as we cannot guarantee their safety.

On a more positive note, we are currently looking into starting a lunchtime Pokémon Club for children who are interested — watch this space for more details!


Young Carers FREE Summer activities

The Benjamin Foundation are very pleased to launch their free summer activities for Young Carers. 

Please click on the link to register your interest.

As with all of their activities, families do not need to be referred into any service. If the children are Young Carers they can attend.

Any questions, please get in touch - see details below.

They are looking forward to seeing as many Young Carers as possible.


Norwich High School for Girls Performing Arts Workshop for Year 5 girls

Norwich High School for Girls invites Year 5 girls to spend a morning immersed in the creative arts. Working with our Performing Arts team, the girls will create a musical theatre finale through interactive music, drama, and dance workshops.

When: Saturday 6th June, 9am - 12.30pm

Where: Norwich High School for Girls

Parent Performance: Join us at 12pm to watch the results of the morning and enjoy refreshments.

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spellbound-saturday-musical-theatre-workshop-tickets-1984782792762


Safeguarding at Sprowston Junior

At Sprowston Junior School we are committed to supporting all of our children to do well. We will do everything we can to ensure our children are safeguarded and protected from harm. If you have any concerns about a child at our school and feel they could be a victim of abuse or are at risk, please report your worries immediately to one of our designated staff (DSLs). DSLs can be identified by their green lanyards.