We have loved welcoming new and familiar faces into our classrooms and it is wonderful to be back! There is much to celebrate, from catching up with friends – or making new ones – enjoying being together and getting stuck into learning. Our pupils have already had opportunities to try new activities, start new lessons, and will soon join new clubs.
It is hard to believe that just over a week ago the children were still on their summer break, they were out of the routine of school and there was not a uniform in sight. The children, without exception, have settled confidently and calmly into the rhythm of school life; the classrooms are full of activity, pupils walk with a purposeful stride, and there are lots of smiles. It is difficult to discern the girls who have been with us for years, and those who are just finishing their first full week with us. Our school community is buzzing.
Thank you to parents for coming to our Information Evenings on Tuesday. I hope the meetings were informative and productive, that they answered questions you had, allowing you to get to know your daughter’s class teacher. Your daughter’s class teacher is the first port of call with any queries or concerns; you are also welcome to contact our school office at junioradmin@nhs.gdst.net, and Miss Farrar will ensure your email is passed on to the appropriate member of the team in school.
Our photographer, Jane Ellis, capably took individual photographs of all Nursery, Preschool and Junior School girls on Wednesday, also capturing sibling photos at lunchtime. We are looking forward to seeing the results.
Many girls have been involved in the sports club programme this week already, and our whole school clubs programme will start next week. The newly refurbished Astroturf is now close to completion and the swimming pool cover will be repaired in the next few days to allow us to reinstate swimming lessons, club and squad swimming sessions. We will keep you informed of the progress.
The demands of the first full week in school are mentally and physically tiring for both pupils and their families; the girls will be ready for some rest and relaxation this weekend to process all that the week has offered, and to be ready for everything that the new week brings.
Enjoy your weekend when it comes and looking forward to seeing our school family next week!
Mrs Wilmot
Acting Head of Junior School
Nursery and Preschool
We have had a lovely week and have tailored our planning around the girls’ current interests. We have also used these interests to determine the layout of the room and our outside area.
We have loved being outside and exploring Forest School as well as the small hill at the back of our Nursery room.
Ballet and our weekly trip to the library, to choose our books, have proved very popular. We have read ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and used some vegetables to make our very own salad caterpillars.
This week in Preschool we have been exploring the topic ‘Ourselves’ with a focus on the things ‘we can do’ and ‘we can achieve’ The girls have been demonstrating their passion for physical activities such as climbing, running and balancing whilst playing outside and being able to manipulate a ball during PE.
The girls have created self-portraits using various media including paint, crayons and water colours. We used mirrors to look closely at our facial features and the colours we needed to use. This has sparked lots of discussion about what we look like – ‘I have curly hair’ and ‘I have greenie-blue eyes’.
We have been reading the book ‘What I like about me’ which explores the difference between people and how it makes them unique. The last page in the book has a mirror and we all took turns explaining what is unique about ourselves.
At Forest School we collected some natural items and decorated photo frames for our photos and in Ballet we are learning first and second position.
Reception
Reception class have made a super start to the academic year. There are so many routines to pick up at the beginning of any school year and everyone is beginning to remember these really well.
It has been lovely to listen to the girls’ chat and talk with the class about things that interest them, as well as meeting families at our Information Evening.
We have started teaching our phonics programme and have learnt the first four sounds.
We are looking forward to a very busy first half term.
Year 1
Year 1 have had such a fantastic start to their school year.
They are beginning to settle into the new routines and expectations, and are playing and working together in a kind and caring way.
They have been so excited to experience new curriculum topics such as Design/Technology and are bringing enthusiasm and energy to every lesson.
Well done Year 1!
Year 2
Year 2 have had a very positive start to the new term.
It has been wonderful getting to know them and their families and supporting them as they settle into new routines and a new classroom.
The girls are already working very hard in their lessons and are proudly earning points on the new ePraise system.
We are going to have a fantastic term!
Year 3
It has been an exciting start to the year.
We have enjoyed looking at photos of cave paintings and trying to draw some of the animals. We liked studying rocks in Science because they were all very different. It was also fun learning about hundreds in Maths.
We are trying our best and working hard!
Year 4
What an incredible beginning to the year for our amazing Year 4 students!
Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve been up to:
Maths: The students have been mastering place value and have become true experts in partitioning numbers up to 10,000! Their enthusiasm for numbers is simply brilliant!
English: We introduced the captivating book ‘Tar Beach!’ Our Year 4 detectives closely examined the front cover, gathering clues and making predictions. It’s wonderful to see their imaginations take flight!
Science: It’s been noisy and exciting as we explored series circuits! The students loved creating their own circuits for lights and buzzers, sparking curiosity and creativity in the classroom.
Humanities: We embarked on a journey across the USA, using compass directions and clues, which turned out to be a thrilling adventure!
I’m excited about getting to know each student even better as the year progresses. Here’s to many more learning adventures together!
Year 5
“I have found it quite interesting in Year 5 so far. We have been learning about the Twin Towers and found out that Philippe Petit thought it would be a good idea to tightrope walk between them. I thought it would be a terrible idea!” Isabella
“I really enjoyed our first Maths lesson on Roman Numerals because I liked learning the letters for bigger numbers. I also really enjoyed learning about the Twin Towers because I can’t believe he wasn’t scared of heights, because to walk on a tightrope above a whole city is very brave.” Grace
“When I started last week, it was very nerve-wracking but a few days later it was fine. For some reason it felt like I was back at my old school because I was so settled. When it was lunch on the taster day we got served by the dinner ladies, but in Year 5 we go to the other side and serve ourselves, which is a lot easier.” Flora
Year 6
Year 6 have welcomed four new joiners and they have settled quickly into the school with the all the girls making them feel welcome.
Particular highlights have been the place value game in Maths lessons and going to Senior School for French.
The girls have coped well with moving around the school to all their lessons and clubs. They are also setting a good example to the younger girls on the playground.
Awards
Star Learners of the Week:
Betsy H, Lara F-V R, Sophia R-N, Isabel S-R, Eloise C and Annabel P
External Achievements:
Isabella B – awarded joint player of the match in Football
Siéna-Louise D B – participated in the All England Dance Finals. Her Greek Group was placed 1st and her National Group placed 3rd in the Junior section
Evelyn-Olive G – achieved a Top Hat Theatre Dance award and awarded rosettes at Pony Club
Jasmine I – performed a solo rhythmic gymnastics item, awarded a medal and certificate for ‘Amazing Memory’, performed a poem at Top Hat Theatre School and was awarded a certificate, achieved a Distinction in her LAMDA Solo Introductory Stage 3, achieved a Distinction in Grade 1 Theory Of Music and achieved a High Merit in her RAD Primary Ballet exam
Ella K – achieved a Distinction in her Stage 2 LAMDA exam
Isabelle L – achieved a Distinction in her Stage 2 LAMDA exam
Georgina P – completed the Library Summer Reading Challenge
Annabel P – awarded Star Player in Cricket
Grace R – achieved a Distinction in her Stage 2 LAMDA exam
Sophia R-N – achieved a Distinction in her Stage 2 LAMDA exam
Emily T – achieved a Distinction in her Solo Acting LAMDA exam and awarded a High Merit in her Grade 1 Ballet exam
Annabel W – completed the Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge
Zoe Z – achieved Grade 5 in her Music Theory exam
Birthdays this week
We wish a very Happy Birthday to the following members of our Junior School family:
Macie D, Francesca M, Inara F, Evette B, Mayu G, Ella K, Amariah S-A, Isabel S-R, Sophia P, Maya P, Ella B, Zoe Z, Gianna L, Ivana O, Avani A, Jasmine I, Aleya L, Fifi O and Emily K
Parent Notices
Please find an overview of calendar dates for the autumn term here . We will update this schedule through the term, highlighting any significant changes to planned dates.
Autumn Term Clubs – will commence next week, Monday 16 September and parents should have received a letter and a schedule of the clubs for the autumn term tomorrow from our Reach Assistant, Miss Knight. The schedule is being compiled to outline the clubs available across the whole school. You will be able to see the autumn term clubs for Junior School pupils under the following categories: ‘Cross-phase’, ‘Junior’ and ‘Paid’. Please note that clubs can also be viewed via SOCS and booked through SOCS.
Year 3 Forest School – will be on 18 September 9.00 – 10.30am.
Year 1 and Year 2 Trip – to the Story Museum, Oxford will take place on Friday 20 September.
High and Junior News Survey
Thank you so much to those of you who took the time to send us valuable feedback in regards to our weekly High and Junior News newsletters at the end of last term. This feedback has been gratefully received, and we have started to implement some of the suggestions into this ‘new look’ newsletter.
We will continue to monitor and update to ensure that these communications are as optimized as possible, so please do continue to send through your feedback using the Google Form found here.
Many thanks for your support.
Open Mornings
Preparations are in full swing for our upcoming school open events, which take place in October on Saturday 5 and Friday 11. These events promise to be fantastic showcases of life at Northampton High School, and will give our visiting families a real insight into what makes our school and its community so special.
Staff Announcement
We are delighted to announce that Miss Anna Chapman has been appointed as Assistant Learning Enhancement coordinator. Miss Chapman will be working with students to develop and review pupil learning enhancement profiles, and is looking forward to working to ensure learning needs are identified and supported effectively.
LAMDA Update
Please find below the lesson dates and times for this term’s LAMDA sessions for your information:
Tuesday: 07.55-08.25 for Years 1, 2 and 3
Tuesday: 08.25- 08.55 for Years 4, 5 and 6
Senior School students (and any extra Junior School pupils taking more than 1 exam) will now have 1:1 private lessons and will be scheduled for Thursday mornings.
These lessons will start from week commencing Monday 16 September, with a timetable to follow. If you have any questions, please do contact Gemma below.
