|
|
Junior News – 20 October 2023 |
|
It’s no joke! Laughter stands as a cornerstone of childhood, with its far-reaching impact on physical health, emotional development, and social connections. It is a universal language that transcends age, culture, and circumstance, enriching children’s lives in ways that are both profound and enduring. Encouraging laughter in childhood is not only a means of fostering happiness, but it also sets the stage for a brighter future marked by emotional resilience, meaningful relationships, and a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of shared joy. At its core, laughter is a powerful and natural mechanism that fosters connection and bonding. From the earliest stages of infancy, the sound of a baby’s laughter can light up a room and create an instant connection between the child and their caregivers. This bond, nurtured through shared moments of joy and amusement, forms the foundation of secure attachment, a crucial component in a child’s emotional development. As children grow, laughter continues to be a bridge that connects them with peers, facilitating the development of important social skills like empathy, cooperation and communication. As expert educators, and advocates for children’s wellbeing, we recognise and celebrate the importance of laughter in every child’s journey of growth and discovery at Northampton High Junior School. Never taking ourselves too seriously, our staff team encourage enjoyment and laughter in their classrooms. In the context of emotional development, laughter equips children with essential emotional regulation skills. Through moments of shared laughter, children learn to manage their emotions, express themselves, and develop a nuanced understanding of feelings. Laughter provides an outlet for pent up emotions, offering children a safe and healthy means of dealing with frustration, disappointment, or even anxiety. When children are encouraged to find humour in challenging situations, they develop a resilient mindset that enables them to confront adversity with a positive outlook. A pleasure of mine is to join the children on the playground during play or lunchtime as it’s guaranteed I’ll be joining in with a positive conversation or game that will lead to giggling within moments of stepping foot outside! Our children are skilled at playing together, and whilst this may appear guaranteed it is not always the case in school communities. Just this week I’ve observed children cheer others up by making them giggle, cry with laughter with friends that made little sense to me but was a joy to watch all the same. Using the language of laughter to counteract momentary sadness, strengthen friendships and transcend age differences all create a culture within our Junior School that I’m very proud of and happy to work within. Wishing you all a half term break full of fun and laughter! Miss Hair |
Upcoming Events |
|
New Event: Christmas Craft Workshop |
|
We will be holding a Christmas Craft Workshop on Thursday 7 December for all pupils in Year 1 to Year 6. We would like all pupils to attend, so that they can enjoy this time together being creative. We are encouraging the classes to invite guests of similar ages to join them for this experience. Friends from Rainbows, Brownies, outside of school sports clubs and neighbours are all welcome!
|
Junior School Tea Towels |
|
To order our Junior School tea towel for this academic year please complete this form by Thursday 9 November at midday. We will then charge your child’s ParentPay account according to how many tea towels you order. They will arrive in time for the end of term so can be gifted as Christmas presents! |
Uniform Reminder |
|
When we return to school on Monday 6 November after half term, all pupils will need to be dressed in our winter uniform please. Please see below for a list of essential items: Preschool to Year 2: Tartan pinafore, white polo with royal blue tipping, navy cardigan, navy tights or navy long socks, navy crested reversible storm proof jacket, navy fleece gloves, navy crested fleece beanie and plain black shoes (no slip ons). Year 3 to Year 6: Kilt, navy v-neck slipover, white reverse collar blouse, navy tights or navy long socks, navy crested reversible storm proof jacket, navy fleece gloves, navy crested fleece beanie and plain black shoes (no slip ons). Uniform items can be purchased from Schoolblazer or through the Swap Shop which is run by parent volunteers. Swap Shop is open on Fridays from 2.30 – 3.30pm in term time. To contact the Swap Shop please use parentswapshop@gmail.com. |
Key Stage 2 Forest School Sessions |
|
Key Stage 2 Forest School Sessions will be taking place on the following dates this academic year. The children will need suitable clothing and footwear, including trousers and long sleeve tops, to ensure their arms and legs are covered for each session.
|
News from our classrooms: Nursery and Preschool |
|
Nursery have been ‘going on a bear hunt’ this week! We acted out this story at Forest School, improvising with leaves to make a leaf storm rather than a snow storm. Back in the classroom, we filled bottles with the items we found on our journey. Reusing these bottles linked well with Recycling Week, and we talked about helping our parents with recycling at home. The girls then tried sorting the recycling into groups of paper, plastic and glass. The girls have also engaged in lots of prewriting activities including using the geoboards, the poppies and mark making in corn flour.
In Preschool, the girls have enjoyed two sessions of Forest School and on Wednesday, we toasted a slice of apple on the fire, learning why and how to be safe around the fire circle. We have been playing the ‘3 or not 3’ game with photos in Maths, decorating trees with our fingerprints during our prewriting lessons and our ‘Book of the Week’ has been about an autumn squirrel. We had a special visit from Miss Hair on Thursday morning, and she conducted a science experiment with fizzing potions, which the girls found very exciting. She also joined in with our Ballet lesson much to the girls delight! The girls found a spider in the garden and this sparked lots of questions about spiders. Some girls then decided to draw their own spiders too. |
Reception |
|
This week, all of our activities have been autumn themed. We have made some lovely pictures with natural objects found outside. We have printed with leaves and thought about autumn colours. We have also counted out conkers and found ‘one more’ and ‘one less’. |
|
|
|
At Forest School, we enjoyed swishing through the leaves and finding a selection of different coloured leaves. As we come to the end of the first half term, we are very proud of how the class have settled into their new routines and expectations. Wishing you all a lovely, restful half term break. |
Year 1 Black History Month |
|
Year 1 have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Black History Month, and have gained a genuine understanding of the lack of recognition for black people in the past, and how we are now trying hard to put that right by celebrating the lives of famous black people. We have learnt about sports stars, authors, activists and politicians to name just a few. We enjoyed reading about Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela and Stormzy, in a moving parts board book that also gave us ideas for our current DT project! |
Year 2 Black History Month |
|
Year 2 have engaged really well in our activities for Black History Month. We have been learning about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman. We recalled how Rosa Parks broke the law when she refused to stand up on the segregated bus, however, when we reflected upon this we felt it was a good thing because it lead to some positive changes! We learnt that people who stood up for equality were really brave, and we are thankful to them because they helped shape the world we have today. |
Year 3 Black History Month |
|
Year 3 have been researching famous black sports stars as part of Black History Month. We have been following the success of gymnast Simone Biles, watching her compete recently in the World Championships. Her floor routine was spectacular, and has inspired the gymnasts in our class to be just like her. We also linked our learning in PSHE around emotions and feelings, and role played how we would feel if we were the victims of racial discrimination. |
Year 4 Black History Month |
|
|
|
Year 4 created brilliant presentations showcasing a range of black females from the past and present. The girls researched their chosen person, finding out key information about them. |
Year 5 Black History Month |
|
In our assembly time this Tuesday, Year 5 learned a little bit about the why, when and how Black History Month is celebrated. This year, the theme is ‘Saluting Our Sisters’, and the girls worked in pairs to find out some key facts about some incredible black women. |
Year 6 Black History Month |
|
Year 6 had a good discussion about Black History Month in our year group assembly this week. We focussed on sports stars and their achievements. The girls felt that they were all good examples, but they were particularly impressed with the female sportswomen such as Alex Scott, Simone Biles and Serena Williams. They also felt that Misty Copeland, who was the first black female principal dancer in the 75 years of the American Ballet Theatre, was particularly inspirational, because she highlighted the need for diversity within the mostly white Ballet industry. |
News from outside of the classroom: Instrumental lessons |
|
We are delighted that so many of our students take individual music lessons in school. The results of this are regularly heard during our vibrant concert schedule! We offer a full range of individual and group music lessons as an optional extra. Pupils wishing to have music lessons in school may choose from the following: Singing, Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Cornet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Drums, Composition and Music Theory. Tuition is given by visiting self employed teachers. Lessons may take place before and after school, as well as during school hours. Pupils may be withdrawn from a class lesson on a rota system so that the same lesson is not missed each week. If your daughter receives lessons from a self employed teacher, you will receive a separate fee account from the teacher concerned. We have recommended the rate of £40 per hour but, as the teachers are self employed, the teacher may choose to charge a slightly different rate. Students usually benefit from 30 minute lessons on a weekly basis, but 15 minute lessons are available for younger students if desired. If your daughter is currently having lessons at our school with a self employed peripatetic teacher, these will continue on a rolling basis unless you provide notice to terminate directly to your daughter’s instrumental tutor. Students usually benefit from 10 lessons of 30 minutes per term. Additional lessons can be arranged directly with the peripatetic teacher. Group lessons for music theory are available subject to demand. The cost will depend on the number of students in the group. The terms and conditions for your daughter receiving lessons from a self employed teacher are agreed between parents and the teacher, including alteration of fees and required notice to terminate lessons. Pupils wishing to take instrumental lessons must have an instrument on which to practise at home. If you would like to discuss peripatetic music tuition options please contact Mr Nathan at p.nathan@nhs.gdst.net. |
News from outside of the classroom: Year 6 Think Tank Museum Trip |
|
Year 6 enjoyed a fun trip to the Think Tank Museum in Birmingham. As soon as we arrived, we rushed off to the first workshop which was all about chemistry, where we experimented with gases, liquids and solids. We mixed borax and PVA glue to make slime. Sadly, we did not get to keep the slime as borax is quite dangerous to the skin, so when making and playing with it we had to wear gloves and goggles. After that fascinating workshop, we got to look round the museum and find some interesting things like a real triceratops skull! |
|
After lunch, we had a chance to visit the science garden where there were lots of cool things like a giant sized hamster wheel, where you could find your inner hamster! The next workshop was design and technology, where we were using ‘Lego brains’. We had to program the Lego to do all sorts of different actions, like changing the colour of the light and moving. In order to make it move, we had to attach a motor and connect it to the wheels using elastic bands. Overall, it was an amazing school trip and all of Year 6 loved it! Annabelle R and Diya B (STEM Champions) |
Awards This Week |
|
Star Learners of the Week – Georgina P, Isabelle L, Rayna N, Grace A, Amariah S-A, Evette B, Olivia H, Maya A, Poppy P External Achievements: Georgina P – achieved her Level 8 Badge in Gymnastics |
Help us rehome Pudsey! |
|
With Children In Need around the corner, we are excited to help raise money for this wonderful cause. This year, as part of our fundraising efforts, we have a special guest in school who we would like to rehome! Pudsey Bear, pictured above helping Dr Lee with her work this week, is looking for a new home – and that could be with you! By clicking this link, you can help our fundraising cause by donating the sum of £2 for a raffle ticket, and if your number is pulled out on the Friday 17 November, Pudsey will be yours! Friday 17 November will also be a whole school mufti day, so please make a donation (a minimum of £1 is suggested) to wear your ‘home clothes’ on this national Children In Need day. We love doing what we can to support this wonderful cause. Together, we can help support children and young people across the UK to rebuild their lives. Thank you for your continued support – and good luck if you choose to enter! Mr NashMarketing & Communications Manager |
In Conversation with... Emilie Weaving |
|
The GDST’s next ‘In Conversation’ event features Shrewsbury High School alumna, Emilie Weaving, who will be speaking with Darren Payne, Head of Shrewsbury High, via Zoom on Monday 23 October, 1-2pm. Emilie was a finalist in the ‘GDST Trailblazer of the Year Competition 2022’ and at age 31, she has certainly paved her own way in the traditionally male-dominated world of engineering. As a Mechanical Engineer, Emilie has eight years of development and testing experience, from diesel engines to motorcycle helmets and military vehicles. She is passionate about encouraging women to pursue a career in the field, and writes about her STEM lifestyle in her blog, The Female Engineer. If you wish to attend this virtual event, please click here. Mr Nash |
Autism Central: Free educational programme now launched! |
|
New autism support has launched for families and carers across the country, courtesy of NHS England. Support is available for families and carers of autistic children and adults thanks to a new, free education programme named Autism Central. The programme aims to help build knowledge and understanding of autism, and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support to get the right understanding and adjustments in place across the services they use. Commissioned by NHS England, the programme offers one-to-one and group sessions, complemented by high quality online learning information. To find out full details about this programme, please click here. Mrs Beezley |
Save the Date: Quiz Night |
|
|
Save the Date: Christmas Fayre |
|
|
Christmas Community Session |
|
|
Join our Team |
|
We are currently advertising a vacancy for a part time teacher of Physical Education. If you, or somebody you know, would be interested in this position we would love to hear from you! To find out more information about the role, working for Northampton High School and how to apply, please click here. Applications should be submitted by midday on Tuesday 7 November 2023. For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at a.gates@nhs.gdst.net. Mrs Gates |
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar 23/24: November |
|
|
Silverstone Museum: Girls Go Free! |
|
|
Netball Half Term Training Session |
|
|
Athletics Club - Autumn Running Club |
|
|
Kings Camp |
|
|
Term Dates |
|
|
|
Northampton High School |
|
