ISSUE No. 25/25-26 Follow us on Instagram @stpaulsn21
Uniform
A few quick reminders at the start of the new term. With the colder weather, please ensure your children have their coats in school, and please label any gloves, hats and scarves so they can be returned to their rightful owners if dropped or forgotten in the playground.
Please check the uniform policy on the school website, a reminder that boots should only be worn with trousers.
Whole school church service
There is a whole school church service at St Paul’s church on Tuesday 27th January. Please ensure children are in church ready for the service to start at 9.00am.
Thank you
Thank you for your support with the changes in the pick-up routine at the end of the school day. On occasions, cars do use Ringwood Way. We have reminded the children to stay on the pavement after they have been dismissed from school.
Mrs Poggio
Mrs Poggio will be leaving St Paul’s after over 5 years working as a Learning Assistant. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all her hard work, support and dedication to the children and wish her well as she embarks on a new chapter, running Spanish clubs across different schools in the local community.
World Book Day
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March. This year we are asking the children to come into school dressed as a book character.
Williams F1 trip
On the first day back, some children had the opportunity to go to the Williams F1 Headquarters near Oxford. Here they took part in some exciting activities around STEM. They had to design a nose of a car which would keep a driver safe in an accident. Each team had a budget to buy materials and to test their prototypes before the final test. The teams also had to do a marketing pitch explaining which materials they used and why.
After lunch, the children looked around the museum of all Williams F1 cars as well as racing each other on the simulators.
All the children were excellent and represented the school really well.
Group 1 in the museum
Winners of the challenge who received a Williams hat as their prize
Some of the cars on display
Lights out and away we go for the simulator races
Tag Rugby
Well done to the children who took part in the tag rugby festival this week. It was a very soggy day, but some excellent rugby was played. The ‘A’ team won 4/5 of their games, finishing second in the group.
Tag rugby training will take place after school on a Wednesday this term for children in Years 4, 5 and 6. Any children are welcome to come along and join in – just bring a sports kit and some boots/trainers to school on Wednesdays. The more, the merrier.
Reception
Reception have been learning all about seasonal changes, focusing on winter. The children have created some lovely writing and artwork inspired by the season and have enjoyed role-playing with snow and arctic animals. They have been very busy, learning through play, and have had lots of fun along the way!
Learning about seasonal changes, focusing on winter
Creating polar bear artwork
Role-playing with Arctic animals in the ‘snow’
Polar bear artwork using a range of tools and techniques
Reception enjoy creating Artic animal pictures
Proud of her polar bear artwork
Writing about what we can ‘see’ and ‘feel’ during the season of winter
Role-playing with Arctic animals in the ‘snow’
Year 1
The children enjoyed exploring the artwork by fibre artist, Judith Scott. It was fun guessing the everyday items she had wrapped in wool, fabrics and other fibres.
The children then created artwork as Judith Scott did, using wool. Colours were chosen carefully and either wrapped in blocks, mixing colours or choosing highly contrasting colours.
Brilliant wool wrapping.
Each wool strand was measured and cut to size.
Wrapping wool tightly and fixing in place.
They kept trying if something didn’t work the first time.
They look amazing!
Year 2
We have started our new topic about plants in Year 2. The children have been learning how plants begin to grow from seeds or bulbs. We have explored what plants need to start growing—water, light, warmth and soil.
The children had great fun planting their own kidney bean seeds, using pots with cotton wool and water. They are very excited to see how the seeds change as they grow.
Year 2 children are proud of their planted pots
Year 2 enjoy learning how plants begin to grow
Year 3 – Gymnastics
This week in our Gymnastics unit, Year 3 students explored patch and point shapes, focusing on holding strong, controlled balances. The children practised maintaining body tension, balance and control while experimenting with different shapes on the floor. Next week, students will begin coordinating a short sequence, combining both patch and point balances smoothly as they develop confidence, flow and control in their movements.
One leg balance
Symmetrical bridges
Reverse Plank
Downward Facing Dog
Year 4
This week, Year 4 have been exploring human impact on theworld through both our Science and English lessons. In Science, the children took part in a litter-picking walk around the school, identifying different types of waste such as recyclable, compostable and non-recyclable items. We collated our findings and discussed practical ways we can help improve our school environment. In English, we have been learning about the history of plastic; how it is made, why it became so widely used, and the benefits it can offer. The children shared their ideas and talked thoughtfully about how plastics can be used more responsibly to help protect our planet.
Two children gathered around a guided reading text. One child is writing down the information they have gathered.
Children outside pointing at an orange peel and logging what they have found on their data sheet.
A child pointing at a carrot on the floor and another child logging the carrot on their data sheet.
Two children gathered around a guided reading text reading information about plastics.
Year 5 – English
What a magical way to launch our new English text!
To kick off Kaspar, Prince of Cats, Year 5 transformed the classroom into The Savoy Hotel, immersing themselves straight into the world of the story. The children enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea and were treated like royalty, just as guests of the Savoy would have been.
So far, we’ve loved getting to know the key characters: Johnny Trott, the resourceful bell-boy and narrator; Kaspar, the elegant and dignified cat; Lizzebeth, the spirited American heiress; and Mrs Blaise, the strict and formidable housekeeper.
We’re thoroughly enjoying the story and are excited to discover how it links to the Titanic, along with the thrilling adventures that await Kaspar and Johnny next.
Children enjoying their afternoon tea sandwiches.
Children enjoying their afternoon tea.
Children enjoying their afternoon tea sandwiches.
Children enjoying their afternoon tea cakes.
Children enjoying their afternoon tea treat.
Children checking into The Savoy Hotel.
Year 6
This week, Year 6 have been investigating how different activities affect their heart rate. The children took part in a range of exercises—such as fast walking, jogging on the spot, star jumps, and high knees—then measured their pulse to observe the changes. We also explored the reasons why heart rate changes with physical activity.
Measuring pulse before and after physical activity and recovery
Measuring pulse before and after physical activity and recovery
Measuring pulse before and after physical activity and recovery
Physical activity – star jumps, high knees, jogging on the spot and fast walking
Physical activity – star jumps, high knees, jogging on the spot and fast walking
