Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

Dear Parents Another busy month has flown by! Our pupils enjoyed the recent visit from Estyn, many taking their roles of talking to the inspectors seriously and yet enjoying it too. Thank you for all your support and well-wishes during the inspection week. Our pupils are now gearing up for an exciting month where we celebrate the Eisteddfod; raise money and awareness on World Book Day and all the Juniors will entertain you with our production of Alice The Musical. I look forward to seeing you all on either 14th or 15th March. Mrs R Thompson Book Club – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

It would appear that the magic of C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe has enchanted another generation of children, 68 years after it was first published. Junior Book Club members were captivated by this classic text and revelled in the opportunity to pit their wits against each other in the inter-house Book Club quiz. Congratulations to team De la Salle 1 for an outstanding quiz winning performance, in a tightly contested competition. Our younger Book Club members were likewise thrilled to step through the famous wardrobe

into the magical realm of Narnia. They were captivated both by the story and the beautifully presented and spellbinding illustrations by Christian Birmingham. Members of Mostyn 1 were crowned High Kings and Queens of Narnia in another closely contested quiz. Mrs J Cooney and Mr R Dennis

Peer to Peer Reading A peer-to-peer reading session this term with all Junior pupils has proved a great success. The drive to improve reading levels permeates throughout the Juniors. During this session the older R11/R10 pupils listened to the younger R9/R8 pupils read, modelling the one-to-one reading process normally conducted by staff. Many of the older children became very adept teachers. One R10 pupil explained to me he had taught his younger buddy how to use the contents and index page of the book he was reading.

Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

The cross tutoring was very effective. The younger children talked about their enjoyment of reading with their R10 buddy. The older R10 buddy was reminded just how important it was to learn to read and to be able to read confidently. They also learned how to help others read e.g. making sure they looked at the words carefully, asked the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary and were encouraged to discuss and talk about the text they read in detail. Miss R Nirenberg Visiting Author – Cathy Farr R10 had an inspiring experience today when author Cathy Farr visited and led pupils through a writing workshop. Activities included using alternative words to improve sentences and extending a short simple sentence into a paragraph describing a situation in detail. Members of R10 commented afterwards that the day had been “really fun” and explained how they had learnt some words to avoid in their own writing. Interesting fact of the day came from Cathy who said that “in an 82000-word book there shouldn’t be more than 2 adverbs!” We feel sure this whole experience will certainly inspire our young writers and you never know but maybe a pupil might even follow Cathy’s example in the future and write their own book! Mrs C Clint

R8 visit the Roman Baths We were transported back into the days of the Ancient Romans when we visited The Roman Baths in Bath earlier this week. The children in R8 were fascinated by the 46 degree water bubbling up from the Springs of Aquae Sulis and the steam rising up into the cool January air. They had chance to speak to Roman people, make mosaic patterns, dress up in Togas and handle and find out about Roman artefacts. It was a very clean and leisurely Roman experience that we all enjoyed! Mrs R Giannotti

Bryn Ivor R8P visited Bryn Ivor Lodge Care Home in Castleton for the first of, hopefully, many projects there. R8 took part in an exercise class with the residents, proving enjoyable for all. Mrs R Howells

Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

R10@Bristol On Monday 29th January R10 headed to ‘We The Curious’. The children attended a workshop based on health, where we learnt about how we can make positive choices in our lives. We also had time to visit the planetarium and the exciting hands on exhibits. Well done, R10. Mrs L Taylor

Safer Internet Day To celebrate Safer Internet Day 2018, the pupils made an individual pledge to make the internet a safer place for themselves, their friends and us. Each child created a jigsaw puzzle piece that we joined together to show we all have a role in making the internet better. We all use the internet in our everyday lives so let's make sure we use it properly. Mrs R Howells Suffragette Assembly The R11 pupils led an assembly to mark the centenary of voting rights for women. They explored the idea of fairness and related this to the struggle to achieve votes for women. Emily

D. and the other R11 girls were inspired by Emily Pankhurst’s words and deeds.

Junior Achievers Lunch Mr Taylor, Assistant Head Co-curricular stood in for Mr Lloyd today, when he and Mrs Thompson hosted a buffet lunch for Junior School pupils who have achieved academic success, shown fantastic effort in their lessons or who have shone in their approach to the ethos of the school. This term Emma K, Charles S-A-N and Mandhira N from R8; Annabelle G, Aditya A and Joseph M from R9; Anchitha K, Hani M and Abigail T from R10; Krishna L, Emyr A and Emily D from R11 enjoyed conversation about school, cricket, Red Devils, hockey, horse riding, swimming, drama, Dr Who,

favourite fruit and phobias. Emma K discovered she liked chicken tikka sandwiches. Mrs R Thompson

Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

R10 Tredegar House Tredegar House reopened this week after its winter renovations. R10 pupils were treated to several new additions such as Lady Morgan’s post box as well as enjoying the house’s usual delights! They learnt all about the Morgan Family. This year, the guides gave the children an insight into the lives of the Morgan women – giving them a “her-story” as well as “history”. R10 pupils learnt a great deal and asked insightful questions. They are looking forward to learning more about this fascinating family and their lives. Ardderchog R10! Mrs L Burleton Learning Garden

Mrs Jayne Smerald, Chair of Governors, officially opened the Junior School Learning Garden on 1st February. Before cutting the ribbon, she spoke to the junior pupils about all the wonderful uses this area will have such as being an outdoor reading area, a scientific exploration site for their mini-beast topic as well as being the focal point for our Gardening Club. Each junior pupil laid a pebble which they had decorated in preparation for the opening. I would like to thank Mrs N

Denman and Mrs J Rees who have been the creative force behind this development. Mrs R Thompson

Ceramicist – Lisa Tann R8 pupils have been working with our ceramicist, Lisa Tann, this term. They have created some wonderful textured tiles which will form part of our collaborative mosaic based on a Winter theme. This will be installed on the red brick wall in the playground area.

Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

Clwb yr Urdd/ Urdd Club It has been fantastic to see so many pupils participating in fun activities this half term. These included creating Mr Urdd sugar -icing models, designing ‘Crysau rygbi’ - rugby shirts for the 6 Nations Tournament, the popular ‘Squiggle’ game and preparing bunting for the Eisteddfod. Cymaint o hwyl/ such fun!!

Quiz Club Update Pupils in R8-11 battled it out for a place on the team to represent St John's College in the regional quiz due to take place on Tuesday 13th March. As the questions became progressively harder more points were on offer as the highest scoring pupils from each year group pitted their wits against each other in front of their peers. The victorious pupils were: Hiya Ray (R11), Aryan Misra (R10), Tatsam Jha (R9) and Michael O'Flaherty (R8). Well done to all pupils who have taken part in the quizzes since September, a very well done to pupils who competed in the 'school selection quiz', and extremely well done to our successful pupils who have earned their place on the school team. Good luck in the regional quiz! Mr M Blackburn Junior Aqua Games Aqua Games Results 2018: Congratulations to: R8&9 winners DLS, R10&11 winners St David’s. Captains pictured below: Alexandra & Josh from DLS and Abigail & Lucas from St David’s. Fantastic effort from all of you, thank you, Sport Dept.

Please note…. Breakfast Club does not commence until 8am. Pupils do not need to be signed in but should be escorted to Breakfast Club, by an adult, or sibling who is Sixth Form or older. The Breakfast Club charge will apply to all pupils arriving before 8.20am.

Please remember that Form Tutors are always your first point of contact for any query. They are happy to resolve any questions you may have about your child’s learning and well-being. Thank you for your cooperation.

Newsletter

Junior School

Issue 5 February 2018

029 2077 8936 www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com @SJCCardiff

Dates for your diary: March: Fri 2nd World Book Day Fr 2nd Ceramicist with R10 Fri 2nd R10/R11 Netball Tues 6th Book Club Tues 13th Quiz Club External Heat Wed 14th Alice in Wonderland Thurs 15th Alice in Wonderland Tues 20th R9 Llancaiach Fawr Tues 20th St David’s Hall Concert Tues 20th Parents Meeting for R10

Residential Trip Wed 21st R11 Techniquest Trip

Wed 21st Parents Meeting for R11 Residential Trip Fri 23rd Sports Relief

Tues 27th End of Term April:

Mon 16th Start of Term Wed 18th Whole school photograph Thurs 19th R9 Cog Water Works Tues 24th Book Club Thurs 26th Techniquest Thurs 26th KS2 Disco (6-7.30pm)