Furze Platt Junior School

As we begin the Spring holidays, I would like to say thank you to parents and carers for all your support this term! It has not been the easiest of terms for many reasons- strike days, some staffing changes (see below) and lots of mud to contend with due to the mostly miserable weather conditions! However, we are incredibly lucky to have such supportive parents and such a fantastic FPSA who provide us with so much additional funding which help us provide lots of extras for our children, such as wonderful new books, outdoor equipment and experiences. At the recent FPSA meeting, I outlined all of our "wishes" for FPSA funding next year- you can see these on the photo below. I am sure you will agree how lucky we are as a school to be able to provide such brilliant additions for your children.

Thank you to all the parents who took the time to respond to our recent survey which was overwhelmingly positive in all areas, including:

Over 95% of parents agree or strongly agree that our school has a positive, respectful culture where their child is well cared for
Over 95% of parents would recommend or strongly recommend the school to other parents.

We also had some wonderful positive comments which mean so much to all the hard-working staff. Here are just a few:

"Calm respectful environment,innovative, amazing teachers"

"Furze Platt Juniors has a lovely, welcoming atmosphere and my child is happy and excited to come to school everyday!"

" I can see they care for each pupil and assist when needed"

"Its strong values and growth mindset style of encouraging the children to learn life skills, take responsibility and gain independence."

"Strong community and sense of fun around learning"

"It is inclusive, and it focuses on the individual child"

"Diversity in curriculum and online learning, dedicated staff and collaborative approach."

We would also like to reach out to anyone who feels we aren't doing the best job we can- please do get in touch if you do have any issues as we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these.

We wish all our families a wonderful spring break! If you are celebrating Easter, Eid or Vaisakhi over the holidays- enjoy!

Anna Clark

Head of School

Dates for your diary- summer term

Fri 31st March- Term 4 ends
Easter Holidays 3rd-14th April
Mon 17th April- Term 5 begins
Tues 18th April- Kestrel Class Assembly 9.15am (info sent on 22/3)
Weds 19th April- Kite Class Assembly 9.15am (info sent on 22/3)
Thurs 20th April- Eagle Class Assembly 9.15am (info sent on 22/3)
Fri 28th April- Y5 Swimming sessions begin (info sent 23/3) weekly sessions run until 14th July
Mon 1st May- Bank Holiday Monday- school closed
Weds 3rd May- Kingfisher Class Assembly 9.15am (more info follow)
Thurs 4th May- Swift Class Assembly 9.15am (more info to follow)
Fri 5th May- Skylark Class Assembly 9.15am (more info to follow)
Mon 8th May- Bank Holiday for Coronation- school closed
Tues 9th May- Fri 12th May SATS for Y6
Tues 9th May- 5pm Y6 parent meeting regarding Relationships and Sex Education Lessons (more info to follow)
Weds 17th May- Class and Y6 Leavers' photos
Thurs/Fri 18th-19th May- Immersive experiences- Planetarium- for whole school
Fri 19th May- FPSA School Discos Y3/4 4.00-5.00/ Y5/6 5.15-6.30pm
Mon 29th May- Fri 2nd June: Half Term
Mon 5th June- Term 6 begins
Sat 17th June- FPSA Summer Fair
Tues 20th June- Author visit- Mitch Johnson
Weds 21st June- Y2 parents welcome meeting
Fri 23rd June- Sports Day (morning)
Fri 30th June- Reserve Sports Day
Weds 5th July- Parents "Book Look" session 3.30-5.00pm
W/B 10th July- Y6 Play performances this week- more detail to follow (evening performances Weds and Thurs)
Tues 11th July- Leavers' party day/evening- TBC
Weds 12th July- Transition afternoon to new classes (Y3-5)
Weds 19th July- Y6 Leavers' assembly and final day of the term- School finishes at 1.30pm

Staff Update

As we approach the end of this term, we sadly wave goodbye to a number of staff who are moving on to pastures new.

Mr Bowen, Y3 class teacher will be stepping down from his teaching role due to family commitments. I know this has not been an easy decision for Mr Bowen and he will no doubt be missed by the children. As you can appreciate, it is not always easy for a school to immediately replace a teacher leaving mid-year. Fortunately, Mrs Slyfield (who was previously Y3 team leader) will shortly be returning from her maternity leave and will be taking over the class alongside Mr Clark who has been working in Y3 and already knows the children well. Mrs Slyfield will be returning a few weeks into the summer term. In the interim period, we are fortunate to have Mrs Bryant who already regularly covers and supports Robin class who will be the point of contact for parents. We hope you will wish Mr Bowen well for his future and we would like to thank him for all his hard work with Robin Class.

Miss Last, a Y4 TA will also be leaving us at the end of this term for a new role at a local secondary school working with families. Miss Last has worked at FPJS for 3 years across all the year groups and has been an excellent teaching assistant- both with supporting the children academically and pastorally. We know that she will be an absolute asset to any other school and we wish her well with her new challenge!

Finally, Miss Foudi, a Y3 TA has gained a different type of role and will be starting a business apprenticeship in Maidenhead in April. We wish her well with this new challenge.

Y6 Easter Cracked

On Thursday the 23rd of March, Year 6 were invited to our local church (St Peter's) for a morning of unravelling the Easter story which links with our unit of Christianity in RE. When we arrived, we took part in a mini quiz that recapped all of the Easter symbols and their meanings. We then had an activity where we had to read and sequence the Easter story. After, we had a traditional 'chocolate hunt' which revealed the witnesses that were around during the time of Jesus' death and resurrection.

We were very grateful for the chocolate eggs the church gave us to celebrate our Easter holiday.

Maidenhead's Big Read- winners!

As we mentioned previously, we were thrilled to be the winners of the most children attending the Maidenhead's Big Read Event in March. We have won the brilliant prize of the Immersive Experience Planetarium (worth £700!) which will be in our school on May 18th/19th. As we are such as large school, the FPSA have agreed to fund a second day to ensure that all the children can enjoy the experience! Thank you to Mrs Barry and the Y3 children (pictured) for attending the prize giving ceremony last weekend.

Miss Morales

Y4 Living Rainforest

On Wednesday 29th March, Year 4 visited the Living Rainforest in Newbury. The children have been learning about rainforests in geography as well as animal adaptations in science, so this trip allowed the children to see first hand how rainforest plants and animals are adapted to their incredible surroundings.

Many of the animals, including a bearded dragon, birds and a sloth, roam around the living rainforest freely - it was wonderful to see!
The children learnt so much, including how a tarantula is adapted to 'shoot' its hair towards a predator and this can even cause temporary blindness! They really enjoyed their guided tour around the site and the tour guides were so impressed with their knowledge of the rainforest.

Year 4 showed impeccable behaviour and manners and represented FPJS brilliantly. I am so proud of them all!

Mrs Barbosa

Quick Links

Curriculum

Lunch Menu

Term Dates 22-23

Term Dates 23-24

Well-being

Calendar

Website including housepoints update

Stars Of The Week

Star of the week Newsletter 12 31st March

Well done to all our stars this week!

Our stars are chosen from following the values of the school: Passion, Well-being and respect.

We also chose children who have made exceptional effort in their work or attitude to learning.

Well Done To...

Well done to Skye in Wren!

Skye went to crufts and achieved 1st place in the 'Good Citizen' category with her dog Polly.

Well done to Lexi in Wren who won 1st place for gymnastics in the bars category. Fantastic effort!

Well done to Katie in Skylark and her little sister Abi (Y1) for noticing lots of litter on their walk around Oaken Grove and deciding to do something about it! They both collected an entire bag of rubbish just in a small area around FPJS. Thank you girls for making a difference to our local community- you are both stars!

TT Rock stars Update & Spelling Shed Top 10

Well done to the following children who are in our top 10 for attainment OR top ten for progress in their TT rock stars...

Well done to our current Spelling shed and maths shed pupils who top the charts with their scores!

Cracking times tables awards

Well done to the following children for completing their times tables to level 10! Fantastic achievement!

Eco COUNCIL update

As you know from the last newsletter, the Great British Spring Clean is underway and end on the 2nd April. The Eco Councillors have been busy litter picking the school grounds in their break/lunch times this week, rain or shine. They truly are #LitterHeroes!

The children have given me a comprehensive report of their litter findings and we are so glad we have got rid of the some plastic that seemed to be lying around.

I wanted to say a particular well done to Katie in Skylark and her little sister Abi (Y1) for litter picking in our local community. Thank you for going the extra mile!

When we all join forces and take the same action at the same time, the difference we can make is huge. That's a difference to our planet, to the wildlife we share it with, to our communities, and to our own health and wellbeing.

Miss Edwards

Year Group Updates

Year 3 News

We have had a very busy, but very productive term with the children working harder than ever.

In English, the children have been researching earthquakes and creating their own fact file based on this. The children have focused on sub-headings and key vocabulary as well as using the ipads to show-case their work.

In maths, we have been looking at capacity and volume as well as mass. The children have been weighing a variety of objects and converting between grams and kilograms. We also created our own potions using millilitres and litres as well as adding and subtracting measurements.

In geography ,the children have been looking at the physical features of Maidenhead and New York and making comparisons.

In French, we have concluded our animals topic by learning to say 'I am' in French alongside the 10 animals they have been learning all term.

We hope you all have a lovely Easter break and will see you all very soon.

Mrs Barry- Y3 Team Leader

Year 3- What are we learning?

Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks!:

What are capacity and volume?

What facts can you remember about earthquakes?

What physical features are in New York?

Our current reads we are enjoying in Y3...

the Boy At the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf

Earth shattering Earthquakes by Anita Ganeri

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl

Year 4 News

Our second term has come to an end in year 4. All of our children have worked so hard and produced some incredible work during the Spring term.

Over the last couple of weeks, children have written a wonderful explanation of how to build a 'perfect rainforest'. This linked both our geography and English topics and this encouraged the children to use their knowledge from across the curriculum to create some excellent pieces of writing.

In maths, the children have continued learning about decimals. They are now confidently rounding decimals to the nearest whole number and are adding and subtracting decimals, too.

This term culminated in a fantastic trip to the Living Rainforest in Newbury as part of our geography topic. In DT, the children brought together all their learning around sugar free alternatives and a healthy diet to bake carrot and oat muffins. It has been an exciting end to an exciting term!

Enjoy a well deserved Easter break, year 4!

Mrs Barbosa Y4 Team Leader

Year 4- What are we learning?

Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks:

What can you tell me about tenths as fractions and decimals?

How do you use a possessive apostrophe?

Explain the different layers of the rainforest.

Our current reads we are enjoying in Y4...

Below are some of the books that Year 4 have been enjoying, as part of their book talk lessons and for pleasure!

The Wild Robot - Peter Brown

The Undefeated - Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson

Overheard in a Tower Block - Joseph Coelho

Year 5 News

We can barely believe that the spring term has come to an end! We are very impressed with how much work the children have produced too. In the last two weeks, their resilience has really been put to the test through their DT work, completing assessments and learning their lines for the upcoming play. A huge well done to all!

In maths, we have finished the unit on decimals and have been revising fractions, percentages and decimals this week through problem solving games and activities. They can now confidently convert fractions, decimals and percentages.

In DT, the children have been concentrating on finishing their sock animals (pictured). Don't they look great? Sewing either an octopus with 8 legs or a hippo where the head and body needed to be attached was quite a challenge for some of the children. We are so glad they all managed to succeed, even if their sock animals were missing a limb! :-)

To all our families, we hope you have a wonderful & restful break. We shall see the children back in school on Monday 17th April.

Miss Edwards, Y5 Team Leader

Year 5 - What are we learning?

Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks:

Explain how you made your sock animal.
What is 0.25 as a fraction and a percentage?
Summarise Shakespeare's story A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Our current reads we are enjoying in Y5...

Asha & The Spirit Bird - Jasrinder Bilan

Rhythm and Poetry - Karl Nova

Factopia - Kate Hale

Year 6 News

Year 6 have had a fantastic end to the spring term. All the children have been working incredibly hard and have produced some awesome pieces of work.

In English, we have started a new unit on descriptive writing based on an eerie story of a girl who comes across an unusual shop. We have been using our writing toolkit to build tension and atmosphere within our writing.

In science, we have been exploring how different exercises impact our heart rate compared to when we are sitting or lying down (our resting heart rate).

In topic, we have chosen our own item and we have researched into the supply chain. It has been very interesting to find out the vast journey products go on before they reach our shops.

We have begun our design technology unit where we have been exploring how CAMS work as preparation to build our own after the Easter holidays.

We hope Year 6 have a restful and enjoyable Easter break!

Miss Morales, Y6 Team Leader

Year 6- What are we learning?

Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks:

What is a trade supply chain?
What is a follower in CAMs?
What is the difference between area and volume?

Our current reads we are enjoying in Y6..

The little matchstick Girl - Emma Carroll

The sky song- Abi Elphinstone

Finding wonders - Jeannine Atkins

Sports Update

Netball News- Pupils vs STAFF!

The annual Pupils v Teachers Netball Match

On Wednesday 29th March, the netball squad played their final game of this term against the Teachers. What a game! A very quick start from the teachers, with excellent shooting from Mr Manez, saw the staff go 3-0 up. But after half time, the netball squad scored 3 goals in quick succession, with some amazing shooting from Will C, to bring the scores level. With a few substitutions from both sides, the game continued to be extremely competitive, with a continued strong defensive display from Hannah Y and Max B. A super shot from Mr King had to be disallowed as he tried to score from outside the shooting circle. Going into the final 5 minutes, the score was even (4-4), with only a minute to go, the Teachers scored. The final score was Staff 5 - Netball Squad 4. The Netball squad have challenged the teachers to a re-match in the summer term.

Watch this space for details……

A big well done to both staff and pupils for a super, fun game and a massive thank you to all the supporters. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents at FPJS who always support their children in all their sporting endeavours.

Enjoy the Easter holidays!

Mrs Winter & Mr Manez

Football report- year 3 and 4

On Wednesday 22nd March we saw a mixed group of year 3 and 4's travel to LVS Ascot for a football tournament. The tournament had many different schools in attendance. As a school we entered 2 teams of mixed ability, FPJS1 and FPJS2. FPJS1 was placed in a group of 6 and FPJS2 was placed in a group of 5 with initially the top 3 from both groups advancing to the quarter finals, but due to timings the quarter finals had to be scrapped and the top 2 teams from both groups would advance to the semi finals. FPJS1 finished the group in 3rd place which unfortunately saw them end their journey at the group stages. FPJS2 rounded off their group in 2nd place which saw them go on to the semi final in what was seen as a local derby. FPJS2 played Courthouse in the semi final which saw them unfortunately stumble at this hurdle 3-1. Courthouse started fast with 2 goals before a late surge for the comeback from FPJS2 saw us pull a goal back and pile on the pressure, hitting the post a number of times. Just as football is, you run the risk when you are "all out attack" and FPJS2 got caught on the break late into the game to see Courthouse round off their victory. This defeat shouldn't be seen too negative as Courthouse went on to win the tournament so FPJS2 can feel proud that they gave the eventual winners a very good run for their money!

I could not fault any of these boys, they held themselves with such maturity and passion throughout the day and their behaviour was amazing. You should all feel so proud to have had the chance to represent the school at such a good event and I hope you continue to develop that love and passion for sports.

Mr Manez

Football- Year 5 and 6

Thursday 30th March both teams were playing at home with FPJS A vs FPJS B locking horns for what was set to be a very interesting match. The scene was set, a very wet and slippery pitch was ready as both FPJS teams kicked off. FPJS A took control of the game first dominating possession but struggled to find their way past Max J (a year 5!) who pulled out some magnificent saves but the pressure proved too much as FPJS A drew first blood with a well placed shot from Patryk K. That goal would see the flood gates open as FPJS A scored another 3 before the half going in at 4-0. Half time saw some tactical changes for FPJS B from Mr King and Mr Manez which saw FPJS B come flying out of the blocks pinning FPJS A back to just their half. Some good chances came the way of Archie C, Luca B and Harry W but a cat-like William C held them back. Finally FPJS B struck in the form of Archie C who found the bottom right corner with a lovely outside the boot finish. FPJS A replied in great fashion with another 3 goals before the end of the match which saw the final score read at 7-1 in favour of the A's.

What may look like a big scoreline on paper does not reflect the match in the slightest. FPJS B put up an extremely good fight to a very strong FPJS A side and both teams should be extremely pleased with their performances.

Mr Manez & Mr King

FPSA Update

Mr T's Quiz Night

Last Friday, just over 100 people joined the quiz night over at the Junior School hall with 18 teams taking part including 2 from the Infants staff and 2 from the Juniors staff. As well as 'Current Affairs' and 'General Knowledge' rounds, questions ranged from identifying TV themes, a Thomas the Tank Engine connections round and a music round which finished with a rendition of 'Blame it on the Boogie'.

The winning team was appropriately named 'And the winner is...' with 'The Summer Bay Babes' coming in second and 'Creamy pasta veg GF' in third.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event. The next quiz night will be in the autumn.

Dates for your diary.....

Junior Discos - Friday 19th May

The Junior School discos are back in May (the years 3 & 4 disco is 4-5pm and the years 5 & 6 disco is 5.15-6.30pm). Tickets go on sale at the beginning of May.

Summer Fair - Saturday 17th June (11.30am - 2.30pm)

Please keep this date free for our biggest fundraising event of the year.

Useful Information For Parents

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

IAS newsletter March 2023.pdf

YT SU23.pdf

Invitation to Residents V4.pdf

Berkshire Maestros Parent Newsletter.pdf

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