Furze Platt Juniors 2024-25 Newsletter
Newsletter 8: Friday 4th April
Newsletter 8: Friday 4th April
Another term has flown by and we have arrived at the spring holidays already! We have enjoyed so many enrichment opportunities in the last few weeks- the Red Nose Day talent show was fanatastic (see below!) and what a great way to develop children's self confidence by taking to the stage and performing in front of the whole school! I had the privilege of accompanying our school council, along with the winners of the competition, on an incredible trip to Parliament this week. It was a fantastic experience, and I truly hope it has sparked curiosity and ambition in our children. Seeing democracy in action firsthand can be so powerful—showing them that their voices matter and that they have the potential to make a real difference in the world!
Many thanks to all the parents who have already completed our annual parental survey- this is still open if you haven't time to complete so far! The survey really does give us a flavour of how we are doing and any suggestions on how we can be even better. Thank you for all the lovely comments regarding our hard-working and caring staff- we will ensure they do see these- it really does make a difference! You can access the survey here. This will close at the end of the holidays.
We hope that all our families have a wonderful spring break- enjoy the sunshine and the opportunities to get outside and enjoy all the things that spring has to offer!
Anna Clark
Head of School
Tues 22nd April- Start of term 5
Weds 23rd-Fri 2nd May- Mini Marathon challenge in PE lessons
Fri 25th April- Skipping workshops for Y3/4
Fri 25th April- Y4 Swimming starts (weekly)
Mon 5th May- Bank Holiday Monday
Weds 7th May- Y4 trip to Hampton Court Palace
Fri 9th May- Y3 Brazillian dance workshops
W/B 12th May- Y6 SATS
Thurs 15th May- FPSA School discos
Tues 20th May- Y5 Maya workshops
Thurs 22nd May- Hexagon Choir area rehearsal @ Courthouse 9.30-11.30am
Weds 21st May- Class photos
Fri 23rd May- End of term 5
FPJS Visit the Houses of Parliament!
Our trip to the Houses of Parliament was an unforgettable experience! Before we even stepped inside, we were treated to the sound of Big Ben chiming at 10:00—a perfect way to start our visit! From the moment we arrived, we felt like VIPs. We had to go through airport-style security before being given special lanyards and headsets so our guide could talk to us without other groups hearing.
We toured the magnificent Palace of Westminster—did you know it’s called a palace because it was once home to the king? The last monarch to live there was King Henry VIII! In his bedroom, we saw portraits of his wives, but because he had so many, they had to be painted on two walls—there wasn’t enough space on just one! The building is filled with history, and we were amazed to learn that there are over 10,000 paintings and artworks inside. One of the most interesting was a statue of Viscount Falkland with a missing spur—damaged when a suffragette chained herself to it in protest! Another favourite was a stained-glass window that changed colour depending on how full the River Thames was outside.
One of the most breathtaking sights was the golden throne in the House of Lords, where the king sits during the State Opening of Parliament. We learned that although the king opens Parliament, he only visits once a year and is not allowed into the House of Commons. Instead, a golden mace represents him when Parliament is working. The House of Lords chamber was stunning, with its red leather benches and grand throne—but only baronesses and lords are allowed to sit on the benches, so we had to stay standing!
We also watched a debate in the House of Commons, which was amazing. Seeing real politicians discuss laws made us appreciate how important Parliament is. The amount of paperwork MPs have to read each day was shocking—there was so much of it! We also discovered that out of the 70 million people in the UK, fewer than 1% have ever visited Parliament, so we felt very lucky.
We also visited Westminster Hall, which is over 900 years old and where Queen Elizabeth II lay in state. The ornate ceilings and wood carvings throughout the building were incredible, but one of our favourites was in the King’s Robing Room. The ceiling was decorated in green (representing the House of Commons), red (for the House of Lords), and gold (for the king). It was absolutely stunning!
To finish our visit, we took part in a fun workshop, playing games that helped us learn even more about parliamentary history. It was an amazing day, and we would love to share more pictures—but unfortunately, photography inside Parliament is not allowed!
Mrs Sweatman
Thank you so much parents who donated to our Red Nose Day just giving page- we raised an incredible £1050 which, as promised, means we can share our staff items from the talent show! You can see the staff performances here (if you really want to...!)
Our talent show was absolutely fantastic- the acts were all very prepared and confident- we saw singers, gymnasts, pianists, dancers and comedy routines- with every performer gaining 20 house points for taking part. The finalists of the show were:
1st: Kayna K (Y4): Singing "Defying gravity" unaccompanied and giving us all goose bumps!
2nd: Vaani & Cleo (Y5): Fantastic gymnastics routine to "Defying gravity" with a flying ending!
3rd: Aidan C (Y3): Very confident and expressive piano performance!
4th: Megan & Millie (Y6) Gymnastic routine showcasing a high level of skill
Kite, Eagle and Kestrel Classes did so well to present their class assemblies with great confidence and enthusiasm. They took us through a journey of the year 5 curriculum so far whilst being stranded on a deserted island, just like Michael in Kensuki's Kingdom - the book we have been studying this term. Well done Year 5's for learning your lines so well and delivering them brilliantly, bringing the script to life.
Miss Scott & Mrs Slyfield
Year 3 Scientists for the Day!
Last week, Year 3 had an exciting visit from scientists at Bayer, who came to help us carry out some important research. To get into the role of real scientists, we had to put on lab coats and safety glasses before beginning our investigations!
Our first experiment was all about soil. We were testing how acidic or alkaline different types of soil are. We had three dishes of soil, and we carefully added water before using special litmus paper strips to check the pH levels. This is important because different plants grow best in different types of soil—raspberries prefer acidic soil, while cabbages thrive in more alkaline conditions.
Next, we explored how plants transport water using a fun and colourful experiment with Skittles. We placed the sweets in water and watched in amazement as the colours spread and created beautiful patterns. This helped us understand how water moves through plants, just like nutrients travel through roots and stems.
It was a fantastic day of hands-on science, and we all enjoyed being real scientists for the day! A huge thank you to Bayer for visiting us and making learning so much fun.
Mrs Sweatman
Year 4 had an incredible Virtual Reality experience exploring the rainforest. They were transported to the Amazon, where they got up close to some of the amazing creatures that live there. The jaguar was a definite favourite among the students!
Mrs Batchelor
Year 5 also had an amazing Virtual Reality experience and were so lucky to get to see erupting volcanoes up close! This session really brought our Geography learning to life. Students impressed the visitor with their knowledge so far and learned some new facts too. The volcanic eruptions were so exciting to watch but pupils were glad it was just virtual reality and that they were not really so close to the overflowing rivers of lava...
Miss Scott
This week, to celebrate Easter and to consolidate our RE unit on Christianity we visited our local church St Peter's. The children explored the meaning of Easter through watching and listening to the story of Jesus' resurrection. They took part in a quiz that looked at the Easter symbols. There was a competitive battle in the style of the 'pointless' game show which explored the new testament in the Bible.
The day even included an Easter Egg hunt! It was a very fun and informative day and was a lovely way to end our Easter term.
Miss Morales
Thank you once again to Mrs Sweeting for her fantastic pillars of well-being mural that she has created with help from some of our brilliant artists! You can see the final striking design as you enter the school from the hall- the final touches will be added after the holidays! This was created as a visual reminder to all of our school community how important the 5 pillars of well-being are to us all. Don't forget we have some brilliant ideas for things you can do outside of school during the holidays to support your children with their mental well-being. You can find all of the ideas here.
This term, we have been exploring the BBC’s Same but Different series, which presents shortdocumentary portraits of primary school children with different disabilities, learning differences, and medical conditions. These films aim to foster inclusion and understanding. We have learned about children living with visual impairments, asthma, cerebral palsy, and diabetes. Additionally, we have been comparing the similarities and differences between Eid and Easter.
We also took part in assemblies about the patron saint days of St. David and St. Patrick.
Mrs Endacott
Well done to our superstars below who are the fastest in their year currently
Well done to the following children for the most progress this term.
Well done the following children who have made the most progress this term.
Well done the following children who have devoted the most time to practising their bedrock learning skills this term.
On Thursday 20th March, eight Year 6 pupils represented Furze Platt Junior School at Desborough College, taking part in a Mini Basketball event. The aim of the day was to help children develop their basketball skills through a series of fun and engaging stations.
There were 10 different stations set up, each focusing on a specific basketball drill such as shooting, passing, and dribbling. After completing the stations, the children then participated in a series of mini 5v5 games against other schools.
Throughout the event, Desborough College asked each school to select one pupil who really demonstrated their school values to receive the "Most Valuable Player" medal. We are incredibly proud to say that Martin was chosen for this award, as he consistently displayed both Desborough’s and our own school’s values throughout the day.
Well done to all the children who took part – you represented Furze Platt Junior School brilliantly!
Miss Gill
P.E. this term has been fantastic, with all the children making great progress in their skills!
Year 3 have completed 12 weeks of dance, showing creativity and growing confidence in their routines. They also wrapped up their Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA), finishing with an exciting orienteering lesson. Using maps, they navigated around the school grounds to locate hidden targets, developing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Year 4 also completed 12 weeks of dance, demonstrating rhythm, coordination, and enthusiasm in every session. Alongside dance, they finished their fitness, where they worked on improving stamina, strength, and overall physical wellbeing through a variety of fun and active challenges.
Year 5 have completed 12 weeks of gymnastics, showing fantastic control, balance, and creativity in their sequences. They also wrapped up their basketball lessons, developing their passing, shooting, and teamwork through drills and mini games.
Year 6 also finished 12 weeks of gymnastics, refining their skills in balance, strength, and flexibility. In addition, they completed their football, building on their dribbling, passing, and tactical awareness through both skill-based sessions and match play.
As we move into Summer Term 1, all year groups — Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 — will be focusing on athletics and cricket in their P.E. lessons. These activities will not only help develop key skills like running, throwing, catching, and striking, but will also serve as great preparation for Sports Day later in the term. Pupils will start practicing the events they may take part in, building confidence and technique ahead of the big day!
We’re excited to be taking part in the Mini London Marathon 2025 in Schools!
This nationwide event encourages children to get active by running, jogging, walking, over a period of time — promoting both physical health and the joy of movement. At Furze Platt Junior School, all year groups will have the chance to join in, working towards completing the marathon distance in manageable chunks during their P.E. lessons or active breaks.
It's a fantastic opportunity for pupils to build stamina, resilience, and a sense of achievement, all while being part of a national celebration of fitness and fun. Every child who takes part will receive a certificate, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way!
this event will be happening between Tuesday 22nd April- Friday 2nd May.
Let’s get moving, Furze Platt!
FPJS Football Teams Shine with Brilliant Performances!
What an incredible season it has been for all our football teams at FPJS! The A Team, B Team, and Girls’ Team have displayed exceptional skill, dedication, and sportsmanship, making us all incredibly proud. The sheer number of fixtures we've played recently has been amazing, and each match has been an opportunity for our players to show their passion and talent.
The A Team have been unstoppable, showcasing brilliant teamwork and tactical play. With fantastic victories, including an impressive 8-0 win against Cookham Rise, they’ve really proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their commitment to playing well as a team has been outstanding, and their efforts are a true testament to their hard work.
The B Team have also demonstrated great determination, especially in their 6-0 victory over Holy Trinity. Even in challenging matches, they’ve shown resilience and a fantastic team spirit that has helped them secure some impressive wins. Their dedication to improving has been clear in every game, and they’ve continued to support each other throughout the season.
The Girls’ Team truly deserves special mention this season. Not only have they shown brilliant footballing skill, but their determination and patience on the pitch have been exemplary. Despite facing some tough opponents, they’ve never given up and always pushed themselves to improve. Their 3-0 victory over Waltham St Lawrence was a well-deserved highlight, and their 3-2 win against Holyport showed their incredible perseverance and teamwork. The support for the girls' team has been outstanding, with every player showing real commitment to each other and their supporters, making it clear that their strength lies in their unity and determination.
We are incredibly proud of all our football teams. The support from teammates, coaches, and families has been fantastic, and we couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere of encouragement and teamwork this season. The way everyone has rallied behind each other, both in victory and defeat, has been brilliant to witness.
Team Results:
Team
Opponent
Result
A Team Braywick 3-1
A Team Lowbrook 1-0
A Team All Saints 1-0
A Team Cookham Rise 8-0
B Team Cookham Rise 2-1
B Team All Saints 0-1
B Team Waltham St Lawrence 1-0
B Team Holy Trinity 6-0
Girls' Team Waltham St Lawrence 3-0
Girls' Team All Saints 0-1
Girls' Team Holyport 3-2
Let’s continue to support one another, celebrate every success, and keep growing together as a team. The future is looking bright for FPJS football!
What a truly wonderful term we have had in Year 3. The children have been lucky enough to have taken part in talent shows, rock star days, World Book Day and even being scientists and enjoying a magnificent workshop!
In English the children have been working hard on persuasive writing with the end goal being to persuade people to look after the environment being aware of plastic pollution and the devestating effect this has on our oceans and animals.
In maths, the children have been looking at fractions on a numberline, fractions on a scale and comparing fractions with the same denominator. The children have also been practisicng their arithmetic skills.
In science our topic is Animals including Humans. The children have looked at our muscles and joints and how these all work. The children created their own arms using card, rubber bands and split pins to show how this works.
In geography our topic is 'North America' and the children have been creating videos, singing songs and even had a live link to children in New York! This was a truly special event and the children were all fantastic.
In RE we have looked at the Easter story and discussed miracles and how this works.
The children were also introduced to our newest members of the school our resident goats Lily and Poppy. This has been very exciting for the children and they have all wanted to help look after them.
We are really looking forward to the summer term and hope you all have a wonderful Easter break.
Mrs Barry- Y3 Team Leader
Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks!:
What does the split pin represent in our model arms?
What does the denominator represent in a fraction?
What are the features of a persuasive poster?
Earth shattering events - Robin Jacobs
Hunt for the golden scarab - MG Leonard
The magic finger - Roald Dahl
What an exciting half-term it has been for Year 4! From exploring the rainforest in our Virtual Reality session to interviewing Willy Wonka in our English lessons, the children have continued to amaze us with their resilience and effort across the curriculum.
In English, the children have completed biographies all about Willy Wonka. They have practised writing in a formal tone and developed their understanding of using time adverbials for cohesion.
During our maths lessons, we have been multiplying and dividing decimal numbers by 10, 100, and 1,000.
In science, the children have been classifying animals based on whether they are warm-blooded or cold-blooded. They have also researched how changes to an environment can endanger living things and applied this knowledge to our geography lessons about deforestation.
In DT, the children have designed and created badges to encourage people to 'Save the Rainforest.
We are really looking forward to the summer term and all the exciting trips ahead. Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break!
Mrs Batchelor - Year 4 Team Leader
Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learned over the last few weeks:
What is a pronoun? Can you give an example of one?
When multiplying a number by 10, 100 or 1,000, do the digits move up (left) or down (right) the place value chart?
How does deforestation affect or planet?
By Janina Ramirez
By Serena Patel
By Gareth P. Jones
Wow - what a fantastic term in Year 5!
In English, we have completed a detailed and informative case study about an earthquake.
We finished reading the book 'Kensuke's Kingdom' which we have been really enjoying!
In Maths, we have continued to learn about decimals and also explored percentages. We have been looking at graphs and reading and interpreting information from a table.
For Science, we continued to explore changing materials – including burning and chemical reactions.
In Geography we really enjoyed learning all about earthquakes and volcanoes. We particularly enjoyed creating our model volcanoes which even erupted and created a lava flow!
For RE, we have been discussing whether God intended for Jesus to die on Good Friday.
In French we have been learning how to answer the question 'quel temps fait-il?' (what is the weather?)- including creating our own French weather forecast.
For Computing we continued with our learning about selection in quizzes. The children created their own quiz- using if, then and else statements.
We are really looking forward to the summer term and hope you all have a wonderful Easter break.
Miss Scott & Mrs Slyfield, Y5 Team Leaders
Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks:
Why do you think Kensuke decided to stay on the island?
Can you describe some of the effects caused by an earthquake?
How do you say - it is sunny - in French?
Spring term has flown by! Year 6 have been working really hard over the last few weeks across all subjects and we are really proud of their work ethic they have been showing.
In maths, we have completed our geometry and statistics unit. We have been revisiting core arithmetic methods and we have been doing a lot of paired work on reasoning questions.
In English, Year 6 have enjoyed creating their own luxury hotels. They have been using persuasive language to create brochures and showcase their resorts.
In music, they have been learning 'disco' songs including 'You to me are everything' by The Real Thing.
In Art, they have created a self portrait inspired by Frida Kahlo and Andy Goldsworthy. They have particularly been looking at proportions and composition to create their final pieces.
We are hoping the children have a fun and restful break ready to come back and do their best in their upcoming SATs tests.
Miss Morales, Y6 Team Leader
Ask your child the following questions to see what they have learnt over the last few weeks!:
Give me an exampel of: a determiner, modal verb and preposition.
What choices did you make for your art composition?
What techniques would a writer use in a persuasive writing?
Year 6 have been working hard in Art on a project inspired by a combination of two artists. These artists have different styles but both are greatly inspired by nature. Andy Goldsworthy is known for creating sculptures using natural materials in the landscape and Frida Kahlo is known for her iconic and vibrant self-portraits. Pupils have thoroughly enjoyed this topic and we can't wait to see the final pieces- a self-portrait inspired by Kahlo and a natural background inspired by Goldsworthy. Here is some of the work they have produced, building up towards creating their final piece.
Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming Maidenhead MP Joshua Reynolds to our school, and we certainly made the most of his visit!
Joshua started his visit with a private meeting with the School Eco Council, where he answered our questions and shared some exciting news. We learned about a government scheme that could help schools get funding to install solar panels — Mr. Dearnaley, we will definitely be coming to see you about this one! He also let us in on a secret about upcoming improvements to Oaken Grove Park, which we can’t wait to see.
We had a serious discussion about single-use plastics, and Joshua agreed that the government isn’t doing enough to tackle the problem. He also loved our idea that school kitchens should get funding to buy food from local farms instead of big suppliers and promised to look into it when he got back to the Houses of Parliament.
One of the most interesting questions was about fast food litter. Should businesses be made responsible for the waste their products create? Joshua suggested that drive-through restaurants could print car registration numbers on takeaway bags so that if the bag was dumped as litter, it could be traced back to the car it came from. This sparked a lively debate within the Eco Council, and Joshua helped us run it just like a real parliamentary debate!
We divided the room in two, with one side arguing in favour of the idea and the other against it—just like MPs in the Houses of Parliament. Whenever someone made a strong point that we agreed with, we had to cheer to show our support. The discussion was passionate, with great arguments on both sides. Some of us thought the idea would make people think twice before littering, while others worried about privacy and how people would be punished.
When all the arguments had been made, it was time to vote—government-style! Instead of raising our hands, we had to walk to the side of the room that represented our decision, just like MPs do when they vote in Parliament. In the end, the majority of us agreed that Joshua’s idea was a great one. Maybe we’ve inspired him to take it back to the real government!
Later, he spoke to the whole school, answering lots more of our questions—though he dodged one about whether school days should be shorter! It was fantastic to share our ideas and feel like our voices were truly heard. Thank you, Joshua, for a brilliant visit!
Quiz Night
A massive 25 teams turned up at the Juniors hall for the latest Mr T's Quiz Night. Congratulations to team "I am Smarticus " who won the quiz with 2 Junior staff teams coming 2nd and 3rd. The quiz night has raised around £2,000 profit helped by the sponsorship from Oakwood Estates who also had a team come along. Thank you to everyone who came.
2nd hand uniform sale
Thank you to Julia for organising the latest 2nd hand uniform sale last week, a very busy morning outside our uniform shed.
Inter-PTA Netball tournament
Last Saturday at Braywick Leisure Centre, a team of Netball mums led by Mindy joined in the latest inter-PTA tournament. The team, called "Furze Platt Infant & Junior Schools" had lots of fun.
AGM
Our annual AGM was held on Wednesday evening and we said goodbye and thank you to Dave Wiltshire for all his hard work and enthusiasm. We had inspiring updates from both Mrs Indge and Mrs Clark with plenty of enthusiasm for some of the planned spend. More details from the AGM will be shared in the next newsletter.
Bingo Night - Friday 9th May (8pm-11pm)
Eyes down for a full house! Come and support our brand new Bingo Night event at the Juniors hall. Hosted by an external company with a professional host , there'll be plenty of traditional games of bingo along with some music bingo games too. Doors open at 7pm, bingo starts at 8pm. Tickets available at www.pta-events.co.uk/fpsa
Summer Fair - Saturday 28th June
The summer fair is back! Lots of fun for all the family. Please save the date for our biggest event of the year.
Davies Caravans for hire/rent
Davies Caravans are a local, family run business who have 3 modern caravans available to rent. One is based on the Isle of Wight on Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park and has use of a private beach. The other two are based in Dorset, on Oakdene Forest Park.
If you choose to book with them, they will give the FPSA £10 for each weekend break and £20 for longer breaks. Please see the following Facebook link: www.facebook.com/daviescaravans
Personalised name label stickers
We have an updated discount code for buying school uniform labels and labels for water bottles etc. from the 'Easy2Name' company. Simply order from the following site: https://www.easy2name.com/stickeasy, quote code 'FR-FPIS-72' and not only will you will get free delivery, the FPSA will receive 20% of the order value. These labels will help the schools return mislaid uniform and will help cut down on the lost property.
Windsor & Maidenhead Community Lottery
This is a weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in the Royal Borough including the FPSA. Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 and from that 60p goes to good causes including 50p to the FPSA. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week with a top prize of £25,000!
So please sign up and buy a weekly ticket or two using the following link: https://www.windsorandmaidenheadcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/furze-platt-schools-association
Smartphone free schools is part of a growing national conversation. From a full day dedicated to online safety on the UK’s biggest talk radio station, LBC, to the Second Reading of the Safer Phones Bill , this is clearly an issue that is not going away.
However, legislation is not going to come fast enough to protect our children, so it’s clear we have to act at a local level now. As a school within this Local Authority, we want to help shift societal norms. The growth of the national Smartphone Free Childhood movement has shown us that parents – and many young people themselves – want schools to help them minimise the impact of smartphones in their lives.
FPPF is working with The Alwyn and Courthouse Federation to provide training for our children, our staff and our families to help move our school communities towards being Smartphone free.
The leadership of our two federations will be attending RBWM training in May 2025 and we will then be organising our local community training and launch for early Autumn 2025. More information will follow but, for now, we have created a mobile phone page on our website with further information and an updated mobile phone policy.
You can find out more here.
If you want to sign up to the pledge for a smartphone-free childhood visit https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/
If you your child does already have a smartphone, please do ensure you regularly check your child's usage. We have been made aware of a number of instances where children are being unkind to each other through apps such as Whatsapp and Snapchat outside of school- which can cause issues within the classroom too. We have also reminded our older children that they are not allowed to take photos or videos of other children without their consent- please support us by reminding your children of this.