The Good Shepherd

Welcome Back and Happy Easter!

In worship this week, we are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Easter, a day known as "Good Shepherd Sunday". Jesus tells us that the good shepherd protects his flock from the wolves, even laying down his life for them.

We have been thinking this week about the wolves in our lives: the things that worry or frighten us. The things we need protection from. We have been helping children to tune into that feeling of God's shepherding presence among us. This doesn't mean that harm won't ever befall us or that nothing will ever scare us. Rather, it means that we have the strength of faith to recognise that there is an ultimate pasture we call Heaven to which we are all called to return.

B - 4th Easter

Science Festival!

It has been a delight to see the buzz and excitement around the school today as the children and staff embraced our Science Festival - a day for us all to focus on Science and to think about the many opportunities Science offers us in our daily lives and our future careers.

We've had a day full of experiments, innovations and investigations, including shadow puppets, paper aeroplane displays and even Martian selfie sticks!

A huge thanks to the many parents who contributed to our day through the provision of videos and demonstrations. You have helped enormously to inspire our children and we are truly grateful.

Mrs Jopson, Miss Cook and Miss Moore.

The Power of Protection

In Witness Worship this week, Mrs Jopson takes the lead. She explores the many different ways we help to protect ourselves from harm and the many different people who keep us well-protected.

She introduces a remarkable woman: a scientist who works in the field of immunisation - Kathrin Jansen. Kathrin has dedicated her career to improving the lives of countless people around the globe by championing life-saving immunisations. Her pioneering work has made a real difference to the world and she is an inspiration to young scientists everywhere.

What a great way to kick off our Science Festival too!

Witness Worship - Protection

Year R's Space Science

Reception children enjoyed a space themed day of science: they loved putting on their very own moon boots and getting to explore space! They blasted off in a rocket and even watched Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon.

They learned that there is very little gravity in space so conducted their own experiment with a plate, whiteboard, pen and water. The children drew a picture on the plate and when they added water the ink floated - just like we would in space! They also made planets out of bicarbonate of soda and watched the fizz when vinegar was added. The children learned that we need to keep fit and healthy if we want to be an astronaut when we grow up, so outside they made their very own astronaut assault course!

Saving the Planet with Year 2

In Year 2 the focus was on living and growing! In the morning, the children were set the challenge of making a plant pot out of recycling which was able to grow a sunflower. There were some really interesting designs that included cardboard tubes, toothpaste boxes and milk cartons! Other activities included making a marble run, a Lego challenge and deciding whether it would be possible to grow a plant from Earth on Mars. In the afternoon, we enjoyed looking at different plants around our playground and trying to name them. This put the scientific skill of observing closely into great use!

Colourful Year 3

Wow! What a fantastic Science Day in Year 3! Today the children were amazed by the different patterns created using the sweets 'Skittles' just by adding a little water! They were also so excited to see what happened when vinegar and bicarbonate of soda were added to cola. They then tried the experiment using water and it also worked - just not as well. Some children asked what would happen with other liquids such as orange juice or milk. It was suggested that the children try it out at home and let us know the results! The third experiment involved adding food colouring to milk and using a cotton bud dipped in washing up liquid to create patterns (another experiment you may wish to try at home). The children had great fun making paper aeroplanes and observing how far they travelled. Well done Year 3 Scientists!

Celebrating with Reception

It's a time-honoured tradition at St Joseph's, we always launch ourselves back into the Summer Term with the energy, vibrancy and colour of Year R as they lead us in celebrating the resurrection. We're so sad not to be able to invite our parents in to enjoy this spectacle with us but hope that this virtual performance will at least give you something special to hold onto.

Happy Easter everyone!

Christ is Risen - Alleluia

Resurrection Celebration .mov

Light & Shadow in Year 1

Year One were exploring shadows throughout the day. They learned what a shadow is and how they can change size, shape and position. They even recorded a shadow changing throughout the different times of day. Children designed their own pictures that were projected onto the tables in class using torches.

The afternoon was spent making shadow puppets and trying to create animals from hand shadows!

Lego Science in Year 5

Year 5 undertook a number of investigations using Lego! They built boats to see if they could float in water, they designed the tallest, freestanding towers, they also used prediction skills to anticipate the shape of the shadow of their Lego models. Finally, Year 5 used accurate vocabulary to build a model (blindfolded) and compare it to the original design.

All the children had great fun and used their scientific knowledge and vocabulary to explain what was happening with their models.

Year 4 Explore

In the morning of the Science Festival, Year 4 completed a carousel of Science activities in their house teams. The activities involved teamwork, designing, questioning and exploring different science topics. Mrs Baston ran an activity where the children needed to create something that would help them see round a corner. Miss FitzGerald ran an activity where the children had to create bridges that would hold a specific object. Mrs Barrett got the children thinking about forces by making paper aeroplanes and Miss Cook also continued the forces theme by creating a marble run.

In the afternoon, the children came back to their individual classes where they started their topic on the digestive system. It got very messy when they looked at the importance of chewing and having a varied diet!