Primrose Morris
We were thrilled to receive confirmation that we have achieved the School Games Platinum Award. At John Clare Primary school we know the importance of physical activity on children’s mental wellbeing and physical health and our sport provision is a strength. This fantastic achievement means we have joined the top 5% of schools for PE provision in England. The Platinum Award is the highest level achievable and recognises quality PE provision, inclusion, competitions and promotion of the school games values and club links.
Our Cross Country team took part in the Barnack Fun Run, in early October, with our boys team coming second and the girls coming first, with an overall first place award for John Clare. We are very proud of their team effort and support they showed each other; this was also evident when Year 6 attended a Basketball afternoon at AMVC and had a great time learning new skills.
This term, in Buttercross Class, we have been making new friends as we welcome our new reception children into John Clare, and thinking about how we can be kind and considerate to others and respect each other’s feelings, exploring similarities and differences and painting self portraits. We are looking forward to performing our nativity before Christmas and celebrating lots of different festivals such as Diwali and bonfire night, following a fantastic performance of the Dingle Dangle Scarecrow at St Botolph’s Church to celebrate harvest. Together the children have explored signs of Autumn around the school grounds and had fun collecting conkers and leaves for autumn collages. The children have also explored leaf printing and observational drawing of the vegetables. They have enjoyed reading the story of the Colour Monster and learning all about our different emotions, making their own jars of emotions to put our feelings in!
The children in Woodgate class have been investigating a sighting of the Lonely Beast here at John Clare Primary School! He is on his travels around the world to find himself a new friend. Children will be reporting on this incident in their literacy writing to inform the rest of the school of his activities. The children are very curious about this event and are enjoying learning how to write about it too.
Year 2 and 3 visited Arthur Mellows Village College for the cricket festival. They enjoyed being lead by Year 11 sports leaders to develop their throwing, catching and running skills in lots of fun activities.
Our children in Broadwheel and Swaddywell class (Years 3-5) are studying settlements and land use as their geography learning this half term. In September, the children went for a learning walk around Helpston to visit the significant landmarks in the village which included: the Buttercross, the old Victorian school, St. Botoloph’s Church, Victory House, The Bluebell public house, John Clare Cottage, and Rice Woods (where they enjoyed having a picnic lunch!). During the learning walk, the children learnt more about each of these places of interest and enjoyed engaging with many locals who shared their knowledge of the village and its history.
Year 6 have made a great start to the year and have settled well into their learning and various roles and responsibilities throughout school. They have shown their caring and nurturing sides through their commitment in helping their reception class buddies settle; this is a John Clare tradition and we pride ourselves on the relationships and support that this offers.
With Christmas fast approaching, Year 6 are starting to think about the annual Christmas Fayre. Every year, our children are given the opportunity to raise money for charity by forming business groups, ordering resources and making products to sell, finally selling what they have made to the school community. This has been a John Clare tradition for many years and is an excellent learning experience whilst benefiting a chosen charity.
On a wet autumnal day at the end of September, our children and staff walked to St Botolph’s Church to celebrate Harvest Festival; every class took part in the service with beautiful poems, singing from our youngest children in Reception and artwork. The food, generously donated by our families, children and carers, will be taken to the Peterborough Food Bank.
On the 10th October, we all celebrated World Mental Health Awareness Day. The children came to school in yellow clothing to highlight awareness of the importance of wellbeing, looking after themselves and each other, whilst raising funds for the Young Minds Charity.
