Year R have been so excited to welcome more visitors to school this term. Last week, Ms Xin Yi (Cheri’s mum) helped the children celebrate Chinese New Year. The children heard all about this year being the Year of the Pig. They enjoyed making Chinese dragons and writing Chinese numbers. The highlight of the afternoon was eating a Chinese feast of dumplings, prawn crackers, rice, noodles and spring rolls. The children were fortunate enough to be given a red envelope which contained a chocolate coin to give them good luck in the coming year. We would like to say a huge thank you to Ms Xin Yi, who kindly cooked the food for the children and treated them to such a wonderful afternoon. The children loved learning about Chinese New Year. Gong xi fa cai!

 

This week, the children were treated to a visit from Miss Saunders (Oliver’s mum) and Alex who are cabin crew and a pilot for TUI airlines. The children were fascinated as they heard about how passengers are looked after and kept safe with the help of cabin crew. Alex then told us how his boyhood dream of flying aeroplanes became reality when he trained to become a pilot. Again, the children were treated with very generous gifts from our visitors – the children were given model aeroplanes to construct and paint, some pilot hats for our role-play area and a sticker! Thank you so much Miss Saunders and Alex for coming to see us.

On Thursday 7^th February, Bloco Fogo came in to lead Year 5 in a samba drumming workshop. This fitted in perfectly with Year 5’s current theme of “Carnival”. The children were able to use lots of different types of drums and different rhythms to build up a great samba sound! There were some rhymes to help remember the different types of rhythms to use for each drum; they kept us chanting all day!

The school is open today, 1st February 2019

We recommend that children bring a spare pair of socks, a change of shoes (preferably wellies or similar) and a change of trousers (eg: tracksuit bottoms or waterproof trousers).

On Monday 28^th January, Year 2 spent a day immersed in Indian culture. Dressed in traditional colourful costumes, they sampled a range of Indian cuisine, created their own Indian crafts and goodies and were decorated in beautiful mendhi. The most amazing part of the day for so many of the children was the Bollywood dance workshops where the children learned three dances which were later performed to their families. Well done to all parents and grandparents who also took part in the show. The school hall was buzzing with an Indian festival atmosphere!

On Thursday 17^th January, all the children in the school took part in a workshop focussed on health and wellbeing. Reception, Year One and Two took part in a lively conversation about healthy foods and practised an exercise routine before trying a delicious fruit smoothie. Years Three through to Six had an afternoon of fun, competitive cooking demonstrations with teacher and children volunteers competing against each other to create delicious meals. You can find the recipes here. 

Please visit www.rootstofood.com for more details.

Well done to all the children who appeared in the Reception and Year 1 production of 'It's a Baby'. Photographs are now available to view in the gallery section of the website and one was featured in this week's Times Local newspaper. You can view the edition by visiting their website. https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tunbridge-wells-digital/read-the-times-of-tunbridge-wells-19th-december-2018

 

On Thursday 27th November our Lower School Choir took part in a wonderful Christmas Carol Concert at Southwark Cathedral. The concert was organised by, and in aid of Barnardo's. The children sang their own song as well as a selection of songs as part of a mixed school choir. They were absolutely superb and the event was enjoyed by all who attended. Photographs can be viewed in the Gallery section of the website and a video of them singing 'That's what Christmas means to me' can be viewed here... https://st-johns-cofe-primary-school-kent.primarysite.media/playlist/lower-school-choir-performance-at-southwark-cathed 

Some of the work produced by children in Key Stage 2 during our WW1 Remembrance week is being displayed at Royal Victoria Place shopping centre. The display is located under the escalator, near the soft play area. We are incredibly proud of the children and the high quality work they have created. Please do pop down there and take a look!

This week we have been thinking about the centenary of the End of World War One. The whole school took part in lots of activities to help us explore what happened and why it is important to remember. Keep an eye on the gallery section for photographs coming soon.

On Friday we held a special Remembrance worship; we were joined by Mr and Mrs Sage who represent the Royal British Legion and brought the standard; and also Mr Richardson from the Salvation Army who played the Last Post on his bugle. Some of the children read prayers and shared  their writing including poems and a diary entry.

 

Four members of our junior choir were interviewed live on BBC Radio Kent today in advance of their performance with international singing group Tenors Unlimited on Saturday 6th October. The children spoke of their excitement about the performance, what they enjoy about singing and their hopes for the future. The children also chatted to Tenors Unlimited member and former St John's pupil, Jem Sharples.

 

Click here to listen to the interview...