To the Parents

Weather

Our Sports Days take place next week, which we are all looking forward to and it looks like the sun will be shining. The weather

forecast is predicting high temperatures from early in the morning and therefore it is essential that the children have sun cream applied before they come to school and that they bring a sun hat. The Juniors (Y3-6) should also bring sun cream with them.

England Game

I am delighted to announce that we will be streaming the England V Panama World Cup game at the JS Summer Fete. We are hoping the stream will be smooth and uninterrupted but it will be reliant on the 4G connection.

Moving Up

There was great anticipation and excitement, and a fluttering of butterflies earlier in the week as the children met their new Form Teachers and Form mates.

It was also a great pleasure to welcome seventy new pupils and their parents into the Junior School, and I would like to thank those JS pupils who acted as buddies for the new pupils, who I know really appreciated their special letters and knowing that someone would be here to help them.

Absence Requests

May I remind parents that requests for absence should not be made for less than vital reasons. We would always encourage you not to take the children out of school during term time as it does cause disruption to learning and undermines the value of the learning process.

Every year, I do receive a higher number of requests for absence on the final day of term, which again will not be authorised for less than vital reasons.

Sustainability Week

Next week sees the return of the Senior School’s Sustainability Week. To show their support of the initiative, the dining room will be running Meat Free Monday and will not provide plastic cups throughout the week.

Junior School pupils will therefore also be part of these initiatives and are reminded that they will need to bring a water bottle to the dining room every day and that no meat products will be served on Monday 25th June. Thank you for your support.

E-Mails

We have experienced some issues with our e-mail system this week so apologies if e-mails have not been answered as promptly as normal. We hope to have normal service resumed for the start of next week.

Peter Hopkinson (Headmaster)

Remember that this Sunday is the annual JSA Summer Fete on Governor’s Green 1130-1500. Please do join us for

this wonderful family event.

Rory’s Stories of the Week

Greek Holiday

This year we went on holiday to Zakynthos, an island in Greece. In Zakynthos they do lots of hard work to look after the

endangered loggerhead sea turtles. We saw these turtles

swimming in the sea and they are huge. I learnt lots about the turtles and I was worried about the turtles eating the plastic that people leave in the sea and this would make them poorly so each day me and mummy used my sandcastle bucket to collect rubbish out of the sea to help the turtles stay well. I would also like to ask all my PGS friends to do this when they are on holiday too. By Charlie S (RY)

My Ballet Exam I have been practising ballet for four year and in March 2017, I had my first ballet exam with The Royal Academy of Dance-London. I practised a lot with my Teacher who is called Amy

and my friends specially Sophie. I started preparing my exam in September 2016 because it was very hard.

During the exam, I was excited, and I worked very very hard. There was one judge in the room with us and the lady was watching us what we were doing. I had to walk very gentle and delicate on my tip toes and lip a lot.

Also, this lady was watching us one by one while our Teacher-Amy was telling her our names and I had to go to on a straight line and put my hand up when I heard my name. I had to hold hand with my friend and jump in a circle to show my straight posture. I had to twirl very gentle like a real ballerina.

Finally, I had to wait for a very very long time to know my result and I was happy because my Teacher- Amy- gave me a certificate saying that I passed my exam, so mummy and I went to Costa to celebrate and I ate a delicious cupcake with an apple juice. By Megan S (1G)

The Newsletter of The Portsmouth Grammar Junior School Issue No.259 22nd

June 2018

The LionWhen the Lion roars, the world listens

Nursery News

The little cubs had a great time this week making their own slime. They mixed the ingredients together and all decided that blue was the best colour to make it.

After they had finished mixing they spend ages playing with the gloopy, slimy mess. It was great fun and they are already thinking about making some more in a different colour!

Reception

We had a very special delivery in Reception this week. We have been carefully watching to see what would happen to our eggs that the farmer delivered.

We were so excited when Daisy the duck hatched out of the first egg! Since then, she has been joined by Gizmo, Donald, Dizzy and Fluffy.

We have made posters to show how to take care of the ducks and written letters to invite people to come and visit them.

Independent Learning 1

This week we have been doing our own research about the Saxons. I have learnt that most Saxons were farmers (Chloe). I have learnt that Saxon archers took 3 years to train (Jacob). I found out that there were 5 Kingdoms in Saxon England (Owen). I have learnt how Saxons dyed their clothes (Ana). It is very exciting working independently.

By Ana, Owen, Chloe and Jacob 3G

Snails in the Style of

Matisse

“This week we have been learning about snails. So this is my Matisse snail. I made it out of paper and cut up squares and rectangles. Then I stuck them down to made a colourful snail.” By Cameron W (1P)

Hitting the Right Note

Our brilliant Brass Band took centre stage earlier in the week as they performed at the Guildhall as part of the Portsmouth Schools Music Festival.

As always the boys and girls performed superbly well and showed just what can be achieved with hard work, patience and perseverance.

Mr Brown also looked very dapper in his white dinner jacket and bow tie!!

Independent Learning 2 For the past two and a half weeks, the whole of Year Six have been diligently working on their Independent learning Projects (ILP). In 6P, we decided upon our chosen topics – all inspired by the trip to Normandy at the end of last half term – and then grouped ourselves into four themes: Normandy Landings, The Market Place, The Mulberry Harbours and Travelling – then and now. This week, after a fortnight of gathering facts – fun and fascinating – we are developing our presentation skills ready to deliver our work to parents, teachers and Middle School Leaders. The whole process has been a massive learning journey; after our first run through, last Thursday, our ILPs lasted between 3 to 12 minutes (we were aiming at 8 to 10!) so we have had lots to keep us busy!

Fingers crossed for our afternoon of presentations; let’s hope that all our hard work pays off and we produce some interesting and enjoyable talks – there might even be some French food on offer!

Fixtures

Wed 27 Jun 1400: U10 Boys’ Cricket v Highfield (a) 1400: U10 Girls’ Cricket v Highfield (h)

Thu 28 Jun 1400: U8 Girls’ Cricket v Boundary Oak (a) 1400: U9 Boys’ Cricket v Westbourne House (a) 1400: U9 Girls’ Cricket v Westbourne House (a) 1500: U8 Boys’ Cricket v Twyford (a)

Junior School Sports

Information

All sporting updates and cancellation

information will be via the Junior School Sport twitter feed @PGJSSport

Summer Holidays Sports

Camps

Dates: 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st August 2018 Time: 9am to 4pm Venue: Hilsea Playing Fields Sports Specific: Netball Camp Football Camp Multi-Sport Camp Arts & Crafts Camp Email Mr Chappell for more details, a.chappell@pgs.org.uk

Years 3 & 4 Girls’

Cricket

On Thursday afternoon,

teams of Year 3 and Year 4 girls set off to Farleigh for

an afternoon of Cricket.

The crowds were drawn to Farleigh for the beautiful weather and more importantly to see the pupils playing. Both teams played with energy and determination as the players practised their skills of batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping.

After the U9 girls proved themselves with their fabulous fielding technique, it was over to their batting skills to see if they could defend their wickets and score some runs. The team was under pressure from the opponents bowling; however they managed successful runs through good team work and strong batting skills.

Phoebe J, Zayneb and Ella J, should all be commended for their skilful batting. Shimmy captained the A team, and Eva led the Bs. Shimmy and Lucy were an unstoppable pair, scoring 13 runs.

The U8 teams also did themselves proud, reflecting the effort and attitude they have committed to lessons this summer. There was a fantastic team spirit and all girls encouraged one another. All of the girls batted positively, transferring skills learned in lessons into match play. Anna P and Aishanni deserve a special mention as they showed strong fielding skills with a catch and multiple wicket stumping! The teams showcased fantastic skills, with some accurate bowling from Ava F keeping the opposition score within reach. Great matches, well done girls.

All the girls thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon of cricket which saw all players showing excellent sportsmanship and team work to compete with a positive attitude.

Languages Club

There will be no Year 5 and 6 Languages Club on Tuesday 26th June due to Sports Day.

Photograph Orders Please could all Tempest photograph orders be returned to the Junior School Office by Tuesday 26

th June at the very latest.

Year Six Leavers’ Disco

The Year Six Leavers’ Disco will take place on Thursday 12th July from 6-8pm in the Upper Junior School.

Tickets cost £5, available from Mrs Kent.

Sailing Centre offer for

Years 5 to 7 next year

Last half term, parents of children in Years 4 and 5 received a letter inviting their children to take part in a sailing opportunity on Saturdays from September, leading to teams being entered into the IAPs Regatta next year.

Thank you to all those who have emailed me so far – I have replied to all, but will get back with further details, once the Sailing Centre has passed these on to me.

The invitation has been extended to children in 2018-19 Years 7 and 8, so those pupils in our Year 6 moving on to the Senior School in the autumn have received the letter today.

Please email me – p.giles@pgs.org.uk – if your child(ren) would like to participate in this new venture.

Saturday Sport There will be games sessions for Juniors (Y3-Y6) from 0900.

Cricket, Athletics and Tennis at Hilsea

Please arrive promptly for a 0900 start.

The L i on Spo r t

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