Yoto Carnegie Event - QEGS

Two pupils from Year 5 attended QEGS on Wednesday 11th June re the Yoto Carnegie Event.

The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration (formerly known as the Kate Greenaway Medal) is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. Past winners include Raymond Briggs, Shirley Hughes, Janet Ahlberg, and Children’s Laureates Quentin Blake, Anthony Browne, Chris Riddell and Lauren Child.

The children spent the day reading the books on the shortlist and taking part in a range of activities related to the titles. They were able to vote for their favourite title to win the Shadowers’ Choice Award, which will be announced alongside the Medal winners at the annual winners’ ceremony.

Mrs Jones

Sports Morning - St John Henry Newman School, Carlisle

Year 5 had an enjoyable morning at Newman School on Thursday with other Year 5 pupils from Catholic Schools around the county.  They ran, threw, jumped, dodged and pulled (in the tug-of-war) to their maximum, to try and win the Year 5 shield.

It wasn't their day to win, but we were incredibly proud of their huge efforts and determination to simply have a go and represent our school with pride.  We know that they really enjoyed the morning.

Mrs Jones

RMS TITANIC

Class 3 have really enjoyed finding out about this major shipping disaster.

Titanic struck an iceberg on the night of April 14–15, 1912, at 23:40 (ship's time), which was 02:38 GMT. The collision occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 370 miles southeast of Newfoundland. The ship sank two hours and forty minutes later, at 02:20 (ship's time) or 05:18 GMT on April 15th. 

Class 3 children were set a challenge to make an RMS Titanic ship, out of any junk modelling that they had at home.

I’m sure that you will agree, that these ships are absolutely amazing and so very creative!

In addition, Class 3 have been working hard with Mrs Reay in their art lessons.  They have been using pastels to draw beautiful icebergs and glaciers inspired by the artist Zaira Forman.

Forman documents climate change with pastel drawings.  She travels to remote regions of the world to collect images and inspiration for her work.

I hope you agree that these pieces of art are absolutely beautiful and really capture the magnitude of the Atlantic Ocean.

Mrs Jones

Newspaper ��️ Articles 

We have been having a good look at newspapers today, with a view to writing our own, regarding the RMS Titanic disaster. Photographs of our writing to follow.

Mrs Jones

Science - Animals and the Circulatory System

We had an enjoyable science lesson today to find out about; the functions of blood, some of the substances transported by blood and to describe links between the digestive and circulatory systems.

Mrs Jones made a sample of blood, using things like oil (Plasma), marshmallows (white blood cells), red paper (red blood cells) sprinkles (nutrients) etc.

We also had an activity in the hall that showed how blood travels around the body whilst collecting nutrients from the digestive system.

Mrs Jones

  

• Times Tables Interactive Games (The 'sound check facility' mimics the 6 seconds that children are allowed per question on the actual test)

• Times Tables

• Times Tables

• Times Tables

• Decimal Interactive Games

Meeting Matt Goodfellow, author of THE FINAL YEAR!

Year 5 and 6 had a real treat yesterday, meeting and learning from the Carnegie medal nominated poet Matt Goodfellow. He led a writing workshop at QEGs following The Final Year project that we have been doing this year.

It was a real treat to hear from and have the opportunity to meet someone so inspirational, who shared his personal battle with ADHD, family difficulties, failed rockstar status. Fortunately, none of these held him back, once he realised what his path in life was.

One of our Year 5 was nominated and was gifted a signed copy of his yet to be released sequel, ‘The First Year.’

Thanks Matt and thanks QEGs for the opportunity.

Mrs Jones

Year 4 - Magic of Science morning at St John Henry Newman School

Year 4 had a wonderful morning at Newman school this morning learning about the 'Magic of Science' 

Lessons included:

• Elixirs and Potions with Mr Wilkinson
• Fantastic Creatures and Where to Find Them with Miss Little
• The Science of Fire and Ice with Mrs Orton
• Illusions and Light with Mrs Bell
• The Physics of Reflection with Mr Riddick
• The Wonders of Alchemy with Mrs Nichol

We had a wonderful morning (in proper science labs) carrying out lots of practical tasks and watching the wonders of science in motion.

One of our children won a prize for his 'Chemical Reaction' entry into the competition. We even had a drink and a snack!

All-in-all a wonderful scientific morning!

Mrs Jones

Science Lead

 Red Cabbage Indicators �� 

We worked on Friday with Mrs Salkeld and learned about red cabbage indicators. It was fun working out what we needed to add to soil to make plants �� grow better!

Thanks Mrs Salkeld! 

Science Week Fun

We’ve had lots of fun in class this week learning about the blood circulatory system (cardiovascular system). This system delivers nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body. It consists of the heart and the blood vessels running through the entire body. The arteries carry blood away from the heart; the veins carry it back to the heart. 

• FRACTION GAMES Both year groups are learning about fractions - equivalent, improper, proper and simplyfying fractions. Here are some websites to support learning!

• FRACTION GAMES

• FRACTION GAMES

World �� Book �� Day

Great fun was had today in Class 3. Fantastic outfits and ‘bookish’ fun! �� 

Mrs Jones

QEGS DANCE �� SHOW

Year 4 enjoyed watching �� Year 7 and 8 dance rehearsal yesterday at QEGS.

Mrs Jones 

Water Workshop - 4th March, 2025

Class 3 enjoyed a workshop all about the wonderful amenity WATER led by Louise Horsman who is the

Learning and Engagement Activity Leader based at Brockhole on Windermere (Lake District National Park Authority)

The children learned all about the importance of saving water and about what should NOT be put down the toilet.  For example wipes, which do not break down.

It was very interesting and informative!

Mrs Jones

Time

Year 5 have been reading train timetables today and it was noticeable that some of the children are still struggling with telling the time.  This was apparent when reading 24-hour clock times.

I have put a few websites on here to support learning.

Mrs Jones

• Interactive clock

• Time

• Time

Science - Measuring Transparency

We had a great science lesson to determine the transparency of different materials and linked this to their uses.

We used a 'light meter' and torches to test, compare and group transparent, translucent and opaque materials.

We were able to predict, hypothesis and record our results in a table.

Mrs Jones

HALF-TERM FUN AT PENRITH LIBRARY

For those of you planning activities during the half-term break, make sure that you check out what is going on at Penrith Library.

I've attached a poster about a 'FREE' workshop.  Click on the link.

Mrs Jones

Free Climate Champions Workshop

• Climate-Champs-A4 WestmorFINAL.pdf

Penrith Library Writing Workshop

Class 3 enjoyed a writing workshop with local poet Dave Cryer and Claire from the library on Friday.

We thought about different characters, settings, problems and solutions for our story which is under the umbrella topic, ‘On our Doorstep’

Some good ideas all round!

Mrs Jones

Geography

We have been learning about the 7 different Continents and also lines of longitude and latitude in our geography lessons.

We will be going on to find out more about the continent of Antarctica and the journey of Ernest Shackleton.

Mrs Jones

Carlisle United

We are working alongside Dillan and Lewi from Carlisle United each Tuesday afternoon in our PE lessons. 
 

The skills being taught can be used across all PE lessons.

Super fun! �� 

Penrith Library �� Project

We have been working on a project from Penrith library entitled ‘Learn for a Better Future’

Our candles ��️ are going to be on display in the library very soon, so keep a look out for them!

Mrs Jones

Class 3 - CAROL CONCERT 

Class 3 performed beautifully in their Nativity performance last night in church entitled, 'The Saviour's Birth'.  There were readings from scripture, singing, tableau acting and a duet.  One of the highlights of the night was when the children signed in Makaton, 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas,' which was truly beautiful.

Mrs Jones, Miss Campbell and Mrs Reay are terribly proud of the children.  Super effort!

Miss Campbell turned the Christmas lights on superbly!

Mrs Jones

The Winter 'Mini Reading Challenge' has begun! 

The Marvellous Makers are back for another awesome free reading challenge. 

It's an easy way to keep children motivated and can help those reluctant readers fall in love with books 

Head to wintermini.org.uk to sign up, review books, find fun activities and recommendations, and EARN REWARDS!

 1 December 2024 — 20 February 2025 

• Winter Reading Challenge

HAIKU PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY

Dave Cryer a local Poet came to St Catherine's yesterday to lead an assembly about his poetry.

Class 3 had written an Autumn HAIKU poem for a project that was being run by Penrith Library and Dave.  Scarlett and Maya had been chosen as the two winners.  They both received a gift voucher for a bookshop in Penrith.

Super effort Class 3!

Class 3 - 'Walk through the Nativity'

Class 3 enjoyed a lovely session with Ruth Evans from NISCU (Northern Inter-Schools Christian Union) this morning.  

Ruth brought in lots of wonderful activities for the children to do throughout the session, which included;

• Jesus - Humble
• Shepherds - Sought and Special
• Mary - Modest
• Joseph - Trusted
• Wise Men - Wondered
• Elizabeth - Excited
• Mary - Mindful
• Jesus - Honoured

Children had calm activities to do, like writing on a tag the name of a trusted person in their life, observing sensory glass objects and weaving some of the swaddling cloth, that Jesus wore.

It was a lovely session that put a different perspective on this wonderful story!

Mrs Jones

(Photographs to follow)

Anti-bullying Week

We wore odd socks in school on 'Odd Socks Day.' This day provides an opportunity in school to have fun, be ourselves, and spread awareness of the core values Anti-Bullying Week promotes. 

Mrs Jones

HAIKU POETRY - PENRITH LIBRARY - NATIONAL POETRY DAY

As part of National Poetry Day, Class 3 wrote a beautiful HAIKU poem on the template of a leaf, for a competition being held at Penrith Library.  They are currently on display in the library and apparently we have two winners. 

Watch this space for further details.

 

Mrs Jones

Waiting for Paddy McGuinness 

Class 3 and the whole of the school watched Paddy McGuinness, as he cycled through Penrith on his specially modified Chopper raising funds and awareness along the way for Children in Need.

What a long wait we had!

Mrs Jones

SCIENCE

Class 3 children have been enjoying their SCIENCE lessons about Materials: Mixtures and separation.  They have been 

exploring different types of mixtures and the appropriate methods to separate them.

Mrs Jones

Year 4 and 5 Reading advice for parents.

• Reading in Year 5-Parent's Leaflet 2024 (V2).pub
• Advice re reading (year 4).docx

Maths Websites to support learning in Class

• Rocket Rounding Year 4 and Year 5 are currently learning about rounding in their maths lessons.

• Rounding

Library Van

The children enjoyed a visit to the library van today to see Gordon, the Librarian.  He read each year group a story and then the children were able to choose a book to bring back into the classroom to read.

Mrs Jones

2024/2025

Welcome back to another busy school year.  Year 4 and 5 have made a fantastic start to the new year.

We have started our new topic about Ancient Egypt and have learned lots already.  We are in the initial stages of starting some art work.  Watch this space for further details!

Mrs Jones

10p swims are back over the Summer holidays - check out the link to see which pools are participating! ��‍♀️ 

• 10p Swims

DT project - Pavilions

We had fun starting our new design technology project about ‘Pavilions’ Our structures are amazing made out of cocktail sticks and Playdoh!

Mrs Jones