SandonNews
A new library for Sandon JMI School! We have just opened a new library dedicated to providing a broad range of literature for children to choose from. The walls have been decorated by the talented Mrs Cannon. Using her creative talents, she has created an environment that ignites children's curiosity and will do so for future generations to come. There are some fantastic illustrations (including castles, dragons, unicorns, houses yet to be explored and even a visit to the moon!). We would like to say a huge thank you from all of us.
Mini Medics
This term our KS2 children took part in a Mini Medics course. This course is a basic introduction to first aid and defibrillation. All children were attentive and mature throughout these sessions.
Black History Month
The month of October is Black History month. Teachers at Sandon planned a series of activities and lessons designed to explore this area of the curriculum The whole school kickstarted this learning by attending 'The Great Big Live Assembly' joining thousands of schools nationally to celebrate this Black History. The theme this year was celebrating sisters. The children listened to a range of inspirational black women who have made the world a better place.
Sandon Village Fair (Musical event)
Thank you to all children and parents who came and supported this local event. We had a great turnout and the children sang their hearts out.
STEM: June 2023 - Another win for Sandon JMI School!
Each year, our children take part in a special STEM competition called “If You Were An Engineer What Would You Do?
Having already taken part previously, the children had lots of ideas this year and couldn’t wait to get started. They had the opportunity to interview an engineer and then thought about designing an invention that might solve a particular problem. .
The competition is run by Primary Engineer and takes place nationwide with each school being allocated to a region. Sandon JMI is part of the Eastern region. Last year it was local Sandon villager Dotty (Year 6) with her Robotic Cement Filling machine (an ingenious design for filling in potholes without the need for closing roads!)
This year, we were thrilled to discover that again two of our children went through to win the competition. Congratulations to Reuben and Kayden who collected their Leaders Award winners trophies and certificates at a special ceremony at Anglia Ruskin university yesterday. Kayden designed a cordless phone charger that charges phones quickly so you don't have to wait around! Reuben designed magnetic coat fastening that makes it easier for people to fasten and undo their coats. Both fabulous ideas that would be very useful in everyday life. Well done, Kayden and Reuben!
Coronation Celebration
On Friday 5th May we had a special assembly to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. During the week, the whole school designed and constructed their own crown designs to see who might be judged King or Queen Consort for the day. The assembly began with each class presenting something special to celebrate the occasion. We were delighted with performances of poetry, portraits, trumpet (Felix Class 3 played 'Land Of Hope And Glory')and even rapping (a composition by Robert Class 3).
Children from Early Years to Year 6 then paraded showing their own crown designs and were judged by our very own Sandon Judging Panel. The two winners were crowned King and Queen Consort for the day, had thrones within class and sat at a special royal table during lunch.
We would like to say a special thank you to our governor representatives: Mr Searle and Mrs Bray for joining us for the assembly and for judging the crowns. FOSS also presented each child with a commemorative bookmark so that they could remember this special event. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the gifts together with organising the tea, coffee and cake for our visitors (both Governors and Sandon Villagers).
Grounds Day
Thank you so much to FOSS (Friends of Sandon School) who came along to tidy up our school grounds. They repaired, painted and weeded. Our vegetable beds are now weed free and ready for planting. It was great to come together as a community. The home made flapjacks and biscuits were delicious too!
TT Rockstar Maths Challenge
During half term, Sandon School children have been challenging their maths teacher, Mrs Bowden, to see who could answer the most times tables questions in 1 minute. Congratulations go to Ben in Class 2, who is our whole school champion. He scored an impressive 38 questions in this round. Well done to everyone who took part. It was wonderful to see so many children persevere and rise to the challenge. Not only great fun, but we have seen many children make progress along the way.
Sponsored Cycle
Sports news
What a brilliant afternoon with these wonderful children! They epitomise the Sandon school spirit. Great performances all round and finishing second in the Small Schools Sports Hall Athletics competition by the shortest of margins - very well done!
Young Voices 2023
Well done to everyone who took part in the Young Voices Choir performance at the O2 on the 19th January 2023.
As you know, the children had been working incredibly hard to learn the many songs and dances to ensure they were ready for this national event. On the day, they could hardly contain their excitement about seeing so many different schools and performing together as one huge choir.
The children were able to watch performances from a range of artists including Heather Small who performed the 90’s smash ‘Moving on Up’. The atmosphere was incredible as she sang ‘Proud’ joined by the Young Voices choir.
All the staff who attended, agreed that the children represented the school fantastically and ensured our proud tradition of high quality singing and behaviour was upheld. We are so proud of you all.
A musical end of term
A wonderful time of the year! A great opportunity for children to perform and share their talents. During the last week of term, we were delighted to hear individual performances from children playing the trumpet, piano and flute. Our large choir have also been practising ready for the church Nativity and Community Carol Concert. Spring term they will also be performing at the O2, alongside many other schools, and they are already getting very excited!
LALUKE - We are so lucky to have close links with the Letchworth Ukulele Orchestra who visit us twice a year to perform. Last month, we were entertained with Christmas songs and the whole school (including Cygnets) joined in. When they had finished performing, our Class 2 children had the opportunity to share their musical talents and played their ukuleles. The children have been working hard at improving their fluency for changing chords and playing as a class. They should be very proud of their achievements. They were able to follow the music, change chords from C, F and G and sing at the same time (not an easy task!) They were fantastic and enjoyed the applause!
Fun in the Snow
The children were delighted to play in the snow today. There were experiments about 'changing state', who could build the best snowman (judged by our PE teacher (dressed as Santa!) and our headteacher. One child said how beautiful the trees were. We are so lucky to have such wonderful grounds.
D.T. The Great British Bake-off Comes to Sandon (well a Junior version!)
This month we have been busy in our DT lessons. In Lower KS2, we decided to set a special Christmas challenge: The criteria was to design a biscuit and packaging. The children had to consider the target audience, appearance, texture and taste. Initially, the children followed a basic biscuit recipe then added their own special ingredients. Our interim head (Judy King), office manage (Mrs Salter) and Class 3 teacher (Mrs Lucas) judged the competition. It was very difficult as all the biscuits were delicious but there had to be one winner. Congratulations go to Tilly and Beatrix. Tilly’s packaging, design and flavour was judged to be the best with Beatrix as a close second.
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 Beatrix and Tilly |
Please select the following link for further details:
https://skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk/courses/multiply/
Keeping children safe November 2022
PSHE - Just Talk Week 21-27/11/2022
The theme for Just Talk Week 2022 is ‘Look Beneath the Surface’.
Keeping emotions like sadness, fear or frustration locked up inside can sometimes cause them to come out in other ways, like outbursts of anger, snapping at others, or isolating yourself from people you care about.
With Just Talk Week’s theme, we’re encouraging all young people to be patient with others, as we can’t always know the challenges that someone may be facing.
We’ll also be providing information on different ways to help when someone tells you that they’re struggling - it’s often as simple as just talking and listening.
Our school is getting involved in the campaign. Parents/carers can also get involved by following Just Talk on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, as well as signing up to the FREE online workshop delivered by Watford FC CSE Trust on ‘Managing Conflict for Children/Young People’.
PE News November 2022
PSHE - Anti-Bullying Week 14-18/11/2022
Anti-Bullying Week 2022 is coordinated in England and Wales by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. It will take place from 14 to 18 November 2022 and has the theme Reach Out.
Anti bullying week will remind everyone, whether it is in school, at home, in the community or online, to reach out and show each other the support we need.
Please copy and paste the following link for more information of how you can support your child.
https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/parents-and-carers
Reading News - November 2022
We were delighted with the results of our October reading challenge. Children were set the task of reading daily and then submitting a signed record from home. All children who succeeded were awarded a certificate of achievement in our Celebration Assembly.
Science news - The moon comes to Sandon!!!
The moon actually did come to Sandon recently (well part of it!!!) Each class had the opportunity to explore rock samples which were brought back from different areas of the moon on various Apollo missions. Class 2 and 3 made their own edible rocks using different ingredients and talked about different types of rock and how they are formed! Reception and Class 1 thought about what they would take to the moon if they were an astronaut. Some children have now decided that they would be interested in becoming astronauts when they grow up!
Maths: November Community Maths Challenge
Have you heard of Barvember? Barvember is a month dedicated to bar models. We use bar models in maths. They are very helpful and simple diagrams which help the children to solve maths problems. The children are taught how to read bar models and also how to draw their own. They're very handy for solving addition problems, or finding missing numbers, or calculating multiplication and division problems.
So children, parents and carers, would you like to try some bar models?Throughout November I will be posting problems to solve (the first one will be put on this afternoon).Question 1 is aimed at our younger children and with Question 4 only appropriate for higher year groups.This is optional additional home learning and a great way for children to teach parents how they solve Maths problems in school.
I would love to hear how you get on.Completed answers can be shared via email to:
Melanie.bowden@sandon.herts.sch.uk (You can send a photo or a video of your family working together to solve the challenges).
What is a bar model and top tips. Please see the link below. You might have to copy and paste the link.
https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/geometry/bar-model
Maths: How can Number Confidence Week help you?
Do you feel nervous about numbers? This site can help! This page is your one-stop-shop for free videos, tips and resources to kick-start your confidence with numbers.
Whether you're anxious about making ends meet, applying for a job or would like to feel more comfortable helping children with maths, you CAN feel better about everyday maths.
Dive into this page, and when you're ready, start improving your skills for free:
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk
Sandon JMI - ECO Award 2022
Pupils at Sandon JMI School have earned an international accreditation this academic year, recognising their amazing work in making their school more environmentally friendly and raising eco-awareness in fellow pupils.
Eco-Schools is an international education programme that prompts young people to explore sustainability and climate change and take action.
Pupils collaborated with Mrs Hart to conduct an environmental review, assessing how eco-friendly their school is. They reviewed everything from the school’s recycling practices, to energy usage, to how environmental themes are covered in classrooms. Building on their findings, the pupils and Mrs Hart planned a year of activities that would up their green-credentials. The group connected their work to 3 Eco-Schools topics: litter, recycling and energy.
Activities included litter picking, composting food waste and reducing energy use in school.
Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: “Earning an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award takes passion, commitment and a desire to make a difference. Pupils should be proud of their great work. They’re an inspiration and it makes us feel heartened and positive about the future of our planet.”
History & Geography News:
Field Trip around Sandon - (A geographical and historical study)
Mr Sizeland (Estate Manager of Sandon Bury) offered to show us around the estate and tell us all about the rewilding project. We were very excited as this builds upon Year 3 & 4's geography unit (local physical/ human geography) and our work on compass points/map skills. Armed with an Ipad, compass and map, the children set off across the fields to the rear of Sandon School.
Mr Sizeland explained that the land used to be farmed but is now being returned to its former state so that trees, plants and wildlife can return to the area. We learnt about why the grass and last year's wheat had been left to encourage wildlife and the importance of returning native trees to the area. Our children enjoyed looking out for crickets and grew very excited when they saw a Barn owl’s nest.
As well as planting trees, the estate have created ponds and we were taken to one of them. The pond was dry and the children were delighted when they found a fossil of an urchin. It was wonderful to have the opportunity for hands on learning and the children clearly enjoyed finding out more about their local area.
We look forward to another visit in 2023 so we can witness how the landscape has changed. Thank you so much to Sandon Bury Estate for making this possible
Maths Competition October 2022
Congratulations to all children who took part in our TT Rockstar Maths Challenge for September - October. The competition was to find the most improved and the winners each received a T shirt. There were so many children who worked hard on their times tables during the month and many received a certificate in recognition of their achievement. Well done everyone!
Music: Sandon JMI Fete - September 2022
Music - Our children were invited to sing at the the local Sandon village fete. It was a little breezy but the children embraced it and sang their hearts out. It was wonderful to be part of this community event.
Music: Classical Composer Competition 2022
In July, we invited our children to enter a Classical Composer Competition. The competition originated from an idea proposed by one of our pupils during a weekly music assembly. We often listen to music, link a composer and add them to our school timeline display. During one of the assemblies, one of our children put up their hand and asked if they could be part of the hall composer timeline, if they created a piece themselves. The idea was developed into a whole school competition. There were many entries from all year groups and we were delighted to share the music of the successful entrants in a whole school and community assembly.