Dear Parents and Carers,

What a busy and exciting first half of the summer term we have had! From sporting events and cultural celebrations to dinosaur encounters, cooking and trips into our local community, the children have enjoyed a wonderful range of experiences.

It has been lovely to see their enthusiasm, creativity and growing confidence as they have explored new ideas and put their learning into practice. We are especially proud of the teamwork, resilience and responsibility they have shown throughout the half-term. Here is a look at what we have been doing, along with some exciting activities still to come!

Our Mission to Move More!

We launched our Moki “Mission to Move More” initiative for Years 3–6 this term, encouraging pupils to become more active and develop healthy habits. Children have been using wristbands to track their daily steps and active minutes, and there has been plenty of excitement as they have worked towards their goals.

Our weekly celebration assemblies have recognised our most active pupils, most improved pupils and classes with the highest step totals. Prizes have included a Premier League football for a most improved pupil and a round of fruit smoothies for the class with the highest number of steps!

Staff and families have shared positive feedback, and we have enjoyed keeping everyone updated through ClassDojo. The initiative has also brought some fantastic REAL maths into classrooms, with children using their own activity data to compare results, calculate totals and explore patterns.

Safeguarding Update – Keeping Our Children Safe

Keeping children safe and happy remains at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for working with us to help children feel confident, supported and able to speak up when something worries them.

A few important reminders for families:

• Talk and listen: Remind your child that they can talk to you or a trusted adult at school if they feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe. Encourage them to keep asking for help until they feel heard.
• Stay safe online: Take an interest in the games, apps and videos your child enjoys. Check privacy settings, supervise online activity and remind children never to share personal information or communicate privately with strangers.
• Report concerns promptly: Please contact the school if you have concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing. Small pieces of information can help us understand what support a child needs.
• Keep us informed: Let the office know about changes to contact numbers, collection arrangements or family circumstances that may affect your child.
• Safe arrivals and collections: Ensure your child is handed over safely to staff and that the school knows who will collect them. Please avoid using your phone while driving or parking near the school.

Our Designated Safeguarding Person is Mr Mansfield, supported by Mrs Hill and Mr Jones, our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Persons. Please contact the school office if you would like to speak to a member of the safeguarding team.

Together, we can help every child feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

Sporting Success

A big thank you to Mr Milner, who organised and hosted a netball tournament for schools across Newport on our front playground. Congratulations to Langstone Primary, the overall winners, and to Lodge Hill Primary, who also won one round. We were delighted that our own St Julian’s teams finished in second and third place!

Our pupil Communications Department interviewed participants and filmed highlights, while Cookery Club catered for visitors and teams from the school trailer. This gave pupils valuable opportunities to practise communication, teamwork, enterprise and responsibility in a real setting. Thank you also to New Directions teaching agency, which contributed £500 towards equipment for the event.

Our rugby team also took part in the Dragons Tag Rugby Tournament at Rodney Parade, competing alongside schools from across the region. Well done to everyone who represented the school!

The Walking Bus Returns

Our Walking Bus has recommenced each Wednesday. Staff meet groups of pupils and parents at two main checkpoints before walking to school together.

It is a lovely way to start the day, enjoy some exercise and spend time with others. Walking also helps us reduce traffic congestion and parking pressures around the school. Thank you to the staff and families supporting this initiative.

Caring for Our Planet

Pupils in Years 3–6 enjoyed a “Journey of Water” assembly from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, learning where our water comes from, how it is cleaned and transported, and why we should use it responsibly.

Classes also explored Earth Day through activities and discussions, with many joining a live lesson from Scholastic. Some learned about David Attenborough, his contribution to conservation and environmental awareness, and the celebration of his 100th birthday.

Celebrating Our School Community

Our Cultural Celebration Day was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the backgrounds, traditions and cultures represented within our school community. Pupils were encouraged to wear traditional cultural clothing and share aspects of their heritage.

Two parents kindly visited the lower school to lead engaging workshops in Bollywood dancing and Indian drumming. Thank you for giving the children such memorable experiences!

Chartwells also delivered “Food Around the World” sessions and led a cooking challenge during the upper school assembly, helping children explore different cultures through food.

Making Maths Meaningful

As part of our school development priority to raise enjoyment, confidence and engagement in mathematics, we have arranged for pupils to take part in National Numeracy Day.

Children will be invited to wear clothing linked to numbers or maths, such as numbered football kits, patterns or shapes. They will enjoy a range of fun, practical REAL numeracy activities, showing how maths connects to everyday life.

Sports Days

Nursery, Reception and Year 2 have all held successful sports days—and thankfully, the weather stayed dry! We are proud of every child for taking part, trying their best and showing resilience.

We continue to hold a separate sports day for each year group following parent feedback after Covid. This approach gives children more opportunities to participate in races and events. Thank you to everyone who came along to encourage them.

Nursery News

Nursery welcomed Little Kickers for a fun football coaching session, funded through the Early Years Pupil Development Grant. The children enjoyed developing their physical skills, confidence and teamwork while being active.

We also held a Stay and Play session, giving families the opportunity to learn and play alongside their children. It was lovely to welcome parents into the nursery and share some of the activities, routines and experiences that make up the children’s day.

Reception News

Reception welcomed Guide Dogs UK following the introduction of a guide dog supporting a visually impaired parent within our school community. Children learned about the important work guide dogs do, how they are trained and how to behave respectfully around working dogs.

They also enjoyed an interactive workshop from Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, exploring animals, habitats and conservation. A video call with Farmer Clare from Greenmeadow Community Farm gave them the chance to ask questions about farm life, animal care and where our food comes from.

Closer to home, small groups have been visiting Nisa Local opposite the school to buy their healthy morning snack. These visits have provided excellent REAL learning opportunities to practise using money, communicate with shop staff and develop independence.

Year 1 News

Year 1 have been learning about recycling and how reusing materials can help protect our environment. Their forthcoming “Trashion Show” will give them the chance to showcase creative items and outfits made from recycled materials. We look forward to seeing their imaginative designs!

The children will also visit Bristol Aquarium as part of their theme, giving them another exciting opportunity to bring their learning to life.

Year 2 News

Year 2 stepped into the prehistoric world with an exciting Dinomania workshop. Lifelike dinosaur models and real fossils helped children explore their dinosaur learning through hands-on experiences.

They also visited Cardiff Museum, exploring the dinosaur exhibits as well as the space and bird sections linked to their previous learning. There is more adventure ahead, with a visit to Fonmon Castle’s dinosaur experience still to come!

Year 3 News

Year 3 have been enjoying Expressive Arts Language workshops, delivered and funded by Gwent Music. Children have been learning songs in different languages and will share them with parents and other pupils in a mini concert.

They have also received school-funded rugby coaching from Dragons Rugby during PE lessons. Their forthcoming visit to Plantasia will support their learning about rainforests.

Year 4 News

Year 4 have explored how water reaches our homes through a session delivered by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. They also visited Purnells Woods to sketch a section of the River Usk, linking their learning to our local environment.

As part of their “Rolling on the River” theme, pupils will receive water safety sessions from the RNLI before the end of term.

The children have completed their three-week swimming course, with pool hire and instruction costs covered by the school. County in the Community have continued to deliver school-funded multi-sports sessions, helping pupils develop a range of physical skills.

There has been plenty happening in the kitchen too! Cook Together Wales visited Year 4 to lead cookery sessions in which the children made pizzas.

Year 5 News

Year 5 took part in a Food Waste workshop with Chartwells, exploring how to reduce waste and make thoughtful choices. As part of their Earth Day learning, they also calculated their carbon footprints and considered how everyday actions affect the environment.

They enjoyed a video call with Lord de Clifford through the Learning with the Lords programme, providing an opportunity to learn more about the work of the House of Lords.

Year 6 News

Year 6 developed their cooking skills with Cook Together Wales, making healthy Quorn tikka wraps.

They have also been creating and editing videos about the Windrush generation, combining their historical learning with digital and communication skills.

The children are looking forward to visiting the New Theatre to see The Boy at the Back of the Class, the book they have been reading. Seeing the story brought to life on stage will be a memorable addition to their learning.

Thank You

Thank you to our staff, families, visitors and community partners for helping make these experiences possible. Above all, well done to our children for approaching their learning with such enthusiasm and curiosity.

We look forward to sharing more learning, achievements and celebrations during the second half of the summer term!

Warm wishes,

Mr Mansfield
Headteacher