Dear Parents and Carers,

What a fantastic finish to the school year! These final weeks have been filled with performances, adventures, sporting achievements and celebrations. It has been wonderful to see our children sharing their talents, trying new things and taking such pride in their learning.

As I look back over the year, I feel incredibly proud of our pupils and grateful to our dedicated staff. Thank you, too, to our families for your encouragement, support and enthusiasm. Whether you came to a performance, cheered at Sports Day or found yourself throwing coloured powder across the school field, you helped make these occasions special!

Attendance

End-of-Year Reports

End-of-Year Reports have been emailed out. Please contact the school office if you haven’t been able to access your child’s report.

We hope you enjoyed reading about your child’s achievements and progress. There has been so much to celebrate!

A Sweet Success for Year 2!

On Friday 10 July, Year 2 welcomed parents from 2:15pm for their FACE chocolate bar launch. The children designed, created and marketed their own chocolate bars before presenting their ideas and selling their products.

It was a brilliant opportunity to put their creativity, teamwork and communication skills into practice through a real enterprise experience. Thank you to everyone who supported our budding entrepreneurs!

Year 2 also enjoyed meeting life-sized dinosaurs and exploring fossils with Dinomania, visiting Fonmon Castle’s dinosaur exhibition and Cardiff Museum, and taking part in a Roald Dahl drama workshop.

Year 5 Rocked the School!

On Tuesday 14 July, parents joined us for Year 5’s School of Rock FACE event. The children performed in bands they had created, bringing energy, enthusiasm and plenty of rock-star spirit to the occasion!

It was lovely to see them working together and confidently sharing their musical talents. Thank you to the families who came along to cheer them on.

Year 6 Graduation: Eight Years of Memories

On Wednesday 15 July, we welcomed Year 6 families to the junior hall for a very special graduation celebration.

Together, we took a walk down memory lane, looking back over the children’s last eight years at primary school. Photographs brought back wonderful memories, and I had the pleasure of sharing a poem celebrating the highlights of their journey through St. Julian’s.

There were smiles, laughter and a few emotional moments as we celebrated how much the children had grown. Year 6, we are so proud of you and wish you every success as you prepare for secondary school!

Colour, Laughter and a BBQ!

Our Colour Run on Wednesday 15 July brought a spectacular splash of colour to the school field! Children ran around the course while parents threw coloured powder paint, creating a joyful afternoon of colourful faces and plenty of laughter.

The BBQ on the same day added to the celebrations and gave families another opportunity to spend time together. Thank you to everyone who helped organise, run and support such a memorable event.

SJPS Fest and Aladdin

Following its postponement because of the extreme heat, SJPS Fest took place on Monday 13 July. Classes performed musical or dance routines inspired by television programmes and films, celebrating the children’s creativity and performing talents. We were also so impressed with the parents and teachers who joined in with the performances taking part in our lunchtime karaoke sessions!

Year 5 and Year 6 also performed their end-of-year production of Aladdin. Their confidence, teamwork and hard work shone through. Well done to the children and staff who put so much into these performances!

Sporting Stars and Healthy Living

Our pupils gave us plenty to cheer about this term:

• Our football team became Newport Primary Schools’ Plate Winners, defeating Rogerstone in a penalty shootout!
• Sixteen pupils represented the school in a cricket fixture against Llanyrafon Primary and won both matches.
• Eleven Year 2 pupils represented St. Julian’s brilliantly at Gŵyl Plant, performing their country dances with confidence and enthusiasm.
• Our Sports Days celebrated teamwork, determination and children giving their best.

Healthy Living Day brought together activities supporting physical and mental wellbeing, with visiting partners and special guest Angus O’Brien, captain of the Dragons.

Sporting Stars and Healthy Living

During the Mission to Move More Challenge, 365 active pupils recorded an amazing 75,569,564 steps, helping the school finish 17th in the league. Congratulations to 6BH, our most active class, closely followed by 6KS, and to Jasper in Year 6, our most active individual pupil!

Adventures Across the School

Nursery enjoyed a family picnic at Beechwood Park and a hands-on Wild Science minibeast workshop, exploring the natural world with curiosity and excitement.

Reception visited Bristol Zoo, took part in a Noah’s Ark workshop and welcomed families to a The Tiger Who Came to Tea picnic. They also made lemonade and sold it to parents from the school hatch—an excellent introduction to teamwork and enterprise!

Year 1 visited Barry Island beach as part of their O Dan y Môr learning and explored marine life through a Rockpool School workshop.

Year 4 learned how drinking water was treated and supplied during their visit to the water treatment works. They also enjoyed football, multi-sports and cricket sessions, alongside a farming workshop with Jamie from Slade Farm Organics.

Year 6 enjoyed their three-day residential at Llangrannog, with outdoor adventures providing opportunities to develop independence, resilience and teamwork.

Caring for Our Community and Our Future

We were delighted to receive The Basics Award through the Young Carers in Schools Programme, recognising our commitment to supporting young carers. Young Carers Week also gave pupils opportunities to celebrate and enjoy team-building activities.

Eco Conference

Ten Eco Committee members attended the Chartwells Eco Conference at John Frost School, exploring sustainability, healthy living and ways to reduce food waste. They represented the school exceptionally well and returned with ideas to share.

Medical Mavericks Workshop

Pupils also explored future careers through a Medical Mavericks workshop and a careers fair featuring professionals from a wide range of industries. Year 5 and Year 6 took part in Youth Justice Service sessions about responsibility and positive choices, while Year 6 received support from CAMHS to

prepare for secondary school.

Y6 Careers Day

Keeping Learning Going During the Heat

During the extreme temperatures on 24 and 25 June, pupils continued learning at home through our blended learning arrangements. Thank you for your flexibility and support, and to staff for providing activities remotely. Chartwells also provided packed lunches for families who required them.

Our adapted Year 3 Sports Day included additional shade, cold drinking water, water-based activities and sprinklers, helping children enjoy the occasion comfortably.

Dates for Your Diary – Autumn Term

• Autumn Term Starts: Tuesday 2nd September 2026
• Monday 14th September – Year 1 walk around the community 
• Tuesday 15th September – Year 1 visiting Caerleon Road 
• Wednesday 16th September – 5IB visiting Slade Farm
• Thursday 17th September – 5MM visiting Slade Farm
• Thursday 17th September – Louby Lou visiting Reception in school
• Friday 18th September – 5RHP visit to Slade Farm
• Friday 18th September – Meet The Teacher – more information to follow.  
• Monday 21st September – Flu Immunisations
• Tuesday 22nd September – Flu Immunisations
• Wednesday 23rd September – Year 2 Newport bus tour
• Thursday 24th September – Year 3 Visit to St Fagans
• Thursday 24th September – Netball tournament
• Friday 25th September – Colorfoto Photographers in School for Photographs
• Monday 28th September – Year 2 Science workshops – in school
• Friday 9th October – Whole School Harvest Assembly
• Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th October – Parent Consultations
• Wednesday 14th October – Year 4 visit to Berkeley Castle
• Thursday 15th October – Girls Football Festival
• Friday 16th October – Show Racism the Red Card Day – Wear Red
• Monday 19th October – Year 6 visit to Crucial Crew
• Tuesday 20th October – Year 5 visit to Big Pit Coal Museum
• Wednesday 21st October – Year 3 visit to Roman Amphitheatre 
• Thursday 22nd October – Football Festival
• Half term: Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October
• Tuesday 3rd November – Year 2 Planetarium visiting school
• Friday 13th November – Crazy Hair Day for Children in Need
• Monday 30th November – Mince Pie and Raffle Event
• Tuesday 1st December – Louby Lou visiting Nursery in school
• Thursday 3rd December – Glyn Anwen Christmas singing
• Thursday 10th December – Christmas Jumper Day – Save The Children UK
• Friday 4th December – Year 2 Christmas Concert
• Monday 7th December – Year 4 Christmas Concert
• Monday 7th December – New Nursery Parents’ Meeting
• Tuesday 8th December – Year 1 Christmas Concert
• Wednesday 9th December – Year 3 Christmas Concert
• Wednesday 9th December – Provisional Date for Christmas Carol Service at Baptist Church – TBC – waiting for confirmation
• Thursday 10th December – Nursery Christmas Concert
• Friday 11th December – Reception Christmas Concert
• Monday 14th December – PTA Christmas Bazaar
• Thursday 17th December – Class Christmas Parties
• Autumn Term Ends: Friday 18th December

*Other dates, including Christmas Movie nights will be added nearer the time

Thank You to Our Staff and Families

Across the year, staff offered up to 28 different after-school clubs, giving children opportunities to discover interests, develop skills and build friendships. I am very grateful for the time and care staff gave to these opportunities and to school life throughout the year.

Thank you to all our families for being part of such a supportive school community. To our departing Year 6 pupils and families, thank you for the memories – you will always be part of the St. Julian’s story.

I wish you all a happy summer filled with rest, fun and time together.

Warmest wishes,

Mr Mansfield
Headteacher