What a whirlwind our final term has been! It has been filled with fun activities that have definitely kept all the children and their teachers very busy! From participating in lots of sporting events during our Healthy Living Week and Sports Day, forming our very own rock band, and singing our hearts out for Matilda, it has been a fantastic few weeks as our time in Year 5 comes to an end.

To kick off our School of Rock theme, we were thrilled to welcome Gwent Music into school. The whole school got to rock out in the hall to a real-life rock and roll band, which truly set the tone for the weeks ahead and left the children buzzing with excitement and inspiration.

As part of the theme, students formed their own rock bands and dedicated significant effort to practising their instruments. Children used online tutorials to learn drums and keyboards, while those playing bass and electric guitar had weekly lessons with Gwent Music. The lead singers had to learn lyrics and practise their stage presence. They did so well bringing it all together in just a few weeks – a remarkable achievement as many had never played an instrument before! We are so proud of the effort they put in.

Alongside this, learners designed unique band logos, created eye-catching album covers, and even planned imaginative world tours. Their teamwork and creativity have been outstanding and the enthusiasm they brought to every aspect of the project was a joy to see.

Earlier in the term, we enjoyed a fantastic theatre trip to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This vibrant and uplifting performance clearly made an impression and helped inspire both our School of Rock projects and when they supported the Year 6 students in their performance of Matilda – as the Y5 choir. With weeks of rehearsals, they dedicated themselves to mastering the challenging harmonies and dynamic rhythms of the show’s iconic songs. Their commitment and support played a big part in helping bring the production to life, showing the power of teamwork and shared passion for the performing arts.

The children really enjoyed doing an online rap workshop with Fleur East, a British singer, rapper and broadcaster known for her dynamic performances and hit songs. Her energy and creativity made the workshop fun and inspiring.

Sports Day was also a huge success, with the sun shining down on us all day. The children were fantastic – enthusiastic, determined, and full of energy – they gave every event their all. It was wonderful to see so many families cheering them on and sharing in the celebration of their efforts.

We also enjoyed a brilliant Creative Festival on the school field, which brought the whole school community together to celebrate the amazing talents we have at SJPS. The Year 5 children particularly loved using Makaton sign language while performing Any Dream Will Do!  From whole-class singing and dancing to impressive individual performances from across the school, the event was a true showcase of creativity, confidence and collaboration. The atmosphere was incredible and it was a real highlight of the term!

As the school year draws to a close, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to another incredible term filled with creativity, hard work and unforgettable experiences. We hope you have a wonderful summer holiday and we are looking forward to welcoming you back for Year 6!