January

INFANTS
Winter walk
Despite the very cold weather over the last few weeks,
Year 2 have been Winter nature detectives.
We braved the cold and went to observe the wildlife and
plants to see if there were any changes from our Autumn
walk. The children were very observant and spotted many
changes. Some of their observations were, bulb shoots
appearing in our planters, different coloured berries on
some of the plants around the school, deciduous trees
without leaves and evergreen plant still green with leaves.
The children were extremely excited to spot some
strawberry plants and 1 tiny little strawberry still attached to
the plant. Once back in the warmth the children were able
to discuss reasons for the changes and wrote their ideas up
for our nature journals.
The following information highlights
what is happening in some of the Junior clubs
JUNIORS
Drama Club
Drama club is running for Year 4 this
term in the Music room on a Monday
lunch time. We have started with
Drama games which require quite a
bit of concentration and listening
skills, something that some of the
group are finding challenging! The
children tell me they are enjoying it
and their skills are slowly improving.
We have worked on Magic Chairs,
Shazam, Change the Action and the
children’s favourite so far- Zoom
Eek. We are hoping to introduce
some role play and mime in the next
few weeks but the aim is to have a
little fun too.
Miniature Indoor Garden
Club
This term, on a Monday lunchtime,
Year 3 pupils have the option to
attend ‘Miniature Indoor Garden’
club. Over half a term, children will
be designing and making their own
miniature gardens. They have
chosen themes such as ‘Ancient
Egypt’, ‘Lego World’ and ‘Fairyland’
and are looking for items from nature
to help with their landscaping
project! We’re looking forward to the
finished products!
Chess Club
Chess in the Junior School continues
to be very popular and a pathway
into the chess squad has been created
by inviting aspiring chess players
from Years 3 and 4 to join the chess
squad sessions and be mentored by
the current squad. It is hoped that
this arrangement will develop the
skills and strategies of all the chess
players and raise standards in the
Junior School chess squad as we
enter into the Blackburn School’s
Chess League and other local school
chess tournaments. A special mention
must go to Alex Bateson (year 6)
who remains unbeaten so far this
academic year, winning all seven of
the matches he has played - well
done Alex.
Football Club
Football Club takes place on Tuesday
lunchtimes in the school gym.
This half term it is the turn of Year 3.
So far we have worked on: controlling
a moving ball, passing in a
straight line and running with the
ball, keeping it under control. I have
been very impressed with the children
so far, they have a good attitude
and maybe we could have a
future star at our school. We have
even tried controlling a tennis ball;
it’s not easy to do, but the children
gave it a good try and had some fun.
Running Club
This term, years 5 and 6 will take
part in a running club held each
Tuesday lunchtime. Participants will
develop effective running technique
whilst working on speed intervals
and longer distance endurance
training. The flat, open space of East
Lancs Cricket Club provides the
perfect surface on which to develop
QEGS future running stars.