This morning four children from 4Z came to show me their Learning Challenges. I was so impressed by their work and they way they described their learning. They have clearly been working very hard and have enjoyed creating these fabulous projects.
Owen's Water Cycle
Olivia's Water Cycle
Olivia's 'three states of matter' poem
Holly's Water Cycle
Holly's Mayan numbers
James's model of Violet (a character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
On Wednesday the 10th February, three girls & three boys from Years 5&6 went to Coopers' to play in a Quicksticks hockey tournament against other schools in Havering.
Schools were split into four groups. Our UJS team was in 'group 3', and we played against St Edwards, Pyrgo, Mead, Parsonage Farm and Branfil. Our first game was against St Edwards, which we won 2-0. Next we played against Pyrgo and we won 4-0. Out third game was against Mead, which again ended in a 2-0 victory. After that we played Parsonage Farm and this was a game that we unfortunately lost 2-1. Still determined, we finally went on to play the last match of the group against Branfil, which we knew would be hard. Although they scored early on we pushed through and successfully won 2-1. The winners of each group then made it into the semi-finals.
When the results were announced three teams in our group had only lost one game, so it came down to goal difference. Despite us beating them earlier on, Branfil made it through to the next round, so unluckily that was the end of the tournament for us. We were, however, one of three schools to receive a 'passion' school value card. This award proves to us that we worked well together and during the tournament supported each other.
The team and I would like to thank Mr Stanley for his coaching and hard work.
We have had a great day taking part in Safer Internet day 2016 this year. Our digital leaders did a great job in the assembly this morning and lots of pupils took part in posting positive comments on pictures put up in the corridor.The children were brilliant at finding the negative comment!
Year 5 & 6 visited Hall Mead this morning to see a performance of 'Copacabana'.
Waiting for the performance to start
The play performed by the Hall Mead pupils was amazing. They played their parts with great enthusiasm and confidence which made the play even more enjoyable.
All of the pupils bought the Copacabana to life. The singing, dancing and acting was brilliant, furthermore all of the children looked like they were enjoying themselves. The costumes were beautiful and brought lots of colour to the stage.
The finale
The pupils that helped with the lighting and the stage crew were all very good and the children helping with the music were amazing too. Some of the performers used to come to UJS.
Overall the performance was excellent and all of the teachers who helped bring the play to life were great too.
On Saturday 30th January 2016, Chloe Brand, Callum Basinger and I took part in the East Region Sportshall Athletics competition.
There were five teams, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire. In itself, it was an honour to be there. To qualify for the Essex team we had to go to three trials. There were many people at the competition and our opponents were very fierce, however, our team were determined to persevere and with our efforts we came in third place. We were supported by family and Mrs Day, the athletics coach.
There was a wide variety of events which included javelin, standing long jump, speed bounce, obstacle relay, hurdles relay and a two lap race. I tool part in the 4x1 relay, hurdles relay and standing long jump. It was a great opportunity to represent our county by competing as part of the Essex team and I enjoyed every passing minute.
Another Upminster Derby for the Girls, this time at home to Branfil.
On the 28th of January the Girls' Football team played a very tough match against Branfil Primary School. The UJS goals were scored by Ruby Barnes who scored two goals, Chloe Brand scored 2, Olivia Sorrell scored an amazing penalty to take the score to 5-0, Evie Gadsdon scored one goal which was a tough goal to get and we also had a stunning goal from Bethan Hodges. Branfil netted two, taking the final score 7-2, in what was an excellent match.
On the 13th January 2016, Upminster Junior School Girls' Football team took on Engayne Primary School. What should have been a home match had to be moved to Engayne because of the weather.
UJS triumphed in a hard and physical match against excellent opponents, with goals from Ruby Barnes and Evie Gadsdon. The final score was 2-1, with a penalty against us.
A massive thank you to all the supporters, and especially to our coaching team of Omar, Lizzy and Miss Beqiri.
As part of Maths Week, some Year 5 & Year 6 pupils created and organised a maths workshop for our lower school pupils on Wednesday & Thursday.
Each child was challenged to complete some exciting activities such as:
- Tetrahedron Teaser
- Transforming Times Tables
- Polygon Puzzler
- Competitive Coin Collecting
- Subtraction Shoot-out
- Forearm Fling
Adam, Year 4, attended the workshop on Wednesday.
'It was good, my favourite was where you stand opposite each other, a bigger boy calls out a sum, and we had to answer it. Whoever gets it right can kick the ball. If you score a goal your team gets a point'.
Parents: your turn next... Maths Workshop tonight (Thursday) 7pm in the hall with Mr Ansell.
The whole school gathered on a gloomy Monday morning for a very special event.
Mr Woodford made a speech welcoming everyone to the special moment in the school's history. More than just an opening of the play area, it was a celebration of the years of hard work and dedication to the school by the Parents' Association.
He explained how the play area was a fine example of the school values in action. He thanked the School Council for their plans.
Mrs Wright
Mr Woodford thanked the PA team for their hard work, especially Mrs Wright (Chair for the last four years) & her family. Mrs Wright was presented with a bouquet as a token of the school's gratitude. Mr Wright, who is also a Governor, has looked after and managed the funds in his role as PA treasurer. The cheque for £50,000 was presented to the school by Rebecca Wright, now a Coopers' pupil, on behalf of the Parents' Association.
Other staff members were thanked - especially Mr Brown, Mr Fitzgerald & Mr Rowden for moving a ton (literally!) of leaves, moving benches and preparing the area. Mrs Wyer has put together a lunchtime plan to enable all children to be able to use the play area on a regular basis.
Mr Woodford then handed over to the Mayor of Havering to conduct the official opening. There was a countdown...
... and the playground was open! The School Council and representatives from each class needed no encouragement - they were off to play! A few members of staff were also spotted 'testing' the equipment.
We had a great day raising money for Children in Need! Everyone participated in fundraising fun, and a few pupils rose to the Champions of Change challenge set by our volunteer team from Lloyds Bank. We raised a grand total of £667 - well done everyone.
Year Four held a Pudsey Fayre
Nail Art was a very popular stall at the Fayre
Our Lloyds Bank Manager Steve counting money and writing Pudsey Cheques
Plans are in progress for Children in Need next week. Two YR4 pupils asked Mr Woodford to display a poster for their event:
Mr Woodford was also impressed with the covering letter, detailing a highly planned activity:
As requested by our two fundraisers, we will supply a table on Thursday and Friday, and the poster will be emailed to all parents later this morning. We hope they will be well supported by their schoolfriends. We'll let you know how they got on!
