Jingle all the way!
Huge thanks to our wonderful Parent Teacher Association and staff who worked so hard to pull off a fantastic family movie night. Thanks also to Father Andrzej and Margam Parishioners for allowing us to use their recently refurbished hall. Pjs and sleeping bags were non negotiable!
A real team effort, thanks also to those who helped clean up at the end of the evening.
Huge thanks to all who contributed to our Harvest Food Bank Appeal and to Jack and his parents help in transporting the goods to the food bank. We have been assured that this food is urgently needed and will go back into our own community of Port Talbot.
Thanks to our hard working Parents and Teachers, our Welcome Back disco was a huge success and attended by almost all of the children in our school. A special vote of thanks to Parish Priest of Margam Father Andrzej and his events team in Margam Parish for allowing us to use the parish hall.
Thanks to our ex-pupils for manning the door to efficiently.
Huge thanks to our local community and friends of St Joseph for taking time out to visit our school.
Monday 10.10.2022 Community Nurse Laura McKintosh talks to classes
Tuesday 11.10.2022 Radiographer Louise Williams, followed by Community Police Officer Dave Collins
Wednesday12.10.2022 Road Safety- Chloe Lyons, followed by Engineer Sarma Volety
Thursday 13.10.2022 Teacher- Tess Beynon
Friday 14.10.2022 RNLI and Fire Brigade- Fire Engine
We have been very lucky to enjoy sessions with Eleanor from Tiny Toes Ballet!
Here are some pictures from our sessions!
Year 2 have been lucky enough to enjoy photography sessions with expert, local Mumbles photographer Mr Jack Moyse!
We began by taking portrait images of each other using a camera on a tripod and then explored using healthy and unhealthy foods for some still-life shots!
We enjoyed learning about and using the different equipment that Jack had brought.
We look forward to working with Jack regularly and creating a Cynefin project during after school clubs!
Diolch Mr Moyse!
Year 2 celebrated a wonderful St. David’s Day Mass on Tuesday with Father Andrzej.
It was a special Mass where were able to take part by reading the Bidding Prayers.
We look forward to returning to Mass in Church in the future! We are very grateful that Father Andrzej brought the Mass to us in our classroom. What a special celebration to mark the Feast of Saint David.
Reception P4C
Koala makes the Right Choice – Raising awareness that choices result in consequences, which can be positive or negative.
After listening carefully to the story we discussed the differences between:-
‘Good Choices’ and ‘Bad Choices.’ We drew pictures and placed them in the appropriate hoop.
Rainbow Fish – Exploring ethics, specifically friendships and sharing.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Do you think Rainbow Fish should have shared his scales? Following our discussion we evaluated our lesson using happy/sad faces.
Reception/Year 1 P4C
Question for philosophy enquiry: Would you rather stay at home or come to school?
The children made their first choice when the question was posed, they sat either side of the ‘concept line’ according to their choice. After listening to their friends reasons for their choice, the vote changed and many children decided that they too would like to change their mind! In P4C it’s fine to change your mind.
First Vote
Second Vote
Monkey needs to Listen – exploring issues of listening properly to instructions and paying attention.
Before the story was read the children played ‘Simon Says.’ This game highlighted the importance of listening carefully.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Has there been a time when you haven’t listened to an adult, what were the consequences?
‘Simon Says’
After the enquiry the children played:-
‘Chinese Whispers’
Year 1 P4C
Turtle comes out of her shell – A story about why sometimes people feel uncomfortable in certain situations, and how we can try to find ways to overcome shyness and anxiety.
Question for philosophy enquiry: Have you ever felt shy like Turtle in the story?
During our enquiry we discussed ways of overcoming anxiety and shyness. In the story Miss Bird the teacher suggested taking a deep breath. The children practised a mindful exercise called ‘Hot Chocolate.’ They cooled their imaginary hot chocolate while focussing on breathing and relaxing and realised that they can help to control their feelings of shyness and anxiety.
Lion’s in a Flap – A book about feeling worried. Children have an opportunity to explore what makes people feel worried and how to use coping mechanisms.
Questions for philosophy enquiry :-
Have you ever felt worried?
How does it make you feel?
Can you think of a way to overcome these physical features of anxiety?
Year 2 P4C
Croc Needs to Wait – This book gives children the opportunity to explore the idea of being patient and the importance of taking the time to do things carefully.
Question for philosophy enquiry:-
Why is it important to work cooperatively?
Have you ever worked with a friend, how did it go?
Following the enquiry the children were set into pairs with friends they don’t normally work with. They were given a giraffe to colour. It was necessary to share the two crayons that they were provided with to complete the task.
The children evaluated their learning, they decided that:-
They liked working with different friends.
It was fun.
It was exciting.
It was good.
It was a pleasure.
Some children said that they would love to do it again!
Rhino Learns to be Polite – This story gives children the opportunity to explore the importance of having good manners and being polite and considerate towards others.
Question for philosophy enquiry: What makes good manners?
The children made lots of suggestions:-
No interrupting when someone is speaking.
Remember to say please and thank you.
No yawning when someone is speaking.
They were given the opportunity to agree/disagree with their peers, and to state their reasons why?
