St Pius X Catholic Primary School

We would like to thank all the pupils and children who contributed artifacts and family stories related to WWII. Your effort in bringing in these valuable items and sharing personal connections has made our exploration of history truly special. It was fascinating to see the range of artifacts, from binoculars and photographs, each with its own story to tell. The family stories provided incredible insight into life during the war, particularly here in Chelmsford. We learned about how local families adapted to wartime challenges, from the use of Anderson shelters in gardens to the vital work at the Marconi factory, which contributed to the war effort. Pupils are still welcome to bring in any artefacts or share any family stories!

 Please find a link to this week's Wednesday Word here:

  WWII Evacuation Research  Today, we conducted in-depth research on WWII evacuations, focusing on their impact on children and young people. We explored how evacuations were arranged, including the use of government campaigns, posters, and coordination between urban and rural areas. Our research covered both the positive and negative effects of evacuations: the opportunities for children to experience safety, new environments, and improved living conditions in the countryside, as well as the challenges of separation from families, adjustment to new households, and emotional hardship. We used various sources to support our research, including historical newspapers, posters, and photographs, which provided authentic insights into the time. Additionally, we utilised reputable websites like the BBC and the Imperial War Museum , which offered detailed accounts and personal stories, enriching our understanding of this significant historical event.   

  We have been building on our knowledge of place value to multiply and divide by 10,100 and 1000. We have secured our knowledge that the decimal point does not move. We have learned this handy rap which can be applied numbers, decimal or otherwise, to help them multiply numbers. This can also be applied to dividing numbers. We hope that this helps the learning to be remembered and secure! Cody - The rap is good. It helps me to multiply.  Kachi - The rap we learned is helpful. It's helpful to understand how to divide and multiply by 10, 100 and 1000.  Well done year 5!

During today’s Year 6 RE lesson, we explored the diverse genres found in the Bible, including historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, and parables. Pupils learnt how each genre uniquely conveys God’s message and how understanding the purpose and context of these literary styles enhances their interpretation of Scripture. End of lesson prayer. 

  In Year 3 we are about to begin to learn all about the Geography of our world. We'll be learning about the cities in the UK, the countries of Europe and all of the human and physical features of different islands around the world.  For our entry point we transformed the classroom into an island paradise and enjoyed a selection of different tropical fruits. It was all good fun until a nasty storm left us shipwrecked and we had to find a way to survive!! We had so much fun, I loved learning about what you could do to survive alone on an island Florence

 This week in Year One, we have started our place value topic (within 20). Students explored different ways of making numbers up to 16 this week with different activities and games.  First, in centres, students used a range of manipulatives to explore numbers 0-16. They discovered that if they are using a ten frame and the number is larger than 10, they will need another 10 frame! Students were introduced to the phrase __ tens and __ ones. As an extension, some students were asked to write their number on a whiteboard (e.g., 13 = thirteen). "I know 13 has 1 ten and 3 ones" - Eva "9 plus 2 equals 11" - Ava-Grace "When a ten frame is full, you know that it equals ten" - Arsha "17 has 1 ten and 7 ones" - Leona "11 has 1 ten and 1 one" - Alfie Then, students played a matching game! Students were given either a numeral, written number, a number represented on a numicon, or a number represented using ten frames. Students had to roam around th...

  Essex Young Carers Online Training Session     Gaining an understanding of Young Carers and how to better support them in educational settings   Event Details:   There is an estimated 800,000 Young Carers in the country and the majority of these are hidden. Essex Young Carers Service will be delivering a training session for attendees to gain a better understanding of what makes a Young Carer, the potential impact of their caring roles and how to develop and share good practice within the school setting to better identify and support Young Carers.   Learning Outcomes: . To gain a better understanding of who a Young Carer is and what a day in a life Young Carer might look like ·        To gain a better understanding on the potential impacts of being a Young Carer, covering social, mental health, physical health and education ·        To be able to identi...

The Community & Family Learning Team have set up the following FREE sessions to support all families (mainly online) around the following areas: Children’s Anxiety Raising Boys & Girls Talking So Children Will Listen Zones of Regulation Our email address is  aclfamilylearning@essex.gov.uk

This morning we have been working hard on the place value of decimal numbers. The class enjoyed using base 10 dienes to create decimal numbers helping to solidify their understanding of the value of each digit.  The children made different decimal numbers using the resources before challenging a friend to make their own numbers. We worked together to create the numbers showing our reciprocity skills. Using physical resources in our first lesson will support our deeper learning when we move on and help to ensure a full understanding of the value of the digits.  Well done Year 5! 

 On Thursday, Year4 completed their unit on the Stone Age to Iron Age with a Museum they had created. They have spend several sessions researching a specific topic on prehistoric history in groups (money, food and drink, farming, clothing, tools, art and languages/writing). They used Chrome Books and iPads to research their topic, gather information and choose the which information they should include and which information was the most reliable.  They used this information to create displays and present what they had discovered to the class. We then invited adults and the rest of the school to come and see what we had learned and created. Many of Year 4 were able to tell the other classes what they had discovered. We've greatly enjoyed this topic and look forward to our next one. "They were so amazing. They did such a great job. I was so impressed," -Year 5 student.

  Rejoice!  The Lord is near! This week we are talked about the true meaning of Christmas, and how we prepare for Christ's Coming. The children were reminded about the importance of staying connected to God throughout Advent by praying and listening to His Word as we do in Whole School Liturgy.   It is very easy through Advent to get caught up in the preparations for the big celebration but the children were asked to look deep within and think about how they will prepare as we get closer to Christmas. On behalf of governors and staff at St Pius X, we wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas. May the blessing of our loving God come upon us; may we prepare to meet him and feel the presence and power of his Spirit always. Amen

Today, we had a class circle time and considered all of the learning we had done within the topic of Advent (the lead up to Christmas) and how we could apply some of these teachings to our own lives.  We recapped all of our learning about preparing and waiting, which included the Advent wreath, the Christingle, and the Nativity story.  As a class, we carefully considered deeper questions such as:  How do we feel when we are waiting? Why can waiting be difficult? How can we help others to wait? Our final BIG question that we answered individually was: How can you use what you have learned about Advent in your own life this year?  Some of our answers included: "We can wait with our family and light a candle from the Advent wreath" - Jorel "We can pray while we are waiting" - David "We can be kind when we are waiting and help our family decorate the house" - Benjamin  "We can retell the Nativity story and think about Jesus" - Mia 

 Year 3 have been testing their computer skills and learning how to create a stop motion animation. This involves taking lots of still photographs and editing them together to give the illusion of movement! They created some wonderful battle scenes set within the Roman colosseum. Some children even had flying heads and lions involved, like an old gladiator scene! I really enjoyed watching mine back, it looked like the characters are moving -  Harley

To begin wrapping up our Maths learning covered over the past Autumn term, we revisited and recapped key objectives such as correct number formation, recognising numbers in words, pattern seeking and number bonds, and counting backwards and forwards within 20.  We practised our number formation, used magnetic letters to recap numbers in words, and played games such as dominoes and snakes and ladders!  Well done Year 1! We covered lots of skills this afternoon! We also had to use resourcefulness and reciprocity (two of our 4 Rs) to ensure we used all of the equipment fairly and respectfully with our friends. 

KS1 have enjoyed a fantastically festive afternoon today. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 joined together to have a Christmas party afternoon while KS2 went to the Pantomime.  We had a range of activities available for the children including: festive biscuit decorating, Christmas games, Christmas card making, salt dough decoration making and many more! The children loved dancing to the Christmas music and enjoyed some time together as a key stage. We also enjoyed a short film together at the end of the day to top off our wonderful afternoon!  This was a fantastic way to celebrate the children's success this week with their wonderful Nativity play!  We are all feeling very Christmassy now... Merry Christmas everyone! 

The Mini Vinnies are up and running.  Our first meeting was 2 weeks ago where we chose our leadership team.  Members of the group nominated themselves and gave a presentation and then a vote was taken.  The roles are as follows: President - Raveena Vice President - Ivy Communications Officer - Hannah Secretary - Olive. Yesterday we had our second meeting.  We took time to think about the last kind thing someone had done for us and then how that made us feel.  We listened to 'Roberta's story,' and how a simple act of kindness, whilst she was in hospital helped her feel so happy and less lonely.  We learnt about the impact the SVP has on the people they help.   In our next meeting we want to identify the needs in our local community.   Hannah Communications Officer

This term we have been focusing on fundamental movement skills in our PE sessions.  We have been moving in a range of ways and using different equipment. One of our favorited PE games is the 'Animal game'. The children enjoy moving like different animals, focusing on how they can manipulate their movements to mimic the animal. e.g scurrying quickly and in a sideways fashion like a crab and then stomping slowly like an elephant.  We have practiced changing speed and direction as we are travelling. We have enjoyed moving through, underneath and around different equipment through our lessons too. The children loved our hoop tunnels in which they had to race through the hoops against the other teams.  This term the children have developed their listening and attention skills in environments other than the classroom and they have made some wonderful progress! These lessons provide the perfect opportunity for our pupils to develop their reciprocity through helping each other a...

Well it was that time of year again!!  Last Friday we held our traditional  Santa Stroll.  As always, much fun was had.  We were delighted to welcome so many parents/grandparents/carers along to support the children and the school.  Festive costumes were worn and festive music was played.  We sang, danced and walked many laps around the playground.  Ralph - Year 6 - I enjoyed the Santa Stroll because I like dancing and playing with my friends.   Grace - Year 6 - Head Girl -  It was absolutely amazing.  I loved the music and all my friends and I danced.  This was the best and our last Santa Stroll.  Ella - Year 5 - The Santa Stroll is the best place to talk to friends and enjoy music, so if you love Christmas this is just for you!

Children in Reception and KS1 were invited to design the cover for the Nativity programme for this year's performance 'A King Is Born.' There were some lovely entries, all of which have been displayed around the school! It was very difficult to choose a winner so there are 4 designs on the front cover! Well done and congratulations to: Theodor, My-An, Reuben and Ajooni!

  On Tuesday, Year 6 participated in a special Reconciliation Service, a meaningful part of their spiritual journey. The service included scripture readings and prayers, encouraging reflection and seeking forgiveness.  

For the season of Advent, in KS1, the children are given the opportunity to take home our travelling crib. This is an opportunity to set up the Nativity scene at home, light a candle and spend some time as a family reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.  We also encourage the children to draw or write about what Christmas means to them and to say a prayer with their families.  The first entries we have had in Reception this week have been wonderful and the children are excited for their turn to take home the crib scene!  'I loved having the crib, My mummy read the story with me.' - Urane We welcome any opportunity to link our in school worship and learning with you at home and think this is a lovely connection between home and school during this advent period. 

  This week, Year 4 have started their Advent journey. In the last week of November, the class drew pictures depicting the Nativity which we've turned into our very own class advent Calendar. We also have started adding figures to our Crib. We've incorporated both of these into our pupil-led worship and have enjoyed uncovering the class's wonderful pictures.

 Please find a link to this week's Wednesday Word below:

 In Year 2 we have been learning about the Annunciation , when Angel Gabriel was sent to give Mary the important message from God - she was to have the Son of God! After hot-seating Mary to think about about how she might feel after receiving this news, we studied some examples of paintings of the Annunciation. Then we had a turn at creating our own art work! We used sponges to dab paint, creating a beam of light. We used foil to create a halo and then decorated the Angel and Mary.