As the year draws to a close, so does our first term of the 2024-2025 academic year. Needless to say, it has been a jam-packed Michaelmas term and we wanted to share our reflections on just a few highlights from the past few months.
The Lord Mayor’s Show
This November, our Heads of House, Head Boy and Girl and some members of staff had the unique opportunity of joining the parade at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London, along with Oundle School after an invitation from the Mayor of London himself who is now the fifth Old Oundelian to hold this office. Check out some of the pupils’ reflections on the day in this video.
Paralympian Danielle Brown
In October, double gold Paralympian Danielle Brown visited our School and inspired the children with the power of self belief. After an inspiring assembly she ran some exciting archery workshops, giving the children the opportunity to have a go themselves.
Tessa and Archie row 200km
Over the month of September, our Head of MFL Tessa Humphrey and her son Archie accumulatively rowed 100km each in a bid to fundraise for Bone Cancer research. This was an amazing undertaking, involving many early morning starts and late night sessions to get the job done. Between them they have now raised over £1000!
James Brunt Artist
Landscape artist James Brunt paid a visit to our Woodland Garden for the day and guided our children through the process of creating their very own beautiful land art using only sticks and leaves from the local environment. See how the day went with this video.
Girls’ Rugby Masterclasses
This term, Year 4, 5 and 6 girls have all had the opportunity to try their hands at Rugby, learning and developing some core Rugby skills with the support of Northampton Saints Rugby coaches. Following the excitement and enthusiasm from the girls, we can’t wait for the launch of the new Girls’ Rugby Club at LJS in Lent 2025!
Author Visit
Children’s author Abi Elphinstone paid us a visit to share with the children an insight into how she comes up with exciting new ideas for her books and what her life as an author is like.
Maths in Art Exhibition
With the support of Mrs Marais and Mrs Ashby, this term our children have been embracing the power of Mathematics to create unique art and blend creative expression with mathematical concepts. A pop up exhibition at LJS showcased the children’s’ brilliant work.
Eco-Schools Award with Distinction
This year, we were awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag for the third year running and this time, with Distinction. This was the result of a School-wide effort with initiatives focused on promoting environmental awareness and sustainability in our School community like the Great Litter Pick challenge, Walk to School week and Energy-Free School day. Our Eco team, under the guidance of Mr Marsden also worked hard at leading their peers in practicing positive habits such as turning off the lights in unused rooms and sowing native wildflower seeds in the School borders.
Exciting Trips…
This term, Reception, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 all enjoyed some exciting excursions away from the classroom. Year 6’s Peak District bouldering trip was lucky to be graced with clear weather whilst Reception’s visit to Sacrewell farm saw the children fully embracing the elements with wellies and waterproofs! Year 4 discovered what Anglo Saxon life was like at West Stow while Year 5 were immersed in the world of the Tudors at Burghley House and Fotheringhay Castle. Year 3 loved their first ever residential at the Frontier Centre, complete with archery, climbing and bouncy castles!
Anti-Bullying Week 2024
Antibullying Week 2024 saw our School seizing the opportunity to raise more awareness of bullying, how to define it and what to do about it. Our School Council worked on designing some eye-catching new posters that will be going up around our School corridors and classrooms and Odd Socks Day was a hit as always!
Christmas 2024 at LJS
It’s undeniable that Christmas is one key thing that makes every Michaelmas Term special and this year was no different. From the Year 1 Nativity, to the Winter Concert, to Crash into Christmas and the Carol Service at Oundle School Chapel bringing everything to a close, celebrating the festive season will always be a big highlight from the last four months at LJS.
