St.Helen's children meet the Kenyan High Commissioner at the Kenya Embassy

For ten lucky children, it was the opportunity of a lifetime when they met the Kenyan High Commissioner at the Kenya Embassy in London today. The visit was the finale of a year long project studying how children live and are educated in Kenya and all things Kenyan. The school also raised money for Kenyan causes as part of our charitable donations this year. Year 5 children were invited to apply for a trip place by writing persuasive letters as to why they should meet the High Commissioner.
The children shared their work with the High Commissioner and chatted about their learning. Three girls were also selected to sing the national anthem for the High Commissioner led by Mrs Margaret Lesuuda, the Second Counsellor for Education who visited St. Helen's at the start of the programme. A small group of children from St. Gregory's and Melton Schools also attended the event and shared their work.
Thank you to the Kenya High Commissioner for making the children so welcome and enabling this amazing experience.

 Doing the Dab with Percy the Pig at Spitalfields

Ipswich Star Free School article 27/6

Ipswich Star Free School Article 27th June 2016

Year 5 Matisse inspiration

Year 5 taking inspiration from Matisse in art lessons.

Picasso inspired portraits...

...by Year 6 pupils.

Drowning prevention week

Year 5 have been looking at forces and buoyancy during drowning prevention week.

Year 6 Python coding

Coding in Year 6 is getting more and more complex...

Eco club members model their reusable bags.

Members of the Eco Club have spent many weeks coming up with ideas, designing and producing their bags. They showed some of their hard work in Friday's assembly. 

One pupil said "I enjoyed making the bags because it has been great and sociable designing and decorating our bags". 

Year 4 Music Day at DanceEast

Our Year 4 classes took part in a music day, with other local primary schools, held at DanceEast. After the rehearsal sessions lead by the County Music Service Staff, the children performed a concert to family and friends. This included the newly learnt songs and a showcase from each school of the instrument the children had been learning. St. Helen's children have made great progress this year on the flute and they should be proud of their performance.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwV7rSBvS4hkT0ZqbEJhYWp6ak0

Stag beetle expert visit to school

Colin Hawes visited St. Helen's to talk to children from Reception up to Year 5. After hearing of the stag beetles found in our churchyard Colin offered to come and speak to the children about the lifecycle of a stag beetle and why we are so lucky to have them in our grounds. Colin is one of only two stag beetle experts in the country. The children and staff really enjoyed Colin's talks about these little known creatures. 

A Year 3 pupil said "It was amazing, I now know so much about stag beetles!". 

Year 5 New Wolsey workshop

Action shot of Year 5 enjoying a drama work shop with The New Wolsey Theatre this afternoon.

Tree Frog Viking research

Year 6 Tree Frogs have been producing Google sides for their independent Viking research today. 

Year 4 making "sweet music"

Year 4 are at Dance East today with Halifax, St Margaret's and Holbrook for a whole day of music: preparing a number of pieces for a concert for parents this afternoon.

St. Helen's Got Talent Winner!

Friday night saw the final of St. Helen's Got Talent 2016. It was a wonderful night of entertainment not only with the finalists performing but also Mrs Clarke's choir and local band Hipidi. The winner of this year's competition was Ava Kidgell from Year One's Zebra Class. One of our youngest finalists, Ava performed a gymnastic routine to music including backward walkovers, the splits and one handed cartwheels! Well done to Ava and all those who took part in the show. We are very proud of you! 

Harry Potter Club is Cancelled today (20/06/16)

Please note Harry Potter Club is cancelled today (20/06/16) Sorry for any inconvenience.

Update: St. Helen's attend the UK's largest primary athletics event

Children attended the UK's largest primary athletics event at Northgate High School this week. Danny Crates, the gold medal winning Paralympian, opened the ceremony. The children competed in four events: 75m sprint, vortex throw, 600m and the standing long jump. More than 630 children from over 50 schools took part together with 100 Young Sports Leaders from local secondary schools.

UPDATE: Out of 64 schools St. Helen's finished in our best ever position of 2. A terrific result and a reflection of just how awesome all the children were on the day.

Clare Flintoff nominated for Educational Leader of the Year award

We are delighted to announce that Clare Flintoff, Executive Principal of IPAT and Headteacher of St. Helen's Primary School, has been nominated for the 2016 Raising the Bar Award's Educational Leader of the Year.

The finalists have been invited to the Raising the Bar Awards Ceremony at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Monday 20 June, where the winners will be announced. 

http://rtbawards.com/shortlist/

Year 5 tie dying

Year 5 have been extremely busy tie dying - proof that the children will love to help you hang the washing out!

Year 6 Crucial Crew

Year 6 children have spent the morning dealing with various dangerous / challenging situations at a Crucial Crew workshop. Typical scenarios include incidents such as road accidents and gas leaks and the children then engage in roleplay exercises in how to deal with these situations.

The PTA proudly presents...St. Helen's Got Talent Final 2016

Finalists families who pre-ordered tickets, please collect and pay at the PTA table after school in the playground.

Limited tickets on general sale - soon to sell out!

Doors open 6pm. Smart dress code requested.

 

Year 6 Northgate transition

Year 6 transition science with teachers from Northgate,

We present... 'The Caucus Race.'

Year 6 children enjoyed a wonderful theatre make-up workshop with Mrs Webb.

Tickles the African land snail visit

Nursery children had a visit from an African land snail called Tickles yesterday. They observed the snail closely and this really helped them to paint their pictures of it.

Queen's 90th Birthday picnic lunch

Children spent a joyous lunchtime celebrating the Queen's 90th Birthday this week. Everyone joined in with fun games, dancing and the wearing of red accessories.

Year 5 cricket was fast and furious!

Year 6 Lego and boys' writing

Year 6 boys built their stories in Lego today, one paragraph at a time.

Year 5 poet visit

Year 5 children worked very hard to 'overwhelm' poet in residence Jenifer Smith with their words and ideas today. 

St. Helen's Papercraft Club

Year 5 and 6 are proud to share some of the items they have been making recently in Papercraft Club.

East Swim results

Well done to all children who took part in the 'East Swim' before half term. St.Helen's achieved a total of 27,066 laps around the pool. All classes were extremely close but Shark Class just managed to notch up the most laps. We will hear which local school wins overall very soon. 

Stag beetle find at St. Helen's!

A group of children found a nest of stag beetles in the church yard this week. It's a fantastic find of this protected species at our school. A minimum of four adult stag beetles were visible just emerging from the ground. St. Helen's is taking part in the Wildlife Trusts' '30 Days Wild in June' - what an incredible way to kick off #30dayswildatStHelens. 

Fun and merriment in Year 5 with author James Campbell

'Are you the capital of Chile?'

Year 5 abstract portraits

Year 5 pupils have been mastering the art of mixed material portraits

.

Spaces still available for the St. Helen's Gets Cooking Club, starting this week.

See club webpage for details.

Year 4 pupil selected to perform with Gecko Theatre

A Year 4 pupil, hand picked by the Gecko Theatre, made his debut with them today in 'The Wedding' at DanceEast. This was a scratch performance of 'The Wedding' which is part of this year’s hugely exciting Pulse Festival. Year 4 pupils were fortunate enough to have the opportunity of attending a workshop with the Gecko Theatre recently and following this, the pupil was asked to join them for the performance. Family and staff thoroughly enjoyed the powerful and moving performance in which the pupil emerged from a suitcase. Photos to follow. For more information please visit http://geckotheatre.com/the-wedding/