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Together we achieve, learn and grow in a caring, Christian environment

Welcome

Welcome to St John's Church School, I hope that our website gives you a glimpse into the exciting journey of learning that we all undertake each and every day.

We are a place of distinctive excellence, where we value all in our community as individuals and God’s children.

St John's Church School formed a federation with Winyates over 12 years ago, Barnack Primary school 5 year ago and Paston Ridings Primary school just a year ago - this federation has grown from strength to strength. The impact can be seen in the outstanding KS2 academic results putting us in the top 1% of schools nationally and our excellence in personal development where children have so many exciting and developmental opportunities to grow as people.

Together we are called Spirit, this name inspires us to have fortitude and tenacity.

Mrs C Firth
Executive Head

Term Dates

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The everyday Remarkable

1 day ago

ST JOHN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Christmas Storytelling Event!

Nov 13

YEAR 5

Culmington Manor - final day

Our last day started will us getting up at 7:00 and sorting our rooms. You’d be amazed where things go it a room of 8 children! The...

Nov 13

YEAR 5

Day 2 - Culmington Manor

We started the day with a full English and some cereal. This ensured the children were ready for another day of high adrenaline...

Nov 12

YEAR 5

Culmington Manor Update

We arrived at around 1:30pm at the manor and had our packed lunches. After moving into our accommodation we got briefed and prepared for...

Oct 25

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCHOOL

October's Newsletter

Oct 15

ST JOHN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Book Fair Competition!

We are running a competition for children to be in with the chance of winning £25 worth of vouchers for the Book Fair. All they need to...

Oct 15

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCHOOL

European Day of Languages

On Thursday 26th of September, the European day of languages, St John's celebrated the wide range of languages spoken within both Europe,...

Oct 11

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SCHOOL

Great Ormond Street Fun Run Success!

On Wednesday, 9th October, our school came together for a fantastic cause—the Great Ormond Street Fun Run! Children, parents, and...

Sep 30

YEAR 3

Year 3 Flag Fen Trip

Our Year 3 students had a great time at Flag Fen, diving into the world of the Stone Age! They explored ancient tools, learned about life...

Sep 24

ST JOHN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Book Fair is coming to St John's!

We’re excited to announce that the Book Fair will be at St John’s from 17th to 22nd October! Parents and children are welcome to visit...

🎄✨ Christmas is Coming to St John’s Church School! 🎄✨

We’re excited to share the festive events lined up for this season of joy:

🎵 Tuesday 10th December
KS2 Spanish Christmas Carols
🕝 2:30pm | KS2 parents and carers invited
A beautiful celebration of Christmas through Spanish songs!

🌟 Wednesday 11th December
Reception Nativity at the Cathedral
🕐 1:00pm | Reception parents and carers
Join us for a magical Nativity performance in the Cathedral.

🧣🎄 Thursday 19th December
Christmas Jumper Day & Christmas Lunch
🎉 During the school day | For all year groups
Time to wear your festive jumpers and enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch together!

📚🎅 Christmas Storytelling
🕞 3:30–4:30pm | Everyone welcome
End the day with heartwarming Christmas tales—perfect for getting into the festive spirit!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎁✨
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#FestiveSeason #StJohnsChristmas #TogetherWeCelebrate

🎣 Expanding Horizons with Reel Education! 🌟

Our children had an incredible opportunity to learn about fishing with Reel Education - a project launched by the @angling_trust. From casting a line to understanding the art of patience and perseverance, our children gained new skills and experienced the joy of connecting with nature. 🌿✨🐟🎣

A huge thank you to Reel Education for inspiring our young learners to try something new and think differently about the world around them. 💙
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#ReelEducation #ExpandingHorizons #LearningNewSkills #OutdoorLearning #anglingtrust

Showing love through respect and collaboration with others helps us to understand different perspectives and tackle problems from different angles.
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#schoolvalues #respect #collaboration #peterboroughschools

🌟 5/6 Football Fixture
Our mixed Year 5/6 football team faced off against St Botolph's in their first league game on Tuesday, November 12th. The team got off to a strong start, hitting the post three times! Despite their efforts, they ended the first half 2-0 down. However, they came back with remarkable resilience, managing to score a late goal, ending the game at 4-1. Great effort, team! 👏⚽

🌟 3/4 Football Festival at Jack Hunt
Nine enthusiastic Year 3/4 students represented us at the School Games Football Festival at Jack Hunt School. Competing against local schools, they displayed courage, determination, and teamwork. We’re so proud of their passion for football and collaborative spirit throughout! 💪⚽

🌟 5/6 Netball League Fixture
On Thursday, November 14th, our Year 5/6 Netball team played against Braybrook in their league opener, securing a fantastic 18-0 win! Their teamwork, tactics, and hard work in training truly paid off, resulting in some brilliant team goals. Congratulations to the team—looking forward to the next game! 🏐🎉

👏 Well done to all our athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship!
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#TeamStJohns #sportineducation #peterboroughschools

📣This week, we explored the thought-provoking question: "How do we know if something is right or wrong?"

Together, we reflected on whether it’s about following rules, being kind or perhaps something more. We looked at the story of Zacchaeus, who learned that making the right choices can change not only his life but the lives of others.

The children shared some wonderful insights:
💬 "Doing what’s right feels like helping others, even if it’s not easy." – Year 4 pupil
💬 "Sometimes you need to think how your actions make others feel to know if they’re wrong." – Year 6 pupil

It was inspiring to see how deeply our children are thinking about these important questions! What do you think helps us decide what’s right or wrong? ⬇️
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#BigQuestions #CollectiveWorship #Zacchaeus #RightAndWrong #morality #philosophyforchildren

On Friday 22nd November the @youngactorsco came in to help our Year 6 children bring their knowledge of Macbeth to the stage. They worked through a traditional piece of Shakespearean script, unpicked the language using their knowledge from their English lessons, then acted it out.

All the children had a turn at acting and the ‘behind the scenes’ work, too. They were able to be sound checkers, mic holders and camera operators! What an incredible experience! 🎥
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#shakespeare #macbeth #youngactors #LearningBeyondTheClassroom

A magical trip to Tallington farm!

Our School Council members recently had the opportunity to visit Tallington Farm to select the school’s Christmas tree.

The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience of exploring the farm and choosing the perfect tree to brighten our school this holiday season.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to @countrytrust for organising this wonderful outing and for providing such a memorable experience. Their continued support enriches our school community and helps create lasting memories.

🎄We look forward to seeing the tree displayed at the heart of our school this festive season. We can’t wait to see the tree shining bright in our school! 🌟
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#christmastree #tallingtonfarm #thecountrytrust

🌟 You’re Invited to our open mornings!🌟

We are excited to welcome parents and carers to our upcoming Open Mornings!

✅ Join your child as they settle in for the morning.
✅ See how your child begins their day with early morning work
✅ Reflect on their progress and look through their books
✅ Explore their learning environment and get a glimpse into classroom life

It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our learning journey so far ✨

📅 Save the Date:

RECEPTION - Thursday 28th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 1 - Monday 25th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 2 - Friday 29th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 3 - Wednesday 27th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 4 - Friday 29th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 5 - Tuesday 26th November @ 8.30am
YEAR 6 - Monday 25th November @ 8.30am

On the morning please enter through your child’s gate and walk with them straight into their classroom. We can’t wait to see you there!
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#OpenMorning #LearningTogether #SchoolCommunity

🏑 Last Week’s Sports Round-Up! ⚽

🌟 Hockey 5/6 Festival
Our Year 5/6 hockey team took to the field at Peterborough Hockey Club on November 7th, competing with incredible spirit! Across four games, the team secured two wins and came tantalisingly close in one, narrowly losing by a single goal in the last minute. Their teamwork, resilience and enthusiasm shone through in every match—well done, team! 💪🏑

🌟 Girls 5/6 Football Fixture
Our Year 5/6 girls’ football team had their first league game against Orton Wistow on November 7th. The girls spent the first half finding their stride as a team, but confidence grew in the second half as they worked together. Victoria's resilience paid off with a determined goal! Although the game finished 6-1, the team’s positivity and growth were clear—fantastic start, girls! ⚽👏

So proud of our young athletes for showing such heart and determination on the field!
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#StJohnsSports #sportineducation #hockey #football

📚🎭 What an unforgettable day! Our Year 5 children took a trip to the @pboronewtheatre for an inspiring workshop with the renowned author @frank_cottrellboyce !

They were captivated by his storytelling, creativity and insights into the world of writing. Each child was thrilled to receive their own copy of his new book — a keepsake of this incredible experience and a spark for their imaginations!

Thank you to Frank Cottrell-Boyce for a day filled with inspiration and joy. ✨
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#ReadingForPleasure #YoungWriters #Inspiration

😊 “Kindness in your mind leads to kindness in your actions.”

This week, our Big Question tied in with Anti-Bullying Week, sparking thoughtful discussions. Children from all year groups shared their thoughts on the importance of forgiveness, respect and kindness.

The younger children reminded us that we all have choices — and we should choose respect!

They emphasised that being kind, listening to others and treating everyone the way we want to be treated can make a big difference in our school community. Some of their wise words included:

“We need to be kind to everyone and listen to others.”
“Lead by example and be careful with your words and actions.”
“Treat others like you would want to be treated.”

Our older children dug even deeper, sharing that respect isn't just about actions—it starts in our minds and hearts. They said:

“When you make the right choices and lead by example, you are showing respect.”
“Respect is infectious! When you show it, others will follow, making the world a nicer place.”

This Big Question reminded us all that small acts of kindness create ripples that help make our school—and our world—a better place. Let’s continue to lead with respect and kindness every day! 🌍✨
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#BigQuestion #philosophyforchildren #antibullyingweek2024

🎉What an incredible day at school for Children in Need!

The children and staff turned up in their fabulous costumes, with everything from superheroes to real-life heroes – such a creative bunch! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

During break time, there were fun games and a delicious bake sale organised by our fantastic School Council. 🧁🍪 Our treasurer was thrilled to count up the funds raised too! Thank you to everyone who contributed and made the day so special. You're all heroes in our eyes! 💛
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#childreninneed2024 #service #schoolcouncil #SchoolCommunity

🗓️ Virtual Parents' Evening

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Parents' Evenings—a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress, achievements and ask any questions you may have. ✨

We'll be using School Cloud, an online system, making it easy for you to select your preferred appointment times with your child’s teacher.

🕒 Booking Details:

☑ An email with a link to the booking system has been sent from the school office
☑ Appointments opened on Thursday, 14th November at 4pm
☑ Booking closes on Monday, 18th November at 6pm

We look forward to meeting with you next week!
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##parentsevening #schoolcloud #SchoolCommunity

📣 Culmington Manor Update!

Our Year 5 adventurers arrived at Culmington Manor around 1:30 pm and wasted no time settling in. After enjoying their packed lunches and moving into their accommodation, they were quickly briefed and prepped for the exciting afternoon ahead.

The children have tackled a range of thrilling challenges, including:

🏹 Archery
🪓 Axe Throwing
🧗‍♂️ Abseiling
🎯 Rifle Shooting
🕳️ Navigating the Underground Maze

Following a hearty dinner to refuel, the children organised their rooms and headed out for their second round of activities. Throughout the day, they’ve displayed remarkable resilience, enthusiasm, and a strong drive to succeed. We couldn’t be prouder! Stay tuned for more updates from our adventure-filled trip!
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#residentialtrips #outdooreducation #adventure

Today we will be holding a 1-minute silence at 11am to reflect, remember, and honour those who served and sacrificed their lives in World War One and all conflicts since.
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#remembranceday #lestweforget

🌟 In our Big Question this week, we began by thinking of times we’ve seen or heard of someone standing up for what’s right, even when it was hard. We heard the story of Rosa Parks, who stood up for fairness and kindness. The children shared some thoughtful responses:

💬 "In the story of Matilda, she stood up to Miss Trunchbull even though she was really scary. She knew it wasn’t fair how Miss Trunchbull treated the kids, and she wanted to help Miss Honey and her friends."
💬 "My friend always stands up for what is right and reminds other children to be respectful if they forget."

Then we considered what we might say or do if we wanted to stand up for what’s right.

💬 "You’d have to be brave and calm, like Martin Luther King was. Maybe you could say, ‘This isn’t okay,’ and explain why."
💬 "You’d probably need to ask others for help too, because it can be really hard to stand up alone. Saying, ‘Let’s work together to make this right’ could help."

Reflecting on these ideas helps us all grow in kindness and courage! 🌈✨
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#CourageToStand #Values #stjohnschurchschool #philosophyforchildren

🎉 We’re thrilled to be a part of the National #EducationNaturePark! Together, young people across England are transforming their outdoor spaces for both people and wildlife.

🌳 This week our Year 1 children had an amazing time exploring our Forest School area 🔎, learning about local habitats, and capturing photos of the beautiful nature all around us. 📸

These photos will be featured on the Nature Trust’s interactive map, helping us share the wonders of our environment with the wider community. 🍄🪵🪻Click the link in our story to learn more!
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#forestschool #wildlife #explore #nature #outdoorlearning

As we answer the Autumn Term curriculum question of "What Makes Us Who We Are?", we have been reflecting on all the ingredients that combine to make us individual and unique. What a community of exceptional people we are at St John’s!
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#whatmakesuswhoweare #curriculumquestion #individualandunique #peterboroughprimaryschools

🌟 Attention Parents of Reception 2025 children! 🌟

Is your child ready to start Reception in September 2025? Due to high demand, we’re excited to invite you to either of our open evenings on Thursday, November 7th and Monday, November 11th.

Join us to discover why we’re proud to be among the top 100 schools nationally. We can’t wait to show you our vibrant community and the wonderful opportunities awaiting your child.

See you there! ✨

In the meantime, why not visit our website (link in bio) to take a glimpse into what makes St John's unique and for more details on admissions for September 2025.
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#reception2025 #peterboroughprimaryschools #schoolopenday #PrimarySchoolAdmissions

🍫 Our Year 6 historians had an amazing adventure @cadburyworlduk! Not only did they discover the origins of chocolate, but they also took part in an informative workshop all about the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica 🌎—the people we have to thank for introducing cacao to the world!

In the workshop, students learned how the Maya were the first to dry, grind and mix cacao beans with water, creating a drink that was frothy, bitter and sometimes spiced with chilli. Cacao beans were so valuable they were even used as currency—worth more than gold! 🏆

Back in school, we’ve been exploring the historical concepts of continuity and change. 🍫✨ This trip helped us see how traditions and cultures can change over time while still keeping their roots.

Thank you @cadburyworlduk, for helping our historians learn new knowledge, make connections and appreciate how our past shapes our present!
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#cadburyworld #PrimaryHistory #AncientMaya #ContinuityAndChange

🌟 As we enjoy the half-term break, let’s take a moment to shine a light on our incredible site team who keep our schools running smoothly year-round. While children and teachers take a well-deserved rest, these unsung heroes are hard at work, tackling essential repairs, maintenance, and groundwork 🧰

They ensure our schools are safe and welcoming for everyone. We appreciate all that you do, our half term heroes! 🎉
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#serviceinaction #halftermheroes

Check out the delicious and nutritious meals we have planned for the upcoming half term! Visit our website (link in bio) to take a look 🍽️😊
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#schoolmeals #familystyledining

📢 Coming Soon: Children in Need Day!

We’re gearing up for a SUPER exciting @bbccin Children in Need this year! 🎉 On Friday 15th November, we’re inviting everyone to come to school dressed as their favourite superheroes and donate £1 to show their support for this wonderful cause! 💛

They'll also be some special superhero-style games and activities at breaktime, so let’s show our support to help make life lighter for children, everywhere 🎈
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#childreninneed #serviceinaction

🎉 Our vibrant community of changemakers continues to inspire this half term, from the incredible fun-run raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital to our new school leaders stepping up—school council members, house captains, sports ambassadors, play leaders, lunch leaders and prayer leaders— all showing courage in the true spirit of service.

With courage as our focus value 🦁, our children have been pushing their boundaries and exploring new opportunities. Year 5 wowed us at the poetry festival, while others have been mastering golf and embracing new experiences through golf lessons, dance clubs and Lego League. Awe-inspiring trips to the Jorvik Centre, Cadbury's World and Flag Fen helped expand their horizons.

This would not be possible without staff, parents and community members working at the heart of our school 👏. From sports competitions and bespoke sports mentoring to mental health workshops and our ever-popular book fair, we are blessed with people who empower our children to be their best. 🌱

Here’s to continuing this courageous journey into the next half-term! We can’t wait to see you on Monday 4th November 💫
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#LivingLifeInFullness #CourageousAdvocacy #Grateful

🌈 In Collective Worship this week, our children explored the Big Question: what happens when it’s not easy to love someone? Maybe someone is mean to us, or maybe we don’t feel like being kind that day. That’s when we need courage—the courage to love, even when it’s hard.

Our children shared some wonderful insights- they reflected on how love can bring happiness and belonging to everyone in our community, even when it’s hard. Here are some of their thoughts:

💬 "Even if someone is unkind to us, if we show them we still care, they will see they are loved and learn to love us back."

💬 "By showing humility and seeing the worth in others, even those who haven’t been kind will feel they belong in our community."

💬 "Some people might find it hard to show love in tough times. If we find ways to cheer them up, they will know they’re loved."

💬 "Love should be everywhere and for everybody. The more we love each other, the happier we’ll be!"

Inspired by God’s love, our children have the courage to show love, spread kindness and create a community where everyone feels valued. 🌟
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#communityofchangemakers #kindnessandcompassion #BigQuestion #philosophyforchildren

🎉 Half Term Fun in Our Community! 🎉
Looking for exciting and budget-friendly activities to keep the children entertained this half term? Check out the details below...

🌳 Funghi Holiday Trail
Collect a trail sheet for just £1 and embark on a fun adventure exploring @neneparkpboro Ferry Meadows while answering fungi-themed questions. Return to claim your special prize to grow at home!

🎨 Sensory Crafts at Nene Nursery
Enjoy a free hour of creative crafts in the beautiful autumn setting of the plant nursery @neneparkpboro Ferry Meadows. All ages are welcome, but don’t forget to bring an adult along!

🖌️ O.W.L.S Craft Session
Drop in for hands-on craft workshops designed for all ages. Explore your artistic side in the stunning surroundings of the @peterborough_cathedral

🕯Diwali Craft Workshops
Make Diwali decorations to take home and display in your own home. No need to book just come along to @queensgate_pb Shopping Centre and join in.
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#halftermactivities #peterboroughactivities

🌟 School Council Election Results! 🌟

Over the past week, it has been a joy to watch the Year 6 election speeches and inspiring to see their confidence in delivering them. Children across the school then cast their votes for the candidates they would most like to represent them.

The votes have now been counted, and we’re delighted to announce the election of our new School Council members for Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. They are eager to share their ideas and begin working together to make a positive impact on our school community.

Congratulations!
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#schoolcouncil #communityofchangemakers #childrenasleaders

🌟 This week in our Big Question Collective Worship, we explored the theme: "What does it mean to have the courage to hope?" We reflected on the powerful question, "Has there ever been a time when you hoped for something, even though it seemed impossible? How did it make you feel?".

The children shared inspiring thoughts and had meaningful discussions with their peers. One child courageously shared their hope of one day competing in gymnastics at the Olympics. Although the dream seemed daunting, they explained how taking small steps, embracing setbacks and holding onto hope brings them closer to achieving their goals. 🎯

What a wonderful example of the courage to dream big!
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#couragetodreambig #hope #philosophyforchildren

At St John's Church School, exceptional work means going beyond the ordinary by embracing the process of redrafting and improving. 🌟 Our pupils show determination, creativity and a love for learning as they refine their ideas and push boundaries. Together, we celebrate their growth, knowing that each revision brings them closer to their full potential. 💪
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#ExceptionalWork #improving #refineideas

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@stjohnschurchschool

St John' s Church School VA

Together we achieve, learn and grow in a caring, Christian environment

Welcome

Mrs C Firth Executive Head

The everyday Remarkable

​

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Mrs C Firth
Executive Head