5HJ have become mini rainforest survival experts, writing guides full of clever tips for finding food, collecting clean water, and building safe shelters. It’s inspiring to see their survival strategies and beautiful illustrations come to life on the page!
During Hook Week, Year 6 have had a perfect opportunity to model our Craftsmanship & Quality character trait and what a job they did! They have worked incredibly with great focus, precision and a real eye for detail. In addition to this, the support, compassion, and teamwork on show was exemplary which ensured they all produced a fantastic individual piece of artwork which came together to form larger pieces inspired by our current expedition.
During Crew Week, Year 5 explored the question: “How can our crew be strengthened by acts of service to others?”
Drawing on our character traits of respect, compassion, and quality & craftsmanship, the children created beautiful gifts which were delivered to residents at The Laurels Residential Care Home. Both the children and residents thoroughly enjoyed spending time together — a heartwarming experience for all.
Amidst the soaring temperatures in London last weekend, something magical was happening at the Royal Opera House on Saturday 21st of June 2025. KS2 from NJS were taking part in “A Chance to Dance” inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland. Chance to Dance is an initiative provided by the Royal Ballet Company that tours England’s schools and creates the opportunity for children of all backgrounds, gender and social circumstances to experience the arts and wonders of dance, in particular Ballet. The initiative breaks down barriers, stereotypes and exposes children to dance culture, the joy of performing and expressing themselves through movement. Allowing them ownership of how they express themselves through co-choreography of their performance, understanding and developing the techniques of dance, who may never have otherwise, had the chance. Ultimately allowing children to just have fun and feel alive and enthused about dance and the arts.
Seven of our lucky NJS pupils, (all of differing dance levels and experience) earned a place on the programme and demonstrated musicality, passion and great storytelling in their section of the show which was “A Topsy Turvy Tea Party”. In their psychedelic t-shirts the children performed as a variety of animals who came to visit the tea party, which was a colourful, tie dye experience hosted by the famous, ludicrous character the Cheshire Cat.
Our pupils danced and performed beautifully in two showings, in front of their families, friends and paying customers of London. They did our whole campus and community proud and we are very excited to see if these children will continue to pursue their new or ongoing interest in ballet and the arts in the future! Well done Crew Norton, you were a joy to watch and what a fabulous experience and opportunity for you all to have, dancing amongst professional dancers in the elite and prestigious Royal Opera House. This will be something that our children will remember forever and Norton Campus would like to extend a huge thanks to the organisers of Chance to Dance and Miss Wendy from our local Hazelbiz Dance Academy and Miss Rachel, Miss Chloe and Miss Sian from Doncaster Legacy Company and of course Monique Jonas and Jacob Wye, the professional dancers that came to rehearse with and inspire our pupils.
What a wonderful day celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE day. Children dressed in the patriotic colours of red, white and blue and took part in a thought provoking Crew session, listened carefully during remembrance assembly and observed a minute silence. Lunch was a picnic or traditional fish and chip supper. In the afternoon, 5HJ created these stunning watercolour paintings of a Spitfire mid flight!
This week has seen Yr 5 embark on our new and exciting expedition ‘At The Coalface’. Check out our miners who really captured mining both past and present (we even had a few canaries).
After looking at the structure of a mining head, children were set the challenge of building one using wooden skewers, cocktails sticks and modelling clay. The outcomes were amazing and extremely well designed.
Over the past few weeks, year 5 have worked diligently to complete their pencil sketches of iconic figures who have helped change the world. The children learned skills to use tone to create light and dark and how to proportions facial features accurately. 5HJ selected Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama and Millicent Fawcett and the completed artwork is phenomenal.
Year 6 have been working extremely hard this week on their portraits of inspirational people who have campaigned for what they believe in. The pupils have applied the sketching skills they have practised in art lessons and the portraits are looking really effective. These will feature in a calendar celebrating influential people.
This week, Year 4 have been undertaking many scientific endeavours, some of which are pictured below. Firstly, we have been making circuits and experimenting with different items, seeing which may be conductors and insulators. We have also had scientific engineering challenges such as could the children create a bridge using only ArtStraws/Lollipop Sticks and could the children create a parachute and protective shell to protect an egg cracking from a height. Finally, the children have also ran a science fayre which children from the Infants school took part in. The best part of this specific event, was seeing how brilliantly the Year 4 children interacted with the younger children and how they were so kind and helpful towards them!
Last Friday, 4TE celebrated a tremendous World Book Day by exploring everything to do with Alice in Wonderland! This included a fabulous tea party and some absolutely fantastic costumes, which can also be seen. Everybody had a lovely time and enjoyed celebrating everything surrounding books!
