Chance to Dance 2025

24th June 2025Laura Parsons

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.

Celebrating VE Day

11th May 2025Helen Jenkins

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!

Digging into Our New Expedition

17th April 2025Helen Jenkins

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.

Outstanding Artwork

17th April 2025Helen Jenkins

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.

Inspirational Portraits

26th March 2025Stephanie Oliver

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.

Year 4 Scientific Endeavours!

13th March 2025Thomas Edwards

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!

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World Book Day in Year 6!

10th March 2025Stephanie Oliver

Year 6 had an amazing World Book Day this year… we based the day around the Lewis Carroll poem ‘The Jabberwocky’. The pupils dissected the poem then rehearsed it ready to perform for the Year 4 pupils. The children showed confidence and courage when reading aloud and even included actions. We also created some amazing artwork of the weird and wonderful creatures in the poem using watercolours.

Lego Build the Change!

11th February 2025Stephanie Oliver

Year 6 have signed up to Lego’s Build the Change challenge! The children must work in teams to design and create built spaces for specific people and purposes. There first challenge is to design and make a party space suitable for a specific person with specific needs. We have been incredibly impressed with the pupils’ great teamwork and their creative ideas when designing.