As part of our Science topic on Earth and Space, Year 5 pupils took their learning outdoors to investigate how the sun’s position in the sky affects shadows throughout the day. The children observed and recorded the length and direction of their shadows at three key times: morning, midday, and afternoon. This hands-on investigation helped pupils understand how the Earth's rotation causes day and night, and how the Sun appears to move across the sky. By comparing their shadow data, they discovered that shadows are longest in the morning and afternoon, and shortest at midday when the Sun is highest overhead. The activity sparked curiosity and discussion and gave pupils a real-world context for scientific concepts. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine observation, measurement, and teamwork in a meaningful and memorable way.

Our Year 1 children have been busy sorting objects and buttons to deepen their understanding of place value — a fun and hands-on start to our maths curriculum.

Eden Camp is a modern history museum in North Yorkshire. Year Six stepped back in time to experience the sights, sounds and smells of wartime Britain. Set in the original buildings and grounds of a Prisoner of war camp, each reconstructed scene revealed the realities of day-to-day life during World War Two. It was a fantastic experience!

Year 2 investigated and compared the suitability of materials of man-made skeps built as wasp hives and how wasps naturally make their own hives. The children then used key vocabulary in order to describe the materials. They found out that the skeps were too rigid and hard . They were made from straw or wicker then bound together. The dried straw or wicker was then reinforced  and made waterproof. The children identified this by touching and observing the materials. The children found out that wasps build nests from a papier-mâché-like material created by chewing dead wood and mixing it with their saliva, a process that forms a durable  and waterproof paper. This pulp is used to construct hexagonal cells and a protective outer shell, forming a sturdy structure. The children found that the natural wasp nests were much softer , strong,   flexible, stretchy  and felt more c omfortable .

Mr Rudkin is very impressed with Year 4 at the start of their Pocket Trumpet journey. Well done Year 4!

Year 4 are enjoying their PE lessons. They are focusing on hockey this term and they have displayed great partner work.

Year 4 enjoyed their visit to the Laing Art Gallery. They took part in a drawing workshop and created their own abstract art!

On Sunday 7 September, Blessed Carlo Acutis was canonised and become the Catholic Church's first millennium saint.   Year 2 celebrated this in class by having time to reflect on his life during a Celebration of the Word. They thanked God for Carlo and added their own prayer intensions.   The children listened and learned about the short but wonderful life of Carlo Acuti. They learnt that Carlo was a very kind boy who helped many people. He loved video games, animals, and technology but was also a devout Catholic. His favourite time was with Jesus. He said, ‘I love to talk with Jesus about everything I am doing and feeling.’ Most of all, Carlo loved meeting Jesus in Holy Communion and said, ‘It is the highway to heaven.’ He used his computer skills to share his faith and promote devotion to the Eucharist. He taught himself to code and created a website to document Eucharistic miracles, hoping to inspire others to connect with God. Carlo died at the young age of  15 years having lived a life centred on Jesus.    We thank God for all the goodness Carlo Acuti brought into the lives of others.

Year 2 enjoyed having a Teddy Bear’s Picnic with the rest of the school! It was a wonderful picnic and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The children of St Jospeh’s enjoyed their annual sports day.   Different activities included:   ·     Egg and spoon race ·     Sack race ·     Javelin ·     Bean bag throw ·     Running race ·     Long jump ·     Dribbling the ball ·     Passing the ball through the legs

A group of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School children said au revoir to Benwell when they travelled to Nancy for a week-long French adventure. Twenty-seven Year 6 pupils from our school enjoyed a cultural trip to the city – which is twinned with Newcastle – as well as a sight-seeing tour of nearby Paris. St Joseph’s partnered up with Hubert-Monnais Primary School in Luneville, just outside of Nancy,” said our Headteacher, Paul Brown, who accompanied the children, along with fellow staff members Sharon Rogan, Hilary Hall, Nicky Storey, and Jessica Bennaceur. “We worked with our French friends throughout the trip, visiting their school and participating in an educational visit with them, where we explored the rich history of Nancy.” Highlights of the action-packed itinerary included visits to an art gallery, a castle, a palace, a museum, and an aquarium – as well as a range of restaurants. The group also enjoyed a riverboat cruise down the Seine, which started and finished at the Eiffel Tower, and enabled them to explore many of the other famous sights of the French capital. “I loved going to the castle and loved socialising with the French children our own age,” said one pupil, while another said that she had enjoyed “the art and the museums, as I learned so much historical information”, and a third added: “I enjoyed playing – and winning – my first international football match against our French friends.” St Joseph’s, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, received full funding for the trip from the Turing Scheme. “During the trip, the children were an absolute credit to themselves, their families, and their school,” continued Mr Brown. “Their level of maturity, independence, and, of course, kindness, made all of the accompanying staff extremely proud. “Mrs Rogan deserves a special mention for all of her organisational skills – backed up by St Joseph’s Office staff – and the commitment of all the staff made a hugely successful adventure possible.”

The Year 5 Robotics Club has had the opportunity to showcase their work to years 1 to 6. Using Canva, the children independently put together a presentation of their work and achievements, starting from the initial building of the robot to then entering the completed and functioning robot to the VEX competition. Year 5 parents were then invited for the final presentation.