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 Friday 30th January 2026

Dear Families,

Thank you to the parents who attended last night’s Racial Awareness Workshop. This is a reminder that the workshop will be repeated next Thursday, 5th February, at 7:00pm. It is really important to us that as many people across our community as possible are able to attend. Our work to tackle racism must be a collective effort.

Next week is Racial Equality Week. In assembly this afternoon, we reflected on the key messages from this video. As John Amaechi reminds us, “There’s a big difference between being not racist and being anti-racist. I know it doesn’t seem like it. I know that both of these things seem equally good, but they’re not.”

The theme for Racial Equality Week is #ChangeNeedsAllOfUs. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” No matter who you are, where you work, or how much influence you think you have, you can make a difference. It is as important as ever that we come together to stand up to racism in all its forms.

Schönes Wochenende!

Patrick 

Key messages:

Coming up next week... Year 5 are very excited to be welcoming penpals from GCS, our partner school in Köln. On Tuesday, they'll meet them in Brockwell Park, then on Wednesday they'll be hosting at JKPS. 

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Wood chips are an integral part of keep our outdoor spaces safe and healthy for the trees. Thank you so much to everyone who has come together to move the woodchips to the forest area this week, and a big shout out to Ms Katrin who rallied some of the younger children into helping, and Mr Alex who has already shifted mountains. But there's more to be done... see below: 

💪🪵 VOLUNTEERS - WOOD CHIP SHOVELING 🪵💪 EVERY MORNING NEXT WEEK - AFTER DROP-OFF AT 9am (for ca. 30min)

To improve the OUTDOOR SPACE we have got a huge amount of wood chips (and more will be delivered)

Please help Alex, the caretaker, with moving and spreading out the woodchips in the Forest Area & Early Years Playgorund

Meeting Point - 9am every morning at the Reception Office

💪🪵 DO COME FOR A MORNING SHOVEL WORKOUT 🪵💪

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The children in EYFS were hard at work this week transferring the new wood chips to the forest area. They were very excited to use the wheelbarrow and made a ramp to get up the steps into the forest without the wood chips falling out! Great problem solving team work everyone. 

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What's happening in school 

Eco School - Let's Reduce Plastic

Eco School presented in BOTH assemblies for the whole school with a key message...

Reduce Plastic Use!  Passionate about helping the environment, they noticed that lots of children use/receive plastic party bags and toys. Eco School thought of alternatives to using plastic items.

Can you be part of the change? Let's avoid party bags and embrace experiences.

This week, year 4 started their brand new English book The Matchbox Diary. We found some strange matchboxes in our classroom filled with even stranger objects; an olive stone, a bottle cap and even a scrap of newspaper. We used these mysterious discoveries to write predictions for the text. 

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The children in year 2 have been working hard, writing their own stories with a twist! Here are a sample of the fantastic front covers to entice the readers! Great work everyone. 

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Year 1 - Materials

In Year 1, we have been looking at different materials this term. This week we conducted an experiment about melting and freezing. We tested out what would melt ice quicker: sugar, salt, cold (fridge) or heat (radiator). We predicted heat would melt the ice the quickest - close behind was salt! We then realised why they salt the roads when it is icey!

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Coming soon to JKPS

Have you got unwanted bikes or bikes that your child/children have grown out of? 

Bring them on Thursday 12th May morning...Peddle My Wheels will service them and get them ready for the SECOND HAND BIKE SALE on Thursday 12th February after school. All proceeds go to the school. 

Eco School are very excited to spread the word as well...Let's reuse rather than buy new!

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TTRS is running a competition to see which class can earn the most points. It runs from 7:30am-7:30pm so children can do it at home. 

More details next week... 

Attendance

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School attendance is mandatory for all students of compulsory school age. Whilst we understand that it isn't always possible to reach 100% attendance, we are fully committed to ensuring the highest levels of attendance to ensure we enable every student to meet their potential.  

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Friends Corner

Open Space - Woodchip Workout

The forest area and early years playground is overdue a good treatment of woodchip to protect the areas. We have had significant amounts delivered. To make space for more we are running a morning woodchip workout!

Every day next week (w/c 2nd Feb) join the "Woodchip Workout" for 30 mins after drop off. Meet at reception at 9am (please sign in first). 💪💪

Green Space - Recovery

Over half term and with the help of Mr Alex, we are planning some work to help recover the green space. If anyone would like to be involved please email the Friends on FoJKPS@gmail.com

Pre-loved Uniform 

If you're having a clear out - please bring any old uniform in a saleable condition to school for the second hand sale. Please leave with Jess in the office.

If you need any uniform please whatsapp Claire (07730-433-519).

Note on Sign Ups

The Sign Up Zone option that we have previously used for Sign Ups has unfortunately ceased. We're currently trialling different options - to see what works best. We are looking for something that is quick and doesn't require yet another account! But please bear with us while we look at the various options and try them out.

Forward Look:

🌰 8th February - Gardening Day & Early Years Gardening

🌳 28th February - Gardening Day

🌷 22nd March - Bumper Community Gardening Day

⛺ TBD - Year 6 camping

⛺ 20th/21st June - Years 1, 2, 3 & 5 camping

⛺ 3rd/4th/5th July - Year 4 camping

⛺ 4th/5th July - Reception camping

Key Dates

Key dates coming up:

Racial Awareness session for Parents/Carers (In person)    7pm 29th January

Parent workshop by Southwark Nest - Emotional Based School Avoidance  - 9.15-10.00am Friday, 30th January

Southwark Parenting Team

Race Equality Week                                                                              w/c 2nd February

Stepping into Stories workshops                                                       w/c 2nd February

GGS Garthestraße (German partner school) visiting JKPS Wednesday 4th February

Year 1 Stepping into Stories session (in school)                      Thursday 5th February

Racial Awareness session for Parents/Carers (Online)         7pm 5th February

Stepping into Stories (Nursery and Reception)                           Friday 6th February

Reception to Y2 Drama Perform workshops (in school)        Tuesday 10th February

KS2 African Drumming Workshops                                     Wednesday 11th February

SPRING HALF-TERM                                                    16th February - 20th February

Y5 Bloom Workshops                                                                Thursday 26th February

Spring Term RockSteady Concerts      Wednesday 25th/ Thursday 26th March 

Spring Term ends                                                                    2pm Friday 27th March

Summer Term starts                                                  INSET day Monday 13th April 

 - Children's first day back Tuesday 14th April

JKPS Sports Day                                                                                 Thursday 11th June

More term dates are on our website, including dates for 2026-27

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