SJB Primary School

Recently we held an arts celebration afternoon for parents, carers and friends of SJB. Each class studied a different artist and used this as the inspiration for creating their own artistic masterpieces. The children’s work was displayed in a gallery in the hall and parents commented on the quality and variation of work on display.  There were opportunities to complete an arts quiz, listen to the Key Stage Two choir, watch a range of gymnastic performances and also to view a recital from the children who performed at the Ulverston Music Festival. Thank you to everybody that came along and made it an enjoyable afternoon.

10 Year 5 pupils and their parents walked up Coniston Old Man on Saturday. We walked from the Walna Scar car park and up the main tourist path to the summit.

The children explored the slate mines and tunnels as we made our way up the 803m peak. They took to scrambling over the ancient volcanic deposits and leaping over bogs when there were no mines to hide in.

As we arrived at Low Water, we put our warm clothes. The peak was shrouded in cloud and the ripples on the water’s surface indicated a very strong wind was to be expected.

The summit was a world away from the calm weather we had enjoyed further down. Strong winds, rain and near zero visibility did not make for comfortable lunch conditions. We made our way back down very quickly!

Despite the conditions and the steepness of the mountain, none of the children complained at all and we completed the walk in a very good time. The children were full of energy and enthusiasm and they did not look tired even when we arrived back at the cars.

Year 5 and 6 will be offered more weekend walks next year (families are welcome to join).

19 Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a cricket competition today for the county qualifiers. The group was split in two and played in perfect cricket conditions.

Team 2 played 4 matches and won two of them. They showed lots of skills and the Year 5s will be in their element next year when we come again. This sort of event is perfect for understanding how competitive and demanding this game is.

Team 1 played 6 matches and made some massive scores in the morning (the highest being 311 runs). They played a brilliant St Pauls’ team in their third match and were beaten here because of some fantastic batting from one of their county players (he has a long career in this sport). It took the group a while to gather themselves after this onslaught and the shock was written on their faces. It took until the end of their 4th match when Maddox bowled a blinding over and 4 catches were taken for their energy to return.

Match 5 was incredibly close and the team produced their best fielding display up to then. Braden bowled the over of his life to win this semi-final game by taking two late wickets and Daniel hit 3 sixes to put us through to the final.

The final was their best game by some distance as they faced St Pauls again. They batted superbly this time with Jack, Harry H, Harry W and Ryan powering us to a brilliant total of 274. Isaac then showed nerves of steel by seeing out all 6 balls from their star player and bowling the best over he has ever bowled. The teams bowling was brilliant in this last game and their fielding improved again. We eventually lost the final by 1 run to a great St Paul’s team and many congratulations to them.

This may be the final game at SJB for Mr Maher’s Year 6 boys and girls and that final was an all round great team effort and one to be proud of. Mr Maher would like to mention his Year 5 girls (Holly and Emerald) who played 3 matches but allowed the Year 6 boys to have more games knowing they would play next year.

Thanks to Jake for organising the event and to all the other teams who took part.

Members of SJB cricket club walked down to Ulverston CC on Friday and played two extremely competitive games.

8 Year 6s and 2 Year 5s made up the team and they had to use ALL their skill in both matches. Teachers from both schools were impressed with the talent displayed and many of the players demonstrated county level skills in bowling.

One of the matches was won by only 4 runs and the team were extremely pleased that their hard work paid off. It was the quick running between the wickets, not the fours and sixes, that decided the game.

We would like thank Low Furness pupils and Mr Jackson for inviting us down to the ground. We had a great afternoon batting in some of the closest games we’ve taken part in.

At least 40 science projects were on show yesterday at SJB’s Science Fair.

Projects focussed on volcanoes, tornadoes, time, rainbow light, money cleaning, rockets, ice experiments, circuits, water pressure, instruments, inflation, suspension bridges, solar system models, plants, bee houses, lung models and butterflies to name but a few.

2 employees from BAE and Mr Maher will judge the best 3 projects and it is going to be extremely difficult to decide. Between just 2 of the judges we have 6 completely different top three projects.

Many thanks to BAE for supporting SJB with the fair. We hope to welcome you back and take advantage of the visits you offer to Barrow Shipyard.

On Sunday 11th June two football teams from SJB took part in the St Mary’s Parish Gala.  The year 3/4 team played extremely well especially as they hadn’t had much time to train together. Unfortunately they came third in their group so didn’t qualify for the semi finals. Congratulations to Penny Bridge who won the year 3/4 competition.

The year 5/6 team won three games and drew one which meant they went through to the semi- finals as group runners-up. Although they played valiantly and the game went into extra time, Yarlside scored two late goals which meant  they went on to play St Mary’s in the final. Congratulations to St Mary’s , the overall winners of the year 5/6 competition.

A brilliant time was had by all who attended the well organised event. Thank you to all the children who took part and to Mrs Dobson, Miss Campbell and Mrs Dearden  for accompanying the children. Going for Gold!!

Year 3 delivered the penultimate debate of the year today. The motion was: Should there be more wind turbines in Cumbria.

11 Year 3 children were given this geography themed motion and some very tricky language to get their teeth into.

The audience in the hall were reminded of the links with our parliamentary democracy and had a chance to voice their opinion. The audience were split on the issue in the end. However, the Year 3s, who were acting as MPs, voted overwhelmingly to use more windmills. The final vote was 9:2.