Whole School Events

Diversity day : July 2026

Our school celebrated a fantastic Diversity Day, bringing together the many cultures and traditions that make our community so special. Pupils enjoyed a wide range of activities, including wearing national dress (a huge thank you to everyone who came dressed in traditional clothing!), cooking traditional dishes, and tasting delicious foods from around the world.

Throughout the day, we learnt new languages, sang songs, tried dances, listened to stories from different countries, discovered fascinating facts about nations across the globe, and even explored the significance of different national flowers. The children also produced some excellent art and craft work inspired by world cultures, from beautiful Portuguese tiles to colourful Motanka dolls from Ukraine. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our differences, learn from one another, and appreciate the rich diversity within our school community.

A very special thank you goes to the parents who generously gave their time, shared their knowledge, and helped make the day such a memorable experience for the classes they worked with. Your enthusiasm and support made the day truly special. We hope this is just the beginning and that Diversity Day becomes a regular event in our school calendar!

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Go Green Day : July 2026

We were delighted to host our recent Go Green Day, a wonderful opportunity for children across the school to celebrate environmental awareness and explore ways to care for the world around them.

Throughout the day, every year group took part in activities designed to help them connect with nature, think about sustainability and appreciate the environment around them.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Our youngest learners enjoyed spending time at the pond, exploring the natural world and observing the wildlife in this special outdoor space.

Year 1

Year 1 embraced a variety of eco-friendly activities, including junk modelling, making bird feeders and enjoying creative play with the PlayPod. They also took story time outdoors, sharing the book George Saves the World by Lunchtime and discussing how small actions can help protect our planet.

Year 2

Year 2 took their learning outside for a day of creativity and exploration. They practised mindfulness sketching, focusing carefully on the details they could see around them, took part in outdoor maths activities and enjoyed an exciting orienteering challenge.

Year 3

Year 3 explored their surroundings through art, heading outside to sketch the environment using scrap paper and demonstrating how recycled materials can be used creatively.

Year 4

Year 4 focused on the importance of bees and pollinators. In the forest area, they created bee hotels and bee puppets using natural and recycled materials. They also made beautiful natural suncatchers using flowers, leaves and grasses found in the outdoor environment.

Year 5

Year 5 spent time connecting with the natural world around them. The children created detailed leaf rubbings, sketched interesting natural objects such as acorns, leaves and trees, and took time to carefully observe their surroundings.

They also paused to listen to the sounds of nature and reflect on how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful environment to enjoy and protect. It was a peaceful and inspiring experience that encouraged creativity, mindfulness and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Year 6

Year 6 participated in a mindfulness activity centred around their five senses. Using their oracy skills, they shared and discussed what they could hear, see, smell and feel in their surroundings.

Their conversations led to thoughtful discussions about the impact of noise on our well-being and environment, particularly the effects of traffic and cars. The children also revisited their learning about climate change, making important links between their previous studies and the world around them today.

Celebrating Our Environment

Go Green Day provided a fantastic opportunity for children to learn, explore and reflect on the importance of looking after our planet. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm shown by all our pupils and the thoughtful conversations that took place throughout the day. Together, we continue to develop a greater understanding of how we can all play our part in creating a more sustainable future.

Go Green : July 2026

Danceathon : May 2026

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A huge thank you to all of our parents and carers for your brilliant fundraising for our Danceathon just before the half term break. The children had an amazing time in the glorious weather dancing their socks off. A huge thank you to Mrs Edwards and her school council reps for planning, organising and leading this throughout the day. They definitely had a good work out from 9am-3pm leading each and every dance routine and free style moves. We have raised an all time record with an astounding £3,750 and can't wait for work to start on a stage for our playground, so the children (and staff) can enjoy getting active with dancing at breaktimes and lunchtimes too.

Danceathon 2026

Red Nose Day : March 2026

World Book Day : March 2026

Please take a look at our class pages for amazing photos of the children's World Book Day costumes, the creative activities in class lessons as well as our Rock up and Read session with parents/carers yesterday afternoon!

Safer Internet Day 2026: Smart Tech, Safe Choices - February 2026

On 10 February 2026, our school proudly took part in Safer Internet Day, a global event that promotes safer and more responsible use of online technology. This year’s theme, “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI,” sparked thoughtful discussion and creativity across our classrooms.

Throughout this week, classes engaged in a range of activities designed to help pupils better understand how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are used in everyday life, as well as the importance of staying safe online. EYFS even linked this into their fairy tale stories! KS2 pupils explored key topics such as responsible AI use, online decision-making, and digital wellbeing.

It was fantastic to see learners actively involved in discussions, collaborative tasks, and creative work linked to this important theme. Please see photos below 💻

Miss Webber - Computing Lead

Internet Safety day - February 2026

SCARF day : February 2026

St John and St Francis whole school Science week 2nd-6th February 2026

Wow! What an amazing week the children at St John and St Fracis had when we became scientists this week. We kicked off the week with the children exploring our science week focus 'Curiosity: What's your question?' in assembly.

Over the week the children swapped between classes in the afternoon to explore a range of scientific questions. These ranged from 'Can we make a raisin dance?', 'Can we grow food on the moon?' to a 'Who dunnit' investigation exploring the differences in black inks. Throughout the week the children all showed their curiosity and persevered through each task.

We were also lucky to have some wonderful workshops planned and delivered by external agencies. We welcomed back Sue from Wessex Water who worked with our Year 1 and 3 children and had a visit from some STEM ambassadors who worked with our Year 2 and 4 children to make floating boats and submarines.

On the Friday we opened our doors to parents so that we could share out wonderful learning with them.

To conclude our fantastic week, we held our annual science fair in the school hall. We were amazed, not only but the superb range of projects the children had been working on at home, but the number of entries we had - a whopping 64 (an all-time record for SJSF!).

Mrs Stocks - Science Lead

EYFS & KS1 Science week

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KS2 Science week

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Open Class & Science Fair

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SJSF fundraise for the Dorset Somerset Air Ambulance - December 2025

We were delighted to welcome Charlotte Humber from the DSAA to our school, to collect our school's donations for the DSAA Christmas Jumper day which we held on the last day of term. Parents/carers also kindly donated at our Christmas performances and KS2 Celebration Assembly.

Our school raised £373.41, and we have received the attached and following in appreciation from the DSAA:

"On behalf of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, I would like to thank you all at St. John & St. Francis Church School for your generous and kind donation of £373.41 We are so grateful for your wonderful support!

As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support. Your generosity is instrumental in allowing us to continue providing a critical care service both by air and by road, through close cooperation with our NHS colleagues across the region. With each mission costing approximately E3,500 and the demand for our service growing every day, your amazing donation is helping us reach more people and save more lives.

Thanks to your support, we're now working towards the exciting goal of adding a second helicopter to our fleet. We'd love for you to follow our journey. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates and visit http://www.dsairambulance.org.uk to sign up for our e-newsletter. It's a truly exciting time, and your support is making it possible.

Thank you again for your wonderful support, your donation really will make a big difference and enable us to continue being there for patients who need us the most.

From all of us including our crew, our patients, and the countless families who have benefitted from our service-thank you. Your generosity is life saving."

KS2 Choir at HPC : December 2025

Our KS2 choir went to Hinkley Point power station this week, to sing Christmas songs to the people who work there. Our children were truly amazing and made our whole school community proud. This is our fourth year that we have been invited to attend and each year our choir grows a little larger and shines a little brighter. They sang their little hearts out and sounded so beautiful.

I always feel humbled that I get to be a part of this lovely experience and it certainly gets me in the festive spirit. Mrs Britton leads our KS2 choir and does an excellent job. A special thanks go to her for the magic that she works with our lovely children.

Our school OSCAR also attended the carol singing, to raise funds as our PTA, and an amazing £1,689.35 was donated!

Mrs Edwards, Music lead

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HPC 2025

OSCAR Christmas Craft Fair : December 2025

🎄✨ School Christmas Craft Fair – A Wonderful Success! ✨🎄

Our Christmas Craft Fair run by OSCAR was a celebration of creativity, community, and holiday cheer. The classrooms sparkled with handmade treasures, from festive decorations and unique gifts. Families and our school community came together to support OSCAR and start the holiday season in style. No fair would be complete without a visit from Father Christmas who arrived in style using the Bridgwater Carnival Committee cart, complete with snow!

Thank you to our staff team and to OSCAR who made the afternoon such a success. Mr Butt

Macmillan Coffee & Cake : October 2025

Please see the message below from Mrs Edwards, and our slideshow of this fantastic event!:

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Macmillan coffee afternoon. Thank you for your very generous donations of cakes and biscuits and for coming along and helping us to raise an amazing £315.50 for such a great charity. It was lovely to see so many of you. A huge thank you to our amazing team captains and student council for their hard work. They proved to be great waiters and waitresses and truly enjoyed our first charity fundraiser. I couldn't be prouder of them. They were all just great.

I am already looking forward to our next project which we will be sharing with you shortly.

Kind regards

Mrs Paula Edwards

Macmillan coffee & cake October 2025

School Food Bank : September 2025

We are pleased to confirm we now have a Food Bank at our school, for families who may need some support. The food bank can be found in the school office lobby.

We would also be grateful to receive any donations of dried/canned food, drinks cartons etc which are in date. If you have any such items , please bring these into the school office where there is a collection box.

SJSF achieves AcSEED accreditation : July 2025

We are proud to confirm that our school has achieved AcSEED mental health & wellbeing accreditation.

Mr Parrington, our SENDCo commented 'it is a solid reflection of the whole school's ethos to comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support for young people with no less than 18 areas of strength identified'.

The AcSEED review team were particularly impressed with:

Use of Voice 21 Oracy as a potential platform for children to communicate their feelings and emotions in an effective way.
SENDCO/wellbeing updates to full governing body meetings.
Well written Wellbeing Policy that is available through the school website as part of the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ section.
Useful pathway document to ensure assessment and implementation of any additional wellbeing support is well structured and involves parents appropriately.
Good wellbeing education programme based on PSHE.
Range of mechanisms used to ensure children are aware of the wellbeing support and services available.
Good range of external organisations utilised to complement the school’s own wellbeing resources.
The Nest.
SDQ’s used to measure the effectiveness of emotional wellbeing support, and subsequently to drive potential improvements.
Range of mental health and wellbeing referral options including CAMHS MH link team.
Orange Button member.
Training and support to year 6 montors and year 2 wellbeing ambassadors.
Forest School Lead and additional PE provision for targeted individuals.
Minds Ahead and other wellbeing training resources for staff.
Staff wellbeing group and wellbeing champion.
Senior Mental Health Lead practitioner training.
Tuning into Kids programme.
Dedicated strand in SDP for ‘Personal Development.

Attendance award : June 2025

We have been awarded the National School Attendance Award for the 2024/25 Spring Term!

We are officially in the top 25% of all FFT Education primary schools in England for attendance - a fantastic achievement that reflects the hard work and commitment of our whole school.

A huge well done and thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.

Mayoral visit to SJSF! : May 2025

This week, we had a very special visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgwater, who came to open our new outside 'Well-being Hive'. This is an area we have been developing for some time, and we are grateful for funding from a parent's employer Yeo Valley, match funding from our OSCAR team, donations of paint from Wickes, donations from our very own Mrs Fisher, and funds raised through our recent Teddybear Sales.

It was an exciting time for our well-being ambassadors from Year 2 and Year 6 who were supported by Miss Young (ELSA and mental health first aider) and Mrs Wells (PSHE Lead) as they showed the visitors our indoor 'Nest' too. Mayor Cathy and Mayoress Sue were really impressed with the calm spaces that are provided for pupils to spend time during break and lunchtimes and the range of activities available to them such as colouring, reading and card games.

Y4 & Y6 musical showcase April 2025

Parents/carers of children in Years 4 & 6, plus children taking Ukulele lessons, were invited to attend our musical showcase in the school hall, to see the children perform pieces practised in their lessons:

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New playground markings thanks to OSCAR : March 2025

We are thrilled to announce that the new line markings on the KS1 playground were completed last week. Over the last few months, work has been done behind the scenes to create the best possible playground space for our pupils to enjoy during lesson activities and breaktimes. It has been great to work alongside Ben Kirk (Inspired Coaching) and we thank him and his team for the brilliant design they put together.

We also have a massive thank you to OSCAR, who have funded the project and been fully supportive for our creative ideas from day one. This wouldn't have been possible without them.

It has been a pleasure to see our children of all ages making full use of the line markings and our Year 6 playground leaders are doing a fantastic job in supporting the younger children at break times and lunchtimes. We are looking forward to seeing our children participate in these activities for many years to come.

Miss Bryant - PE Lead

World Book Day : March 2025

Please check individual class pages for their photos of World Book Day!

PRESS RELEASE - SJSF accredited 'Oracy Centre of Excellence' : February 2025

Please see below for our Press Release confirming our status as Oracy Centre of Excellence:

oracy centre of excellence press release.pdf

February - Eco-committee's bug hotels

The eco-committee have enjoyed making a bug hotel. We even found a frog in the old one!

The children learnt about creating safe spaces for our mini beasts to live in. We discussed what materials to use and what creatures may use it.

Science Fair 7th February 2025

To end our Science week we held our annual Science Fair. We were all amazed by the number of budding Scientists we have at St John and St Francis Primary School.

In total 46 children entered the Science Fair and demonstrated not only brilliant scientific knowledge and understanding when sharing their experiments with parents, children and staff but also fantastic Oracy skills. This made picking the winners a very difficult task for the judges.

Prizes and certificates will be awarded in celebration assemblies over the next few weeks.

A huge thank you to everyone for their participation, support and enthusiasm to allow such a wonderful event to take place. Please click here for our showcase!