Jupiter newsletter

June 2025

Dear Parent or Carer,

A note from the leadership team

The final summer half-term is always extremely busy in schools, and with much to look forward to in the remaining weeks of term. Yesterday we held our Y1-Y6 Sports Day, and it was wonderful to see so many of you attend as part of our community to support and cheer your child/children on. Our thanks to Mr. Brown who organised and led the event, which has been quite an undertaking for such a large event taking place! The children really enjoyed the day, and hope that those of you who were able to join also enjoyed being able to attend and celebrate with us.

Thank you for the many messages of support and best wishes that have been received for Mrs. Armstrong this term. Although there is no further information to update you with as she continues to be away from school at this time, we would like to reassure you that together with Mrs. Crute-Mussell and Mrs. Waggeh, Mrs. King and I continue to base ourselves at Jupiter and support the staff and school to ensure continuity and capacity over such a busy time of year.

There is much going on in the next few weeks at Jupiter, so please do take a careful read of the newsletter and be aware of upcoming events and dates for your diary. To support clear communication, we will ensure that another newsletter reaches you before the end of term with further updates and reminders as we approach the very end of term.

With thanks for your continued support,

Mr. Wanford and Mrs. King

Primary Directors

Transition and new classes for September

Parents and carers will be informed via email/letter next Thursday (3 July) with details about the arrangements for classes and staffing for September 2025. Our whole-school transition day takes place on Thursday 10 July, and this is the day that pupils will have the opportunity to spend the day with their new teachers in their new classes. In readiness for this, pupils will take part in some transition activities with their new teacher ahead of this (where possible), and this is scheduled for next Thursday afternoon (3 July).

Mindfulness coach

We wanted to let you know that Mrs. Lucy Mortimer, who has been our mindfulness teacher and coach at Jupiter will not be continuing from September. Over the last few years. Mrs. Mortimer has supported the school staff, pupils and parents with this preventative aspect of mental health which has benefitted the whole school community and has made such a positive impact. We would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Mortimer for her work and dedication to Jupiter in its mindfulness approach over her time with us, and recognise her contribution towards the Carnegie Mental Health Award which the school has received in this area. We are confident that the mindful mindset, techniques and emotional strength that Mrs. Mortimer has instilled in the community at Jupiter will continue well into the future.

For any pupils who currently have one-to-one support with Mrs. Mortimer, she will be informing them from next week that the sessions will be coming to a close in July. Mrs. Mortimer continues to offer private sessions for mindfulness to both children and adults outside of school hours, and if you are interested in continuing with this, her details are here:

We are hopeful that Mrs. Mortimer may still be able to come into school on a termly basis to deliver a series of day workshops to the pupils across the school, as part of our focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Early Birds Maths - a great start to the day!

This year, we've introduced Early Birds Maths sessions, running each morning from 8.30am to 8.50am. These short, focused sessions give children the chance to practise up to 10 arithmetic questions based on what they have previously learned. The aim is to strengthen their fluency and confidence in Maths.

We’ve already seen a real difference – children who regularly arrive at school at 8.30 am are showing greater confidence in lessons! We encourage you to help your child arrive at school by 8.30 am so they can benefit from these valuable sessions. It’s a fantastic way to start the day and boost their Maths skills at the same time.

Heat alert

The UK Health Security Agency have advised that there is an amber health alert across the whole of the East of England with effect from 12.00pm today (26 June) until 6.00pm on Tuesday 01 July. The temperatures are likely to be very high at the start of next week, and a reminder to ensure your child has a water bottle at school which they can refill during the day, brings a hat to wear when outside, and has sun-cream applied before school.

If your child does bring sun-cream into school to apply themselves during the day if you think this may be needed, please ensure that your child brings this in a bottle clearly named with their name and class. We will ensure that we risk assess whether pupils should be out at break or lunchtime, depending on the heat and conditions, and if necessary may choose to keep pupils inside or offer areas of shade only to use. We will of course ensure that pupils stay hydrated and limit physical activity in the high temperatures.

Summer Reading Challenge

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme, Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors, will encourage children to explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature, all while addressing the dip in reading levels that can often occur during the summer holidays.

In collaboration with The Reading Agency, throughout the summer, children joining ‘Story Garden’ can discover new books, participate in free activities at their local library, and explore the link between reading and the great outdoors. The Challenge launches at all Hertfordshire Libraries on Saturday 5 July, and runs until Saturday 6 September. Children are encouraged to read six library books and collect exclusive stickers along the way. Those who complete the Challenge will receive a medal and certificate - while stocks last - and a chance to win tickets to an interactive workshop with award winning author, Sean Taylor.

Keep an eye out for pop-up Maker Stations at select libraries during the summer holidays, offering simple and sustainable nature inspired activities.

Dates for your diary

Please see dates of trips and events by clicking on the link below

Please look on the website for term dates 2024/25

Please click this link to view the 2025/26 term dates on the school website - Dates 2025/26

Dates and events for Spring term and Summer term are also on the website calendar.

Class assemblies to parents start at 8.50am

See full school calendar here

Class blogs
Please read these each week to find out about the learning which is taking place in your child's class and for any upcoming learning/ events.