Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• World Book Day

  Thu 14 Mar 2024

  Last Friday, we held our World Book Day event in school. We started the day by awarding prizes to some extreme readers from KS1, that had sent in pictures of them reading in interesting places. These included reading the story of the Wonky Donkey, whilst sat on a donkey and reading whilst drumming. We also picked some winners form the Year 5/6 children that had created incredible dioramas of some of their favourite books. Well done to all the children that took part. 

   

  Following our book themed lunch, it was lovely to see so many parents and grandparents coming into school to read with their children. We hope you enjoyed this opportunity as much as the children did.

  

• Team Table Tennis - Regional Finals

  Wed 07 Feb 2024

  On Saturday 3rd February, both St John's boys' and girls' team table tennis teams traveled to the Whitgift School in Croydon to take part in the South East Regional Finals. Both teams had been crowned Hampshire champions just before the Christmas break and this was a chance for them to compete against the best schools in the south east. 

   

  Both teams had to play against two other schools, with the school winning the most matches being crowned champions and progressing to the Southern Finals in Bristol. For the girls' they lost a very close first match against St Andrew's Prep from Eastbourne and followed this up with a win against another St John's Primary - this team coming from Kent. This meant the girls' finished second overall. 

   

  For the boys they managed a close 5-3 victory in their first match against last years' winning school - St Luke's from Brighton. This meant they had to win their final match against Amherst School from Kent to win the title. They managed to do this in emphatic fashion, winning the match 8-0. This means the boys are now South East champions and move onto the next round of the competition in Bristol in March, we wish them the best of luck.

   

  Well done to both teams on such a fantastic achievement!

  

• County Basketball Finals

  Fri 19 Jan 2024

  On Wednesday, the school basketball team travelled to Southampton to take part in the county basketball finals. Having won the Basingstoke event back in December this was a chance for the children to pit themselves against the best schools in the county. 

   

  We were placed in a group of six schools and had to play each of the other schools. After a tough first match, that resulted in defeat we won our next two matches before narrowly losing the final two. With a record of 2 wins and 3 defeats it meant we finished 4th in our group and were placed alongside all the other teams who had finished 3rd of 4th in their groups. 

   

  This meant we played another 5 matches and again managed to pick up 2 wins and 3 defeats. So in the final rankings St John's finished a very impressive 10th out of 18th teams. Well done to all that were involved and represented the school so well. 

  

• County Individual Table Tennis Final

  Thu 11 Jan 2024

  Well done to Owen, Ollie and Felicity, who on Wednesday travelled to Solent University to compete in the Hampshire individual table tennis finals. After coming in the top two at the Basingstoke event they played a round robin tournament against children from other schools in Hampshire. We are really proud of all of them, with Felicity finishing second overall in the girls competition. In the boys Owen also managed to secure second spot, just being narrowly beaten by Ollie to the title. Ollie will now go on to represent Hampshire at the national finals in March.

   

  

• Year 6 Bikeability

  Fri 15 Dec 2023

  At the end of the Autumn term, year 6 had the opportunity to take part in the Bikeability course. This course is designed to equip the pupils with the skills to responsibly cycle ready for when some of them will cycle to their secondary schools in September.

   

  After spending time on the playground perfecting the basic skills of cycling, the majority of the year group progressed onto the local roads around school accompanied by the instructors. Across the three days, the pupils learnt to safely ride on the road including signalling and different riding positions on the road; turning left into a major and minor road and turning right across traffic. The course also included learning basic bike maintenance and what to check on their bike before departing on a journey.  Those who were learning to cycle, remained on the playground, and supported by Mrs Williams, practised their balance and peddling, making excellent progress and becoming confident cyclists by the end of the three days.  At the end of the course most children achieved a level 1 or level 2 bikeability certificate and badge. Thank you to Hampshire Outdoors for providing this course and to Mrs Williams for supporting our non-cyclists to develop their skills. 

  

• Christmas Service 2023

  Wed 13 Dec 2023

  On Tuesday 12th December, the year 5 pupils showed us what excellent 'collaboration' looks like when they led our whole school Christmas Worship at All Saints Church. They reminded us of the story of Jesus' birth and encouraged us to remember this during the festive season. They also told us about Christmas in different parts of the world reminding us that Christian's might celebrate in different ways but are celebrating the same event.  The choir also sang two carols, the orchestra performed and the Year R children performed one of the songs from their nativity. To complete the worship, the year 5 children led us in a period of prayer and reflection. 

  

• Year R Nativity play

  Wed 13 Dec 2023

  On Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th December, year R children eagerly performed a traditional nativity play re-telling the story of Jesus' birth. With a packed audience for both performances, the children enthusiastically sang songs which, along with the narrators and lines from the major parts, recounted the story . At the end of the play, a collection took place for this year's pupil choice charity, the RSPCA. Thank you to all parents and carers for their support to learn lines and with costumes.  Thank you also to the Friends of St John's School for serving tea and coffee at both performances. 

  

• Christingle Service

  Wed 06 Dec 2023

  On Wednesday 6th December, the whole school took part in a Christingle service. The service was led by Eleanor from Basingstoke Church and members of our school council. Before the service, each child made their own Christingle in class and learnt about the different parts. As a school we also made donations to the work of the Children’s society.  

  

• Remembrance Sunday

  Sun 12 Nov 2023

  Harriet and Miles. Chair and Vice-Chair of the school council, attended the Basingstoke and Deane Remembrance Sunday service today at the War Memorial in the Town Centre. Along with representatives from other Basingstoke Schools, they laid a poppy wreath, on behalf of all the members of the St John's School community, to remember and commemorate those who have fought in different wars. 

  

• Harvest Festival

  Fri 06 Oct 2023

  On the 6th October, St John’s celebrated our Harvest Festival with a service at All Saints Church. The service was led by South Africa class. The harvest gifts were donated to the local Food bank.