Paper mache hot air balloons

Watch out Cameron balloons there is a new rival hot air balloon maker in Bristol.


Year 5 & 6 has been looking at Bristol's connections with hot air balloons and made their own. They produced some stunning designs that will really take off!

Images of Bristol

Year 5 & 6 have produced modern Bristol Art by using the website windows local live .



Firstly they took aerial and birdseye photographs of places in Bristol, using the website. Then using the negative outline printouts, they coloured them in using selective contrasting colours. As you can see below they achieved brilliant results.

Year 3/4's Landmark project

Since our trip on Tuesday looking at different landmarks around Bristol, Year 3/4 have been hard at work producing a project about the landmarks we visited.



In each project we used publishing software for the front cover, included a sketch of each landmark, and then wrote about the geography and history of each landmark. Here is an example of one of the finished projects. Well done Kavita!

Podcast about Polish 'White Week'

'White Week' is the week following First Holy Communion. Click on the link below to listen to Sebastian and his Mum talk about the celebration and even mention St. Joseph's Polish Club!

www.cliftondiocese.com/podcasts/white_week.mp3

A visit from Brunel

Year 1 and 2 were very lucky today because they had a surprise visit from Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He came in to talk to the children and answer the questions they decided upon. The children got very excited and were horrified to find out that he smoked 40 cigars a day! It is a shame that Mr Sherwin couldn't see him because he had to leave just before Brunel arrived.



The children then wrote a Big Write about all the facts about Brunel that they have discovered over this interesting topic.

Y5/6C Music

Year 5 & 6 have been learning about the slave trade and its links with Bristol. Below is some music inspired from our studies.

A day out at Bristol Zoo in French

Y5/6C loved hearing about YR & Y1's recent trip to the zoo and decided to go there too, but in French!! The class needed to learn the French for lots of typical things that they might discover on a trip to Bristol Zoo.

très bien

Year 3/4 having a riot!

Year 3 and 4 having being doing a drama activity to recreate the Bristol riots of 1831.



The riots started after The Reform Bill, which was intended to improve democracy, was rejected by the Lords.

Year 5 & 6 Treasure hunt around Fishponds

Today Year 5 & 6 went on a Treasure hunt around Fishponds, Snuff Mills and Vassells Park. The treasure hunt tested their observation skills and helped them find out more about their local area. They were rewarded with some time to play in Vassells Park.

Brunel's Achievements

Because Y1/2 is learning about Brunel as part of Bristol week we went on a trip to the SS Great Britain and the Clifton suspension bridge yesterday. It was amazing to see the SS Great Britain and see what life was like on board. We found out that they even kept cows, pigs and chickens on board!
Mr Condon joined us at the suspension bridge. Some people were a bit nervous about crossing it because it is so high but I was impressed that everybody had the courage to cross it in the end. What a brave bunch!

Bristol Week

I had a great day cycling around Bristol the different classes on their trips. Firstly I joined Year 3/4 in Queens Square and Bristol Cathedral, then I visited Years R and 1 at the Zoo and then I met Year 1 and 2 at the Clifton Suspension Bridge. I'll write a bit more about the day tomorrow, but here are a few pictures. All groups seemed to be having a great time learning about Bristol!

Mr. Condon

ps - Mr. Conlon - I've had ago at home, but can't manage to do your great slideshows! Can you teach me again?

Y5&6 Photos of Fishponds today placed on to an old map

Year 5 & 6 have been looking at how Fishponds has changed over time. Using ICT, the children have taken photographs of places in Fishponds today and then placed them on to an old map. As well as ICT skills the task required them to carefully study maps in order to put the photos in the correct places. Below are Liam's and Eleanor's maps. Can you find our school?

Year 3/4's Bristol Landmark Trip

Year 3/4 had a trip around Bristol today, looking at some of its famous landmarks. We wanted to find out the history of each Landmark, and why it was built where it was. We started at Queen Square before walking up to Bristol Cathedral.



After, we walked up Park Street and visited Brandon Hill to see Cabot Tower.



Then, we went up to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. We walked across the bridge and then went up to the Observatory to sketch the Bridge.



To finish our busy day, we called in at Clifton Cathedral. We were given a talk, and we were able to compare and contrast this modern Cathedral with that of the much older Bristol Cathedral.



We all had an interesting and enjoyable day out. A big thankyou to all the parents and helpers who joined us today.

More Tag Rugby photos

As promised here are some more photos from the Year 3/4 Tag Rugby festival last week.

Mr. Tilmouth's Class having an argument!

Year 3/4 have today been looking at the features of a good argument. When the children had finished writing their argument, Mr. Tilmouth asked them to highlight good linking words they may have used like, 'however' or 'otherwise'. Sitting next to James I was amazed at how much his handwriting has improved. Well done!
Alan and Jack prepared this speech in favour of wearing uniform.

Mrs. Mantle's Read Write Group

Mrs. Mantle's Read Write group today working very hard practicing their 'are' sound, as in scare. They were working very well using their sounds and recording their spellings on whiteboards.

Describing another world

Yesterday Y12S looked again at a strange world on the computer. The children then worked in pairs to describe what they saw. They used interesting vocabulary and a range of connectives and I was stunned by the wonderful words their wonderful work.



At the top of the plant ther is a msteriyus place.
Niamh and Rachel



There was a suspicious bird feeding his cyoot baby birds.
Iwan and Ruby



There was a flying crecher who had msterius eyes and besid it there is a babe bird.
Ben and Grace

Well done Lauren!!

Lauren B in Mrs Patton's class received an award today from Speedwell's Blue Watch fire brigade.


Bright spark Lauren heard the fire alarm from her next door neighbours and felt the wall in her house getting hot. Realising something must be wrong, Lauren immediately told her parents. They contacted the fire brigade, who put out the fire. Fortunately no one was injured.


Speedwell's Blue Watch praised Lauren for her awareness and quick thinking.

Lauren you're a star!

Click here for more information on fire safety

The Big Number Crunch

Well done everyone for working so hard on
The Big Number Crunch.


Congratulations to those children who received prizes for last term. Prizes are awarded to those children who work the hardest or make the biggest improvements on the big number crunch.

Ethiopian Water Crisis

In recent weeks the people of Ethiopia have suffered a severe water shortage. The water wells, built with money raised by the children of St. Joseph's, proved to be a valuable lifeline for the people of Addis Alem, when all other water dried up. This is an incredible example of how this school community, has not only contributed improving the lives of others – but also saving the lives of others! We should be proud of what we have achieved and look forward to making more of a difference in the future.

St Joseph's singing Pirates!

The School had a Singing Assembly today led by Mrs Marsh. We all had fun learning a song called 'Pirates' by Lin Marsh. The children look pretty fierce don't you think? A really good sound was produced, and only in 40 minutes! Well done.

Science in Year 6

Year 6J are currently involved in an excellent Science Quiz. The children have written their own questions based on research they have carried out in class. Mrs. Joseph's voice was going so I offered to take over as Quizmaster! I was very impressed with the children's knowledge.

Y3/4 Tag Rugby festival

Last Friday a group of Y3/4 children took part in a Tag Rugby festival at St Bernadette's Secondary School with children from St Bernadette's Primary. The day started with the children being coached by a group of St Bernadette's young leaders in different aspects of the game.

The morning culminated with a mini-tournament with the children from St Bernadette's Primary where we won the 'Most improved team' award.

A big thankyou to Mrs Wallace, Mr Staddon and Mrs Allen who helped transport the children to St Bernadette's. There will be more pictures of the festival on the blog later in the week!

Year 5 teaching Year 3/4

Children in Year 5 taught evaporation and the water cycle to Year 3/4 this morning. Watch the videos below, where we hear the 'Water Cycle Song' which was taught to the group and haer from Marissa about how the teaching and learning went.

Y3/4 B/N Cafod Assembly

Today Y3/4 B/N gave a fantastic assembly on Cafod. They were also joined by Teresa Harris from Cafod, who explained further the important work this charity undertakes.



Teresa Harris was presented with a cheque for £361.06 to help Cafod. This money was raised by St Joseph's through our Joseph performances and non uniform day. Many thanks to everyone who contributed.



Check out Cafod's website - Kidszone for more information, things to do and games.

Y5 Planning Teaching and Learning

I'm having a really interesting afternoon with Y5P. The class have been asked to plan a lesson to teach Y3/4 about condensation and the water cycle. A great idea as apparently we learn 90% of what we teach!!!!

I'm sat with Ashley and Marissa who have got some great ideas about what makes good teaching and learning - learning should be fun and interesting, sometimes diagrams are useful, not too much talking (by teachers), or a lesson being too long and getting the children doing things for themselves. They are planning a very 'interactive' lesson which I'm sure will be successful.

I also enjoyed looking at Milo's new laptop and camera. The equipment allows him to zoom in on detail anywhere in the class. He is very skilled at using it.

Well done Y5P.