This term has flown by, and I am delighted to share some of the many highlights and achievements in this edition of WOW Magazine. From classroom successes to sporting triumphs and creative endeavours, it has been fantastic to see our pupils embracing every opportunity that has come their way.
As we head into the Easter festivities, we also take a moment to think of those in our community who may be facing difficult times. Our Year 7 and 8 pupils visited the Rainbow Ward at West Suffolk Hospital to deliver Easter eggs, hoping to bring a little joy to the young patients and hardworking staff Their kindness and thoughtfulness truly reflect the spirit of South Lee.
A big thank you to our incredible staff, whose dedication and enthusiasm make everything we do possible. To our parents and carers, thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with your children it is a privilege to watch them grow and thrive.
Wishing you all a restful and joyful Easter break.
Sarah Catchpole Head
Year 2 enjoyed a brilliant trip to Pizza Express where they learned how pizzas are made, from kneading the dough to selecting their own toppings. Before returning to school, they made the most of the sunshine with a play in the park at the Abbey Gardens. A perfect blend of hands-on learning and outdoor fun.
YEAR8VISIT TONORWICHTHEATRE
Year 8 had a thought-provoking and memorable visit to Norwich Theatre to see Pig Heart Boy, the powerful stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s novel The performance explored important themes such as friendship, identity, medical ethics and the impact of the media, all brought to life with striking visuals and an emotive script. It sparked meaningful discussion among the pupils, who were quick to reflect on the dilemmas faced by the characters and the relevance of the story in today’s world.
The visit formed part of Year 8’s English and PSHE learning, offering a valuable opportunity to experience live theatre and engage with complex themes beyond the classroom. Pupils returned inspired by the storytelling and staging, and full of ideas for their own creative writing and debate. A powerful performance that will stay with them for a long time.
YEAR6VISIT TOPIZZAEXPRESS
Year 6 had a fantastic time at Pizza Express, learning how to make their own pizzas from scratch. They stretched the dough, chose their toppings, and then enjoyed their creations fresh from the oven. The trip was a fun and hands-on way to explore teamwork and food preparation, leaving everyone with full bellies and big smiles!
PILLARLUNCH
Celebrating our Pillar Award winners with a special lunch hosted by our Head, Mrs Catchpole! It was a fantastic occasion to recognise the hard work and dedication of our pupils who excelled last term.
Well done to all for showcasing the very best of South Lee!
A huge well done to Anna C, Beau G, Harry S and Shia W-B for successfully defending their title at the U9 Soft Archery Tournament held at KEGS. The team showed incredible focus, skill and composure under pressure, working brilliantly together to achieve another well-deserved victory.
Their teamwork and determination stood out throughout the competition, and their positive attitude made them great representatives of South Lee. We are very proud of their outstanding effort and commitment. A fantastic achievement –keep aiming high!
VISITTOCOLCHESTERZOO
Pre-School and Reception had a magical day at Colchester Zoo, full of awe and excitement. From watching penguins waddle to spotting giraffes and lions, the children were bursting with curiosity and wonder. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the world around them, build language skills and share the adventure with friends.
PRE-SCHOOLGRANPARENT LUNCH
It was a real joy to see our Pre-School children sharing a special lunch with their grandparents. There were lots of happy faces as everyone sat together, enjoyed their food and spent time chatting in the dining hall.
The children loved having their grandparents in school and it was lovely to see the warm connection between generations. There was a real buzz of excitement and plenty of giggles as everyone tucked in.
Thank you to all the families who joined us. It was a gentle and happy afternoon, full of togetherness and lovely moments.
AFTERNOON
Years 3 and 4 rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in during a brilliant Groundforce afternoon. From weeding and planting to tidying up outdoor spaces, everyone worked with great enthusiasm and teamwork. It was wonderful to see the children taking pride in their school environment and learning how small efforts can make a big difference. A hands-on afternoon full of energy, teamwork and muddy knees!
Our school marked VE Day with activities that brought history to life and helped our pupils appreciate its significance.
The celebration then continued in the hall for a truly special afternoon tea prepared by Chef Rachael, complete with freshly baked scones, sausage rolls, sandwiches and Victoria sponge. The room buzzed with warm conversation and smiles as everyone enjoyed the treats and came together in reflection and remembrance.
CULFORDDEBATING COMPETITION
Well done to Henry, Lola and Ivanna for doing such a brilliant job at the Culford Debate Competition. They represented South Lee with confidence, clarity and great team spirit.
Pre-School, Reception, Years 1 and 2 enjoyed a fun-filled introduction to the Piddly Circus this afternoon a brilliant little taster packed with tricks, stunts and plenty of giggles! We hope the children enjoyed the performance, especially with Miss Gisbey joining in on the fun!
BEWILDERWOOD
From treehouses to twisty slides, rope bridges to boat rides our Year 1 to Year 8 pupils threw themselves into the magic of BeWILDerwood! A brilliant day of climbing, exploring, and laughing together in the great outdoors. It’s safe to say South Lee pupils know how to embrace a bit of adventure!
EYFS FAMILY FUN MORNING
It was lovely to see so many of our Nursery and Reception families join in for our EYFS ‘Shrek’ Family Fun morning lots of laughter, smiles, and a touch of ogre mischief among the trees! Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a brilliant way to start the day!
EXPLORE, LEARN, GROW...
Potion brewing, den building and bug spotting… just a normal afternoon for Year 1 at Forest School! With pockets full of leaves and heads full of ideas, they turned the woods into a world of adventure...
With the sun shining and blue skies overhead, Year 2 took their art lesson outdoors this morning. Mrs T made the most of the lovely weather, turning our school grounds into an open-air studio. A brilliant way to start the day calm, focused and full of creativity!
There was a joyful atmosphere in Year 3 this week as pupils began learning to play the ukulele, developing their understanding of rhythm, chords and technique. The lesson was made all the more special with a wonderful cello performance by Dominic B, who shared his talent with the class. A delightful introduction to ensemble music and a lovely display of peer encouragement.
Curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving in action! From exciting experiments to hands-on engineering challenges, our pupils are exploring the wonders of STEM one discovery at a time. Science, technology, engineering, and maths come to life at South Lee!
Happy, smiley faces all around as our youngest learners enjoy their day at nursery! It’s wonderful to see them explore, play, and make new friends, embracing each moment with excitement and joy.
Our Nursery and Reception children were treated to a delightful surprise. Mrs Buckingham, one of our school governors, brought in her pet goats for a special visit. There were lots of smiles as the children gently stroked them and enjoyed spending time with their new four-legged friends.
Our Pre-Prep scientists had a brilliant time exploring, experimenting, and getting hands-on at after-school science club curiosity was definitely in the air!
Year 7 have been developing their skills in guitar during music class, building confidence with chords and rhythm while enjoying the creative side of learning an instrument. A lovely blend of focus, fun, and musical progress.
