Junior School, South Plympton

Upcoming key events

Tues 18 Mar	Welcome Picnic (5pm-7pm)
Mon 24 Mar	Parent Seminar - CyberSafety with Jonny Shannon
Wed 26 Mar	Year 3-6 Cross Country
Thurs 27 Mar	Autumn Instrumental Evening
Tues 1 Apr	Year 6 GRIP Leadership Conference
Wed 2 Apr	Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
Fri 11 Apr	Coffee Connect @ 2:45pm

Junior School South Plympton Calendar

Year 3/4s explore the fascinating world of life cycles!

This term, our Year 3 and 4 students have been diving into the wonderful world of Science as they explore their topic, ‘Life Cycles.’ Through hands-on activities, observations, and creative projects, they have been developing their understanding of how living things grow and change over time.

Classifying objects

One of the first tasks was classifying objects as living, once living, or non-living. The students carefully examined a variety of items and used their reasoning skills to justify their classifications. This activity helped them to understand the characteristics that define living things and distinguish them from objects that were once alive or never had life.

Animal and plant life cycles

A key focus of their studies has been comparing different types of life cycles. The students have observed and described the differences between metamorphic and non-metamorphic life cycles, learning how some animals, such as frogs and butterflies, undergo dramatic transformations while others, like humans, grow in a more gradual way. They also examined how a frog's physical characteristics and behaviours change at different stages of its life, linking these changes to its needs for survival.

In addition to animal life cycles, students explored the life cycle of plants. They engaged in an experiment by growing their own bean plants, carefully observing the stages of germination, seedling growth, and leaf development. Time spent in the playground also provided a valuable opportunity to study the needs of plants, as students identified factors such as sunlight, water, and soil nutrients that contribute to healthy plant growth.

To further enhance their understanding, students have represented different life cycles through creative means, including detailed drawings and digital photographs. These visual representations have allowed them to track the changes that occur at each stage, reinforcing their learning in an engaging and interactive way.

As the unit continues, students will explore animal traits and learn how characteristics vary within populations and species.

It has been an exciting and enriching experience for our Year 3 and 4 students, and we look forward to seeing their continued curiosity and discoveries as they explore the wonders of life cycles!

Corrinna Smith, Cathrine Tolja and Megan Kelly

Year 3/4 Teachers

Welcome Picnic

Tuesday, 18 March 5 - 7pm

Our South Plympton Junior School warmly invites all families to enjoy community and connection at our inaugural, annual Welcome Picnic.

There'll be fun for the whole family, from music to games to a coffee cart!

Bring a picnic, and chairs or a picnic rug for a sensational evening out on the oval.

No need to RSVP!

Junior School Sports Day - A wonderful day of community and team spirit

We are thrilled to share the highlights from this year’s much-anticipated Year 3-6 Sports Day! A day filled with energy, enthusiasm, and friendly competition. An event to remember!

From the opening ceremony to the final relay race, the atmosphere was electric. Students of all ages showcased their talents in a variety of events, including sprint races, relay, long jumps, and the ever-popular novelty events, this year going towards house points! The air was filled with cheers as students, teachers, and caregivers cheered for their teams, creating a sense of unity and excitement.

Sports Day is not only about competition but also about fostering teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. Whether students were competing for the top spot or simply enjoying the fun, everyone’s effort and ability was on show. Each event saw tremendous displays of determination and enthusiasm, highlighting the spirit of participation over everything else.

While all participants are winners in our eyes, a special shout-out goes to the winning team of the day, Topaz, for their impressive overall performance. Emerald and Ruby were close rivals the whole day, keeping one another on their toes until the final events of the day. Well done to all athletes for giving their best in every event!

Thank you to all the teachers, volunteers, and staff who worked tirelessly to make this day a success. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did and is already excited for next year’s event!

Until then, let’s keep the spirit of Sports Day alive in our everyday PE learning and participation.

Mr Heath and Mrs Collins

PE Key Teachers