World Book Week celebrations at CJS
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It's been a joyful week at CJS, celebrating our love of reading!
On Wednesday the author Jo Cotterill visited us and gave a series of inspiring and exciting workshops. She spoke to the children about how she became an author and then helped them to create their own mystery stories. The children were overflowing with creative ideas; we have lots of budding writers at CJS!
It was a delight to see children and staff arrive at school as various different book characters. A particular highlight was Ms Thompson's giraffe costume! The children spent the day participating in World Book Day themed lessons and had the opportunity to purchase a book or two from the Children's Book Shop who kindly visited us for the day. The day culminated with whole school story time - a particularly calm way to end the day and appreciate the power of a good book!
The week ended with a visit from West End in Schools who delivered some World Book Day themed workshops to children in Years 3 and 4. Each class participated in a Story Explorer workshop focusing on two different books, Matilda by Roald Dahl and The Firework Maker's Daughter by Phillip Pullman. With the guidance of an expert drama facilitator, the children used drama exercises and activities to imagine and explore the characters, context and topics from new angles. During the sessions the children looked at the story as a whole before delving into the story’s setting and imagining how the characters move, feel and think.
In the childrens’ words:
"I really liked how Jo Cotterill allowed us to be free"
“Jo Cotterill inspired me to write more and explore the different types of writing"
"I always enjoy the author visits but this one was very special" Rose
"Jo Cotterill is such a fab author, she's written so many books - very inspiring!"
Learning
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Gray’s Inn singers competition success
Gray’s Inn Singers have been crowned UK champions at Barnardo’s National Choir Competition as well as winning at The Watford Festival 2026
Gray’s Inn Singers have been crowned UK champions at Barnardo’s National Choir Competition as well as winning at The Watford Festival 2026
The Gray’s Inn Singers from City Junior School have also won the Grand Prize for Musical Excellence at the Barnardo’s National Choir Competition. The choir performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Tuesday 3 March, having been selected as one of 16 outstanding finalists in the Junior Choir category. Their programme featured a captivating performance of Sakura, a traditional Japanese song arranged by Michael Neaum, followed by Larysa Kuzmenko’s dramatic and evocative Winds, which portrays the gathering intensity of a storm. This achievement is a testament to the children’s hard work, dedication, and passion for singing, and we are incredibly proud of them.…
Years 3&4 Winter Concert
