St John Vianney Primary School

Pendarren 2025

Day 2

Click HERE to view photos from Day 2

After an excellent first night’s sleep, everyone woke up refreshed and ready for our first full day in Pendarren.
Breakfast set us up perfectly for the day ahead: cereal, fruit, sausages, hash browns, beans, and toast. With plenty of energy on board, we headed out for our adventure to Caswell Bay near Mumbles.

First up our coastal walk around the headland, where we spotted a seal! After a well-deserved lunch on the beach, the children got stuck into some rock pooling, working brilliantly together to carefully collect and identify lots of marine life, including:
• A shrimp
• Various crabs
• Sea snails
• A fish
• And, of course, plenty of seaweed!

This evening, the group were treated to a session with Daniel Morden, a wonderful Welsh storyteller whose tales completely captivated everyone. Some even bought a book!

Before bed, the children enjoyed some diary writing and a few lively games of Beetle — a much-loved SJV tradition! By the end, there were definitely some very tired eyes, so it was straight off to bed to recharge for tomorrow’s adventures.

Mr McNicholas’ favourite quotes from today:
“I’m not Mr Quin!”
“I’m not Miss!”

Tomorrow’s plan:
• Group 1 – River Study
• Group 2 – Horse Riding and Canoeing

Everyone is having a fantastic time and embracing every challenge with enthusiasm. We hope you’re enjoying these updates — more to come tomorrow!

Goodnight from Pendarren! 🌙

Pendarren 2025

Day 1

Click HERE to view photos from Day 1

After waving goodbye to parents, brothers, sisters, and teachers, our coach — packed to the brim with very excited children (and quite a fair bit of luggage) — set off for the Welsh adventure we’ve all been eagerly anticipating! The journey was filled with chatter, laughter, books, games, jewellery making, and fidget toys! It was genuinely lovely to overhear so many great conversations!

After a toilet and snack stop at Leigh Delamere Services, we rolled into Wales right on time at 1 p.m.

We were warmly welcomed by our instructors for the week — Neil, Callum, and Jazz — and quickly settled into our new routines and surroundings.

Wellies? Check.
Sun hats? Check.
Water bottles? Check.
🚌 Five hours of pent-up coach energy? Definitely check!

And with that, we were off for our first adventure: a mountain walk! All 3 activity groups tackled Sugar Loaf with enthusiasm and determination — and we’re proud to say, every single one of us reached the top. It was hard but we did it!
What a brilliant start!

Once back, it was time to unpack, make beds, and get our dorms ready — all completed efficiently and with smiles (I’m not joking!)

Dinner was a huge hit: homemade breaded chicken, wedges, sweetcorn, and salad, followed by yoghurt for dessert. Every plate was cleared by our hungry explorers!

Dormitory inspection? Passed with flying colours.
Fire drill? Completed perfectly first time!

The evening ended with a thoughtful discussion about our aims and hopes for the week, followed by a few chapters of ‘Holes.’ Then it was off to brush teeth and get a good night’s sleep after an exciting and tiring first day in Wales.

Mr McNicholas’ quote of the day:
“Right, slime away!” (Unnamed teacher)

Fact of the day: A mountain is only a mountain when it is at least 600m tall. (Sugar Loaf is 596m - don’t tell the children!)

Spoiler alert: Tomorrow is our coast visit!

See below for a few clips...they're having an alright time!

CLASS 6

Useful Links - How to Help your Child at Home

Reading, Writing and Maths in Year 6: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/year-6-at-primary-school/

Spelling: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-spelling/spelling-year-6-age-10-11/

Punctuation & Grammar: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-grammar/grammar-year-6-age-10-11/

Science: https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/science-at-primary-school/

Curriculum for 2022-24

Click this link to see what we are learning in each subject / half term