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22/03/24

What a fantastic time Squirrel class had at Parndon woods! pic.twitter.com/DEhPBHxHRH

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22/03/24

This week in art, the children made a plate slider space picture. First, they had to use watercolours to paint their plate, they look awesome 🚀🎨 pic.twitter.com/FA8MVGgEK8

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22/03/24

Rabbit class enjoying the spring sunshine ☀️ pic.twitter.com/NlTT0VA29I

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22/03/24

Pheasant class have created their prototypes! We can’t wait to see the finished product! Let’s go fly a 🪁 pic.twitter.com/1oGaal6bEW

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22/03/24

Pheasant class have made their own rocks this week! pic.twitter.com/VkNDSO6vCm

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22/03/24

Owl class have created lighthouses in the style of architect, Zaha Hadid. Well done! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/DuH4OQdtSq

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20/03/24

Here are a selection of poems the Dragonfly class have written on seeded paper. In July, the poems will be scattered from the air along The Somme in remembrance of those who fought in WW1. pic.twitter.com/ZCAXBOBt93

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19/03/24

Y5&6 had an amazing day learning about WW1 planes and air combat.The children got to experience the virtual cockpit in the flight simulator using vr headsets. They also wrote poems onto seeded paper which will be airdropped over France as part of a wider project. pic.twitter.com/Vx59rp8Njv

08/03/24

On we’re celebrating Elaine Luscombe 🙌 PE Co-ordinator / EYFS / PPA Support at Roydon Primary 💙#IWD2024 pic.twitter.com/CsezMMCEZX

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08/03/24

On we’re celebrating Elaine Luscombe 🙌 PE Co-ordinator / EYFS / PPA Support at Roydon Primary 💙#IWD2024 pic.twitter.com/CsezMMCEZX

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08/03/24

Congratulations to our Mothers Day winners. All the children wrote beautiful nominations for their mothers. They will be bringing them home today! ♥️Thank you FORSA for presenting the prizes! pic.twitter.com/l7yWVZWJ8y

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08/03/24

To celebrate our World Book week the children have a dress down day today! pic.twitter.com/4VJXeMSD9g

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07/03/24

Rabbit class enjoying their new water tower 🥰 pic.twitter.com/CjPRGM7XNk

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06/03/24

Can you find and name all the books around the school? pic.twitter.com/HghKpaxogK

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06/03/24

Can you find and name all the books around the school? pic.twitter.com/aGjDP0jo35

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06/03/24

Rabbits enjoying a book in our reading nook! A fantastic place to swap a book! pic.twitter.com/0eLdSfA4J3

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06/03/24

Pheasant class have been learning about Mountain environments in Geography today! pic.twitter.com/BMWeSOXFwi

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06/03/24

The children have been busy writing nominations for a Mother’s Day raffle. The winners will be announced on Friday. Thank you FORSA for the raffle prizes! pic.twitter.com/3XURfLiBKP

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06/03/24

Today Year 3 pupils led our whole school World Book Day singing assembly! pic.twitter.com/5tmMjy3Dn6

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05/03/24

To launch ‘World Book’ week Rabbit and Squirrel class have had stories read to them by our PTA and Chair of Governors. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/XVLSKmyhXt

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Teacher with brain tumour inspires children

Teacher with brain tumour inspires children

Posted: 2nd May 2019

Children at Roydon Primary Academy were inspired to face challenges head-on by a former teacher who lost his sight to a brain tumour.

James Shone had been a teacher for 16 years when, in 2012, he was preparing to take on his first headship.

During a routine eye check as part of his medical assessment, it was discovered he had a large brain tumour.

After 27 hours of brain surgery and 80 days in hospital unable to eat, drink or talk, the father-of-four was left with no sight in one eye and only ten per cent vision in the other.

He told pupils at Roydon Primary Academy: “In 2012, I had it all; everything was as good as it could be. In 2013, I found myself with no job, no house and no sight.

“We have good bits and challenging bits of life. That is life. When the bad bits come, do they break us or make us?”

The motivational speaker – behind charity I Can & I Am with a mission to inspire confidence – said three rules to follow in hard times should be to look up, look forward and think about other people.

He said: “Keep looking forward because that is where the hopes and possibilities and opportunities are. They are in front of us; do not look back. The past we can learn from; it is a great teacher, but it is not a great master. Just think ‘can I learn from it’ and keep moving forward.

“Sometimes you might wake in a right grump. Do things for other people; that’s a brilliant thing and is where you find your purpose in life.

“The alternative option is to look down, look back and look in.”

The guest – who still has 50 per cent of his brain tumour - told pupils how he left hospital unable to walk, but was able to row the whole length of the River Thames two years ago with a positive mindset.

He said how important it was for the children to be confident that it was their choice whether to give up or get up: “One of the most valuable things you can do is to be thankful for what you do have and what you can do.”

Headteacher Michael Clark said: “James delivered one of the most inspirational speeches I have ever seen in a primary school. The children were hanging on his every word. I loved his positive attitude towards life, despite all he has been through.

“We work with the children every day on having a ‘can do’ attitude and James really put some context to this.

“We are very thankful for this visit and will be holding a charity day for his charity, I Can & I Am.”

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