Featured News
Children's Mental Health Week ‘My Voice Matters'
This week, we have enjoyed celebrating Children's Mental Health Week. Using the theme 'My Voice Matters', each year group discussed different ways that children and young people can express themselves, explaining that when we feel empowered to express ourselves, there’s a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference, have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.
At the start of the week, Year 3 took a stroll to the beach, where they were reminded that nature and physical activity is good for our mental health. At the beach, they each selected a stone to decorate with a positive affirmation once they returned to school.
In Year 4, Arty Wednesday was inspired by the book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’. The children created artwork using pencils and paints and different blending techniques to make their pictures come alive.
Year 5 shared 'The Red Tree' by Shaun Tan and discussed changes from the beginning to the end of the story. They looked at being kindness superheroes and designed their own superhero outfits and quotes they might use. Year 5 also created leaves for a kindness tree, either about things that make them happy or things that they could do to show kindness in our local area.
Year 6 created a piece of artwork with swirls of colour to show the emotions they feel. Each emotion was given a colour and the one felt most powerfully, shone through in their painting.
At Herne Bay Junior School, we want children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work together to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing. We want every child to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters”.
Christmas has arrived at HBJS!
Christmas has arrived at HBJS!
The final week of term has transformed HBJS into a magical environment of festive fun around the school and beyond.
We started off last week with our School Christmas Jumper & Dinner day, it was so lovely to see the hall filled with smiling faces and plenty of festive cheer. The children enjoyed eating Christmas dinner with their teachers, pulling crackers and listening to some Christmas hits!
We would like to say a huge thank you to the Kitchen Staff for putting on such a delicious spread for all to enjoy.
Christmas cards are being posted by children and delivered by our Y6 helpers daily.
The children are also enjoying a number of Christmas themed activities in class.
This week has seen each year group’s Christmas party take place where children have enjoyed music, games and quizzes with their friends.
Our amazing PTA gifted every child in school a chocolate lolly to enjoy during the party.
These were festively delivered by our 2 naughty office elves in full regalia!
There have been a bumper number of entries for the Christmas colouring Competition this year.
Winners will be announced in celebration assembly this morning.
The PTA have also awarded prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each year group.
As a school community we have all thoroughly enjoyed our two Christmas services held at Christ Church.
Reverend Anthony and Reverend Simon welcomed us all and our Y3 pupils performed the Nativity spectacularly for each of the services.
The combination of confidence, joy and hard work from the narrators, actors and singers created a wonderful retelling of the birth of Jesus.
It was lovely to see so many parents, carers, family and friends attend at the church also.
The PTA Christmas disco took place last night, the children enjoyed some Christmas classics as well as some more modern ‘tunes’ to show off our disco moves.
HBJS would also like to thank all of you who contributed to our Gifting Tree. As always it has been incredibly well supported and we wanted to pass on our thanks to you for helping to make Christmas a special time for those who need a little help at this time of year.
We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Admissions Policy 2025 and Consultation letter
To all stakeholders,
We are required under the School Admissions Code 2021 to review our admissions policies annually and consult at least once every 7 years, even if there have been no changes during that period.
There are no changes being made to the Admissions Policy for 2025-26.
Please find the full policy and admissions arrangements below. This consultation is open from 7th December 2023 and any comments relating to the policy will need to be received by 19th January 2024.
If you wish to comment on the policy please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Herne Bay Junior School Admission Policy 25-26
Herne Bay Junior School Admissions Agreement Consultation for Admission Year 2025
HBJS Year 2 Open Days
YEAR 2 PARENTS OPEN DAY EVENTS
Do you, your family or friends have a child in Year 2? Are you seeking to find the most suitable school placement for them next year?
Transition from infants to juniors can be an anxious time for children, even those who attend infant/junior primary schools. As a KS2 only environment, our staff are highly experienced in supporting children through this phase. In addition, they are expert practitioners within the KS2 curriculum and have a strong understanding of the skills and knowledge that children need to secure in order for them to reach their full potential.
At Herne Bay Junior School, we recognise the link between children’s social and emotional development and academic achievement. While taking the journey through KS2, we strive to prepare them well for their secondary school experience so that longer term outcomes can be successful.
This year, we are offering additional opportunities for parents of Year 2 children to come and see what Herne Bay Junior School has to offer. The dates are:
Wednesday 29th November – 9:3oam
Wednesday 29th November – 6:30pm
Saturday 2nd December – 9:30am
In a caring and nurturing environment with a friendly and approachable team, we also offer excellent facilities including an extensive outdoor space and forest area, extra-curricular opportunities and a wrap-around care service.
Please encourage others to come and see for themselves. Additionally, take a look at our social media platforms:
Website: www.hernebay-jun.kent.sch.uk
Instagram: @hernebayjuniorschool
Facebook: Herne Bay Junior School
Welcoming HBJS Newest Arrivals JJ and Rhea
Let us introduce you to our HBJS pet tortoises: JJ and Rhea! They were kindly donated to the school and have been welcomed by all of the children. They have now gone safely into hibernation for the winter months and will move into their new surroundings, next spring.
At Herne Bay Junior School, we learn to care for and respect all of our animal friends. Equally, they happily integrate with each other under the careful guidance of our staff. Click on this link to see Ivy’s first meeting with JJ and Rhea: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzEG3Z4MySi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA
