Newsletter 29th March 2018
29th March 2018
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of a very busy term the Infant and Junior schools would like to express their continued thanks to families and friends who make the Federation what it is. The Infant School had a ‘Section 8’, one day, Ofsted inspection on Thursday 22nd of March. Unfortunately, we cannot inform you of the outcome until we receive formal notification from Ofsted so watch this space then you will receive a letter from us as soon as possible. You will receive the same letter as the school receives.
This week is Holy Week. Holy Week began on the 25th March with ‘Palm Sunday’ and will end on Holy Saturday 31st March. During the week we remember with sorrow the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and we solemnly pay our respect to the Lord on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday by attending services in our parishes. Thank you to our children in Yr 3, 4 and 5 who depicted the Passion of Our Lord so inspirationally on Wednesday afternoon. A very sobering reflection for all of us.
In a time when budgets have been cut and good teachers and support staff are hard to find, we are extremely lucky to have such a committed body of staff. We are all driven by our moral purpose to give the children as fantastic an educational experience as we can. We are delighted to welcome Ms Anna Swann to our staff team. Ms Swann is covering Mrs Ioannou’s maternity leave in Red Class and will be with us for one year. Good luck to Mrs Ioannou whose baby is due this week!
Over the past few months children in the Juniors and Infants have experienced the following:
Juniors |
Infants |
Yrs 3, 4 and 5 saw Cinderella at Peckham Theatre. Internet safety workshops for Yr.5 & 6 and parents Fire Brigade visited Yr. 5 Theatre workshops for all year groups for World Book Day. Local police officers visit re: street safety and internet awareness. Our ‘superstars’ programme- attended Royal Ballet, Olympic Stadium Evelina Hospital talk and fundraiser for children’s hospital- Get Colourful. 6 children part of philosophy group- went to a newspaper to learn all about it Catholic Children’s society talk 4 children represented school in ‘24 Maths’ Competition – semi- finalists so far School council visited Wembley Arena as part of WE project Yr. 5/6 2nd place Southwark Indoor athletics Yr.3/4 won Southwark indoor athletics Millwall Cup- school reached semi-final Bacons Football league- both boy and girls teams lost in finals. Tag Rugby Competition - runners up Netball Competition - semi-finalists Hockey- Southwark winners and will represent Southwark in London Youth Games. Yr. 3/4 runners up in bench ball final comp. |
Infant School Council to Houses of Parliament Rock Steady Workshops ‘Shake Up’ Club Yr 1 Walking in the local environment Sound Steps Assembly National Gallery Visits by Rainbow and Red Creative Minds Project with theatre performance by both Reception classes Fire Brigade Yr 2 Safer Internet Day speakers Maths Week activities Costume Making Workshop Get Colourful Day West End in Schools Theatre Yr 1 Multi Skills at Castle Centre Daffodil Competition Police Visit re: Stranger Danger and Street Safety St Joseph’s and St Patricks Day Celebrations |
The London Mayor’s ‘Count On Us 24 Challenge’
Well done to our ‘Maths 24’ team who have got to the semi-finals of a London-wide competition! Next stop is City Hall!
Healthy Schools Silver Award
Two of our staff were asked to present at a conference held by the Local Authority last Friday. Congratulations to Mr Higgins and Ms Steadman who through their evaluation of the work going on at St Joseph’s in sport and well-being, have achieved a Healthy School Silver Award. A very big ‘Well Done!’ to all involved.
Attendance
Whole School attendance stands at 97%
School Uniform
Please remember our uniform policy stipulates children wear shoes not trainers, that hair is tidy with no fades or lines. Hair extensions should not be a different colour to the child’s natural hair colour.
Yr 6 SATs Booster Sessions
There will be Easter booster sessions on Monday 9th, Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th April for selected children in Year 6. These will run from 9am until 12pm each day.
Dates for your diary
Monday April 16th - Return to school after the Easter break
Friday 27th April - Infant New Life Mass
Monday 7th May - Bank Holiday Monday School will be closed
Monday 14th May - KS2 SATs begin
Monday 28th May – Friday 1st June - Half term week
Reflection
‘If you bear the cross gladly, it will bear you’ - Thomas A Kempis ‘The Imitation of Christ’
All the staff at St Joseph’s wish you all a Holy and Happy Easter.
Anita Gallagher
Executive Headteacher