11 March 2022

International women’s day was celebrated on the 8th of March. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution of women from past to present and recognise how their work towards improving opportunities for women today.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

Ukraine appeal

We are currently liaising with members of the Ukrainian community to collect a variety of items to send to Ukraine. Please do have a look at the attached list and if you are able to donate any of the items, kindly bring them to the school office.

Please do continue to pray for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict.

List of donations

Red Nose Friday – 18th March 2022

In support of Red Nose Day, we ask all children to wear an item of red clothing and bring in a £1 donation. As part of our sustainability policy, we would like discourage you and your children from buying plastic red noses, ears, or antlers (which will just get thrown away) but rather just consider donating the money towards the appeal. Let us reduce plastic waste where we can.

Please click on the following link to read Ms Ugbo’s letter with details of an exciting Lego competition.

Red nose day letter

Year 6 Boosters

We will be running booster sessions for year 6 pupils during the first week of the Easter holidays. Sessions will start on Monday, 4th April and run until Friday, 8th April from 9.00 a.m. until 12.00 p.m.

Click here if you would like your child to attend

It is important that your child attends daily for a prompt 9.00 a.m. start and is collected no later than 12.00 p.m. Staff will deliver focused reading and maths sessions to help prepare the children for their forthcoming KS2 SATS.

Year 6 SATS are important and we are committed to supporting your child to achieve the best possible outcomes. However, we need you to work with us, not just by bringing them to these sessions, but more importantly, ensuring they keep up with their weekly homework and other tasks set.

We will be holding a Y6 SATS meeting on Monday, 28th March 2022. You have the choice of attending at 8.30 a.m. or 3.30 p.m. I encourage you to attend to receive key information about SATS and how you can prepare and support your child.

News to celebrate – Year 6 places

Congratulations to our year 6 pupils on securing places at excellent schools. I appreciate it is always a difficult time for our young people and you as parents / carers. Whilst many are happy and excited, some children are disappointed. Please be assured that I will do whatever I can to support you through the appeals process. Do contact the office to make an appointment to see me if you require help.

Click here for the full list of secondary schools

Girls Football Tournament – Wednesday, 9th March 2022

Girls from KS2 participated in a competition held at Coloma Convent School in Shirley, Croydon. They were brilliant and enjoyed the whole experience, improving on their previous performance. They came third and proudly represented our School, displaying great teamwork and encouraging each other through every match.

My thanks to our own Mr Abraham and to Kiera Hewett-Brown (from Palace for Life Foundation) for training them and to Mrs Foley Brown for accompanying and cheering them on.

Click here for Palace for Life’s range of clubs and courses for women and girls

Easter Holiday Camp (4-7 April 2022)

We are now taking registrations for our holiday provision over the Easter holidays, between 4 – 7 April 2022, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children will be provided with a healthy and nutritious lunch. Activities will include arts & crafts as well as a trip to the local parks and playgrounds.

FSM-eligible pupils can attend for free; fee-paying places are £20 per day.

The registration forms are available on the website here

Please download, complete the form and email it to Mrs Odewale (details are on the link above)

Reading with your child over breakfast at school

The junior school hall will continue to be open from 8.30 a.m. if you would like to come in and enjoy a free breakfast with your child / children. Why not enjoy it with a book? It is the perfect time to share a book over breakfast. No need to book, just arrive in the hall and help yourself to cereal, bagel and a coffee.

Primary Careers Week – 21.3.22 – 25.3.22

Thank you to those of you who have signed up to come and talk to our children about careers. I am sure we have a wealth of talent in our school community and a range of jobs that you all do. I know your child/children would be so proud to see you come into school and share information about the jobs you do.

If you can spare some time to come and talk to the children about your job, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please complete this google form if you would like to help out

PTA

The PTA’s AGM is on Tuesday, 15th March 2022 at 6.00 p.m. in the Junior Hall.

Please do make an effort to attend and if it is not possible then you can join the meeting via zoom (details are on the school calendar on the website and on St Joseph’s App ).

They will also be holding a second-hand uniform sale on Saturday, 19th March 2022 between 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. If you have any donations, kindly bring them to the office by Wednesday, 16th March .

Parking

Unfortunately, I have to raise this issue yet again in my newsletter. I received a complaint from a local resident who was understandably upset with the barrage of verbal abuse she received from one of our parents who was parked with no consideration to restrictions or the safety of pedestrians.

Mrs Gallagher and I have been standing at the top of Woodend at the junction of Bradley Road. Despite me standing in the road on the double yellow lines, to prevent our people from parking and stopping there, one of our KS2 parents stopped to let her daughter out, despite my polite reminder not to do that.

It reflects badly on our school and does not set a good example to your child/children if you as parents/carers behave in this manner. It shows a total lack of respect and disregard for others’ safety. It is also a breach of the school code of conduct you signed when you chose to send your child to our school and uphold our values and Christian ethos.

Thank you to the vast majority of you who continue to park and behave with respect and consideration to others. You are a credit to your child/children and our school.

This week’s photos!

Click for this week’s montage of photos

Mrs L Fernandes

Headteacher

Future dates for your diary

15.03.22 – PTA AGM
18.03.22 – Red Nose day
19.03.22 – PTA uniform sale
21.3.22 – 25.3.22 – Primary Careers week
21.03.22 – Bookings open for summer clubs
24.03.22 – Panathlon (Trinity School)
25.03.22 – Last day for spring term clubs
28.03.22 – Y6 SATS meeting for pupils & parents/carers (8.15 a.m. or 3.30 p.m.)