Dear parents/Carers, We have had a wonderful end of term. We held a special Stations of the Cross Service in…
13 May 2022
I am so proud of our year 6 children for the way they focused this week on undertaking KS2 SATS.
I think the below quote is apt, given the determination and hard work all children displayed.
“It is your determination, and persistence that will make you a successful person”
– Kenneth J Hutchins
They were very supportive of each other and did their best. Results will be available in early July and whatever the outcome, I know with all confidence that they did their best and can be proud of their efforts. My thanks to Mrs Phillips, Mrs Winters, Mrs Lopeman and Mrs Burgess for their hard work and to all staff who supported them over the week.
St Joseph’s heading to the General Knowledge Quiz Finals
This is definitely a week of celebration as I have just received confirmation of the date for the General Knowledge Quiz final. Our team came first in the local rounds and will now proceed to the National Finals on 23rd June 2022 in central London.
Congratulations to Misha, Lottie, Josiah and Neah-Rose, who are our award-winning team. It is a big achievement and I know the children will rise to the challenge of the occasion.
For details on how to buy spectator tickets to the event, click here
St Joseph’s in bloom
The children had a lot of fun spreading the wildflower seeds in the area adjacent to the junior school playground. This is the ideal location for children to see how this area develops over the months and we hope it will lead to an array of wildflowers to attract natural insect life whilst commemorating the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebration.
Class photographs – Monday, 16th May 2022
Please ensure that your child comes into school wearing full school uniform on that day. If your child has P.E., they will need to bring their P.E. kit in and get changed once photographs have been taken. Do note that this is the same day as the ‘Birds of Prey’ visit.
Science week
It’s finally here! My thanks to Mrs Steen Plommer for organising an exciting week where children can focus on being curious scientists, in a variety of creative ways and to staff for planning a series of innovative lessons. Year groups have planned visits to the local area (including Brockwell Park, Crystal Palace) as well as Chislehurst Caves and the Science Museum.
We look forward to welcoming Mr Alan Ames and his ‘Birds of prey’ as well as Ms Sue Parminter, our beekeeper, who will arrange a demonstration of the honey-making process.
Marian procession – Thursday, 26th May 2:00 p.m.
This is always one of the highlights of our calendar when we pay homage to Our Lady – Mother Mary. Children and staff come together for a short assembly and then process through the school carrying flowers to lay at the statue of Mary.
You have always been incredibly generous with your donation of flowers which we then distribute to residential homes and to people who are unwell. I will publish a reminder to send flowers in, nearer the date.
Year 3 & 4 trip to Brighton
Please ensure that if you have expressed interest in going, you now pay for the deposit of £15 on Parentpay.
The total cost for the trip is £25 and if we do not have sufficient numbers, the trip may be cancelled (and obviously your deposits refunded). I appreciate that the cost may appear high but we need to guarantee payment before booking the coaches.
School uniform
Please remember that all children (except for Year 6) need to be in summer uniform when we return after half term. Girls’ dresses must be pink stripped and not checked. Thank you for working with us to ensure the children look smart and are great ambassadors for St Joseph’s School.
The PTA are planning a second-hand uniform sale on the last week of term, so please keep an eye out on the School App for further details.
Summer Fair or Fun Day – 2 July 2022
As the school and the PTA plan for a potential Summer Fair or Fun Day on 2 July 2022, we appreciate that it is a very busy time for families and that the cost of school trips and activities do start to add up, which may mean that families are less able to participate in this event, either as helpers or by spending on food, activities, raffles etc.
Please remember that some of the easiest ways you can raise money for the school, at no extra cost to you, are through the real estate boards (sign up by clicking on the link below) or via the Easy Fundraising site (where companies such as Amazon give up to 1.5% of the value of your purchases to the school if you go through the easy fundraising site first).
PTA Easy Fundraising
PTA Consent form for real estate boards and to be contacted for marketing
If you would like to help for the Summer Fair or Fun day, please email the PTA at [email protected] and let them know, or contact them via their facebook page (see link below)
We do need to get a better idea of the potential level of interest so we can decide on the appropriate format and scale for the Summer Fair or Fun Day, so please let the PTA know as soon as possible.
Mattel Playback Short Story competition
Children will be bringing home an information leaflet about the above writing competition. There are a number of prizes, and the school could win £500 with the winning entry earning a Mattel toy bundle worth £100. The information has been sent home with your child today (Friday) so please do ask your child for details. You will need to post your child’s entry direct to Mattel before the 31st May 2022. Alternatively, if you would like us to send it to them, you will need to hand it to your class teacher by Wednesday, 25th May 2022.
Do remember to click onto our school montage with wonderful photographs of children’s work around the school.
School Games day – Friday, 27th May 2022
I am delighted that we will be able to invite parents, carers and friends to this year’s school games day. The infants will participate in events in the morning, starting at 9.30 a.m. followed by the juniors at 11.00 a.m. This will be followed by our ‘Jubilee’ picnic where you are invited to share a picnic with your child/children and remain until early afternoon. You will be able to take your child home after the picnic. Should you be unable to attend the picnic, staff will be sharing a school picnic lunch with the children.
To understand numbers, please complete the new survey on the School App, under Forms.
If you do plan on attending, please complete it as soon as possible, so we get an accurate idea of numbers and can mark out the field/grass area accordingly.
St Joseph’s Art Exhibition – July 2022
I am pleased to share that we will be hosting an Art event in early July (the date will be confirmed in next week’s newsletter).
We will be having our first Gallery exhibition featuring artwork from every child in the school. The topic will be ‘Our future’ to present children’s vision of our planet and sustainability. You will have the opportunity to purchase your child’s art masterpiece and attend a session at our exhibition.
Thank you
Thank you for your continued support. The end of term is fast approaching and the children have been in great spirits. Please do keep up to date with all school events and general information by regularly checking your School App.
It’s a wonderful feeling to end the week with a genuine sense of pride in our year 6 pupils. They have been brilliant and can now look forward to the rest of the year, still engaging in learning but also preparing for their end of year celebrations.
Click here for this week’s photo montage
Mrs L Fernandes
Headteacher
Future Dates for your diary
1st half of Summer Term
16.05.22 – 20.05.22 – SCIENCE WEEK
18.05.22 – Catholic Swimming Gala – St Joseph’s College
18.05.22 – Y2 visit to Brockwell park
19.05.22 – Y3 trip to the Science Museum
19.05.22 – Y4 visit to Chislehurst Caves
23.05.22 – 27.05.22 – KEEPING HEALTHY WEEK
23.05.22 – Young Voices concert – O2 arena
24.05.22 – Young KS2 faith leaders meeting (Apostles of Mercy to attend)
26.05.22 – Marian procession
27.05.22 – School Games week followed by a ‘Jubilee Celebration’ Picnic
22.07.22 – End of term
