Dear Parents/Carers, This week we have shown what a great community we are and really lived out our Mission ‘Together…
13th January 2023
Dear Parents and Friends
It’s great to see that not even the heavy rain this week has dampened the children’s positive spirit and energy. They are happy to be back and are fully settled into school life. Clubs started this week and uptake for most clubs is high. There are a few spaces on some clubs, so please do enquire at the school office if your child would like to attend a club.
News to celebrate
Mrs Tope sends her love and thanks to everyone for your good wishes on the birth of her son. I am delighted to share that his name is Luke, Edward James Tope and both of them are doing well. We look forward to welcoming them to school soon.
Indoor Athletics Tournament
Children from year 5 and 6 participated in the finals of this event held at Royal Russell School on Thursday. They were amazing, working well as a supportive team and gave their best to the end.
St Joseph’s came 2nd overall and the difference between us and the winning team was only a few points. A big thank you to Mrs Mangan and Mrs Burgess for training the children and giving up so much of their own time to prepare the children. They did us proud and organisers commented on the excellent behaviour displayed by St Joseph’s children. Without a doubt you are all winners!
‘I believe this event was a great and remarkable opportunity. St Joseph’s were really privileged to participate. It helped us to build up team work, confidence, self-belief and resilience. We would like to thank Mrs Mangan for giving us the chance to participate and always encouraging us. It was an honour to represent the school’ Ella Jade (Y6)
Model Homework
Congratulations to Years 1, 2 and 5 for some excellent homework. Children have been creative in making models linked to the Great of Fire of London (Y1 & Y2) and the Rainforest (Y5) Even more impressive was the fact that they completed it over the Christmas break. Fabulous work.
Trip to the Royal Opera House – March 2023
Thank you to Ms Bickmore for organising our yearly trip to the Royal Opera House to watch the ballet, Cinderella. Last year children in Key Stage 2 had the opportunity to attend with their parents.
This year, Ms Bickmore has offered it to children in years 1 and 2 and if tickets not sold will be offered to pupils in Year 3. As tickets are limited, they will be on a first come basis. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Parental engagement
Mrs Odewale and Mrs Langford Jackson have been organising a range of parent workshops for the spring term. Our first session will be Tuesday, 24th January 2023, run by the Duffus Foundation will and will focus on effectively supporting children and young people. There will be two sessions and you are welcome to attend either one as the content will be the same. Please see the attached flyer
We would like to welcome everyone to our Parent Coffee Morning where Helen Alemseged will be speaking about the work of the Duffus Community Foundation. Helen and some of her colleagues from the Foundation are regular visitors to St Joseph’s as they provide mentoring sessions to some of our children across the junior school. Their work has had a positive impact on our school community as children learn the importance of wellbeing and of looking after themselves through a healthy diet, good sleep routine, positive friendships, exercise etc.
Helen will be delighted to answer any questions you might have about wellbeing and also give some tips about how we can help our children grow up to be happy and resilient young people.
Parental Neurodiversity Webinars
This fast paced and interactive workshop is aimed at parents and carers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences (e.g. Autism, ADHD, DCD/Dyspraxia) or who would meet the criteria for these. Dr Joanne uses both her professional expertise and lived experience, to explain Neurodiversity – a positive and empowering alternative way of viewing these learning differences. Dr Joanne shares specific positive strategies and tips for supporting your child at home, in a Neurodiversity-friendly way. There is also a Q and A session, with an opportunity for Dr Joanne to address some of the audience’s specific questions about supporting their child. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about Neurodiversity from someone whose expertise is based on both their professional career and lived experience as a neurodivergent individual.
Parental Neurodiversity Webinars will take place on Monday 6th, February 2023. There are two sessions, one in the morning and another in the evening. Please see the links below.
The link for the morning session is Neurodiversity Webinar Morning registration
The link for the evening session is Neurodiversity Webinar Evening registration
ICT issues
If you have any ICT issues relating to the School App or logins to Google Classroom, Ms Allery runs an ICT clinic on Wednesday, from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. Please feel free to drop in and speak to her. you can also email for support [email protected]
Applications for Reception and Year 3 for September 2023
If you have a child currently in our School Nursery or another Nursery, or in Y2 you will need to complete the Local Authority on line application form by the 15th January. Please complete our School’s supplementary form by clicking on the following link Admissions – St. Joseph’s Federation (stjosephsfederation.co.uk)
I look forward to seeing you next week.
Mrs Fernandes
Headteacher
