14th October 2022

Dear Parents and Carers

It’s been a fabulous week which started with children wearing a yellow and green accessory to celebrate World Mental Health day. I received some lovely pictures and children’s comments were so insightful when talking about mental health. The infants listened to the story of ‘Lucy’s Blue Day’ and we talked about how it’s fine to not be ok. The Juniors looked at different ways to promote wellbeing.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour.”

MAYA ANGELOU

Food Fest

Another successful food fest! The hall was filled with the most pleasant aromas with food from all over the world; Italy, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jamaica, France, Ireland and many more. A special thank you to all the families who shared their delicious food and made the event a hit. The children and their families loved trying new flavours and really enjoyed themselves. We clearly have some excellent cooks in our school community and it was wonderful to see everyone sharing and being together. I would love to have the international cook book full of family recipes from around the world. I would love to hear from you if you are willing to help. We could gather recipes and then publish it in a St Joseph’s Cook book. Please email me if you can support with this, [email protected]

International Week – Monday, 17th October to 21st October 2022

Please do sign up to talk to the children about your cultural traditions and heritage. It is a great opportunity for children to learn about different cultures and celebrate our heritage.
19th October will be our national costume day.

Y4 Visit to London

This week the Year 3 children travelled to Greenwich by Riverboat. They boarded the boat at Battersea Pier and travelled to Greenwich, passing many historic sights. A very exciting moment for the children was meeting a group of wonderful Chelsea Pensioners who were only too happy to talk to the children and show them their medals. They were also happy to pose for photos, with one lucky pupil, Myles, being allowed to wear one of the Chelsea Pensioners hats.
All the children were wonderfully behaved and received lots of compliments from members of the public. Many thanks to the adults who gave up their day to accompany us on this trip. Please look at the montage to see photos and quotes from the children.

Y4 Visit to London Zoo

In year 4 Science we are learning about living things and their natural habitats. What better place to learn than in a school trip to London Zoo. We had a great time looking at the animals and learning new and exciting facts. More news and pictures next week, because we have only just returned from the trip.

Parent Teacher meetings

Infant Parent Teacher Evenings were well attended on Tuesday and Thursday. If you could not make it please speak to your child’s class teacher to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. It is important to have this meeting to discuss your child’s progress and how you can support them.
Juniors – Tuesday, 18th October, 3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Thursday 20th October 3.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m
2O – This will be held on Tuesday, 18th October 2022 in the Junior School Music room as last Tuesday’s appointments had to be rescheduled

Crazy Hair day – Friday, 20th October 2022

The PTA invite all pupils to enjoy the last day of term and go crazy with their hair!
NO neatly brushed hair on this day please.
Pull out the gel and create a mohawk, spray your hair blue, pull on a wig…it’s your day to go wild.
Children to wear school uniform as normal.
A small donation of £1 to take part gratefully received, this will go towards Christmas treats for all the pupils.
Thanks in advance for bringing some fun to Friday.

Fireworks evening – Wednesday, 2nd November

Tickets are selling fast, so please click on the link below to purchase your tickets
The Early Bird offer will continue until 16th October 2022.
Firework Event
We still need volunteers to help on the day. Kindly email the PTA on [email protected]

Parent Governor Position

We have the following five candidates standing for the position of Parent Governor:

Ms Ihinosen Majekodunmi
Mr Dave Navarro
Ms Mala Peli
Mrs Maria Teresa Santeugini Ferreres
Mr Efunwale Sowemimo
A personal statement for each candidate has been emailed to you, together with a ballot form. All votes must be submitted by midday on the, 20th October 2022. If you are unable to come into School, please send your ballot form to the School office in a sealed envelope marked Parent Governor Elections. Alternatively, you can drop the ballot form into the ballot box in the School Office.

Open Days

Saturday, 12th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Children are invited to attend in full school uniform. Please let your child’s class teacher know if they are able to attend.

Football Match

St Joseph’s played Heavers Farm today (Friday) and won 6-2!
An excellent start to the season and my thanks to Mr Abrahams.

The weather is changing and children need to wear a school coat. Thank you to those of you who take time to mark all items of uniform. Many parents are understandably frustrated when their child returns home without their coat or other uniform items as a result of another child taking it by mistake. Do please check your child’s uniform and return any items not belonging to them.

Parking

Regretfully, I have to mention parking again. We continue to have a few inconsiderate adults blocking drives, parking on double yellow lines and more shockingly reversing into Woodend to avoid the camera. I was shocked to hear this and embarrassed for the school. It presents us in a negative way and more importantly the parents doing this are placing every child and adult at risk.
Residents have complained and have stated that the next time they see this happening, they will video the drivers and send the footage to the Local Authority and the Police.
Woodend is a pedestrian only zone and any parent parking on this road would have to be there before 8.00 a.m. Please park with consideration to everyone and do not break laws.

Thank you to the majority of you who continually show respect and consideration.
Mrs Fernandes
Headteacher

This week’s photo montage

Important dates for your diary

18.10.22 & 20.10.22 – Junior Parent/Teacher contact meetings
18.10.22 – Meet the Governors/PTA Coffee morning
20.10.22 – 1E Class assembly 9.15 a.m. (parents/carers welcome to attend)
21.10.22 – 5S Class assembly 9.15 a.m. (parents/carers welcome to attend)
Half term 24.10.22 – 28.10.22
School opens at 8.45 a.m. on Monday, 31.10.22