Dear parents/Carers, We have had a wonderful end of term. We held a special Stations of the Cross Service in…
16 July 2021
We are almost to the end of term and it certainly has been an eventful year!
This week we’ve had parent/teacher meetings via zoom, a wonderful Y6 leavers’ Mass at Virgo Fidelis Church and continued with learning until the end. Our Year 6 are busy rehearsing for their end of year entertainment show and a host of other events in school.
St Joseph’s virtual zoo
This event was Ava’s (Y6) idea and I have to say was pure genius. I won’t say too much, but please read her account of why she came up with the plan to host a virtual zoo. Her vision was not only creative but perfect to engage children in reading about a range of animals and habitats whilst providing a stimulus for writing, art and design. The children were buzzing with ideas and keen to present their work.
This is such a great suggestion and we will be using Ava’s idea for future projects throughout the year. Ava can be proud that this is her legacy to St Joseph’s and something for us to build on. Do click on the following link to access the QR codes for the virtual zoo and read Ava’s account. Another excellent example of pupil voice at its best.
Individual class videos have been uploaded onto Google Classrooms.
The PTA are hoping to set up a donation link so if school families or friends and family would like to donate in recognition of the children’s hard work it would be greatly appreciated. Money raised will be going to improve music within the school. The PTA will share the link next week.
Click here for the Virtual Zoo introduction from Ava
Click here for the Nursery Virtual Tour
Click here for the Infant and Junior Virtual Tour
Year 5 cricket at Dulwich College – 16th July 2021
My thanks to Mrs Mangan for organising this event held today at Dulwich College. Mrs Mangan has been liaising with coaches from the African Caribbean Engagement (ACE) Programme to promote cricket in schools since January and we are fortunate to have benefited from the expertise and energy of their coaches.
ACE’s strategic aim is ‘Supporting Diverse Talent from the Grassroots to the Elite’ and it has three main aims:
- Building grassroots programmes, talent pathways and better talent identification within Black communities
- Providing elite academy programmes and scholarships to talented players, allowing them to fulfil their potential
- The development of a diverse coaching and volunteer scheme through targeted training and mentoring programmes
Click here for the ACE website
Children in years 5 and 6 participated in sessions over the summer term and enjoyed learning new skills. This was an excellent opportunity to visit Dulwich College whilst receiving some quality coaching.
Do take time to look at the photographs and children’s comments
Click here for pictures from cricket at Dulwich College
Class parties – Wednesday, 21st July 2021
Children may wear their own clothes on Wednesday. My thanks to the PTA for providing snacks and refreshments.
The PTA have continued to be active behind the scenes and supported the children in many ways. They treated them to lollies and have organised treats for Wednesday. Please do support them and make a pledge to work with them in the new year.
Friends of St Joseph’s PTA
PTA facebook page
Summer programme and support for families
Mr Navarro successfully secured funding to enable us to run a summer programme for both FSM pupils and others who would like to attend. We are proud to say that we were the only school in Croydon able to offer this provision during the Easter break and one of the few offering it again over the summer. My thanks to Mrs Odewale for running the provision.
As a result of further funding from Croydon as well as income from lettings, we have been able to provide our FSM pupils with activity bags and provisions as well as vouchers to help through the summer break.
Please note that if you have an infant child, you may not qualify for the funded provision if you are not eligible for FSM. All children in the infant school receive free lunches and this is different.
Click here for our Summer HAF Programme
Click here for a letter regarding FSM from Mr Navarro
School procedures from 19th July 2021
Please note that we will continue to maintain the one-way systems and the staggered drop-off and pick up times. We felt it best to continue with this as there are only four days until we break up.
Please remember that school finishes on Thursday, 22nd July 2021 at 1.30 p.m. All classes may be collected at this time.
Outstanding debts
Kindly settle any outstanding payments for this term and if you have any questions, do contact the office.
Return to term – Monday, 6th September 2021
Staff will be attending training sessions in school on Thursday, 2nd and Friday, 3rd September.
Please note that all children are expected to be in on Monday, 6 September. If you are travelling abroad and need to quarantine on return please ensure you leave sufficient time to enable children to be in school on Monday. If your child is absent, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence.
Thank you
Thank you for your support and encouragement through a challenging year. Staff have worked hard and the children have been amazing. Next week will be my last newsletter for this year and it will be a celebration of everything we have achieved as a strong school community. I look forward to welcoming all our new families in September and getting to know them.
Mrs L Fernandes
Headteacher
