19 November 2021

Another incredibly busy week and more achievements to celebrate.

Mrs Mangan and her sister took our KS1 gymnasts (Daniel, Rafaella, Gabriel and Aniah) to Meridian High School on Thursday. The standard was high and the children were amazing, cheering each other on and enjoying every moment. I am delighted to say that they came third and were a credit to us. Thank you, Mrs Mangan, and to your sister, for giving up your own time to work with the children and to offer this opportunity to our KS1 pupils. It never ceases to amaze me how much energy Mrs Mangan has and how she fits so much into a day.

Mr Abraham and Mr Defty accompanied our year 6 football team to a League match at Downsview Primary school, on Thursday after school. By all accounts it was a tense game and St Joseph’s were trailing for most of the match, but that did not affect their competitive spirit. They worked as a team, and managed to pull back two goals. Not happy with a draw, they cheered each other on to go onto winning the match, 3-2. Mr Abrahams and Mr Defty were complimentary of the boys and the exceptional sportsmanship displayed. Well done boys, we are so proud of you

 

Anti-bullying week – 15th to 19th November 2021

‘One kind word’. Thank you to everyone for participating in the ‘odd sock’ event and for your posters, writing and presentations on anti-bullying. We will announce the winners of the poster/writing entries, next week and winners will receive copies of the book ‘Munu – The Most Special Rhino in the World’, as well as a special virtual meeting with the book’s author (Shirley Galligan) and illustrator (Zoe Barnish).

The children enjoyed the dance workshops run by Patrick Ross Webster, a professional dancer. The sessions focused on expressing feelings through dance. Every class from Nursery to year 6 took part and enjoyed being creative and expressive. Excellent work everyone!

If you haven’t had a chance to look at the resources for anti-bullying week, do click on the following link.

 

School history book

Please click on the link below to buy your copy. It will make a great Christmas present and a wonderful keepsake for years to come. Books will be available to collect from the school at the Christmas Fair on 11 December 2021.

Click here to pay £5 for the St Joseph’s History Book

 

2J assembly

Thank you to all the parents and friends who attended Class 2J’s assembly on Wednesday. The children were wonderful and delivered a very important message about anti-bullying. It is so lovely to be able to welcome you into school to watch the children perform. I am delighted with the positive comments received and most importantly seeing the pleasure the children display in performing to you all.

4J’s assembly has been postponed and will be rescheduled, details to be confirmed.

 

Christmas holiday club

Have you signed up to our Christmas club? We are hosting one between 20 – 23 December 2021, 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 pantomime. Registrations close at midnight on 26 November 2021.

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

Click here to register for a place

 

Christmas lunch – Thursday, 16th November 2021

This is always a very special and happy festive event. Children may wear their Christmas jumpers and accessories. If you normally have a packed lunch, you can book a lunch for your child via parent pay, so please don’t delay as the catering staff need to finalise numbers soon. Remember, you can pre-order your child’s meal via Relish Pre-Order.

Christmas lunch letter

 

Christmas fair – Saturday, 11th December 2021: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is going to be an exciting fun filled event and we need your help. So please email the PTA on [email protected] if you can assist.

There will be a range of stalls, with Christmas crafts, books, food, drink and of course goods that the children will be selling as part of their Enterprise ventures.

Please do support them with this and come to the school fair to support the PTA and the school in raising money for the children. The PTA will be donating some of the money raised towards buying musical instruments for the children. So please help us and give generously of your time to help out either on the Friday or on the day.

Key dates to keep in mind

  • 26.11.21 – Own clothes day – bring a Christmas decoration to decorate inside and outside school areas
  • 03.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring a bottle
  • 10.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring cakes/biscuits to sell a the Christmas Fair

Enter your Christmas Cake for the School’s Christmas Cake competition. Whole Cakes/slices will be sold at the Fair.

Santa’s Dash – Mrs Mangan will be leading the Santa dash around the school field, promptly starting at 11.00 a.m. on the 11th of December 2021, so do join her in what is going to be one of the most enjoyable events of the day.

Santa’s Grotto – We asked Santa if he could spare us some time in his busy schedule and I am delighted to say he has agreed and is looking forward to visiting St Joseph’s. So remember to come and visit. There will be a small charge as Santa needs to travel down from Lapland.

Please complete this Google form if you would like an estate agents board outside your flat/house, advertising the school fair. If we get enough people signing up, the school will receive a material donation (over £500) from the estate agents.

 

Children’s enterprise

This term children will be setting up their own businesses with a small loan from the school.

They will learn how to manage their money, generate sales and hopefully make a profit. They will give a percentage to a charity, donate money to a school project and keep the remainder for their class.

The last time we did this, the classes raised enough money to buy visualisers (computer-controlled cameras for displaying work) for each classroom who wanted one, as well as making a donation to the NSPCC.

 

Shoebox appeal

A big thank you to everyone who brought in a a gift for the Shoebox appeal. Thanks to your generosity we have received over 60 boxes which will be a wonderful gift to many children.

Ms Langford Jackson and Mrs Swain will be delivering them to the charity who will then arrange distribution.

 

Family food experience survey

St Joseph’s has partnered with the NatCan Social Research and City University of London  who are studying children’s eating habits so they can advise the Government and Local Authorities on how to improve the health of children.

They are offering £30 vouchers for families who choose to take part in the study and their survey, which can be done in person or over the phone.

Click here for the details of the study and how to claim your £30 voucher

 

Whole school photo

Thank you to all pupils, staff and Governors who posed for our whole school composite photo. We are all being photo-shopped into one giant photo as we speak to serve as a memento of who was here in St Joseph’s 150th year. 

Kittle, the photographers have told us that they will issue new photo tickets to all pupils next week which will allow you to purchase a copy of the photo; please do not use the ones you may have received this week as it has a faulty barcode.

 

Final thoughts

The weather is changing and temperatures dropping. Please ensure your child has a school coat, school hat and scarves. All children in Year 6 are expected to wear the school coat. If there are any issues please do come and see me.

Parents/carers, please do not come into the school building or classrooms during the school day. If you need to see your child’s class teacher, kindly contact the office to make an appointment or email on the year group email addresses. Should you wish to pass on medical or other important information, kindly go to the school office and not the classroom. Thank you.

Do make sure you add all the key dates to your diary. Our Advent services will be held in December and I look forward to seeing you at all of them.

Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to catching up with you over the week.

Mrs L Fernandes
Headteacher

 

Click below for this week’s pictures.

Week of 19 November Pictures 

 

Key dates for events are as follows

Please note that all these events are also on the school calendar on our website. Sometimes we may need to change dates but advance warning will be given.

  • 24.11.21 – Year 4 Cinema trip
  • 25.11.21 – Year 1 collective assembly (Advent)
  • 26.11.21 – 4O class Assembly (Advent)
  • 26.11.21 – Own clothes day – bring a Christmas decoration to decorate inside and outside school areas
  • 30.11.21 – Year 2 trip to Tower Bridge
  • 03.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring a bottle
  • 03.12.21 – 5E class Assembly (Celebrating diversity) – Parents welcome
  • 10.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring cakes/biscuits to sell a the Christmas Fair

The PTA will be holding  a Christmas Cake competition.  Judges will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes. Cakes will then be sold at the fair.  You can bring in your cakes on the Friday, or by 11.00 a.m. on the Saturday, 11th December.

  • 08.12.21 & 9.12.21 – Infant Advent Assembly (S&O J &E) – Parents welcome
  • 07.12.21 – Year 5 trip to Benjamin Franklin House
  • 10.12.21 – 5S class Assembly (Human rights – respect, freedom of speech, tolerance/understanding)  – Parents welcome
  • 13.12.21 – Choir performing at St Stephen’s Church (SE21 7DG)
  • 14.12.21 – EYFS Advent play
  • 15.12.21 – KS2 Advent Service – Virgo Fidelis (10.00)
  • 16.12.21 – Christmas Lunch day