Dear parents/Carers, We have had a wonderful end of term. We held a special Stations of the Cross Service in…
21 June 2021
I hope you had a relaxing long weekend and enjoyed the Friday inset day.
Staff attended training in school and had the opportunity to work on reviewing our curriculum for the next academic year.
We will continue to include successful topics such as ‘Our Heritage’ and ‘Enterprise’ in the Autumn term and look forward to returning to welcoming parents and carers into school to work with the children and participate in workshops.
Our heritage
Our aim in the Autumn term as part of this topic, is to create an international cookery book with family recipes from our school community. We have talked about this before but unfortunately did not receive the level of support hoped for. So please do work with us on creating this wonderful cookery book to treasure. We welcome your ideas and input going forward.
Our heritage is an excellent opportunity for you to come in and talk about cultural and family traditions. So please put October in your diary and look out for details in the Autumn term.
Readers and writer’s festival
Please click here for information on the Lambeth Libraries Children and Young People’s Readers and Writers Festival (2021). Within the month of June, the rich diversity of Lambeth is recognised by celebrating and acknowledging Refugee Week, Empathy Day, Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) and Windrush Day. A range of activities and events are hosted including storytelling, author talks, quizzes, workshops and much more. We hope you find something to enjoy.
Parent & toddler group
Now that we have our wonderful library, we are planning on hosting parent/toddler groups where you can meet with other parents whilst your toddler enjoys time with other children.
If you are interested in volunteering to run this group in the Autumn term, please do email me on: [email protected]. My thanks to Ms Francis for offering to lead on this with the school. Our aim is to be able to host parent courses and guest speakers to come in and talk on a range of relevant subjects.
Steel Pans Parent group
Thank you to those of you expressing an interest in being involved in this group. Mrs Gallagher is currently liaising with Mrs Douglas (steel pans instructor) to see if this is possible.
Sports day and other whole school events
I am sure you will be up to date with the latest Government guidance on large gatherings.
We will be able to host sports days for the children, but unfortunately not be able to invite parents / carers to attend this year. The reason being that too many adults will be on-site at the same time and it will not be possible to maintain social distancing with large numbers. Whilst I appreciate this is disappointing for you, it is in the best interests of your children and staff (as well as being the law) so thank you for your understanding.
Do look out for my next newsletter at the end of the week, which will have some fabulous pictures of learning at St Joseph’s school. It will include children’s comments about workshops attended with authors, football matches played and other events held this week.
Staffing
I would like to thank Mr Lewis Johnson for his hard work with children in key stage 2. Mr Johnson has been with us since January and supported children during the school day and at after school maths groups. He will be starting his teacher training course this week and we wish him all the best for the future as he prepares to become a secondary school teacher.
Mrs Wade has begun her maternity leave and so 1E will be taught by Mrs Stylianou who many of you will remember. Mrs Stylianou was our Assistant Headteacher and taught in the infant school for over fifteen years before retiring. I am delighted that she has agreed to teach 1E until Mrs Miscia returns in July. We wish Mrs Wade all the best and would like to thank her for her commitment to supporting the children particularly during the pandemic and ensuring children’s learning continued to be strong.
Mr Foster has worked at St Joseph’s for seven years and will be moving on. He has positively impacted children’s learning and contributed to their achievements. Mr Foster supported in class and delivered PE cover in all key stages. We wish him all the best for the future and would like to thank him for his service over the years.
Mrs Hardy (Y6 TA) will be retiring at the end of the summer term. Mrs Hardy has worked in different roles for over 25 years and supported many children throughout the school. Her children attended St Joseph’s and though she will be leaving us, I know she will always be a part of the St Joseph’s family. She has promised to return to help with trips and hear readers from time to time.
“Together may we give our children the roots to grow and the wings to fly”.
Mrs L Fernandes
Headteacher
Important dates for your diary
End of academic year – Thursday, 22nd July 2021
Please note that this is a day earlier than previously advertised as the school was open to pupils on Friday, 12th February. It was not used an in inset day.
Diary dates:
22.6.21 – Online safety webinar for parents at 5.00 p.m.
25.6.21 – Y5 football competition at Trinity
28.6.21 – Healthy Week
28.6.21 – KS2 NED zoom workshop – developing resilience and positivity
2.7.21 – Sports day (juniors a.m. infants p.m.) -provisional date
7.7.21 – End of year reports sent to parents
7.7.21 – Parents/Teacher meetings booking system open. Parents can book an appointment
9.7.21 – Transition Day – children to spend the day with their new teacher
12.7.21 – 16.7.21 Parent evenings – Year group dates to be confirmed
20.7.21 – Provisional date for Y6 Leavers Mass – Virgo Fidelis
22.7.21 – End of term 1.30 p.m.
The above dates are subject to change, depending on safety guidelines and Public Health England advice.
