Dear Parents/Carers, It was wonderful to welcome you and the children back to school this week. The children settled back…
26 November 2021
Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man. (Pope Francis)
Class assemblies
Thank you to all the parents and friends who attended Year 1’s assembly on Thursday and Year 4O’s on Friday. The children read beautifully and helped to prepare us all for the season of Advent. It is wonderful to be able to welcome you back into school to share these special moments with your children.
As we move into the winter months, the weather is changing and temperatures dropping. Please make sure your child comes into school with their school coat, gloves, hat and scarf.
We have had several children and staff off with non COVID-related illnesses. We will always aim to cover classes with school staff and SLT will be going into class to teach if necessary. Staff absences have meant that some lunchtime clubs have not taken place, but please do not worry as the missed sessions will be made up over the course of this term.
Football heroes
Our KS2 footballers competed in the Crystal Palace Sports Foundation tournament on Wednesday, 24th November 2021. A squad of eight boys from years 5 and 6 represented St Joseph’s. They progressed through to the semi-finals but sadly lost to a penalty shootout, coming third equal out of a field of 23 schools. They were amazing and did us proud yet again. Well done boys, I know it’s disappointing but look to the future and it certainly is looking bright. My thanks to Mr Abrahams for training the team and to Mrs De Jesus for accompanying them. A special thank you to Mr Robert Teague from Cedars who kindly lent us their school minibus.
Cinema trip
Children have been treated to free films at our local Cinemas. Staff chose films that linked to the class texts children have been reading in school. Thank you to all the parent helpers who attended to support on the trips. I am so pleased that our children have been able to engage in a range of cultural trips this term.
Year 6 residential trip – Marchant’s Hill
Please respond to Mr Defty’s letter sent out this week relating to the above trip, I hope that all the children will be able to attend. The trip is a fantastic opportunity for children to engage in a range of team building activities that promote wellbeing, fitness and positive social interaction.
Please do email Mr Defty if you have any questions: [email protected]
Children’s Enterprise
Children have set up their own businesses with a small loan of £20 from the school per class. 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 a class enterprise.
Mr Navarro has organised for some of his former business contacts, together with Governors, to run a ‘Dragon Den’s’ meeting. Representatives from each year group will present to a panel asking for further investment and will need to prove that they have a workable and profitable business idea. If they convince the panel, they will be given a further loan. We will announce the winning year group with the highest profit. The children and staff are fully engaged and competitive to win the title of ‘Young entrepreneurs’ of the year. Good luck children, Alan Sugar would be proud of you. So, parents, carers and friends, please support their efforts.
Please see below Y5 and Y6’s enterprise letters
Year 6’s movie night (3 December)
Year 5’s disco (9 December)
School history book
Our history books have arrived and will be ready soon for collection from next week. If you have not had a chance to order, please click on the link below to place an order. It really is a great Christmas present and piece of history to share for generations to come.
Mrs McMillan compiled the history of St Joseph’s Federation and has spent endless hours researching information, interviewing past and present staff to write this book. It really is a labour of love and we would like to thank Mrs McMillan for her effort and outstanding work.
Christmas lunch – Thursday, 16th December 2021
Remember to place your order for Christmas lunch via Relish Pre-Order. An event not to be missed. Mrs Johnson and Miss McRoberts have been busy decorating the school and thank you for your donations of decorations this Friday. The ladies are working with members of the PTA to create a winter wonderland experience.
PTA Pop-up Christmas shop
This will be open again on Friday, 3rd December in the junior hall from 3.00 p.m. Tickets for Santa’s grotto have all been sold; information will be shared with you shortly about collection of your child’s ticket.
Christmas Fair – Saturday, 11th December 2021 – 10:00 a.m. to 2.00 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 help. Click here for further details
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 as part of the preparation for the Christmas Fair
03.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring a bottle
10.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring cakes/biscuits to sell at the Christmas Fair
Enter your Christmas Cake for the School’s Christmas Cake competition. It’s St Joseph’s answer to the Great Bake Off and it’s going to be an amazing competition, judging from the standard of cakes presented in September.
Mrs Mangan will be leading the Santa dash around the school field, promptly starting at 11.00 a.m. so, do join her in what is going to be one of the most enjoyable events of the day.
Please click here if you would like an Estate Agents board outside your flat/house advertising the school fair. If we get above a certain amount the school could stand to get a material donation.
Family food experience survey
As announced last week, 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
First Sunday in Advent
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Children have been bringing home a ‘Posada’ (Spanish for ‘inn’). It is a miniature nativity crib sent home each day. The Posada is taken home by each child for one night. When your child brings the Posada home, we ask that you spend time talking about Advent, say a prayer together and return it to school the next day, so another child can take it home. This is a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas.
Do click on the following link for Cafod’s Advent calendar. It has a reflection each day with a prayer. Please do help prepare as a family for Christmas by helping children to appreciate the importance of Christs’ birth.
Mrs L Fernandes
Headteacher
Click below for this week’s pictures.
Future events
Please do add the following dates to your diary. Sometimes we may need to change dates but advance warning will be given.
02.12.21 – Y6 Indoor Athletics competition
03.12.21 – 5E class Assembly (Celebrating diversity) – Parents welcome
03.12.21 – Own clothes day – Bring a bottle for the Christmas Fair
08.12.21 & 9.12.21 – Infant Advent Assembly (S&O J &E) – Parents welcome
09.12.21 – Music Christmas concert -5.00 p.m. All parents welcome
10.12.21 – 5S class Assembly (Human rights – respect, freedom of speech, tolerance/understanding- Parents welcome
10.12.21 – Own clothes day – bring cakes for the Christmas Fair
11.12.21 – 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.
13.12.21 – Choir performing at St Stephen’s church
14.12.21 – EYFS Advent play
15.12.21 – KS2 Advent service 10.00 a.m. at Virgo Fidelis Church
16.12.21 – Christmas Lunch
17.12.21 – End of term. SCHOOL BREAKS UP AT 1.15 P.M.
