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30th September 2022
30th September 2022
Dear Parents & Carers
A big thank you to Class 6P for leading one of our first, Class Assemblies this term. It was well attended by parents and friends. The children shared an important message about ‘Time to change’ and the celebration of Black History Month. Children talked about inspirational people who have had a significant impact on their lives and society.
It was lovely to hear what they had written about people they admire within their families. Excellent work 6P you are role models to us all.
Welcome Mass at St George’s Cathedral
Mrs Gallagher and I accompanied a group of children from year2 to Year 6 to attend Mass at the Cathedral. Schools from all over the Diocese came together to give thanks for a new year. I was proud of the children.
Learning beyond the Classroom
- Year 5 spent Wednesday at the Science Museum bringing their science topic of the solar system to life. We are grateful to all our parent helpers for accompanying the children. It was a fantastic day with many learning opportunities. The children received many compliments about their good behaviour and manners, well done Year 5.
Mary Seacole
- Years 1 and 2 attended a very special workshop from the Florence Nightingale Museum this week. The workshop arranged for Mary Seacole to talk to the children so they could hear first hand why she is remembered and about her work in the Crimean War. They loved the workshop and were enthusiastic and engaged throughout. Key Stage 1 are really enjoying History this term and are keen to find out more about other inspirational people.
Banji Alexander visits St Josephs
- Banji Alexander visited the Infant and Junior School and spoke to all the children about his books Lockdown Looms. He talked to the children about his journey to being an author, what inspired him to write the book and he read parts of his new book which made the children squeal with laughter! Many children ordered a signed copy of his book which I am sure will be a lovely keep-sake for the day. We very much enjoyed his visit and we hope he will return to St Joseph’s with more stories to share.
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- Do remember to redeem your book voucher for your child at the above book store.
Curriculum
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- I hope you’ve had a chance to read the curriculum information on your child’s Google Classroom uploaded at the start of term. You can also find it on our School Website under, Existing Parents, then click on Classes and choose your child’s Year group
https://www.stjosephsfederation.co.uk
- We are currently covering the topic of ‘Our Heritage’ where children are looking at significant people having a positive impact on the world, both historic and current.
International Week – Monday, 17th October to 21st October 2022
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- This is one of the highlights of our school year when we celebrate the wonderful diversity of our school community. Ms Ugbo, Ms DeMelo and Mrs Odewale will be organising a range of activities and workshops for both children and adults. We hope you will 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. On the 12th October at 3.00 p.m. we will be hosting our shared meal inviting you to bring in traditional dishes, which can be sweet or savoury.
- 19th October will be our national costume day. Further details will be shared with you next week.
Coffee morning – Reading for pleasure – Tuesday, 4th October
Do join us for coffee and a chat with Miss Bickmore on how you can promote reading for pleasure. The quality of children’s texts has greatly improved over the years and the range of high-quality texts representing a diverse world is better than ever. Reading extends children’s vocabulary and inevitably widens their experience and writing skills.
Macmillan coffee morning – Friday, 7th October
One week left to plan and submit your bakes for our MacMillan coffee morning. A panel of judges will have the pleasure of tasting all entries and awarding prizes to the best three entries. All money raised will be donated to the Macmillan trust so please do support the cake sale which will be held from 8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. in the Junior Hall.
Should you wish to enter your bake for the St Joseph’s Macmillan Bake off, kindly bring your entry to the Junior Hall with your child’s name and class clearly labelled, together with a list of ingredients used. We are a nut free zone, so please do not add any nuts to the bakes. The cakes will be judged by a panel and will be available after school for sale.
An audience with an author
4th October (West Norwood Library)
This is an amazing opportunity to meet with the author of Onisere and the Ballet Queen. We only have 60 tickets and these will be given to the first 60 parents from years 1 and 2 who complete the online form (on our school app) by Monday, 3rd October 2022.Parent Teacher contact meetings
Infants
Tuesday, 11th October 3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Thursday, 13th October 3.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.
Juniors
Tuesday, 18th October, 3.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Thursday 20th October 3.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.
You will be able to book a 10-minute session with your child’s class teacher on the School App. So please ensure you have access to the App before bookings open next week.Fireworks evening – Wednesday, 2nd November
We will be hosting our second PTA Fireworks evening and it definitely is an event not to be missed. Do click on the link below for details on how to purchase tickets. Please do not wait too long to buy your tickets. This event was a huge success last year and we anticipate a big demand for tickets. Click on the link to purchase tickets
Open Days
Wednesday, 5th October 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Wednesday, 12th October from 10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
Saturday, 12th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.School Tech support
My thanks to Ms Allery for running the Tech surgery and helping many of you with tech problems. If you have not accessed the School App, please do try to login as it is the best way to communicate with school. Sessions will be held every Wednesday from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. in the School Library. Ms Allery is happy to support with Y6 applications to secondary schools.
Parent Governor Position
The closing date for applications is Monday 3rd October. Information was sent out on the 20th September.
Parking
Sadly, I have had to deal with many complaints from local residents about our parents parking dangerously, blocking drives and mounting the kerb causing obstructions to pedestrians. Even more unbelievable is the fact that some of our parents regularly reverse down Woodend contravening traffic rules. Residents have taken down registration numbers and have passed them onto Croydon Council. Please park with consideration to everyone and DO NOT REVERSE DOWN WOODEND. This represents the school in a negative way and it is not the role model you want to be to your child/children and others.
Drop off and pick ups
Registration is at 8.45 a.m. and your child will be marked as late if they arrive after this time.
At the end of the school day if you are collecting from Infant classes, please do not obstruct the pathways. Do collect your child and move along to an open space where you are very welcome to wait and chat. It is difficult for parents with pushchairs to get by if people are blocking the path. Do remember that it can be overwhelming for younger children if they cannot see the adult collecting them.Uniform
The weather is changing and temperatures have dropped, please ensure your child has a school coat and a school hat and all items of clothing clearly marked with their name. Uniform can be purchased from School Wear United, 3 Crown Dale, West Norwood Contact Us (schoolwearunited.co.uk) and the PTA are hoping to hold a second-hand uniform sale next Friday, 7th October at the Macmillan coffee morning
Thank you for your continuous support, it’s always a pleasure chatting with you at the gate and around the school. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful and respectful families and friends of the school. As a Catholic School we are guided by Gospel Values based on compassion, love, respect and forgiveness.
Important dates for your diary
04.10.22 –9.00 a.m. Coffee morning – ‘Reading for pleasure’ (supporting your child with reading), School Library
05.10.22 – Welcome & Harvest Mass, Virgo Fidelis Church 10.00 a.m. (parents/carers welcome to attend)
07.10.22 – McMillan Coffee morning and cake sale
8.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. & 3.00 – 4.00 p.m.
Harvest donations assembly
11.10.22 & 13.10.22 – Infant Parent/Teacher contact meetings
12.10.22 -10.00 – 11.30 a.m. School Open Day for potential parents
14.10.22 – 6H Assembly, 9.15 a.m. Junior Hall (parents/carers welcome to attend)
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 – 5E Class assembly 9.15 a.m. (parents/carers welcome to attend)
21.10.22 – Sibling photos in the Junior Hall during the school day (p.m.)
Half term 24.10.22 – 28.10.22
School opens at 8.45 a.m. on Monday, 31.10.22
Mrs Fernandes
Headteacher
This week’s photo montage
