Dear Parents/Carers, This week we have shown what a great community we are and really lived out our Mission ‘Together…
8th October 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
October is the month of the Rosary and children have been offering up a decade during Assembly and in Class. It is one of the most important prayers we can offer up to Our Lady, so please do try to pray the Rosary as a family at home.
It’s been a packed week of great learning both in and outside of the classroom. Keeping fit and healthy has been a big part of this week’s focused activities. Children across the school took part in the TCS London Mini Marathon in schools. They ran 2.6 miles enthusiastically cheering each other on and had energy to run the course twice over. My thanks to Mrs Mangan and Mr Abrahams our PE Leads for organising the event.
An audience with an author -4th October (West Norwood Library)
Children from Years 1 and 2 attended a session at West Norwood Library where they met the author of ‘ Onisere and the Ballet Queen’ They asked excellent questions and went away inspired with some great ideas for story writing. They could be future authors with published work.
Coffee morning – Reading for pleasure
Misss Bickmore led this session attended by parents from different year groups. It was a chance to have a productive discussion about reading. A fabulous idea put forward was to hold book swapping sessions where people bring in books and swap them for other texts. Mrs Odewale is happy to hear from anyone willing to volunteer an hour or two on a Wednesday from 9.00 a.m. to set this up. We’re hoping for it to become a regular event where you can drop in swap books and enjoy a coffee and chat.
Our Tuesday morning parent sessions have so much potential and I hope that more of you will join us. Mrs Odewale is happy for suggestions for future topics. We will be running a session on supporting children with speech and language development and ASD. Do please see Mrs Odewale if you have any ideas.
Tag Ruby Tournament at Trinity School
A squad of Year 6 pupils took part in an inter school competition on Thursday, 6th October. The children were amazing and came top of their League which means they qualify for the next round, when they will compete for a place at the London Youth Games in the summer term. Mrs Mangan trained them and they did us proud, not only because they won, but more so because of the excellent sportsmanship displayed and great team work.
Thank you to Mrs Mangan for accompanying the team to the event.
Farewell to Miss Cox
Miss Cox has worked at the school for over ten years and been a valued member of the School Community. She is always positive and cheerful and has a positive impact on children she has supported over the years. She is leaving to train to become a Police Officer and we wish her all the best for the future and thank her for all her years of service and loyalty to the school.
Macmillan coffee morning – Friday, 7th October 2022
Thank you to everyone who supported today’s coffee morning which was a huge success. The cakes were delicious and people went to a lot of trouble to bake cakes and biscuits to a high standard. All entries were excellent. Mrs Odewale, Mrs De Jesus, and I had the pleasure of judging the bakes which was not an easy task. I am delighted to announce that first prize went to: Rafaella in (Y3), 2nd prize was Luca (Y5) and Rafael (Y5) and Maria (Y2)
We raised a total amount of: £364.17
Thank you to Mrs De Jesus for organising the coffee morning and to Mrs Parry for helping. This is such a worthwhile cause and I know MacMillan will be pleased to receive the generous donation.
Second hand Uniform Sale
The PTA worked hard to sort through uniform and run this sale. Thank you for your hard work and organising the sale which I am sure parents really appreciate. If you didn’t get a chance to purchase any uniform, there may be an opportunity to do so soon.
Online Safety
It is important that you check your child’s/children’s use of the internet and online games on all devices. Children are vulnerable and should be monitored closely at home. It continues to be a high priority to educate children on keeping safe when online and of course at all times. Please go to our online safety page for support
International Week – Monday, 17th October to 21st October 2022
Only two weeks to go to our fabulous international week which celebrates the wonderful diversity of our school community. Ms Ugbo, Ms De Melo and Mrs Odewale have organised a range of activities and workshops for 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. Please do click on the link below to read a letter from Ms Ugbo with further information. It was sent out earlier this week.
Celebrating Black History Month Letter
Parent & Toddler Group
Mrs Fuentes is hoping to start these sessions after half term and is in the process of organising Parent Champions to lead them. If you are interested in training as a Parent Champion please contact the [email protected]
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.
Infant parents will have received a text/email via the School App with details on how to book for parent evenings next week. Please make sure you have the App and you will find the link on the menu. Junior parents will receive a link shortly. If you are unable to attend the set dates, please see your child’s class teacher to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Sibling Photographs – 11th October (afternoon)
The photographer will be in School on the above day to take photographs of siblings who missed out at the start of September. If sibling photographs were taken in September they will not be taken again. It will be during the school day and the office will organise it.
Fireworks evening – Wednesday, 2nd November
Tickets are on sale, so please click on the link below to purchase them.
https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/event/st-josephs-2022-fireworks-night
If you would like to volunteer to help please contact the PTA
Parent Governor Position
We have the following five candidates standing for the position of Parent Governor:
Ms Ihinosen Majekodunmi
Mr Dave Navarro
Ms Mala Peli
Mrs Maria Teresa Santeugini Ferreres
Mr Efunwale Sowemimo
Each candidate’s personal statement will be emailed to you next week, together with a ballot form. All votes must be submitted by Wednesday, 20th October 2022. If you are unable to come into School, please send your ballot form to the School office in a sealed envelope marked Parent Governor Elections. Alternatively, you can drop the ballot form into the ballot box in the School Office.
Open Days
Wednesday , 12th October from 10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
Saturday, 12th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Children are invited to attend in full school uniform. Please let your child’s class teacher know if they are able to attend.
A big thank you to all the children who volunteered to help at our open day on Wednesday and to staff for remaining in school until late. Prospective parents were highly complimentary of all the pupils and enjoyed engaging in conversation with staff. We are fortunate to have extensive grounds which are one of the strengths of the school. Our children always make us proud and are great ambassadors for the school and set an example for adults to follow.
Parking
Please do not park in front of drives when dropping and picking up children from school. Neighbours have contacted me regarding a small minority of our parents who have been verbally abusive when asked to move cars blocking drives. It gives a bad impression of our school community and more alarming is the fact that this behaviour happens in front of children.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you around the school.
Important dates for your diary
11.10.22 & 13.10.22 – Infant Parent/Teacher contact meetings
11.10.22 -Sibling photos in the Junior Hall during the school day (p.m.)
12.10.22 -10.00 – 11.30 a.m. School Open Day for potential parents
13.10.22 -Year 3 Clipper Trip around London
14.10.22 -6H Assembly, 9.15 a.m. Junior Hall (parents/carers welcome to attend)
14.10.22 -Y4 Trip to London Zoo
14.10.22 -Y5/Y6 Football Tournament
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 –5S Class assembly 9.15 a.m. (parents/carers welcome to attend)
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
