Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man. (Pope Francis)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thank you to all the parents and friends who attended Year 1’s assembly on Thursday and Year 4O\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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\u2019s. They progressed through to the semi-finals but sadly lost to a penalty shootout, coming third equal out of a field of 23 schools<\/em>. They were amazing and did us proud yet again. Well done boys, I know it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Please respond to Mr Defty\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Marchant’s Hill letter<\/a><\/p>\n Please do email Mr Defty if you have any questions: assistanthead@st-josephs-jun.croydon.sch.uk<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Children have set up their own businesses with a small loan of \u00a320 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.<\/p>\n Mr Navarro has organised for some of his former business contacts, together with Governors, to run a \u2018Dragon Den\u2019s\u2019 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 \u2018Young entrepreneurs\u2019 of the year. Good luck children, Alan Sugar would be proud of you. So, parents, carers and friends, please support their efforts.<\/p>\n Please see below Y5 and Y6\u2019s enterprise letters<\/p>\n Year 6’s movie night (3 December)<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pay via Paypal to order<\/a><\/p>\n Mrs McMillan compiled the history of St Joseph\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Christmas lunch letter\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This will be open again on Friday, 3rd December in the junior hall from 3.00 p.m. <\/strong>Tickets for Santa\u2019s grotto have all been sold; information will be shared with you shortly about collection of your child\u2019s ticket.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is going to be an exciting fun filled event and we need your help. So please email the PTA on pta.stjosephsSE19@gmail.com<\/a> if you can help. Click here<\/a> for further details<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Key dates to keep in mind as part of the preparation for the Christmas Fair<\/p>\n 03.12.21<\/strong> \u2013 Own clothes day \u2013 bring a bottle Enter your Christmas Cake for the School\u2019s Christmas Cake competition. It\u2019s St Joseph\u2019s answer to the Great Bake Off and it\u2019s going to be an amazing competition, judging from the standard of cakes presented in September.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Please click here<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As announced last week, St Joseph’s has partnered with the NatCan Social Research<\/a> and City University of London\u00a0<\/a> who are studying children’s eating habits so they can advise the Government and Local Authorities on how to improve the health of children.<\/p>\n They are offering \u00a330<\/strong> vouchers for families who choose to take part in the study and their survey, which can be done in person or over the phone.<\/p>\n Click here for the details of the study and how to claim your \u00a330 voucher<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Children have been bringing home a \u2018Posada\u2019 (Spanish for \u2018inn\u2019). 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.<\/p>\n Do click on the following link<\/a> for Cafod\u2019s 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\u2019 birth.<\/p>\nCinema trip<\/h3>\n
Year 6 residential trip – Marchant’s Hill<\/h3>\n
Children\u2019s Enterprise<\/h3>\n
\nYear 5’s disco (9 December)<\/a><\/p>\nSchool history book<\/h3>\n
Christmas lunch \u2013 Thursday, 16th December 2021<\/h3>\n
PTA Pop-up Christmas shop<\/h3>\n
Christmas Fair \u2013 Saturday, 11th December 2021 \u2013 10:00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.<\/h3>\n
\n10.12.21<\/strong> \u2013 Own clothes day \u2013 bring cakes\/biscuits to sell at the Christmas Fair<\/p>\nFamily food experience survey<\/h3>\n
First Sunday in Advent<\/h3>\n