Dear Parents/Carers,

As we come to the end of another busy and successful year at St Joseph’s Federation, I want to thank every member of our school community for your support, resilience, and dedication. Together, we have achieved so much, and I am incredibly proud of our pupils and staff.  At St. Joseph's our motto 'Together we can, with Christ by our side,' isn't just something we say, but something we live by. It exudes positivity, possibility and productivity and this is why we continue to excel regardless of obstacles and barriers. We accept that nothing is possible without each other and without God. We are both humbled and proud by the blessing of serving this school community.  Once gain, we have so much to be proud of!

Celebrating Our Achievements

• Academic Excellence:
  Our Year 6 pupils have worked hard and shown great progress—well done to all! For pupils achieving the greater than expected standard are now in the top 8% in the country!

Our Reception results are in the top 23% of the county

48% of our Y4 pupils achieved full marks in the Multiplication check! 71% achieved over 80%!

78% children passed the Phonics screen check (with a value added to this year group's outcomes of 20%-remarkable!)

Across the board we have shown that we both support and challenge all children to excel. I am pleased that the changes made have had such a positive impact on the children's learning and ensured no child is left behind. Everyone has made progress from their starting point. I am grateful to the team for buy in to my vision for excellence and for putting in the work, time and effort to refine and enhance our provision and practice. Well done to the staff and children.

• Quality of Education:

In December, the Junior school had an Ofsted inspection and we maintained our Outstanding Grading! The framework had changed since the last inspection,  therefore this achievement is no small feat. However, we knew if we worked tirelessly to improve the standard of Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Inclusion it was possible. Our outcomes this year confirm that this was the grading we deserved.

We have had 4 successful inspections in 2024, with each school securing an outstanding grading. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring your child has the best education we can provide and we are only just beginning.

We have also hosted many trainee teachers and we're sending two more trainees off into the teaching world and are delighted they both chose to secure roles in Catholic schools! Good luck Coleen and Perpetua!

Thank you to all the work experience students from our partner schools who have helped us out the past few weeks. It is great having you with us and we love welcoming back past students- the children are so inspired by you all.

• End of Year Outdoor Mass:
  I thought we would try something new and bring us all together for the last time in the year.  I am so grateful to Fr Celestine for leading the Mass for us and for his patience while we sorted out the logistics so everything was as it should be. Mrs Phillips created reflective and uplifting bidding prayers and chose hymns that were the children's favourite. Thank you to Mr Teles, Mrs Winters, Mrs Parry and Mrs De Jesus for your support and the pupil leadership team and prayer leaders for leading us in prayer. It was fantastic turnout and the rain held off for us. God is good all the time.

• Y6 Production:
  Congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s performance of The Greatest Showman. The children were absolutely sensational and retold the story so well. Storm and Ayelen made many cry with their rendition of 'Never Enough,' such a beautiful duet and Harlem, Aaron, Layla, EJ and Naomi demonstrated that they made on the West End in the future! Isaque was sensational on the piano, playing every interlude with scores from the musical and Morris proved himself as an avid Musical Director. Thank you to these young men who showed that behind the scene parts are equally as important. 

Mrs Winters, Ms Lodge, Mrs Burgess and Mrs Power, worked very hard to bring this production together and their hard work and input was evident for all to see. Thank you all so much. The children will remember this for years to come... and the parents. We laughed, cried and cheered together and had a shared sense of joy and pride. Thank you to all our parents. The children do well because your support and love of them.

Staff News

This term we say goodbye to Miss Arthur (relocation to Saudi Arabia), Miss Langford-Jackson (relocation to Devon) and Miss Bickmore (promotion). They have all achieved and contributed so much to our school community and I am so grateful to them for their service. Please join me in wishing them well and keep them in your prayers as they embark on ventures new. May God protect and bless them always.

This week we welcomed Mrs Tope back from Maternity Leave. It was great seeing her and Baby Benedict in school this term. He is so calm and bonny.

School reopens on Wednesday 3rd September (It will be a joy to welcome the children back on my birthday)

• Please ensure pupils return in full school uniform, including black shoes.

• Remember to label all belongings clearly.

• All medication must be handed in at the school office on the first day back.

Lastly, to our wonderful, record breaking Y6, our role models, examples and support; the time has come for you to leave us. We want you to do so secure in the knowledge that are ready and you will continue to do well. God is with you and you will forever be a child of St. Joseph's. Good luck Good bless. I will truly miss you all. Thank you to your parents who ensured your end of year party was 'the most fun you've had in your life!

Thank you again for your commitment and partnership this year. We are honoured and blessed to teach your children. Wishing everyone a restful and happy summer holiday. We look forward to seeing you in September! 

With prayers and best wishes,

Mrs Ashley and the Team

On Monday, the Senior Pupil Leadership Team welcomed our new Reception parents to our School Community. By themselves, they had created a PowerPoint presentation to share explaining the vision and educational experience they had enjoyed and benefitted from.

Afterwards there was a Q&A session and the pupil leader's answers to our new parents questions, brought the parents to tears. Mrs Ashley, Mrs Allery and Mrs Power also had tears of pride and joy. It was celar to see that our children could articulate our vision and are a product of it too. Here are some of their many answers:

What makes St. Jo's special:

'Everyone supports you and welcomes you, your children have nothing to worry about.' Jael Deputy head Girl

'You are challenged to believe in yourself and do your best. The teachers really care.' Naomi, Head Girl

'Everyone's kind and respectful to each other, they will make great friends and have great opportunities' Emmanuel, Head Boy

'I started the school later on, I was welcomed, made friends and could just be myself. I have never felt like that anywhere else. Everyone's included here.' Ayelen, Deputy Head Girl

'We have lots of experiences like trips, days out and football, competitions. I enjoy them.' Phillip, Deputy Head Boy

What are you most proud of?:

'I've grown in confidence. I represented the school in athletics and won! I also did the mini marathon. I'm proud of that. The teachers believe in you and help you to do well.' Aaron, Senior House Captain

'I have been challenged to show kindness and be a good friend. I'm proud I've done it.' Emmanuel, Deputy Head Boy

'Mrs Ashley has ensured we have a voice and involves us in decisions. We are leaders and role models.' Naomi, Head Girl

Special Thanks to the SPLT From Mrs Ashley

In the Y6 leavers assembly on Thursday our Head boy and Head girl began the introduction the last assembly of the year and their last one of St. Joseph's. As they reminisced about their educational achievements, memories and those who have inspired them and their peers to succeed, it was evident that they were more than worthy of their titles and had fulfilled their duty superbly. 

The Senior pupil leadership team have helped to lead the schools well. They have support us throughout the year with our Ofsted inspection, organising events, hosting guests, interviews, leading assemblies and being role models to all the children. You all ensured that children remained at the centre of all we do and challenged us to do better and look at things differently when necessary. Deputy Headboy EJ, led the school in our final prayer together this year and it couldn't have been more fitting that it was him not I to do so. 

I wish Emmanuel, Naomi, Jael, Phillip, Ayelen, Aaron and EJ a sincere and heartfelt thank you. You ensured standards remained high, showed excellent leadership acumen and an ability to collaborate. I know that you will go on to become industry leaders in the future; and I will miss leading with you. Thank you and well done.

Safeguarding

Over the summer, if you have a concern about a child or a family in the St Joseph's community, please contact LADO@croydon.gov.uk Telephone: 020 8726 6000 Ext 24817 

We will also monitor our DSL email at regular points dsl@st-josephs-jun.croydon.sch.uk 

Wellbeing

Summer can be a welcome chance to rest and reset. For many, it’s an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with ourselves and the things we enjoy. But the holidays don’t feel relaxing for everyone. 

Some education staff may find it hard to fully switch off, with September already on their minds. For young people, the change in routine, time away from friends and uncertainty about what’s next can be unsettling. 

That’s why looking after mental health over the summer matters. The break offers space to pause and recharge, but also to build habits that support wellbeing in the long term. 

This toolkit contains activities, teaching materials and guidance to help support and boost mental wellbeing over the summer and beyond  

https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/media/fhxljnh1/self-care-summer-toolkit-primary.pdf 

Off The Record’s phone line will also be available for young people to contact between 3 and 6pm Mondays to Fridays throughout the school break.

Off The Record Saturday Support Line 3pm – 6pm Call 020 8175 6776 for a confidential chat. 

Well, what a final week it has been! We started off the week going to see the year 6 dress rehearsal of their performance. It was really enjoyable and amazing to see how hard they have worked on this as well as all the talent they have shown from the acting to the singing and even some acrobatics. This was not the only treat we had, we also saw the Reception assembly where they shared everything they had learned. It was lovely to see how much they had learned and how much they have grown. 

We also met our new teachers for next year, in year 2 that meant going up to the juniors and experiencing a whole new school. We cannot wait for September where we can show how much we have grown up.

Then on Thursday, we attended the end of year celebration Mass on the field with everyone. We enjoyed singing and praying together with the parents sharing this with us. 

We are sad to be leaving year 2, but we are excited for the new start and for the future. We wish you a lovely and restful summer and cannot wait to be back in September.

Celebrating Portugal Day at the Consulate

On Wednesday 11th June, Mrs Ashley and I had the pleasure of being invited to the Portuguese Consulate to celebrate Portugal Day. We had the opportunity to reconnect with Consul-General Manuel Grainha do Vale, Deputy Consul-General Luís Moitinho de Almeida, and Cátia Verguete, who coordinates Portuguese education across the UK and the Channel Islands. A highlight of the evening was meeting Councillor Carla Barreto, who made history in May 2025 by becoming the first female Portuguese Mayor in the UK. It was a wonderful evening filled with inspiring conversations about language, culture, and education and as MFL Lead, it is always inspiring to see how languages and cultures bring communities together.

We have recently been awarded the British Council's International School's Award! I am proud of the hard work everyone has put into achieving this! It demonstrates our commitment to creating an inclusive school where everyone is welcome and belongs.

Miss Arthur, Modern Foreign Languages Leader

At the heart of the national curriculum for English is the principle that spoken language is fundamental to a child's development—not just for English, but "cognitively, socially and linguistically" across the entire curriculum. This term, we've seen this vision come to life with a dynamic approach to English learning.

Our teachers have actively championed the development of pupils' confidence in spoken language and listening skills. This focus on the quality and variety of language has been crucial, strengthening vocabulary and grammar, and in turn, effectively underpinning progress in reading and writing.

A powerful example of this approach came at the end of the term, as every pupil showcased their learning to their peers and parents. This event perfectly encapsulated the curriculum’s aim for pupils to "make their thinking clear to themselves as well as to others." By explaining their understanding of what they have learnt and presenting their ideas, pupils not only demonstrated their knowledge but also developed the essential skills of clarity and communication. It was a wonderful reflection of how our school is bringing the national curriculum's vision to life.

Mrs Daniels, English Leader

3rd September 2025- Return to School! 

Gates open at 8.40am

We hope you and your family have a wonderful Summer.

The St. Joseph's Team