Firstly, I would just like to thank you all for supporting our efforts to improve attendance and punctuality across the schools! Both schools have had a strong start to term and are above national average! Thanks for getting your children into school everyday, on time. You are setting them up for a great future.

It has been an amazing week because of how great the children returned from half term, dressed smartly and ready to learn. On Monday and throughout the week, we said special prayers for all those effected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamacia and in Haiti. To those in the school community with family in those countries, I pray your family members are all safe and accounted for. I have family in Jamacia also and know that this has been worrying time. With the support of the global community they will rebuild and return to it's former beauty once more. We will be doing fundraising and support as a school, more information will come out on Monday, but if you have any goods or items to donate, please being to gather then together. Some people have lost everything.

Next week, we will be celebrating Anti-bullying week and world kindness day. On Monday, children can wear odd socks to school. A letter has gone out with all the information and you are all welcome into school on Friday morning to join us in assembly and hear about the children's learning from the week. There will be refreshments afterwards.

Please remember to follow our instagram page the link is above. We are populating it more and more and capturing the wonderful learning taking place across the federation. Freddie in Y3 was really engaged in his art lesson ad Y5s have written the most wonderful poems - their writing is rivalling Y6's!

I would like to say a massive thank you to all the PTA and the staff for another fantastic fireworks night. Over 1000 people attended from the community and it brought so much joy to everyone. We cannot wait until next year already.

Key dates will be updated and circulated next week.

We hope you have a great weekend,

Mrs Ashley and the Team

Inclusion

Sensory Needs

Sensory needs are how children receive and respond to their environment including what they see, hear, feel, smell and taste. Each child experiences these sensations in their own way. For example, take our school jumper, one child may find comfort and security in the texture of the fabric while another may find it scratchy or irritating.

We must try to understand these sensory needs to create environments and activities that will make everyone feel comfortable, especially for children who might have some extra sensitivities.

The Eight Sensory Systems

Visual System - The sense of sight

Auditory System - The sense of hearing

Tactile System - The sense of touch

Olfactory System - The sense of smell

Gustatory System - The sense of taste

Vestibular System - The sense of balance and coordination of movements

Proprioceptive System - Feeling the movement of muscles and joints. Understanding the position of their body in space such as knowing how high to lift their arm to reach an object.

Interoceptive System - This system helps children feel what’s happening inside their bodies such as feeling hungry, tired or needing to use the bathroom. Understanding these systems can provide you with valuable insights into your child’s interaction with the world and their unique sensory experiences. At school we can help by carrying out sensory profiles to help understand your child’s sensory needs.

If you are concerned about your child's development, please let your child's teacher know in person or via the office and we will look into this for you.

Early Years

Nursery have been busy planting bulbs. The children loved getting their hand dirty as they carefully dug holes and popped in the bulbs and covered them snuggly for the winter. We will look after them and watch them grow into beautiful flowers, in God's wonderful world.

Key Stage 1

Year 2 explored how schools have changed over time! The children compared modern classrooms with strict Victorian ones, discovering old-fashioned rules, chalkboards, and even dunce hats. They loved imagining what a school day was like in the past and reflecting on how lucky we are today!

Lower Key Stage 2

Year 4, have started the new half-term full of focus and ready to learn.

In maths we have started a new unit of work all about finding the area of rectilinear shapes. We have started new topics in Science (Electricity and Circuits) and Geography (The Amazon Rainforest) and we are focusing on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in English.

In music we are very exited to be learning all about ukuleles and how to play them.

Upper Key Stage 2

Year 5 have been completing their Creation unit in RE, where they have looked at how we can look after God's creations. They have created beautiful art work, alongside informative discussions and thought provoking questions.

In English they published their Lost in the Forest stories, which are now taking proud residence in our book corner. Maths saw the completion of Addition and Subtraction. We are so proud of the progress our children have made.

PE Updates

Happy Birthday!

Everyone at St. Joseph's wishes you the happiest of birthdays

Year 6: Lemuel Year 5: Matias and Abigail

Year 2: Joel Year 1: Rhema

Reception: Clara

Key Dates

10 - 14.11.25

Anti Bullying Week

12.11.25

Catholic Schools General Knowledge Quiz

13.11.25

World Kindness Day

17.11.25

Yr5 Cinema trip

18.11.25

Y3 & Y4 trip to the Cinema - Streatham Odeon

25.11.25

Y1 and Y2 Trip to Cinema - Croydon Grants

26.11.25

Y6 Cinema Trip - The Ritzy

02.12.25

Reception Nativity 9:30am

04.12.25

Reception Nativity 2pm

KS1 Christmas Concert

16.12.25 (times tbc)

KS2 Christmas Concert

17.12.25 (times tbc)

Christmas Class Party (pm)

18.12.25

TBC.12.25

Infant Christmas Orienteering Day

TBC.12.25

Junior Christmas Experience Day - West End in Schools

We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.

The St. Joseph's Team

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