In a parent meeting this term, some parents commented that their children's instrument lessons haven't started yet. We have followed up with Croydon music services. As you applied for the lessons directly with the music service we can't see who is waiting, so we can support please email the office your child's name and instrument lesson required so that we can follow up on your behalf.

We have a large waitlist for afterschool club so have advertised for more BASC Assistants so that we are able to accommodate more children and help the families in our school community.

Please the website for the financial support available to you for childcare or for more information about Breakfast ad Afterschool Club.

Good luck to our choir who will be performing at The O2 on Tuesday. Thank you to Miss Arthur and Ms Luri for getting the children ready. They sound amazing in rehearsals.

Club lists will come out next week. We will release them at 6pm on Friday to give everyone a fair chance to book.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Ashley and the Team

Safeguarding

Croydon Drug Alert

THC Vapes

What are THC Vapes?

Disposable THC vape pens are portable devices designed to vaporise a liquid containing THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis plant. They usually come pre-filled with THC-infused oil or concentrate.

There is no way of knowing exactly what is in a THC vape obtained illegally. The amount of THC may vary considerably between different products. There is also a risk that it may contain other harmful additives. Vape pens often contain additives such as vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent which has been linked to severe lung injuries. The carrier agents used in vapes can also cause harm.

Nationally, evidence is showing samples involved in THC vaping incidents have been found to contain synthetic cannabinoids after testing. These are the laboratory made chemicals found in ‘Spice’. It is extremely dangerous for a young person with no tolerance to inhale even a single dose of a potent synthetic cannabinoid. The effects can include irregular heartbeat, confusion, paranoia, panic attack, insomnia, hallucinations and collapse.

Get in touch: If you need a further advice and information, please contact the service:

Website: Drug and Alcohol Service - Croydon | Change Grow Live

E: croydon.info@cgl.org.uk T: 0300 123 9288, Lantern Hall, 190 Church Road, Croydon CR0 1SE

If you have any concerns over children or families this Christmas break from the St Joseph's community please email:

dsl@st-josephs-jun.croydon.sch.uk

Early Years

In Reception we are developing the ability to control small muscles, particularly in our hands and fingers. At this stage, children typically refine skills like holding a pencil correctly, cutting with scissors, threading beads, or manipulating small objects. These skills are essential not only for academic tasks such as writing and drawing but also for self-care activities like buttoning shirts or tying shoes. Through engaging in play-based learning, children improve their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and ability to manipulate objects with greater precision.

Key Stage 1

Year 2 had an exciting week exploring the biblical story of Jairus's daughter through role play, bringing the story to life with creativity and enthusiasm. Inspired by their learning, they have also begun working on a fun English topic - writing silly poems! Using the ABCB rhyming pattern, the children are imagining some truly wacky food combinations that are sure to surprise you. Their goal is to make their audience laugh, so expect giggles and groans when you hear their finished poems. We can't wait to share their wonderfully silly creations with everyone soon! This week, we began reading The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl, and the children are already hooked on the story! They explored how to use their prior knowledge and evidence from the text to make thoughtful predictions about what might happen next. The class also focused on answering inference questions, practicing their skills in reading between the lines.

Lower Key Stage 2

3T have been working incredibly hard this week! They've seamlessly transitioned back into our routines and are demonstrating impressive maturity and independence in their learning. This week, they've showcased their understanding of addition and subtraction through various activities. We've also started an exciting new journey into the world of Ancient Egypt in our history and art lessons. Exploring this early civilization has sparked a great deal of curiosity in the class, with many insightful questions being asked. This week, children were able to create a human timeline to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the various periods. We are confident that this will be a captivating and enriching topic for 3T.

Upper Key Stage 2

Upper Key Stage 2 embraced the Christmas spirit and took part in a range of activities across the week. On Monday the children took part in an orienteering task that allowed them to develop their map reading skills, their teamwork and their communication. They also had lots of muddy fun! On Wednesday the children enjoyed an amazing Christmas dinner with their friends and teachers- whilst wearing their festive Christmas jumpers! They also had the opportunity to watch a fantastic and entertaining pantomime performance of 'Cinderella'. On Thursday, children danced the afternoon away at their class parties before heading out to the playground to complete the Santa Run- which raised money for CAFOD. On Friday, children celebrated their attendance accomplishments with a certificate-filled assembly. It was a busy, but amazing week.

Subject Update: English

This term, Key Stage 2 pupils have been busy exploring a variety of exciting English topics! Here's a glimpse into their learning:

Year 3 were inspired by the chilling tale of "Wolves in the Wall." The pupils learnt to craft suspenseful plots, developed vivid characters, and used descriptive language to bring their stories to life. For their non fiction writing, Year 3 pupils developed their instructional writing skills by creating delicious and informative recipes featuring seasonal ingredients. This was linked to DT so they were able to become budding chefs and made their own scrumptious mini tarts which they thoroughly enjoyed. They learnt the importance of clear and concise instructions, with step-by-step guidance and helpful top tips.

In Year 4, the core text was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Year 4 pupils embarked on a fantastical journey into the world of Roald Dahl, exploring the captivating story of Charlie and his extraordinary chocolate factory adventure. They analysed Dahl's unique writing style, focusing on his use of humour, suspense, and vivid imagery. They also explored the themes of poverty, greed, and the importance of kindness.

Year 5 were inspired by the book Zoo by Anthony Browne. They delved explored the imaginative and thought-provoking world of Anthony Browne's "Zoo." They also analysed his unique illustrations and explored how he uses visual storytelling to convey complex emotions and themes. They then used these insights to craft their own creative narratives. For nonfiction writing, the focus was on writing explanatory speeches. The pupils developed their public speaking skills by researching and delivering informative speeches on a chosen topic. They learned to structure their speeches effectively, using clear and concise language, and engaged their audience with compelling presentations.

In Year 6, the focus was on poetry. Pupils explored the haunting beauty of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," analysing its poetic devices, dark imagery, and enduring impact on literature. They also experimented with writing their own poems, drawing inspiration from Poe's unique style.

They also ventured into the realm of horror fiction, exploring the use of flashbacks and suspense to create chilling narratives. They learnt to craft eerie atmospheres and developed suspenseful plots to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Pupils also honed in on their persuasive writing skills by crafting compelling letters to argue for a specific viewpoint. They learnt to identify their audience, structure, argument effectively, and used persuasive language to convince our readers.

The core text for this term was the Graveyard Book. Pupils explored the captivating world of Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book," exploring themes of loss, belonging, and the enduring power of human connection. We analyzed Gaiman's unique writing style and discussed the deeper meanings embedded within the story.

We hope this newsletter provides a glimpse into the exciting learning experiences our pupils have enjoyed this term in English.

Please Note: This newsletter provides a general overview of the English curriculum. Specific activities may vary across classrooms.