We have had a great week at St. Joseph and the children have been really focused on their learning. Our music specialist teacher, Ben, began on Wednesday and it was wonderful to hear the first Junior hymn practice of the year. The children uplifted the school with their beautiful voices and brought a sense of warmth to us all.

Today our club letter was shared. We are pleased with the wide range of enrichment clubs we have been able to arrange for the children. All club bookings will be done via the Arbor App from 6pm today. Clubs will start next week.

Last year, our PTA Musical fireworks event was a huge success. It was my first time being a part of the event. I was overwhelmed by how well executed it was- a blend of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Wimbledon Park Fireworks Night (which I and my family usually attend). The link for Early Bird tickets was shared and I can see that there are only a few hundred tickets left at this price. You familes and friends are welcome so please come and join us on Thursday 7th November.

Our curriculum newsletters were sent out to parents today, specifying what your child will be learning this term and their targets. We hope you find this informative and helpful. Thank you to our Phase Leaders Mrs Swain, Ms Bickmore, Ms Daniels and Mrs Winters for putting this together and ensuring consistency from Nursery to Year 6.

Today we had our first Parent Coffee Mornings in the Garden Hall. It's on every week, 9.15am-10.15am every Friday. All parents and carers are welcome!

Thank you to Ms Bickmore and Mrs Myrie for the successful uniform sale that was on Thursday after school. Parents have asked for another one and Ms Bickmore will let you know when it will be soon. All the funds raised will be used to support with the cost of trips.

On Monday, we will celebrate our beginning of year Mass. We are excited to worship as a whole school community. Please join us if you can.

Yesterday was St.Kitts and Nevis 41st Independence Anniversary. The High Commissioner of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Dr Kevin Isaac, invited me to attend a celebratory service at Westminster Abbey! I was proud to represent the LIPA Association and our Federation. Happy anniversary to any fellow celebrants in our school community!

In the early 60s, my Grandad arrived from this wonderful small island as part of the Windrush generation. His claim to fame was that he arrived on a plane not a ship. He enjoyed retelling me this story repeatedly when I was a child and how it was necessary to stop and refuel the plane as they couldn't travel the distances they can now nonstop! My Grandad, Joseph Rouse, was one of the founding members of the L.I.P.A. Association in Manchester and served as its Treasurer for many years. He taught us about pride, honour, self-respect and dignity. Now my mum, Jennifer Rouse-Burgundy, is the Chairperson of this Association and proudly carries on his legacy in service of the local community. She has met King Charles and Queen Camilla and was an attendee at our late Queen's funeral. Over this term we will be learning about ourselves and our heritage; I am sure we will enjoy discovering interesting things about each other.

We hope you have a fantastic weekend,

Mrs Ashley and The St. Joseph's Team

Mrs Ashley and her Mum

Mrs Ashley in the Quire

Westminster Abbey

Mrs Ashley and Dr Kevin Isaac, High Commissioner of St. Kitts & Nevis

Parent/Carer Voice

Parent/Carer Running Club

Would you be interested in joining a Running Club on Monday mornings after drop-off? If so, click this link, and we will contact you with further details. Thanks to Mts LaTouche for letting us know that there is interest.

Inclusion

Your Wellbeing Matters

This week we would like to make you aware of a fantastic and supportive local charity. They specialise in supporting adults that are affected by mental health conditions.

Hear Us Croydon's Welfare Surgeries Project supports people with their benefits claims and other financial entitlements to ensure they obtain the right financial support. This includes access to Food Banks, energy vouchers and other forms of immediate financial support and access to mobility schemes e.g. freedom passes.

If you feel like these services may beof use to you, please click here for further information.

Early Years

This week has been the Reception children's first full week in school. There has been lots of exciting learning happening inside and outside of the classroom. The children have had the opportunity to use wax crayons during there art lesson to create marks, draw pictures and create patterns by rubbing a variety of objects. Some children created patterns by rubbing the classroom chairs and even a tree outside. We noticed the paper became bumping from the uneven surface.

Key Stage 1

It has been a busy week in our second full week back at school and the children have been showing how settled they are in their new classes. In year 2, we have been continuing our learning in maths on place value and have started to be able to use a palace value chart to help represent 2-digit numbers.

In English, we have thought about what it would be like to start something new and how it feels when we are not sure about something. We role played what it would be like for our main character Tilly when she was unsure of who to play with. In history, we have been able to place pictures from over time on a time line and think about how school has changed from the 1900s. In Science, we have started to look at what a habitat is as well as the 6 different life processes which tell us if something is alive. Finally in RE, we have learned about Abraham and how he and his wife Sarah were chosen by God for a special journey and how they had to trust in Him. We did a hot-seating activity, asking Abraham what it was like being chosen by God and how he felt going on his journey.

Lower Key Stage 2

3T have really settled into the Year 3 routine this week. One thing the children have been looking forward to is Art, which we started this week. We have been looking at how artists use shape in drawing. The children then found different objects around the room and drew the shapes they saw in their sketchbooks. We will be looking at shading and texture later on in the term.

Upper Key Stage 2

Year 6 have had another fantastic week. The children have been calm, settled and ready to learn.

In English, we have continued to build up to our big write, based on the story, 'The Journey'. The children have focussed on forming effective sentences this week, using effects such as alliteration, the passive voice and figurative language. We have had a lot of rich discussion about the themes of the book, and children have really applied their empathy skills in considering how the characters might feel.

In Maths we have continued to develop our knowledge of place value. Children showed perseverance and resilience in ordering, comparing and rounding numbers up to 10 million! We have also worked on our arithmetic skills, with a focus on speed and accuracy.

In Art, we have continued looking at the work of Bisa Butler, with children practicing how to emulate her style. In Reading we have almost finished reading 'Journey to Jo'burg' , which has given the children their first insight into the history of South Africa.

Curriculum Focus

History

We make our history lessons engaging and fun. We want our children to be able to think critically about historical events and compare them to current times; developing their knowledge of the world and themself.

This term, Year 6 started their History unit on South Africa and Nelson Mandela. They shared their knowledge of apartheid, as well as Nelson Mandela, and learned about how South Africa is today. Year 5 have produced some amazing home learning, and class work on the Ancient Greeks. They are excited to learn the stories of the gods and how they ruled at the time. Year 4 have started learning how children's lives have changed and comparing their lives to the past. Year 3 are focussing on the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age.

In KS1, the children are learning about how their school was different in the past, and answering the question, Am I making history? EYFS are focusing on their family, and local area.

Mrs Winters

Exciting News!!!

This week, Mrs Ashley graduated from the University of Roehampton. Her ceremony took place at the Royal Festival Hall, and we are all really proud of her achievement and tenancy.

Mrs Langford-Jackson and Miss Francis also recently graduated from their leadership courses.

Our leaders are demonstrating that learning and development is a continuous journey that goes beyond the classroom.

Happy Birthday!

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

Year 4: Oscar Year 3:Jermiah-Jonas Nursery: Grace and Sage

Staff: Mrs Abrahams and Miss Langford-Jackson

Key Dates

Monday 23rd September Year 3 and 4 NewsWise Journalist Visit

Beginning of Year Mass at Virgo Fidelis (2pm) Family and Friends of the school welcome

Wednesday 25th September Y2 Trip Dulwich Picture Gallery

Thursday 26th September Southwark Diocese Beginning of year Mass, St. George's Cathedral, selected pupils

Thursday 7th November PTA Musical Fireworks

We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend

The St. Joseph's Team

Page updated

Report abuse