Our final week of term has been extremely busy, yet rewarding. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Junior school had its Ofsted inspection. We are really pleased with the result and have clear next steps for progression. Thank you all for your continued support, for trusting us with your children and for everything you do to help your child be successful at school. The team and children made us very proud.

On Monday the Junior children had a Christmas orienteering experienced. They loved the outdoor adventure. Thank you to Mr Abrahams for organising.

The children enjoyed a Pantomine on Wednesday, a reward for all their hard work and kindness. They were really engaged and enjoyed the dancing. 'Oh no they didn't. Oh yes they did!'

We really enjoyed the Christmas dinner and Christmas Jumper Day on Wednesday. Thanks to chef Mo and all the catering team for making it memorable and extremely tasty. We invited members of the school community to come and join us! A huge thank you to Fr. James, Mrs Navarro and Mr Wete for joining us. The children and team appreciated the time you'd taken to be with us.

There have been many highlights of the term and there have never been so many clubs and trips that children have got fully involved with. Student Voice continues to support us with in many areas with children taking an active part in leading the school forwards.

We have seen an increased amount of children receiving the 100% attendance award and it has show that our hard work and partnership to ensuring each child has access to a consistently high level of education is paying off. As you know, research proves that there is a direct correlation between high attendance at school and potential earning power a child has in the future.

As we approach the Christmas holidays, I want to wish all our families a restful and joyful festive period. We hope that you all have a well-deserved break, and we look forward to welcoming you and you child back to school in the New Year, ready for more achievements and growth.

Prayers and best wishes,

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

The Reception children have been busy learning and performing the Nativity play, discovering the story of the three kings who followed a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts to baby Jesus. As part of their creative work, the children have made their own pictures of the three kings using junk modeling materials, exploring new ways to create art while reinforcing their understanding of the story. This hands-on activity ties into their learning about different materials and recycling, which they have been exploring throughout the term.

Key Stage 1

This week, years 1 and 2 had a fabulous time in school watching the pantomime Cinderella. The children filled the hall with laughter, booing, hissing and singing. They also thoroughly enjoyed joining in with the dancing. The children loved it so much that they have already requested another pantomime for next year!

Lower Key Stage 2

This week has been full of festive cheer and excitement at St Joseph's!

We started the week with Orienteering! The children put their map-reading skills to the test as they searched for Christmas-themed clues around the school grounds. It was a fantastic afternoon full of teamwork and discovery! We attended morning mass at Virgo Fedelis, beautifully led by Father James. It was heartwarming to see some of our parents joining us in this special time of reflection and celebration.

We were entertained by a brilliant performance of Cinderella (the Pantomime) by our talented visiting performers. The laughter and cheers were contagious! Afterwards, we came together for our annual Christmas dinner, enjoying delicious food prepared by our wonderful kitchen team.

The children's class parties were the highlight of the week! In 3T, we celebrated with games, dancing, snacks, a Christmas movie, and joined the rest of the juniors Santa run. The giggles during the run (after a few too many snacks) were a sight to behold!

As well as all this fun, last week the children made mini apple pies as part of their DT project. Now, they’re turning their culinary experience into writing practice by creating detailed instructions so you can try making them at home!

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.