On then back of a very difficult week, I sit here proudly as I write this newsletter for you all thinking about the love and wonder that make our school community so special.

You would have all noticed that we had extremely high levels of staff sickness this week, two viruses meant that we had over 10 members of staff absent due to illness. But due to the dedication and expertise of our team, we were able to cover these inhouse to ensure your children receive a continuous high standard of education- it is such a blessing to lead a workforce like this one. I am sincerely grateful to all of our staff members for being so flexible and supportive of one another, ensuring the children remain at the centre of all we do.

Please can you support us by encouraging your child to wash their hands regularly and to cover their mouths and noses whilst coughing and sneezing. We will be doing the same at school and children will wash their hands at regularly points throughout the day. Also if your child has sickness bug they must be off from 48hours from the last episode. Thank you fort your support with this.

As you know this is the Jubilee Year of Hope and I can't help but think how pertinent this is given recent events going on in the world. We have been praying for peace for all nations and in all Communities, including our own. Prayer and acts of kindness are ways in which we can counter the negativity and increase hopefulness in ourselves and others. I reflect upon the kindness and love our children show each other and all of us daily. I would like to thank Sir (Y1) for opening the door for me and asking if my leg was ok, Bethal and Israel in Y5 for thinking about ways they could positively impact others and Jacob (Y6) for confiding in me and issue he had enabling us to sort it out and him finish his week with a smile- and deservedly so.

Our Prayer leaders did their annual trip to the Beginning of Year Mass at St. George's Cathedral and celebrated Mass with thousands of children from across our Diocese. It is always an uplifting and memorable occasion which reminds us of our part within God's family and Church as a whole. Thank you to Mrs Phillips and Mrs Power for ensuring the children remained safe and had a wonderful time. Please keep Bishop John and Pope Leo in your prayers and ask for God's to strengthen and guide them as they do His work.

This week, we have sent letters to parents where appropriate to challenge behaviours that go against our Catholic values and ethos. We are a loving and inclusive school community and I know I have the full support of the team when I say that conduct that compromises our loving and supportive culture will not be tolerated. If you have any issues or concerns please do not approach each other even if well-intended. Remember to come and see your child's teacher or any leader and we will support you and your child.

In line with our Catholic Social Teaching, today we held a Macmillan Coffee morning in solidarity with all our staff members and families who have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly. Thank you so much for your cake and monetary donations your kindness enabled us to raise an impressive £300 for the charity! Mrs De Jesus put her heart and soul into making it a success and I would like to thank her and everyone who helped today. We can achieve wonderful things together.

Lastly, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the PTA for the uniform salle they did this afternoon to raise money for the children. £200 was raised which will go into a project to improve the learning for the children. Early bird tickets will go on sale for our Annual Musical Fireworks soon. This event will take place on Thursday 6th November!

We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Ashley and the Team

Safeguarding

Tips for conversations at home: Building trust and understanding

Open, ongoing conversations are one of the most powerful safeguarding tools you have as a parent. When children feel safe talking to you about what they see and experience online, they are far less likely to be harmed by it—and much more likely to come to you for help when something goes wrong.

Explain to your child:

That online spaces, like games and videos, aren’t always made for children—even when they seem fun.
That some people online pretend to be someone they’re not and may try to trick or manipulate.
That not all content is safe or real—boundaries help protect their brain, body, and feelings.

Try these conversation starters regularly:

“What are you playing/watching right now? Show me how it works?”

This encourages sharing and lets you check the content and chat features together.

“Has anything ever popped up that made you feel weird or unsure?”

Helps children recognise red flags and opens the door for them to share worries without shame.

“What do you do if someone you don’t know sends you a message or wants to play?”

Reinforces that they should never respond to strangers online.

4. “Why do you think we set limits on screen time and certain apps?”

Encourage reflection and understanding that boundaries are there to protect their mental health, sleep, and safety.

5. “If a friend showed you something upsetting or made you feel uncomfortable online, what would you do?”

Teach them it’s okay to say ‘no’, walk away, and always tell an adult—even if someone says, ‘Don’t tell.’

Early Years

Over the past few weeks Nursery have been settling in beautifully into their new routines, exploring their new environment and getting to know all their teachers. It's been wonderful to see new friendships. A fantastic start to the new school year.

In art we have been doing marbling with paint and glitter. The children were amazed to see the colours and glitter blend together to create a wonderful master piece. This sensory rich activity helps develop fine motor skills, creativity and the early concept of colour mixing.

Key Stage 1

This week in Year 2 we have begun our Science topic on Habitats!

We explored what it means for something to be alive by looking at the life processes of reproduction, growth, movement, sensitivity, excretion and nutrition. In groups we planned a presentation about our life process and shared it with our class.

Not only were we teaching our peers but also practicing our presenting skills.

Lower Key Stage 2

This week has been a very busy week as the children have started learning about their new foundation topics in history and science. Year 3 are very lucky to have been also been selected for cricket coaching from a professional coach. They have enjoyed their initial session where they practised ball handling and batting skills and had an opportunity to practise their new skills in a mini competitive game.

Upper Key Stage 2

PE Updates

We are very excited to share that Surrey Cricket are back in school, delivering fantastic sessions to our Reception and Year 3 pupils. The children are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to develop their skills with professional coaches, learning not only the game of cricket but also teamwork, coordination and a love of sport. The sessions are proving to be a real highlight of the week and we can’t wait to see how the children continue to progress.

RE Updates

RE Update.

This week, some of our Prayer Leaders from both the Infants and Juniors had a lovely trip to St George's Cathedral for the annual Diocese Welcome Mass. we had a lovely time and were very excited to meet the Most Reverend John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark Diocese. Following on from this, we are hoping to celebrate a welcome/harvest mass at Virgo Fidelis - further news on this to follow.

Information

Happy Birthday!

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

Year 6: Hallee Year 5: Oscar Year 4: Eva Maria

Nursery: Joshua

Staff: Mr Abrahams

Key Dates

Beginning of Year Mass at Virgo Fidelis - TBC 6th October

02.10.25

Y5 Dulwich College Football Tournament

09.10.25

Yr6 Catholic Schools Tag Rugby Competition

10.10.25- Fundraising Coffee Morning

Wear yellow for World Mental Health Day to stand together for children’s mental health

13.10.25

Yr 4 Trip to Natural History Museum

17.10.2025

Yr3 Trip National History Museum

22.10.25

Junior Bollywood Dance Experience Day

24.10.25

Infant Bollywood Dance Experience Day

October

Black History Month begins

06.11.24

PTA Musical Fireworks

07.11.25

Catholic Schools Cross Country Competition

12.11.25

Catholic Schools General Knowledge Quiz

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

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 Summer.

The St. Joseph's Team

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