Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope everyone has had a good week and you are all staying safe. We have finally reached the end of the first half term of the new style school and things have gone as well as we could have hoped when we opened back on 7th September. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, there has been a lovely atmosphere around school and this has helped everyone, pupils and staff to settle back into routines. The children have really committed to their learning and I am sure have made lots of progress already, the staff have supported them in both learning and in their well-being. I also want to say a big thanks to all of you for your support. You have followed and respected our new times and restrictions and communicated with us when needed. Let’s hope and pray that we get the chance to build on all this hard work when we return after half term and get an uninterrupted few weeks up till Christmas.
Federation of St Joseph’s Junior and Infant Schools
We are now two weeks into the consultation period and again I would urge everyone to respond to the consultation and give your views. Just to remind everyone that there will be a meeting for parents from both schools on Wednesday 4th November at 8:00am, 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Both myself and the interim head of the infants, Mrs D’Souza will be there along with governors from both schools.
Flu Vaccinations
As you may be aware the government is offering flu vaccinations for all pupils up to Year 7. These will take place in school on Tuesday 24th November. We sent home the packs last week with all the information you need regarding the flu vaccination, how it is administered and why it is being offered to all primary aged pupils plus Year 7. Can you please fill in and return the form to school, even if you do not wish your child to receive the vaccine. Can you return the forms as soon as possible so that we can pass them on to NHS England. Thank you to everyone who has returned the forms this week.
First Communion Masses
Congratulations again to all the children who finally made their First Holy Communion last Sunday in church and I was glad I was able to be there in church last Sunday to share it with everyone. Unfortunately because of the new restrictions which have recently been brought in across London, the planned Going Forth Mass this Sunday has had to be cancelled
After School Clubs
After half term we are going to offer some after school sports/dance clubs for each year group. These are the clubs, days/times and which year group they are for:
Monday – Multi-Sports Club for pupils in Years 3 and 4 (3:00-4:00pm). Book this directly with PTC Sports as their coach Luke will be running the club for us. Book at https://ptcsports.class4kids.co.uk/term/28. The cost of the club is £21 for 6 weeks. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. For further information about the club you can contact Taskin from PTC Sports on 07513 522 896.
Tuesday – Dance Stables for all year groups (3:00-4:00pm). Book this directly with Dance Stables at ds.team@dancestables.co.uk.
Wednesday – Multi-Sports Club for pupils in Year 6 (3:15-4:15pm).
Thursday – Multi-Sports Club for pupils in Year 5 (3:15-4:15pm)
Both the Wednesday and Thursday Sports Clubs will be run by the coaches from Leyton Orient who are here in the afternoon. To book a place you need to go onto the School Shop. The cost will be £21 for 6 weeks. Again places are limited so book early. All the clubs will start the week after half term and will not clash with after school tuition classes.
Catch-Up Tuition
To help schools after the long period of lockdown this year, the government is funding catch-up tuition to support pupils who may have fallen behind during the lockdown or who are behind their peers. We sent out invite letters to parents last for Maths Clubs after half term next week and we have now received almost all of the replies. If you received an invite but haven’t yet replied, I would strongly urge you to take advantage of this additional support for your child. We are focusing mainly on numeracy for the 6 week period after half term, as this is where the greatest need has been identified. As I mentioned last week the clubs will be run by our own staff and I am grateful to the 18 members of staff who have volunteered to run the different groups. They know the children best and can plan the work for their groups. All the groups will start after half term in the week of 2nd November and will not clash with any of our after school sports/dance groups.
Uniform
We are selling uniform every second week in school on Wednesday mornings from 8:30am to 9:30am. The next sale will be in the first week after half term on Wednesday 5th November. If you need an item of uniform in an emergency, please come to the school office. With the colder weather now here, it is important that the children are coming to school with a warm and waterproof coat.
Non-Uniform Days/Fundraising
We have now raised almost £1,000 for school funds from our non-uniform days so far.
Building Work at half Term
We are using the half term break next week to finally finish all our work replacing the lighting around the school and removing the asbestos beforehand. This all started in February and most of the work was completed during the lockdown period with all the classrooms and halls done. We had hoped to get the last part done in August but all being well the lower school corridor will be finished by the time we return to school on 2nd November. It is going to mean 7 days a week, 10 hours a day on site but I am determined to see it finished. The final significant area of asbestos in school will be removed over the weekend and then the new lights and ceiling will go up next week.
Friday Assembly Awards (Week of 19th – 23rd October)
These were the awards presented at the Friday assembly today. Congratulations and well done to everyone who received a reward today and indeed over this half term.
Golden Book Awards:
Class 3K – Ayrin, Scarlett and Nehemiah
Class 3H – Ivan, Owen and Ameerah
Class 4P – Nathan, Ivy and David
Class 4RC – Naomi, Neddy and Salvijus
Class 5L – Leondrea, Cem and Ronan
Class 5O – Kieran, Ravinder and Acacia
Class 6PM – Kayleigh, Tristan and Matthew
Class 6C – Tamara, Joshua and Karolina
Team of the Half Term – St Angela’s with 20,980 points. Well done.
Class of the Half Term – Class 3K, 3H, 4P, 4RC, 5L, 5O, 6PM and 6C. They have all had a great half term!
Attendance of the Half Term – Class 3K, Class 4P and Class 6C all achieved 96% attendance this half term. Well done.
Pupils of the Half Term – Ameerah 3H, Umeed 3K, Dawid 4P, Neddy 4RC, Erel 5L, Joella 5O, Destiny 6PM and Olivier 6C. They have all been model pupils this half term.
Half Term
The school will close for the half term break today Friday 23rd October at 2:45pm for Years 3 and 4 and 3:00pm for Years 5 and 6. We will reopen on Monday 2nd November at the normal times of 8:45am start for Years 3 and 4 and 9:00am start for Years 5 and 6.
Prayer for Half-Term
I thought I would end this newsletter and look forward to half term with a prayer. I shared this with all the children at their assemblies this week and would like to share with all of you. Have a lovely, restful and safe half term and look forward to seeing everyone back on 2nd November.
Prayer for Half Term
As you step out today…..
May Angels lead you,
May peace accompany you,
May grace go before you,
May love and light surround you,
May kindness spread from you,
May goodness and love follow you,
May lessons teach you,
May family support you,
May friends encourage you,
May God protect and bless you,
And may your day be filled with love, peace and joy.
Yours sincerely,
J Alexander (Head teacher)
Dates for this term (will be added to and updated each week)
Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October – half term
Monday 2nd November – first day of 2nd half term
Monday 2nd November – Year 5 and 6 Maths Clubs start today 3:15-4:15pm
Monday 2nd November – Year 3 and 4 Multi-Sports Club starts today 3:00-4:00pm
Tuesday 3rd November – Dance Club resumes 3:00-4:00pm
Wednesday 4th November – parental meetings, as part of the consultation on the proposed federation at 8:00am, 4:30pm and 7:00pmin the hall.
Wednesday 4th November – Year 6 Multi-Sports Club starts today 3:15-4:15pm
Thursday 5th November – Year 3 and 4 Maths Clubs start today 3:00-4:00pm
Thursday 5th November – Year 5 Multi-Sports Club starts today 3:15-4:15pm
Friday 6th November – non-uniform day for school funds (bring £1)
Friday 13th November – non-uniform day for school funds (bring £1)
Tuesday 17th November – Book Fair in school each day this week 8:00-9:00am
Thursday 19th November – end of consultation period on the proposed federation
Friday 20th November – non-uniform day for school funds (bring £1)
Tuesday 24th November – flu vaccinations in school
Friday 27th November – non-uniform day for school funds (bring£1)
Friday 4th December – non-uniform day for school funds (bring £1)
Friday 11th December – “Christmas Jumper Day” for Save the Children (non-uniform day, bring £1).
Friday 18th December – last day of term
