Dear Families,

Over the last two weeks, it has been wonderful to see so much success in teaching and learning across the school. The children continue to demonstrate enthusiasm, resilience and pride in their learning, and we are incredibly proud of all they are achieving.

In particular, we would like to celebrate the fantastic efforts of our children with phonics and the Multiplication Tables Check. The dedication shown by both pupils and staff is having a very positive impact, and it is wonderful to see the growing confidence and progress being made. Thank you to all families for the continued support you provide at home — working together truly makes a difference to children’s success.

As part of our Year of Reading, we continue to celebrate and encourage the joy of books throughout the school. On this note, we are delighted to share the exciting news that our new Mr Smith Reading Cabin officially opened today. This wonderful space has been funded through the incredible charity work and support of Friends of St John’s, and we are extremely grateful for their dedication and generosity. In addition, parents and children have given up their time to support the gardening and wild flowers surrounding the cabin which will look beautiful – we are so grateful. We are excited to broaden opportunities for children to read in a comfortable, welcoming environment and know this space will inspire many happy reading experiences for years to come. Thank you once again for helping to make this opportunity possible.

Many of the children over the past two weeks have also engaged in a wide range of cultural capital opportunities. These experiences provide valuable learning opportunities and help children develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the world around them. These enriching experiences simply could not happen without the commitment and dedication of our school team, who continually give their time, effort and energy — often going far beyond their job roles — to ensure success for every child. We are also incredibly appreciative of the volunteers who support our school and help make these opportunities possible.

Our Year 6 children completed their SATs statutory assessments this week, and we could not be prouder of the way they approached this important milestone. Throughout the week, they demonstrated resilience, determination, maturity and positivity, showing just how ready they are for the next stage of their education.

The children have worked incredibly hard over many years, supported by our dedicated staff and families, and they should all feel very proud of their efforts and achievements. SATs are an important part of school life, but as a Catholic school, we recognise that they are only one measure of a child’s journey and success.

We firmly believe that every child is uniquely created by God, with their own individual gifts, talents and strengths. Whether through kindness, creativity, leadership, faith, sport, music, friendship or academic achievement, each child brings something special to our school community, and this is something we celebrate every day. Well done, Year 6 — you have represented yourselves and our school beautifully this week. Thank you also to the Governors of the school who supported the smooth invigilation throughout the week – you have been so supportive.

Finally, we are very much looking forward to celebrating Sports Day next week and hope that many families will be able to join us for what promises to be a fantastic occasion.

With every blessing,

Mrs O’Rourke

Headteacher