Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Letter From Mrs O'Rourke

  Fri 22 Nov 2024

  Dear Families,

  Thank you for ensuring your child is punctual for  the school day which supports a strong start to the school day leading to continued success in Term 2. As the weather starts to get colder please make sure your child comes into school with a waterproof coat and is wearing the correct winter uniform. We want to encourage the children to be comfortable when playing outside as much as possible. 

  I was delighted to meet with the Parent Representatives earlier in the Term. It was a very productive meeting and I believe we will continue to grow stronger together.

  Next Friday 29^th November we will be celebrating the Christmas Fayre                   co-ordinated by the Friends of St John's.  We are thrilled that the school has sourced a real Christmas Tree from Mole Valley Farmers which will be arriving     before the  Fayre and we will mark the Christmas Tree light switch during that evening. Every child in the school will be allocated a free raffle ticket - the winning raffle ticket will be drawn by Father Christmas at approximately 5.30pm - the      winning raffle ticket owner will then be invited to switch on the St John's Christmas lights! It will be a wonderful community celebration - please encourage family and friends to come along!

  Mr Smith's funeral will be held on Saturday 23rd November at West Wiltshire Crematorium. Please find the link below if you wish to join the service:

   

  https://watch.obitus.com/login/7y5yd4

  Username: Yaqo6263       Password: 079862

   

  We of course keep Mrs Smith and all the family in our prayers at this time. We are very touched by the cards and words of support families have generously  offered to the staff team.  

  Please ensure you have noted key dates for your diary for the Term ahead, we are looking forward to so many exciting events during Advent and the Christmas     Season.

   

  With best wishes,

  Mrs K O'Rourke

  Head Teacher

   

• Letter From Mrs O'Rourke

  Fri 08 Nov 2024

  Dear Families,

  I very much hope you all managed to enjoy some quality family time together during the October break. The children have returned to school life looking very smart in their winter uniform and have settled well into the school routines. We are looking forward to a busy term full of new opportunities and challenges inside and outside the classroom. This term is always full of excitement and anticipation with the knowledge of the days towards Advent and Christmas not far away!  

  At the end of Term 1 we celebrated our whole school Harvest Service - celebrating God’s gift to us of our beautiful world. It was the first time that children in EYFS were able to join a school service and they were fantastic – listening and joining in with the singing. It was a beautiful celebration led by the Year 5 & 6 children who showed reverence and were great role models to their peers. At the end of the day we gathered together on the outside playground to complete our ‘Harvest Cereal Dominoes Challenge’ which was such fun! The Year 6 children counted over 165 boxes of cereals which have now been delivered to the Trowbridge Foodbank. Thank you again to all the families who generously contributed cereals to this wonderful cause.

  The week ahead provides an exciting opportunity for many of our Year 6 children who will be going on the residential trip from Monday to Friday to Skern, North Devon. We wish the children and staff  a safe and exciting week away from their family homes but adventure and new opportunities with their school family. We look forward to hearing all about their successes.

  This week I was delighted to meet with the Parent Representatives from each year group. Each group of parents brought valid ideas and suggestions including how we can further develop the school community. Further information will be shared across the term.   

  On Monday 11^th November we will be marking Armistice Day with a short service at 11.00am in the school hall. We are delighted that one of our talented musical parents will be leading us in playing the last post. I am sure this will be a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising the sacrifice of those that have gone before us over the generations.   

  The coming week is nationally celebrated as ‘Anti Bullying Week’ in schools across the country, please see attachments included with the newsletter. On Tuesday we will be marking this important theme by inviting children and adults to wear ‘odd socks’ reminding us that we are all unique and we need to respect and celebrate the dignity of the human person. This is an important message we are always reflecting on through our Catholic Social Teaching themes.   

  Finally details of Mr Smith’s funeral have now been shared by the Smith family. The funeral will be held on Saturday 23^rd November at 2.15pm at West Wiltshire Crematorium. Families are invited to follow the live stream. Family flowers only but donations are welcome to Dorothy House and Albion In The Community. Of course we keep the Smith family in our prayers during this time. In the future months ahead we will gather together as a school family to celebrate the life, talents and gifts of Mr Smith.

   

  Wishing you all a peaceful, safe and enjoyable weekend together.

  Best wishes,

   

  Mrs O’Rourke