St John's
Catholic Primary School
At St John's we grow and learn in the footsteps of Jesus.
Curious
Thoughtful
Prayerful
Respectful
Creative
Independent
Caring
Responsible
Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Dorothy House—Reindeer Run
Thu 19 Dec 2024Dorothy House—Reindeer Run
Pupils took part in the Reindeer Run in support of Dorothy House. They were sponsored to run around the running track four times, the equivalent to running one mile.
The total raised by St. John’s School is £1,073.42.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored your child.
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Parking
Thu 19 Dec 2024Parking
Our new friends were out on Wingfield Road this week for school pick up today alongside our lovely crossing patrol lady Lala.
Thank you for helping to make it safer for our children.
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Letter from Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 06 Dec 2024Dear Families
I open this Newsletter giving thanks for all the love and support families have shared on the funeral of dear Mr Adrian Smith RIP on Saturday 23rd November. The funeral service, although incredibly moving, was a wonderful celebration of the legacy and impact Mr Smith had on us all. The community of St John's Catholic Primary School truly shone their light, with the incredible adult school choir singing, tributes to our friend and colleague and uplifting video created by the children. I think he would be very proud of everyone. After the service the school hosted the wake in the school hall and the family felt some comfort being surrounded by his loved ones and work colleagues. On the Monday after the funeral every child was invited to plant a bulb on the school grounds - making sure we live out our mission of looking for beauty and joy wherever we are - living out being a steward of our world. In the summer term we are planning a day of remembrance for Mr Smith which may well include a tennis event and an orienteering competition! We look forward to welcoming families to join us in marking his life.
Over the past few weeks we have invited many new families who are having to choose a Primary school for their EYFS child on tours around the school. It has been a privilege to welcome the families to the school and many have been very complimentary about the learning behaviours and calm purposeful learning environment. If you have friends or family who would like to visit please encourage them to contact the school office team who will be able to arrange a tour with me.
To welcome the beginning of the season of Advent we gathered together as a school family to celebrate the Advent Penitential Service with Fr Richard and supported by the Chapel Champions. It was a meaningful reflection to dedicate time on how we can open our hearts during this season of preparation. After the service children who had received the Sacrament of Reconciliation where invited to confession with Fr Richard and two other visiting priests from Bath. The children were prayerful, showed reverence and were well prepared for the Sacrament - well done to all those children in Year 4, 5 and 6.
I must now mention of course the superb Christmas Fayre 2024! Without the dedicated and committed Friends of St John's team this event would never had happened, we are truly grateful and blessed to have you. The Fayre was a joyful occasion and the children were very excited about gathering together with their friends and families.
It was simply beautiful to see so many people socialising together and building community. Reggie C was our 'Christmas Light Switch On' Winner 2024 - he did a terrific job! Father Christmas sent a message to say how impressed he was with the Fayre and that he looks forward to visiting again in 2025! Thank you again to Mole Valley Farmers for the generous donation of the Christmas Tree - the children play around the tree everyday!
Over the coming few weeks we start our work with the Outdoor Play And Learning (OPAL) team - this will deepen opportunities for purposeful play for all children. I will keep parents updated with how you can get involved in this project and protect the gift of play and childhood.
Two important dates before the end of Term include the EYFS Nativity which will be celebrated in the parish church on Tuesday 17th December at 2pm. Families are invited into the parish centre after the service for refreshments and an opportunity to buy some last minute Christmas gifts! On the last day of term Thursday 19th December the whole school is gathering in the Parish Church at 9.30am to celebrate a Christmas Carol Service. This will be the first time we have celebrated together at this time of year in the Parish Church and all families are very welcome to join us. Once again the parish centre is open after the service for refreshments and a mince pie!
For families that wish to write a Christmas card to the staff team these are always received with gratitude. The children will be invited to post a Christmas card in the class postbox on the mornings of Monday 16th December and Tuesday 17th on the playground between 8.30am and 8.40am. The cards will then be sorted and delivered to the children by our Year 5 & 6 leaders.
It is a busy end to a successful term and the school team look forward to supporting the children to focus on the meaning of why we celebrate Christmas and the joy we need to share.
Best wishes
Mrs O'Rourke
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Carol Singing in the Playground
Fri 06 Dec 2024Carol Singing in the Playground
For the last weeks of term we will be singing carols on the playground at home time. Below are the days that each class will be singing their carol. We hope you enjoy!
Date
Class
Monday 9th December
Class 1 and 2 (Foundation Stage Playground)
Tuesday 10th December
Class 3, 4 and 5 (main playground)
Wednesday 11th December
Class 6 (main playground)
Thursday 12th December
Class 7 (main playground)
Friday 13th December
Class 8 (main playground)
Monday 16th December
Class 9 (main playground)
Tuesday 17th December
Class 10 (main playground)
Wednesday 18th December
Class 11 (main playground)
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 22 Nov 2024Dear 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 29th 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
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 08 Nov 2024Dear 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 11th 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 23rd 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
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 11 Oct 2024Dear Parents and Carers,
The first term of the new academic year continues to provide many moments of joy and success. The children in Foundation Stage have settled into the routines of school life beautifully and are already showing such wonderful learning behaviours. In particular the children's recount of the Creation narrative from the book of Genesis was very impressive!
Year 1 and 2 have been enjoying more opportunities to embed their learning through continuous provision and are thriving within their learning environment both inside and outside the classroom. The younger children are showing such determination in their phonics and we are excited to witness what the year ahead brings!
Year 3 and 4 gathered together with Fr Richard and celebrated Mass together to mark receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion with their families. The children showed such reverence and delight, reading and singing with confidence. Class 8 have also started their First Access violin lessons with Charlotte Sloane-Hill where every child has the opportunity to learn how to play the violin.
Year 5 and 6 have also been very busy and have much to celebrate. In addition to a rich and challenging curriculum there have been visits to Trowbridge Museum, swimming lessons, celebration of Class 11 Mass on the Feast Day of Sir John Henry Newman and Year 6 have been cycling on the local roads achieving their Bikeability awards!
Over the past couple of weeks we have welcomed external visitors from Wiltshire Local Authority who have commented on the children's confidence, oracy and positive attitude to learning which we are determined to continue to develop.
I know you will all be thinking of Mr Smith at the time of his illness and please keep him in your prayers. We are so grateful for the dedication and care that the staff at Dorothy House have shown our dear friend, teacher and colleague. Mr Smith is being well cared for, is very comfortable, surrounded by his family and friends. Children have been invited to write cards, pictures and letters to Mr Smith. If families would like to write a card or letter please do drop them into main reception where it can be delivered.
This weekend we look forward to celebrating Children's Mass on Sunday in the St John the Baptist Parish Church at 10.30am, looking forward to gathering together with the Parish community.
With best wishes
Mrs K O'Rourke
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Uniform Shed New Opening Day
Fri 11 Oct 2024Uniform Shed New Opening Day
Mrs Dixon who runs the Uniform Shed has had to change the opening day again from Mondays to Wednesdays.
It will be open after school from 3.10pm. The Uniform Shed is situated in the main playground next to the outdoor classroom.
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Collection Time For Pupils in EYFS
Fri 11 Oct 2024Collection Time For Pupils in EYFS
Pupils in EYFS will now be finishing school at 3.10pm.
This is to enable Parents/Carers who have older children in school to get round into the main playground before they are dismissed from their classrooms at 3.15pm.
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 27 Sep 2024Dear Parents and Carers,
The children have fully settled into the rhythm of school life and there is a wonderful sense of purpose and challenge. The term has already included many successes including a visit from Patrick Kaberia, a Fair Trade farmer from Kenya, trips to Trowbridge Museum supporting our rich curriculum, school Mass celebrating with the children and families who received their First Holy Communion in June, children representing the school at local sporting competitions, Year 6 Leaders attending a Sports Conference, additional professional development for the whole staff team and stay and play sessions for new EYFS children ready for September 2025!
Last week we hosted a visit from a Headteacher in Purton who remarked on the impressive learning behaviours and purpose with which the children were working; I am unashamedly ambitious for what the children can achieve over the coming academic year. Please ensure you book an appointment for the first parent's evening this academic year as this will provide valuable information on how your child has settled and guidance on how you can support at home.
As mentioned in the 'Meet the Headteacher' sessions earlier in the term I would like to introduce the 'Parent Representative' role which will allow us to further develop our methods of communication. Early next week we will be contacting two parents from each year group who have been randomly selected to represent parents at a termly meeting with me. The responsibility will then be for this information to be cascaded to other parents. I really am looking forward to working alongside you all to enhance the life chances and opportunities for every child.
We will be celebrating our 'Harvest Service' in the next few weeks and we ask for a donation of a box (or two) of any brand of cereal that we will donate to Trowbridge Foodbank. We are setting the challenge of collecting at least 400 boxes of cereal - please support if you are able. Thank you for the donations we have received already.....currently have approximately 50 boxes.
Wishing you all a happy and peaceful weekend.
Mrs O'Rourke
