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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Marian Procession and May Crowning Sunday 10th May
Fri 01 May 2026Marian Procession and May Crowning Sunday 10th May
The procession will begin at 9.45am outside St John's Catholic Primary School. Everyone is welcome to join the Children's Rosary as we process to the church, via St Augustine's. We will pray the 5th decade in the church before Mass and the May Crowning of Our Lady will take place at the start of the Children's Mass.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Some parents are going to pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy by the statue of Our Lady at the front of school at 3pm on Fridays. Everyone is welcome to join in or just listen - it takes about 8 minutes and is a very powerful devotion that calls down grace and mercy from Heaven upon our families and the whole world.
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Counsel Class Liturgy
Fri 01 May 2026Counsel Class Liturgy
This week, Counsel Class led a liturgy based on the Gospel from John, exploring what it means to live life to the full and to use the gifts and talents we have been given. We were delighted to welcome Fr Richard, who joined us for this special time of reflection.
All of the children contributed brilliantly, either by reading, showing or sharing an aspect of their learning or by singing with all their heart! We were so proud of every child. Counsel class showed great respect and have really engaged with the message of the Gospel and represented St John’s beautifully.
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Affordable Schools
Fri 01 May 2026Affordable Schools
We understand that the rising cost of living continues to place pressure on many families. If you have any questions or concerns about the affordability or cost of anything related to school, please know that we are here to help and support where we can. This may include costs linked to school trips, wrap-around care, after-school clubs or music lessons. Families are welcome to contact us confidentially at affordabilty@st-johns-trowbridge.wilts.sch.uk. We encourage anyone who may need support, or who wishes to ask questions, to get in touch.
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Second Session of Extended Day Cancelled on Friday 8th May 2026
Fri 01 May 2026Second Session of Extended Day Cancelled on Friday 8th May 2026
The second session of Extended Day – 4.30pm – 5.45pm is cancelled on Friday 8th May due to an event taking place.
If your child is booked in on this date, please collect your child by 4.30pm at the very latest.
Thank you.
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 17 Apr 2026Dear Families,
I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break. It has been a pleasure to welcome the children back to school for the start of the summer term. In the Catholic tradition, the celebration of Easter continues for 50 days, and we look forward to marking this special season together in school.
The children have made a fantastic start to the term and are looking very smart in their summer uniforms—thank you for your support in ensuring they are so well presented each day.
Learning continues to be a key focus across all classes. This week, we were pleased to welcome a visitor Tracey Dunn from Anaphylaxis UK, who delivered an informative session to the whole school about supporting children living with allergies. This is such an important area of awareness, and we are planning a fundraising event to support this valuable charity.
We have also enjoyed hosting IF Opera, which was a wonderful experience for the older children, and a group of our Year 6 pupils have begun their swimming sessions at Trowbridge Swimming Pool. Year 3 and 4 parents were invited to a multiplication check workshop which was another example of the importance of school and home working together to accelerate the learning for your child.
At the end of Term 4 we hosted Richard Pomfrett in delivering an online evening workshop for parents named ‘Parenting in the Digital World’. Thank you to the 19 families who were able to attend - I have received such positive feedback about the content and how it will support parents to guide children with living alongside technology. I am really hopeful next year we will be able to engage even more families in this vital issue which is changing rapidly.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the events planned for this term. In particular, the Colour Run, organised by the Friends of St John’s, will take place on Friday 22nd May. Please do add this to your diary and refer to the attached advert for further details.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for the generous contributions to our annual Easter Raffle in support of Dorothy House. This year, we raised an incredible £304.13—a phenomenal amount. We are very grateful to all the families, friends, and governors who donated prizes or purchased raffle tickets.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs O’Rourke
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Iford Manor Opera Visit
Fri 17 Apr 2026Iford Manor Opera Visit
Patience Class had their first session with Iford Manor Opera yesterday afternoon. They began with warm-up activities, where they learned new vocabulary related to staging, such as upstage and downstage. The children were then introduced to a French song, Carmen, by Lynsey, the opera singer. Even without understanding the language, they were able to interpret its meaning through Lynsey’s expressive movements, facial expressions, and body language. The class went on to act out scenes inspired by the song and even had the opportunity to perform for one another.
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Easter Cards
Fri 17 Apr 2026Easter Cards
Annabelle O made some Easter cards at home to sell to other pupils in school during the last week of Term 4.
They were very popular and she made £40.50.
The money raised will go to CAFOD.
Congratulations and well done Annabelle for all your hard work.
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Year 4 and Year 6 Residential Visit’s Academic Year 2026 - 2027 – Parent & Children Information Session
Fri 17 Apr 2026Year 4 and Year 6 Residential Visit’s Academic Year 2026 - 2027 – Parent & Children Information Session
There will be a parents information evening for parents of pupils in going into Years 4 and 6 in September 2026 who will be going on residential visits during the school year.
The meeting details are as follows:
Date: Monday 20th April
Time: 5.45pm – 6.45pm
Location: School Hall
We strongly encourage all current Year 3 and Year 5 parents to attend with their child, as it will be a great chance to receive essential information and we hope it will help your child prepare for this exciting adventure.
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 20 Mar 2026Dear Families,
As we come to the end of what has been a short but incredibly positive term, I would like to take a moment to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings within our school community.
Last week, we were privileged to welcome the missionary priests into our school. Their visit was a wonderful affirmation of all that we strive to achieve each day. I would like to share a reflection they offered, which truly captures the spirit of our school:
“I am amazed at your wonderful schools in this area. We have spent some time in your schools and they are marvellous. Absolutely marvellous. I have really enjoyed being there – seeing the staff – the dedicated staff. The wonderful children who have been remarkably well behaved. Maybe just in front of us – I don’t know. I remember a number of times praying the Mass here in the morning and I forgot that the children were right next to me. All because they were so quiet and attentive and well behaved. They are wonderful.’
Their words are a testament to our dedicated staff, our exceptional children, and the strong sense of community that makes our school so special. We are deeply grateful for their visit and for the encouragement they have given us all.
I would also like to thank all parents and carers who attended Parents’ Evening in such large numbers. Your support, engagement, and partnership with the school make an enormous difference to the children’s learning and wellbeing. We truly value the opportunity to work together.
During Term 5, the beginning of the Summer Term children are invited to wear the school summer uniform – this includes:
a gold polo shirt with a logo and brown shorts should be worn with shoes or sandals (3/4 length shorts and Bermuda or surfing shorts are not acceptable). Socks must be worn at all times.
a yellow and white checked dress may be worn (white shorts may be worn under dress) with either white or dark shoes or sandals. Again socks must be worn at all times.
When we return from the Easter break we are delighted to be welcoming If Opera Schools Programme to St John’s Catholic Primary School for the very first time! Since 2010, If Opera has been inspiring school children across Wiltshire and Somerset, providing opportunities for children to work alongside outstanding professional vocal animateurs, singers and musicians. With a proven track record for the quality of its performances, young artists’ programme and schools’ projects, they want to introduce many more young people to the wonder of opera, and the schools projects are central to this mission. The UKS2 children in Patience? Class will be working alongside the professionals during the summer term and preparing for a performance to family and friends on Monday 15th June 2026.
Looking ahead to next week, we will be holding our annual Easter Raffle in support of Dorothy House. Raffle tickets will be on sale every break time and lunchtime, organised by our Chapel Champions. Tickets are 50p each, and the draw will take place on the final day of term, Friday 27th March. We are very grateful for your continued generosity in supporting this important cause.
In addition, one of our talented school families has created a selection of beautiful Easter cards, which will also be on sale during break times next week. These cards will be sold in support of CAFOD and will cost £1.00 each. We encourage you to support the children and this worthy cause.
As we enter the holy season of Easter, we are reminded of the heart of our faith: hope, renewal, and the promise of new life through the Resurrection of Christ. This is a time to pause, to give thanks, and to reflect on the love, sacrifice, and joy that Easter brings to us all. May this season inspire us to show kindness, compassion, and generosity in our daily lives, just as we see so beautifully within our school community.
I wish every family a truly blessed and joyful Easter. May your homes be filled with peace, hope, and love, and may you enjoy special time together with family and friends as we celebrate this most important season in our Church’s year.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs O’Rourke
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Year 2 Roller Skating Experience
Fri 20 Mar 2026Year 2 Roller Skating Experience
Year 2 recently enjoyed an exciting roller skating session delivered by Sk8Hire. Many of the children were trying roller skating for the first time, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and determination as they developed new skills.
This opportunity was made possible through our PE Premium funding, allowing children to experience a new form of physical activity in a fun and supportive environment. The day ended with a roller disco, creating a real sense of enjoyment and achievement for all.
The session supported not only physical development, but also confidence, resilience and teamwork — key aspects of our commitment to developing the whole child.
