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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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
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School Photos
Fri 27 Sep 2024School Photos
David Wiltshire Photography will be in school on Tuesday 1st October to take pupil’s individual photos. Pupils with siblings in our school will also have a photograph taken together during the school day. Unfortunately we are not able to take photos with children who are not currently at St. John’s or any other family relationships than siblings.
All pupils should come into school in their Winter uniform on this day.
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Fairtrade Assembly
Fri 27 Sep 2024Fairtrade Assembly
On Tuesday 17th September, Patrick Kaberia, a Fairtrade Tea Farmer from Kenya gave a presentation to KS1 and KS2 children and spent time with the Year 5/6 chapel champions.
He taught us about the life of a Fair Trade farmer and set us some challenges.
Oliver said "Buy Fair Trade Products to help the farmers"
George said tell your friends and family about Fair Trade goods"
We would like to thank Fair Trade Trowbridge for organising his visit to our school.
We are exploring becoming a Fair Trade School.
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First Holy Communion Mass
Fri 27 Sep 2024First Holy Communion Mass
On Thursday 26th September, LKS2 children who have celebrated their First Holy Communion gathered at school to celebrate again, but this time with their families and the school community. Children were dressed in their Communion outfits and brought with them their joy, excitement and reverence at such a milestone in their Catholic lives. It was a lovely event and was an inspiration to the St. John’s family.
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Letter from Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 13 Sep 2024Dear Parents/Carers
Thank you for reading our first newsletter for the new academic year! We are aiming to develop the use of our school website to regularly share and celebrate the children’s learning and communicate key dates. This academic year the newsletter will be published fortnightly.
The year has started very well—children have settled quickly, engaged in their learning and appear excited for the challenges ahead! A huge thank you to all the staff team who have worked so diligently to ensure the wellbeing and smooth start to school for all children.
The “Meet the Teacher” and “Head Teacher Welcome” workshops were well attended and I hope you found them useful and informative. Thank you for your support.
Next week we will select two parent representatives from each year group who will be invited to meet with me over the academic year to ensure we are working effectively and in partnership. To make selection simple and transparent—names will be selected by children pulling them out of a hat! I will share the year representatives names in our next newsletter.
On Thursday morning we celebrated our first Mass of the academic year in church with Fr Richard celebrating the Feast Day of the Holy Name of Mary. It was wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents who were able to join us. Please take note of the key dates for your diary.
By now you will have received communication about Mr Smith’s poor health. We keep him and his family in our prayers at this dark time.
Please take note and share with family and friends of our Open Days during the Autumn term. I would be delighted to welcome any new family for a tour of our wonderful school—either for new EYFS starters in 2025 or we have a small number of places in Y1, Y2 and Y4. Please contact the office to arrange a tour.
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful weekend with your families. If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Poulter, Miss Byrne or Mrs Burden in the school office on 01225 752006.
Look forward to welcoming you back to school next week.
Kind regards
Mrs O’Rourke
Head Teacher
