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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World Book Day - Thursday 6th March 2025
Fri 14 Mar 2025World Book Day—Thursday 6th March 2025
Last Thursday, St John’s came alive with the exciting buzz of reading as we celebrated World Book Day and immersed ourselves in the joy of books. We started the day with a whole school assembly before 7 children and Peter Rabbit (Mrs O’Rourke) visited Waterstones to choose a book. During the day, students and staff dressed up as their favourite characters – LKS2 even rocked a ‘costume catwalk’ and some pupils in UKS2 (Alaska H ad Sofia D) came dressed as Shakespearean characters, inspired by their Reading lessons. Classes came together to share stories, with some even making the most of the delightful weather by reading outside! We ended the day with a fun “reading relay,” where each teacher moved around the school to read to different classes. EYFS and KS1, in particular, behaved impeccably well, showing great enthusiasm and respect for the stories shared.
A huge “Thank You” to the Friends of St. John’s who donated a free book for every child at the end of a wonderful day.
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House Saint Launch Afternoon
Fri 14 Mar 2025House Saint Launch Afternoon
Last week, our whole school embraced learning about our new House Saints in their house groups. Children from EYFS to Year 6 supported each other in an afternoon of prayer, singing, learning about the life of their House Saint and fun team challenges. It was lovely to share the special moment with family and friends at the end of the school day. Below is our new whole school prayer and we would welcome your support in helping your child to learn their part.
Loving God,
Thank You for our school,
A place of faith, learning and friendship.Guided by the example of St. Francis,
May we be instruments of peace, caring for all creation.Inspired by St. Mother Teresa,
Teach us to serve with love,
Seeing You in everyone we meet.Following St. Don Bosco,
Help us to live with joy and kindness,
Always encouraging and supporting one another.Like Blessed Carlo Acutis,
May we seek You in all we do,
Using our gifts to share Your light with the world.Bless our school community,
That we may grow in faith, wisdom, and love,
Becoming Pilgrims of Hope, people You call us to be.Amen.
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KS1 Trip to Trowbridge Library
Fri 14 Mar 2025KS1 Trip to Trowbridge Library
KS1 visited Trowbridge Library on Wednesday 12th March. All children listened to some stories and got time to explore the library. If you are not a member of Trowbridge library, please visit them to get a FREE membership card. They offer a free story time session on Saturday mornings.
Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to help the visit take place.
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Class 7 Violin Concert
Fri 28 Feb 2025Class 7 Violin Concert
Parents and Carers of pupils in Class 7 are invited to the Violin Concert in the Hall at 2.40pm (arrive 2.35pm) on Tuesday 25th March. This is a concert to celebrate the learning that the children have been doing with Charlotte in their violin lessons during Terms 3 and 4. Thank you.
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Official Opening of Our Prayer Garden
Fri 28 Feb 2025Official Opening of Our Prayer Garden
On Friday 14th February we were delighted to welcome over 30 guests to celebrate the official opening of the school prayer garden which is located on the school field. Many thanks to Fr Richard for leading the service so beautifully and also to Mrs Sessions who joined us to officially cut the ribbon! The prayer garden was one of her unfinished projects and it was a delight to welcome her back to St John's Catholic Primary. The school choir led us in song and the Chapel Champions contributed prayers and reflections. All children across the school will now be able to access this quite reflective space during the school day and as part of our lunch time provision.
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Letter From Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 07 Feb 2025Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. We are continuing to have a fantastic term during this Jubilee year, and I would like to take this opportunity to share some highlights and upcoming events with you.
We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm and dedication to learning. This term, our Year 5 and 6 have been taking part in challenging learning in RE focussed on the Transfiguration, exploring the wonders of scripture and linking to their lives today. The quality and their depth of knowledge is very impressive. Meanwhile, pupils in Lower Key Stage 2 have been getting creative with drama and art, producing some wonderful drama based on Luke's scripture and also making their very own stunning Class Rosary. Photo attached! EYFS and KS1 are working hard every day with a particular focus on their phonic skills, reading and handwriting - we are all so impressed with the effort and resilience they are showing. Please keep reading with your child every day - it really does unlock access to the whole curriculum!
OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) during lunchtime continues to develop and I am incredibly appreciative of the parents support and suggestions for future developments. The children are provided with rich daily opportunities to play outside but in addition to this offer the school lunchtime does include the children having access to the school chapel, school library and lunchtime club - which are all currently held inside the building. In addition we welcome children having the option to wear waterproof overalls or their own clothes during the lunch break - particularly if you believe this would support them in their play.
Upcoming Events
Opening of Our School Prayer Garden: On Friday 14th February families who have donated towards the creation of our school prayer garden are invited to attend an official opening of this beautiful space within our school site. The Chapel Champions along with the School Choir will lead the service and we are delighted to welcome Fr Richard and Mrs Tracey Sessions to join the school family during the afternoon. We look forward to every child being able to access this space from Term 4 onwards.
Safer Internet Day: Tuesday 25th February will be celebrated during the school day with the theme “Too good to be true”? How can we learn to protect ourselves and others from scams online.
Year 4 SKERN Residential: Children in Year 4 will depart on the morning of Friday 28th February and return to school on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd March after a fun packed weekend.
Parents’ Evening: Taking place on Tuesday March 11th and Thursday March 20th from 3.30pm - 6.00pm. This is a great opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with their teacher. Further information will provided with booking online at the beginning of Term 4.
World Book Day: Thursday 6th March, this will be a fun packed day focussed on the love of reading and children are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. Please encourage your child to start thinking about their favourite characters from the books they love. More details to follow.
Feast Day Mass: Friday 7th March at 9.15am celebrated in the St John the Baptist Parish Church - all welcome!
Reminders
Please ensure your child arrives at school on time every day - school gates open at 8.30am and close at 8.45am
School uniform must be worn daily; if you need assistance, please contact the office.
A huge thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support. Your involvement in our school community is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you do to support your child’s learning. Particular thank you to the Parent Representatives who dedicate their own time to work in partnership with the school and strengthen our wonderful community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Warm regards,
Mrs K O'Rourke
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Jubilee Launch Day – A Celebration of Hope
Fri 07 Feb 2025Jubilee Launch Day – A Celebration of Hope
Last Friday, our school community came together to celebrate the launch of the Jubilee Year, focusing on the theme of hope. Each class explored the story of Noah’s Ark, reflecting on what they are hopeful for in their own lives. The children responded to the scripture with beautiful artwork and thoughtful poetry, showcasing their creativity and faith.
Beyond the classroom, some of our Year 5 & 6 Chapel Champions led a special reflection in the school hall. Classes visited throughout the day, taking time to reflect and contribute to a collaborative whole-school art piece—a meaningful expression of our shared hopes.
It was a truly inspiring start to what promises to be an exciting and enriching year.
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and family members who visited classrooms to engage with the children about their learning. Your support and involvement make these moments even more special.
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New House Saints
Fri 07 Feb 2025New House Saints
We are updating our house Saints to better reflect modern life and inspire our children in meaningful ways. While our traditional saints have guided us well, we want to choose Saints whose lives and missions connect more directly with today’s world—especially in areas like technology, social justice and caring for the environment.
For example, alongside beloved Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, who teaches us about respect for nature, we will have Blessed Carlo Acutis, a role model for using technology for good. These changes will help our children see how faith can be lived out in today’s world. The colours of the House groups your child is currently in will remain the same.
Saint Rose (Red) = Blessed Carlo Acutis (To be canonized a Saint on 27th April 2025)
Saint Dominic (Yellow) = Saint Don Bosco
Saint Anthony ( Green) = Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Teresa (Blue) = St Mother Teresa
In our assembly today, the house captains encouraged the children to research their new house Saint at home and share with them anything they found out.
Thank you for your support as we continue to grow in faith together!
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Letter from Mrs O'Rourke
Mon 27 Jan 2025Dear Families,
I want to start with a huge 'Thank you' for your support and encouragement with our new approach to allowing children to have access to high quality daily play. I will revisit my vision for our school to be the guardians of childhood. All the staff team are fully committed to ensure child have access to a safe environment and choices as to how and where they play every day.
The OPAL (Outdoor Play And Learning) scheme has now been delivered for a full week and there has been much laughter, joy, learning mixed with rain and mud! Each Friday morning the school family join to celebrate our week and listen to the health and safety messages that are essential to making our play offer successful. The children have been reminded to live out our Catholic Social Teaching themes of 'Stewardship' and 'Rights and Responsibilities' whilst playing. Knowing that we are the stewards of our common home and that we must be responsible for our choices. We will continue to support the children in an age appropriate way and are so impressed with how they are embracing our new approach to the school day.
We have had the most wonderful couple of weeks of learning. I hope you enjoy reading about the high quality experiences the children have had the opportunity to engage with. The team at St John's are working incredibly hard to ensure the curriculum and wider school offer is challenging, fun and engaging.
Today schools in the Clifton Diocese have launched the 'Jubilee Year of Hope' and we are very excited to learn more about how we can live out our faith during this special jubilee year. We look forward to welcoming you into the classrooms so that the children can share their work marking the launch of the Jubilee Year.
Finally, a reminder we will be celebrating Children's Mass together on Sunday 26th January at 10.30am at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, everyone is very welcome.
Wishing you a peaceful weekend,
Mrs O'Rourke
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Letter from Mrs O'Rourke
Fri 10 Jan 2025Dear Families,
Happy New Year to all our children, families, governors and friends! This year we enter the Jubilee Year of Hope - which we will be launching on Friday 24th January.
It is wonderful to welcome all the children back to school and they have looked incredibly smart in their school uniform - a big thank you to the parents for their continued support. Please ensure all winter uniform is labelled which reduces the chances of coats/scarves/hats/gloves being lost.
We ended Term 2 with the most incredible Carol Service in St John the Baptist Catholic Church. It was a truly inspirational way to celebrate the joy of Christmas and unite together as a school family. The singing was simply beautiful - in particular a huge well done to Alex in Year 3 who opened the service with a stunning solo. Our readers again were reverent and allowed us to reflect on the important message that the season of Christmas brings. Our closing carol of the twelve days of Christmas sang by each class brought joy and the festivities alive! Huge thank you to all the adults that made this possible including Fr Richard, the families who attended, Catherine and Richard O'Mahony by supporting the fantastic music and the Friends of St John's who provided much welcomed coffee and mince pies after the service. We look forward to repeating again in 2025!
We are officially now an OPAL school and I am confident your child/children will be talking to you about the opportunity for quality play everyday - please do read and action the letter we have sent out today.
On a safety note please can adults remember that when they are parked outside of the school building that they switch off their car engines. I appreciate the weather is cold during January but we have many cars omitting dangerous fumes outside of the school gates on a daily basis. Please also remember that parking inside of the care home car park is not supported by the school. We are all responsible for our actions and please consider the needs of our community - in particular the frail and elderly who need medical support with limited mobility.
Wishing you all a relaxing weekend and look forward to the children returning to school on Monday for another challenging and exciting week of learning.
Kind Regards
Mrs O’Rourke
