Newsletters

Friday 20th October 2023

At St Joseph's we have MAKER Spirit !

This week, Mrs McFarlane was so proud to meet with the children who had excelled this term in showing real MAKER Spirit.

The students enjoyed a special treat of cakes and hot chocolate and told Mrs McFarlane all about their achievements. Throughout this half-term we have been focusing on the following MAKER spirits - 

Resilience, Collaboration, Creativity and Curiosity

Next half-term, we shall be thinking about being innovative, critical and autonomous. Mrs McFarlane can't wait to reward our top achievers with a similar treat!

MAKER Spirit Tea Parties -

Resilience 

“….Sometimes you have to do things even when they are tricky. You have to try your best to get on with people, even if they are not your favourite people. You should always be kind." Emily 

“You shouldn't just try to be resilient or show other MAKER spirits - just to win an award, you should always be yourself." Frankie 

Collaborative Learning 

 “Always be positive, never be a negative team player ! You have to be upbeat and supportive in what you say. Put others first.” Will 

“Working together and being supportive of the rest of your group is so important. You have to speak clearly - you can't be collaborative with others if you can't talk to them properly.” Amelia 

“Always be kind and let others know you are there to support them. You should say positive things to your friends. Should encourage others.” Lula 

“ Offer people help when they need it. You can cheer others on.

You should include everyone - it's all about the team !” Paul 

“Be kind to others …and the cakes are so nice ! Yummy hot chocolate too !” Holly 

“It's all about sharing.” Abigail 

Creative Learning

“I think there are many ways to be creative, for example in your writing and in your art.” Sophie

“You think beyond stuff and are creative with stuff. Like in English and maths, you go beyond what you have been asked to do.” 

“You should show the MAKER Spirit everywhere, not just in school.”

“To think big, you have to think small. If you are an author and the deadline is tomorrow ….you have to write a good book…so base it on something you like and know “ Shrihan

“Maybe thinking out of the box, getting new ideas that no one else had thought of.” Joshua.

“ You can't be creative if you don't go outside of the box.”

Curious Learners

“My mum said that I was born curious. You get smarter every time you ask a question.” Freddie

“If you ask questions you learn lots of things.” Mason 

“It's useful to ask questions to get answers and know what the teacher is teaching.” Caleb

“Curious does not mean asking random questions all of the time, it means wanting to know more about specific topics and then using that information to improve !” Darah 

 Congratulations to the children who were awarded a Maker Spirit certificate for 

Being Curious

Lacie, Mason, Freddie, Kaleb, Darah and Caleb

These children have demonstrated a curious mind by looking closely, asking questions and constantly seeking out new information. They enjoy discovering what there is to discover and enjoy the process that comes along with this goal.  As a curious mind is more engaged it also results in the person being more observant, meaning that they are more likely to recognise new opportunities or new aspects that emerge. As a result, a curious person is more likely to uncover properties that might have otherwise remained hidden to other people.

 We need your help. 

Do you have any recycling items which could be used for our Maker Spaces? After half-term we are planning a variety of exciting events and we would be very grateful for any recyclable materials such as large boxes, cardboard, drain pipes, egg boxes, tubes, bottle tops or anything unusual.

Year 1 Exploring Wetlands

On Wednesday Year 1 visited Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve.

Centenary Riverside has a lagoon, pond, river and wildflower meadow habitats to explore. During the two-hour workshop, the children experienced pond dipping and went on a mini-beast hunt. They learnt about flooding and how wetlands like Centenary Riverside help protect our homes and provide a home for nature at the same time! 

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Special Day of Prayer

In view of the situation in Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis has asked us all to join in a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace on Friday 27th October. 

Year 3 Wet felting 

Year 3 had another amazing afternoon on Tuesday with a visit from The Art Room. First, the children listened to an explanation of the felting process and found out that Merino wool is used. Then they began to create a large felted picture of the BFG. The children had to pull small amounts of wool from the skein and lay it in different directions.

They gradually built up the layers, alternating the direction of the wool before spraying with warm soapy water.

Then the children had to rub in circular motions before rolling out all the excess water

All the children also made some small felt balls to represent the dreams in a dream jar.

It was absolutely splendiferous

All parents and carers are invited to join us for a

Tea & Coffee Afternoon on Thursday 9th November at 2-3pm in the School Hall. 

Jacqui Wright will be leading an information session on Anxiety. This will be an opportunity to meet with other parents, as well as Jan Roulson (Learning Mentor), Jacqui Wright (Educational Mental Health Practitioner) and Hannah Fern (SENCo).

If you are interested in coming along, please confirm your attendance by emailing Hannah Fern send@st-josephs.sheffield.sch.uk or by contacting the school office.

Forest Schools

Year 2 are really enjoying their Forest School sessions on a Wednesday afternoon. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. It helps the children to develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. It creates a safe, non-judgemental nurturing environment for pupils to try stuff out and take risks. Forest School inspires a deep and meaningful connection to the world and an understanding of how the children fit in it. This approach to risk means that the children constantly expand on their abilities by solving real-world issues, building self-belief and resilience. Forest School therefore, helps participants to become, healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.

Team work , risk takers and innovators.

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Your attendance counts

Good school attendance gives children the best start in life. The academic and social benefits of good school attendance help children throughout their childhood and later in life.

In the last few years, the number of children missing days of school has increased and it is a priority in Sheffield, and in the rest of the country, to turn this around. We can all work together to improve children’s school attendance.

Being on time matters too, as being late for school can be disruptive to children and their friends in class. 

We want children to be in school every day, on time and ready to learn!

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 16th October 2023

Our whole school attendance target for this academic year (23/24) is 96.5%

Follow the link below for further information:

NHS 'Is my child too ill for school?' guidance

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Autumn Half term – 23rd to 27th October

Mon 30th October – Pupils return to school

Tues October 31st - Y6 Internet Safety South Yorkshire Police

Wed 1st Nov - Mass@10am The Solemnity of All Saints, Holy Day of Obligation      

Mon 6th November - Y2 visit to The Deep - please note change of date

Tues 7th November - Y4 Viking Workshop

Thurs 9th November - Tea & Coffee afternoon 2- 3pm in the school hall

Fri 10th November - Remembrance Day

Mon 13th - Fri 17th November - Anti-bullying week

Sat 18th November - Open Morning 9:30 - 12pm

Fri 1st December - Blessing of Advent Wreaths

Wed 13th December - Infant Nativity 2pm

Thurs 14th December - Infant Nativity 2pm

Fri 15th December - Y5 Cannon Hall Farm

Fri 15th December - Infant Party

Mon 18th December - Elf Day

Tues 19th December - Carols in Church 2pm

Wed 20th December - Breakfast with Santa

Thurs 21st December - Christmas Jumper Day

Thurs 21st December - KS2 Party

Friday 22nd December – School finishes at 1:30pm  

Christmas Break – 25th December – 5th January 

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