Dear Families,

What a brilliant music performance by all our children today. It is so lovely to see so many children performing from our 3 year olds to our 11 year olds!

We were all the colours of the rainbow as we ‘Sang through the ages’.  It was ‘a lovely day’. Thanks to all the children for trying so hard to remember the words, tune and actions. You were fabulous! Thanks to all our families for helping to practise at home and sorting special clothes. Thanks to all the staff for the efforts – the children really shone. 

We have added the important dates poster to our website and included it below. We had to seperate the Coffee Mornings as there were so many dates altogether! Please make sure you add the dates to your diary. See below for our key dates and upcoming events.

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes,

Ms Toni Mason

SJB Summer 2 important dates

Summer Fayre 2024

Ned’s Mindset Performance at School

Years 1-6

We are delighted that on Monday we will be hosting a special assembly with Ned’s Mindest Mission!  It will take place in the afternoon of Monday 24th June for years 1 to 6.

NED’s Mindset Mission is a positive behaviour assembly where a world-class performer takes our students on a 45-minute journey filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks and humour.

NED’s tagline is: Never give up. Encourage others. Do your best.

For more information, please visit the NED’s project website here

As part of the experience, we will also be selling Ned’s Mindset yo-yo’s for pupils to use via the office. If you would like to order any, please pop into the office and order.

We were wearing yellow ribbons today

for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases.

The internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food. Cystic fibrosis is is genetically determined, so you can’t catch it. Around 10,800 people in the UK have cystic fibrosis. One in 25 of us carries the gene that causes it, usually without knowing. Within our school community there are families that know these challenges. We are learning more so we can support them!

Learning Disability Week 2024

Each year, the third week of June is Learning Disability Week. It is when we make sure the world hears what life is like if you have a learning disability.

This week in assembly we talked about the theme for this year’s Learning Disability Week which was “do you see me?”. “Do you see me?” is about challenging the barriers people with a learning disability face.

Special deal for Arcola Theatre Opera tickets

We have been offered a special deal for SJB families for a family friendly opera at Arcola Theatre in Dalston this summer (August) for primary school aged children. Please see the flyer! More info can be found here on the website: https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/mr-punch-at-the-opera/

Dates: 21st August – 24th August 2024

Details: MR PUNCH AT THE OPERA – A Family-friendly twist on La Serva Padrona – Join Mr Punch as he and his friends help the wiley Serpina get her man. With appearances from Judy, The Crocodile, a Cheeky Monkey, a band of singing Policemen and a host of others, this is the perfect introduction to classical music for children (and grown up kids) of all ages. Featuring stunning operatic vocals and beautiful melodies as well as all the twists, turns, gags and the uproar of your favourite pantomimes.

Primary Advantage Summer Art Exhibition

Open now at Dalston CLR James Library

Dalston Junction

Children from our 8 Primary Advantage schools have created artwork inspired by the theme ‘Voice’. This summer exhibition is at Hackney Central and Dalston CLR James Libraries.  Children in all year groups explored this topic in their art and each school has selected pieces to add to the Exhibition.

St John the Baptist has joined with Holy Trinity, St Matthias and DeBeauvoir Primary Schools to exhibit at Dalston CLR James Libnrary.

The exhibition is now open to families to visit during the Library’s opening hours. Classes from our school will also be visiting the exhibition. We are proud of our art and were inspired by many artists including Chris Ofili and Frida Kahlo. We used a range of medium from brusho inks and paints to collage. Don’t miss our space environment boxes where whole new worlds are visible through the holes. Hold up your camera to take a picture for a better view!

Ice Lolly Stall

Each Friday we will be selling ice lollies in the main playground. All money raised goes towards the school. Please remember to bring cash, especially if the sun is shining!

Vouchers for the Summer Holidays

Hackney Council will be funding the issue of FSM vouchers during the Summer 2024 holiday.

The value of the free school meal voucher for the Summer 2024 holiday  is £60 per child, which covers the whole of the Summer 2024 holiday. We are encouraging as many families as possible to sign up for free school meals so that you are able to access the voucher scheme which covers you for all half terms and holidays.

Please click here to sign up through the Hackney Education website. If you are having any issues please come into see Katy who will be able to help you with the process.

Nursery Applications – Apply Now!

Please spread the word to friends and neighbours if they have children who are 2 and 3 years-old – applications are now being considered. Apply quickly for 2 year-old and 3 year-old Nursery places if your (or their) child was born between Sept 1st 2020 and 31st Aug 2022.

All applications are now easier as they are online and with the new funding outlined by the government more parents can access FREE 2 year old and 3 year old Nursery places. Here is the link to apply.

Free and Fun… Hackney Wild Walks!

Hackney Wild Walks are three fun walks for children and their parents/carers with routes that take you around our beautiful borough. The aim of the walks is to get young children interested in exploring Hackney on foot, and encourage them to be more active. Adults will enjoy and benefit from the adventures too.  Each walk is a tour of some of Hackney’s iconic and unusual sites with a focus on themes aimed to engage children and young people.

What walks are available?

• • • Haggerston to Hoxton – see a giant snake and a mysterious stone circle
    • Hackney Marshes and Kingsmead – discover hidden playgrounds and the perfect spot for flying a kite
    • Woodberry Down and West Reservoir – encounter wizards and watery wonders   

For more information on how to take part, please click this link: https://www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk/kb5/hackney/localoffer/service.page?id=yJ9K7VG2b7w

Special Guest Assembly – Don’t forget to order a book!

We are delighted that CBeebies TV presenter, Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, is joining us for a special assembly on the Wednesday 26th June. Joanna has written an exciting faith-based children’s book, titled ‘What’s Up: 30 encouragements to fuel your faith’.

If you would like to pre-order a signed copy of the book, please complete the linked google form.  Otherwise, Joanna will be in our playground where you can meet her and potentially buy the book from her then.  The cost is £9.99.  See you there!

Upcoming Coffee mornings:

Look out for the poster!

Wednesday 3rd July – 8:45am Coffee Morning for Y6 parents  – Year 6 secondary transition: Helping your child transition into secondary 

Wednesday 17th July – 8:45am Coffee Morning – Meet the teacher (pop in to meet your child’s new teacher)

In the news this week…