Dear Families,

It has been wonderful to see some sunshine this week. Hopefully the weather continues to be warm and sunny in the next few weeks. Please ensure your child is wearing sunscreen before coming to school and has a hat for playtimes.

This week the children have been showcasing all their learning in their end of year assessments. This information will be shared with their new teachers to ensure a smooth transition in September. Children will get to meet their new teacher on Monday 22nd July. Parents/carers will also have the opportunity to meet teachers at 8:45am on Wednesday 17th July.

Next week we are looking forward to our Sports Days. The dates and times are below. We welcome family members to join in and take part in all of the sports as well as the children. All events will take place in the playground. Gates will open from 9:15am and 1:45pm. See you there!

We are looking to expand the opportunities children attending St John the Baptist have for individual and small group instrumental lessons from September 2024. We are sending out a survey to see what interest you have for your children to have these opportunities. The lessons will be run by SING Music. Previously this was just to children in years 4-6. We want to expand this to include younger children. The results of the survey will decide which instrumental lessons are offered. The possible instruments available for instruction are Keyboard, Guitar (Year 3 up), Ukulele, Singing & Violin. Lessons would be for 30 minutes each, scheduled during the school day; they would be individual (£ 23.50 per session) or in small groups (No more than 5 – £10.50 per session) This is 2024/25 prices. All teachers are skilled, passionate music graduates, dedicated to sharing their love for music with children. Click here for the survey

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes,

Ms Toni Mason

Sports Days!

Next week we will be hosting our Sports Days at school. Please ensure that your child is wearing their P.E kit on their day. We welcome parents to come and watch their children in action, please make sure that you are wearing trainers as we will be doing a parents race!

Ned’s Mindset Performance at School

We welcomed Ned’s Mindest Mission into school for a special assembly for years 1-6.

Many children have been talking about Never giving up, Encouraging others and Doing your best. It was a positive behaviour assembly filled with storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks and humour. We still have some Yo-yos for sale. If you would like to order any, please pop into the office and order.

Free swimming through 10×10 Programme

In a partnership with 10×10 and Better, we are offering intensive swimming lessons this summer for Year 5 and Year 6 students who have not yet learned to swim confidently. This initiative is generously funded by Sport England.

The program includes two weeks of intensive swimming lessons at Better Leisure Centres in Hackney pools. To ensure every child has the necessary equipment, the 10×10 funding provides swimming costumes, goggles, and swimming hats, including soul caps for braided hair. Additionally, each participating child will receive a year’s membership to their local pool and free swims for their parents or carers, aiming to foster ongoing swimming confidence.

Swimming Sign up link

10×10 is a new initiative that launches on Wednesday 10th July for families from 4:15-6:00pm at the Assembly Rooms, Hackney Town Hall. The aim is to support every child in Hackney to achieve 10 activities by the time they are 10 years old and there will be a host of activities and people from around the borough to meet.

SJB Summer 2 important dates

Summer Fayre 2024

Summer Fayre Raffle

We are selling raffle tickets in the office for £1 per strip. We have great prizes up for grabs such as hampers, a skateboard, an air fryer and many more fantastic prizes! We will be drawing the raffle at our summer Fayre on 22nd July.

Badu Summer Camp

 The Badu Camp Team are now taking bookings for the summer camp 2024.

The Summer Multi Sports Camp  & Football Camp are taking place at:

Address:- City Academy, Homerton Row, London E9 6EA

Monday 29th July –  Friday 23rd August 2024

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 to purchase new books , replenish the ice lollies and resources for our summer fayre. Please remember to bring cash, especially if the sun is shining!

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.

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…