Dear Families,

What a wonderful week of sports days we have had this week. Children showed great skill and tenacity in each of the events. It was great to see even the youngest children supporting each other and showcasing their amazing sports skills. Thank you to all the parents and family members who joined us. It was lovely to have you with us.  Sadly, the rain called off  Y5’s events but this will be rescheduled and we will let you know when it will take place.

We have lots of exciting trips and events over these last few weeks. Please check the calendar and your inbox for key information. Year 4 and 5 are visiting Hackney Empire on Tuesday 9th July to see Apollo Music play. Apollo Music have been running workshops over the year and this will be a wonderful experience for the children at the theatre. Children in Years 3-6 who are part of the choir are performing at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 9th July. What an amazing space to perform in! Look out for photos and enjoy the show if you’re attending. Year 3 are heading to the Hackney School of Food on Thursday 11th July. This is a special kitchen classroom located at the back of Mandeville Primary School in Lower Clapton. To find out more, see here: https://www.hackneyschooloffood.com/

Wishing Year 6 a wonderful time at Southend on Monday 8th July.

Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes,

Ms Toni Mason

Cultural Appreciation Day

On Tuesday 16th July 2024, we are celebrating Cultural Appreciation Day. We are asking all children to dress up in clothes that are meaningful to their culture or heritage. Children could also (or instead) bring in an item that is important to them too that represents their culture or heritage. Children will have the opportunity throughout the day to share their clothes and/or items and we can all learn about different parts of the worlds, different cultures and more about our heritages. One of the most special things about St John the Baptist is how we are as a community so diverse and Cultural Appreciation Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate this.

Summer Fayre Tombola Non-School Uniform Day

In preparation for the Summer Fayre, next Friday 12^th July 2024, children can come to school dressed in their own clothes.

Please make sure that clothes are appropriate for weather and lessons (i.e. if it is a P.E. day, it is appropriate for the lesson).

Instead of a gold coin donation, we are asking for families to donate a prize that we can use at the Summer Fayre for use on the Tombola.

Prize ideas include, but are not limited to:

• • • Toiletries (i.e. hand lotion, shampoo etc)
    • Soaps and candles
    • Games and toys
    • Bottles (i.e fizzy drinks/juice etc)
    • Sweet treats (i.e. cakes and sweets)

Anything we could use would be fantastic and all donations will be greatly appreciated!

Year 6 Production

Next week on Thursday 11th July, year 6 are very excited to showcase their production performance of ‘Let Loose’.  Children and staff have been working very hard and are excited about being able to share their talents and efforts with their families.

If you have a child in Year 6, please see your emails to find out about the arrangements for next Thursday and how to purchase a ticket for the show.

We definitely have some potential actors and performers in many of the year groups throughout the school!

Hackney Shed

If you believe your child is interested in performance arts, please click the link below for more information about ‘Hackney Shed’.  ‘Hackney Shed’ is an inclusive theatre company for children from the age of 7-25.  There are no auditions, no barriers and families just pay what they can afford to for their child to attend.  

Link: https://www.hackneyshed.org.uk/

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, 2 £30 gift cards, a £30 Waterstones voucher, Yummy order of Cupcakes and biscuits 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

Ice Lolly Stall

Next Friday (and any sunny Fridays) 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. Unfortunately, if it is wet, we won’t be selling ice lollys.

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

In the news this week…