Dear Parents and Carers, Happy New Year and welcome back to the spring term! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday season, filled with time to recharge and make wonderful memories with your loved ones. This week, we began...
Dear Parents and Carers,
Happy New Year and welcome back to the spring term! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday season, filled with time to recharge and make wonderful memories with your loved ones.
This week, we began with assemblies focused on New Year’s resolutions and the theme of fresh starts. It was inspiring to see the children’s enthusiasm as they shared their goals for the year ahead. Their determination to challenge themselves both in and out of the classroom is truly commendable, and I am confident that this positive mindset will lead to great achievements this term.
As we settle into the colder months, we are mindful that there are many cold and flu bugs going around. Please encourage your families to look after themselves by staying well-rested and maintaining healthy routines. Most importantly, remind children to wash their hands regularly and to catch their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow. Every day of school missed is valuable learning time lost, and together we can help minimise the spread of illnesses.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to another successful and productive term working in partnership with you.
Warm wishes,
Ms Toni Mason
Headteacher
As we embark on a new term, it’s a great time to establish positive habits that will set the tone for a successful year. At St. John the Baptist School, we believe that a well-balanced routine helps children thrive both academically and socially. Here are some practical tips to help families start the year strong:
A predictable routine gives children a sense of security and helps them manage their time effectively. Here’s how you can build a routine that works for your family:
Homework can be a valuable extension of learning, but it’s important to approach it in a way that reduces stress:
A happy, healthy child is better equipped to learn and grow. Focus on these areas to support their well-being:
Children learn by example, so show them how you handle routines, challenges, and self-care. When they see you managing your time and prioritising well-being, they are more likely to follow suit.
By focusing on these areas, you’re helping your child build a strong foundation for success this term. Let’s work together as a school community to support our children in flourishing in every aspect of their lives.
📅 When: Every Saturday, January 11, 18, and 25, 2025
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Where: Hackney Central Library, 1 Reading Lane, Hackney, E8 1GQ
Join Hackney Central Library for a fun-filled hour of stories and creative craft activities. Perfect for children under 11, this event encourages imagination and reading. It’s free, and no booking is required, just drop in!
📅 When: Saturday, January 13, 2025
🕒 Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Where: The Hive, 4-6 Ockendon Road, Hackney, E5 0PD
Families are invited to this gentle and fun yoga session designed for parents and young children. The session includes stretches, poses, and games that encourage bonding through movement. Free entry, but booking is essential, so check availability!
A few parents have recently asked for further explanation about our one-way system for collecting children, and we are grateful for the opportunity to clarify why this procedure is so important for safeguarding.
Having a one-way system ensures that children are always moving in a single, predictable direction, making them clearly visible to all staff. This means we can quickly identify and address any concerns.
We kindly ask that you do not call to your child to meet you at the exit gate. Until they are handed over to an agreed adult at the agreed location on site (the pith or EYFS door), we are legally responsible for their safety. Ensuring that an adult escorts each child from the school premises helps us fulfil this duty effectively.
Additionally, it is crucial that adults do not enter through the exit gate to collect children. Again, this causes a distraction from having a clear and predictable view of the movements of your children, especially as the class teachers are looking towards one direction for entering adults and may not see a parent or guardian taking a child from behind them.
Although we have never experienced a severe safeguarding incident during pick-up at SJB, as educators, we are often reminded of the potential consequences of not having strict procedures from colleagues in different school. We are committed to ensuring that such incidents never happen at St. John the Baptist.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions about our pick-up procedures, please make an appointment to speak with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Your support is invaluable in keeping all our children safe.
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