

Dear Families,
As we approach another busy and exciting week in the life of our school, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our Open Classroom Morning on Thursday.
It was wonderful to welcome so many of you into school and to hear such positive feedback about your experience. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with every parent who completed a feedback form saying they would recommend an Open Morning at St John the Baptist to other families.
What stood out most in the feedback was what visitors noticed about our children and our classrooms. Parents commented on the calm, purposeful atmosphere throughout the school, the excellent behaviour and engagement of pupils, and the positive relationships between staff and children. Many were particularly impressed by the confidence with which children spoke about their learning, their ability to explain their thinking and reasoning, and the way they worked both collaboratively and independently.
Parents also valued the opportunity to see first-hand how mathematics is taught across the school, including the emphasis we place on problem solving, reasoning and developing deep understanding. It was pleasing to hear that many left with a greater understanding of how we support all learners and maintain high expectations for both learning and behaviour.
The feedback was a wonderful reflection of the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our staff and, most importantly, of our fantastic children, who represented our school so brilliantly.
Finally, I hope to see many of you tomorrow at the St John’s Hoxton Church Summer Fayre. It promises to be a fantastic community event and a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate. I also hope that many of you have booked a ticket and will be able to join us on Tuesday at 6.00pm for St John’s Hoxton’s special 200-year anniversary service as we mark this significant milestone in the church’s history.
Warm regards,
Ms Toni Mason
School Community Dates & Events
Summer Term – 2nd Half

Annual Chess Fest in Upon Us
This year’s annual ChessFest is being held in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 12th July. We are really proud of how the children at SJB have stepped up to learn this fascinating and strategic game which teaches so many skills and this event is a great way to celebrate that success. Whether you’re new to the game or you’ve been playing in a number of our tournaments against other Hackney schools this year (we’re currently sitting 2nd in the Hackney league), this free event will be a lot of fun for the whole family. See the poster below for more information.

Hot Weather Next Week
Current forecasts suggest that temperatures are likely to be very high next week. The leadership team is currently reviewing arrangements to ensure that children remain safe, comfortable and able to learn effectively during periods of hot weather. We will share any additional information with families next week if required.
A range of measures are already in place, including:
- Regular reminders and opportunities for children to drink water throughout the day.
- Potential rellocation of classes to cooler spaces in the school.
- Additional shaded areas in the playground, including parasols.
- Reduced physical exertion during breaktimes, lunchtimes and PE lessons.
- Increased opportunities for rest in shaded areas.
- Keeping classrooms as cool as possible through ventilation, fans and use of blinds where appropriate.
- Flexibility around outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
To support us, please ensure that your child:
- Brings a named water bottle to school every day (unless they use a school bottle)
- Drinks plenty of water before and after school to stay hydrated.
- Arrives at school wearing sun cream.
- Brings a labelled bottle of sun cream if they wish to reapply it before outdoor activities.
Thank you for your support in helping us keep children safe and comfortable during the warmer weather.
Helping Children Stay Safe Online

The internet offers amazing opportunities for learning, creativity and staying connected, but it can also expose children to inappropriate images, harmful content and unwanted contact. Social media and video platforms use algorithms that quickly suggest more and more content, which can sometimes lead children towards material that is not suitable for their age.
One of the simplest and most effective steps parents can take is to switch on parental controls. These can help filter inappropriate content, manage screen time, restrict purchases and provide a safer online experience across devices and home broadband. They are not a substitute for conversations and supervision, but they are an important first line of defence.
We also encourage families to:
- Talk regularly with your child about what they do online.
- Ask them to show you their favourite games, apps and websites.
- Encourage them to tell a trusted adult if they see anything that worries or upsets them.
- Review privacy settings and parental controls regularly as children grow and technology changes.
For more information, practical advice and step-by-step guides to setting up parental controls, visit the UK Safer Internet Centre’s Parents and Carers Hub:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
You can also find specific guidance on parental controls here:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/parental-controls
Next Week’s Lunch Menu

Please see School Uniform Order Deadlines for Brigade:
KEY SUMMER DEADLINE DATES – Order early to avoid the Back to School rush!
Direct to School (Delivery to School) – Order by Friday 12th June for free delivery to school before the summer holidays*
*From Saturday 13th June, all orders will switch to Parents Direct (Home Delivery).
Parents Direct (Home Delivery) – Order by Friday 17th July for delivery before the new September term.
Wholesale Orders – Order by Friday 12th June for delivery to school before the end of the summer term.
Web: www.brigade.uk.com
Lost Property: Do you recognise these glasses left behind at SJB?

Please speak to the office if you recognise these glasses!
Charity Mud Run

A Filming Opportunity for Families

Clubs/Sports

In the news over the past week…