Dear Parents and Carers, As we come to the end of the term, I want to reflect on what a fantastic few months it has been here at St. John the Baptist. The progress our children have made, both academically and in...
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of the term, I want to reflect on what a fantastic few months it has been here at St. John the Baptist. The progress our children have made, both academically and in their all-around development, has been remarkable. It has been a joy to see their hard work and dedication pay off.
Our nativities were a resounding success, showcasing the amazing talents of our children. From acting to singing, they shone brightly, and the performances were truly memorable. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff who worked tirelessly to bring these productions to life. Your effort and commitment do not go unnoticed.
The Winter Fayre was another highlight of the term, and what a fayre it was! It was wonderful to see the hall packed with families enjoying the festive atmosphere. A huge thank you goes to the parent helpers who wrapped prizes, organised the tombola, created beautiful bundles of books, and helped setting up on the day. Thanks to all the staff who helped and the parents who did many laps with their children around all the activities.
Something I am exceptionally proud of this term is our children being recognised by external organisations for their achievements. Desdina in Year 5 deserves a special mention for her exceptional progress on Reading Plus. Her dedication to reading has been so impressive that the organisers at Reading Plus itself contacted us to highlight her achievements—something that has never happened before in all our years of using the program. She is an inspiration to us all.
Additionally, the children who attend Hackney Pirates after school on Wednesdays had their work professionally published in a book, which is a fantastic accomplishment. A group of these children were also praised by the centre for their hardworking attitudes, impeccable manners, and positivity. The quote from the centre said it all: “Your children are a credit to your school.” Hearing such feedback fills us with pride. As a result, Hackney Pirates has offered us five additional places for January—a testament to the excellent impression our children have made.
Thank you for your continued support this term. It has been busy but incredibly exciting and meaningful. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the festive season with your loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back safely on Tuesday, 7th January.
Warm wishes,
Ms Toni Mason
Headteacher
As we approach the holidays, it’s a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy fun and educational moments at home and in the local community. Here are some ideas to inspire your holiday plans:
Learning doesn’t stop at school, and these activities can be a wonderful way to keep children curious and engaged.
Please share this information with anyone you think may need it.
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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