Newsletters

Friday 7th June 2024 

 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today, Friday 7th June, is the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is an important feast, commemorating Jesus’ burning love for all of us, and made more prominent by the visions of St Margaret Mary in the 17th century. The celebration is associated with the physical heart of Jesus Christ and the wound it received when Jesus was dying on the cross. The heart is seen to symbolise Jesus Christ’s divine love for humanity.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque had a series of visions over a period of 18 months between 1673 and 1675. In one of her visions, on June 16 1675, Jesus asked her to request that the Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated on the Friday after the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi, 19 days after Pentecost. Saint Margaret Mary’s visions popularised the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you”

PSQM Press Release May 2024

St Joseph’s Primary School

Awarded Primary Science Quality Mark Gilt

Primary Science Quality Marks have been awarded to 198 nursery, infant, junior, primary, middle, international and special schools this month to celebrate their commitment to excellence in science leadership, teaching and learning.  So far, since its national launch in 2010, more than 5000 Primary Science Quality Marks (PSQM) have been awarded, creating a solid foundation of quality science education for over 1,000,000 children.  

PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations.  

The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Helen Sizer, PSQM Co-Director said: ‘By enabling effective science leadership, PSQM is powering the potential of all children to see the relevance and importance of science in their lives, now and in the future.  Schools that have achieved a Primary Science Quality Mark have demonstrated a significant commitment to science leadership, teaching and learning and the profile and quality of science in each accredited school is very high. Science subject leaders, their colleagues, headteachers, children, parents and governors should be very proud.”

For more information, please contact:

PSQM@herts.ac.uk

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Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure doesn’t just boost reading skills. According to research from the British Educational Research Journal, it can also improve children’s maths and general knowledge. 

They found that while reading for pleasure had a greater impact on vocabulary, there was ‘a substantial link to progress in maths.’ The impact reading for pleasure had on maths was significantly greater than that of other ‘cultural capital indicators,’ such as playing a musical instrument, and was not strongly linked to parental social background. 

Their research suggested that there was a ‘positive link between leisure reading and cognitive outcomes,’ and that reading for pleasure actively increased this progress.

Similarly, it has been found that reading for pleasure was linked with both greater general knowledge and greater resistance to misinformation. ‘Regardless of their general knowledge,’ more avid readers showed greater general knowledge in areas relevant to life, according to their research. 

Finally, reading for pleasure has been linked to higher child wellbeing. A survey by the National Literacy Trust found that children who were more engaged with literacy (measured through reading and writing for pleasure) had ‘better mental wellbeing than their peers.’ 

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St Joseph's Baby News

Many congratulations to Mr Findler who welcomed a new baby girl named Nova, into his family just before the holiday.  Both Mum and baby are doing well, and we all wish them much joy at this exciting time.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates 

Wed 12th June - Year 3 visit Kelham Island

Fri 14th June - Friends of St Joseph's Fathers Day Wrap

Mon 17th June - Year 6 Crucial Crew

Tues 18th June - Year 6 Bikeabilty - please note change of date

Wed 19th June - Francophone Day

Mon 24th June - Wellbeing Week

Weds 26th June - Sports Day

Thurs 4th July - Festival of Art

Tues 9th July - Hallam Diocese Schools' Pilgrimage to Padley (Y6)

Fri 12th July - School Prom

Mon 15th July - Year 6 Performance

Fri 19th July -1:30pm End of Summer Term

Summer Break - 22nd July - 3rd Sept

Wed 4th Sept - Pupils return to school

A new National Framework for Penalty Notices will come into effect on 19th August 2024.

From this date, the fine for school absences will be standardised across the country. Fines will be considered if a child has missed 10 or more sessions (equivalent to 5 days) for unauthorised reasons.

The fines will be set at £80 if paid within 21 days, and £160 if paid within 28 days. This adjustment aligns with inflation and represents the first increase since 2012.

Additionally, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, the fine will be set at the higher rate of £160. There will be a cap of two fines per parent within any three-year period. If this limit is reached, further actions such as a parenting order or prosecution will be considered.

In cases where prosecution occurs due to non-attendance, parents could face fines of up to £2,500.

It is important to note that money raised through these fines is used solely by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system and to fund attendance support initiatives. Any excess funds are returned to the government.

We understand the importance of regular school attendance for your child’s education and overall development. If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us at school.

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 3rd June 2024

Our whole school attendance target for this academic year (23/24) is 96.5%

Follow the link below for further information:

NHS 'Is my child too ill for school?' guidance

Scarlet Fever

We just want to let you know that there have been multiple confirmed cases of Scarlet Fever in school. Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects children and is easily treated by antibiotics. We have been in touch with the Health Protection Team who have advised us to increase hygiene measures in school. If your child has a temperature, sore throat, has difficulty swallowing, has a rash that looks like measles or feels at all unwell, please seek advice from your doctor, letting them know that they could have potentially been in contact with Scarlet Fever. More information can be found on the NHS website here:

NHS uk scarlet-fever

Please keep us informed of any illness

Labelling items

As the weather is getting warmer, children have been taking off their jumpers/cardigans and uniform is going missing. Please can you ensure that you are sending your child in with labelled uniform and that you are also checking the uniform that your child is coming home with and returning any uniform to school that is not theirs. 

Supporting Children's Mental Health:

10 Conversation Starters for Parents

Talking about mental health to children is sometimes hard. To the point that we can put off raising the subject, not wanting to unearth problems or raise overwhelming subjects that we perceive our child is too young or not ready for. But rather than keeping children in the dark, this guide is designed to help you confidently talk about mental health, so they feel comfortable talking about their own worries and end any stigma before it begins.

In the guide, you'll find tips such as talking about mental health naturally, being open and honest and asking twice.

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Friends of St Joseph's

The Friends of St Joseph's are holding a Father's Day Wrap on Friday 14th June.  They need help shopping for the gifts, wrapping the gifts and on the day helping the children choose their gifts. If you are able to help with any of these please contact the school office

Tickets (£3.00 each) will be available though the school gateway soon. 

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Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus,

I love You so much and I give You my heart. 

Help me to love God. 

Help me to love my neighbour as a child of God. 

Help me to love myself as a child of God. 

Amen