Newsletters

Friday 27th March 2026 

 Holy Week

Next week we begin the final part of our Lenten journey in school as we move into Holy Week. This is a precious time for all of us to slow down, pause, pray, and gently walk with Jesus as a family.

Each afternoon, we will gather for a special Holy Week assembly in St Joseph’s Church, and you are all invited to join us. Your presence makes these moments even more meaningful for the children.

Palm Sunday: We remember Jesus being welcomed with joy. If you’re able, attend Mass and chat with your child about welcoming Jesus into our hearts.

Holy Thursday: A day of love and service. Sharing a simple meal or doing a small act of kindness as a family can make this day beautifully memorable.

Good Friday: A quiet, reflective day. You might pause at 3pm or light a candle together.

Holy Saturday: A gentle day of waiting and hope.

Easter Sunday: Celebrate the joy of Jesus’ Resurrection with a grateful heart , Mass, and family traditions.

May this Holy Week fill your home with peace, love, and blessing.

 

Last Friday, we enjoyed our very first “Bunny Hop” in support of Weston Park Hospital. The children looked wonderful in their bunny ears and tails, kindly provided by the Hospital’s Charity Trust.

We spent our “Afternoon of Hoppiness” enjoying a range of fun activities on the playground, all brilliantly organised by Mrs Trewick. The children hopped, skipped and ran their way around Mason’s Mile, filling the afternoon with smiles, laughter and excitement. To make the day even more special, we were joined by Westy and the team from the Charity Trust, who brought extra energy and encouragement.

A huge thank you to all of you for your generous donations towards this excellent cause. We set ourselves a target of £250, and we completely smashed it — raising £334 !

The Weston Park Charity team will also be at Meadowhall this weekend, promising even more fun for families who’d like to pop by and say hello.

Your kindness and support mean so much, and together we have made a real difference for Weston Park Hospital. Thank you for helping our children experience the joy of giving and community spirit.

As part of our ongoing fundraising for the new school spiritual garden, we are excited to announce that the school has been kindly donated three large Easter Hampers!

Any donation of £2 or more via the Gateway will enter your child’s name into the draw to win one of these beautiful hampers. A parent has generously donated the hampers, and we are so grateful for their support.

Don’t miss this chance to support our school project and maybe bring home a special Easter treat!

A Huge Thank You to Our PTA

A huge thank you goes to our incredible PTA, who have been working tirelessly this term to support our school family. Their dedication makes such a difference!

 Our PTA Chair, Jack, sourced 20 laptops for the children to use in school. This is a fantastic contribution that will have a direct and immediate impact on learning.

Mother’s Day Wrap: The children loved having the chance to buy a special treat for their mums – such a thoughtful and fun initiative.

School Disco: After being postponed a couple of times, the children were thrilled to finally enjoy the disco in school – laughter and dancing filled the hall!

St Joseph’s Day Treat: To celebrate St Joseph’s Day, the PTA treated everyone to ice cream and lollies from the legendary Joe’s Ices, making the day extra special.

 Save the date! This year’s Summer Fair will be happening on Sunday, 5th July – definitely a date for your diary!

The PTA are always looking for parent volunteers. If you could spare some time to support their efforts, please pass your details to Mrs Gilbert in the school office.

We are so grateful for all the PTA’s hard work and generosity – thank you!

 

We had a brilliant Rock Steady concert this term !

All the bands showed great confidence performing to our fantastic audience – thank you so much for coming along to support our wonderful bands.

If you would like to sign up for Rock Steady lessons visit Rocksteadymusicschool.com

This year, our school introduced a whole-school Lenten Retreat, St Josephs Way of The Cross. 

We also celebrated the Feast of St Joseph on 19th March, a key moment in our liturgical life. Children attended Mass at St Joseph’s Church before taking part in creative activities exploring St Joseph as the ultimate “maker.” Inspired by his work as a carpenter, the children reflected on how they can use their own gifts and creativity to help others, deepening their understanding of the values of our school patron saint.

These special experiences help our pupils grow in faith and understanding, supported by the strong links we have with our parish.

 

 

 

The CAFOD Big Lent Walk

Once again, every class in school took part in The CAFOD Big Lent Walk! The children walked in different slots throughout the day – Reception and KS1 completed 30-minute sessions, while KS2 walked for an hour slot .

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in sponsoring the children on this special walk. Together, we raised a fantastic total of £70 for CAFOD, helping to support communities in need around the world.

Well done to all our children for their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to this important cause – you should all be very proud!

Praying the Stations of the Cross with your kids - Teaching Catholic Kids

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful Mrs George for once again guiding us through our Lenten journey. She took each class into church for the Stations of the Cross, helping the children reflect on this important part of Holy Week.

This meaningful tradition is something we look forward to every year, and it plays such an important role in helping the children understand the true spirit of Lent.

We are also so grateful for the strong link with our parish, which allows our children to experience these special moments of faith in such a supportive community.

We truly appreciate Mrs George’s time, care, and dedication in supporting our school familys spiritual growth.

 

Parents’ Guide: Social Media 

Social media can be exciting, but for primary-aged children, it’s important to keep it safe and age-appropriate. Most platforms are for ages 13+, so for younger children, encourage child-friendly apps or online activities with strong safety settings.

Talk and listen: Ask your child about who they are chatting with and how online posts make them feel. Open conversation builds trust.

Set boundaries: Agree on screen time, privacy settings, and rules about sharing personal information or photos.

Teach kindness and respect: Remind children that words and images online can have lasting effects, just like in real life.

Stay involved: Use parental controls, monitor activity gently, and lead by example with your own online behaviour.

Top Tips for Parents

  • Encourage open, judgment-free conversations.
  • Set clear screen time limits.
  • Use privacy settings and parental controls.
  • Model positive online behaviour yourself.
  • Remind children to be kind and thoughtful online.

With guidance and conversation, social media can be a safe, positive experience for children.

 

Whole School Attendance – 95.6%

Reception – 93.7%

Year 1–96%

Year 2–95%

Year3 - 97%

Year 4–97%

Year 5–96 %

Year 6–95%

 

A Family Prayer for Holy Week
Lord Jesus, as we walk with you through this Holy Week, we place our worries about our families and friends into your loving hands. We thank you for all the blessings you give us each day. As we travel through these solemn days from Palm Sunday to Easter morning, help us to remain close to you and care for each other as you care for us. Keep our family safe from harm, and help us to grow in faith and love.

Amen.