St Joseph's Ysgol Sant Joseff - Newyddion/News

Transition Time

1/7/2022

It’s transition time, at St Joseph’s and, as a nurturing school, we know that transitions are vital for pupil wellbeing.

Throughout the year we use a variety of strategies and interventions to encourage and support positive transitions. For example, some children struggle with transition from home to school - for these children 20 minutes in Crumpet Club, each morning, results in a much happier day in school. Others may struggle with transition from work to play (or vice-versa) - for these a key adult, by their side, with a carefully chosen word or two, can provide the safety and support they need.

Above are just a couple of examples of ‘everyday transitions’ but, at this time of year, we start to focus on the bigger transitions - those from one classroom (and teacher) to another. (For some, there is the even bigger leap into a new school.) So, this week, many children spent some time in their next class, with their new teachers. (The rest will get this opportunity next week) Also, Year 6 pupils spent most of the week up at their new high schools and came back smiling, so things must have been OK.

As part of our carefully planned transition, teachers will also be spending time observing children learning in their current class. There will also be ‘handover meetings’ in which each child is discussed in detail by the current and next class teacher. We will be preparing pupil and staff profiles so everyone can get to know one another. Early in Autumn Term, we will be holding parent/carer evenings so staff and parent/carers can get to know one another too. But why wait? Now you know who your child’s teacher is next year, why not say hello when you see them at the gate?

As we said to the children, this week, don’t hold on to worries or questions over the summer holidays - ask now. Our aim is that Monday 5th September is a day to look forward to - for child, parent/carer and teacher.

If we get transition right, the rest will follow.

Full Speed Ahead

24/6/2022

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks in school, where we’ve seen the return of lots of events and some new experiences.

It was great to see so many families at our sports day, last Friday and many new parents/carers for our Nursery/Reception open morning. We took a team to Colwyn Bay Cricket Club to compete in a schools cricket competition and had a local artist providing a workshop in school. We had another visit from the RNLI and a class went surfing, swimming and kayaking at Porth Eirias to learn about water safety. Children have visited Ysgol Eirias for taster sessions, been up the Orme on the tram and down the mines. We’ve had workshops to learn about the Senedd and some of our young musicians have performed for their classmates.

So many experiences and such a contrast to the limitations of the recent past.

1st Holy Communion (and the return of the school party)

28/5/2022

It was fantastic to see the return of a traditional St Joseph’s First Holy Communion Day. The sun shone, there were beautiful dresses, red ties and sashes, a full church, photographs, an after party in school and a beautiful cakes.

Congratulations to all the children and thank you to all those who prepared the children, organised and participated in the mass and prepared and served at the party.

It was a joy to see the parish returning to normal. Year 2, get ready, it will be your turn next year!

Platinum Jubilee Picnic

28/5/2022

What a fantastic event! The sun was shining and the wind not quite strong enough to blow down the bunting. The children loved their picnic lunch outside with party bags, music and special royal cakes and biscuits.

A massive thank you to the cooks for going to so much extra effort. The children loved it.

Thank you Gary

24/5/2022

We are sorry to say that our hardworking Caretaker, Gary Williamson, has decided to call it a day. His dedication to St Joseph’s, over many years, has been second to none. His pride in our school and his care for the building and grounds has made a huge difference. He will be impossible to replace. We know he will be greatly missed by staff, parents and pupils. On behalf of everyone, Gary, thank you for all you have done and we wish you all the best.

Here’s a reminder of him in action during the first lockdown https://fb.watch/dc9Ys4sRwT/

As I said, he will be impossible to replace but we do need to look for a new Caretaker, so if you know anyone who may be interested, ask them to contact school.

Mr J Wilkinson

Just another day in school…

8/4/2022

As we come to the end of a complete Spring Term (Who would have thought that would be something to celebrate two years ago?) I thought we’d just have a quick look around the school. This morning, I walked from Nursery to Year 6 and took a few pictures - nothing special, just everyday school. I know many of you would love to do the same and we hope regulations in summer term will allow parents on site. For now, a few photos will have to do…..

Finally, I want to mention a group of people who often go unnoticed and certainly don’t get too many thank-yous. This term we have only been able to keep classes open thanks to an army of supply teachers and teaching assistants. Most mornings start with Mrs Pritchard ringing Jack at the agency and begging him to magic the staff we need to cover another day. And he keeps delivering, not only the numbers we need, but good staff too. Staff who care about the children, take pride in their work and embrace working in St Joseph’s, even if it is for just one day. To Jack and each supply teacher or teaching assistant who has joined us this term, thank you. I suspect we will see some of you again in the Summer Term!

Have a happy, Holy Easter everyone and we’ll see you all on Tuesday 26th April.

Mr J Wilkinson

Supporting others

18/3/2022

Today, we wore red and collected money for Comic Relief. This will be used to support those in most need and we thank you for your contributions.

So, we helped people outside our school, but the week has also drawn my attention to children within our school with additional needs. St Joseph’s has always strived to offer the best education for these children and the work of those who support them sometimes goes under the radar. There’s a saying, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’. We’ve been missing a few staff, this week, which gave me the opportunity to see, first hand, the impact of the work to support these children. This work takes patience, skill, experience, empathy, humour, resilience, understanding and much, much more.

The highlight of my week? One small child, in the not too distant past, didn’t have many words or make eye-contact, was asked, ‘Where shall we go now?’, they looked up and replied, ‘Bikes’. Just one word told me everything I needed to know about the work being done in our school. Thank you to all - you make that difference each day.

Mr J Wilkinson

Good to be back…

11/3/2022

On Thursday many of our youngest children got to see inside a building they have been walking past for two years.

The return of Foundation Phase to school mass in St Joseph’s church was a wonderful occasion. Behaviour and respect were wonderful. The children listened well to Fr Vimal, they sang with enthusiasm, quietly said their prayers and looked in wonder at all around them. Year 2 children, who were chosen to read, did so clearly and confidently despite being a first time for many of them. Younger children brought up offertory gifts without a hesitant step. After mass, excited children pointed out the wonderful stained glass windows, the crucifix hanging from the ceiling and the shining gold on the altar. They said they wanted to come back to church again very soon.

It was good to be back.

Busy (and more like normal)

4/3/2022

A picture paints a thousand words and lots of pictures tell a long story. This week was action packed……..

Year 4 went to Pentre for three days of adventurous activity and were a credit to the school.

We celebrated Dydd Gwyl Dewi with music, craft, food and fun. Year 5 and 6 went on a special parade, with other Colwyn Bay schools, where they displayed wonderful banners made last year.

We made and ate pancakes.

We celebrated Ash Wednesday in our wonderful church.

We listened to, wrote and read stories and even had a visit from a local author for World Book Day.

We carried out activities and made displays for Fairtrade Fortnight.

As you can see, as Spring and daffodils bloom, we too have been growing in love this week.

A word about Breakfast Club

11/2/2022

This week, I had the privilege of spending some time in our Breakfast Club. Sadly, in the busyness of the school day we fail to notice things that are right in front of us. From 8.10am Monday to Friday approximately 50 children each day benefit from a free healthy breakfast and many parents are able to head to work. Three things struck me while I was there. Firstly, the way the staff have it organised is fantastic - it is a fine-tuned routine. Secondly, all the children are incredibly well behaved and cooperative. Finally, and this is the one that really made me stop and notice, the children sit, eat, chat, draw, play and smile throughout the session! It may be just a small part of our school, one you may not even know about, but sometimes it’s the little things that matter most.

Mr J Wilkinson

Our Breakfast Club is free and available to all children from Reception to Year 6 It can be accessed any time between 8.10am-8.30am. There is no need to book and your child can attend whenever necessary. Forms available on request.