Headteacher's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
I do hope that you and your families are keeping well?
The second week of term has been another good week in school, with the pupils now well established in their new term school routines. The children and young people have been fantastic in their response to transitioning back into school and we thank them for showing excellent cooperation, diligence and resilience during the first 2 weeks. Thank you for your efforts in supporting us, as parents, in the reopening of school after the summer holidays.
This week we received our new School minibus, which is sponsored by the Variety Club of GB. The Variety Club are fantastic partners of the school and have secured a personal sponsor, Michael Josephson MBE, who helped fund the Minibus and who is interested in developing further opportunities with SJV, in the future. Michael was impressed with what he saw in school and in our mission and handed over the keys to a brand new bus, which will support the many enrichment activities we arrange for our pupils in the local community. We are very grateful for his generosity and the Variety Club partnership, which Mrs Griffin leads so well for us.
A reminder please that on Friday 30th September we invite you to join us for a Coffee afternoon in the dining room from 1.30pm. We will be selling refreshments in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. You are very welcome to attend and support our first fundraising activity of the school year.
On Thursday 6th October we have planned our annual ‘Welcome Evening’ for parents. The evening will be an opportune time to welcome parents into school to see how the first month has gone. The evening will start at 5pm, with a welcome from the Senior Leadership Team and then Mrs Griffin, our Family Liaison Officer, will provide parents an opportunity to learn about how they can support their children to get the best of their schooling here at SJV. Following Mrs Griffin’s short presentation, Class Teachers will welcome you into your child’s classroom to meet the class team and learn about what we have planned for them, in terms of their learning at School for this academic year. From 6pm we will meet informally over refreshments with staff and all parents in the dining room, to answer any other questions you may have.
Please make every attempt to attend; it is vital we develop strong and lasting relationships with every parent/carer and this short meeting will develop that opportunity for us all. The Admin team will be calling you, by phone, to confirm your attendance at some point in the next 2 weeks.
Please continue to check out our Weekly Newsletter, which is sent to you by email from the Admin team each Friday and please do follow us on Twitter, where daily activities and celebrations are uploaded to share with you.
A final reminder that Monday 19th September 2022 has now been identified as a national public Bank Holiday in recognition of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. Please be advised that school will be closed on this day. Pupils should return to school, after the weekend, on Tuesday morning as normal.
I hope you have a great weekend – stay well.
Mr A Moloney
Headteacher
Stars of the Week
There has been lots of great behaviour and positive attitudes around school this week. The children & young people below were chosen by their class team as 'Star of the Week'.
- Lee, Class 4 for an amazing first full week at SJV! He's been kind, helpful, friendly and engaged in all his lessons. Well done Lee!
- Sean, Class 5 for always trying hard in class and showing confidence during cycling.
- Troy, Class 9 for 100% attendance to all of his classes. Resilient attitude and a positive outlook on every school day.
- Oskar, Class 1 for settling into his new class very well.
- Ben, Class 13 for a great start to his work experience.
- Scarlett, Class 7 for great communication with her staff team and wonderful work in lessons.
- Alfie, Class 6 for having a more positive attitude to school life and continuing to develop his resilience, when he finds things challenging.
- Jenna, Class 2 for settling back into school well and following instructions well.
- Joe, Class 8 for some great work in History this week.
- Blythe, Class 12 for settling in really well into Class 12. She is helpful, caring and kind to everyone.
- Kayden, Class 3 for fantastic Maths work this week.
Well done everyone!
SJV Class News
Class 7
In their Enrichment lesson today, Class 7 filled out their GMPTE travel forms. Once processed, this will enable them to travel on public transport for free in the Greater Manchester area. It was a great life skills activity and they showed great perseverance.
Class 5
Class 5 had a great time during food tech this week. They made some very tasty sandwiches.
Class 2
Class 2 have worked hard on their independence this week, they have been making toasties in Food Tech, practiced washing their own plates and cutlery and have even been helping with the washing!
Class 8
Class 8 really enjoyed their first visit to Cronkshaw Hall Farm and are looking forward to going back again next week.
Class 6
Class 6 had a change of plan when the Farm was cancelled. Everyone coped really well with the change and had a great time at the park instead.
Class 3
Class 3 enjoyed picking berries at the Farm this week!
Class 12
Class 12 started their volunteer work this week with Greater Manchester Outdoor Learning at Wythenshawe Park, completing their induction by looking at all the new equipment and paths, feeding the fish then using lemongrass to wipe their hands. This was followed by learning about Health and Safety in the bush craft area.
Class 1
Class 1 really enjoyed building towers and building our own four legged creatures using blocks, nuts and bolts
Introducing...
Miss Sarah Graham, English Teacher and Class 6 Form Teacher.
This week I have been teaching brilliant books, such as 'Holes' by Louis Sachar with Key Stage 4 and 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
The best thing so far at SJV is that the staff and students are all incredibly kind and have made me feel so welcome.
I think SJV would be even better if I could remember everybody's surnames! I'm getting there.
My hopes and dreams for the future are that my family and friends are happy and healthy....and that Arsenal FC win the league!
Our Catholic School
Within SJV this week, in our Catholic school, we have continued to help the learners settle into school and their routines, while getting to know their class and the staff that teach and support them.
We have been supporting our learners dealing with the death of the Queen, as a much-loved and respected public figure. Especially as there is so much coverage on the news and in social media, we have been answering questions, reflecting on her life and saying prayers.
Our focus in SJV is looking at the strong and powerful message:
‘Cast your cares upon God; for you are His and He will not forget you’
St John of the Cross
God is always with us. He is with you, day and night, no matter what you’re going through. During this challenging time, we need to remember we are not alone. It continues to be a challenging time, but please take peace in this piece of scripture and the comfort that faith can provide.
The Chaplaincy Team have been busy already this year, meeting for the first time and helping out with our Welcome Mass, in which we celebrated the arrival to school of all our new students and staff within SJV.
Within RE we have been looking at gifts and talents and what makes our learners unique and special. With the older learners we have been exploring faith and our own personal beliefs. Attempting to explain and explore the reasons behind our beliefs made for some very interesting lessons and debates.
Mrs Garfin
Emotional Wellbeing at SJV
Mindful Minute
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in world history, passed away on the 8th September, aged 96. Her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration to many through the achievements in her life and her work with individuals, organisations and charities. As an educational organisation we recognise her contribution to education and to children.
As the country mourns her loss, it is important to remember to look after ourselves and our emotional well-being at this time. Perhaps write a prayer or a poem to release and understand your feelings and emotions about the situation.
We are recruiting!
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