St John Vianney School Newsletter 04.04.2025

Assistant Headteacher's Message

Dear friends and family of SJV

This past week has been filled with reflection and nostalgia as we take a heartfelt look back at the many cherished memories made within the walls of our current school building. It has been truly moving to see how our school has grown and evolved over the years, shaping the lives of so many students, staff and families who have been part of our journey.

Last Friday, our staff and governors gathered after school for a special celebration Mass, marking this significant transition with gratitude and reverence. We were delighted to be joined by some of our former staff members, and it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the incredible work that has been carried out within our school. There was a profound sense of joy in the air as we reflected on our shared mission and the impact we have had on the young lives entrusted to us.

A huge congratulations to all of our pupils for their dedication and generosity in completing their Lenten challenges. Their enthusiasm and commitment have been truly inspiring, and together we have raised an incredible £2,300! The pupils are now eagerly deciding which World Gifts they will purchase from CAFOD, ensuring that their efforts make a meaningful difference to those in need. Their compassion and thoughtfulness continue to exemplify the values we hold dear as a school community.

Looking ahead, we want to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for all our pupils as they return to school. During the week of April 22nd staff will be in work preparing spaces for the return of pupils on Monday 28th April. We will be sending out emails containing essential information to assist our children and young people in the transition process. These emails will include ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and helpful visual aids to provide reassurance and guidance.

As we step into this new and exciting chapter, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Having been a part of SJV for 24 years, this school holds a very special place in my heart. While the familiarity of our physical building may change, the essence of our school - the strong, supportive community that comes together to nurture and uplift our young people - will remain steadfast. It is this spirit that will continue to flourish, ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible care, education, and opportunities for growth.

I hope that you all have a restful and joyful Easter break. We look forward to welcoming our pupils back on Monday April 28th, as we embrace this new beginning together and continue our shared mission at SJV.

God bless,

Kirsten Nesbitt, Assistant Headteacher & SENCo

Key information and Dates for your Diary

Please note the week from April 22nd to April 25th School will be closed for all pupils. This is to allow the staff to return to work a week earlier than our pupils, to help ensure we are ‘building ready’ when the pupils return for the start of the summer term on April 28th. If you have any worries or concerns over this please do let us know.

Dates for your Diary

• Fri 18th Apr - Good Friday
• Sun 20th Apr - Easter Sunday
• Mon 21st Apr - Easter Monday
• Tue 22nd - Fri 25th Apr - School closed for pupils as we move to the new building.
• Mon 28th Apr @ 9:00am - School re-opens for pupils after the move.
• Tues 20th May 4.30pm-6pm - Parents Evening

Residential Trips

• Thu 8th May overnight - Class 1 - The Wingate Special Children's Trust.
• Mon 28th Apr - Fri 2nd May - KS4 - Classes 7, 8, 9 & 10 - Calvert Trust.

Key Info

FAQs regarding the move to the New Building

Each class in school compiled a list of questions that they wanted answering about the new school. Hopefully we have answered them all. You can view all of these fantastic questions and answers by clicking on the following link: FAQs Our New School

During the holidays we will also send out some photographs via email so pupils can see their new classrooms. We are all very excited to move into our new building!

Allergies

Please be aware that we have a number of pupils in school with severe nut allergies. To reduce the risk of exposure for these young people, we aim to keep the school nut free. In order to support us with this we kindly ask that you:

• Do not give children nuts or nut products in their packed lunches.
• Do not give nuts, nut products or snacks/bars containing nuts for break time snacks.
• Do not send cakes or food items, containing nuts, in to school for birthday celebrations, cake sales or events.

Thank you for your support.

Lunches

Week commencing 28th April 2025:

Stars Of The Week

• Class 1 - Hassan - For a really settled week and working hard all week.
• Class 2 - Kymarni - For having a positive attitude towards others and working hard in lessons.
• Class 3 - Cory - For taking part in physical activities.
• Class 4 - Meera - For working hard on her fine motor skills.
• Class 5 - Ben - For great work and involvement in our fundraising.
• Class 6 - Kian - For being an always pupil.
• Class 7 - Kayden - For managing himself well.
• Class 8 - Sean - For being resilient and overcoming a difficult week.
• Class 9 - Danny - For providing excellent support to his peers.
• Class 10 - Justin - For getting so involved on the hospitality trip and representing the school well.
• Class 11 - Evie - For great behaviour at the Post 16 residential.
• Class 12 - Aliya - For trying really hard whilst having a injured leg.
• Class 13 - Renee - For coping well with the changes in Post 16 this week and being a good friend to her peers.

Employee Of The Week

Congratulations to Mr Kanakides!!

Headteacher Awards

"Pupil of the Term" This award recognise the contribution the children & young people have made to the School this term and is a small way of thanking them for the fantastic approach they display every day at St John Vianney. In addition to this our "Pupil of the Key Stage" award is given to only four recipients across the whole School, which is a great achievement. When nominating pupils for these awards Mr Moloney asked staff to consider those pupils who best reflect the School’s ethos and mission statement; through always giving of their best and being patient, kind and loving. Congratulations to our well deserving winners!!

Well done to our Pupils of the Term: Shawn - Class 1, Ava - Class 2, Tyler P - Class 3, Adnan - Class 4, Maisy - Class 5, Isabella - Class 6, Charlie C - Class 7, Daniyaal - Class 8, Ethan - Class 9, Callum - Class 10, Evie - Class 11, Nesrine - 12, Isaac - Class 13. Well done to our Pupils of the Key Stage: Jaylen and Keldon - KS3, Ryan - KS4 and Finlay - KS5.

Attendance Awards

Well done to our 100% Attenders! : Class 1 - Aidan, Class 2 - Ava, Class 3 - Tyler, Class 3 - Zackariya, Class 4 - Adnan, Class 4 - Isabelle, Class 4 - Khalil, Class 6 - Bailey, Class 6 - Jack, Class 6 - Kian, Class 7 - Charlie C, Class 7 - Jon Paul, Class 7 - Ryan, Class 8 - Chael, Class 9 - Daniel, Class 10 - Heaven, Class 11 - Reece, Class 12 - Bruno, Class 12 - Nesrine. Well done to our Attendance raffle winners! : Tyler S, Neo B, Tyler T, Isabella, Khalil, Isabelle, Zackariya, Bailey, Kian K, Ava, Adnan, Joe W, Micah, Finlay, Charlie B, Jenna, Danny M, Renee, Charlie C, Tomasz.

Highlights of the Week

Our Catholic School

Our prayer focus this week:

'May each family rediscover family prayer, which helps to bring about forgiveness.'

- Pope Francis

I can’t believe it's our final week before the Easter holiday and our final week in SJV as we know it! Our Lenten journey is coming to an end and this week we have spent time in silent prayer. Classes 2 and 3 visited the Hidden Gem church, we have continued with our acts of kindness and our fundraising efforts have been very successful.

We had our Easter services led by Father Nick, he really helped us to focus on the important message of Easter. We have continued to learn about Easter in our RE lessons this week and the different ways in which Easter is celebrated by Christians around the world.

I hope you have a lovely Easter and that staff and students come back well rested and refreshed for the summer term in our exciting new build!

Mrs Garfin

Poetry Corner

This week at SJV we have all been looking forward to the Easter period and have been celebrating with some beautiful staff and pupil masses. Leaving one service, I remembered this beautiful poem by Seamus Heaney, and thought it was fitting to share with you all, as over the Easter break, we think about our loved ones that have past, and how they rise up and are born again in our hearts, memory, and poetry.

Seamus Heaney’s “When All the Others Were Away at Mass” is a moving and thoughtful poem. It’s from his poetry collection “Clearances,” which focuses on the poet’s connection with his mother. In this specific poem, Heaney reflects on an incredibly personal and closely related experience he had with his mother when they were both peeling potatoes in the kitchen. As the speaker describes this ordinary yet deep event, the poem beautifully conveys nostalgia and emotional recollection. Heaney conveys a strong bond between the speaker and his mother using vivid sensory imagery, emphasizing the importance of small details in influencing how we perceive love and relationships.

Oliver Lomax

Useful Information

National Siblings Day

Join Sibs in celebrating National Siblings Day on 10th April 2025, a global awareness day recognising brothers and sisters. It’s a great opportunity to shine a light on the valuable role siblings play in the lives of their disabled brothers and sisters and to recognise and celebrate them. Find out why National Siblings Day is important and how you can get involved.

I AM

The charity I AM supports autistic people aged 10 and upwards, as well as their parents/carers. Previously the Autistic Society of Greater Manchester, I AM has been empowering the autistic community of the area for over fifty years. Take a look at their website to see what’s on offer.

- Mrs J Griffin, Family Liaison Officer, Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Click on the following link to open a directory of useful links and information about facilities, activities and support available to you and your young person: INFORMATION DIRECTORY