St John Vianney School Newsletter 21.03.2025

Assistant Headteacher's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are enjoying the brighter weather and longer days. We are now 2 weeks into Lent and it has been lovely to see the vast majority of our pupils settled well in school this week, engaging positively in learning and showing acts of kindness that we look for, especially during this season. Attendance has been fantastic at 93.5%. Please continue to support the school by ensuring our pupils are in school every day and ready to learn.

This week our Key Stage 3 pupils have enjoyed their residential visit to Bendrigg Trust. Many pupils, staff, parents and carers have spoken about how wonderful an experience it is, and how fortunate we are at SJV, to be able to provide a residential opportunity for all our pupils. It is lovely to see our pupils represent the school, thriving in a different environment. When I visited on Thursday, staff at Bendrigg Trust commented on how impressed they are with the pupil’s behaviour and engagement in a range of challenging activities throughout the visit. Pupils developed friendships, lifelong memories and experiences that will help them on their journey to independence. Well done to all the pupils and staff involved. Without staff going above and beyond for the children in their care these trips would not be possible, I am truly proud of your dedication, commitment and support!

On Wednesday Miss Morley and Miss Ani took a group of girls to the City in the Community football tournament, the girls represented SJV with impeccable behaviour, outstanding sportsmanship and some great football!

Can I again remind parents please that School will break up for the Easter break on Friday April 4th at 1.30pm. This will allow some final packing by staff on the last afternoon of term, as we will move over to the new building during the Easter break. Transport teams have been informed about the 1.30pm finish on this day. Additionally, 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.

Best wishes,

Mr G Damant, Assistant Headteacher

Key information and Dates for your Diary

Dates for your Diary

• Fri 4th Apr - 1.30pm - (Transport teams have been informed) School closes for Easter break.
• 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.
• Wed 26th Mar - Fri 28th Mar - KS5 - Classes 11, 12 & 13 - PGL.

Key Info

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 24th March 2025:

Zones of Regulation Parent Course

Our new online course for Parents and Carers is now available. The online course will run over ten weeks and each short module will be sent out every Friday via email, it can also be accessed via our website: Training for parents & carers. This course will introduce to you the ten concepts of the 'Zones of Regulation'. The aim is to encourage the consistent use of language at school and at home to help regulate your child/young person's emotions and behaviours. I will set activities for you to do at home and introduce some strategies for you to use. If you would like some more information about this course, please contact the school office. This week is Part 10 of the 10 week course; we hope you enjoy learning with your child!

- Miss M Rodgers, Assistant Headteacher

Stars Of The Week

• Class 1 - Shawn - For answering lots of questions at the Hidden Gem Church.
• Class 2 - Ava - For trying new things and being mature in class.
• Class 3 - William - For showing kindness, being helpful during football and participating positively in lessons.
• Class 4 - Khalil - For great behaviour and asking questions while at the Hidden Gem.
• Class 5 - Lee - For doing his best at all times.
• Class 6 - Isabella - For dealing with some challenging situations well.
• Class 7 - Charlie - For representing the school fantastically on the football trip.
• Class 8 - Ishaaq - For doing great at managing his emotions maturely this week.
• Class 9 - Harley - For a very settled week of work.
• Class 10 - Alfie - For having a brilliant attitude and working well all week.
• Class 11 - Rayyan - For a great week and trying hard in Maths.
• Class 12 - Leah - For making positive choices and being very mature in Post 16.
• Class 13 - Micah - For having a positive week.

Employee Of The Week

Congratulations to !!

Highlights of the Week

Our Catholic School

Our prayer focus this week:

'The invitation at the Transfiguration is to listen to Jesus and to follow him, laying down our lives as a gift of love for one another.'

- Pope Francis

Within our Catholic school this week, classes 12 and 13 visited the Hidden Gem in Manchester and met Father Anthony and his team. Each class has enjoyed spending time in Si' Lent reflection in our chapel. We have continued our 40 acts of kindness to raise money for CAFOD and our collection of non-perishable food items for our local food bank is going very well. It's all go during Lent at SJV!

Key Stage 3 have enjoyed their residential trip to Bendrigg Trust in the Lake District this week and I was lucky enough to attend, along with Fr Nick, during the latter part of the week. We all had a fabulous time.

During their RE lessons, Key Stage 4 and 5, have been studying the topics of prejudice and discrimination. They have discussed ways in which we can make the world a better place.

Mrs Garfin

Poetry Corner

Lake Poetry

Lake poet William Wordsworth once wrote:

‘That best portion of a man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.’

This has been true of the staff and pupils who have supported each other so generously this week whilst taking part in our amazing Lake District residential. It’s easy to see why some of our nations best loved poetry was inspired by this beautiful and tranquil scenery.

‘The loveliest spot that man hath ever found’.

- William Wordsworth

Reading Wordsworth’s poetry you sense you are talking with a wise friend, an inspiring gentle spirit and a deep lover of the natural world. He is a wonderful guide to these beloved Lakeland hills. He had eyes for beauty in the landscape and he noticed the little things. We feel with him as he walks with his eyes open, his heart ready and responsive to nature’s sights, sounds and gentle nudges. This is poetry of the heart as well as the landscape, and all staff and pupils are bringing a little piece of this Lake District experience back home with them.

Oliver Lomax

Useful Information

Fundraising during Lent

- 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