St John Vianney School

Contents

• Deputy Headteacher's Message
• Key information and Dates for your Diary
• Lunches
• Notices
• Stars of the Week
• Highlights of the Week
• Our Catholic School
• SJV Spotlight
• Useful Information
• Links to Our Website and Social Media

Deputy Headteacher's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, I hope you are well. It has been another vibrant and rewarding week in school, with many opportunities that have enriched our pupils’ learning and personal development. Our Key Stage 3 pupils enjoyed a lively and creative “Make Mouth Music” workshop. The sessions were filled with energy as students experimented with rhythm, vocal percussion, and collaborative performance. It was excellent to see so many pupils stepping out of their comfort zone and discovering new ways to express themselves.

Class 13, as part of their BTEC Vocational Studies Diploma, had a fantastic visit to the Midland Hotel this week, where pupils gained first‑hand experience of the hospitality sector. The staff at the hotel were incredibly welcoming, offering our pupils a genuine insight into the various roles and skills involved in running such a well‑known venue. The students conducted themselves brilliantly, and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they learned about careers in hospitality. In addition, our Duke of Edinburgh participants have been hard at work preparing for the next stage of their award. Their commitment has been impressive, from planning routes and bushcraft to developing the teamwork and resilience needed for their expeditions. We are extremely proud of their dedication and the positive attitude they bring to the programme.

Can I remind parents please that School will break up for the Easter break on Thursday 2nd April at 1.30pm. Some transport teams have said they will not be able to arrive to school until the 3.10pm usual pick up time and if required we will support our pupils remaining in school until this time. Transport teams have been told of the earlier pick up time. The summer term will start on Monday 20th April at 9am. Parents Evening will take place on Tuesday 24th March 2026 from 4.30pm to 6pm. Please make a note of the date and time of this really important event, where you will have an opportunity to meet with teachers and class teams to discuss the progress made by your child and to look through the work that they have been undertaking this year. Spring Term Interim Reports were sent out earlier today, if you have any queries about the report please discuss with the class teacher at Parents Evening. As always, thank you for your continued support. These enriching experiences are made even more meaningful because of the encouragement and partnership we have with you. We look forward to sharing more achievements in the weeks ahead. Warmest regards, Mr G Damant, Deputy Headteacher.

Key information and Dates for your Diary

Dates for Your Diary

• Tue 24th Mar 2026 @ 4:30-6:00pm - Parents evening
• Fri 27th Mar 2026 @ 1:45pm- Easter coffee afternoon
• Mon 30th Mar - Wed 1st Apr 2026 - KS5 PGL at Winmarleigh Hall residential
• Thurs 2nd Apr 2026 @ 1:30pm - School closes for Easter break
• Mon 20th Apr 2026 @ 9:00am - School re-opens for Summer Term 1
• Wed 22nd Apr 2026 - Class 6 CAFT overnight residential
• Mon 27th Apr - Fri 1st May 2026 - KS4 Calvert Trust residential

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 23rd March 2026:

Notices

Stars of the Week

• Class 1 Mrs Jordan - Cole - For a great effort at Ghyll Head.
• Class 2 Miss Walsh - Nico - For coping with changes well.
• Class 3 Mr Healey - Ava - For great attitude at Ghyll Head Residential.
• Class 4 Mrs Garfin - George - For showing kindness and thoughtfulness at Ghyll Head.
• Class 5 Mr Whelan - Maisy - For making good friends at Ghyll Head.
• Class 6 Miss Shaw - Adnan - For responding well to the Acts of Kindness.
• Class 7 Miss Graham - Charlie - For always being kind and helpful.
• Class 8 Mrs Wood - Daniel - For being a great help, his dedication makes a real difference.
• Class 9 Mr Donovan - Thomas - For being kind to others in his class.
• Class 10 Mr Wood - Rodger - For great attendance and punctuality this week.
• Class 11 Miss Sherwin - Finlay - For better engagement in all of his lessons.
• Class 12 Miss Lord - Daniel - For leading the prayers in class.
• Class 13 Mr Kanakides - Justin - For all his great work in the Kitchen.
• Class 14 Miss Wilkinson - Tomasz - For working diligently at Eccles Train Station and being a great role model in Post 16.

Employees of the Week

Congratulations to Mr Dumville and Miss Watson!

Highlights of the Week

Our Catholic School

Our focus at SJV this week:

"Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others".

- Pope Leo XIV

Within our Catholic school this week, we placed a special focus on caring for one another by dedicating time to staff emotional wellbeing. It offered a valuable opportunity for colleagues to pause, reflect and support each other as we continue our shared mission during this Lenten season. As part of our ongoing Lenten journey, SJV is getting into the fundraising spirit! We definitely have a fun-filled line up of raffles, tombola’s, “Guess the Name of the Rabbit,” and a variety of exciting sponsored events. You can even have your portrait drawn! There’s something for everyone — if your child/young person would like to take part in these fundraising activities, please send in a small donation. We are continuing with our 40 Acts of Kindness and It is truly heart‑warming to read the many acts being shared. They show what a wonderful and thoughtful community we have here at SJV. One of the most uplifting parts has been to see how many staff members are recognised for their kindness. Each week, I send an email to those mentioned and I know these small moments of appreciation have really brightened their day. In RE lessons this week, pupils have been exploring why charity is important for all followers of religion and our nurture groups have been looking at the exciting life of St Patrick.

Mrs Garfin

SJV Spotlight

Residential Trips

Residential trips are very important for pupils at St John Vianney School because they foster independence, boost self-confidence and enhance social communication in a new environment. These trips provide tailored, hands-on learning experiences that improve resilience, teamwork and personal wellbeing, often reducing barriers between pupils and teachers while improving classroom cohesion back at school.  Key benefits of residential trips for SEND pupils include:

• Independence and Responsibility: Staying away from home allows students to manage their own belongings, routines and personal care in a safe environment.
• Enhanced Social Skills and Inclusion: Shared experiences like group activities and mealtimes improve peer relationships and help children connect with classmates they may not otherwise interact with.
• Boosted Confidence and Resilience: Succeeding at new challenges—such as climbing, water sports, or independent tasks—outside the classroom boosts self-belief and reduces anxiety.
• Transferable Learning and Engagement: The immersive, sensory nature of outdoor education is ideal for learners with special educational needs, allowing them to learn by doing.
• Strengthened Relationships: Away from the classroom, the bond between students and staff often strengthens, helping teachers understand pupils' needs better.
• Mental Well-being: For many SEND students, breaking routine and spending time outdoors offers a calming, enjoyable break from the pressures of the classroom.

Residential trips are not only beneficial for social and emotional development but are described by Ofsted as a significant contributor to improving standards and personal development.

Key Stage 3 enjoyed their residential trip last week in Ghyll Head.

"We had a fantastic time at Ghyll Head with our KS3 pupils on the side of Lake Windermere this year. The weather was wild but our young people got stuck in and went Hiking, Climbing, Ghyll Scrambling and Canoeing. We were really pleased with the way the pupils behaved and looked out for each other during all the new challenges. For some of them it was the first time they had stayed away from their parents. Well done Key Stage 3 and thank you to the staff at Ghyll Head. We are already looking forward to next year." Mr Dumville, Key Stage 3 Coordinator

Useful Information

Benefits updates

• From April, many low-income families with more than two children will see an increase in their entitlement to Universal Credit (UC). This is because the two-child limit will be removed. If you’re already getting UC, make sure that all your children are reported on your claim.

 

• April is the time of the year when landlords increase the rent for tenants. If you are getting Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, don’t forget to report this to the relevant benefit department as soon as possible.

 

• The Carers Allowance earnings limit will increase to £204 per week. If you are working part time and are already getting Carers Allowance, you may be able to increase your working hours slightly.

   PLUS - The charity Contact has produced three new Universal Credit videos.

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

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Click here to visit our Online Safety Hub for more useful tips and advice.

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