St Joseph's News and Events

• Year 2 visit to Southend -on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Centre

  Fri 13 Mar 2026

  Year 2 had a fantastic trip to the Southend-on-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Centre! The children learned all about sea safety, explored the lifeboat crew’s uniform, and even got to see the impressive lifeboats up close. To make the day even more special, we were treated to a surprise visitor—a seal relaxing nearby! It was an unforgettable experience for everyone.

  

• Year 3 Volcano and Earthquake Workshop at the Natural History Museum

  Mon 09 Mar 2026

  Year 3 had a fantastic experience today becoming Earth Scientists at the Natural History Museum. They attended a fantastic workshop in which they learned about and demonstrated the use of a seismometer, which earth scientists use to measure seismic activity in the earth, indicating tectonic plate movement. They learned about which types of volcanoes produce effusive eruptions, which produce explosive eruptions and how that affects the shape of the volcano. They learned about the equipment volcanologists need to wear when they study eruptions first hand with live lava flows and, most exciting of all, they experienced an earthquake simulator. What a fantastic trip!

  

• World Book Week 2026

  Fri 06 Mar 2026 DH

  This week we have had a fantastic World Book Week full of creative book workshops, reading sessions, dress up days and communal reading. It's been a joy to witness children take part in these various activities which a clear love of reading etched upon their faces. We look forward to next year already!

   

  Please check class pages for extra pictures of Dress Up Day and in-class activities that the children participated in. 

  

• Year 5 & 6 Sculpture workshop

  Mon 02 Mar 2026

  Our year 5 & 6 children took part in a fantastic wire sculpture workshop, led by artist Darcy Turner. They created large sculptures to represent their ideas for this term's art topics; 'Environmental art' and 'Natural world'. The classes worked together to design and build fantastic dolphin, turtle, whale, fox, tsunami wave, and penguin sculptures. During the process they learnt new designing and making skills, as they practised moulding and fixing the wire to create the shapes required for each sculpture! We look forward to displaying them in school for everyone to enjoy!

  

• Introduction to Seafood Workshop

  Thu 26 Feb 2026

  The Yr 3, Yr 4 and Yr 5 children took part in an exciting Introduction to Seafood workshop offered by the LBBD Food Education Network in partnership with the Billingsgate Seafood School. The visiting chefs demonstrated a wide variety of fish species, allowing the children to learn about their features, habitats, and how they fit into different animal groups.

  The session also included an interactive tasting experience, where pupils had the opportunity to explore new flavours and understand how seafood contributes to a healthy, balanced diet. In addition, the children watched an engaging video that highlighted the connections between food-related careers, healthy eating, and sustainability, helping them understand how choices we make—from what we eat to how food is sourced—impact both our wellbeing and the environment.

  Overall, the workshop offered a hands-on, memorable learning experience that beautifully supported our science topic while also promoting curiosity, confidence, and healthy eating habits.

  

• Lent Stay and Pray

  Wed 25 Feb 2026

  Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Lent Stay and Pray. It was wonderful to see so many families come together in reflection and prayer. We are especially grateful to Father Paul for sharing a beautiful Lenten blessing with our school community. Your presence helped make the occasion truly meaningful and we appreciate the continued support of our families during this special season.

  

• Young Voices 2026

  Tue 24 Feb 2026

  This year, the children in Year 4 had the incredible opportunity to take part in Young Voices 2026, celebrating 30 years of the world’s largest school choir concerts. It was an unforgettable milestone event, bringing together thousands of children from across the country to sing, perform, and share the joy of music on a grand stage.

   

  The concert featured inspiring performances from artists such as Connie Talbot and Ruti, whose powerful vocals and uplifting messages left a lasting impression on the audience. The children were also captivated by the dynamic energy of Urban Strides, whose dance crew delivered high-impact, motivational routines that had the whole arena buzzing with excitement. With live musicians, dazzling lighting, and stunning production effects, the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

  Our Year 4 pupils shone brightly as they joined this spectacular celebration. They sang with confidence, enthusiasm, and heart, displaying their musical talent with such beauty and wonder. Their dedication during rehearsals truly paid off, and the pride on their faces was clear as they performed as part of a choir of thousands.

   

  Beyond the music, the event helped the children build teamwork, resilience, and self-belief. Being part of something so large and inspiring gave them a sense of achievement they will remember for years to come. It was not just a concert—it was a life-enriching experience that nurtured joy, unity, and creativity.

  

• Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

  Thu 12 Feb 2026

  As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, the children explored this year’s theme, “This Is My Place.” We spent time talking about what it means to belong and the different places where we feel safe, happy, and understood. The children shared moments when they feel part of a team, times when friends make them feel welcome, and places - both real and imagined - where they feel truly themselves. Through discussion, drawing, and group activities, they learned that belonging isn’t just about a physical space; it’s also about being valued, connected, and supported. It was wonderful to see the children reflect so thoughtfully and celebrate what makes their place in the world special.

  

• EYFS Valentine's Day stay and play

  Wed 11 Feb 2026

  We had a wonderful morning welcoming our parents to Nursery and Reception today to join us in some creative Valentine's and Chinese New Year activities. It was so lovely to see the children sharing their learning and ideas with their mum's and dad's. Thank you so much to the parents who were able to join us for a very special morning. 

  

• EYFS Winter Walk at Abbey Green

  Wed 28 Jan 2026

  Today our Nursery and Reception children enjoyed exploring signs of winter at Abbey Green!

  We found bare and evergreen trees, saw frost on the grass and plants, and spotted lots of different types of birds; blackbirds, robins, parrots and even seagulls! The children were very excited to find a bird's nest and they watched squirrels climbing trees looking for pine cones! We recorded everything we found on our winter checklists, and it was wonderful to hear the vocabulary the children were using to describe the signs of winter around them!