St Joseph's News and Events

• CMS Orchestra - Christmas concert.

  Tue 16 Dec 2025

  We were delighted to welcome the CMS Orchestra to our school for a festive Christmas concert. The children were introduced to the different families of musical instruments and enjoyed listening to a wonderful selection of Christmas pieces performed by the orchestra. It was an inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone!

  

• Carol singing at Chestnut Court Care Home

  Tue 16 Dec 2025

  The Mini Vinnie visited Chestnut Court Care Home this week. They sang beautiful Christmas carols and spread cheer to residents and staff, creating a lovely atmosphere filled with the Christmas spirit. With bells in tow for a lively rendition of Jingle Bells, it was a heart warming way to share kindness and celebrate the season together.

  

• KS2 Carol Concert at St. Mary and St. Ethelburga Catholic Church

  Mon 15 Dec 2025

  Our Key Stage 2 pupils delivered a truly fantastic Carol Concert at St. Mary and St. Ethelburga Catholic Church. The children sang a beautiful selection of traditional and modern carols, filling the church with joy and festive spirit. Their voices, accompanied by thoughtful readings and prayers, created a moving and memorable celebration of the Christmas season. A huge thank you to all the staff, families, and parish community who supported this special event—it was a wonderful way to come together and share the true meaning of Christmas.

  

• EYFS trip to Barleylands Farm

  Mon 15 Dec 2025

  Today our Nursery and Reception children enjoyed a magical trip to Barleylands Farm Park to celebrate their first term in big school!

  The children enjoyed taking part in a gingerbread man baking workshop; they listened to the 'Gingerbread man' story, and then they made gingerbread dough, learning about each ingredient. The best part was seeing the yummy gingerbread men come out of the oven, ready to take home!

  During the day we got to meet all of the animals who live on the farm, we fed the goats and sheep, and we enjoyed a tractor ride!

  We finished the trip with an exciting visit to meet Santa, and to see the Elves and their toy workshop! Everyone got to speak to Santa, and we received a special early Christmas present from him. What a wonderful way to finish our Autumn term! 

  

• EYFS Nativity 2025

  Thu 11 Dec 2025 CM

  This week our Nursery and Reception children performed our Nativity 'A miracle in town' to their parents, and we couldn't be prouder of them! They spoke clearly, sang beautifully and joined in with all of the actions. We would like to thank our EYFS parents for coming to support their children in their very first school performance, what a lovely memory to treasure forever!

  

• KS1 Nativity 2025

  Tue 09 Dec 2025

  This week we watched the KS1 Nativity and it was fantastic! The children remembered their lines beautifully, sang with confidence and truly conveyed the real meaning of Christmas. We are so proud of all their hard work and enthusiasm. A big thank you to all the parents and carers who came to watch and support the children - your encouragement means so much!

  

• Advent Stay and Pray

  Wed 03 Dec 2025

  We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Advent Stay and Pray session this week. It was truly wonderful to see so many families come together in prayer as we begin this special season of Advent. Your presence made the occasion meaningful and reflective. A special thank you to Father Paul for his beautiful Advent blessing and for joining us in this time of spiritual preparation.

   

  Advent Blessing
  May this Advent season fill your hearts with hope, peace, joy, and love. As we await the coming of Christ, may His light guide your path and His grace strengthen your spirit. Amen.

  

• Christingle

  Mon 01 Dec 2025

  This week, our EYFS and KS1 pupils took part in a special tradition by making Christingles to celebrate the start of Advent. The Christingle, with its symbolic elements, reminds us of the light of Christ and the hope, love, joy, and peace that Advent brings. This activity helps children understand the meaning behind the season and encourages reflection on kindness and giving as we prepare for Christmas.

  

• Year 3 trip to Valence House

  Thu 27 Nov 2025

  Year 3 had a lovely trip to Valence House today, in which they travelled back in time to the Stone Age. They learned how Stone Age children would have made fire, created string from deer tendons to make clothes, and ground down grains to make flour. The children also visited the museum, where they was a recreation of a Bronze Age burial site and saw the Dagenham Idol, which was found in Salinas Lane in Dagenham in 1922. The wooden figure has been carbon dated to around 2250BC and is one of the oldest human representations found in England. After a quick lunch and a run around, the children tried their hand at making clay pots in the style of the Bronze Age Beaker People. It was a fantastic day, made possible by the great staff at Valence House and our fantastic parent helpers!

   

  

• Banji Alexander - Author Visit

  Tue 25 Nov 2025 DH

  Today, Banji Alexander came to visit us. He's a famous author who has written books, poems, songs and even performed on Britain's Got Talent! It was amazing to hear his story and to ask him questions about his reading and writing journey. All pupil's from Reception to Year 6 got to meet him and some children were able to purchase his book and recieved a signed copy of his work! What an excellent and inspiring afternoon we had!