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17th July 2020 Newsletter

St Joseph’s School Together we grow in God’s love, learning to be

the best we can be. North Road, Hertford SG14 2BU Telephone 01992 583 148 admin@stjosephs255.herts.sch.uk diary@stjosephs255.herts.sch.uk

Dear parents and carers,

We are delighted to be able to celebrate that this term, every child from Year R to Year 6 has had the opportunity to come back to school safely. We have made sure that the children have enjoyed the same level of high quality teaching and learning that they have enjoyed throughout their time at St Joseph’s and at the same time we have put in place many measures to keep them safe.

Welcoming so many children back to school has been a joy. To hear our school once again filled with voices, laughter and all the bustle of daily life has reminded us all what we love about our chosen profession.

We have put in place plans for September and the latest Risk Assessment document will be available on the website. But, as I’m sure you can imagine, things may change, and we may have to move to adapt quite quickly.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the children who have been such a pleasure throughout this time. We look forward to welcoming you all back in September.

Thank you to the Year 6s who have come back and embraced their final weeks with us with great enthusiasm. We all wish you love and happiness at your new schools.

Thank you to the teachers and teaching assistants who have adapted quickly, taught enthusiastically and supported each other and the children throughout.

Thank you to all the site staff who have gone above and beyond to make sure the site has remained clean, working and safe.

Thank you to the office staff who have kept St Joseph’s running- and with whom I have shared more than one moment of crisis!

Thank you to our governors who have been a consistent and supportive presence throughout this time.

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In addition, of course thank you to all the parents and carers. Your warmth and adaptability have made all of this work. Without you and your support, all of our jobs would have been so much harder. Thank you for teaching your children, as well as managing all the other aspects of your lives.

We have done it. Together, we made it to the end of term. I hope all of you have the opportunity to take a break, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in September.

The Pope’s Prayer Intention for the month of July: A Prayer for Families Let us pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance, and especially, that they may be protected by the State. The family ought to be protected. It faces many dangers: the fast pace of life, stress… Sometimes, parents forget to play with their children. The Church needs to encourage families and stay at their side, helping them to discover ways that allow them to overcome all of these difficulties. Let us pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance, and especially, that they may be protected by the State. Pope Francis – July 2020 And now I hope you will all use this summer to read. Read ten books….twenty…a hundred. Keep reading, keep thinking and you will come back to us in September bursting with ideas.

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis

Mrs Justine Page Headteacher

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Messages from the Teachers at St Joseph’s

Though this has been a year of many parts, I will remember it as the year I became a member of this lovely

school family and for this I am very thankful. It has been a pleasure working with my precious nursery

children and getting to know some of the older children too. I am very happy to be working in a school

where people come before things and as I reflect on how we can all help and support each other, through

our Catholic ethos, these profound and meaningful words come to mind

“While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a

world in which charity will have become unnecessary”

Chinua Achebe, ‘Anthills of the Savannah’

I hope you all have fun-filled days making wonderful memories.

- Mrs Anand

“Never give up on what you really want

to do. The person with big dreams is

more powerful than one with all the

facts.” – Albert Einstein.

Have a happy summer.

- Miss House

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you

seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

I hope you all have a lovely summer.

- Miss Vivian

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” –

Nelson Mandela.

What a year my first year at St Joseph’s has been!

Although at times it almost seemed impossible; the

hard work and love of our St Joseph’s family showed

that we could achieve anything together. I hope you

all have a joyful and restful summer. Well done

everyone!

-Mrs. Grahame

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“You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s

really no limit to what you can do.” -Dr Seuss.

Have a wonderful relaxing summer holiday everyone, God bless

- Mrs Kelly

Have

“Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back

screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse;

summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colours

in a parched landscape.” - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer and a well-earned rest!

- Mrs Dear

Neil Gaiman said, “A book is a dream that you hold in your

hand.” I could not agree more. Have a lovely holiday filled

with many dreams. I am looking forward to beginning another

great journey at St. Joseph's in September.

- Mrs Roblett

Have a wonderful summer break, be kind, be safe and remember:

“Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the

world.” – Matilda, Roald Dahl

- Mrs Cooper

My first year at St Josephs has been eventful to say the least. As teachers we like to plan and prepare for

everything, but sometimes there are things that are out of our control. This is when we need the people

around us more than ever. The St Joseph’s community has been absolutely fantastic! The staff, children

and parents have been so positive and caring throughout. I am so proud to be a member of this community! I

wish everyone an enjoyable and restful summer.

- Mr Maloney