'Respect' is such a great school value to have, as it underpins all our relationships and how we feel about each other. It means we are open to the opinions of others and celebrate our differences. "Respect is a two way street, if you want to get it, you've got to give it".

At St Joseph's we are always looking to see how we can respect ourselves, others and the world around us.

"Aim high, achieve together!"

I can still remember learning my timetables at school! Can you? Each day we all had to learn a new times-table and when we came back into school the next day we raced against the stopwatch, in turns, to see who could recite them correctly in the quickest time. Winners got a prize!

Why do I still remember it decades later? Because it was fun and I enjoyed it. I also have a small globe pencil sharpener, given as a prize for my seven times-table, on my shelf at home!

At St Joseph's we believe that 'Enjoyment' is a vital part of life at school, as well as in our learning. Even the most mundane task can be enjoyed if we do it together or we add elements that make it fun. We love learning and the more we learn, the more fun and enjoyment we have. We try to make memories that will last forever. That is why 'Enjoyment' is one of our school values.

"Aim high, achieve together!"

At St Joseph's all our learning is supported by our school values. Take 'Teamwork' for instance. It is greatly enhanced by communication. We communicate in lots of ways; writing, speech, gestures, noises, facial expressions, pictures, both individually and in combination.

In fact, as one of the major developmental tasks in early childhood, learning to communicate is key for children to interact with the people in their world and to have their needs met. Few tasks in early childhood are as important as this one! Communication development for young children includes gaining the skills to understand and to express thoughts, feelings, and information.

Imagine building a tower together from large wooden blocks whilst communicating with Walkie-Talkies? - "Over!". How would you get on? - "Over!". Would you be able to accurately ask for what you need? Would you remember to take your finger off the button so someone else could communicate? Would you say 'over' at the end of sentences? "Over!".

Behold the tallest tower in the world! Built by Reception engineers, using wooden blocks, walkie-talkies and, you guessed it, 'Teamwork".

"Aim high, achieve together!"

How long does it take for ice to melt?

That is a very interesting question as it depends on the surrounding temperature and a number of other factors. It always seems to melt too quickly on a warm day in a glass of water, but seems to take a lot longer outside in the crisp January air!

We have been looking at ways to make it melt more quickly. Smashing the ice with small hammers allows the outside air to get to more of the ice and smaller pieces melt more quickly. Breaking up the ice works well!

Spraying the ice with water also helps it to melt more quickly. We have been taking it in turns with our timer to see how much progress we can make.

"Make it look like the Arctic!" came the shout from those waiting their turn. Did you know that polar bears are only found in the Arctic? We love learning in Reception!

"Aim high, achieve together!"

Japanese Sakura Cherry Tree Project

In September 2017,  our then Prime Minister Teresa May and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that 2019-2020 would mark the Japan-UK Season of Culture.

To celebrate the friendship of the two countries, the Japanese proposed donating Cherry blossom trees to the UK as a symbol of our relationship.

St.  Joseph’s are proud to be one of the 6,500 schools across the UK to have been donated a Sakura Cherry Blossom Tree which arrived at our door this week.

Without delay, Mr. Hopgood dug and prepared a hole deep enough to plant the three metre tall  tree, and aided by a child from every year group, planted it in our school grounds as the whole school looked on.

With good care and maintenance the tree should thrive and provide our school community with a glorious display of blossom every spring for the next 30 years.

Thank-you Japan.

ありがとう日本

Arigatō Nihon