School Aims
As a Catholic Maintained Co-educational Primary School St. John’s School aims to:
1. promote the Catholic ethos which should permeate and inspire all aspects of school life.
2. be complementary of the Catholic home by creating the atmosphere of a believing
community who recognise the dignity and celebrate the differences of each individual.
3. recognise that childhood is a time to be enjoyed as well as a preparation for the
future.
4. provide for each child a broad, balanced and relevant education experience and in
doing so promote a sense of achievement whilst maintaining the highest standards of education in keeping with the individual needs and ability of each child.
5. show a system of pastoral care which will exemplify fairness, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness while at the same time, setting high standards of respect, self-discipline, commitment and generosity.
6. enable children to acquire some knowledge and understanding of their immediate environment and the world beyond.
7. lay a foundation for the child’s further appreciation of and widen their interests in Art, Craft, Music, Games, Hobbies and worthwhile leisure activities.
8. strengthen links among parents, school and the wider community, thereby fostering a sense of mutual responsibility.
9. celebrate the success of each individual child in all of their endeavours.
Religious Education
The religious development of our children is a most important element of our school. Whilst the essence of a Catholic school is about the way we live together in all we do, Religious Education is taught explicitly as a subject on the timetable. If you wish to withdraw your child from R.E. lessons this may be discussed with the Principal.
Our aim is that each child in our care will grow up in the practice of the prayers and devotion of the Church. The R.E. Syllabus is based on the ‘Alive-O’ Programme. Each year group has a structured programme to follow.
Parents of children who are preparing for First Communion in Year 4 are invited to a class Prayer Service. Parents of children preparing for Confirmation are invited to a Year 7 Mass.
The Year 4, 5, 6, and 7 children participate in the liturgy at Mass in St Mary’s Church on alternate Sundays from October to June. Pupils from Year 4 upwards are expected to attend.
School assemblies with a religious or moral theme are held on a regular basis. Parents are encouraged to attend when their child’s class is involved.
A Christmas Carol Service is held annually and services are also held for Advent and Lent.
Home/School Contact
Parental contact with the school is actively encouraged by the teaching staff. Parents’ support is essential in working with the school for the child’s benefit. The staff of the school attempt to foster good parental relationships at all times.
During the year we have meetings with the parents of children who are:-
(a) Being admitted to the school
(b) Preparing for the Sacraments
(c) Taking part in the transfer procedure
Parents of younger children (especially the Year 1 pupils) are invited to go into the classroom with the children during their first term, to help them settle happily into the routine of school. Routine contact is maintained with parents by written information passing between home/school and school/home.
More formal contact is made with parents at Parents’ Meetings when they discuss the child’s progress with the class teacher, and also when the annual report on the child’s achievements is sent home to the parents at the end of the school year.
We send NEWSLETTERS home frequently. Sometimes children forget to deliver. It helps if you occasionally check their bags.
Parents are encouraged to maintain close links with the school and may contact the Principal at any time when the school is open.
| 