Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• St. John's staff take on the toilet roll challenge!

  Wed 29 Apr 2020

  The staff at St. John's have been trying to keep active and connected while we are all having to stay at home. We thought you might enjoy our version of the toilet roll challenge - we had to 'pass' a toilet roll from person to person. This is our way of saying hello to you all. We hope you enjoy watching...who can you spot?

   

  https://st-johns-cofe-primary-school-kent.primarysite.media/media/st-johns-staff-take-on-the-toilet-roll-challenge

• Cooking inspiration from Independent Catering

  Wed 29 Apr 2020

  Our catering company, Independent Catering, have been busy making videos to inspire you all to get cooking at home.

   

  Here is a message from them...

  We hope you are keeping well in these very difficult circumstances.

  Some of our chefs have been keeping busy by cooking at home, some with their children. Below are two YouTube links where you can see some tasty and healthy recipes that maybe you can try at home with your family, if you are fortunate enough to have them around you.

   

  There are many more videos on our website just click on the link www.independentcatering.co.uk and click on ‘Chef Zone’.

  They are also available on YouTube, where you can view, subscribe and share.  They will keep you occupied for weeks!

   

  Click on the videos below:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cts40TVyypY

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgBN9CNqq14

   

  We hope you enjoy them and we are soon back at school making them for the children!

   

• A message from Mr Turvey

  Mon 27 Apr 2020

  Please follow the link below to view a video message from Mr Turvey.

   

  https://st-johns-cofe-primary-school-kent.primarysite.media/media/a-message-from-mr-turvey

• Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth Ceremony - Monday 9 March

  Thu 12 Mar 2020

  Monday 9 March was Commonwealth Day, with events taking place across the world to promote understanding on global issues, and international co-operation. Our Year 5 and 6 School Councillors joined children from across the town at the Town Hall for a special flag raising ceremony. The children met the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Councillor James Scholes, and also the Mayoress and a Deputy Lieutenant. They took part in an affirmation to the Commonwealth and also heard a special message from the Queen. They then spent some time asking the Mayor questions and learning about the Mayoral chain, badge, robes and Mace. It was a very special occasion and the children were a real credit to the school.   

  

• Youth Town Forum

  Fri 06 Mar 2020

  On Wednesday 4^th March, four ambassadors for St. John’s attended the launch of a brand new Youth Town Forum. The children had been chosen from a large number of Year 5 and 6 pupils who applied for the role and all four did a wonderful job of representing the views of children at our school. The Youth Town Forum has been created by the Town Forum so that they can engage younger voices and get their views on how the town should move forward.

   

  The group were particularly keen to focus on environmental issues such as reducing Carbon emissions and plastic use, however a range of other topics were also raised. The forum met in the main chamber at the Town Hall, with children from several schools (both primary and secondary) taking turns to share their views. Representatives of the Town Forum were also there to share information about how the Town Forum works and campaigns they are currently involved in. The children all spoke passionately and clearly about what they thought, coming up with many suggestions the Town Forum were keen to explore further.

   

  Over the next few weeks our ambassadors will be listening to the ideas of other children in our school, ready to take them forward to their next Youth Town Forum meeting after Easter. This is an exciting opportunity for St. John’s pupils to learn about and become involved in issues which affect our local community and we can’t wait to see what ideas the Forum come up with.

  

• Latest guidance for schools on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

  Thu 27 Feb 2020

  Please follow this link to read the most up to date guidance from the Department for Education and Public Health England on the COVID-19 virus:

   

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

• Storytelling with our Reception children

  Thu 13 Feb 2020

  Once upon a time George, the friendly, happy storyteller, came to visit St John's!

   

  Year R were lucky to have a professional storyteller, George Hoyle, visit on Monday 3rd February to help celebrate National Storytelling Week. Everyone was in awe of his calming nature and his talent on the guitar and ukulele, as well as his storytelling, of course! George retold 'The Enormous Turnip' using songs, music, actions and many props from his story suitcase. Everyone loved it when he changed his hats to act out different characters in the story.

   

  Having been inspired by George's storytelling, Year R then had the opportunity to create their own stories. They were shown the 'story hand' to help them remember all aspects of a simple story.

   

  1. Where? Where does the story take place?

  2. Who? A good story has at least 3 characters. 1 goody, 1 friend for the goody (a person or an animal) and 1 baddie

  3. Once a upon a time. Start your story with the characters going something very normal.

  4. Uh - oh! A problem. What goes wrong in your story?

  5. Happily ever after. What happens at the end of your story? How is the problem solved?

   

  Year R have become fantastic storytellers since. They cannot stop making up funny and unique stories which often follow their interests. 

  Can you make up you own stories at home using the 'story hand'?

  

• Update from Public Health England - Coronavirus

  Wed 12 Feb 2020

  Advice from Public Health England to share with your school community:

   

  What is the coronavirus?

   

  The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has been spreading since it was first reported in December 2019.

  Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

   

  If you develop these symptoms and have recently travelled to an area where the coronavirus is being widely reported or believe you may have come in contact with the virus then you should stay indoors and call NHS 111 informing them of the details linking you to the virus.

   

  What should I do?

   

  If you are feeling unwell and have not been contacted by Public Health England, then there is no need for concern.

   

  You should continue to treat your symptoms as usual for seasonal flu or a common cold. If you feel unwell and do not know what you should do, then call NHS 111.

   

  As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to bugs spreading:

   

  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

   

  How do I know if I’ve been in contact with a case?

   

  Public Health England is in the process of contacting people who have had close contact with the confirmed cases.

   

  Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case. This tried and tested method will ensure any risk to them and the wider public is minimised.

   

  Where can I find more information?

   

  • Information for the public
  • Blog and frequently asked questions
  • Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas

• Y2 India Day hot off the press!

  Fri 07 Feb 2020
  The Kent & Sussex Courier have featured a piece on our recent Y2 India Day in the Friday 7th February edition! 

  

• St John's boys success in TWRFC u7 tournament

  Wed 05 Feb 2020

  At the weekend the TWRFC u7 side fielded a team of St John’s boys for the first time - Harry & Jack D (Apple) and Archie, James, Oliver & Theo (Cherry) played really well, winning both their games and all scored several tries each.

  If any girls and boys are keen to play mini-rugby from reception upwards please email alex-nicholson@live.co.uk