Enrichment
At St Joseph’s we believe that the children’s learning should not be limited to the teaching of academic subjects. Beyond the National Curriculum we offer pupils a programme of enrichment activities which we hope will support them to lead happy and successful lives.
Communication: Spoken language – such a key part of early development is sometimes overlooked in the larger primary classroom, so we encourage the children to relearn the art of conversation, collaboration and discussion in small groups.
Current affairs: Nurturing a child’s interest in local and world events encourages them to broaden their outlook and be better informed.
Public Speaking: Giving children the opportunity to deliver a speech can develop self-confidence, social interaction and leadership skills. We prepare the children to read with clarity at Mass and Assembly.
Debating: Allowing children to devise a well-informed argument helps them to analyse information and defend their viewpoint whilst learning, sometimes to appreciate an opposing viewpoint.
Poetry: Reading and performing poetry out loud enables the children to explore language, develop their vocabulary and increase their literary repertoire from William Wordsworth to Carol Ann Duffy.
Courtesy: The expectation of civility and good manners towards everyone, allows pupils to flourish in an atmosphere of mutual respect. ‘It is as important to be a good listener as it is to be a good speaker.’ The encouragement of pleasantries such as handshaking, making eye contact and smiling enable children to prepare not only for interviews but to be personable ambassadors for the school.
Well Being and Mindfulness: We believe that our enrichment programme enhances well-being by enabling children to broaden their intellectual and social horizons. Engaging in positive, enjoyable, enrichment activities can develop children’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Including introductory Mindfulness techniques into our enrichment programme enables pupils to improve their ability to pay attention, to calm down when they are upset and to make better decisions.
History of Art: Encouraging the children to have an appreciation of Art enhances their learning and personal growth.
Climate Club: Pope Francis has written a letter addressed to every person on the planet, asking us all to protect the earth. At St Joseph's we are doing our best to protect our common home with the introduction of Climate Club.
The idea for Climate Club came from the daughter of one of the teacher's. Mathilda, a recent graduate, volunteered to start a club to support the children's interest, engagement and action over climate and sustainability issues and the response has been extremely positive. The children are welcomed to meet periodically at lunchtime in conjunction with the school council to share ideas and initiatives to improve things such as our school's recycling and to foster better habits at home. Climate Club tips are published regularly in the newsletter.
SCHOOL TRIPS AND JOURNEYS
Pupils will be taken out of school to visit places which will enhance and support their curriculum studies. These visits usually take place during the school day but in Year 5 and in Year 6 there is the opportunity to take part in residential visits. This is an excellent time for social development, as well as extending their learning in several curriculum subjects.
All classes have the chance at least once during the year to visit places of interest connected with their work. Places visited include Whipsnade Zoo, the Science and Natural History Museums and the Kent coastline. Parents are asked for a voluntary contribution towards the costs of these visits.
Our children also benefit from visits to Maida Vale library and to local businesses and attractions to enrich their learning. Our Year pupils also have the opportunity to sing at local events such as the Tri-Borough carol concert and the Seven Seeds performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
We encourage visits to school from live performers and invite several different companies to perform for us during the school year. We also benefit from outside organisations like the police force and the fire service who give safety advice and support to the school.