St. John’s RC Primary School

St John’s RC Primary School

The Epiphany, 6 January

Children in each class were asked to retell in their own words, the story of the Epiphany and the journey that the three wise men made to visit the baby Jesus. The stories were read out in a special assembly on Tuesday, and below you can read a sample of those stories. The children also made crowns and wore them for the assembly.

We celebrate Epiphany because it is a moment of worshipping Jesus the born King. And to remind us that King Herod wanted to hurt him.

Epiphany is also important because it is when things became clear for the world. Kind Herod was jealous but Jesus was the real King and he came to spread joy, peace and love around the world. Jesus was a noble man and the chosen one! Written by Abdurrauf


The wise men saw a bright star and the wise men followed the bright star. The special king was in a stable. The wise men followed the bright star into Bethlehem and the kings gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for Jesus because he was a new king. Written by Klaudia

I saw a big star shine out of the sky, I followed it to Bethlehem. When I got there, I met King Herod and I said to King Herod I am going to a King, his name is baby Jesus. King Herod wanted to pretend to worship him but he lied, he wanted to kill him. King Herod told me when you find this baby King, bring him to me. I had a dream. In the dream, an angel told me to go a different way home. I give him gold to make him happy. Written by Ismael

During the time when Jesus was born King Herod ruled the land. Three wise men saw a strange star in the sky. They knew that a new born King was born so they went to tell Herod. One of the men told Herod that Jesus was born, Herod was disturbed then. Herod told them go and find him so he can worship him. So the three wise men set off on their journey. One of the wise men brought gold. The other one brought frankincense and the last one brought myrrh. They promised that they will not tell Herod. Written by Rhianna

Help your child to read at home

Please encourage and help your children to read at home. Parents are by far the most important educators in a child’s life and it’s never too young for a child to start, even if you’re only reading with your child for a few minutes a day.

Learning to read is about listening and understanding as well as learning to read printed words. Through hearing stories, children are exposed to a rich and wide vocabulary. This helps them build their own vocabulary and improve their understanding when they listen, which is vital as they start to read. Even if your child doesn’t understand every word, they’ll hear new sounds, words and phrases which they can then try out, copying what they have heard.

As children start to learn to read at school, you can play an important role in helping to keep them interested in books, finding out what interests them and helping them to find books that will be engaging and fun for them.

Children are sent home with books to read and you are asked to spend time listening to the read and helping them when necessary. Their reading log should be signed and returned to class every day so that the teacher knows when to change their book.

Swimming lessons for year 4

Swimming lessons for year 4 children start on Monday 23 February and will run every Monday through to July. The swimming lessons are compulsory and part of the school curriculum; therefore children/parents do not have the right to decline swimming lessons.

Please ensure children are sent to school every Monday with their swimming kit and towel. All jewellery must be removed before the child comes to school as it is not permitted during swimming lessons.

Lessons take place between 1pm and 2pm and all children will be back at school for the normal collection time of 3pm. Please ensure you complete, sign and return to school, the consent form that your child will be given to take home.

Admission to primary school

Another very important reminder for admission to primary school: September 2015
Parents/carers of children in our nursery class will have received a letter and application form for primary school places in September. Please ensure that you complete and return the application to the schools admissions team at Rochdale Council before
15 January 2015.

If you need help to complete this form, please ask a member of staff in the school office or nursery. Alternatively, applications can be completed online at www.rochdale.gov.uk