27th February, 2009.

Dear Parent/Carer,

School Uniform – a Reminder

There is in place a school uniform comprising white polo shirt, navy blue sweatshirt, cardigan, fleece, grey trousers/skirts (tailored shorts in warmer weather) or blue/white gingham dress.
The shirts, sweatshirts etc. are available through the school, but have to be ordered with money paid in advance.
Children must wear clothing and footwear (black shoes or black trainers) appropriate to the school environment and activity whilst avoiding extremes of fashion.
School staff and governors retain the right to request children not to attend school in clothing or footwear deemed to be unsuitable, inappropriate or likely to compromise health and safety.

Jewellery in School

Children should not wear jewellery to school. The school will not be responsible for any loss or damage to property or person resulting from the bringing of jewellery into school.

Please note: Children with pierced ears whose parents wish them to wear earrings must, for safety sake, wear plain metallic studs rather than other types of earrings.

Hair extensions or extreme ornamentations are not allowed on ground of Health and Safety. Children who wear earrings must remove (or tape) them for all PE and sporting activities on Health and Safety grounds.




Parents’ Evening

A reminder if you have not received your child’s Parents’ Evenings letter which is next Tuesday 3rd March from 4.00-6.00pm and on Thursday 12th March from 4.00-6.30pm, to come to the office to collect one. The purpose of the meeting is for teachers to share how your child is progressing in their learning, to look at their completed work, to learn about what they need to do to improve and to share any important information. The meeting lasts for no more than 10 minutes.

May I remind you all that it is very important that at least 1 parent/carer attends this meeting.

Parking on Chatsworth Road

Local residents have complained that parents, taking their children to school, are parking across driveways and blocking access. Please be considerate to our neighbours and do not park across driveways or lanes.

Consultation on Waste Treatment Facilities

As some of you are aware, a consultation is taking place on where to locate waste treatment facilities. One of the proposed sites is on Goodneston Road, off Lodge Causeway. Information can be found and comments can be made online at www.westofengland.org/waste

New Traffic Signs

We have just been notified that Bristol City Council are planning to install Solar Powered Vehicle Activated Signs on Lodge Causeway in an attempt to slow traffic near the school.

This action has resulted in concerns being raised in the School Travel Plan submitted by the school last year. A big thank you to Mrs. Rollings and all involved in the writing of this plan.
RED NOSE DAY 2009 – FRIDAY 13TH MARCH

There will be some fun activities taking place in school to raise money for Comic Relief. Please try and participate in some (or all) of them! Here are some of the things planned.

50p DRESS UP DAY. Wear your pyjamas to school, or wear something red.

CAKE SALE. The cookery club will be making some special 'red nose' cakes to sell after school; we would also welcome any other cake contributions to sell alongside them.

ASSEMBLY COLLECTION. There will be a collection after assembly for any small change you can donate.

Celebration of Achievements

There will be no Celebration Assembly next week.

Dates for Diaries

Tuesday 3rd March - Y3/4 Mass in Church
Tuesday 3rd March - Parent’s Evening
Tuesday 10th March - Y5/6 Mass in Church
Thursday 12th March - Parent’s Evening
Friday 13th March - Red Nose Day and Y56P Class Assembly
Tuesday 17th March - Reception, Y1 and Y2 – Mass in Church
Thursday 19th March - St. Joseph’s Day Mass
Friday 2oth March - Y2F Class Assembly
Tuesday 24th March - Y3/4 Mass in Church
Tuesday 31st March - Y5/6 Mass in Church
Friday 3rd April am - Y2S Class Assembly
Friday 3rd April pm - Holy Week Service (in school hall)
Friday 1st May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Monday 29th June - Mass for Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul
Monday 13th July - Staff Training Day (school closed)

One more training day date (school closed), needs to be confirmed.

Yours Sincerely,



Matt Condon
Headteacher

13th February, 2009.

Dear Parent/Carer,

Free Swimming

Please read the attached details of a city-wide free swimming scheme, aimed at under 16 year olds and over 60 year olds.

Year 6 -After School Maths Club

As in previous years, we are running after school activities, supporting learners in Y6. We are unable to invite all children to partake in this club at this time, but we are planning a variety of strategies, to ensure all children are supported in their learning.

Help Needed

In school we are working hard to improve the learning environment. If you have any ‘artistic’ talent and some spare time, we would appreciate help developing displays around the school.

Tag Rugby/Cricket Team

Those children who took part in the Tag Rugby tournament at Cleeve RFC before Christmas, and those children who took part in the Cricket Tournament will receive their certificates in the Celebration Assembly on Monday 23rd of February:

Tag Rugby: Cameron Wallace, Rebecca Dagnall,, Yan Stepaniuk, Callum Slade, Leon Avery, Sebastian Smaka, Keegan Broad, Sam Davis and Max Poole.

Cricket: Yan Stapaniuk, Olivia Lambe, Estella Maloney-Danvers, Will Brain, Aaron Graham, Leon Johnson, Rhianna Hamilton, Kevin John, Callum Slade and Charles Johnson


Celebration of Achievements
There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 23rd February at 9.15am. The following children will receive awards:-

Cole Schwarz, Grace Stepaniuk, Edwin Sebastian, Oliver Kelliher-Swash, Cameron Wallace, Lucy Britton, Oliver Louch, Milo Mooney and Justyna Dombek

Cycle Training – Y5/6 and Y3/4

If you are still interested in your child taking part and have not put their name down, the deadline for this is Friday 27th February.

We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.

Yours sincerely,



Matt Condon,
Headteacher.

Dates for Diaries

Monday 23rd February - Start of Term 4
Tuesday 24th February - Reception, Y1 and Y2 – Mass in Church
Wednesday 25th February - Ash Wednesday – Mass for KS2 (in Church)
Assembly for Rec/KS1
Tuesday 3rd March - Y3/4 Mass in Church
Tuesday 3rd March - Parent’s Evening
Tuesday 10th March - Y5/6 Mass in Church
Thursday 12th March - Parent’s Evening
Friday 13th March - Red Nose Day and Y56P Class Assembly
Tuesday 17th March - Reception, Y1 and Y2 – Mass in Church
Thursday 19th March - St. Joseph’s Day Mass
Friday 2oth March - Y2F Class Assembly
Tuesday 24th March - Y3/4 Mass in Church
Tuesday 31st March - Y5/6 Mass in Church
Friday 3rd April am - Y2S Class Assembly
Friday 3rd April pm - Holy Week Service (in school hall)
Friday 1st May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Monday 29th June - Mass for Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul
Monday 13th July - Staff Training Day (school closed)

One more training day date (school closed), needs to be confirmed.

THE COACH IS ON THE M32 NOW!

Update!

The group contacted us 10 minutes ago and were in Gloucester. Conditions were good. We hope to see them soon.

Update!

The group have left and will be travelling via Gloucester. Conditions are now much improved and ETA is still 2.30pm.

The End is Near!!

Having confirmed that road conditions are safe, the group will be leaving Parkend in the next 15 minutes. As the Severn Bridge is still closed, the coach will travel via Gloucester. We anticipate arrival 2.30pm approx. We will update the Blog, if we have any further information.

Camp Update

We will be making a decision about the children returning to school, within the next hour. The Blog will be updated then.

Camp Update

The bridges have been closed because thawing ice has been falling on vehicles. We plan to wait a couple of hours and than review the situation. If the bridge re-opens and conditions are safe, then the group will return this afternoon. An alternative if the bridge is still closed, but road conditions are safe, is travelling to Gloucester and joining the M5. if conditions are judged to be not safe the group will remain in Parkend for another night.

We were in the process of contacting parents/carers individually, but due to circumstances changing quickly we be only publishing updates on this BLOG.

If you are worried, give us a call - 3772160

CAMP 2009 Update

Both Severn Bridges are now closed - we will update you asap - obviously the group will not be leaving to arrive at 12.30pm - 1pm. We will advise you of plans asap.

Matt Condon

Camp Update

ETA is still 12.30-1pm. This is dependent on conditions - we may have to wait if conditions the weather has not improved. Please check the Blog for regular updates.

Camp Update

I have just spoken to the Local Authority regarding trasport back from the Forest of Dean. They will be contacting me with a more detailed forecast so we can ensure children travel back when it is safe. This may change the timing published earlier this morning.

Camp Update

I've just spoken to Mrs. Joseph who is with the group in the Forest of Dean. Conditions on the main roads are judged to be safe BUT conditions may be getting worse. Our staff and Ian Healy (Dean Field Manager) have arranged with the coach company for the group to be collected early.

We expect the group to arrive back in school 12.30-1pm approx.

Can I assure you all that the group will not travel if we are not happy about their safety.

Matt Condon

SCHOOL CLOSED!!! - Friday 6th Feb

I will be in school today and will be ensuring transport for Y56 residential trip children is arranged ensuring safety. An update will appear on the blog later in the morning.Sorry about any inconvenience caused by the closure.Matt Condon

Update - Thursday 8pm

Having reviewed the weather forecast, I am confident that the school will be open tomorrow. In the case of reduced staffing levels (as today), we will aim to open all day, but give parents/carers the option to collect children from school at 12.30pm, after lunch.

If the school opens tomorrow, as planned, we can assure you that conditions are safe on the school site. Parents/Carers will need to make their own decision about whether safe travel to school is possible - this will be a significant issue, if conditions are icy.

The situation will be reviewed early tomorrow morning, with a message placed on the BLOG. Any closure will be broadcasted also on Radio Bristol.Every effort will be made to keep school open, even if we are unable to deliver a normal curriculum.

Please take care travelling into school!

CAMP 2009 Update

Some parents have contacted the school, concerned about news reports about poor conditions on roads in the Forest of Dean.

This morning, I spoke to Ian Healy, the manager of the Dean Field Studies Centre. He confirmed that -

• Conditions on some roads were poor. Because of that, a decision was made to cancel any activities not based around the centre site in Parkend.
• Whilst conditions on B roads are poor, A roads have been gritted and are in regular use. The coach collecting the children will travel on A roads only.
• That the children and adults are having a great time!

We have also contacted Turners Coaches who are currently happy with conditions on the roads, but will review their conditions tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Plans - Friday

As today, the school plans to open as usual. The situation will be reviewed early tomorrow morning, with a message placed on the BLOG. Any closure will be broadcasted also on Radio Bristol.

Every effort will be made to keep school open, even if we are unable to deliver a normal curriculum.

Please take care travelling into school!

School Open - 10.30am update

Whilst the school will be officially open all day – parents can collect their children after lunch at 12.30pm as the school is significantly understaffed.

Children are welcome to remain in school all day – appropriate supervision will be provided at children can be collected at the normal time of 3.30.

School Still Open - Update

7.45am - After taking advice from the local authority I can confirm that the school is OPEN today, although we will not be operating with a full staff (classes may be joined).

Mr. Condon

SCHOOL OPEN!

School is open as normal today.

4th February 2008 - Snow-Special Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

Weather Warning

The Met Office has issued an early warning of severe weather overnight -

‘There is a high risk of snow during the early hours of Thursday which will continue until the afternoon. There will be accumulations of 2 to 5 cm of snow in general, with 5 to 10 cm likely in places and 20 to 30 cm possible over higher ground’.

Currently, we plan to open the school as normal tomorrow.

However, in the unlikely case of the school being closed (or other changes to the normal school day), we will inform you in the following ways –

Notice will be published on the school website. We hope to publish this information by 7.30am and you will find this news on the newsletter blog –

http://www.stjoesnewsletters.blogspot.com/

AND the normal blog - http://www.stjoesblog.blogspot.com/

If you do not have access to the internet, perhaps other parents who do, may be able to share this information.

We will also inform Radio Bristol, who will broadcast details of any school closures.

Camp 2009

This morning I spoke to Mrs. Joseph, who is with the children in Year 5 and 6 on their residential trip to the Forest of Dean. Mrs. Joseph said they were having a great time and Mr. Conlon was able to publish this post on the school blog -

‘We are having a fantastic time on Camp, with lots of fun in the snow. Everyone is keeping well and wrapping up warm. We are half way through our week and have already done so many brilliant activities’.

Apparently the snowman is called ‘Frosty Joe’. The children have been enjoying making snowmen, having snowball fights and have been enjoying lots of hot chocolate and soup. As well as all the snow based fun, they have managed to enjoy all of the planned activities – even canoeing!

Although more snow is forecast, the route from Parkend back to school is on main roads only. We do not anticipate a problem with transporting the children back on Friday.

Another newsletter will be sent out on Friday which will include celebration of achievements.

Yours sincerely,



Matt Condon, Headteacher.