Friday 18 December 2009

18th December 2009

Dear Parents and Carers,

School Security
We are doing our best to improve overall site security, whilst not losing the welcoming feel to the school.

One of the key issues is managing who enters the school through the front. At certain times of the day, many parents are visiting the school office, and it is difficult to manage who is in the school. To support us in making the site more secure we need to insist that:

All monies and correspondence be given to the class teacher in an envelope or posted through the post box in the school entrance.
All persons coming to the main entrance will need to come to the window first. Access will then be given when needed.

WE ASSURE YOU WE STILL WANT TO BE A WELCOMING SCHOOL BUT THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN MUST COME FIRST!

A newsletter in January will clarify what else we need to do to achieve improved security.

Free Brand New High Spec PC and one year internet access for low income families
A government initiative has been launched across the country to ensure that families on low incomes can have computer and internet access in their homes.

You could be entitled to a free home Computer and one year free broadband internet access if your child is in Keystage 2 or 3 AND your family fit one of the following criteria:
- Your child qualifies for free school meals
- You (as parents) are on income support OR receive income based job seekers allowance
- Have guaranteed pension credit OR have an income related employment support allowance
- Receive support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act

To register your details please phone Home Access at Bristol City Council on 0117 3526000.

Next Year’s Curriculum
Some children and parents have already being looking at overviews of the next topics we have planned on the website. The topic titles are: Splash (Reception), In the Past (Year 1), Fire and Ice (Year 2), Wheely Good Inventions (Middle Primary) and Swinging Sixties (Later Primary)

Christmas Masses
Thursday 24th December (6pm) - Children’s MassThursday 24th December (10pm) - Carol Service leading into Midnight MassFriday 25th December (9.30am) - Christmas Day MassSaturday 26th December (10am) - St. Stephen’s Day Mass

School Attendance
Well done to the following classes who achieved over 95% attendance last week –Mrs Rolling’s Class, Mrs Ford’s Class and Mrs Bell’s Class.

Sing Up
The holidays are upon us and you might be wondering how to entertain your children. This is what you can do! Click onto www.SingUp.org, click on the Festive Pack for parents and hey presto, you will find colouring, making, reading, singing and listening projects to entertain your little ones all holiday through. Enjoy!

200 Club- November
Here are the winners for the November 200 Club

1ST MRS HAWKINS £12.25
2ND MRS GALVIN £8.17
3RD MRS PALMER £4.08

Please see Mrs. Gossan if you would like to join.

Dates for Diaries

Monday 4th January - Start of Term 3
Tuesday 5th January Early Primary (Y1/2) Mass in Church
Friday 8th January - Start of Term Mass in School Hall
Tuesday 12th January - Middle Primary (Y3/4) Mass in ChurchMonday 18th January - INSET DAY – Child Protection Training
Tuesday 19th January - Later Primary (Y5/6) Mass in Church

Can we wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas,


Matt Condon
Headteacher

Friday 11 December 2009

11th December 2009

Dear Parents and Carers,

Christmas Carol Service
Our Christmas Carol Service takes place next Thursday 17th December, at 2.00pm in the Church.

School Attendance –
Well done to the following classes who achieved over 95% attendance last week –

Miss Wright’s Class, Mr Sherwin’s class (for the 4th week!), Mrs Patton’s class and Mrs Bell’s class.

After School Clubs
As you aware the school provides a variety of after school clubs which have been well received and well attended. Unfortunately the uptake of certain clubs are starting to dwindle and will be cancelled unless there is more interest expressed. There are still places on the following after school clubs :-

Gymnastics - for years 3-6 (Monday)
Fencing - for years 5/6 (Thursday)
Multi-sports - for year 1-3 (Tuesday)
Further details are available from the school office.

St Joseph's Recipe Book
There are still a few recipes books left for sale - £3 each or £5 for 2 – an ideal Christmas present. Available from the school office.

Dean Field Study Centre

The December instalment is now due. If you are paying by cheque please make it payable to Bristol City Council. May I remind you that all outstanding balances for this trip must be paid by Friday 15th January.

Sickness
It is very important that if your child is ill you inform the school before 9.30am to let them know the reason.

Celebration Assembly
There will not be a celebration assembly next Monday

Children's Christmas Mass at St Joseph's Church
The Parish will again be holding their usual Children's Mass on Christmas Eve at 6pm.
This will include a dramatised Gospel and participation by the children in the readings. All children are also invited to bring small gifts for the homeless to bring up at the Offertory procession. If your child would like to take an active part in this Mass then practices will be held on Monday 14th December at 3.45pm and again on Monday 21st December at 10am. Both practices will be in the Church. Please give Cathy Williamson a call on 9401782 if your child would like to take part or for further information.

Masses over Christmas
Thursday 24th December (6pm) - Children’s Mass
Thursday 24th December (10pm) - Carol Service leading into Midnight Mass
Friday 25th December (9.30am) - Christmas Day Mass
Saturday 26th December (10am) - St. Stephen’s Day Mass

Dates for Diaries

Tuesday 15th December - Later Primary (Y5/6) Mass in Church
Tuesday 15th December (2.30pm) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December (9.30am) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December - Infant Christmas Party
Thursday 17th December (2.00pm) - Carol Service (in Church)
Friday 18th December (9.30am) - End of Term Mass
Friday 18th December - End of Term 2
Monday 4th January - Start of Term 3
Tuesday 5th January - Early Primary (Y1/2) Mass in Church
Friday 8th January - Start of Term Mass in School Hall
Monday 18th January - INSET DAY – Child Protection
Training

Yours sincerely,


Matt Condon
Headteacher

Friday 4 December 2009

4th December 2009

4th December 2009

Dear Parents and Carers,

IMPORTANT - Supervision Before School and Site Security

Due to new guidance from Ofsted, the school is reviewing all practices regarding site security.

Responding to a number of immediate concerns, can I clarify the following –

Although the school does it’s best to provide supervision in the playground between 8.45 and 8.55, this cannot be guaranteed. The care and safety of learners must remain the responsibility of parents and carers, until children enter the school with their class at 8.55.
Adults can only enter the building through the main school entrance (with the exception of parents escorting their children into the Reception class). Please do not ask any members of staff or children to let you in through any other entrance.

Although we still strive to be a welcoming school, these measures obviously mean that we will be restricting access to the school building, to those who have been authorised by a member of staff. These measures are in place to ensure –

a) We can account for all persons on premises (in the event of a fire or other emergencies)
b) Nobody is in school who might pose a risk to children

Further updates regarding safety and safeguarding will be in the newsletter soon.

School Attendance – The following classes achieved over 95% attendance last week –Mr Sherwin’s class (for the 3rd week), Mrs Joseph’s class (for the 2nd week) and Mr Conlon’s class (for the 2nd week) with 100%!!!

Swine Flu - We have some children who are absent from school due to ‘flu like symptoms’. The latest advice regarding swine flu is that for most people it will be a mild illness that can be managed by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol. If you have another health problem, or are concerned, you can ring the National Pandemic Flu Service on:
0800 1513 513 for information, or
0800 1513 100 for treatment.

Claiming for Free School Meals - If you are in receipt of Income Support or certain benefits your child is entitled to free school meals. To claim, please complete a form available from the school office. You will need to show us proof of your entitlement and then we will do the rest!

Dean Field Study Centre
- The December instalment for the Dean Field trip is now due. If you are paying by cheque please make it payable to Bristol City Council.

Sickness - If your child is absent, please telephone the school before 9.30am to let the office know the reason.

PTFA Book Fair - Thank you to all who supported the book fair last week. We raised a massive £564 worth of books for the school.

Tree Planting - Come and plant a TREE (and break a world record) at Ridgeway Playing Fields, Hillfields. Meet at Foundry Lane entrance on Fri 4th December and Sat 5th December, 10am - 4pm. For more details see http://www.treebristol.com/ or phone 0117 352 5638

Celebration Assembly - There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 7th December, at 9.15am, and the following children will receive their headteachers award:- Aleena Vincent, Aaron Tarr, Stan Smith, Maciej Oledski, Jakub Wawrowski and George Stenner.

Dates for Diaries

Tuesday 8th December - Middle Primary (Y3/4) Mass in Church
Friday 11th December - PTFA Christmas Disco
Tuesday 15th December - Later Primary (Y5/6) Mass in Church
Tuesday 15th December (2.30pm) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December (9.30am) - Reception Class Nativity
Wednesday 16th December - Infant Christmas Party
Thursday 17th December - Carol Service
Friday 18th December (9.30am) - End of Term Mass
Friday 18th December - Mass and end of Term 2
Monday 4th January - Start of Term 3
Monday 18th January - INSET DAY – Child Protection Training

Best wishes
Matt Condon, Headteacher