Wednesday 18 July 2012


Dear Parents and Carers,

2011-12 - Another Amazing Year!

Welcome to the last newsletter of this school year. A paper copy is being sent home to all families this week. The children have had a great year of learning and are making better progress than ever before.

Almost all of our key stage results this year are well above national averages, continuing the improvement recognised by Ofsted in May.  In Maths, which is an Ofsted area for development, improvements are especially pleasing.

Here are some highlights:

Denominational Inspection Judgement – Outstanding!

Please find attached to this letter a copy of our report following our recent inspection. Following our Ofsted judgement of ‘good’ we are incredibly proud that we have been judged to be an ‘outstanding’ Catholic school. Inspector Joseph Skivington commented, “Pupils are wholeheartedly involved in the Catholic life of the school and make a positive contribution to it, not least by their excellent behaviour, which contributes to their own learning and the ethos of the school.”  Please read the whole report which is attached to this newsletter.

Ofsted Inspection – Good in all areas!

Inspector David Shears was very positive about the school recognising that the school had made really good improvements and that, “The school’s positive ethos is a key strength in encouraging pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This ensures that pupils have a good understanding of right and wrong and successfully learn how to relate well to others, regardless of their background.”

Foundation Stage Outcomes!

The children have done brilliantly this year, especially in:

  • Language, reading and writing
  • Number and shape and space
  • Creative development

The children have had a great foundation for learning in Year 1.
  
End of Key Stage Results – Key Stage 1 (Level 2b is national expectation)

  • Attainment is well above national levels in in maths, reading and writing, especially at 2b+ where attainment is well above national in areas.
  • Reading continues to be a real strength with 97% attaining Level 2b+, and 40% attaining well above average at Level 3.
End of Key Stage Test Results – Key Stage 2 (Level 4 is national expectation)

  • 93% of children achieved Level 4 in English overall. This compares to 81% nationally.
  • Maths was our Ofsted area for improvement, yet 93% of children achieved Level 4 in Maths compared to 84% last year and 80% nationally. This shows really good improvement in this area already.
  • A brilliant 91% of children achieved Level 4 in both English and Maths, compared to 74% nationally.
  • 56% of children achieved L5 in reading compared to 42% nationally.
  • Twice as many children (40%) achieved Level 5 in writing compared to the 20% nationally.
Attendance

This has continued to improve over the last 3 years and is now over 96%, which is now well above the national average.

Also a big well done to the 66 children who had 100% attendance this year!

A message from Maureen Tuohy (Foundation Governor)

Dear All,

Last night, I was lucky enough to be involved in the preparations for the year 6 production of the ‘Lion King’ followed by an hour of pure entertainment! What a joy!

Of course, I wasn’t surprised by the quality of talent displayed by the children in the cast - and the adult team behind the scenes. I have had many opportunities this year to see the wealth of talent that is in St Joseph’s school. I have visited classes and been to topic presentations where children have impressed us all, not only with the amount of learning going on, but also with their enthusiasm and confidence when sharing it!

How wonderful then, that the talent and hard work of our children and staff (not forgetting the parents, carer’s and guardians) has been acknowledged by the recent Ofsted and RE inspections. ‘Good’ says Ofsted, ‘Outstanding’ say the RE inspectors! Well done everyone, says me!

This summer marks the end of an era for me; it is my last as a parent at St Joseph’s school. Between the pre-school and primary school, I have been beating a path to ‘St Joe’s’ for 22 years! During that time I have had three children and lots of nieces and nephews at the school which has meant 22 nativity plays, carol services, First Holy Communions, sports days, leaver’s masses and leavers performances; interspersed with book weeks, cake sales, fetes, fairs, school inspections and school discos - it has been a busy 22 years!! As a parent I have always been made to feel welcomed and included in the life of the school and I encourage all parents, carers and guardians to become involved with the vibrant and busy school lives of the children here, it is a rewarding experience!

I hope to remain involved with life in St Joseph’s as a member of the governing body, so I look forward to sharing exciting learning experiences and meeting any new challenges the next school year may bring!!

Wishing you all a relaxing summer break; who knows, the sun may even shine!

Maureen Tuohy

(Proud governor and parent)
 
Some other school notices for September

School Uniform

The summer holiday is a good time to stock up on school uniform, so can I remind parents and carers that it consists of a white polo shirt, navy blue sweatshirt, cardigan, fleece, grey trousers/skirts or blue/white gingham dress.

Also, children must wear footwear (black shoes or black trainers) appropriate to the school environment and activity.

Autumn Fete

As we had to cancel the summer fair this year, we have decided to hold an Autumn Fete on Friday, October 12th from 3.30 - 5.30pm. The plans are still at an early stage, but the emphasis will be on children's games and stalls. It also means that instead of holding Book Fair week that week, we will open a 'Book Shop' on that Friday only as part of the fete.

We will however, need a bit of help to support the children on the stalls and help in the book shop. If you have an hour to spare on Friday 12th can you please let us know either via the office, on our Facebook page (search for St Joseph’s school PTFA) or email at stjoesptfa@hotmail.co.uk.

Can I thank the small group of PTFA members for the support they have given the school this year.

Dates for diaries

Thursday 19th July                            -                      Leaver’s Mass at 9.30am in the Church
Monday 3rd September                 -                      Start of Term 1
Monday 19th November                 -                       INSET Day (school closed)

Goodbyes

Charlotte White, who has worked as a Teaching Assistant in Reception this year.

Mr Sherwin, who has been a class teacher in St Joseph’s for the last 7 years.

Colin Pitt, who has been the school caretaker for the last 6 years.

Kay Pitt, who has worked as a school cleaner for an amazing 27 years!

Ellie Bradley, in Year 3 and of our Year 6’s who are leaving school tomorrow and starting new schools in September

Thank You

A special thank you to Mrs Patton who finishes her role as Special Needs Coordinator this summer after 16 years. Mrs Patton has done amazing work over the years, supporting children and families with learning and wellbeing. Mrs Rollings will be taking over this crucial role in September.

I would like to thank all children, parents, staff, members of the PTFA and governors for all your hard work and support. We look forward to making 2012-2013 an even better year of learning and success.

I look forward to the new school year where we welcome new members of staff, start our new Extended School Club and plan more exciting activities like our new Mandarin Club and regular PTFA coffee mornings for parents.

St Joseph’s is going from strength to strength!

Have a safe and happy holiday

 Matt Condon
Headteacher

PS - watch out for a feature about the school in the Bristol Evening Post, to be published soon. 

Thursday 12 July 2012


Dear Parents and Carers,  

A reminder that the school will be closed tomorrow, as it is a staff training day. 

Library Books

Could you please check at home if you have any school reading books, or library books, as we seem to have a considerable amount missing from school.

School Uniform

A reminder that school uniform is ordered through Initially Yours, and their e.mail address is enquiries@initiallyyours.co.uk.  Their telephone number is 0117 9673847.

Attendance

A special treat for the 100% attendance was postponed a couple of weeks ago. It will now be on Wednesday, 18th July. All 65 children with attendance over 99.5% will be included.

Cake Sale

The PTFA will be holding a cake sale on Tuesday 17th July in the courtyard. Do come along, and as usual any donations of cakes, scones or biscuits will be most welcome!

Autumn Fete

As we had to cancel the summer fair this year, we have decided to hold an Autumn Fete on Friday, October 12th from 3.30 - 5.30pm. The plans are still at an early stage, but the emphasis will be on children's games and stalls. It also means that instead of holding Book Fair week that week, we will open a 'Book Shop' on that Friday only as part of the fete.

We will however, need a bit of help to support the children on the stalls and help in the book shop. If you have an hour to spare on Friday 12th can you please let us know either via the office, on our Facebook page (search for St Josephs school PTFA) or email at stjoesptfa@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks.

Deanfield Study Centre

A reminder that the most recent instalment for this trip was due on the10th July. This payment needs to be received by next Tuesday 17th July at the latest.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 15th July at 9.15am where the following children will receive their Headteacher’s award:
Summer Allen, Josh Bristow, Maya Buckler, Poppy Kelliher-Swash, Josmi Saji, George Stenner,Erikan Udoh, Natalia Warmuz, Salvatore La Porta, Daniel George, Aliyah Latif, Charlie Russell, Olivia Woodruff, Charlie Harris and Iwan Calloway.

Dates for Diaries

Friday 13th July                                  -                       School closed for staff training
Thursday 19th July                             -                       Leaver’s Mass and end of school year
Monday 3rd September                  -                       Start of Term 1


Best wishes,


Matt Condon
Headteacher

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Sports Day

Due to rain, Sports Day has been postponed until this afternoon. We hope to start at 1.30pm.

Hopefully the weather will improve by this afternoon.

Friday 6 July 2012


Dear Parents and Carers,      

Section 48 Inspection - Earlier this week the school was visited by an inspector for two days who was looking at Religious Education and the Catholic life of the school. The inspector was extremely impressed with the school and recognised much improvement since the last inspection in November 2008, when the school was judged to be good with some outstanding features. He was impressed in particular by the behaviour and values of our children. All feedback was extremely positive and we will be sending home the full report when it is published soon.

Recent Ofsted Inspection - Also this week we recived a letter from local Member of Parliament Kerry McCarthy, praising the school for our recent Ofsted report. In the letter she says, ‘the report highlighted the innovative methods used by staff to engage pupils of all abilities, and I would like to congraulate you and your colleagues on the fantastic results this appraoch is achieving’. We will put a copy of this letter on the playground noticeboard.   

Sports Day - This is planned for next Tuesday morning. If Sports Day needs to be cancelled, we will inform parents on the school blog and by text.

Attendance - Well done to Mrs Patton’s class with 98% attendance, Mr Conlon’s class with 97% and Mrs Ford with 96%.

Year 6 leaver's Lunch - The year 6 leaver’s lunch will take place on Thursday 12th July. The cost is £2.20 and the menu the children have chosen is sausage and chips, beans, peas or salad, macaroni cheese, for pudding chocolate brownie or ice cream.

Celebration Assembly - There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 9th July at 9.15am where the following children will receive their Headteacher’s award:
Alya Rasul, Nadia Naibet, Rungkan Downes, Rochelle Christian, Saul Ayton, Dariusz Franczak, Alisha Latif, Niamh Tuohy-Tillson, Rahim Rehan, Charlie Russell, Emily Webb, Muhammad Baig and Conor Crudge.

Dates for Diaries
Tuesday 10th July                               -                       Sports Day (am)
Tuesday 10th July                               -                       Reports sent home to parents
Wednesday 11th July                        -                       Year 3 Topic Presentation
Thursday 12th July                             -                       Year 5/6C Topic Presentation
Friday 13th July                                   -                       INSET DAY
Thursday 19th July                              -                       Leaver’s Mass and end of school year

Best wishes,

Matt Condon
Headteacher