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 19^th 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.