Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to the start of the new school year and I hope you all had a good summer break.

I would like to welcome our new Reception children who have started this week on a part-time basis. We know that they will really enjoy growing as part of our school community.

Mr Mac Jeffrey

I am very sad to announce that Mac Jeffrey, ex-Headteacher of St Joseph’s, passed away last week.  Mac was known to many of us as a teacher and to many of us as a colleague; I was lucky enough to know Mac as my teacher in 1982/83 and as my boss when I returned to St Joseph’s as a teacher years later. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mac’s family at this time.

Mac’s funeral will be held on the 18^th September at Priston Mill near Bath at 11am.

St Joe’s in the Evening Post

St Joseph’s success last year was celebrated in The Evening Post at the end on July under the heading, ‘Hard work by whole school earns reward’. You can find the article on the school blog. A great way to end a great year!

New Staff

I would like to welcome the following people into our school:

• Miss Hannah Phillips as our new Reception teacher
• Miss Kellie Holman as our new Year 3 teacher
• Miss Olivia Thomas will be our PE Specialist on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Olivia will also be running two after school clubs which will begin soon.
• Mr Nick Buck as our new caretaker

Goodbye Fr Joy

We will be having a special assembly next Friday 14^th September at 9.15am to say goodbye to Fr Joy who is leaving the parish soon. Also the parish will be saying their goodbyes on Sunday 16^th September with a 6.00pm Mass and celebrations afterwards in the school hall.

These occasions are also opportunities to welcome Father Paul, St Joseph’s new priest.

Past Pupil Success

Liam Smith has achieved brilliantly in his GCSEs, which he took one whole year early, getting good results in 11 subjects!

Naomi Petela is starting a DPhil in Bio-chemistry at Corpus Christi College in Oxford this October.

Rachel Gossan has achieved amazingly at A level and has secured a place at the Yorkshire Coast College in Scarborough where she will be starting a BA degree in Costume.

Please let us know about other St. Joseph’s ex pupil success stories – there are lots out there and we would love to publish them in the newsletter.

Missing reading books

Can I please ask that all families check if you have any school reading books at home. We are missing lots of books from the library and classes would appreciate any that are returned to school.

Curriculum

Topic overviews for new topics will be sent home next week and will be displayed in the school playground.

Book bags and PE bags

Lots of children are bringing PE kits and books into school in large backpacks. Because we have limited storage space in class, can children bring PE kits in lightweight drawstring PE bags and books in book bags. Both of these are available from the school office or can be purchased elsewhere.

School Uniform

Can I remind all parents and carers that children should be wearing plain black shoes or trainers. Children should not come into school with any extreme hair styles.  

Good attendance

Our attendance was much improved last year and we hope to continue this improvement in 2012-13.

May I remind parents that if their child is absent, they must telephone the school (where there is a 24 hour answer service) or report the absence to the school office.

Can I remind all parents and carers that if the school is not contacted by 10am on the morning of any absence it will be recorded as unauthorised. 

Morrison’s ‘Let’s Grow Gardening Vouchers

Morrison’s are again giving away vouchers for schools to exchange for gardening equipment.  The School Gardening Club depends on the items we receive from this scheme to ensure the successful running of our gardening activities.  We grow fruit, vegetables and flowers and have turned a fairly dull area of the school grounds into a colourful and welcoming part of our school as well as providing the flower displays by the main school entrance.  Please send your vouchers into school so that we can have another successful year in St Joseph’s gardening Club.  Thank you.

Choir

This year choir will take place on Tuesdays after school from 3.35-4.30, starting on 11/09/2012.  We are planning two events before half-term, both in the Colston Hall. If your child is keen to sing with the choir, please can they come the first session so that we get enough rehearsal time.  When your child comes they may bring a drink and a small snack.  They will need to be collect promptly at 4.30pm from the front entrance.

Looking forward to great music making with your children – Mrs Marsh

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 the 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.

Contact Details

If any of your details have changed could you please let the school know as soon as possible, in order for records to be up-dated.

Security – IMPORTANT REMINDERS

For security reasons, when children arrive late, we are unable to allow parents to escort their children to their classrooms. Children are perfectly capable of walking to classrooms by themselves.

All adults who enter the school building (even just to go into the front office), must be signed in and given an identification badge by a member of staff. Any adult without authorised identification will be politely challenged.

Prospective Parents Tour

There will be a tour for prospective parents for September 2013.  The dates are Friday 28^th September, at 10.00am and Wednesday 3rd October at 2.00pm.

Lost Property

We have lots of unclaimed lost property in the blue box in the entrance foyer. Can I ask parents, carers and children to check the box, if they have lost anything, as all contents will be recycled at the end of next week.

Extended School Club

This has started this week and is proving a great success.

The club is now open for all pupils, both before and after school.  The Club will start at 8.00am to the start of Registration, and then from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.  The costs are £2.00 for a morning session and £2.50 for the afternoon session.  For further details, please contact the School Business Manager via the school office or email debrah.davies@bristol.gov.uk.

Team Points

St Matthew Team were the winner of Term 6. They will have a special non uniform day on Friday 14^th September.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 10^th September, at 9.15am where the following children will receive their headteachers award:

Alvin George, Maddy Khan-Slade, Mackenzie Sawers, Charley Russell and Ruby Dudley.

These children will receive Superstars Sports Awards:

Conor Crudge, Joel ShelviRuby Dudley, David Wabissa, Vivian Johnson,  Aaron Johnson and Jaimie Vadhyanath.

Dates for diaries

Monday 10^th September                -                       Y3 Swimming

Friday 14^th September                     -                       Goodbye Father Joy assembly

Friday 14^th September                     -                       St Matthew Team non uniform day

Sunday 16^th September                  -                       Parish celebration for Father Joy

Friday 28^th September                     -                       Prospective parents tour

Monday 1^st October                       -                       Full Governing Body meeting

Wednesday 3^rd October                -                       Prospective parents tour

Wednesday 10^th October              -                       Year 5 visit to Bristol Council House

Friday 19^th October                         -                       Harvest Mass

Wednesday 24^th October              -                       End of Term 1

Monday 19^th November                -                       INSET Day (school closed)

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please talk to the class teacher or a member of staff in the front office.

We hope all our children have a great year of learning ahead of them!

Best wishes,

Matt Condon

Headteacher