Dear Parents/Carers,

Safe Parking

Yesterday another ‘near miss’ was reported with a parent dropping their child off on the zig zag lines, reversing and narrowly missing a child who was crossing the road. It’s a great shame that some parents continue to put others at risk rather than parking a bit further away and walking for a couple of minutes into school. A big thank you to the large majority who do park sensibly and avoid putting others at risk.

Parent Tea and Coffee Afternoons

From this term we will be organising regular opportunities for parents to pop into school for a cup of tea or coffee. We would like to invite parents into the school library at 3pm on Thursday 16^th January. We would like to open an informal discussion about how parents might be involved in a ‘Parents’ Group’, but don’t worry, we won’t be asking anybody to sign up for anything! Just come along and enjoy a chat and a drink.

Reception 2014

The closing date for online admissions  is Wednesday 15^th January.  Also, if you have not completed our additional form, you will need to collect this from the office and return it beforethis date.

Team Points

St Mathew’s  are last term’s winners and they will be able to wear non-uniform on Friday 17^th January.

Mail and Online Newsletter

Thank you to all parents who have provided us with emails for newsletters. If we do not have your e-mail address, please contact the office.  This will save lots of paper!  Also, the School Blog keeps you updated about the newsletter, other events and shares quality information about your child’s learning.

Pupil Premium - Free School Meals

The Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best. This funding is called a ‘Pupil Premium’. For every child registered for free school meals at St Joseph’s, the school gets a significant amount of money to improve learning for that child.

With this money we could organise more individual tuition, increase Teaching Assistant support and improve learning opportunities in lots of other ways. If you are registered for free school meals you could also get support for school trips and have help with after school clubs.

If you are eligible for free school meals, you can now apply online at www.bristol-cyps.org.uk/fsm or visit the school office. You are eligible if you receive:-

·         Income Support.

·         Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based).

·         Child Tax Credit, but are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) does not exceed £16,190.

·         Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999.

·         The 'Guaranteed Element' of Pension Credit.

·         Income Related Employment And Support Allowance benefit (any element of contribution based paid free school meals are not available

After School Clubs

After school clubs will start next week. This term we are able to reduce the cost to £2 per session for our paid clubs. We do, however, require full payment before children start clubs, as some clubs were not paid for last term. Unfortunately, we are only offering football to Years 2-6 this term, although all children in the current club have 1 session left which will happen on Thursday 9^th January.

Here is the timetable for Terms 3 and 4:

Club	Finish Time	Year Groups	Start date/day of club	End date	Cost
Textiles	5pm	3-6	Monday	Continuing until the end of Term 3 when the club will take a break.	Continuing without cost.
Choir	4.30pm	3-6	Tuesday	Ongoing	No cost
Multi-sports (football, dodgeball, hockey, basketball, frisbee)	4.45pm	1-6	Wednesday	(payment covers until end of Term 4)	£2.00 per session = £22 for terms 3 and 4
Football	4.45pm	2-6	Thursday	(payment covers until end of Term 4)	£2.00 per session = £22 for terms 3 and 4
Mandarin	4.15pm	1-6	Friday	Ongoing	No cost
Art	4.45pm	R - 6	Thursday	Ongoing (payment covers until end of Term 4)	£2.00 per session = £22 for terms 3 and 4
Energy Club	4.30pm	R-2 3-6	Monday Friday	Ongoing	No cost
Kodu Club	4.30pm	5 and 6	Monday	Ongoing	No cost

Dates for Diaries

Thursday 16^th January at 3pm                    -           Parents’ tea and coffee

Friday 17^th January                                      -           St Matthew’s non uniform day
Monday 12th May 2014                              -           Year 6 SATs week

 

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher