Dear Parent/Carer,

Sports Day 2014 – Wednesday 2^nd July 2014

Sports day this year will follow the theme of the Football World Cup.  The children will be split into four teams – Asia (Japan/China), Europe, America (USA) and Africa (Cameroon, Costa Rica).  The teams will be dressed to represent these continents:

·         St Mark will be representing Asia (wearing something red)

·         St John will be representing Europe (wearing something yellow or white)

·         St Luke will be representing America (wearing something blue)

·         St Matthews will be representing Africa (earing something green)

The idea is that children try to wear something of that colour; we don’t want parents buying new PE kit for the morning! 

So that we can start as early as possible, can all children take their PE Kit home on Tuesday so that they can wear their PE kits into school.  They can bring their uniform into school in their PE bags.

Weather permitting, sports day will take place on the field between 9.30am and 12pm and parents/guardians, friends and governors are all very welcome to come and support the children.  The forecast for Wednesday is mixed, so please make sure your children are prepared for all weather types. We will keep you updated of any changes nearer the time.  If it is warm and sunny please ensure your children come to school with sun cream and sun hats on.  Regardless of the weather, please make sure they have plenty of water to drink.  The school will provide emergency water.  The school will also provide some shelter that can be used if children get too hot (If any parents have any gazebos that we can borrow, could you please let the office know).

Outdoor experience days 2014

Yesterday Y4 visited Kenfig Nature Reserve in Wales as the third of our Outdoor Experience Days. These days have been planned to give children an opportunity to explore the natural world around us. Y2 has visited the ancient woodland of Savernake Forest, Y5 climbed and walked the majestic Malvern hills and yesterday Y4 explored the wilderness of the Kenfig dunes and its expansive beachside. We've shared this experience with the staff and children of Christ the King school in Hartcliffe.

It's been an amazing experience where children have connected with God's creation, made new friends and challenged themselves and each other. We've had lots of fun, sometimes got a bit mucky and have come home with lots of great stories to tell.

We plan to repeat these experiences next year, whilst adding new ones for other year groups, so that these days become an important part of children growing up and learning about themselves and their place in the natural world.

First Holy Communion

Good luck to all the children who will be receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion this Sunday.

CAFOD ONE WORLD Football Tournament

On the 24^th June Y6 participated in a charity football tournament which was held at St Bede’s Secondary School. There were four other teams, which we played in 12 minute games. Our seven-a-side team lost their first match 2-1 but later struck back to have a 3-0 win in the other two matches we played. The last match was the decider. Would we win? The opponents had won all of their matches so far, so in order to win we had to give everything we had. Fortunately we won 1-0 but because both teams had lost one match, it was all down to goal difference. St Mary’s won by 5 goals that they had scored in an earlier match against another team, which won them the cup . Even though we came second by a tiny bit from first place, we are proud that we got that far. WELL DONE ST.JOSEPH’S!!!!!

Report by Tejal and Alfie

Team=David, Muhammad (GK); Alfie, Tejal (defenders); Cole, Jordan, Mathews, Sam (mid-field); Joseph, Johann, James (forward).

After School Clubs and our Extended School Club

Recently we've had requests for children to be supervised between school clubs (i.e. When a club finishes earlier than another). To help parents we can offer a place at the extended school club for these short periods at a cost of £1.50. Like the usual Extended School Club all places must be booked in advance using the form available in the school office.

Sponsored Bike Ride

As you may recall, last year I cycled from Bristol to the north coast of Wales raising money for Ataxia UK. At the start of the summer holiday I am cycling from Bristol to Whitby on the coast of the North Yorkshire Moors; cycling over 300 miles over 5 days. But I'm not the only adventurous cyclist...

During the same week Angus Wallace in Year 4 is cycling from Bristol to Radstock and back; an amazing distance of 50 miles in one day. Angus is only 9 years old!

We've both decided to use our journeys as opportunities to raise money for St. Peter's Hospice. St Peter’s Hospice is a Bristol charity caring for adults with life-limiting illnesses. They aim to improve the quality of their living and dying while extending care and support to their families and loved ones.

St Peter’s Hospice cared for our caretaker Nick Buck's wife, Sonia, who passed away in November of last year. Sonia had been battling cancer for some time and received a wonderful level of care at St Peter's Hospice.

We will be setting up a ‘Just Giving’ website as a well as sending home sponsor forms next week. We appreciate any support you can give.

Class Organisation 2014

We welcome Miss Frances Finding to the teacher team. Miss Finding will be covering the Reception Class whilst Miss Phillips is on maternity leave. To ensure the best possible start for our new pupils, both Miss Finding and Miss Phillips will be teaching the class for the first few weeks of term 1.

Here is the class structure for next year:

Reception                             -           Miss Finding (with Miss Phillips)

Year 1                                     -           Mrs Rollings
Year 2                                     -           Mrs Ford
Year 3                                     –          Miss Darvill  
Year 4                                     –          Miss Perry
Year 5                                     -           Mr Conlon
Year 6                                     -           Mrs Bell and Mrs Joseph
Music specialist                    -           Mrs Marsh

Parish Summer Fair – Saturday at 2pm

This exciting annual event is an important fundraising and community event for the Parish. The fair is being held in the Parish Hall this Saturday and the school will be organising a stall as part of the event. Please come and bring your families. The fair starts at 2pm.

The school will be running a stall using packets of sweets as prizes. On behalf of the parish, thank you for your support.

Topic Presentations

These are short presentations where the children tell the story of their learning in their most recent topic. In the summer we also invite parents into class, following the presentation, for 20 minutes, to look at their child’s work.

Year 6 Leaver's Lunch

The year 6 leavers’ lunch will take place on Friday 18th July. The cost is £2.20 and the menu the children have chosen as their favourite is beefburger, pizza, chips beans and salad.  For pudding they have chosen chocolate brownies.  (This menu is only for the Year 6 leavers).

Cake Sale

There will be a cake sale plus tea and coffee in the school hall on Friday 18^th July.  Donations of cakes will be much appreciated.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday June 30th at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteacher's award:  Hugo (YR), Harry (YR), Rachel (YR), Leona (YR), Janice (Y1), Adam (Y1) and Harrison (Y2)

Dates for Diaries

Saturday 28^th June                           -           Parish Summer Fair (at 2pm)
Sunday 29^th June                              -           First Holy Communion

Tuesday 1^st July                                 -           New parents evening
Wednesday 2^nd July                        -           Sports Day
Thursday 3^rd July                               -           Y3 rip to Chepstow Castle
Monday 7^th July                               -           Year 1 Topic Presentation
Tuesday 8^th July                                -           Mass for Catholic Education (7pm at the Cathedral)
Wednesday 9^th July                                     -           Year 2 Topic Presentation
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Year 4 Topic Presentation
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Reports to parents
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Y1 and Y2 Noah’s Ark          
Monday 14th July                            -           Year 3 Topic Presentation
Wednesday 16^th July                       -           Evening Y6 performance (change of date)
Wednesday 16^th July                       -           Year 5 Topic Presentation
Thursday 17th July                            -           Afternoon Y6 performance (change of date)                                                     
Friday 18th July                                 -           Cake Sale
Tuesday 22^nd July                              -           End of school year
Friday 26th September                   -           Staff training day (school closed)
Friday 3^rd October                           -           Staff training day (school closed)

 
Yours sincerely,                                        

 

Matt Condon
Headteacher

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

Parish Summer Fair – Saturday at 2pm

This exciting annual event is an important fundraising and community event for the Parish. The Fair is being held in the Parish Hall this Saturday and the school will be organising a stall as part of the event. Please come and bring your families. The Fair starts at 2pm.

The school will be running a stall using packets of sweets as prizes. To help support this we will be having a non-uniform day this Friday. Can all children who are wearing their own clothes bring in a box/packet of sweets/chocolates to be won as a prize on the day. Last year children who attended won lots of prizes! On behalf of the parish, thank you for your support.

Year 3 will now have an ‘outstanding attendance’ non uniform on this Thursday instead.

 

Yours sincerely,                   

 

Matt Condon

Headteacher

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

Attendance for After School Clubs

It seems that an increasing number of children are attending after school clubs on an increasingly sporadic basis. For these opportunities to be effective we do need commitment from children. If children are regularly missing sessions their parents may be contacted to discuss ending their participation.

Charity Work from Year 3

Year 3 are doing some charity work this year to support two charities.  We chose to support Water Aid because we find it very sad that children in other countries don’t have clean water to drink and Ronald McDonald House because we also want to help sick children and their families that live in Bristol.  To raise money for these charities we are planning on holding a Charity Fair on the 27^th of June 2014 from 2.45pm till 4.00pm.  Please come and help us raise money to support these charities. We will be selling a variety of healthy smoothies, colourful loom bands with exciting designs.  There will also be a penalty shoot-out, a cake sale and guess the number of sweets in the jar.  We have also written a letter to the local Morrison’s store and hope to run a bag pack to raise more money later this term.

Written by Dominic Sebastian and Zahra Smallwood.

Topic Presentations

These are short presentations where the children tell the story of their learning in their most recent topic. In the summer we also invite parents into class, following the presentation, for 20 minutes to look at their child’s work.

Dean Field Study Centre

Letter will be going out next week to year 5 for the residential trip which takes place in February of next year. If you would like your child to attend, please could you ensure you return the completed form together with £.00 to the school office by Friday

Music Tuition

Letters were sent out to parents last week for the current Years 2-5 to book a place for their child to learn an instrument from September. There are spaces available to learn the guitar, violin, Brass, Drum and Keyboard.  Please ensure that a completed slip and the first instalment of £93.50 are returned to the school office by Monday 23^rd June.

Summer Parish Fair

This year the the school is supporting the parish summer fair. We are asking for volunteers who would like to be involved in supporting this parish event. If you are able to help out, in any way, however small, please let the school office or Mr. Condon know. Thanks to the parents who have already offered their support.

Pre-school Event

‘Get ready for Summer’ Ladies Pamper Night is on  Thursday 19th June from 7pm till 10pm. This will include the opportunity to book mini treatments such as massages, facials and manicures as well as browse the various stalls selling Jewellery, beauty products and other treats. Tickets £4 each to include nibbles and a drink. Bring all your friends!! (Know a Therapist? Tables also available to book at £10 each – please see Cathy). Some Therapists available to book in advance – reserve your time slots now!!

Community Fun Day

There will be a Community Fun Day at Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, on Saturday 21st June 12.00-4.00pm, (entrance free).  There will be lots of activities such as face painting, a fun dog show, stalls, balloon show, play workers, tag rugby, emergency vehicles, Dr Bike, Aikido display, marching band, food, inflatables, and lots more.  Family disco from 4.30pm

Cake Sale

There will be a cake sale plus tea and coffee in the school hall on Friday 18^th July.  Donations of cakes will be much appreciated.

Attendance

Well done to the following classes with their attendance last week:

•       Year 3 with 99% attendance.  They will be able to wear non-uniform on Friday 27^th June.

•       Reception, Year 3, Year 4 and Y6 with 98% attendance.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday June 23rd at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteacher's award:  Jovin (YR), Kieran (YR), Isobel (Y2), Agnel (Y1), Libby (Y4), Jessica (Y4), Chinnu (Y4), Cheyenne (Y3) and Vanessa (Y3).

Dates for Diaries

Wednesday 25th June                    -           Year 5 Sports Day at St Brendan’s

Thursday 26^th June                           -           Year 4 Outdoor Experience Day to Kenfig Reserve
Friday 27th June                               -          Year 3 charity fair
Saturday 28^th June                           -           Parish Summer Fair
Sunday 29^th June                              -           First Holy Communion
Tuesday 1^st July                                 -           New parents evening
Wednesday 2^nd July                        -           Sports Day
Thursday 3^rd July                               -           Y3 rip to Chepstow Castle
Monday 7^th July                               -           Year 1 Topic Presentation
Tuesday 8^th July                                -           Mass for Catholic Education (7pm at the Cathedral)
Wednesday 9^th July                                     -           Year 2 Topic Presentation
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Year 4 Topic Presentation
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Reports to parents
Friday 11^th July                                  -           Y1 and Y2 Noah’s Ark          
Monday 14th July                            -           Year 3 Topic Presentation
Wednesday 16^th July                       -           Evening Y6 performance (change of date)
Wednesday 16^th July                       -           Year 5 Topic Presentation
Thursday 17th July                            -           Afternoon Y6 performance (change of date)                                                     
Friday 18th July                                 -           Cake Sale and parents tea/coffee
Tuesday 22^nd July                              -           End of school year
Friday 26th September                   -           Staff training day (school closed)
Friday 3^rd October                           -           Staff training day (school closed)

 

Yours sincerely,                                        

 

Matt Condon
Headteacher