Dear Parent/Carer,

Early Years Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 Outcomes 2013

Reports have now gone home for all children and we are proud to announce another excellent year of outcomes at the end of Reception, Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and KS2 (Year 6):

Early Years Foundation Stage outcomes:

A big increase in the number of children reaching 'A Good Level of Achievement' this year! Also much improved levels in number whilst maintaining good achievement in reading and writing.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Test:

•     79% of children achieved above the threshold of 32 in the 2014 test. This is an improvement of 12% from last year.

Year 2 Outcomes 2014:

	Level 2+		Level 2b+		Level 2a+		Level 3+
	School	National	School	National	School	National	School	National
Maths	97%	91%	83%	78%	50%	50%	33%	23%
Reading	93%	89%	83%	79%	70%	50%	53%	29%
Writing	87%	85%	77%	67%	43%	32%	27%	15%

 Highlights include:

•       Sustained improvement in Maths with children achieving above national levels at most levels.

•       Great outcomes in writing, again with more children reaching the higher levels. This includes significantly exceeding national levels at Level 3.

•       Great attainment in reading with almost ¾ of children achieving above national levels and over 50% achieving well above.

Y6 2014 test outcomes

	Sch. level 4+	National level 4+	Sch. Level 5+	National Level 5+	Sch. L6	Nat. L6
Maths	92%	85%	58%	41%	19%	7%
Reading	92%	86%	54%	45%	0	0%
Writing	96%	83%	38%	27%	0
Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling	92%	74%	69%	48%	0	2%
Reading, writing and maths	81%	76%	50%	21%
Science	96%		46%

 Highlights include:

•       Continued improvement in all areas with at least 92% of children achieving Level 4 or higher in all subjects.

•       Great attainment at the higher levels with 50% or over getting Level 5 or more in every area except writing. A wonderful 69% achieving L5 in the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test and a big improvement in reading at Level 5.

•       A brilliant 19% of the cohort who achieved Level 6 in Maths.

A massive well done to the children, parents and staff across the school for this success.

Charity Fundraising – Y6

On Friday 4^th July, Y6 held a charity day to raise money for ‘Street Child’. This charity helps thousands of children all over the world, who live on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Y6 were able to raise a grand total of £200! We would like to thank everyone who attended this event and were able to help us.

By Charlotte and Izza

Charity Fundraising – Y2

This term, Year 2 have been fundraising for the British Heart Foundation.  We decided to raise money for the British Heart Foundation because they make people’s hearts better and we wanted to help save lives.  We held two book sales and we sold unwanted library books for 20p.  We also did a reading challenge and we had to read seven books in one week.  We raised £220.93.  We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored us.

Written by the children of Year 2.

Non-Uniform Days – Appropriate Clothing

We all love non-uniform days here at St Joseph’s! Can I request however, that children do not wear clothes that are too revealing or could pose a health and safety risk. A big thank you for your understanding and support.

Pre-school Job Vacancies

Due to our increase in numbers and the expansion of our 2 year old provision from September, we currently have two vacancies for Level 3 qualified Nursery Nurses/Early Years Practitioners. If you or anyone you know may be interested then please call in and speak to Cathy to get an Application Pack. The closing date will be as soon as position is filled – to start in September. A prompt response would be appreciated.

Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards

Could you please remind your children that when they ride bikes and scooters to school, they must remember to take them home at the end of the day. We are not responsible for them if they are left overnight.

School Uniform (another reminder before the holidays)

Uniform for Boys: White shirt or polo shirt Navy blue jumper or school sweatshirt Grey or black trousers Grey or black socks Black shoes or black trainers.

Uniform for Girls: Navy blue or grey pinafore or skirt Navy blue or grey trousers White blouse or polo shirt Navy blue or grey cardigan or school sweatshirt White or blue socks Blue and white or pink/red and white gingham dress Sensible flat black shoes or trainers.

The school uniform can be ordered through Initially Yours. Their telephone number is 0117 9673847.

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.

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 350 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 Peters 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 are sending home sponsor forms today. We appreciate any support you can give.

Start of Year Parent Information Sessions

These short information sessions will take place during the second week of Term 1 from 3pm in each class. In these sessions information will be shared about expectations for the school year and other important information. Reception and Year 6 have already held their meetings. Dates are in Dates for Diaries.

School Attendance

I am pleased to announce that in 2013-14, our attendance rose to 96.3% (including Reception who had amazing attendance). Although we’ve had a better year of attendance,  it is still a concern, especially where:

•       Parents have taken children out of school for holidays or extended family visits.

•       Too many children are missing school for lots of odd days.

 

As you know, from last September, Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Absences can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

The school has done its best to work with parents, and we have resisted taking action such as fining because we want to maintain good relationships and we always want to behave in a reasonable manner. Overall, this approach has been successful.

However, it would not be reasonable for children to be missing school for such reasons on an annual basis. If children, who have missed school for extended periods this year, also miss extended periods next year(as unauthorised absences), we have no choice but to take further action, which is very likely to be issuing a fine.

Also, can I request that parents and carers do not take children out of school due to illness, when it is actually for another reason. Often in these cases, children tell their friends or members of staff another reason why they’ve been off school. In such cases, we have no choice but to request written confirmation for any absence. Without written confirmation absences cannot be authorised.

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.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 14th July at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteacher's award:  Alex (YR), Shayne (YR), Alicia (YR), Naomi (Y1),  Darshan (Y5), Poppy (Y5), Reuben (Y5), Joel (Y5), Erikan (Y5), Vanessa (4), Michal (Y4), Joseph (Y4), Salvatore (Y4), Olivia (Y4), Bethany (Y6), Samuel (Y6) and Muhammad (Y6).

Sports Super Stars: Harrison (Y4), Joseph (Y4), Jerin (Y2), Aian (Y1) and Blake (YR).

Dates for Diaries

Monday 14th July                                         -           Year 3 Topic Presentation

Wednesday 16^th July                                   -           Evening Y6 performance
Wednesday 16^th July                                   -           Year 5 Topic Presentation
Friday 18th July                                             -           Cake Sale
Tuesday 22^nd July                                         -           End of school year
Monday 1^st September                              -           Start of new school year
Monday 8^th September at 3pm                -           Y1 Parents Information Session
Tuesday 9^th September at 3pm                 -           Y4 Parents Information Session
Wednesday 10^th September at 3pm        -           Y3 Parents Information Session
Thursday 11^th September at 3pm              -           Y5 Parents Information Session
Friday 12^th September at 3pm                   -           Y2 Parents Information Session
Friday 26th September                               -           Staff training day (school closed)
Friday 3^rd October                                       -           Staff training day (school closed)

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Matt Condon
Headteacher