Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome to the last newsletter of this school year. The children have had another great year of learning and are making better progress than ever before. Can I thank you all for your hard work, friendship and support. A paper copy is being sent home to all families this week.

A Message on behalf of the School Governors

Congratulations to children, parent, carers and school staff for a fantastic year of achievement.  We can all see the excellent results of working together.  Well done everyone.

We have every confidence that next year will be as good or even better!

From Shelagh Williams (Chair of Governors)

Staffing Changes

Mrs Rollings has decided to step down from her role as Assistant Headteacher. Mrs Bell has been appointed as Assistant Headteacher for the next year. Both teachers will be working together to support children with special needs although Mrs Bell takes overall responsibility in this area. Mrs Joseph continues in her role as the other Assistant Headteacher.

Can I take this opportunity to thank Mrs Rollings for her significant contribution as Assistant Head over the past 6 years.

From September, Mrs Rollings will be reverting to her maiden name of Miss Garnier.

Goodbye and Thank You

Sadly we will soon be saying goodbye to a valued member of the St. Joseph’s team. Mr Trevor Wallace has worked as a Teaching Assistant for nearly two year supporting children across the school in their learning.

The children and staff will miss him greatly and we wish him lots of luck for the future.

Summer Wedding

During the Summer Mr. Conlon is getting married. We wish the couple a wonderful wedding day and that they are very happy in their married life.

School Dinners

There will be fish fingers instead of meatballs on the last day of term.

Sponsored Bike Rides 2014

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 have sent home sponsor forms and a Just Giving site can be found on:

https://www.justgiving.com/stjoesbikerides2014

We appreciate any support you can give.

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.

Free School Meals

As you will know, all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will be entitled to Free School Meals from September.

Year 6 Performance of Jungle Book

Congratulations to the children and staff for their amazing performances during this last week. The standard of singing and acting was fantastic and the story was told with great confidence and intense emotion. I was incredibly proud of all who were involved.

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. Y2 Parents Session is now on Thursday 4th September

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.

2014-15 Term Dates

Term 1 - Monday 1 September to Friday 24 October 2014

Term 2 - Monday 3 November to Friday 19 December 2014
Term 3 - Monday 5 January to Friday 13 February 2015
Term 4 - Monday 23 February to Friday 27 March 2015
Term 5 - Monday 13 April to Friday 22 May 2015
Term 6 - Monday 1 June to Monday 20 July 2015

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: Haris (Y2)

Energy Club: Aleena (Y5), Allen (Y3). Isabel (Y3), Vanessa (Y3), Josh (|Y3), Helene (Y3), Olivia (Y4), Kai (Y5), Piper (Y4), Vanessa (Y4), Charlie (Y3), Soraya (Y4), Alexandra (YR), Symon (Y1), Harrison (Y2), Tihanna (Y2), Dashana (Y1), Naomi (Y1), Melanie (Y1), Hecotr (Y1), Darrell (Y1), Janice (Y1), Bogdan (R), Nelson (R), Jesselyn (Y1), Joseph (R) and Ruby (Y1).

Dates for Diaries

Monday 21^st July                                          -           T6 Attendance Assembly

Tuesday 22^nd July at 9.30am                       -           Leaver’s Mass in Church
Tuesday 22nd July                                        -           End of school year
Monday 1st September                             -           Start of new school year
Thursday 4th September                            -           Y2 Parents Information Session (date changed)
Monday 8th September at 3pm               -           Y1 Parents Information Session
Tuesday 9th September at 3pm                -           Y4 Parents Information Session
Wednesday 10th September at 3pm       -           Y3 Parents Information Session
Thursday 11th September at 3pm -           Y5 Parents Information Session     
Friday 26th September                               -           Staff training day (school closed)
Friday 3rd October                                      -           Staff training day (school closed)

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Yours sincerely,

 

Matt Condon

Headteacher