Dear
Parents/Carers,
Reception and Year 1 - Procedures at the Start of the school Day
To
improve the start of the school day for children in Reception and Year 1 we are
going to trial a different
way to start the school day:
•
From 8.45 parents are
welcome to bring their children into class. Parents can stay until 8.55am, or
leave their child in class. Children who are in class can start the day with
some simple learning activities. We will be asking all parents to leave classes
at 8.55am.
•
Both classes come into
class via the Reception Courtyard (through the doors the children exit at the
end of the day). It is important that parent do not then go anywhere else in
the school. If you need to visit the main office, please exit the building and
visit the office via the main entrance.
We
hope that this new arrangement will give our children a more settled start to
the school day whilst maintaining close contact with parents.
We
will start this new arrangement from Monday.
Parish Christmas Fair –
SATURDAY 29th NOVEMBER
St Joseph’s will be
holding our Parish Christmas Fair tomorrow. We also encourage
families to attend - not only are there lots of great things to do and win, but
Father Christmas will also be there!
Parents use of Social Media
At
St Josephs’ we teach all of our children that they need to treat everybody with
respect, even when there are problems with friendship. We hope that all parents
in our community, whatever the circumstances, are able to do the same. This is
very important when using social media like Facebook when it is also important
to show respect and support the ethos of the school.
Planning Cultural Celebrations
At
St Joseph’s we are very lucky to have families from such a diverse and rich
background. To celebrate this we would like to plan, with parents and the wider
community, events which enable us to share and learn together. A few years ago
we had some great celebrations where parts of the community came into school
and shared their heritage and culture.
If
you have an idea for such an event, please come and see me.
Admissions for Reception 2015
If your child is due to start school in
September 2015, you will need to apply on line as well as collecting an ‘Additional
Information Form’ from the school office.
Term 1 Team Point Winners – St Matthew’s Team
Following
my recent newsletter regarding non-uniform days, can I confirm our plan to
celebrate each term’s team point winners:
•
Most importantly we
want a celebration where children of different ages come together as a team.
•
Each team will have a
special event held on a Friday afternoon when they win.
•
This event will bring
all the team together and will be planned by team members in year 6.
•
The event could take
the form of a special party with activities planned by the oldest children for
other children in their team. It could be a special team quiz or competition.
It will be something special bringing children of different ages together.
•
The Year 6 pupils will
plan the event with the support of staff members. Perhaps in future parents of
children in the teams could also be involved?
We
will have our first team winners event next Friday. I will be meeting with Year
6 pupils in St Matthew’s team to put some plans together.
Security – A reminder
For security reasons, when children arrive late we are unable to allow parents to escort their children to their classrooms. Children will be quite safe 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. We still want to be friendly and welcoming but we have to ensure unauthorised adults do not enter the school.
For security reasons, when children arrive late we are unable to allow parents to escort their children to their classrooms. Children will be quite safe 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. We still want to be friendly and welcoming but we have to ensure unauthorised adults do not enter the school.
After
School Clubs
If
you give your child permission to walk home after Clubs, could you please let
the school have it in writing.
School
Crossing Patrol Vacancy
The
pay is currently £6.44 an hour and we pay 10 hours per week, this is annualised
so you get paid every month. Full
training and uniform will be provided.
This is a term time only role so you get all school holidays off.
If
you are interested or would like more information please contact Frances Dansie
on 9224464 or 07500120320.
We
look forward to hearing from you.
Parking in the Local Area
Can I please ask all
parents and carers to be considerate towards residents who live in the local
area when they drive and park their vehicles.
It can obviously be very frustrating to local residents when they are
unable to access driveways or if the road is blocked by cars dropping off
children. Can I also remind everybody that dropping children off in the middle
of the road is also very dangerous.
Website and Online Newsletter
Just a reminder that the school Blog (online diary) and the weekly newsletter are available via the school website (the address is on the letterhead).
If your email address,
mobile or home address has changed, please let the school office know.
Attendance
Well done to the following classes with
their attendance last week:
•
Y1
with 99%
•
Reception
and Y3 with 98%
Celebration Assembly
There will be a celebration assembly on
Monday 1st December at 9.15am, where the following children will
receive their headteacher’s award:
Nelson (Y1), Wanessa (Y1), Piotr (Y2), Jessica (Y5), Angus (Y5), Natalya
(Y6), Dominic (Y4), Sophiya (Reception). Isobel (Y3) and Tihanna (Y3.
Super Stars Award: Maisah (R), Lyra (Y1),
Vanessa (Y1), Chetavia (Y1), Christian (Y2), Tihanna (Y3), Alana (Y4), Ellie
(Y5), Aleena (Y6), Josmi (Y6) and Jennifer (Y6)
Dates for Diaries
Saturday 29th November -
Parish Christmas Fair
Monday 1st December
-
Year 3 Topic Presentation/Celebration assembly
Tuesday 2nd December
- Choir to Cabot
Circus
Wednesday 3rd December
-
Year 4 Advent Assembly (date changed)
Thursday 4th December -
Y1 and Y5 trip to St Fagan’s
Thursday 4th December -
Y2 trip to Fishponds Library
Friday 5th December - Year
6 cycle training
Monday 8th December
-
Year 6 Topic Presentation/Celebration
Thursday 11th December
- Infant party in
morning
Thursday 11th December
- Infant Nativity – 2.30pm
Thursday 11th
December
- Christmas Lunch
Friday 12th
December
- Infant Nativity –
9.30am
Monday 15th December
-
Year 4 Topic Presentation (date changed)
Wednesday 17th December pm -
Carol Concert in Church
Thursday 18th December
- Infant Christmas
Disco
Friday 19th December
- Christmas Mass in
Church
Friday 19th
December
- End of Term 2
Monday 5th January -
Start of Term 3
Wednesday 7th January
-
Year 5 topic presentation (change of date)
Monday 2nd February
-
Staff training day (school closed)
Sunday 28th June -
First Holy Communion in Church
Friday 17th July
-
End of school year
Yours sincerely,
Matt Condon,
Headteacher
