Friday 19 December 2014

18th December, 2014

Dear Parents/Carers,

Christmas Celebrations

We have just had a wonderful period of Christmas celebrations.  Can I say a big thank you to everybody in the school community for making these events so special and remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Mqss Times

       Wednesday 24th December – 6.00pm Children’s Mass
       Wednesday 24th December – 9.00pm Carols and Readings
       Wednesday 24th December – 9.45pm Christmas Mass
       Wednesday 24th December – 11.35pm Syro-Malabar Mass
       Thursday  25th December –  9.30am Christmas Mass

Children’s Christmas Mass 6pm Christmas Eve

Does your child want to take part in the Dramatized Gospel or help with a reading at the Children’s Christmas Mass? There will be two practices for this, one on Monday 15th Dec at 4pm and the second on the following Monday at 10am in the morning. Both practices will take place in the Church. Please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 for further information. Thank you.

Library Books

Recently we have bought lots of new books for the library however many seem to have gone home without being booked out. I’m sure they are just being borrowed are read at home, which is why they were bought! Over the holiday, could you please check at home if you have any school reading books, or library books that can be returned and shared with other children too.

Good Attendance Presentation

On Monday 5th January, children with 100% attendance will be given 2 tickets; one to take home so that parents know they have a non-uniform day and one to be kept in school for the draw during Wednesday’s Assembly. All parents and carers are invited to this assembly.

Visitor Feedback

Recently we had a ’School Improvement Advisor’ visit.  Our visitor has worked in education across England for over 30 years and has worked as a Lead Ofsted Inspector as well as heading the education department of a major city council. He spent a day with us and I thought I would share some of his feedback:

‘It was my first visit to the school and the headteacher arranged for two Y6 pupils to give a guided tour. The pupils were extremely confident and articulate and acted as superb ambassadors for the school. The learning environment both in corridors and classrooms is bright, engaging and stimulating. It is clear that teachers and leaders give a rightfully high emphasis to this aspect of the school. The school is very well ordered and presented a purposeful, friendly and welcoming image.’

He recognised that standards were, ‘above national for all subjects and there has been a trend of continuous improvement’.

And when considering standards and achievement across the school he fedback that, ‘there is cause to consider whether the judgement should be outstanding’.
Well done to the whole school community.

After School Clubs – some changes for January

To increase the opportunities for younger children, we have decided to change the days for afterschool clubs. From next term there will be NO indoor games and apologies to those children who enjoyed the club. Now on a Tuesday we will have football outside either using the school field facilities or playground. On a Wednesdays we are introducing KS1 multi-skills, this is available to all children in Reception, Yr1 and Yr2 and finally on a Thursday we will have gymnastics. The finishing time will stay at 16.45.
As football will now be an outdoor afterschool club, we recommend the children are dressed appropriately. Clothing items to consider would be: long sleeved tops, jogging bottoms or a warm base layer, warm suitable hats and gloves. Footwear will also need consideration as trainers are suitable if using the playground however children can wear football boots when using the field.
Please contact the school office to see if any places are available. All clubs will start on the first week of term and will take place every week unless parents are otherwise notified in the newsletter or by text.

Places are limited and offered on a first come-first served basis.

Club
Finish Time
Year Groups
Start date/day of club
Kodu Computing Club
4.30pm
5 and 6
Monday
Choir
4.30pm
3-6
Tuesday
Football
4.45pm
3-6
Tuesday
Multi-skills
4.45pm
R-2
Wednesday
Gymnastics
4.45pm
1-6
Thursday

Good news for St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School

Having achieved its best ever an examination result in the summer, St. Bernadette Catholic Secondary School in Bristol is celebrating the outcome of its recent Ofsted inspection. The inspection team visited the Whitchurch school on 13th and 14th November and found much to praise.
Inspectors spoke favourably about all areas of the school, identifying good and outstanding practice. They highlighted the high expectations which exist at all levels and which are underpinned by strong leadership within a supportive and safe culture. The report states, “Relationships are respectful and productive and learning is greatly valued.”
The strong sense of community and positive ethos at the school were also praised. The inspection team said that students behave well and feel safe at the school. They “are polite and personable in and out of lessons”, appreciating the opportunities that are provided by the school.
Inspectors spoke positively about students’ good academic achievement at the school. Exam results and the progress of current pupils are strong and above national averages. Last summer 68% of pupils gained 5A*-C passes with English and Maths. This far exceeded the national average of 53%. The percentage of pupils achieving top A*/A grades, which also exceeds the national average, was commented upon.
The quality of teaching at the school was highlighted in the report. “Most teaching is good and some is outstanding. Relationships between students and teachers are very positive and this helps to establish a purposeful and respectful learning environment that encourages learners to participate in lessons.” Teachers’ knowledge of students, planning and teaching skills all received praise.
Headteacher, Mrs Basia McLaughlin, said, “I am so proud of our whole school community. There is a real sense of belonging and a commitment to excellence at St Bernadette’s. We are delighted that Ofsted recognised this and the progress we have made as well as our passion, commitment and capacity to becoming outstanding.”
Admissions for Reception 2015

If your child is due to start school in September 2015, you will need to apply online as well as collecting an ‘Additional Information Form’ from the school office. The closing date for applications is on the 15th January 2015.

Dates for Diaries

Monday 5th January                                               -           Start of Term 3
Wednesday 7th January                                                     -           Year 5 topic presentation and attendance assembly
Monday 2nd February                                            -           Staff training day (school closed)
Sunday 28th June                                                      -           First Holy Communion in Church
Friday 17th July                                                         -           End of school year

Can I take this opportunity to thank all of you for your help and support this year. We wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas and we will see you all on Monday 5th January.

Yours sincerely,



Matt Condon,
Headteacher

Friday 12 December 2014

Dear Parents/Carers,

Staff Leaving – Mrs Marley

I am sad to say goodbye to Mrs Jenny Marley, who has worked as a Teaching Assistant in our school for 23 years and is leaving to begin a well-deserved retirement. Jenny has had an amazing career supporting and teaching children throughout the school. She has developed great relationships with children, staff and parents with her constant smile and incredibly caring manner. Jenny will be missed greatly by everybody who knows her and we wish her a wonderful retirement with Mike her husband, her children and grandchildren.

If anybody would like to contribute to a leaving present from parents and carers, please see Mrs Marley (Jackson and Fletcher’s mum) in the school playground. Many thanks.

Christmas at St Joseph’s

Can I remind you all of these key dates over the next week:

·         Wednesday 17th December at 2 pm                   -           Carol Concert in Church (mince pies for      parents/parishioners afterwards in school hall)
·         Thursday 18th December                            -           Infant party in morning (children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, wearing party clothes all day)
·         Thursday 18th December                                        -           Infant Christmas Disco after school
·         Friday 19th December at 9.30am                          -           Christmas Mass in Church

Christmas Mqss Times

       Wednesday 24th December – 6.00pm Children’s Mass
       Wednesday 24th December – 9.00pm Carols and Readings
       Wednesday 24th December – 9.45pm Christmas Mass
       Wednesday 24th December – 11.35pm Syro-Malabar Mass
       Thursday  25th December –  9.30am Christmas Mass

Being Safe

We have been reminding all children that it is important that they do not talk to strangers or other people they might not know well enough. We have also reminded children that if they have to wait for parents/carers to collect them, they need to wait in the playground. If parents/carers are late then they need to come to the school office.

The children have great knowledge of how to be safe and we are very proud of how sensible they all are.

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.

This week there have been a number of times when parents have come through the front entrance without authorisation. This is often when the entrance is busy, somebody else is coming through the door and other adults follow without speaking to the office staff first. Can all parents please check with the office staff before coming into the school.

Taekwondo Club – a message from Sean Turner in Year 3

I am asking for your help to save my taekwondo club. I go to this club with my brother and I really enjoy it. I have been in competitions and won some medals. There are other people from this school that go there including my friend Marco. The club came to the school summer fair and even Mr Condon had a go.

The council are planning to knock it down and it might have to close. The members of the club need as many people as possible to sign a petition to help us to save the club. Please can you, your family and friends help me by signing the petition.

Thank you. Sean Turner (Year 3)

All the details are on the website below with a link to sign the petition. There is also a paper copy of the petition which Sean’s mum will have in the playground but you cannot sign both.

Infant Christmas Disco

For children who have booked to come to the Infant Disco after school next week, we won't be sending out any tickets as you have prepaid. Children who are booked to come will be taken in straight from class after school.  Cup drinks and crisps will be on sale for 25p each and free drinking water will be available. As it will be non-uniform that day (for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) your child doesn't need to bring a change of clothes. Please collect your child at 5.30pm from:

  • Reception from their classroom exit in the infant courtyard.
  • Year 1 from the main doors from the hall into the infant courtyard.
  • Year 2 from the front entrance.
  • Year R and 1 parents can access the playground and courtyard via the Chatsworth Road side of the school.
 Please contact us if you need any further information. Thanks.

Catherine and Laura (parents of children in Year 1)

Football Club

Due to the infant disco, there will be no football club next week.

Admission Policy 2016

The Governors are consulting on a new Admissions Policy for September 2016. In this policy some changes have been made:

       How the school measures distance.
       The priority given to baptised Catholic children who live outside the parish of St Joseph.
       The priority given to Children who are not baptised at the time of application, but born of a Catholic parent, living within the parish of St Joseph.

A full copy of the consultation document is available from:

       The school office.
       St Joseph’s Church.
       The ‘information’ section on the school website.

Any feedback is obviously appreciated and should be addressed to the School Governors and sent into the school office.

Prayer at Advent
The feedback from parents about our ‘Advent Bags’ have been great:

During Advent each child will bring home an ‘Advent Bag’ for one night.  It consists of a purple cloth, a prayer, a cross and a light. Please encourage your child to set up a little prayer area, and together say the Advent prayer, discussing how Advent is the time when we are preparing for the Birth of Jesus. Please ensure the bag is returned the following day.

Children’s Christmas Mass 6pm Christmas Eve

Does your child want to take part in the Dramatized Gospel or help with a reading at the Children’s Christmas Mass? There will be two practices for this, one on Monday 15th Dec at 4pm and the second on the following Monday at 10am in the morning. Both practices will take place in the Church. Please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 for further information. Thank you.

Sacrament of Confirmation

The next classes for children/young people wishing to make their Sacrament of Confirmation will be starting in February with the Confirmation Mass taking place on Thursday 21st May at 7pm. Children can make their Confirmation if they are in Year 7 or above. Numbers for the sessions are currently low and if no more candidates register by the end of the year then we will have to postpone until 2016. If you have any older children wishing to make this Sacrament then please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 as soon as possible. Thank you.

Admissions for Reception 2015

If your child is due to start school in September 2015, you will need to apply online as well as collecting an ‘Additional Information Form’ from the school office. The closing date for applications is on the 15th January 2015.

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 class with their attendance last week:

       Reception with 98%

Lost Property

We have lots of unclaimed lost property in the blue box in the entrance foyer. Can I ask parents, carers and children to check the box, if they have lost anything, as all contents will be recycled at the end of this term.

Primary Maths Challenge

The following children took part in the Primary Maths Challenge: Ashley, Aleena, Edwin, Alexander, George and Kai.  During Assembly on Monday 15th December certificates will be awarded.  The Primary Maths Challenge is a competition for children in Y6 or below in England.  This is the first year St Joseph’s has taken part in the competition.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 15th December at 9.10am, following the Year 4 Topic Presentation, where the following children will receive their headteacher’s award:   
Charlie (y1), Maddy (Y3), Janice (Y2), Libby (Y5) and Thomas (Y4)

Super Stars Award:  Sophiya(R), Nelson (Y1), Clara (Y1), Sammie (Y2), Abbey (Y3), Olivia (Y6) and Oliver (Y4),

Dates for Diaries

Monday 15th December                                        -           Year 4 Topic Presentation
Wednesday 17th December pm                           -           Carol Concert in Church (mince pies for      parents/parishioners afterwards in school hall)
Thursday 18th December                                        -           Infant party in morning
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
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