Friday, 27 March 2015

Dear Parents/Carers,

It’s been a great term and we would like to thank you all for your support. The Acting Headteachers and the rest of the team have done an amazing job at moving the school forward whilst I have also been working at Holy Cross. I would like to thank everybody for all their hard work!

The Head of Holy Cross is not yet ready to return to work and our Governors have agreed to continue my secondment until he returns. We expect this to be during the next term.  I would like to assure you all that St Joseph’s has great leadership and the school has become even stronger whilst I have been working across the two schools.

Yesterday, a regular supply teacher came to me and said, that in all the many schools she works in, she has never come across such happy, polite and respectful children. We are all very proud of the children in our school.

We look forward to seeing you all after a well-deserved holiday!

We have lots of information in this week's newsletter…

Easter services

Here are the following mass times for Holy Week:

   Maundy Thursday 2nd April  at 7.30pm - Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper
   Good Friday 3rd April at 2.30pm - Stations of the Cross
   Good Friday 3rd April at 3.00pm - The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
   Saturday 4th April at 7.30pm - Easter Vigil    
   Sunday 5th April at10.00am - Solemnity of Easter Sunday

Internet and Mobile Safety

More and more problems are coming into school (in Key Stage Two) where children are accessing social media (i.e. Facebook, Oovoo, etc) and using it inappropriately in ways that are causing distress to themselves and among their peers. May we remind you that these sites are aimed at people of at least 13 years or over and we have been advised by the police that you, as responsible parents, should be monitoring what sites/APPs your children access.  Similar upsetting incidents have been seen recently through inappropriate texting between children. We take these incidents very seriously as they are a form of bullying.  If your child uses a mobile phone to text, please ensure that they know how to use it responsibly and are doing so. 

Support for Downs Syndrome Association

On Monday we held an ‘Odd Socks’ day and raised £65 in support of the Downs Syndrome Association.  Mr Turvey (father of Maddie in Year 3) is running in the London Marathon in aid of The Downs Syndrome Association.  This is being held on April 26th (not last week, as wrongly stated in the newsletter).  If you would like to donate to this good cause, please go online to www.virginmoneygiving.com/timturvey or hand in donations to the office. 

New 20 mph speed limit

This new 20mph speed limit will become operative in this area today. The project aims to improve road safety in the city as well as have a beneficial impact on communities and make cycling, scooting and walking to school a more attractive option.

A message from Eden School Meals Services

After the Easter Break, a new menu is being introduced within your child’s school and certain products which contain Coconut Oil as an ingredient will be available. As Coconut is not classed as a tree nut, Eden’s Nut Free Policy is still in place across all of its primary schools. However, if you think this may affect your child, please contact the Nutrition Department immediately on 01276 607444 or email sasha.green@interserve.com .

After School Clubs

To continue increasing opportunities for younger children, there are going to be changes made to the afterschool programme.  FROM NEXT TERM THE FOLLOWING SPORTS WIL BE AVAILABLE, COMMENCING 20TH APRIL.

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

We NO longer have gymnastics and football clubs and apologies to those children who have enjoyed these clubs.

Now on Tuesday, YR to Y4 will have athletics outside, focusing on jumps, throws and sprints.  However, if the weather is unsuitable, we have the option of ‘bocci’ inside.  We recommend children are dressed appropriately with jogging bottoms or warm base layers.  Trainers are suitable footwear for outdoor PE.

On a Wednesday we are continuing with multi-sports.  This is available to all children in reception and Year 1.

Finally, on a Thursday we will have cricket for years 3 to 6. 

Can I remind parents that clubs finish at 4.45pm as there are currently an increasing number of children who are regularly collected late. 

Bristol Schools Swimming Finals

Well done to all of those children that represented St Joseph’s in Bristol Primary School’s Swimming Heats at Horfield Leisure Centre.  All the children did exceptionally well and all supported one another brilliantly during their different races. Special congratulations go to Jake (Y6), Milly (Y6) Nile (Y6) and Ruby (Y3) for making it through to the finals which are being held on Saturday 25th of April.  We wish them all the very best in their races and do come along and support if you’re able to!

End of School Day

An increasing number of children are regularly collected late from school. The school day ends at 3.30pm and the growing number of children who are still in school at 3.40pm is a concern. 

If, for an unavoidable reason, you are delayed in collecting your child, please phone the school office to inform us.

Messages to school

Any message containing information relating to your child – for example if they are ill, have a medical appointment, are unable to do PE or swimming, etc., must be made by you, the responsible adult, either in person, by telephone, email or letter.  A message sent via a child cannot be accepted.

Contact Details

If any of your details have changed, could you please let the school know as soon as possible, in order for records to be updated.

Medical Appointments

A reminder that if your child has a dentist’s or doctor’s appointment during school hours, could you please put a request in writing in advance for the attention of the class teacher. If we are not notified in advance, any school time missed will need to be recorded as unauthorised.

Leave of absence during term time

We must remind all parents that the Headteacher CANNOT authorise any leave of absence during term time unless for exceptional circumstances.  Any requests must be made in writing on a form available from the school office and must be made at least ten days before leave is due to commence.  Any leave taken that has not been considered exceptional will be recorded as unauthorised.  There will be two unauthorised absences recorded for each day - morning and afternoon.  If there are eight or more unauthorised absences recorded within a ten week period, the school can issue a penalty notice.  This will be £60 per child for each parent, meaning a possible penalty charge of £120 per child.

We appreciate that holidays taken during term time can be much cheaper than those taken during the school holidays but we have a legal responsibility to ensure that every child is attending school and receiving their education.

PE Kit

Could you please send your child in with the correct PE Kit at the beginning of next term which consists of:
           
white T-shirt
navy blue or black shorts
daps
            suitable bag for the above with a string loop for hanging.

Booking the Extended School Club

We are only able to accept children who have been booked in advance. Please get a booking form from the school office.

Attendance

Well done to the following classes with their attendance last week:
* Y1 and Y3 with 99%
* Y2 with 98%

Celebration Assembly
There will be a Celebration Assembly on Monday 13th April at 9.15am.  The following children will receive their Headteacher’s Award:  Maya (Y1), Dashana (Y2), Lizzie (Y3), Tashricks (Y3), Zahra (Y4) and Jerome (Y6).
Super Stars Award:  Ruby (Y3),

Dates for Diaries

Thursday 23rd April                            -           Y1 St George’s Day Assembly
Monday 27th April                            -           Year 4 Topic Presentation
Monday 11th May                            -           Start of Key Stage 2 SATS Week
Thursday 18th June                           -           Year 6 Leavers’ Mass in Clifton Cathedral (PM)
Sunday 28th June                              -           First Holy Communion in Church
Friday 17th July                                  -           End of school year

We wish you a peaceful and happy Easter and look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 13th April.



Matt Condon

Headteacher

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