Dear Parents/Carers,

Christmas Disco – Thursday 10th December 3.30 – 5.00pm

Thanks to the assistance of some junior parents, this year’s Christmas disco will be open to the whole school, although numbers will be limited and places allocated on a first come, first served basis.  The cost will be £3 per child to include a drink and a snack (children do not need to bring spending money).  A flyer has been sent home so if your child would like to attend please return this, with the money.

Friends of St Joseph's

While St Joseph’s currently has no formal PTFA there is a known interest amongst parents in arranging social events and fundraising for the school.  If you are interested in being involved, please join us at the VanDyke Forum (Fishponds Road) at 8pm on Wednesday 2nd December.  If you would like to be involved in future events but can’t make this date and time, please ask the office to pass on your name and email address so that you can be kept informed.

If you are able to attend on Wednesday, please let myself, Catherine Ruffles (Kieran in Year 2's Mum) or the school office know.

Thank you,
Laura Bradshaw Price

Alphabet Zig-Zag Challenge – Closing date is Monday

This week, we have been running the Alphabetical Zig Zag Challenge. This is a chance for pupils to try out daily challenges and enter a school and Bristol wide competition at the end of the week to win some fabulous prizes.

It was all explained to children in last week’s assembly, but here is a reminder of how the week works:

Pupils are encouraged to travel actively every day of the week, using the daily challenges as incentives to try something different on each journey to school.

To have a chance of winning a prize, pupils must complete and return the A4 middle section of the booklet to school by Monday 30th November.

There will be a prize for a pupil in every class in school and bigger, Bristol wide prizes for the Bristol wide winners.

Parish Christmas Fair – Saturday November 28th

St Joseph’s will be holding our Parish Christmas Fair on Saturday 28th November at 2pm. The school will be running its usual stall. We encourage families to attend - not only are there lots of great things to do and win, but Father Christmas will also be there!

Cycle Skills Lessons for Year 1-5

Following our ‘Be Safe Day’ we will be giving all children in Year’s 1-5 the opportunity to bring their bikes in and be involved in an extended cycle skill lesson led by Maya from Sustrans. This lesson will take place in the school playground.

This activity is open to your child if they have a bicycle that they are able to ride without stabilisers. They will also need a cycle helmet as well as a well maintained bicycle.

Please complete the slip at the bottom of the letter, or contact the school office, if your child would like to be involved in the lessons. Places are limited so will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We are planning cycle proficiency lessons for Year 6 later in the year.

Book Fair

The book fair will be in school from Monday 30th November until Friday 4th December.  This is an opportunity to buy great Christmas presents. The commission we receive from sales goes straight back into the school, providing books for our newly refurbished school library.

To help make it an even greater success, we would really appreciate any parents who are available to run the Book Fair for 20 minutes after school.

Super Science £10,000 Giveaway

St Joseph's has registered with the Super Science Giveaway with the Bristol Post and Renishaw. Our school is in with a chance of winning £10,000 towards science equipment. Please start collecting the tokens in the Bristol Post between Wednesday 4th November and Tuesday 8th December. Remember to tell friends and family to save their tokens too!

Kodu Club

Kodu Club is cancelled next week.

Choir Performing at Cabot Circus

The choir will be singing at Cabot Circus on Wednesday 2nd December for Ronald Macdonald House. This is an independent charity which provides home from home accommodation for families of critically ill children.

Child Illness

If your child is not feeling 100% well, but you still think they can attend school, please let us know and we will keep a closer eye on them. We would then contact parents if we had ongoing concerns.

Text to Parents

We have texted parents this week regarding Dr Bike.  If you did not receive this text, could you please contact the office as we probably don’t have your correct mobile phone number.

NSPCC

As requested, next week Kevin from the NSPCC will be leading a special assembly for Year 1-3 on Wednesday, followed by a short workshop in class with Year 4. The theme will be about children taking care of themselves and knowing who to talk to if there is a problem.

Security – A reminder

This week there have been a number of times when parents have come into school 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.

Admission Policy 2017 Consultation

This policy is available on the school website or from the school office for consultation until 31st January 2016. Can any feedback be put in writing addressed to the School Governing Body via the school office.

Attendance

An amazing well done to Y2, Y3, and Y6 with 100% attendance last week, as well as Y5 with 99% and Y4 with 98%.

Years 2, 3 and 6 will have a special non-uniform day on Friday 4th December.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a Celebration Assembly on Monday 23rd November, where the following children will receive their Headteacher's Award:  Vanessa (Y6), Ridah(Y6), Aian(Y3) Janice(Y3), Jav(Y4), Maddy9Y4), Godwin(Y4), Alvin(Y1), Kieran(Y2), Hannah(Y5), Abdullah(R), Abhay(R), Julia(R)  and Meaghan(R).

Primary Mathematics Challenge 2015

The following children took part in the Primary Mathematics Challenge 2015 competition and will be awarded  a certificate in assembly on Monday.: Caitlin(Y6), Michal (Y6), Ellie (Y6), Ridah (Y6), Alfie (Y6), Olivia (Y6), Jeswin (Y6), Irene (Y6), Lena (Y6) and Jessica (y6)

Dates for Diaries

Saturday 28th November                           -                       Parish Christmas Fair

Monday 30th November                            -                       Y1 Topic Presentation at 9.10am

Monday 30th November                            -                       Book Fair Week

Wednesday 2nd December                      -                       Y6 camp Meeting after school

Wednesday 2nd December                      -                       St Joseph’s Friends meeting at 8pm        

Wednesday 2nd December                      -                       Choir to Cabot Circus

Wednesday 2nd December                      -                       Cycle Skills day in school

Thursday 3rd December                             -                       Prospective parents visit

Tuesday 8th December                              -                       Y5 trip to St Fagan’s

Wednesday 9th December                       -                       Christmas Lunch

Thursday 10th December pm                    -                       Infant Nativity Performance

Thursday 10th December pm                    -                       PTFA Disco

Thursday 10th December                           -                       Prospective parents tour

Friday 11th December am                         -                       Infant Nativity Performance

Tuesday 15th December                            -                       Y3 Topic Presentation

Wednesday 16th December                     -                       Carol Concert in church at 2pm

Thursday 17th December                           -                       Christmas Infant Party

Friday 18th December                                -                       Christmas Mass in Church

Friday 18th December                                -                       End of Term 2

Thursday 26th May 2016                              -                       INSET (school closed)

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher

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For children in Year 1-5 only

I would like my child to take part in a Cycle Skill lesson this Friday. I understand that my child needs to wear a bike helmet if they are to participate and bring a well maintained bicycle.

Name of child _______________________ Class __________________________

Signed by parent _______________________