Dear Parents/Carers,

Prayer at Advent

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.

Christmas at St Joseph’s

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

·         Thursday 10^th December at 2pm              -                       Infant Nativity Performance

·         Thursday 10^th December – 3.30-5.00pm   -                       Disco

·         Thursday 10^th December                            -                       Non-uniform day

·         Friday 11^th December at 9.30am              -                       Infant Nativity Performance

·         Wednesday 16^th December at 2pm        -                       Carol concert in Church

·         Thursday 17^th December pm                     -                       Christmas Infant Party

·         Friday 18^th December at 9.30am              -                       Christmas Mass in Church

Infant Christmas Disco

As many of you already know, this event is now full. Every child who has a place will be sent home a ticket today as a reminder that they have a place. We also have a list of children attending which we will check on the day. If a child is not on our list, then we cannot allow them into the disco as we are already at our legal and safe capacity. If your child does not come home with a ticket, and you think you have place, then please phone the office to check.

It will be non-uniform that day for the whole school, so your child doesn't need to bring a change of clothes. Please collect your child at 5.00pm from:

• Reception from their classroom exit in the infant courtyard.
• Year 1 from their normal exit in the infant courtyard.
• Year 2 from their normal exit in the infant courtyard.
• Years 3 and 4 from the front entrance.
• Years 5 and 6 from their normal exit at the rear of the school.

 Please contact us if you need any further information. Thanks.

Free Apple and Pear Trees

As part of Bristol’s ‘One Tree Per Child’ project, earlier in the year, every child had the opportunity to order a pear or apple tree to take home. We now have these trees in school and will be distributing trees after school on Monday. Mrs Petela will be giving out the trees to those who ordered them, in the garden area, behind the Year 6 classroom, after school on Monday.

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

Well done to Y5 with 100% attendance last week – they will be able to wear non-uniform on Monday 7^th December.  Also well done to Y3 with 99% and Y6 with 98% attendance.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a Celebration Assembly on Monday 7^th December, where the following children will receive their Headteacher's Award:  Filip (R), Maya (R), Amelia (R), Japhet (R), Meikel (Y6), Keanna  (Y4), Ruby (Y3), Jacks (Y2) and Hugo (Y2)

Dates for Diaries

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

Tuesday 8^th December at 7pm                 -                       Celebration Year of Mercy at the Cathedral

Wednesday 9^th December at 9.05am      -                       Y6 Topic Presentation

Wednesday 9th December                       -                       Christmas Lunch

Thursday 10th December at 2pm             -                       Infant Nativity Performance

Thursday 10th December pm                    -                       PTFA Disco

Thursday 10th December at 10am           -                       Prospective parents tour

Friday 11th December 9.30am                  -                       Infant Nativity Performance

Tuesday 15th December                            -                       Y3 Topic Presentation

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

Thursday 17th December                           -                       Christmas Infant Party

Friday 18th December at 9.30am             -                       Christmas Mass in Church

Friday 18th December                                -                       End of Term 2

Thursday 26th May 2016                              -                       INSET (school closed)

Yours sincerely,

Matt Condon

Headteacher