29^th  January, 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

Playground Plans

Thank-you to all the parents that came to look at the playground plans. The response was positive and the plans are progressing nicely.

I have had 6 parents who have kindly offered to become involved in the development of the playground. I am hoping all those parents can play a role in some way. I will contact them next week to arrange a first meeting.

Watch this space for further updates….

Extended School Club – Booking for Term 4

Booking for the Extended School Club for Term 4 (15^th February – 24^th March) is now open on the School Gateway for all children registered with Extended School Club.  If you are not already registered and would like to use the Extended School Club please ask at the office for a registration form.  If you book before 5pm on Friday 29^th January then you will be guaranteed a space.  Therefore if a Term 4 Session you want to book before this deadline appears to be full or you have any problems booking on the School Gateway then please contact the School Office. Booking after 29^th January will be subject to availability and booked on a first come first served basis.

Attendance

Well done to Y4 with 99% attendance last week  AlsoY1, Y2 and Y3 with 98%.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 1^st February at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteachers award: Carl (Y3), Wanessa (Y2), Bernard (R) and Lionel (Y4).

Super Stars:  Zuzanna (Y1), Clara (Y2), Eva (Y2), Janice 9Y3), Rebeca (Y6), Meaghan (R), Ibrahim (Y1), Oliwia (Y2) and Hannah (Y5).

Thursday 28^th January                           -                       Y4 – Bristol Aquarium

Monday 1^st February                             -                       Y6 Deanfield

Friday 5^th February                                 -                       End of Term 3

Monday 15^th February                          -                       Start of Term 4

Wednesday 24^th February                    -                       Y6 Lifeskills

Thursday 25^th February                          -                       Parents evening 4.00-6.30pm

Monday 29^th February                          -                       Parents evening 4.00-6.00pm

Friday 26^th February                              -                       Y3 Assembly

Friday 11^th March                                  -                       Y1 Assembly

Friday 18^th March                                  -                       Columbus Singing Festival 

Thursday 24^th March                             -                       End of Term 4

Monday 11^th April                                 -                       Start of Term 5

Friday 15^th April                                      -                       Reception Assembly

Monday 9^th May                                    -                       Year 6 SAT week     

Thursday 26th May 2016                        -                       INSET (school closed)

Friday 27^th May 2016                              -                       INSET (school closed)

Friday 27^th May                                       -                       End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                    -                       Start of Term 6

Friday 1^st July                                           -                       INSET (school closed)

Monday 4^th July                                      -                       INSET (school closed)

Friday 22^nd July                                       -                       End of School Year

Mrs McCarthy,

Headteacher

22nd January, 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

Exciting News!! Playground refurbishment

We have secured some funding for some much needed playground improvements. The planned improvements include:

• more creative play equipment, including den building, sand and water play and  a mud kitchen
• more physical challenges, including climbing, hangout nets, balances and ropes
• a 'Playpod', 
• resurfacing of the whole playground 
• sports markings to enable our pupils to use pitches more often at playtime but also for use in PE and inter-school competitions 
• Planting to add some nature and soften the look of the playground
• a stage area
• quiet areas with seating and shade
• painting of buildings and gates to improve the look of the playground

The works will take place over the next few months and should be completed by the end of April.

If you would like to have a look at the plans they will be on show in the school hall from 8.30-9.00 on Tuesday 26th and 3.30-4.00pm on Wednesday 27th January, and I will be available to discuss plans with parents. 

I would like to establish a small steering group, including parents, pupils, governors and staff to work with me on the project. It would need 3 parent representatives to meet 3 or 4 times over the next few months to discuss the plans etc. 

If you are interested in being on the steering group please let Mrs Lee know in the School Office by Friday 29th January. In the event we have more volunteers than needed we will draw names out of a hat to pick the 3 representatives.

We are all looking forward to this exciting development....

Extended School Club – Booking for Term 4

Booking for the Extended School Club for Term 4 (15^th February – 24^th March) is now open on the School Gateway for all children registered with Extended School Club.  If you are not already registered and would like to use the Extended School Club please ask at the office for a registration form.  If you book before 5pm on Friday 29^th January then you will be guaranteed a space.  Therefore if a Term 4 Session you want to book before this deadline appears to be full or you have any problems booking on the School Gateway then please contact the School Office. Booking after 29^th January will be subject to availability and booked on a first come first served basis

First Holy Communion

The First Holy Communion Mass will take place on Sunday 26^th June at 10.00am.  Classes will begin in the first week of February and Application forms are now available.

Deanfield Study Centre

The final instalment for Deanfield is now due.

SMSA Job Vacancies: We are looking for new School Meals Supervisory Assistants (SMSAs) to work 12-1.30pm Monday-Friday. Please ask at the School Office if you are interested.

Attendance

Well done to Y1 with 100% attendance last week.  They will be able to wear non-uniform on Friday 29^th January.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 25th January at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteachers award: Amelia G (Y1), Jayden (Y1), Justina (Y1), Ben (Y2), Caspar (Y3), Dominion (Y4), Josh M (Y5), Piper (Y6).

Super Stars: Dominic (R), Esme (Y1), Justina (Y1), Benjamin (Y2), Hugo (Y2), Fletcher (Y2), Hector (Y3), Ollie (Y5).

Thursday 28^th January                                 -            Y4 – Bristol Aquarium

Monday 1^st February                                   -            Y6 Deanfield

Friday 5^th February                                       -            End of Term 3

Monday 15^th February                                -             Start of Term 4

Wednesday 24^th February                          -             Y6 Lifeskills

Thursday 25^th February                                -             Parents evening 4.00-6.30pm

Monday 29^th February                                 -             Parents evening 4.00-6.00pm

Friday 26^th February                                     -            Y3 Assembly

Friday 11^th March                                         -            Y1 Assembly

Friday 18^th March                                         -            Columbus Singing Festival 

Thursday 24^th March                                    -             End of Term 4

Monday 11^th April                                        -             Start of Term 5

Friday 15^th April                                             -             Reception Assembly

Monday 9^th May                                          -             Year 6 SAT week     

Thursday 26th May                                       -              INSET (school closed)

Friday 27^th May                                             -             End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                          -             Start of Term 6

Friday 22^nd July                                             -             End of School Year

Mrs McCarthy, 

Headteacher

15^th January, 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

Fr Paul’s Induction

All pupils and parents will be most welcome at the induction of Fr Paul as Parish Priest during the 10.00am Holy Mass this Sunday (17th Jan). The ceremony will be performed by the Bristol East Dean, Fr. Gregory.

A message from Teresa Bell

Teresa Bell would like to thank the parents for their kind monetary gift. She has already bought a beautiful vase which takes pride of place in her new home in Devon. She would also like to thank the parents for all their support over the years and for giving her the greatest gift of all, the privilege of teaching such wonderful children.

Bristol Old Vic Trip

Children in year 2 and 3 enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre on Wednesday. The children showed exemplary behaviour and their teachers were really proud of them. Well done to all the children.

St Mark's team disco

Today all the children in St Marks team enjoyed a disco to reward them for being the winners of the most team points last term. Congratulations to St Marks Team!

First Holy Communion

The First Holy Communion Mass will take place on Sunday 26^th June at 10.00am.  Classes will begin in the first week of February and Application forms will be available from next weekend..

Deanfield Study Centre

The final instalment for Deanfield is now due.

Attendance

Well done to Reception and Y1 with 99% attendance last week. Also to Y4 with 98%

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 18th January at 9.15am, where the following children will receive their headteachers award: Dashana (Y3), Rachel (Y2), Harrison (Y4), Jackson (Y5), Wiktoria (Y5), Jasmine (R) and Lily (R).

Super Stars: Toby (R) Ruby (Y1), Eoghan (Y2), Amber (Y5), Jacks (Y2), Hollie ((Y1) and Ellie (Y6)

Thursday 28^th January                                 -                       Y4 – Bristol Aquarium

Monday 1^st February                                   -                       Y6 Deanfield

Friday 5^th February                                       -                       End of Term 3

Monday 15^th February                                -                       Start of Term 4

Wednesday 24^th February                          -                       Y6 Lifeskills

Thursday 24^th March                                                -                       End of Term 4

Monday 11^th April                                        -                       Start of Term 5

Monday 9^th May                                          -                       Year 6 SAT week     

Thursday 26th May 2016                              -                       INSET (school closed)

Friday 27^th May                                             -                       End of Term 5

Monday 6^th June                                          -                       Start f term 6

Friday 22^nd July                                             -                       End of School Year

Mrs McCarthy,

Headteacher

Apologies for late posting of Friday's newsletter
]
Friday 8th January

Dear Parent/Carer,

Thank you from Mrs McCarthy
A big thankyou to all the pupils, staff and families who have made me feel so welcome. I have really enjoyed my first week and already feel quite at home. Please do come and say hello if you
see me on the playground, or around school.

Primary School Place for 2016-2017
If your child was born between September 201 1 and 31 August 2012, and you have not applied online, you will need to by the 15th January 2016. Also the additional form from the school office needs to be filed in and returned by the 15th January.

After School Clubs
After school sports clubs will not be running for the first couple of weeks of the new term. We will inform parents when they will be starting again.

Team Points
The winners of last term's team points were the children from St Mark's team. There will be a non-uniform day and special event in the afternoon, organised by the Year Sixes in St Mark's on Friday 15th January.

Outstanding Attendance
Congratulations to the 121 children that achieved 100% attendance and were on•time every day last term. Thankyou to those parents too, for ensuring their children are making the most of every
day at school.

Deanfield Study Centre
The final instalment for Deanfield is now due.

Celebration Assembly
There will be a celebration assembly on Monday I Ith January at 9.1 Sam, where the fdlowing children will receive their headteachers award: Szymon (Y3), Joann (Y3), Alex (Y 2), Zahra (Y5), Irene (Y6), Amelia (Y I), Alicja (Y I) and Aaron (Y4).

Dates for diaries
Thursday 14th January
Thursday 28th January
Thursday 26th May 201 6
Y2 and Y3 Bristol Old Vic
Y 4 - Bristol Aquarium INSET (school closed
Mrs McCarthy, Headteacher

A Message From Mr Condon
I would like to say a very big thank you for the lovely cards, gifts and good wishes I received at the end of term; your kindness and thoughtfulness was really appreciated. I have used monies and
vouchers collectively to buy a cycle computer mapping gadget, which I hope will guide me on my new adventures.
The last couple of weeks, as I prepared to leave, were at times difficult, but with your friendship and support made the experience memorable and positive. My last day was incredibly memorab e and although I'm looking forward to exciting and new experiences in the future, it
was very sad having to say goodbye to the adults and children that make St Joseph's School such a wonderful, caring community. Everyone will be greatly missed.
Your children were a joy to work with and I know that those still at St Joseph's will continue to enjoy their learning and make excellent progress under the continuing guidance of Mrs McCarthy and the school's dedicated staff.
Thank you for all your help and support over the years and my very best wishes to you ail.
Have a wonderful New Year.
Mr Condon