Dear Parent/Carer,

School Council

St Joseph’s School Council has been up and running since the beginning of Term 1. They meet fortnightly and have had several meetings so far. During the last meeting they elected their Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Chairperson:               Lorenzo Hancock (year 5)

Vice Chairperson:      Clara Jaworski (year 3)

Secretary:                   Jerin Mathew (year 5)

Treasurer:                    Allen Vincent (year 6)

Members:                   Areeba Rasul (year 6)

                                    Jess Sawers (year 4)

                                    Jeremy Walton (year 4)

                                    Nelson Kasule (year 3)

                                    Charlie Barton (year 3)

The School Council aims to;

*Make sure that children have a place to voice their concerns.

*Encourage all children in the school to suggest improvements (these can be written and put in  

  the council suggestion box in the reception area)

*Make sure any suggestions or concerns are listened to and acted upon.

*Ensure our school is a safe and happy place for all children.

Extended School Club (ESC) bookings for Term 2

You are now able to book places for next term’s Extended School. Mrs Sawers will be helping Mrs Martin in ESC on Monday to Thursdays and next term we will be asking parents to call a mobile phone (the number will be displayed in the School Entrance) when they collect their children from ESC. Payment for Term 1 is due by 31^st October.  Please pay using the School Gateway.

Lost Property

Please ensure all of your children’s items are named, especially their clothing. There is a lost property box in the reception area which parents are welcome to check regularly.

Reception Parents

May we ask parents who pick up reception children from the courtyard area to supervise their children if they are playing with the school equipment and to please put the equipment back where it belongs when you leave. Thank you.

PTFA Infant Disco

The Infant disco was a huge success and raised £204.95. Thank you to everybody that helped to make the event successful.  There is a similar event being planned for the Juniors later this year.

RAF Concert Tour

The RAF Charitable Trust is offering complimentary tickets to students (and parents of primary children) for their upcoming concert on Thursday 27^th October, 7.30pm, at the Colston Hall as part of their RAF in Concert Tour 2016.  The concert features leading musicians from the bands of the Royal Air Force. If you would like to attend please email Chris Green at chris.green@bristolplaysmusic.org

Applying for a secondary school place for the school year 2017 – 2018

If your child was born between 1st September 2005 and 31st August 2006 you must apply for a year 7 school place by 31st October 2016.  The easiest way to apply is online at www.bristol.gov.uk/schooladmissions   If you would like to complete a paper application please contact School Admissions at Bristol City Council by calling 0117 903 7694 or by emailing school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk

Parent Governor Vacancy

We have 2 parent governor vacancies. You should have received a letter home and an email with more information about the vacancies. Please note the deadline for nominations is 12 noon on Monday 31^st October.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 31st October at 9.10am.  The following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  Julia and Alicia (R) Filip and Alison (Y1) Juliana Y2) Blake (Y3) Syesha (Y4) Cerys and Sean (Y5) and Oliver (Y6)

Dates for Diaries     

Monday 31^st October                     - Doors open for Term 2 at 8.55am

Thursday 10^th November                 - Open morning for Reception 2017 parents
                                                             (9.30-10am)

Tuesday 22^nd November                  - INSET day

Thursday 24^th November                - Open afternoon for Reception 2017 parents 

                                                             (2-2.30pm)

Wednesday 30^th November          - Advent Mass 9.30 in school

Tuesday 6^th December                   - Infant Nativity 2.30pm

Wednesday 7^th December             - Infant Nativity 9.30am (repeat)

Wednesday 7^th December             - Christmas Lunch for all pupils

Thursday 8th – Friday 9th Dec          - Years 4/5 Trip to Kintbury

Tuesday 13^th December                   - Pantomime trip for Infant Classes

Wednesday 14^th December          - Infant Christmas Parties (am)

Wednesday 14^th December          - Theatre trip for Junior Classes (pm)

Thursday 15^th December                - Junior Christmas Parties (pm)

Friday 16^th December                     - School breaks up for Christmas Holidays (2pm finish, there will be no Extended School Club after school on 16^th December)

School term dates 2016-17

Term 1                        Thursday 1^st September – Friday 21^st October

Term 2                        Monday 31^st October - Friday 16^th December (2pm finish)  

                                    Tuesday 22^nd November – INSET day (school closed to                                                                   children)                  

Term 3                        Tuesday 3^rd January            - Friday 10^th February

Term 4                        Friday 20^th February – Friday 7^th April

Term 5                        Monday 24^th April – Friday 26^th May

Term 6                        Monday 5^th June – Friday 21^st July

We will inform parents of the dates of the remaining two INSET days as soon as possible.

Have a lovely half term break.  We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday 31^st October.

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher

 Dear Parent/Carer,

Parent Governor Vacancy

We currently have 2 vacancies for parent governors.  For more information please look out for an email and a letter in your child’s book-bag.  If you are interested in becoming a parent governor there will be a brief meeting after school on Monday at 3.30pm to find out more about the role and answer any questions you may have.

School Photographs

Individual school photographs will be taken on Monday.

Harvest Celebrations

There will be a Harvest Service on Wednesday 19^th October at 9.30am.  Parents and Governors are welcome to attend.  As is traditional, we are inviting families to make a donation of tinned, dried or packet foods and these will be taken to the foodbank at Morrisons.  Donations to be brought to the school hall from Monday-Wednesday next week please (17^th-19^th October).

CAFOD’s ‘Brighten Up for Harvest’ campaign

This year CAFOD are running a ‘Brighten Up for Harvest’ campaign.  They are raising money to support families in Bolivia to grow their own crops.  We have decided to support the campaign and are asking children to wear bright colours on Wednesday and to give a small donation, ideally giving up something of their choice (e.g. sweets/pocket money) over this weekend.

Extended School Club (ESC) bookings for Term 2

You will be able to book places for next term’s Extended School Club from Tuesday for all registered children whose payments are up-to-date.  Payment for this term is due by 31^st October. Mrs Sawers will be helping Mrs Martin in ESC on Monday to Thursdays and next term we will be asking parents to call a mobile phone (the number will be displayed in the School Entrance) when they collect their children from ESC.

Infant Disco

St Joseph's PTFA are hosting an infant disco on Thursday 20th October, 3.30 - 5.00 in the school hall.  Tickets are available from the school office at a cost of £3 which includes refreshments.

In addition, Thursday 20^th October will be a non-uniform day for the infant school only due to the disco. Children are allowed to wear party clothes to school but please ensure they are wearing sensible shoes.

The PTFA are planning a similar event for the juniors next term.

Applying for a secondary school place for the school year 2017 – 2018

If your child was born between 1st September 2005 and 31st August 2006 you must apply for a year 7 school place by 31st October 2016.  The easiest way to apply is online at www.bristol.gov.uk/schooladmissions   If you would like to complete a paper application please contact School Admissions at Bristol City Council by calling 0117 903 7694 or by emailing school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk

If you wish to apply for a place at St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School on religious grounds, you will also be required to send evidence of your faith commitment to the school by 31st October 2016. If, after reading the Admission Policy, you are not sure of the evidence required please call Mrs Nunnerley at the school on 0117 377 2050.

Family Masses at St Joseph’s Church

The parish is now trying to maintain a ‘Family’ Mass on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10am and we would really like to get more children involved and actively participating in the service. Children can take part by singing with the Music Group, reading a bidding prayer, helping with the Offertory Procession, or with welcoming and handing out hymn books at the door. The next Mass will be on 13th November. If you think you and your child would like to be more involved then please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 (You can call or Text). Thank you!

Parents Evening

There will be parents evening on Tuesday and Wednesday this week from 3.30-6.00pm.  You should have received a note from your child’s teacher, including your appointment time.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Tuesday 18th October – please note this is on a Tuesday this week due to school photographs on Monday.  The following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  Nana (Y1), Maisah (Y2), Kieran (Y3), Max (Y4), Cerys (Y5), and Helene (Y6)

Dates for Diaries     

Monday 17^th October                     - Individual School Photographs

Wednesday 19^th October             - Harvest Festival Service 9.30 in school

Thursday 20^th October                    - PTFA Infant Disco 3.30-5pm         

Friday 21^st October                         - Last day of Term 1

Thursday 10^th November                - Open morning for Reception 2017 parents
                                                             (9.30-10am)

Thursday 24^th November                - Open afternoon for Reception 2017 parents
                                                             (2-2.30pm)

Wednesday 30^th November          - Advent Mass 9.30 in school

Tuesday 6^th December                   - Infant Nativity 2.30pm

Wednesday 7^th December            - Infant Nativity 9.30am (repeat)

Wednesday 7^th December            - Christmas Lunch for all pupils

Thursday 8th – Friday 9th Dec        - Years 4/5 Trip to Kintbury

Tuesday 13^th December                 - Pantomime trip for Infant Classes

Wednesday 14^th December          - Infant Christmas Parties (am)

Wednesday 14^th December          - Theatre trip for Junior Classes (pm)

Thursday 15^th December                - Junior Christmas Parties (pm)

Friday 16^th December                     - School breaks up for Christmas Holidays
(2pm finish, there will be no Extended School Club after school on 16^th December)

School term dates 2016-17

Term 1                        1/9/16 – 21/10/16

Term 2                        31/10/16 – 16/12/16

Term 3                        3/1/17 - 10/2/17

Term 4                        20/2/17 – 7/4/17

Term 5                        24/4/17 – 26/5/17

Term 6                        5/6/17 – 21/7/17

We will inform parents of the dates of the remaining INSET days as soon as possible.

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome

We are pleased to welcome Mrs Daniels to the school staff team on Monday.  Mrs Daniels will join Mrs Montgomery and Mrs Lee in the School Office as our new Receptionist and Admin Assistant.  Mrs Daniels will work from 8.30-11.30 every morning and 2-4 on Wednesday to Friday afternoons.

Residential trips in 2016/17

There are still spaces on the Year 4 and 5 retreat to the St Cassian Centre in Kintbury and trip to Barton Camp in May.  The Year 6 trip to the Dean Field Study Centre is filling up fast but there are still spaces left so book soon. 

Please use the SchoolGateway to pay and return forms to the School Office as soon as possible. 

Infant Disco

St Joseph's PTFA are hosting an infant disco on Thursday, 20 October, 3.30 - 5.00 in the school hall. Tickets will again be available in the main playground from 3.30 on Monday. Cost £3 to include refreshments.

Applying for a secondary school place for the school year 2017 – 2018

If your child was born between 1st September 2005 and 31st August 2006 you must apply for a year 7 school place by 31st October 2016.  The easiest way to apply is online at www.bristol.gov.uk/schooladmissions     If you would like to complete a paper application please contact School Admissions at Bristol City Council by calling 0117 903 7694 or by emailing school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk

If you wish to apply for a place at St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School on religious grounds, you will also be required to send evidence of your faith commitment to the school by 31st October 2016. If, after reading the Admission Policy, you are not sure of the evidence required please call Mrs Nunnerley at the school on 0117 377 2050.

Family Masses at St Joseph’s Church

The parish is now trying to maintain a ‘Family’ Mass on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10am and we would really like to get more children involved and actively participating in the service. Children can take part by singing with the Music Group, reading a bidding prayer, helping with the Offertory Procession, or with welcoming and handing out hymn books at the door. The next Mass will be on 9th October. If you think you and your child would like to be more involved then please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 (You can call or Text). Thank you!

St Joseph’s Cubs and Scouts

We have places available for children aged 8-10 years in Cubs and 10-14 years in Scouts.  We meet in the Parish Hall on Tuesdays: 6-7.30pm Cubs; 7.30-9pm Scouts.

Adults who are willing to help at either section would be welcome. 

Please contact Wendy or Marek Petela on 0117 960 6378 for more information.

The Bristol Story Carousel - BYO language

Saturday 22nd October   2 - 5 pm in Bristol Central Library Children's section

A FREE multi-lingual children's event for all Bristol families.  The event will have 3 activities running simultaneously:

•  Arts & Crafts workshop (age 6+) based on the Polish children’s classic ‘Mr Miniscule and the Whale’ by Julian Tuwim and Bohdan Butenko
• Story Carousel: Non-stop story reading by local authors and illustrators (feel free to bring picture books in the language you speak at home)
• Create your own paper cup character (activity led by local illustrators)

Celebration Assembly & Chaplaincy Team Commissioning

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 10th October, where the following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  Amira and Bernard (Y1), Sophiya (Y2), Hugo (Y3), Szymon and Dashana (Y4), Anna (Y5), and Marlen (Y6) and the Chaplaincy Team will receive their Commissioning Certificates.

The Chaplaincy Team went to the Cathedral yesterday (6^th October) where they received their Chaplaincy Team badges from Bishop Declan. Cheyenne, Marlen, Jackson, Isabel M, Wiktoria, Areeba, Kiara, Dominic S, Jaimie and Allen are now wearing their badges with pride!

Dates for Diaries     

Tuesday 11^th October                     - Year 4 Trip to the Museum

Wednesday 12^th October              - Year 6 Trip to the Mshed

Wednesday 19^th October              - Harvest Festival Service 9.30 in school

Thursday 20^th October                    - PTFA Infant Disco 3.30-5pm         

Friday 21^st October                         - Last day of Term 1

Thursday 10^th November                - Open morning for Reception 2017 parents 

                                                             (9.30-10am)

Thursday 24^th November                - Open afternoon for Reception 2017 parents 

                                                             (2-2.30pm)

Wednesday 30^th November          - Advent Mass 9.30 in school

Tuesday 6^th December                   - Infant Nativity 2.30pm

Wednesday 7^th December            - Infant Nativity 9.30am (repeat)

Wednesday 7^th December            - Christmas Lunch for all pupils

Thursday 8th – Friday 9th Dec        - Years 4/5 Trip to Kintbury

Tuesday 13^th December                 - Pantomime trip for Infant Classes

Wednesday 14^th December          - Infant Christmas Parties (am)

Wednesday 14^th December          - Theatre trip for Junior Classes (pm)

Thursday 15^th December                - Junior Christmas Parties (pm)

Friday 16^th December                     - School breaks up for Christmas Holidays
(2pm finish, there will be no Extended School Club after school on 16^th December)

School term dates 2016-17

Term 1                        1/9/16 – 21/10/16

Term 2                        31/10/16 – 16/12/16

Term 3                        3/1/17 - 10/2/17

Term 4                        20/2/17 – 7/4/17

Term 5                        24/4/17 – 26/5/17

Term 6                        5/6/17 – 21/7/17

We will inform parents of the dates of the remaining INSET days as soon as possible.

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher