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