Dear Parent/Carer,

New School Website

We are excited to be launching a new school website. The website will be a great source of information for parents, staff, governors and anyone thinking about choosing St Joseph’s as a school for their child. The website contains lots of information and we will continue to develop and improve it over the coming months. You are invited to attend a meeting about the Website and Class Dojo on Monday 28th November from 3.30-4.00pm.

Samaritan’s Shoe Box Appeal

This year we are taking part in the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Appeal. It is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project and we are asking parents to donate either empty shoe boxes, wrapping paper or small gifts. The shoeboxes will be filled with gifts by year 6 children and sent to refugee children at Christmas. Thank you to everyone who has contributed already, we have received many donations which is wonderful - please keep them coming. Please bring in any donations to the school hall by Wednesday 16th November.

Extended School Club (ESC)

As you may know we have been trialling a late pick-up option which provides extended sessions for children from 5.00-5.30pm. We have reviewed the success of the trial and unfortunately, due to low attendance and issues relating to lone working, the late pick-up option (pick up 5-5.30) will no longer be available after Christmas.

We still waiting for some payments for Term 1’s ESC.  If you have not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible using the School Gateway. If you wish to discuss payment or have any difficulties using the School Gateway please call in and speak to the school office.

Children in Need

Year 1 have chosen Children in Need as their class charity and on Friday, 18th November, there will be lots of activities happening within school to raise money. There will be a Children In Need fancy dress day on Friday 18th November with the theme of Superheroes/Disney with a suggested donation of £1. Year 1 will be running a cake sale on Friday, any cake donations would be very much appreciated. Children will have an opportunity to buy a cake during the day, so please send your child with up to 50p to spend on goodies. Thankyou from Year 1, Miss Gregory and Children in Need.

PTFA Junior Disco

The PTFA Junior disco will be held on Wednesday 30th November from 5.30pm – 7.00pm. Tickets will be £3 including refreshments and will be available to purchase from the PTFA in the playground from Monday 14th November.

PTFA Christmas Cards

This year the children have designed their own Christmas cards which are currently being printed. The cards will be sold in packs of 12 for £5 and 30% of the profit will be used to support school activities. You should have received the order form in your child's bookbag, please return order forms and payment to the school office by Friday 18th November.

Drop In Sessions

Parents and carers are welcome to our Drop-in sessions every Monday, between 9 and 10 am, with our Family Support Team, Mrs Serle and Mrs Okpiyalele.  In these sessions we aim to be a listening ear and helping hand with any forms, letters or other concerns which you may have.

Family Mass

Please note that as the second Sunday of the month falls on Remembrance Sunday in November we will not be doing the usual ‘Family’ Mass as the Parish Choir will be leading a more Solemn service for this occasion.However, as we are having a Visitation from the Bishop on the weekend of 26th/27th November, we will be making the 10am Mass more of a Family celebration and would still like to encourage any children who want to get more involved to join us then.

The next Family Mass after this will be on December 11th and we will then also be looking to prepare for the Children’s Mass which will take place at 6pm on Christmas Eve. This will include a dramatized Gospel and more opportunities for children to join us to read or sing. Please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 for further details and if you would like to get more involved.

Attendance and Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 14th November at 9.10am.  The following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  David (R ) JayJay and Lily (Y1) Shaun (Y2) Franek (Y3) Philip (Y4 Ruby (Y5) and Jackson (Y6)

Dates for Diaries

Friday 18th November               - Superhero/Disney fancy dress day for Children in Need

Tuesday 22nd November            - INSET day

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

Tuesday 29th November             - Year 5 trip to St Fagan’s

Wednesday 30th November - Advent Mass 9.30 in Church

Tuesday 6th December - Infant Nativity 2.30pm

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

Wednesday 7th December - Christmas Lunch for all pupils

Thursday 8th December            - Year 6 and Year 3 choir to Cabot Circus (pm)

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

Tuesday 13th December - Pantomime trip for Infant Classes

Wednesday 14th December - Infant Christmas Parties (am)

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

Thursday 15th December - Junior Christmas Parties (pm)

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

Tuesday 3rd January             - Doors open for Term 3 at 8.55am

School Term Dates 2016-17

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

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

Term 3 Tuesday 3rd January - Friday 10th February

Term 4 Friday 20th February – Friday 7th April

Term 5 Monday 24th April – Friday 26th May

Term 6 Monday 5th June – Friday 21st July

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

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer,

Parent Governor Elections

Following the results of the Parent Governor elections, we are pleased to welcome Mrs Sahar Ali and Mr Sean Campbell as our new Parent Governors. They will start their roles in the New Year.

Drop In Sessions

Parents and carers are welcome to our Drop-in sessions every Monday, between 9 and 10 am, with our Family Support Team, Mrs Serle and Mrs Okpiyalele.  In these sessions we aim to be a listening ear and helping hand with any forms, letters or other concerns which you may have.

Poppy Appeal

Once again we are supporting the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. There are a selection of items that can be purchased from the school office including poppies, wristbands, snap rulers and friendship bracelets. Suggested donations are between 50p - £1.

Remembrance Assembly

Year 6 will be leading a Remembrance Assembly on 11/11/16 at 10.40am. Parents and Governors are welcome to join the staff and children. The assembly will include a minutes silence at 11.00am.

Samaritan’s Shoe Box Appeal

This year we are taking part in the Samaritans Purse Shoebox Appeal. It is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project and we are asking parents to donate either empty shoeboxes or small gifts. The shoeboxes will be filled with gifts by year 6 children and sent to refugee children at Christmas. Please look out for a letter in your child’s bookbag with more information and a list of suggested gifts. Please bring in any donations by Wednesday 16^th November.

School Uniform

I would like to remind parents that jewellery and nail varnish are not permitted in school. The children are looking very smart in their school uniform generally. Thanks for your support with this.

Extended School Club (ESC)

The deadline for payment for Term 1 was October 31^st.  Thank you to everyone that has already paid. If you have not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible using the School Gateway. If you wish to discuss payment or have any difficulties using the School Gateway please call in and speak to the school office.

Family Mass

Please note that as the second Sunday of the month falls on Remembrance Sunday in November we will not be doing the usual ‘Family’ Mass as the Parish Choir will be leading a more Solemn service for this occasion. However, as we are having a Visitation from the Bishop on the weekend of 26^th/27^th November, we will be making the 10am Mass more of a Family celebration and would still like to encourage any children who want to get more involved to join us then.

Please contact Cathy Williamson on 07917276994 for further details and if you would like to get more involved.

 PTFA Junior Disco

The PTFA Junior disco will be held on Wednesday 30^th November from 5.30pm – 7.00pm. More information will follow shortly.

PTFA Christmas Cards

This year the children have designed their own Christmas cards which are currently being printed. The cards will be sold in packs of 12 for £5. They will be available to purchase via the PTFA from Monday 14^th November and 30% of the profit will be used to support school activities.

School Photograph Orders

Please return school photograph order forms to the school office by Wednesday 9^th November.

St Mark Team Message from Josh Mathew - Team Captain.

Congratulations to St Mark for being excellent in winning the team points. Therefore St Mark will be having a sports theme party. It will be on 10^th November in the hall. If you don’t want to participate you could go outside with our vice-captain (Hannah) to play some games. The day is accompanied by a free non-uniform day. So I hope I see you there.

Attendance and Celebration Assembly

There will be a special celebration assembly on Monday 7^th November at 9.10am.  All pupil who had 100% attendance in Term 1 will be able to participate in the prize draw, and are given the special treat of coming to school in non-uniform on that day. I am so impressed with all the classes at the exceptionally high attendance last term and so many children coming to school on time every day. Year 1 has the highest number of 100% attendance, with 22 pupils achieving this. Of course we understand that children cannot avoid being ill, it happens to us all from time to time, but it is such a positive message to give our children that we value every day in school.

The following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  William (R ) Meaghan and Abhay (Y1) Zachary (Y2) Clara (Y3) Jesselyn (Y4) Lionel (Y5) and  Cheyenne (Y6)

Dates for Diaries     

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)

Tuesday 29^th November                  - Year 5 trip to St Fagan’s

Wednesday 30^th November           - Advent Mass 9.30 in Church

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, no Extended School Club after school on 16^th December)

Tuesday 3^rd January                         - Doors open for Term 3 at 8.55am

School Term Dates 2016-17

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.

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher