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

Dear Parent/Carer,

Chaplaincy Team

The chaplaincy team attended an induction day at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College this week. They prepared an action plan for the year and prepared for the commissioning service being conducted by Bishop Declan on 6^th October.

Residential trips in 2016/17

A reminder that deposits for year 4, 5 and 6 Camps are due by next Friday, 7^th October. Please use the SchoolGateway to pay and return forms to the School Office. 

This year we are offering 3 camps.

Year 4 and 5

In December we are going on a 2 day retreat to St Cassian Centre in Kintbury. We will be thinking all about Advent and preparing for Christmas.

In May Year 4 and 5 children will be going to Barton Camp for 3 days and will make use of the excellent facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, adventure playground, sports hall, woods and fields. They will have fun doing lots of exciting activities.

Year 6

Children in Year 6 will spend a week in February at Dean Field Studies Centre taking part in a fantastic programme of exciting adventurous activities, including canoeing and caving.

Extended School Club (ESC)

As Reception class children are full time from Monday they can now be booked onto our ESC along with all children registered for the club from all year groups. ESC’s morning session runs from 8-8.55am at a cost of £2.50 (no breakfast provided so please make sure children have breakfast before they come!). ESC’s afternoon sessions run from 3.30-5pm for £3.50 or our longer sessions from 3.30-5.30pm for £5 per session.  All sessions must be booked in advance using the SchoolGateway.  If you need to register please collect a form from the School Office.  Payment for ESC is due at the end of each term – our preferred method of payment is the SchoolGateway (https://login.schoolgateway.com/0/auth/login).  We also accept childcare vouchers.  Please ask in the School Office if you want to use childcare vouchers.

New Crossing Patrol

On Monday (3^rd October) families will be able to cross the road to and from school with Mrs Perez at our new crossing patrol.   Mrs Perez will be by the school gates on Forest Road.

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!

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 3^rd October, where the following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  Mati and Daisha (Y1) William (Y2), Eoghan and Anns (Y3), Ruby (Y4), Liam (Y5), Josh M and Isabel (Y6).

Dates for Diaries

Thursday 6^th October                       - Open morning for Reception 2017 parents
                                                             (9.30-10am)

Thursday 20^th October                    - PTFA Infant Disco  

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

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)

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,

Chaplaincy Team

The chaplaincy team visited Downside Abbey this week on a pilgrimage with other schools from Bristol. We were delighted to be able to pass through the Holy Door of Mercy in the Abbey and take part in a service, reflecting on how we can be merciful in our lives.

Trip report from Chaplaincy Team:

‘Yesterday the chaplaincy team went to Downside Abbey for a pilgrimage. It was exciting. At the start we did a warm-up and it was to make friends from other schools, we made loads! We met a priest called Dominic and he had a funny puppet parrot who taught us lots of things.

We had a little Mass and we read the bidding prayers. We decorated pictures of candles and placed them around the cross. We learned about how the church was made. It was one of the best trips ever because we has so much fun and found out lots. Our trip was so cool!’

By the Chaplaincy Team: Dominic, Jackson, Areeba, Wiktoria, Cheyenne, Marlen, Allen, Jaimie and Kiara

Residential trips in 2016/17

Letters about residential trips (Camp) went out to all children this week. This year we are offering 3 camps.

Year 4 and 5

In December we are going on a 2 day retreat to St Cassian Centre in Kintbury. We will be thinking all about Advent and preparing for Christmas.

In May Year 4 and 5 children will be going to Barton Camp for 3 days and will make use of the excellent facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, adventure playground, sports hall, woods and fields. They will have fun doing lots of exciting activities.

There is a short meeting to find out more about both trips on Friday 30^th September at 3.30pm.

Year 6

Children in Year 6 will spend a week in February at Dean Field Studies Centre taking part in a fantastic programme of exciting adventurous activities, including canoeing and caving.

There is a short meeting to find out more on Monday 26^th September at 3.30pm.

New Crossing Patrol

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Perez will start as our new school crossing patrol on Monday 3^rd October.  Mrs Perez will help families cross the road by the school gates on Forest Road.

PTFA

We have an active PTFA and they have some exciting plans for this year. The PTFA Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 30^th September at 3.30 in the main hall. Please come along and find out how you can become involved in this friendly and welcoming group.

Clubs

Places are still available at some after school clubs. Please encourage your children to join these clubs. It is important that we have sufficient numbers otherwise clubs may need to be cancelled.

Forms for all after school clubs are available from the school office or for Rugby: https://www.roaringrugby.co.uk/booking/.

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri
Lunchtime	Italian Club Mrs Serle KS2 children	Art Club Miss Coates KS2 Children		Gardening Club Mrs Petela KS2 children Cup Stacking Mr Conlon Y 5 and 6 children	Colouring Club Miss Garnier KS1 and 2
After school (3.30-4.30)	Athletics KS2 children Mad Science KS1 and 2 Children	Choir Mrs Marsh KS2 Children	Hockey KS1 children	Rugby KS2 children	Football KS2 children

Primary and Secondary School Applications

If you have a child born between 1^st September 2012 and 31^st August 2013 you need to apply for a primary school place by 15th January 2017.  See Dates for Diaries below for information about our open days for families considering St Joseph’s Reception Class for September 2017.

If you have a child born between 1^st September 2005 and 31^st August 2006 you need to apply for a secondary school place by 31^st October 2016.  For more information about applying to a Bristol School please visit:  https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/school-admissions.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 26^th September, where the following children will receive their head teacher’s award:  Toby Palmer (Y1) Maya Penar (Y1) Jacob Olive (Y2), Adedeji(Y3) Chetavia (Y3), Jeremy (Y4),  Dom (Y5), Thomas (Y6).

Dates for Diaries

Monday 26^th September                - Chaplaincy Induction day at St Brendan’s
                                                             College

Monday 26^th September                - Year 6 Camp Meeting (3.30pm)

Friday 30^th September                    - PTFA Annual General Meeting (3.30pm)

Friday 30^th September                    - Year 4 and 5 Camp meeting (3.30pm)

Thursday 20^th October                    - PTFA Infant Disco  

Thursday 6^th October                      - Open morning for Reception 2017 parents
                                                             (9.30-10am)

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

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)

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