Dear Parent/Carer,

Welcome back

It was a real pleasure to welcome all the children back on Monday. They look well rested and ready for the new school year. I am delighted that they have all settled very well and school is a very calm and industrious place.

A special welcome to all the new parents joining us this year as their children start school in reception class. I am sure you will feel at home very soon and will get to know the staff and other families.

Welcome Meeting

Next week teachers and support staff will be holding brief welcome meetings. This will be an opportunity to meet them and provide information about the class routines and expectations for this year. The meetings will be at the following times:

Year 1: Monday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 2: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 3: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 4: Monday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 5: Tuesday 3.00-3.20pm

Year 6: Wednesday 3.00-3.20pm

If you are unable to attend the meeting please don’t worry, all the information discussed will be included in a welcome newsletter which will sent home with your child following the meetings.

Refurbishment

While you have been enjoying your holidays the school has been a hive of activity. We have refurbished Year 5 and 6 classrooms and the new multi-functional room. This room will be used for Extended School Club and a regular morning teaching group as well as teaching groups practical subjects like art, craft and cookery. You will also notice the main entrance has been refurbished and brightened up with new skylights.

New School Uniform

It has been lovely to see the children in their new uniform, they look very smart.

The school uniform shop will be open on Friday mornings from 9.00-9.30 for uniform supplies. Orders may also be placed with the school office. Cash or cheque payments will be accepted.

We are aware there have been some issues getting the pale blue PE T-shirt. It will be fine for children to wear white T-shirt and navy shorts this year. We will try to get some pale blue PE t-shirts in the school shop and will let you know if we are successful. Thank you for your patience with this.

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.

Extended School Club (ESC)

May I remind parents that the extended school club (ESC) now runs until 5.30pm daily.  If you have booked your child into ESC, you must ensure that the children are picked up promptly either by 5pm if a short session has been booked or 5.30pm if a long session has been booked.  There are occasionally unforeseen circumstances that keep you from being on time.  If this happens, please ensure that the school is informed.  However, we would remind parents that, if there is persistent lateness in collection, we will have no alternative but to cancel the place. 

For children not attending ESC the playground is supervised from 8.45am so please ensure children do not arrive before then. At the end of the school day we ask parents to leave by 3.45pm so that the school site can be secured.

Vacancy

There is a vacancy for a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant for the school office. The post is advertised on ‘eteach’. If you are interested in the post please visit the eteach website to find out more https://www.eteach.com.

Family Mass

This Sunday the 10 o’clock mass will be a family mass. All are welcome to join the mass and I look forward to seeing many of you there. I am hoping children from school will be leading many parts of the mass.

Clubs

We have a wide range of clubs running for children this term which we will tell all classes about on Monday. If your child would like to join a club they must ask for a letter from the relevant teacher and return the permission slip before next Friday (16^th September). All clubs will start in the week commencing 19^th September.

Some clubs will be provided by professional coaches and will incur a charge of £2.50 per week. Details of payment and term dates for these clubs will be included in the club letter.

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.

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 12^th September, where the following children will receive their headteacher’s award:  Dominic (Y1), Angel (Y1), Jan (Y2), Hugo (Y3), Anns (Y3), Janice (Y4), Jav (Y5), Amber (Y6), Charlie (Y6).

Dates for Diaries

Monday 12^th September                -           Welcome meeting Y1 and Y4 parents
                                                                       (3.00-3.30)

Tuesday 13^th September                -           Welcome meeting Y5 parents (3.00-3.30)

Wednesday 14^th September         -           Welcome meeting Y2, Y3 and Y6 parents

                                                                       (3.00-3.30)

Wednesday 21^st September          -           Full Governing Body Meeting (FGB)

                                                                       (5.30pm-7.00pm)

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

Thursday 20^th October                    -           PTFA Infant Disco                                        

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer,

Prize giving

Thank you for making prize giving such a wonderful celebration of our year at St Joseph's. Well done to all those who were awarded prizes, and all the rest of the children who were so supportive and happy to congratulate their friends.

Non uniform day
Next Tuesday, 19th July will be a non-uniform day for all children to raise money for the PTFA. Please send in a donation of £1 per child.

PTFA Tea Party
The PTFA would like to invite all parents, teachers and friends of St Joseph's school to join them for tea and cake after school on Tuesday, 19th July, to celebrate the end of the school year, say thank you to the staff for their continued hard work and as a chance for a get together before the summer break. There will be no charge for refreshments as the committee will be donning their pinnies to provide the cakes.

New School Uniform

The governors have agreed that we will provide each child with one set of the new school uniform free of charge. Children will receive their uniform next week ready for September.

The school uniform shop will be open this week on 19^th/20^th/21^st July 9.00-9.30 am & 3.00-3.30 pm for uniform supplies for September and then once a week from September on Friday Mornings 9-9.30am.   If you've received this newsletter by email you will also have received a uniform order form, other copies can be obtained from the school office.  Cash or cheque payments will be accepted.  Orders can be placed directly with our uniform supplier Initially Yours: http://www.initiallyyours.co.uk/schools/st_josephs_rc_primary_school/uniform_and_sports_kit.htm.

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

There will be 5 staff training days during the year.  The first 2 will be on Thursday 1^st and Friday 2^nd September.  School will therefore open for pupils in years 1 to 6 after the summer holidays on Monday 5^th September.  We will inform you of the dates for the other 3 staff training days as soon as they are known.

Extended School Club (ESC)

Bookings for Term1 (September 2016) will open next week to all parents of children registered and up to date with payments.  If you are thinking of using ESC and haven’t already registered please contact the school office for a registration form.  We are continuing with morning sessions (starting at 8am) for £2.50 a session and the short (until 5pm) for £3.50 and long (until 5.30) for £5 options for after school. Please make sure you book your child on as soon as possible as this allows us to ensure we have adequate supervision for the children wanting to use Extended School Club.  We will do our best to ensure there are places for all children booked on using School Gateway before 25^th August. As demand for the long sessions is currently low Mrs Martin only runs the club until 5.30pm on days when children are pre-booked onto the long sessions.  So it is especially important that you book your child onto these longer sessions in advance if you can’t pick them up before 5pm.

Celebration  Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 18^th July, where the following children will receive their headteacher’s award:  Amelia, Daisha, Isher (R), Alena (Y1), Rian (Y3), Tihanna, Cerys, Nati, Haris (Y4), Oliver D (Y5).

Super Stars:  Alison, Mati (R), Jacks, Leona, Maeya (Y2).

Dates for Diaries

Wednesday 20^th July           -           Y3 Presentation and Parents’ open
                                                             morning 9.10-9.40                                        
                                                 -           Year Six Performance to parents 7pm

Thursday 21^st July                  -           Briarwood Singing Festival

Friday 22 July                         -           Leavers’ Mass 9.30am in church

                                                            END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Thursday 1^st September       -         INSET (school closed)

Friday 2^nd September          -         INSET (school closed)

Monday 5^th September       -        First Day back after summer break for
                                                           children in Years 1-6

Mrs Jackie McCarthy

Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer,

Sports Day

Sports Day turned out to be a fabulous occasion with all the children taking part with respect and good humour.  Thanks to all the parents who came to cheer the children on. Congratulations to all the children.  The winning team was St Matthew.  A special thanks to Mr Rees who did a fantastic job organising the event.

Phonics Screening

A fantastic 97% of children in Year One reached or exceeded the threshold in phonic knowledge.  Congratulations to all of the children and staff. 

Key Stage One and Two SATs.

Huge congratulations are needed for all the children in Year Two and Year Six.  They have excelled themselves as they come to the end of their key stage, having prepared and taken tests under a new curriculum and with harder tests than before.   The staff and governors are all very proud of them.  Below are the results, along with their national comparison (KS2): 

KEY STAGE ONE  Teacher Assessments	% meeting expected standards
Reading	80%
Writing	77%
Maths	77%

KEY STAGE TWO RESULTS	% meeting expected standards
	School	National
Reading	73%	66%
Writing	80%	74%
Grammar, punctuation, spelling	90%	72%
Maths	83%	70%
Reading, writing, maths	67%	53%

Prize Giving – Thursday 14^th July

St Joseph’s first Prize Giving Evening will be taking place this Thursday 14^th July at 5.30pm.  All parents and children are invited to attend to share in celebrating the achievements in our school this year.  Prizes will be given to children in all classes recognising excellence in attainment, effort, progress, behaviour, consideration and kindness as well as demonstration of the Olympic and Paralympic values during sports day.  Participation and representing the school will also be celebrated as well as the achievements and effort of staff and parents.  It should be a joyous occasion and a great way to finish off a fantastic year.

Class presentations and parents’ open mornings

Parents are invited to their children’s class at the beginning of the day (9.10-9.40) where the class will tell the story of their learning in their most recent topic. Following the presentation, parents and carers will be able to stay for a short while to look at their child’s work. Some of the classes have had their presentations this week.  Reception has theirs on Tuesday, Year 5 on Wednesday with Year 2 on Thursday.

New School Uniform

As reported last week, the governors have agreed that we will provide each child with one set of the new school uniform free of charge. Children will receive their uniform in the last week of term ready for September.

The school uniform shop will be open on 19^th/20^th/21^st July 9.00-9.30 am & 3.00-3.30 pm for uniform supplies for September and then once a week from September.   We will send parents and carers information about prices and ordering next week.  Cash or cheque payments will be accepted at the school uniform shop or you will be able to order online from www.initiallyyours.co.uk.

Mrs Slade

Mrs Slade has been off sick for several weeks and is still poorly.  We wish her well in her recovery.

Extended School Club (ESC)

May I remind parents that the Extended School Club now runs until 5.30pm daily for those children who have been booked onto the new longer sessions.  If you have booked your child into Extended School Club, you must ensure that the children are picked up promptly either at 5pm (if a short session is booked) or 5.30pm (for the longer session).  There are occasionally unforeseen circumstances that keep you from being on time.  If this happens, please ensure that the school is informed.  However, we would remind parents that, if there is persistent lateness in collection, we will have no alternative but to cancel your child’s place at Extended School Club. 

Mad Science

There will be a Mad Science club starting on Mondays from 12^th September until 17^th October.  Children in Reception to Year 5 were given a form. If you are interested please return a completed form and payment to the School Office by Wednesday 13^th July.

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

There will be 5 staff training days during the year.  The first 2 will be on Thursday 1^st and Friday 2^nd September.  School will therefore open for pupils in years 1 to 6 after the summer holidays on Monday 5^th September.  We will inform you of the dates for the other 3 staff training days as soon as they are known.

Celebration  Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 11^th July, where the following children will receive their headteacher’s award:  Filip, Tegan, Jay Jay (R), Patricia, Mikolaj, Madeleine (Y1), Joseph, Chetavia (Y2), Jeremy, Austin (Y3), Ruby, Karam, Dom, Marco, Taya (Y4), Patty (Y5), Alisha, Claudia, Mackenzie (Y6)

Super Stars:  Abay (Rec), Oliver Mooney (Y5), Harvey (Y6)

Dates for Diaries

Tuesday 12^th July                  -           Rec Presentation and Parents’ open morning
                                                            9.10-9.40

Wednesday 13^th July           -           Y5 Presentation and Parents’ open morning
                                                            9.10-9.40

Thursday 14^th July                 -           Y2 Presentation and Parents’ open morning
                                                            9.10 -9.40

                                                -           Prize giving 5.30-6.30 

Friday 15^th July                      -           Columbus sports day – Air Balloon

                                                -           Columbus music concert –choir, evening

Wednesday 20^th July           -           Y3 Presentation and Parents’ open morning                                                 -           Year Six Performance to parents 7pm

Thursday 21^st July                  -           Briarwood Singing Festival

Friday 22 July                         -           Leavers’ Mass 9.30am in church

                                                            END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Thursday 1^st September      -           INSET (school closed)

Friday 2^nd September          -          INSET (school closed)

Monday 5^th September       -          First Day back after summer break for children
                                                            in Years 1-6

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher

30^th June 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,

Uniform

Thank you very much for being part of the recent uniform consultation. I received 74 parental voting slips. I also consulted with the children and staff, as well as seeking the views of Governors.

I have considered all the feedback, as well as practical factors and have decided that the school uniform will be as follows:

Boy’s school uniform:

Navy blue school knitted jumper with logo*
Pale blue polo shirt
Charcoal grey trousers or shorts
Black school shoes or plain black trainers

In Year 5 and 6 children may wear a pale blue shirt and school tie*

Girl’s school uniform:

Navy blue school knitted cardigan with logo*
Pale blue polo shirt
Charcoal grey skirt, tunic, trousers or shorts
Black school shoes or plain black trainers

In Year 5 and 6 children may wear a pale blue shirt and school tie*

Other uniform items

School book-bag*

PE kit-bag*

Outdoor uniform for all children (optional)

School shower-proof fleece lined jacket*
School woolly hat or school cap*

Wellington Boots for outdoor activities

PE kit for all children

Navy blue shorts and pale blue round-neck T-shirt / black plimsolls (summer)

Navy Blue tracksuit / black plimsolls (winter)

The school uniform items marked with * are our ‘St Joseph’s’ items and will be available from a new school uniform shop, which will be open on 19^th/20^th/21^st July for uniform supplies for September and then once a week from September. Alternatively these items may be bought from ‘Initially Yours’, either in one of their local shops or ordered from www.initiallyyours.co.uk and collected from the school uniform shop or delivered to your home. Most other items will also be available from the school uniform shop or can be bought from many department stores or supermarkets. Cash or cheque payments will be accepted in the school uniform shop.

I am delighted that the governors have agreed that we will provide each child with one set of the new school uniform free of charge. Children will receive their uniform in the last week of term ready for September.

Children will be allowed to wear the old style uniform for 2016/17. All children will be expected to wear full new style uniform from September 2017.

Forthcoming INSET

A reminder that tomorrow, Friday 1^st July and Monday 4^th July the school will be closed to children due to staff training. We look forward to seeing all the children again on Tuesday morning.

Sports Day – new date

Sports Day is now on Tuesday 5^th July, weather permitting.  It will take place on the field between 9.30am and 11:30pm.  Children will be competing as part of their school team - St John (Red), St Matthew (Yellow), St Mark (Green), St Luke (Blue).  They should come to school in their PE kits and t-shirts in their team colours, with their uniform in their PE bag for changing into afterwards.  If children are really struggling to find a coloured t-shirt we will supply some bibs on the day.  Please also make sure your child has a water bottle.

There will be the usual popular athletic events, as well as some more traditional races, such as the egg and spoon, sack race and obstacle race.  Parents/guardians, friends and governors are all very welcome to come and support the children as they compete. 

In the event of poor weather you will be notified that the event is cancelled. Children will take part in a fun indoor sports morning but unfortunately parents and friends will not be able to attend.

Outstanding Secondary School

Congratulations to our feeder secondary school, St Bernadette’s, which has just been given OUTSTANDING in their recent diocesan Section 48 inspection.  The full report is available on their website: www.stberns.bristol.sch.uk

Missing scooter

A child in Year One has had her prized scooter go missing from the bike shed.  If anyone has seen it or their children brought it home by mistake, please return it or let the office know.

Parking

When dropping off and picking up please take care not to block our neighbours’ driveways.

Dates for Diaries

Friday 1^st July                       -           INSET (school closed)

Monday 4^th July                   -           INSET (school closed)

Tuesday 5^th July                    -           Sports Day

Thursday 7^th July                   -           Y4 Presentation and Parents’ open
                                                            morning                

Friday 8^th July                        -           Y1 Presentation and Parents’ open morning

Tuesday 12^th July                  -           Rec Presentation and Parents’ open morning

Wednesday 13^th July           -           Y5 Presentation and Parents’ open morning

Thursday 14^th July                 -           Y2 Presentation and Parents’ open morning

                                                -           Prize giving 5.30-6.30 

Friday 15^th July                      -           Columbus sports day – Air Balloon

                                                -           Columbus music concert –choir, evening

Wednesday 20^th July           -           Y3 Presentation and Parents’ open morning                                                -           Year Six Performance to parents 7pm

Friday 22 July                        -            Leavers’ Mass 9.30am in church

                                                            END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Thursday 1^st September      -            INSET (school closed)

Friday 2^nd September         -            INSET (school closed)

Monday 5^th September      -            First Day back after summer break for
                                                            children in Years 1-6

                                                                                   

Mrs Jackie McCarthy
Headteacher