30th April, 2010.

Dear Parent/Carer,

Year 6 SAT Tests

These tests will begin on Monday 10th May and will be administered as normal.

School Attendance

Well done to Mrs Ford’s class for achieving 95%, Mrs Mantle’s class for achieving 96%, Mrs Rollings’ class with 97% and Mrs Bell’s and Mrs Joseph’s classes with 98%!

St Joe’s Blog

Please check out the school Blog for some amazing examples of writing from the junior classes. This includes editing and improving work in Year 3 and 4 and descriptive writing based on the wonderful poem ‘The Highwayman’ in Year 5 and 6. Here are some examples from Year 5 and 6–
‘There’s no escape. Through this dark, gloomy, window the howling wind in the tall trees makes me worry more for my darling love. The red-coats sneer and snigger like devils, as I struggle to get free. The window is a screen of sorrow.’‘… My heart is pounding fiercely; I can’t risk the highwayman’s life. I shake aggressively, fighting like a lion against the rope. Suddenly, I see the highwayman. He comes closer and closer. Reluctantly, I pull the trigger…’
AMAZING WRITING! Find lots more on the Blog as well as pictures of learning in the Reception class.


St George ‘Bling your Bike’

The winners for St George Bling your Bike are Dean Turner and Rachel Butcher. The runners up were Samantha Masenyana and Jake Turner.

School Crossing Patrol

THIS MORNING AN INCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE A CHILD WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR ON LODGE CAUSEWAY.THIS CHILD WAS UNSUPERVISED AND WAS NOT USING THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.

A REMINDER AGAIN that Mrs Pauline Sheere is still away. Please ensure your children are always safe when crossing the road.

PTFA Meeting

There will be a PTFA meeting next Tuesday (4th May) at 8pm in the Spotted Cow. We'll be planning the Summer Festival, and anybody is welcome to come along and offer ideas. It would be great to see you there.

Summer Festival Programme

We will again be producing a programme of events for the summer festival to be given to everyone upon entry. If you would like to place an advert in the programme, contact Andrea via the PTFA pigeonhole or at info@andrea-butcher.co.uk for details of rates etc. We handed out over 200 programmes last year, lots of advertising
potential!

Polish Constitution Day

Next Wednesday, May 5th the school will celebrating “Polish Constitution Day”. As part of these celebrations, a group of polish parents would like to invite you all to join them for afternoon tea – Polish style at 3.00pm in the Reception Class. At the same time there will be an opportunity to come along and meet some of the school governors.

Year 3/4J Mosque Visit

This week Mrs Workman took a year 3 and 4 class on a visit to the local Mosque on Lodge Causeway. The purpose of the visit was to learn about another faith and build stronger links with other parts of the local community. The members of this Muslim community were incredibly welcoming and answered the many questions the children had thought of. We thank them for their hospitality.
200 Club

1st and 3rd Prize - Mrs N Dwyer £18.67, 2nd Prize - Mr & Mrs O'Mahony £9.33

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly next Tuesday 4th May, at 3pm. The following children will receive their headteachers award:-

Ellie Connolly, Alana Kilbane, Cameron Wallace, Rungkan Bosarakam, Belinda Joseph, Kameron Bains-Doyle, Cory Leaworthy, King Wilson, Thomas Coombs, Bradley Bembridge, Thomas Hallard, Corada Wilson, Aaron Tarr, Sebastian Smaka, Clement Harvey, Daniel George, Jake Turner

Dates for Diaries

Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4
Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5
Saturday 8th May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Saturday 22nd May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Thursday 27th May - Y1/2 Avon Valley Country Park
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Science and technology focus
Sunday 20th June - First Holy Communion – 11.30am


Have a good Bank Holiday weekend,



Matt Condon
Headteacher

23rd April 2010

Dear Parent/Carer,

School Attendance
Well done to Mrs Mantle’s, Mrs Bell’s and Mr Conlon’s classes for achieving 95%.
A special congratulation to Mrs Patton’s class with 98% attendance!

New Garden Area
You may have seen that the school’s new garden area is being developed in the space between the school and Church. This is the result of incredible enthusiasm from staff members, parents and pupils, who are now enjoying the new gardening club. It’s definitely spring time in St. Joseph’s (see the photographs above and on the blog).

After School Clubs
Gymnastics and Multi-sports after school clubs have been cancelled due to lack on interest.

A basketball after school club is due to start on Monday 26th April for 8 weeks which is currently open to Years 5 & 6.

Dates for Diaries
Saturday 8th May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Saturday 22nd May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Science and technology focus

Happy St. George’s Day

Matt Condon, Headteacher

1st April, 2010

Dear Parent/Carer,

Can I take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work and support this term. Here are some of the highlights of school life, since February (pictures off Blog)

An unexpected guest
A visit from Dr. Bike
CAMP
2010
Wheely Good Inventions
E-Safety Week
Holy week
Sing Up Day
Pop Art
Swinging Sixties Project
Pop Art Project

Team Points
Swinging SixtiesWell done to the winners of the competition for terms 4 and 5 – St John’s Team. They will be enjoying an extra non uniform day on Friday 30th April.

School Attendance
Well done everybody! School attendance improved between terms 3 and terms 4 from 92.7% to 94.3%.

Last week Mrs Patton’s and Mrs Joseph’s class had 97% attendance and Mrs Rolling’s and Mrs Mantle’s class had 98%!

Student Teachers
After the Easter holiday we will be welcoming Miss Miller-Smith to the team as a student teacher. Miss Miller-Smith will be working with Mrs Joseph teaching Years 3 and 4.

Cafod
The school raised £136 for Cafod last week. Also a massive thanks to Mrs Bell’s class who also raised £107 for the Bee Keeping Project in Uganda.

Dates for Diaries
Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4
Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5
Saturday 24th April - First Holy Communion Preparation
Saturday 8th May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Science and technology focus
Happy Easter



Matt Condon, Headteacher

26th March 2010

Dear Parent/Carer,

School Attendance

Well done all for much improved attendance last week. Mr Sherwin's class had 96%, Mrs Mantle's and Mrs Patton's classes had 97% and Mr Conlon's and Mrs Rolling's had an amazing 98%!

After School Clubs

May I remind you that the following after school clubs will be running after the Easter holidays. If there are not enough participants, the clubs will have to be cancelled. Forms are available from the porch and need to be returned by Wednesday 31st March:-
Monday Years 3-6 Gymnastics
Tuesday Years 1-3 Multi-sports
Thursday Years 3-6 Fencing

Dinner Money

Please could you ensure that all dinner money arrears are paid by Monday 29th March. May I remind you that dinner money must be paid on a Monday in a named envelope and not as loose change, to the school office or the class teacher.

Proposed Road alterations on Fishponds Road and Stapleton Road

Bristol City Council are proposing a number of alterations to the road layout along Fishponds Road and Stapleton Road. These proposals are designed to enhance public transport and cyclists/walkers and include restrictions for car drivers, plus 24 hour bus lanes and bus lane extensions.
A consultation period is running until April 9th, so you can comment any time up until then. There is a consultation leaflet available from the Bristol City Council website: www.bristol.gov.uk/gbbn and click on the Stapleton Road/Fishponds Road link at the top.
Alternatively, you can visit the Project Information Centre on the corner of Fishponds Road and Elmgrove Road and pick up a leaflet there. The Project Information Centre is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am - 4pm (8pm on Thursdays).

Celebration Assembly

There will be a celebration assembly on Monday 29th March at 9.15am, and the following children will receive their headteachers award:-
Ollie Louch, Liam Rice, Rachel Butcher, Ben Underhill, Luke Staddon, Mateusz Klamanski, David Wabissa, Issy Poole, Aaron Tarr, Taychon Graham, Anna Galvin and Joseph Calloway.

Dates for Diaries
Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5
Saturday 24th April - First Holy Communion Preparation
Saturday 8th May - First Holy Communion Preparation
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Science and technology focus

Best wishes

Matt Condon
Headteacher

19th March 2010

Dear Parents and Carers - Happy St. Joseph’s Day everyone.

School Attendance
Last week attendance improved on the previous week, but unfortunately many classes still have attendance below 95%. Well done to Miss Wright’s class for achieving 95%, Mrs Ford’s class for achieving a great 97% and Mrs Joseph’s class who achieved top attendance with 97.5%!

Curriculum – Sports Relief, Cookathon and Enterprise Projects
The curriculum this week has been action packed!

Yesterday was Sports Relief led by Year 1’s class assembly. The rest of the school enjoyed a range of sporting activities during the day, whilst raising money for this good cause. Here are children enjoying the Dance Boogie!

Earlier in the week was the Cookathon, ably led by Mrs Hood and a small army of volunteers. The children had lots of fun Healthy and delicious! It’s great to see Father Joy getting stuck in with the cooking!

Enterprise Projects - The Middle Years (Y3/4) have been working on their design projects this week with the help of Mr Terry, our volunteer from HSBC Bank. Mr Terry helped the children think about why they are making their products and what they will need to say to the Dragons next week in the Den! (I wonder who they will be?)

Uniform Sale
We have a limited stock of school white polo shirts and navy blue fleeces which we are selling at a reduced price of £4.50 for polo shirts and £9 for fleeces. Sizes range from 5/6 - 11/12. This offer is until stocks last and is on a first come, first served basis.

If you would like to order any other item of uniform, please visit the website www.schoolwearforless.com/schools/stjosephsrcprimarybs163qr/ or collect an order form from the porch.

100% Organic Shopping Bags
Shopping bags are available to buy from the school office at a cost of £3.50 each. They are displayed in the playground noticeboard and the school office. All proceeds go to the playground enhancement project which is being organised by the School
Council.

Mothering Sunday Mass
It was wonderful to see so many families attending the Mothering Sunday Mass last weekend. I know that Father Joy and the Parish were thrilled with your enthusiastic response to the celebration and welcome you to Parish Mass every weekend. Masses are held at 6pm on a Saturday, at 10am on a Sunday morning and 6pm in the evening. Sunday’s evening Mass includes a children Liturgy where children learn about the Good News together.

Dates for Diaries
Tuesday 30th March - Holy week Mass in the school hall
Friday 26th March - Cafod Bee Day
Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4
Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day (school closed)
Science and technology focus

12th March, 2010

Dear Parents and Carers,

School Mass – Mothering Sunday
The school community will be leading a special Mass in Church this Sunday. It would be great to see lots of families from the school community attending this special Mothering Sunday Mass, which will begin at 10am.

School Attendance
Well done to Mrs Bell’s class for achieving almost 99% attendance. Mrs Ford’s class achieved 95.5%. Unfortunately due to illness, attendance was lower than usual in all other classes.

Can I remind you all that the school office must be contacted immediately if your child is unable to attend school.

Jewellery Recycling Week
Your child will have brought home a bag for your unwanted jewellery this week - the items that can be accepted are listed on the bag. Please could you ensure that bags are returned by Friday 19th March. A prize draw will take place for all returned bags to win one of two art pencil sets - the winners will be announced in the newsletter.

Dinner Money
Can I remind you that dinner money must be paid on a Monday in a named envelope and either posted through the office letter box or given to the class teacher. Dinner money envelopes are available from the office.

Packed Lunches
As the school kitchen is only obliged to provide cutlery for those children having a hot school dinner and we have two sittings, we are often unable to supply children having packed lunches with a spoon. If your child has anything in their packed lunch that requires eating with a spoon, please provide one in their lunch box.

Cookathon – 16th March
We are holding an all day Cookathon for the children in KS2. If you are able to spare half an hour during the 16th March to help out with cooking, please speak to Sharon Hood in the playground or give your name into the office together with the time that you are available.

Stanger Danger
This week we have been reminding all children that they are only to leave school with the person who is authorised to take them home – this is usually the parent or carer. If anybody else approaches them, even if they are known, children must immediately return to their class teacher. Please inform the class teacher if anybody different is collecting your child from school.

Celebration of Achievements
There will be a celebration assembly next Monday, 8th March at 9.15am. The following children will receive awards:-

Nuala Wallace, Milly Wiecioch-Giles, Meigan Westlake, Jane Campos, Hannah Richards, Isaac Allen and Ailis Tuohy.

Dates for Diaries
Sunday 14th March - School Mass in Church
Tuesday 16th March - Year 5 and 6 Mass in Church
Tuesday 16th March - Cookathon
Tuesday 30th March - Holy week Mass in the school hall
Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4
Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5
Thursday 27th May - End of Term 5
Friday 28th May - Staff Training Day - Science and Technology Focus – School Closed

Best wishes


Matt Condon
Headteacher

Friday 5th March

Dear Parents and Carers,

Parents Evening
You will have the opportunity to meet some of the school governors at the next parents evening. They will also be seeking the views of parents about what is going well in the school and what could be improved. We plan this to be a feature of future parent’s evenings.

E.Safety
A big thank you to Mr Sherwin, for organising an exciting an informative E-Learning week.

Can we ask that you all talk to your children about their use of the internet, in particular social networking sites like Facebook. We have learnt that some children have posted their full names, school name and photograph on these sites. This information may now be accessed by anyone using the World Wide Web!

School Mass – Mothering Sunday
The school community will be leading a special Mass in Church, on Sunday 14th March. You are all welcome. The Mass will begin at 10am.

School Attendance
Well done to Mrs Mantle’s class, Mrs Ford’s class, Mrs Joseph’s class, Mr Sherwin’s class and Mr Conlon’s class achieving over 96% attendance.

Mr Conlon’s class achieved over 98% attendance!

Cookathon – 16th March

We are holding an all day Cookathon for the children in KS2. If you are able to spare half an hour during the 16th March to help out with cooking, please speak to Sharon Hood in the playground or give your name into the office together with the time that you are available.

Virtual Bike Race and Dr Bike visit

Almost 20 bikes in school today - getting better every day! St. Joes are currently 97th in the country (in the top 3rd) and ahead of other local schools. Let’s see if more children and parents can cycle into school next week.

Dr Bike, who is able to carry out general maintenance and repairs, will be in school on Tuesday morning from 8.30 onwards. Children and parents can bring their bikes in.

School Crossing Patrol
A reminder that Mrs Pauline Sheere will be unable to work from the 8th March and for 8 weeks from the 11th March. Please ensure your children are always safe when crossing the road.

Celebration of Achievements
There will be a celebration assembly next Monday, 8th March at 9.15am. The following children will receive awards:-

Nuala Wallace, Milly Wiecioch-Giles, Meigan Westlake, Jane Campos, Hannah Richards, Isaac Allen and Ailis Tuohy

Dates for Diaries
Monday 8th March - Parent’s Evening
Tuesday 9th March - Dr Bike visit
Sunday 14th March - School Mass in Church
Tuesday 16th March - Year 5 and 6 Mass in Church
Tuesday 16th March - Cookathon
Tuesday 30th March - Holy week Mass in the school hall
Thursday 1st April - End of Term 4
Monday 19th April - Start of Term 5



Matt Condon
Headteacher