Family Letter number 8
4th March 2010
Miss McKay
Unfortunately, Miss McKay is away from school at the current time on sick leave. In her absence, the Local Authority and Chair of Governors have asked me to adopt the role of Acting Head, which I am happy to do. I’m sure you all join the staff in wishing her a speedy recovery.
Care when arriving at and leaving school
Parents, we would like to ask you for your support in reminding your child about safety when arriving and leaving school.
Staff at St Joseph’s School have highlighted to us that a small number of our pupils are cutting through their car park and across the field at the beginning and end of the school day, also playing on the field close to their car park at the end of the day. On Wednesday, one of our pupils was nearly hit by a car arriving at the car park. I’m sure you agree this seriously compromises St. Joseph’s safety procedures and our children’s safety. I will be reminding our pupils about using the paths safely and would ask you to encourage this also. Thank you.
Following our consultation before half term, from Monday, we will trial opening the Frenchman’s walk entrance to school at the beginning and end of the day to help ease the congestion on the paths.
Mrs Lane’s Departure
We were all very sad to say goodbye to Mrs Lane last Friday. She has been a valued member of staff for many years and all of our learners were eager to thank her for her contribution to their learning and gave a rousing send off during Worship last Friday. I am sure you join us in wishing her and her family good luck for the future.
Foundation Stage Playground
Excitement is growing in Foundation Stage as their outdoor learning equipment is due to be fitted next week! I’m sure they will all be keeping a careful check on progress as their plans become a reality! The work will start on Tuesday so this area will be out of bounds on this day.
Can we therefore request that children from the Reception classes arrive and leave from the door used by Nursery at the front of the building? Children will be able to access the classroom on this occasion from 8.40 am.
Could Year 1 pupils please use the main playground all this week. Many thanks.
Year 3 and 4 Easter Celebration –
Wednesday 24th March at 2.00 p.m. and Friday 26th March at 9.30 a.m.
Parents and Grandparents are invited to join us for these special celebrations. There will be a collection in aid of the charity Njarange Area Project at the end of each performance.
Easter Communion Service for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 – Tuesday 30th March
Please join us for our Easter Communion Service in St. Michael’s Church at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday 30th March.
Family Praise – Sunday 14th March 2010
The next Family Praise in St. Michael’s Church will be ‘Mothering Sunday’, March 14th 2010 at 10.00 a.m. we hope you are able join us.
Friday 5th March at 2.30 p.m.
We look forward to parents/carers of children in Class 3A joining us tomorrow for this event.
Class WorshipClass 3C – Friday 12th March at 2.30 p.m.
We look forward to parents/carers of children in Class 3C joining us for this event.
AbsencesOn occasions you may receive a printed letter asking the reasons for your child’s absence despite the fact that you may have already contacted us. Please note that sometimes the computer optical mark reader does not pick up the marks made by the teachers on the absence forms. This is merely a second check to ensure all reasons for absence are accurate, so we would be grateful if you would complete and return the letter as requested.
Lent AppealWe would welcome any donations for our Lent Appeal. This year we are supporting Njarange Area Project; we hope you will support this appeal.
Puffin Book ClubPlease take time to look at this catalogue. School receives commission on purchases you make. If you would like to place an order please send it with payment to school by 12th March 2010.
We’re collecting for FREE cooking equipment!
We are still collecting tokens from special packs of Flora and will exchange them for FREE cooking equipment!
Tokens can be found on the cover leaf of special packs of Flora. Please send any you collect into school. Thank you.
Well done to all the boys who ran in the inter-schools cross country at Christchurch on Wednesday. Overall we finished 2nd in the large schools. Particular congratulations to John Wint who came 5th and Kai Smith who came 6th out of 120 participants.
Netball TeamsAnother one under our belt, well done to both netball teams, who won their matches against St. Chad’s. Team 1 won 6 – 3 and team 2 scored an outstanding 11 goals. Thank you teams and supporters who came to cheer.
PTA news
Ticket sales at parents evening
Many thanks to everyone who helped sell tickets for the adults disco & the chocolate bingo at parents evening last week. Your help, as always, was much appreciated!
Adults School disco -
This Saturday (6th March)
Just a reminder that it’s the adult’s school disco this Saturday… 8.30-11.30pm at Boley Park community Hall
Tickets will be available on the door (£5.00)
All profits will be going towards equipment for our playgrounds so come along & have a great night whilst helping raise funds for the children!
Summer Fayre - Saturday 26 June
We know it may seem early but it’s that time of year when we start planning for the largest fundraiser of the school year, the fantastic summer fayre! It will take place on Saturday 26 June from 12 noon till 3pm and this year will have a World Cup theme. There are loads of different ways in which parents can get involved - please watch this space over the next few weeks and months for all sorts of different opportunities for you to help make the Fayre a massive success and raise funds for a new PA system for the school.
One of the biggest fundraisers at the Fayre is the grand raffle, but it is only as good as the prizes we can offer. If you, your friends or family have any connections with businesses who are able to offer a prize, please leave a message in the PTA tray at the school office. Typically raffle prizes have included tickets to places of interest, vouchers for local shops, hampers etc, but the greater the variety of prizes the better, so please get thinking!
If anyone would like to get involved in the planning and organisation of this year's Fayre, please come along to the Duke of York pub on Monday 15 March at 8pm for an informal meeting. If you are unable to attend but would like to be involved, again please leave a message in the PTA tray at the school office.
Half price admission to Alton Towers
We have vouchers available to anyone who would like half price admission for Alton Towers. If you would like a voucher please ask for one at Reception.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs. J. Wallbank
Acting Headteacher.