Dear Parents/Carers,
We have reached the end of our first full week back in school and it has been an excellent start to the new term with all out children back into good working habits straight away. I have been particularly impressed with how well our Year 6 pupils have started the term, especially as this is a vital term for them as they prepare for their SATs in May. We are starting the Saturday Study Club tomorrow morning for the Year 6 pupils. They have all committed to attending and my thanks again to the Year 6 staff who are giving up their Saturday mornings to work with the pupils.
Masses and Assemblies
Class 3H will be presenting the first assembly of the new term on “Journeys” next Thursday 23rd January at 2:30pm. There will be a full list of Masses and Assemblies for this term at the end of this newsletter.
Uniform
Uniform will next be on sale on Wednesday 22nd January from 8:50-9:30am and then every two weeks through the term.
Friends’ Association Meeting
We held the latest meeting of the Friends’ Association last night, again thanks to everyone who attended. The meeting reviewed the recent Christmas Bazaar and other events held last term and we have planned some events for this term.
- Friday 14th February – Valentine’s Day Disco/Film Afternoon 1:00-3:00pm
- Saturday 7th March – Family Quiz Night 7:00-9:00pm (more details to follow)
- Thursday 19th March – St Joseph’s Day Fun Afternoon 1:00-3:00pm
Advent Box for BCCS
Before Christmas we collected £154 for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. More coins came in last week and with additional donations the final total came to £184 so an even bigger well done to everyone.
After School Clubs/Activities
All the clubs have started this week and again it is great to see lots of children signing up for them. The following clubs are now full and cannot take any more bookings – Monday Computer Club, Tuesday Boys Football Club and the Friday Art and Craft Club. Please note that this term you need to go online to book a club for your child on the School Shop, we will not be sending out paper forms. Also remember you can book places on the Gymnastics Club and the various Dance Stables Clubs by going onto their respective web sites.
PTC Sports
I met with the manager of PTC Sports last week. They already work in several schools in Waltham Forest and are going to be working in St Joseph’s this term. From next Monday they will be running a lunchtime multi-sports club, initially for Year 5 boys and then teaching gymnastics with all the Year 3 pupils in the afternoon. Later this term they are going to organise a Sports Day for the school and a Holiday Sports Club at Easter (more details to follow).
Class of the Week
Congratulations to Class 6P and Class 6C who were both Class of the Week. As I mentioned above, both classes have returned this term showing a real commitment to their learning.
Attendance and Punctuality
Class 3H had 100% attendance this week and Class 3K had 99% punctuality. Well done to both our Year 3 classes for maintaining their high rates of both attendance and punctuality this year.
“Jan Jam” Music Workshops
The school is hosting the “Jan Jam” Music Workshop organised by the Waltham Forest Music Service on Saturday 25th January from 2:30-5:30pm and your children can be part of this exciting and fun event. The workshops are for children aged 7-11 years old and they are invited to join a team of professional musicians in a fun afternoon session exploring singing, music making and movement. They will learn some easy songs, create a new one and then put everything together in a mini theatrical performance for friends and family. All abilities welcome – no singing experience needed just a voice and bags of enthusiasm!
Family and friends are invited to an informal performance at 5:00pm.
The cost is £5 per workshop participant (this fee is subsidised using funding from Arts Council England).
Places are limited – book now to secure your place at https://janjam.eventbrite.co.uk
I would encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity, particularly as it is targeted at our age group (7-11) and we are hosting the workshops in school. I spoke to the Waltham Forest Music Service yesterday and they said there are only 20 places left so you need to book fast to guarantee a place next Saturday.
Trips
30 pupils from Year 5 will be attending a design and technology workshop on “Bridge Building” next Thursday 23rd January at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I will be going with the pupils as I did last year to see the project for myself. Letters will be sent to parents with full details of the trip.
Non-Uniform Days
We held our latest non-uniform day today for school funds and I have listed the other days at the end of this newsletter. The days before half term will be for school funds and after half term for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal. Can I remind everyone that if you are in non-uniform on a Friday, you should be bringing in your £1.00.
Staffing News
We said goodbye today to Miss Fuwa one of our Learning Support Assistants who will be starting her new job on Monday. She relocated to Kent last summer and has found the travelling to and from Leyton too much and has now secured a post in a school near her home. She has been in St Joseph’s for five and a half years and had developed into one of our most capable support teachers and has helped many children both individually and collectively during her time here. She will be greatly missed not least by her current class 3K. I wish her all the best in her new job.
I would like to thank all the parents who have approached me this week with your best wishes following my “news” from last week. Naturally lots of you are asking about the plans for the future leadership of the school. As I mentioned last week, I am working with our governors to plan for this in September and we will keep you updated as we go through this term.
Yours sincerely,
J Alexander (Head teacher)
- Future Dates for your Diary
- These are the dates for this term. This will be amended and updated each week.
- Saturday 18th January – Year 6 Saturday Study Club begins 9:30am-12:00pm
- Wednesday 22nd January – Meeting for Year 6 parents about Gilwell trip 7:00pm
- Thursday 23rd January – Workshop for Year 5 pupils on “Bridge Building” am
- Thursday 23rd January – Class 3H Assembly on “Journeys” 2:30pm
- Friday 24th January – Non-uniform day for school funds (£1)
- Saturday 25th January – School hosting Waltham Forest “Jan Jam” Festival pm
- Thursday 30th January – Class 3K Assembly on “Community” 2:30pm
- Friday 31st January – Non-uniform day for school funds (£1)
- Saturday 1st February – School hosting First Communion Retreat today
- Thursday 6th February – Class 4P Assembly on “Giving/Receiving” 2:30pm
- Friday 7th February – Non-uniform day for school funds
- Wednesday 12th February – Class 4RB Assembly on “Unity” 2:30pm
- Friday 14th February – Non-uniform day for school funds
- Friday 14th February – Valentine’s Disco/Film Afternoon in school 1:00-3:00pm
- Monday 17th to Friday 21st February – Half term holiday
- Wednesday 26th February – Ash Wednesday Service led by Class 6P 11:00am
- Wednesday 26th February – “Qualiteach” Football Tournament for Year 5 boys
- Friday 28th February – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Red Day)
- Monday 2nd March – “SportsforSchools” Day including visit from GB Volleyball player
- Thursday 5th March – Class 6C Assembly on “Death and New Life” 2:30pm
- Friday 6th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Green Day)
- Saturday 7th March – Family Film Night 7:00-9:00pm
- Monday 9th March – Bikeability cycle training for Year 5 pupils this week
- Thursday 12th March – Deanery Mass for Y6 pupils at St Joseph’s Church am
- Friday 13th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Blue Day)
- Thursday 19th March – Mass for St Joseph’s Day in church led by Y4 11:00am
- Thursday 19th March – Fun/Activity Afternoon to celebrate St Joseph’s Day
- Friday 20th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Yellow Day)
- Monday 23rd March – Parental Consultation Meetings (1:00-3:00pm/4:00-6:00pm)
- Wednesday 25th March – Year 6 trip to Harry Potter World
- Wednesday 25th March – Bikeability cycle training for Year 3 and 4 pupils (2 days)
- Friday 27th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Black/White Day)
- Monday 30th March – Lenten Reconciliation Service am
- Tuesday 31st March – Year 5 Easter Production 11:00am
- Wednesday 1st April – Year 5 Easter Production 7:00pm
- Thursday 2nd April – Sponsored walk for CAFOD
- Friday 3rd April – Last day of term including Lenten Service led by Year 3 am
