Dear Parents/Carers,
Just a few reminders before we finish for the spring half term break tomorrow.
Consultation
I sent home the consultation document regarding the proposed future of St Joseph’s Junior School this week plus we e-mailed a copy to everyone and it is on the school website. There will now be a 6 week period of consultation and part of this will be public meetings for parents on Wednesday 4th March at 9:00am and 4:00pm to meet with governors and ask any questions. As I mentioned last week, I would urge everyone to read the document carefully and to respond to it. The more responses we receive, the better informed the governors will be when they come to make their decision at the end of this term.
Masses and Assemblies
Well done to Class 4RB who presented their assembly on “Unity” this week. There is a full list of Masses and Assemblies for this term at the end of this newsletter.
Valentine’s Disco on Friday 15th February
We will be holding our Valentine’s Disco/DVD afternoon in the school tomorrow afternoon from 1:00-3:00pm. Friday is also a non-uniform day so the children can come in their own clothes and bring their £1 as normal and in addition we will be selling refreshments at lunchtime and during the afternoon in the dining room including soft drinks so the children will need to bring money for that. Any parents who can help tomorrow between 1:00 and 3:00pm would be much appreciated.
Friends’ Association
These are the planned events being organised by the Friends’ 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
The next meeting of the Friends’ Association will be today Thursday 13th February at 6:00pm when we will be confirming the details for the above planned events.
After School Clubs/Activities
The booking forms are now online to book places on the clubs for after half term. Also remember you can book places on the various Dance Stables Clubs by going onto their respective web sites. Unfortunately they will not be running their Drama or Cheerleading clubs after half term because of the small numbers but hope to start them again in the summer. Parents have been informed of this.
Uniform
Uniform will next be on sale on Wednesday 26th February from 8:50-9:30am and then every second Wednesday through the term.
Class of the Week
Congratulations to Class 4RB who were Class of the Week for their lovely assembly on “Unity” this week.
Non-Uniform Days
We will hold our latest non-uniform day for school funds tomorrow 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 bring in your £1.
Internet Safety
As we approach half term it is a good time to remind everyone of the importance of monitoring what our children are watching, playing, sharing or coming into contact with on social media through their phones, I Pads etc. Although these devices can be a window to the world and learning, they can also be places of potential danger so we all have a duty to be vigilant to what our children (and grandchildren) are seeing.
Maura Stone RIP
We heard some very sad news this week regarding the wife of Dr Stone, the head teacher of Holy Family School and Sixth Form. Maura Stone passed away on Sunday evening following a long battle with cancer and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Dr Stone, his son Sean and indeed the whole of the Holy Family Community at this difficult time. We have a long and close association with Holy Family as it has been the main secondary school for our pupils over the years and I personally have got to know Dr Stone very well. He has been a great champion of Catholic education in our Deanery. I have been in contact with the other Catholic heads this week as how we can mark her passing. A couple of ideas are to dedicate the Deanery Mass in March to her memory and to use one of our upcoming non-uniform days in Lent to make a donation to the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Half term
The school will close for the half term break tomorrow Friday 14th February at 3:05pm and then re-open on Monday 24th February.
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.
- 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
- Wednesday 4th March – Consultation Meetings for parents 9:00am and 4:00pm
- 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
- Thursday 12th March – Year 4 football tournament at the Score Centre am
- Thursday 12th March – Cycling Event at the Olympic Park for 30 Year 5 pupils
- 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 – Sports/Activity Afternoon to celebrate St Joseph’s Day
- Friday 20th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Yellow Day)
- Friday 20th March – School hosting RCE Conference in the hall all day
- Monday 23rd March – Parental Consultation Meetings (1:00-3:00pm/4:00-6:00pm)
- Wednesday 25th March – German teacher in school (UK/German Connection)
- Wednesday 25th March – Year 6 trip to Harry Potter World
- Wednesday 25th March – Bikeability cycle training for Year 3 and 4 pupils (2 days)
- Thursday 26th March – Spring Book Fair delivered today (runs for next week)
- Friday 27th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (Black/White Day)
- Friday 27th March – Year 3 trip to Mountfitchet Castle
- 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
- Monday 6th April to Thursday 9th April – Easter Sports Club run by PTC Sports each day from 9:30am to 3:30pm (more details to follow after half term)
- Monday 20th April – First day of summer term for pupils
