Dear Parents/Carers,
The weekly newsletter returns to its usual Friday slot from today. Sunday is St David’s Day and also the first official day of spring. We could certainly do with some spring like weather after all the wind, rain and cold this month! I hope everyone can enjoy our “extra” day in the calendar tomorrow, especially as it is a Saturday.
Masses and Assemblies
Well done to Class 6P who led the school in our Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday. Class 6C will be presenting their assembly on “Death and New life” next Thursday 5th March at 2:30pm.
Consultation
I sent home the consultation document regarding the proposed future of St Joseph’s Junior School before half term plus we e-mailed a copy to everyone and it is on the school website. There is now a 6 week period of consultation and part of this will be public meetings for parents next Wednesday 4th March at 9:00am and 4:00pm to meet with governors and ask any questions. 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.
Friends’ Association
The next event being planned by the Friends’ Association will be the “Have a Heart Family Quiz Night” on Saturday 7th March 7:00-9:30pm. Apart from hopefully having an enjoyable evening, the main purpose of this event is to raise money to buy a defibrillator for the school and the local community (thus the title!). For one night only your headmaster will become the quizmaster! Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for children (this includes a buffet plus soft refreshments; you can bring your own drinks). The winning team (minimum of 4 per team) will win £100. Thank you to the parents and staff who have asked to have a board from Your Move outside their house advertising this event and raising additional money for our fundraising efforts.
After School Clubs/Activities
The clubs began last week and will run for the next 4 weeks. The following clubs are now full – Art and Craft, Basketball and Year 3/4 football but there are still places in the other clubs if you want to sign up your child. Please note the Thursday choir will not be running this half term.
Uniform
Uniform will next be on sale this Wednesday 11th March from 8:50-9:30am.
Lenten Fundraising for CAFOD
It has become a traditional part of our journey through Lent to raise money for CAFOD and support their Lenten Appeal. As part of this fundraising we will be holding our popular colour themed non-uniform days each Friday during Lent up till the end of term. The children can wear their own clothes as normal in return for bringing their £1 and we have a colour theme each week with a prize for the most colourful class. Friday 6th March – this is our World Book Day so children can come to school dressed as their favourite book character, Friday 13th March – “Green Day”, Friday 20th March – “Yellow Day”, Friday 27th March – “Blue Day”. We will also be holding other fundraising events this half term including “Lenten Wells”, a sponsored walk at the end of term and cake/ice cream sales on some of the Fridays.
Book Day (6th March)
It is World Book Day next Thursday but we will be celebrating our day on Friday 6th March. On that day the children can come dressed as their favourite book character or indeed from a poem, play or any kind of literature. It is a non-uniform day so if they don’t want to dress up, they can still come in their own clothes and bring their £1 for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal. I will also be giving out book tokens next Friday which the children can use at our Book Fairs later in the term.
Class of the Week
Class 6P is Class of the Week for leading the school so well in our Ash Wednesday Service this week. It was a fitting and appropriate way to mark the beginning of Lent.
Attendance and Punctuality
Well done to Class 3H who had the best attendance this week with 100% and Class 3K who had the best punctuality also with 100%.
Sport
Well done to the Year 5 Boys Football Team who represented the school so well at the Leyton Orient Qualiteach Tournament this week. They came back proudly on Thursday afternoon wearing their medals.
Easter Sports Club (6th-9th April)
We will be holding an Easter Sports Club during the first week of the holidays from Monday 6th April to Thursday 9th April (Friday 10th April is Good Friday). The club is being run by PTC Sports who are already working in school on Mondays and will be running our activity afternoon on St Joseph’s Day. We will shortly be sending out fliers for the club so that you can book places for your child. There are only 40 places available so I would suggest that when you receive the flier from PTC Sports, you book quickly to guarantee a place.
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons for 20/30 minutes each week are offered during school hours from beginners up to Grade 5. For more details, contact Tracy Swart on 078 945 80286.
Lip Toppers
Quite a few of the children, particularly Year 6 girls are bring in items to school such as make-up, lip toppers etc. and sharing them with their friends. Please make sure your child is not bringing these kinds of items to school. They should certainly not be sharing them with anyone as they could cause allergic reactions in some cases.
Yours sincerely,
J Alexander (Head teacher)
- Future Dates for your Diary
- 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 – “World Book Day (favourite book character for non-uniform)
- Friday 6th March – Non-uniform day for CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal (see above)
- Saturday 7th March – “Have a Heart” Family Film Night 7:00-9:30pm
- 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 (“Green Day”)
- Thursday 19th March – Mass for St Joseph’s Day in church led by Y4 11:00am
- Thursday 19th March – Sports/Activity Afternoon run by PTC Sports
- 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 (“Blue Day”)
- Friday 27th March – Year 3 trip to Mountfitchet Castle
- Monday 30th March – German teacher in school this week (UK/German Connection)
- 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 – Class and group photographs am
- Thursday 2nd April – Sponsored walk for CAFOD pm (to be confirmed)
- Friday 3rd April – Last day of term including Lenten Service led by Year 3 am (school ends at 2:00pm today)
- Monday 6th April to Thursday 9th April – Easter Sports Club run by PTC Sports
