Dear Parents/Carers,
I am sending this newsletter a little earlier this week (there will be a final one on Friday) to let everyone know how much we raised from our Summer Fayre on Sunday and to remind you about the end of term activities.
Summer Fayre
We held our Summer Fayre on Sunday and despite the grey day and the odd spot of rain it stayed dry and we were able to hold everything outside. My sincere thanks to everyone who came along on Sunday morning to help set up and then stayed behind to tidy up plus everyone who ran a stall. It was nice to see so many families and pupils both past and present here during the afternoon and we had more stalls that I can remember in the past. A huge thank you also to Marion and the members of the Friends’ Committee who have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to plan and prepare for Sunday. After expenses we raised just over £1,700 from the day itself and another £1,000 from the non-uniform days and ice cream sales beforehand so altogether we will bank over £2,700 which is more than last year. Our target was to raise at least £2,000 for the refurbishment of the library so we have easily surpassed that. All the raffle praises have now been claimed.
Non-uniform Day/Ice cream sale
We will hold a final non-uniform day and sale for this year on Thursday 18th July (not Friday as it is the final day of term and I want everyone in uniform). Hopefully we can push that £2,700 raised at the Fayre closer to £3,000.
Parental Survey
Thank you to all the parents in Years 3, 4 and 5 who have returned their completed surveys regarding our plans for extended schools activiites in September. Altogether I received 45 surveys which gives me a good idea of what kind of activities you would like to see next year. I hope to be able to send out a provisional timetable this week with the range of activiites on offer in September.
Uniform
Uniform will next be on sale on Wednesday 17th July at 8:50am. This will be the final opportunity this term to buy uniform for next year and including our new parents. We are also putting the lost uniform outside by the gate every morning to try and get it reclaimed before the end of term. Any uniform that is unclaimed by the end of term will either be washed and used as spare uniform for next year or will be put in our clothes recycling box. We cannot have so much uniform etc. left over for the summer and we need to start afresh in September.
Year 6
This is going to be a very important last few days for all of our Year 6 pupils as they come towards the end of their time at St Joseph’s. To mark their final few days, they will be presenting their Leaver’s Production of “Matilda” on Wednesday 17th July at 7:00pm. They will also have their Leavers’ Disco and BBQ on Thursday 18th July at 7:00pm.
Summer Play Scheme
We will be running our own summer play scheme for 5-11 year olds from Wednesday 24th July to Friday 2nd August from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day (it starts on the Wednesday as we have 2 staff inset days on the Monday and Tuesday). We will be charging £18 per day or £120 if you book for the full 8 days. We will also do special rates for siblings of £30 per day or £200 if you book for the full 8 days. The scheme will be run by the After School Club staff and will involve a range of activities for the children and a day out on the final Friday 2nd August to Adventure Island in Southend. You will be able to book a place for your child/children from next week. We can offer places to children who do not attend St Joseph’s so if you know of anyone with children aged 5-11 who might want a place on the scheme please ask them to get in touch with the school. Application packs are now available from the web-site or the Office. If you would still like to book a place for your child/children, it would be great if you could do so by this Friday so we know how many children we will have but we will still be taking bookings early next week before the scheme starts next Wednesday.
Den Kits for Kids
“I wanted to contact you about our Den Kits which we are selling as a new initiative to help schools with funding for books. As a parent, I am hugely concerned about school underfunding and wanted to do something to help.
For every kit sold the school will receive 40% commission in books – which is at least £18 worth of books from our collection, per kit. Den Kit Kids has been designed to excite children’s imaginations and entice them into the natural world, away from computer screens. It’s a great present and is also ideal for a family day out too – especially if it’s raining!
Each kit contains a rucksack, one large either camouflage or red tarpaulin, a ground sheet, 15ft of rope, 50ftof jute cord, 8 strong pegs, a peg extractor, a mallet, camouflage face paint, 2 small flags and lots of ideas factsheets. In addition to this there is a free gift worth £12 of 2 Bear Grylls Survival Skills books. The Den Kit cost is from £45. You simply place your order and pay via our website and the kits will be delivered directly to you. The website address is www.freebooks4schools.co.uk.
Warm regards,
Emma Wakeham”
First Holy Communion 2020
Application forms are now available from the back of the church for First Holy Communion in 2020 for pupils who will be in Year 3 or above. Completed forms must be returned to the parish office by 12 noon on Friday 6th September and must be accompanied by a copy of your child’s Baptism Certificate. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline or without accompanying certificates. Parental support is crucial for the preparation of this sacrament. Children should be attending Mass together with their families on a regular basis.
Sports Day
Unfortunately we are not going to be able to hold our sports day this year. We have been unable to book the Leyton Sports Ground on a day when we can do it. The only days that were available at the end of term were days when classes or year groups were out on trips as we had last week.
End of Term
As mentioned above, I will be sending out a final newsletter on Friday including the names of all our end of term/end of year prize winners, both individual and class.
Please note that the pupils finish for the summer term this Friday 19th July at the earlier time of 2:00pm.
Yours sincerely,
J Alexander (Head teacher)
Dates for this Term
- Wednesday 17th July – Year 6 Production 7:00pm
- Thursday 18th July – Year 6 Leavers’ Disco and BBQ 7:00pm
- Friday 19th July – Last day of term for pupils (school ends at 2:00pm)
- Monday 22nd July – Staff Inset Day
- Tuesday 23rd July – Staff Inset Day
- Wednesday 24th July to 2nd August – Summer Play Scheme 8:30am-4:30pm
- Monday 2nd September – Staff Inset Day
- Tuesday 3rd September – First day of term for the pupils
