The Carpenter’s TaleSpring 2013 - 2
Spring is on its way. There may not be any green buds yet or any warm sunshine but it is clearly getting lighter and the children have actually been able to go out to play.
I must congratulate them on their behaviour last half term when they were stuck inside every playtime because of icy conditions on the playground. The majority behaved extremely well.
We are currently working on improving the outdoor area for the Foundation Stage. Parents may remember that the Home School Support Group has raised some money towards this area and so far a small stage, digging pit, water ramps and a new fence and gate have been added. The children have loved playing with it all this week. Further resources are currently being ordered and hopefully by Easter we will have some lovely new play items for the children.
Our next fund raiser is on March 22nd so please come along.
Dates for your diary
25 Feb Inset on Science for all staff
27 Feb Height and Weight for R class, Class 4 and Y1 go to Mass
28 Feb Governor Admissions meeting
1 March Budget planning day for office staff, Tameside sports coach CL4
March Class 5 Assembly
4 March Fairtrade assembly, thanks for gifts to school
5 March Class 5 and R go to MASS
6 March Parents’ evening, Y1 to Y6
7 March Reception parent/teacher meetings
8 March RNLI talks to KS2 9.30 and 10.00
8 March Y2 assembly 9.00am
11 March Office staff out re financial standard training
12 March Cl3 and Y2 MASS
13 March Pray for vocations day,
14 March Governors meeting at 5pm
14 March Reception parent/teacher meetings
15 March Reception class assembly
15 March Cheerleading competition
17 March Sacramental programme meeting
20 March Y6 writing moderation with cluster at Micklehurst 9.15
20 March Finance committee 5pm
22 March Concert in hall –all classes,
22 March Beach party at Football club
24 March Sacramental programme meeting
27 March Mass 10 am
27 March Easter play for FS and KS1, rest of KS2 to Mass
27 march Easter egg bingo 5.45pm
28 March Easter play for KS2,
28 March School closes for Easter
15 April School reopens
As you can see school life is very busy and this does not yet include sporting fixtures and other possible Easter services.
Parents' Evening for Y1 to Y6
Wednesday March 6th from 3.30pm Letters have been sent out this week for parents to reply to request an appointment for this event. Times will be given upon receipt of the reply slip so please send it back as soon as possible. If you cannot attend on this day please speak to the class teacher about alternative dates. Children in KS2 are welcome to join their parents at the meeting to ensure they are fully aware of their progress and next steps in learning.
Reception class
Reception Class meetings will be on either March 7th or 14th. Again a letter should have been received already. If in doubt please ask.
Coffee morning
We are holding a charity coffee morning in school on Friday March 22nd. The usual tea, coffee, juice and cakes will be on sale. There will also be a raffle and tombola stall. Each class will sing or recite in turn to help entertain visitors. Please support this event if you can. It is a lovely social occasion and also can help us raise funds for charity and school projects. If you have any new but unwanted items for the raffle or tombola we would be grateful for them.
School places
Year 6 children should hear this week about their allocated secondary school place. Reception parents will not be informed until the end of April. The school is also informed at the same time as parents so as yet we do not know who has a place in Reception class in September. There has been large demand this year and we will probably increase the intake to 25 to help with the larger numbers. Each place is allocated strictly according to the Admission criteria so for any future places parents need to be aware that being baptised Roman Catholic and living within St. Joseph’s parish are very important factors. Nursery children are also admitted under the same criteria when numbers are high.
Extra support
The school employs several teaching assistants who over the last couple of years have been taking part in more training to enable them to better help the children. As a result of this you may hear your child say they are doing some special work with one of them. Currently being used in school is a maths intervention programme, social communication programme, phonics and individualised reading support as well as small group support in class. If you need any further information about help given to your child please ask.
Ready for learning
We are making a strong effort this half term to ensure the children are ready for learning. Could you please also help your child with this? This means they need to have all of their equipment with them. This includes a PE kit(black shorts, white T shirt, black pumps, all named, labelled and in a drawstring bag), reading folder, reading book and reading diary( signed by parents), copies of completed homework and letters that have been sent out for signing. Space is at a premium on the corridor so it is preferable for children to have small bags rather than a huge backpack as bags on the floor do present a health and safety issue.
We also have many children who tell us they do not eat and do not have a drink before coming to school. Please try to ensure each child has had a drink and something to eat before they arrive as it does affect their ability to concentrate and learn. Thank you.
Praise
Quite often the school only hears negative comments from parents so it is lovely to pass on the comments made by phone to the school. On Ash Wednesday the whole school attended Mass and received ashes. This is quite a long service for the children particularly the younger ones. On return to school I received a phone call from someone who had been in church (not a parent). He was so impressed by the children that he felt the need to ring school and pass on his congratulations. He thought their behaviour was excellent and their participation enriched the service for him. He was delighted with the singing and responses and wanted all the children and families to receive praise. I’m glad to pass this on to you and have said well done to all classes also. I hope it continues to be such a happy and positive Lenten season for us all.
