Newsletters

Friday 8th December 2023

Second Sunday of Advent

On Sunday we light the second candle on our Advent wreath. The growing light is a sign of our growing expectation as we wait in hope for our Saviour, Jesus. Before the birth of Jesus, people had been waiting for the coming of their saviour for hundreds of years. During those long years, God had spoken to the people through many prophets. God asked the prophets to guide the people and to remind them of His mercy and love.
In the Gospel on Sunday we hear from the prophet, John the Baptist. John urged people to be sorry for bad choices, to change their ways, and invited them to be baptised.

Year 4 have been working hard this week making a setting for their class text 'How to train your dragon' by Cressida Cowell. They have used a variety of boxes, tubes, clay, playdough, artstraws and paint to make the Island of Berk. They have shown true maker spirit by trying new things, helping each other, tinkering and problem solving. Their boxes are looking amazing.

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Thursday 21st December - Christmas Jumper Day

We are fundraising for The Children’s Hospital Charity this Christmas!

We are wearing our Christmas Jumper for Sheffield Children's and helping spread the festive cheer!

Date : Thursday the 21st of December 2023

Please support our fundraising if you can, every penny makes a difference.

Please follow the link to donate

The Children's Hospital Charity

Thankyou!

Staffing Updates

Sadly, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Rippon shall be leaving St Joseph's at the end of term.

Mrs Wilson, joined our school in 2016 and has taught across the Key Stages. She has been inspirational in writing our bespoke creative curriculum and an absolute asset to our team.

Mrs Rippon, has been a teaching assistant in a number of classes for over 18 years. It is fair to say that during that time, she has supported and had such a positive impact on hundreds of children across the school.

We really shall miss them both and are sure that you will join us, in wishing them every happiness and good wishes for the future.

Miss Collis, who has taught in a number of classes at St Josephs, shall be replacing Mrs Wilson after the Christmas holiday.

Children's flu vaccine

The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.

If your child has not had their flu vaccine at school you can attend the drop-in clinics:

Winter clinics

Saturday 25 November, Concord Sports Centre, Shiregreen Lane, S5 6AE, 9:30am to 12pm
Saturday 2 December, Sharrow Community Forum, South View Road, S7 1DB, 9.30am to 12pm
Saturday 9 December, Concord Sports Centre, Shiregreen Lane, S5 6AE, 9:30am to 12pm
Tuesday 19 December, Sharrow Community Forum, South View Road S7 1DB, 5pm to 7pm
Thursday 21 December, Fir Vale Community Hub clinic, S4 8GU, 3.15pm to 5.15pm

Every Thursday – apart from 28 December 2023 – between 3.30pm and 5.15pm the School Age Immunisation team and School Nursing team will be at Fir Vale Community Hub, 127 Page Hall Road, S4 8GU.

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 4th December 2023

Our whole school attendance target for this academic year (23/24) is 96.5%

Follow the link below for further information:

NHS 'Is my child too ill for school?' guidance

Friends of St Joseph's School

Great News!

The Christmas Raffle Tickets are now on sale on the School Gateway!

1st, 2nd and 3rd prize will be £50. If you would like to donate a prize please speak to the office staff

The draw will take place on Monday 18th December

Travelling Cribs

This week, our Travelling Cribs started their journey around each class for the children to take home and share with their families. Inside includes a leaflet about celebrating Advent, a copy of the Nativity story, a model Nativity scene to set up in your own home and a class book so something can be added about your experience of Advent. Please use the ‘note book’ to write a prayer or share a thought about this holy season. It would be great to see some pictures of you sharing the story at home. These can be posted on class dojo or included in the notebook.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Wed 13th December - Year 1 & Year 2 Nativity 2pm

Thurs 14th December - Reception Nativity 10am

Thurs 14th December - Year 1 & Year 2 Nativity 2pm

Fri 15th December - Y5 Cannon Hall Farm

Fri 15th December - Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Party

Mon 18th December - Visit by Maker Van

Mon 18th December - Elf Day

Tues 19th December - Carols in Church 2pm

Wed 20th December - Breakfast with Santa

Thurs 21st December - Christmas Jumper Day

Thurs 21st December - Christmas Show am

Thurs 21st December - KS2 Party pm

Friday 22nd December – School finishes at 1:30pm

Christmas Break – 25th December – 5th January

2024

Mon 8th Jan - Pupils return to school

Thurs 18th Jan - Year 5 visit to Magna

Thurs 1st Feb - Star Man visit Year 5

Thurs 1st Feb - South Yorkshire Fire Service visit Year 3

Fri 9th Feb - Year 3 visit Kelham Island

Spring Half Term - 12th to 16th February

Have you ordered your child's Christmas lunch yet?

Christmas dinner day is on Wednesday 20th December 2023.

Please order your child’s meal now via the School Gateway so that our kitchen staff can plan and prepare for the day!

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The Christmas Masses at St Joseph’s Church

Sunday, 24 December, Christmas Eve
4.00 pm Vigil Mass
6.00 - 6.55pm Carols before Mass during the Night
7.00 pm Mass during the Night
Monday, 25 December, Christmas Day
8.45am Mass at Dawn
10.00 am Mass during the Day

There will also be Confessions available from 3:15pm until they are finished on Monday and Tuesday 18th and 19th December.

An estimated one-third of children have a social media account, so it’s important that trusted adults know what content young people are consuming; what they’re posting; and what interactions they’re having. On social media, it can be easy to go down a rabbit hole that isn’t beneficial to our wellbeing. As platforms grapple with managing ‘legal but harmful’ content, lives are being impacted – sometimes to tragic effect. We might be daunted by the scale of the tech giants and their content which enthrals young people, but we can still help children to be mindful of their mental wellness: recognising when something isn’t OK … and knowing what to do about content that upsets them.

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Dear Jesus,

You entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen