Newsletters

Friday 22nd December 2023

Fourth Sunday of Advent

This Sunday will mark the fourth week of Advent. We light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of Jesus. The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolises Peace with the “Angel’s Candle” reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she will have a very special baby, that he will be the Son of God and will be called Jesus. Mary was frightened at first. Her life was going to change forever. But she trusted in God and said “yes” to all that God asked of her.

The angel Gabriel is God’s messenger to Mary and he brings some very important news. God wants us all to be his messengers in the world. To share the message that God loves everyone and that we are all part of one global family.

On Monday, we were visited by a team from Sheffield University who are part of the Maker Futures project in their Maker Van. The children were invited to participate in various STEM activities. These included: virtual reality, robotics, constructing using various materials such as Lego and cardboard and making circuits.

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What an amazing day all of our children had on Monday 18th December. As well as the Maker Van visiting school

the children and staff dressed up as elves and wore various elf accessories, making it a very colourful, fun day for all. There were lots of elf activities taking place across the school. There were some spectacular outfits. Take a look at our amazing elves and their fantastic costumes

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KS2 Carols and Readings

On Tuesday we held our annual Carol Service in our beautiful church. We were joined by families, friends and members of the local community. The children from KS2, led us through a variety of beautiful carols and readings. This really helped us the reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

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Choir Visit to Houstead House

Pupils from St Joseph's Choir visited the residents at Housteads Care Home on Tuesday morning. They performed a host of Christmas favourites for the residents to sing along to. They sang their hearts out and the residents and staff were really appreciative of their visit! The children have been asked to visit again next year.

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Breakfast with Santa

On Wednesday morning, many of our Year 1 and Year 2 children were treated to a delicious breakfast at school and a visit from someone very special – the one and only Father Christmas. The children spent the morning listening to Christmas tunes, spending quality time with their friends and paying a personal visit to Santa Claus.

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Today we said goodbye to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Rippon.

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.

Christmas Jumper Day

Thankyou for all your support and your generous donations. We have reached beyond our target of £230 for The Children’s Hospital Charity this Christmas and have collected £328 in total! This includes £75 received in school that has been added to the online donations

If you would still like to donate please follow the link

The Children's Hospital Charity

Thankyou!

Dib and Dab

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming Dib and Dab from BigFoot Arts into school to perform their travelling Pantomime live to the whole school.

We were entertained by the wonderful Dib and Dab painter and decorators who performed a fantastic pantomime. There was lots of audience participation, including the teachers, with dressing up, singing and telling jokes. David in Y6 managed to beat Mr Findler at the 'Ice your Slice' challenge and James (Y4) managed to Toss the Tinsel onto Mrs Parker's Christmas tree. Mrs May was excellent at 'Shake it off'. The whole school then joined in the Santa conga! Lots of fun was had by all!

We are grateful to the Friends of St Joseph's for funding this festive treat.

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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

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Christmas Break – 25th December – 5th January

2024

Mon 8th Jan - Pupils return to school

Thurs 11th Jan - Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal visit

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

Sheffield City Council’s Parenting Specialists provide group based and one to one parenting support for parents and carers of children, from babies to teenagers.

We deliver programmes that are evidence based, and tried and tested. This means that the content is written by professional psychologists who have years of research into what works to manage behaviours and difficulties that we can all face as parents. These programmes are delivered across the world and have over 30 years of research behind them.

Everyone has busy lives and we are all different. There are different types of groups you can access depending on your needs and the time you have to spare. To find out what’s on and when in your area see our Sheffield Parenting What’s on Guide on the below website. Details will also be posted on our Sheffield Family Centres Facebook page.

All our courses are available to parents who live in Sheffield only. Please contact your local authority early help team as they may offer something similar. Any bookings made by parents not in Sheffield will be cancelled .

Sheffield Parent Hub

Friends of St Joseph's School

Well done to our Christmas Raffle Winners for 2023!

The Friends of St Joseph's raised £310.00.

All prizes have now been claimed

Thankyou for your support

Your attendance counts

The academic and social benefits of good school attendance gives children the best start in life and beyond.

In the last few years the number of children missing days of school has increased and it is a priority in Sheffield, and in the rest of the country, to turn this around. We can all work together to improve children’s school attendance.

Being on time matters too, as being late for school can be disruptive to children and their friends in class.

We want children to be in school every day, on time and ready to learn!

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 18th 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

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