Newsletters

Friday 26th January 2024

Visit by Bishop Ralph

Before Christmas our Liturgy leaders wrote to Bishop Ralph Heskett, the Bishop of Hallam Diocese to invite him to visit our school. He gladly accepted the invitation and we were fortunate enough for Bishop Ralph to visit school on Tuesday 23rd January as part of his diocesan work.

During the day the Bishop had an opportunity to visit all the classes, meet with staff and share lunch with the children in the school hall. It was a lovely (if wet) day and the Bishop was impressed with how articulate the children were and the creativity in our classes and especially the singing by the children in Reception and Year 1.

He was kind enough to answer questions from the children about his journey to being selected as our Bishop and we also found out his favourite Saints and scripture passages. Bishop Ralph was very impressed with the changes that have been made to our school since his last visit.

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Congratulations to our Collaborative Learners this week

Noah, Will, Jacob and Jasiah

and

Anesu, Taylor and Christine

These children have demonstrated that they are able to work together, communicate, share, support others and successfully lead a group.

Malcolm and Ollie worked together to introduce this week's Maker Spirit

Being Creative

Their presentation explained what being creative will look like

This means to be:

- Be fun

- Be crafty

-Putting ideas into action

-Brainstorm different ideas

Malcom and Ollie chose this quote from Bob Ross to illustrate the importance of being creative and not worrying too much about the end result.

Safer Internet Day is taking place on Tuesday 6th February this year to raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people.

This year's theme is ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online.’

Please follow the link below for free Advice for Parents and Carers

Safer Internet Day 2024 Free Advice for Parents and Carers

These advice pages answer some of the most common questions or concerns that parents and carers might have when it comes to thinking about managing influence or navigating change online.

Topics covered include:

‘Things change so fast online, it’s hard to keep up with what my child is doing.’
‘My child is asking to play a game or download an app that I don’t know about, What can I do?’
‘My child is asking for a new device and I’m not sure they’re ready for one.’
‘I’m not sure if the content my child is watching is a good influence on them; what can I do?’
‘What does an influencer do and how can they affect children’s behaviour?’

You’ll also find information about how to make a report on an app, game or website, and links to resources and advice about a wider range of issues.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

2024

Thurs 1st Feb - Star Man visit Year 5

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

Fri 2nd Feb - NSPCC Number day

Mon 5th Feb - Children's Mental Health Week

Tues 6th Feb - Safer Internet Day

Fri 9th Feb - Sports for Champion Day

Spring Half Term - 12th to 16th February

Thurs 29th Feb - Year 5 visit Pizza Express

Thurs 7th March - World Book Day

Mon 11th March - Science Week

Weds 20th March - Year 6 Get Up to Speed STEM showcase @Magna

Thurs 21st March - Parents Evening

Sun 24th March - Palm Sunday Beginning of Holy Week

Tues 26th March - Parents Evening

Weds 27th March - KS2 Passion Play

Thurs 28th March - Maunday Thursday - End of Spring Term

Easter Break - 29th March – 12th April

Mon 15th April - Pupils return to school

Car-parking

We would like to remind all parents to take special care when parking outside school as the road is busy and we must be considerate of local residents. It has come to our notice that there are a number of people who are driving without due care and attention with respect to our children. This gives us grave concerns about the safety of our children.

Please do not park within 10 metres of a junction and please do not drop your children off on the YELLOW ZIG ZAG lines. This space exists for our children to have a safe place where they can cross the road. You are endangering this by your actions.

Please do not endanger our children’s lives

Do Not Park on

School Keep Clear Zig Zags
Double/Single Yellow Lines
Close to junctions / Drop Kerbs
On Pavements
In front of resident driveways

There's still plenty of time to get fundraising for our huge Sports for Champions day on 9th February.

We will be visited by Sheffield United Women's footballers, Bex Rayner and Tara Bourne.

If you can raise:
£5-£15 you will earn a postcard of the athletes from the event.
£15-£35 you will earn an autographed A4 poster of the athletes from the event.
£35+ you will earn an autographed instant photo of you with the athlete in a keepsake wallet.

Money raised will be shared between our athletes to support them to develop in their sport, and the school, which our Sports Prefects will help to decide the best way to spend this.

Good luck!

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Attendance guidance for parents

Regular attendance is an important factor in a child’s academic success. When pupils are frequently absent, it is difficult for them to keep up with their school work and this could affect their life chances. For this reason, we take school attendance very seriously.

If your child is going to be absent from school, it is important that you contact the school on the first day of the absence to inform us of the reasons. If this continues for more than one day, you should make contact with the school on a daily basis to keep us updated.

Late arrivals

Schools are legally required to take a register of pupils first thing in the morning and at some point in the afternoon. The government advises that schools can keep the register open for up to 30 minutes although schools can set a shorter period.

If a pupil is late but the register is still open, they are marked as late. If the register has closed and there isn’t a satisfactory explanation, this may be classed as an unauthorised absence. Repeated late attendance can lead to legal action.

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 22nd January 2024

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

We are delighted to be supporting the NSPCC by taking part in Number Day on

Friday 2^nd February 2024.

Everything the NSPCC does protects children today and tomorrow

The NSPCC need our support more than ever. By raising money, we can help to fund their vital services such as Childline – the helpline that’s always there for children and young people whatever their problem or concern.

On average, a child contacts Childline every 45 seconds

Making maths meaningful

Number Day is a great way to make maths fun and bring about a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude towards it.

We are having a fun day of maths activities and we will be taking part in Dress up for Digits. Pupils are asked to wear an item of clothing with a number on it (football shirt, cap, netball shirt or even a onesie!). Or get even more creative by dressing in a maths or numbers theme. To help raise money for the NSPCC, we are asking for donations (suggested £1) to be submitted via the school gateway, and we’d love everyone in the school to take part in this special event.

It all adds up

We’re really looking forward to all the fun of Number Day, and we really appreciate your support.
All the money we raise at St Joseph’s will make an enormous difference to children today and help the NSPCC be there for children tomorrow.

Dear Jesus,

You called your disciples from the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Today you call us from different shores and different seas. From the shores of our ordinary lives.

From the seas of pain, illness, sorrow. But you do more than merely call. You come to meet us where we are, to extend your love and friendship, to invite us to change our lives.

This week, help us to hear your voice and answer your call, knowing and trusting in your everlasting love and care.

Amen.