Newsletters

Friday 15th March 2024

In the Gospel this Sunday Jesus is describing how wheat grows. We use wheat to make bread. He is using this story to explain to us that when he dies, it won’t be the end of everything. He will rise from the dead. This is what we celebrate at Easter. What happens to a seed when you plant it? The seed disappears as it grows into a plant. One single seed can grow lots of food. Think about how tiny an apple seed is inside your apple, yet you can plant it and grow it into an apple tree which will produce lots of other apples. Or the seed inside a tomato which will give you lots of tomatoes when it grows. 

Our actions, even if we do just one little thing, can also make a very big difference. What will you do this week to make a difference to someone who needs help?

What an incredible week we have all had celebrating British Science Week 2024!

British Science week is a ten day celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Each year follows a different theme. The theme this year is TIME

We have spent the week completing different activities linked to this theme. These activities are often cross curricular and can include Art, English and Maths. 

Science week gives our children opportunities to learn about different scientists and areas of science not directly linked to the national curriculum. The aim is to encourage children to see the applications of science in the natural world and how they can develop into scientists. 

Throughout school we have been busy investigating and exploring through hands-on activities and experiments. 

Year 4 have been investigating how the human digestive system works.

Year 3 have been practising measuring time in minutes by timing ourselves doing different activities. We then made astronomical torches which are great for exploring at night. 

Year 1 have been blowing bubbles and making rockets. 

Year 6 have been exploring how mirrors reflect light

It has been amazing to see how excited everyone has been and how much the children have enjoyed the STEM experiences.

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Here are some of your Science selfies showing how Science is part of our daily lives!

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Staffing News

Dear Parents / Carers, 

It has been a very busy half term and we have had a number of changes in terms of staffing. 

I am sure that you have all welcomed Mrs Morement (TA Y2) and Miss Turner (TA Rec and Y6), into our St Joseph’s family.

After the Easter holiday, Miss Keenan will be returning following her maternity leave, she will be joining Mrs Trewick in Y1. 

Sadly we shall be losing Miss Collis and also Mrs Budd at the end of term.

Miss Collis has secured a teaching position at another school in Sheffield. We thank her for her hard work and flexibility whilst she has been here at St Joseph’s. She came to us as a student and has since developed into a fantastic teacher. We wish her every happiness and success for her future teaching career.

At the end of term, we shall also be losing Mrs Budd, who will be taking well-earned early retirement. Mrs Budd has had an incredible impact on our school during her six years with us, it is fair to say that she will be leaving us in a much better position, to the one in which she found us. The developments are too many to mention here, but have included the introduction of our own fantastic kitchen, development of the library, MAKER spaces, and the many improvements and developments to the school building, both internal and external. Our school and grounds look beautiful and are also safe and secure for our children.

I also have to mention the Y6 prom, which really was Mrs Budd's baby and I am sure that this shall live on after she leaves us. She is an absolute professional who will be dearly missed by all. I know that you will join us in thanking her for everything that she has done and wishing her every happiness for the future. 

Mrs Budd shall be replaced by Mrs Darwin, who joins us from a secondary school in the north of the city, she has a wealth of experience and I am sure will be an asset to our team. Mrs Darwin has already joined us to enable a smooth transition to take place. I am sure that you shall join us in welcoming her to our St Joseph's family.

Best wishes,

 

Mrs McFarlane 

Congratulations to our Autonomous Learners this week.

They have shown their Maker Spirit by using their initiative, working independently and following their interests.

Congratulations to 

Paul, Archie and Niamh.

Congratulations also to

Deya, Rebecca, Esmee and Ethan.

This is our Maker{Spirit}. 

Learning Mentor

Our Learning Mentor is Jan Roulson.

At St Joseph's we are committed to supporting our children’s mental health and wellbeing by removing barriers to learning. We make every effort to provide our children with the confidence and skills to be enthusiastic learners and effective members of the community.

Our learning mentor, Jan, supports, motivates and guides pupils, to help them overcome barriers that are preventing them from achieving their full potential. She works closely with class teachers and other staff to identify the needs of learners who require help and plan how to support them. Jan works with the children on a one-to-one basis or in small or large groups as needed. 

Jan recently held a stay and play session. This session provides a chance for an informal meeting with other parents and carers who have similar experiences with their children. Everyone who attends has the opportunity to stay and take part in activities such as crafting, role play, construction and story time alongside their children, as a way of encouraging and supporting their learning and development.

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See below for Spring Parenting Hub information

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Upcoming Events and Important Dates 

Mon 18th March - Autism Awareness Week

Tues 19th March - Solemnity of St Joseph's - Mass @ 10am

Tues 19th March - STEM Ambassador to visit Year 3

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

Weds 20th March - Stations of the Cross in church  

Thurs 21st March - Parents Evening (3:30 - 6pm)

Sun 24th March - Palm Sunday Beginning of Holy Week

Tues 26th March - Parents Evening (3:30 - 6pm)

Weds 27th March - KS2 Easter Praise

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

Easter Break - 29th March – 12th April

Mon 15th April - Pupils return to school

Tues 30th April - Year 3 visit to the Moorland Discovery Centre

Mon 13th May - SATS week

Fri 17th May - May Procession

Thurs 23rd & Fri 24th May - Year 5 Residential, Castleton

Half Term - 27th - 31st May

Mon 3rd June - INSET Day

Mon 17th June - Year 6 Crucial Crew

Mon 24th June - Wellbeing Week

Tues 25th June - Francophone Day

Weds 26th June - Sports Day

Thurs 4th July - Festival of Art

Fri 12th July - School Prom

Mon 15th July - Year 6 Performance

Fri 19th July - 1:30pm End of Summer Term

Summer Break - 22nd July - 3rd Sept

Wed 4th Sept - Pupils return to school

School Attendance Matters

It is the law that parents or carers must make sure their child of compulsory school age receives a full-time education, either by attending school or through alternative education arrangements.

If your child attends school, as a parent or carer you are responsible for making sure they go on time every day. It is essential for all children to attend their school, college, or nursery as often as possible.

Absence from school

You must tell your school if your child is not able to attend. This might be because they are ill or have experienced a family emergency. It is up to your school to decide if they will authorise the absence or not.

If the headteacher does not agree they will record it on the register as an unauthorised absence. If this happens a lot, it may lead to legal action being taken against you.

If your child is ill they should return to school as soon as they can.

The NHS: Healthier Together guide under supporting information provides you with advice on common childhood illnesses and when children can return to school.

If your child does not attend school regularly

Your school will try to help you get your child back to school. They should contact you in the first instance to raise concerns about your child’s attendance. They may arrange meetings with you to explore how they can support your child to re-engage in their learning and be able to attend. If they see no improvement, they will ask us for help. Your will be able to find out more about your school's absence policy on their website.

After this, if you do not meet your responsibility to make sure that your child goes to school then legal action may be taken. This could mean:

  • a fine of £120 per parent or carer for holidays in term time or poor attendance and/or punctuality
  • prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court which could result in you receiving a Community Order, a fine of up to £2,500 per parent or carer, or a custodial sentence
  • your child being issued an Education Supervision Order which would mean them attending court and measures being put in place regarding attendance at school

If you are worried about your child’s attendance the first thing to do is to contact the school to discuss your concerns. If you need more help you can contact us on sheffieldinclusion&attendance@sheffield.gov.uk.

Weekly Attendance - week beginning 11th March 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

FRIENDS OF ST JOSEPH'S

The Parish of St Joseph Sheffield