Friday 10 October 2025 - Issue 06

Star of the Week

Niamh Byrne, Tamara Turner, Amelia Powner, Mark Fairhurst, Eliana Lawrence, Emily Manfredonia, Stevie Pickersgill, Luke Fairhurst, James Wilson, Amelia Kuncewicz, Beth Robinson, Seth Bidwell, Vinnie Bannon, Gisele Lai, Natalie Riches and Leo Noel-Mulhaney

Birthday Greetings

Happy birthday to all the children and staff who have had or who will be celebrating their birthdays this week.

Jack Mushet, Aniyah Mason and Elliot Hughes

We hope you have had or will have a lovely day!

Thought for the week

In prayer and liturgy this week, our children have listened to the following reading:

Do not be afraid - I am with you! I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

Do Not Be Afraid - Hymn

Be not afraid - hymn

(Isaiah 41:10)

Miss Benson

We say goodbye to Miss Benson who will be leaving us after 5 years of service at St Joseph’s onto pastures new.

We thank her for all her hard work and wish her well in her new endeavours.

Year 6 transition to high school

Year 6 transition to high school requires parents to complete the online form with the local authority. St Gregory’s have asked us to remind parents that applications must be completed by 31 October. Also, importantly, as St Gregory’s is a Catholic school, a supplementary form must be likewise completed and handed in to school along with proof of baptism if applicable. Please note that the previous sibling criteria has been removed for September 2026.

The school is closed during half term which includes that date so please make sure it is handed in by 24 October. The appropriate links are below:

Local authority admissions:

https://www.warrington.gov.uk/secondary-school-admissions

St Gregory’s website (admissions policy and supplementary form links)

https://www.stgregoryshigh.com/about-us/admissions-and-prospectus

Altar Servers at Mass

It is lovely to see children serving at Mass on Sundays. At a simple level it helps to occupy the children during the Liturgy but more importantly, it helps them to be formed in faith. Fr Ray has asked for our support. Please ask your child, once they have made their first Holy Communion, to consider becoming an altar server for Sunday Masses. Mass times at St Joseph’s Church are 8:30am and 4:00pm. Please do your best to support your child in this commitment and both you and they will receive so many blessings. If you have any questions or want to sign up for training, please let Mr Saunders know as soon as possible. Thank you!

Mr Saunders has begun training our RE ambassadors to serve at school Masses and hopefully this will encourage others to offer their services for the parish.

Parents' Evening: Tues-Wed, 21-22 October (3.30pm - 5.30pm)

Year 4 Robinwood Residential - meeting for parents

Please note there will be a meeting for Year 4 parents about Robinwood on Tuesday 4 November at 3:30pm.

Online Safeguarding warning

We have been informed that the Spy Dog website has been hacked, and offensive and totally inappropriate content has been added to what should be a child-friendly site. If your child has Spy Dog, Spy Cubs or Spy Cat books by Andy Cope, do not let them access the website link posted inside the books.

This should act as a reminder that keeping our children safe is not only a matter for when they are out away from our sight. Online safety is paramount and especially in the websites and apps they may access.

EasyFundraising

Support St Joseph’s RC PFA Warrington with Easyfundraising!

We’ve partnered with Easyfundraising as a free and easy way to raise money for our school – and we’d love your support! Whenever you shop online with over 7,000 retailers, a percentage of what you spend will be donated to our PFA at no extra cost to you. It’s a simple way to make a big difference!

How it works:

1. Download the Easyfundraising app or visit the website.

2. Create your account and link it to St Joseph’s RC PFA Warrington.

3. Search for the retailer you want to shop with.

4. Click the link and shop as normal (you can still log into your usual store account).

5. That’s it – the retailer will donate a percentage of your purchase directly to us!

Think of it like cashback, but the money goes to our school instead.

Here’s a short video that explains how it works, plus a direct link to our sign-up page: https://tinyurl.com/4fdkkcym

Thank you so much for your support – every little really does add up!

St Joseph's PFA

PFA Class WhatsApp Contacts 2025/26

To help us communicate with parents easier, volunteers have nominated themselves to be class contacts in WhatsApp groups on behalf of the PFA. Please note this is for PFA correspondence and questions only, any matters in relation to school should go through the normal channels. They are as follows:

Reception - Anne Byrne

Year 1 - Hannah Hughes

Year 2- Sally Lucas

Year 3- Amanda MacFarlane

Year 4- Maria Simpson

Year 5- (Mr. W) Liz Houghton

Year 5- (Mrs T) Stacy Larkin

Year 6 - Kate Leighton

Thank you.

Your PFA

Site safety

You will have noticed safety tape around the playground garden area. We are in the process of redesigning/repairing the area and parents are asked not to allow their children to play in this area before and after school.

Additionally, the low barrier between the playground and the courtyard and Y5/6 classes is not meant to be jumped or stepped over. A misstep or trip could be seriously hazardous. Please use the path down to the courtyard.

School Levy payments

The school to which you have chosen to send your child is a Catholic Voluntary Aided school. Voluntary aided status provides distinct freedoms and flexibilities in the way that schools operate but, in return for the privilege of having and controlling such a school, there is a need to make a contribution to some costs, including those associated with capital investment.

The school share is based upon an annual amount calculated at £12.00 per child (or family where there is more than one child attending the same school).

We collect this money via Parentpay and this is now set up for parents to contribute. We do hope you will support the school and make a contribution for your child.

St Joseph’s Family Centre Christmas Hamper Appeal

OPAL Programme: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OPAL Programme?
A: OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) is a school improvement programme that helps schools create better, more creative, and more active playtimes for all children.

Q: Why is the school taking part in OPAL?
A: We want to make playtimes happier, healthier, and more meaningful. Play is vital for children’s wellbeing, learning, and development.

Q: What changes will I notice?
A: Children will have more freedom to play outdoors, use a wider range of equipment and materials, and may get a bit messier! You might also see more of the school grounds being used for play, in all weathers.

Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes. OPAL helps schools balance fun and freedom with sensible safety. Staff are trained to support safe, positive play, and children are encouraged to challenge themselves in a safe environment.

Q: Will my child need special clothing?
A: We encourage children to play outside in all weather, suitable clothing such as wellies and waterproofs will be provided.

Q: How can I help?
A: Support your child in dressing for the weather, donate items for play (like old pots, pans, or loose parts), and join in with OPAL events at school.

Q: What if my child doesn’t like getting messy?
A: Children are encouraged to choose the type of play they enjoy. There are always quieter and cleaner options available.

Q: Who can I talk to if I have questions?
A: Please contact our PFA – chair@stjosephspfa.org,uk . We’re happy to answer any questions and share more about OPAL.

Phonics Meeting Y1

There will be a phonics meeting for Year 1 parents to share the next stage of your child's phonics journey. The meeting will be at 3.30pm on Thursday 6th November in Mrs Higgin's classroom.

If you are unable to attend information from the PowerPoint will be sent home.

Food Allergies

Please be reminded that some of our children suffer with severe allergic reactions to peanuts, nuts, lentils and peas. If an anaphylactic reaction occurs we are trained to immediately use Jext pens or Epipens and call 999.

Please do not use Nivea sun cream as it has almond oil in it and we have children with severe nut allergies.

Please do not send any items containing the above into school for your child’s lunch or snack. This includes spreads like Nutella as it has hazelnut as an ingredient.

Thank you for your support, as always.

请注意，我们学校有些孩子对花生、坚果、扁豆和豌豆有严重的过敏反应。如果发生过敏反应，我们会立即使用Jext笔或Epipens并拨打999。

请勿使用妮维雅防晒霜，因为它含有杏仁油，而且我们学校也有一些孩子对坚果有严重的过敏反应。

请勿将任何含有上述成分的物品带入学校作为您孩子的午餐或零食。这包括像Nutella这样的涂抹酱，因为它含有榛子成分。

一如既往地感谢您的支持。