Friday 5th September 2025 - Issue 01

Birthday Greetings

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

Angel Leung, Niamh Byrne, Ruben Trotman, Rosie Tinsley, Horia Mazniuk, Poppy-Rose Andrews, Bobby McCullagh, Olivia McCullagh and Mrs Standen

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

Welcome back to school

Dear Parents, Carers, and our wonderful children,

A warm welcome back to a new academic year at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School! It is hoped that everyone had a blessed and restful summer, filled with joy and precious family time. It is a pleasure to welcome back returning children and to extend a special welcome to all the new children and families joining the school community for the first time.

As the new journey begins, it should be remembered that Christ is at the centre. The school is a caring Catholic family where every child is a unique and valued creation of God.

To the pupils:

It is exciting to see smiling faces filling classrooms and playgrounds again. This year is full of new adventures, wonderful discoveries, and opportunities for growth in faith and learning. Encourage kindness, be ready to learn, and always remember to let your light shine brightly for others. The teachers have been busy planning many exciting lessons!

To the parents and carers:

The partnership with the school is vital to each child's success. A strong home, parish, and school partnership helps every child thrive. Thank you for entrusting the children to the school's care. The school values your support and looks forward to working together to help them reach their full potential. If you have any concerns or questions throughout the year, please speak with your child's teacher or a member of the leadership team.

A prayer for the new school year

Let us begin this new term with a prayer:

Lord God,

may our school be welcoming, may our school be encouraging.

Let friendship flourish and let learning fill each day.

Give us the strength to do our best and the courage to keep going, even when things are difficult.

Lord, may this school not only be our home but Your home too.

Amen.

The school looks forward to an excellent year ahead, filled with much success, laughter, and spiritual growth.

Yours in faith,

Alan Saunders

Headteacher

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 you best to support your child in this commitment and both you and they will get receive so many blessings.

If you have any questions or want to sign up for training, please let Mr Saunders know asap.

Thank you!

Kool Kids Before and After School Childcare

There are still some places available in Kool Kids if anyone requires a space. We have moved into the year 3/4 area with brand new facilities, equipment and toys and lots more fun activities for the children too!

Please email koolkidsstjoesphs@hotmail.com if you are interested or require more information.

Images of St Vincent's Kool Kid sout of School provision for reference of how our updated rooms will look.

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 of Epipens and call 999.

Please do not use Nivea suncream 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.

請提醒大家，我哋有啲小朋友對花生、堅果、扁豆同豌豆有嚴重嘅過敏反應。如果發生過敏反應，我哋會接受訓練，立即使用 Epipens 嘅 Jext 筆，然後打999。

請唔好用妮維雅防曬，因為佢入面有杏仁油，而且我哋有啲小朋友有嚴重嘅堅果過敏。

請唔好將任何包含上述物品嘅物品送入學校，用嚟食你嘅小朋友嘅午餐或者小食。呢個包括好似 Nutella 噉嘅麵糊，因為佢有榛子作為成份。

多謝你嘅支持，一如既往。

Attendance letter

Please note the attached letter from the local authority regarding attendance and fines for absences. In general, our whole school attendance is very good but for several children their absent figures were quite high last year. Children need to be at school and missed days are not easily caught up as the curriculum is sequential. Please do your very best to get your child to school each day and every day on time.

Thank you!

Labels

Please ensure your child has their coat, PE top, water bottle and lunch box labelled as regularly children lose these items and at times can’t remember what they look like.

School meals and an increased cost

An important letter from the local authority concerning a substantial increase to the cost of school meals and also possible eligibility for Free School Meals.

Dear parent/carer

Please be advised that the cost of a school meal is set to increase from £2.80 to £3.05 per meal from 1st of October 2025. This will result in an overall weekly increase of £1.25 per child.

This does not affect children accessing Free School Meals. The government continues to support the universal infant Free School Meals (FSM) project, and this means that all children from reception, year 1 and year 2 will be provided with a school meal free of charge. Any child in years 3-6 can also have a free school meal if you are in receipt of certain allowances. To find out if you are eligible, please visit: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals*

The council has been subsidising the service over the last few years to try and keep the cost of a meal down. However, increases in food and staffing costs mean that we unfortunately have no option but to increase the price of a school meal.

The three weekly rolling menu detailing each day’s main course and dessert, with the additional daily offer of a vegetarian option and jacket potato will remain in place. The school meals service will continue to provide a high-quality service that delivers healthy, nutritious meals, caters for all allergens and dietary requirements, and is served in a safe environment on our school premises. We will continue to offer theme days, treat lunches and inviting families to join children for special lunches through the year.

*If your child is eligible for means tested free schools meals you could also be eligible for other funded support, such as Household Support Fund (funding for food and utility bills) and Holiday Activities and Food (summer holiday free activities and food). There are also other financial support schemes available, which you can find on the council website: warrington.gov.uk/localsupportscheme

Regards

School Meals Management