Star of the Week

Edward Moores, Avianna Shelvey-James, Roman Hutchings, Indie Clarke, Owen Crossley, Nyla Reid, Amelie Cross, William Grounds, Charlotte Burgess, Harry Smith, Teddy Thompson, Molly Marlow, Angel Leung, Lauren Quartly, Layla Larkin and Luke Toman-Webster

Birthday Greetings

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

   Ben Craig, Silver Millington, Stevie Pickersgill and Mrs Higgins

 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:

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

All Things - Song suggestion

(Philippians 4:13)

Children in Need - Friday, 14th November

Children can come in their own clothes or pyjamas next Friday, 15th November with a donation for Children in Need 

School Photographer in School

The School Photographer will be in school on Thursday, 4th December to take photos of families, siblings and individuals, starting from 8am in the School Hall for family pictures.

Christmas Nativity

Please note the following dates for our Christmas Nativity:

Tuesday 16th December:

EYFS 1.45pm

KS1 2.15pm

Wednesday 17th December:

EYFS children to school at 5pm to get changed.

EYFS performance start time at 5.30pm (the audience will be admitted 10 minutes prior to the show starting).

KS1 children to school at 5.30pm to get changed.

KS1 performance start time - 6pm (the audience will be admitted 10 minutes prior to the show starting).

All families will be given 4 tickets for the afternoon show and 4 for the evening show. We will give these out nearer the time. All 4 tickets will be sent out, regardless of whether you need them all.

If you have any questions, please email the school office. 

November List of the Faithful Departed

One Halloween, I asked some of the children about why we celebrate that day.  I received several answers, which included ‘warding off evil spirits’.  As Christians, we do not believe this.  Halloween comes from the old English words – Hallows’ Evening, All Hallows Eve.  The following day is All Saints Day, and it seems that as the Christian Church grew, it adopted and adapted pagan festivals, such the Celtic festival of Samhain, and ‘christianised’ them. In practice, some customs became mixed in popular use and evolved into our modern-day celebrations.  Today, it seems we have adopted some American practices of dressing up in both scary and fancy dress.  For us, I hope our children have fun and lots of sweets.

Each November the Church remembers those who have died.  We pray for their peace and joy in heaven, and we pray for strength for ourselves as we mourn.  Please use and return the Prayer for the Dead form sent via Parentapp to list family and friends who have died.  As we go through November, we will pray for them all, not by individual name but by intention at assemblies.

Morning start

Children are allowed on the playground from 8:30am each day and the school day begins at 8:45am. Staff arrive on the playground from around 8:40am and Mr Saunders or Mrs Riches will blow the whistle for children to line up.  We would respectfully ask parents not to hold up the children’s entry to school by talking with teachers.  Miss Rose will be on the playground if parents need to pass on messages.

Thank you for your understanding. We want the day to start as smoothly as possible and enable the children to maximise their learning time. 

Mad Science After-School Club

We are now offering a Mad Science After School Club on a Wednesday at 03:15 pm - 04:15 pm.  Dates: 07/01/2026 - 11/02/2026.   The deadline for registrations is 19/11/2025 

 You can register your children online at https://northengland.madscience.org on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Payment by instalments is available. If you have any problems or queries with booking please call Mad Science directly on 01772    628844 and they'll be happy to help!

Holy Communion Dates

The Sacramental Team at St Joseph's Church have given us dates for our Year 4 Holy Communion Programme to pass on to you  -   all sessions will take place in Church and attendance is essential:

Sunday, 14th December (8.30am):  Guadette Sunday Mass  (Children will receive a small gift from the Legion of Mary).

Sunday, 1st February (4 pm):   Presentation of the Lord Mass

Thursday, 12th February (6pm):  Reconciliation Preparation

Thursday, 26th February (6pm):  Reconciliation Service

Thursday, 19th March (6pm):  Communion Preparation 1

Thursday, 23rd April (6pm):  Communion Preparation 2

Friday, 1st May:  Rehearsal  (St Vincent's - 10am / St Joseph's after lunch)

Saturday, 2nd May (times to be confirmed):  Communion Day

Road Safety and Considerate Driving

Please be reminded that the school is in a residential area and obviously at the beginning and end of the school day, the pavements and roads will be busier. Please take extra care with road awareness and speed of driving.  The roads must be a safe place for all users.

My Child’s Art portal

PFA Winter Raffle

Winter Raffle - we need your help!  We're getting ready for our Winter Raffle, to be drawn during the Nativity performances in December!  Do you have any prize ideas, items, or contacts through work or local businesses who could donate a voucher or gift?

Please get in touch with your PFA Class Rep - every little bit helps!

Thank you for your amazing support.

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.

St Joseph’s Family Centre Christmas Hamper Appeal

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。

PE Days

Please see below the PE days for your child for this new term:

EYFS CT - Friday

Y1 LH - Thursday and Friday

Y2 KS - Monday and Tuesday 

Y3 CF/KR - Tuesday and Wednesday

Y4 KD - Tuesday and Thursday (Swimming Thursday)

Y5/6 MW - Tuesday and Wednesday

Y5/6 MR - Monday and Thursday

Y5/6 RT - Monday and Wednesday

Children are to wear their PE kits on these days.

If your child wears earrings, please ensure that you provide tape so the earrings can be covered for safety. 

Many thanks.