Dear Parents/Carers,

 

Firstly, welcome back to all of our school family! We have really missed you all and hope you have enjoyed a peaceful and restful summer holiday.

 

As the new school year begins, I wanted to inform you of all the important changes that have happened since July.

 

You may be aware that I have now started my role as full-time headteacher here at St. Joseph’s.  I am incredibly excited to get started and bring about lots of positive changes for our school and parish.

 

The 1^st September marked our conversion to being a part of the Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust.  This will not mean any changes for our children and families, but will give the school a wider catholic family to work alongside.

 

Start/End of day arrangements

Probably the most important information you need to know is how school will run now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased.  We intend to keep arrangements for the start and end of school routines.  This means the following;

 

Key Stage 1

 

School starts at 8.55am and parents are still requested to line up on the path from 8.45am and drop their child/children off at the top gate where a member of staff will escort them to class.  Parents will then leave through the car park.

 

School will end at 3.10pm and parents can line up on the path as before the summer, and their child/children will be sent to them by their class teacher. They will then leave through the car park.

 

Key Stage 2

 

School starts at 8.55am and the playground gates will be opened from 8.35am.  A member of staff will be present on the playground. We request that parents stand at the Aldren’s Lane end of the playground if they are dropping off. A whistle will be blown at 8.45am and children will line up on the playground where they will be collected by their class teacher.

 

School will end at 3.15pm.  Parents can stand at the Aldren’s Lane end of the playground where their child/children will be sent over to them by their class teacher.

 

There will be NO access to either key stage through the school, Key Stage 1 parents will need to walk around to drop off and collect children in Key Stage 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Uniform

 

We pride ourselves at St. Joseph’s on always being polite, respectful and well presented.  This begins with our school uniform and making sure that we dress according to the school uniform requirements (full list on our school website).  Please ensure that your child/children wear school shoes (Trainers are NOT school uniform).  Appropriate shoes will ensure that your child/children are wearing the correct footwear for their feet to develop properly.

 

Please also remember to send your child to school with a winter coat as the autumn term can be very cold and windy!

 

P.E Kits

 

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they will need to bring their P.E kit to school on the first day.  This will remain in school until the half term break, when it will be sent home to wash.

 

If your child is in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 or Year 6, they are allowed to come to school on their PE day wearing their PE kit.  They can also wear tracksuit bottoms and a track suit top if they wish.  Football shirts are NOT allowed.

 

Sickness and COVID-19

 

Although measures are easing, we must still remain vigilant when it comes to spreading sicknesses and COVID-19.  We are asking that you keep your child at home if they have any COVID-19 symptoms (see attached letter) and are tested as soon as possible using a PCR test. We desperately want to keep our children and school family safe, so please don’t send your child to school if they are unwell in any way.

 

Dinner Money

 

If your child is in Key Stage 2 and has a school dinner, the cost is £2.35 per day. Dinners can be paid for using the Parent Pay app.

 

New Staff

 

We are welcoming three new members of staff this year. Miss Woodcock will be teaching Year 1 whilst Mrs. Bibby is on maternity leave.  Mrs. Bibby welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world at the end of July. Mother and baby are doing really well!

 

Mrs. Crabtree and Miss Wilkinson will be working in Years 1 and 5 as teaching assistants and cannot wait to meet our amazing children!

 

Finally, I would like to say thank you for your continued support throughout the last 18 months. You have shown great understanding and compassion. Hopefully, this new school year will be more normal!

 

See you on Monday!

 

Miss R Griffiths

Headteacher