Welcome Back! New Year! Exciting New beginnings
Dear Parents, Carers, and children,
Welcome back to a new academic year, a fresh beginning for everyone. We are so looking forward to seeing everybody on Monday morning. I hope that you have had a great summer holidays and I’m sure that the children are ready for the exciting new learning and challenges that we have planned for them.
Organisation of School day for September
The systems we have in place have been successful in keeping everyone safe. In September, as we transition into a new norm, we will continue with a staggered approach to the start and end of the school day. As we are finishing building work in the front side yard there will be a few changes for the next few weeks.
| Start | Location | Pick Up | Location | |
| Nursery
Mrs Coughlin |
9:00 | Nursery | 11:30 | Nursery |
| Reception –Mrs Mapp/
Mrs Torrance |
8:55 | Teachers will meet children by the Front Ramp (next to my office) to enter into the main yard. | Week 1
6th-10th at 1:00 pm Week 2 13th -17th at 2:00 pm Week 3 2:50 |
Main playground, left hand side |
| Reception /
Year 1 Mrs James |
8:50 | Main Entrance | Year 1 finish at 2:50
Reception children Week 1 6th-10th at 1:00 pm Week 2 13th -17th at 2:00 pm Week 3 2:50 |
Main playground, right hand side |
| Year 1/ Year2 Mrs Turner | 8:50 | Front Ramp | 2:50 | Front Ramp |
| Year 2 Mrs Owen
(Miss W) |
8:45 | Front Ramp | 2:45 | Front Ramp |
Breakfast Club
Will be available for Years 1 and 2 from Monday 6th September 2021. Whilst Reception children can access Breakfast Club from Monday 20th September. Please complete and return consent from to our Cook Mrs Pat McGimpsey. Drop off from 8:20
Belated congratulations to Pat on celebrating a big birthday during the Summer holidays.
Lunchtime Routines
We hope to return to using the dining hall for lunch. Initially with Reception, then adding other Year groups as the month progresses. Reception children will stay for lunch from day one. School hot dinners are available, or if they prefer, children can bring a lunchbox. Please remember to write your child’s name clearly on the lunchbox to avoid confusion and tears. As a Healthy School, wherever possible, could we encourage healthy choices.
Water Bottle- clearly labelled
Hydration is vital to good learning and wellbeing. Please send your child daily, a clearly labelled bottle filled with water.
We come together as part of God’s family- Collective Worship
Welcome everyone!
God speaks to us and we listen
We respond to the Word of God.
We want to share the Good News!
Prayers to Our Lady , May Procession, planting prayer gardens
Monsignor Joseph joins in our May Day celebrations.
Pentecost -Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Disciples.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
A message from the Bishop’s Conference in Wales
Dear Young People,
Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Disciples.
Feeling afraid and uncertain, the Disciples locked themselves away: Jesus had been their friend helping them and now He was no longer with them. Whilst praying, the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples and they became Apostles. An Apostle is someone sent out to share the message of Jesus with everyone and that is what the Apostles did – they went out spreading the Good News to everyone. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must have the courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We must stand up for what is right in our own community and in the global community.
Many of you will remember the letter Pope Francis wrote called Laudato si’ asking all of us in the whole world to take care of our common home.
Pope Francis says that climate change affects us all, but it is the poorest communities who will suffer the most.
We all have a responsibility to take care of our common home, and you can make that change through your choices as an individual in your home, school, parish and local community. Recycling materials correctly, reducing food waste, not wasting water, switching the lights off and thinking about the way you travel to school.
Young people are passionate about making these important changes. Not only are you probably already doing them, but through your actions you are also educating others around you!
Two important events are happening in our country this year. In June, the G7 will take place in Cornwall. World leaders from the seven most powerful countries in the world will meet to discuss global issues, such as climate change and recovery from the global pandemic. Their talks will affect all our brothers and sisters in our global family.
In November, COP26, a meeting of world leaders and governments organised by the United Nations, will be taking place in Glasgow. Important decisions will be made about how countries can help tackle the climate crisis.
Our government is hosting this meeting: they represent us. We have the power to make a difference by speaking up and making sure that our voices are heard. Like the Disciples at Pentecost, we need to become Apostles, spreading the Good News of Jesus and building a better future and fairer world for all.
What can I do?
If you haven’t already done so, watch the CAFOD assembly: ‘Eyes of the World’. Take part in the campaign by making pictures of eyes to show the eyes of the world are watching, and so are we! Write to the government telling them to think about the world’s poorest people as they make their decisions! https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Eyes-of-the-world
Let Us Pray:
We pray for a world where everyone has the chance to live life to the full.
Port Talbot to Peru- Why should we get fitter? Why should we raise money for our linked mission in Peru?
How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus?
How can we be Compassionate and Loving?
Curious and active?
Saint Joseph’s Sponsored Strava challenge
We as a school and parish community are aiming to raise money for the plight of Bishop Giovanni. Our Missio group have decided that we are going to do our best to walk or run as many miles in May as possible! Our astronomical end goal is 5929 miles! The distance between Port Talbot and Peru.
This challenge is all about exercising with family whilst raising money for such an important cause. Your whole family can take part and help you to reach your sponsorship goals.
Be an Action Researcher to find out what our money will go towards?
What differences will it make to the people of Prelatura Santiago Apostol de Huancane?
Please follow the instructions below to take part.
- Sign up to Strava app.
- Use ‘explore’ and search for ‘Saint Joseph’s Infants’ in ‘Clubs’. Request to join!
- Once you have joined our club, every walk or run will be added to our mileage and our leader board. We will be tallying up the miles at the end of each week.
- *Important* every time you Record a walk or run and ‘choose a sport’, please choose ‘Run’ EVEN if you are walking. This will allow your activity to be added to our mileage leader board.
- Please involve your whole family! Brothers, Sisters, Aunt’s, Uncle’s, Grandparents! The more family members involved, the better.
Saint Joseph’s Infant School is a Smoke Free School
Dear parents/carers,
From 1st March 2021, all school grounds in Wales have become smoke-free spaces.
As Wales becomes the first country in the UK to extend its smoking ban to certain outdoor areas, we are committed to improving the health of our staff and pupils by providing a smoke-free environment.
Smoking in smoke-free spaces – which not only includes school grounds but also public playgrounds, outdoor day-care and child-minding settings as well as hospital grounds – from 1st March could result in a £100 fine.
We want to protect everyone from harmful second-hand smoke and we especially recognise the important role that adults have in influencing the attitudes and smoking behaviour of children and young people. Banning smoking in places where children and young people spend their time will denormalise smoking and reduce the chances of children and your people starting smoking in the first place– ultimately saving lives.
TESTUN AR GYFER CYLCHLYTHYRAU YSGOLION
I look forward to having your support to ensure we all play our part in building a healthier future.
Those looking for help to stop smoking can access Wales’ free NHS support service Help Me Quit on 0800 085 2219 or visit www.helpmequit.wales for help and support, including access to free stop smoking medication.
Yours sincerely,
Ms Julie Beaumont
Headteacher