20th July 2023

Dear Parents and Friends

We have finally made it to the end of term and I cannot believe how quickly the past year has gone by. The children have been amazing and outlasted us all in terms of energy and enthusiasm. They were buzzing with excitement after spending the day with their new class teacher last Monday and this is so positive for September.

It is with sadness that we will be saying goodbye to staff as they look forward to the next stage of their lives. Mrs Gallagher will start her first Headship in September at a school in Gillingham, Kent, Ms Ugbo will be teaching abroad and Ms Hopper will be moving to a new school to lead their Early Years department. I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication to the children and for always being loyal to the school. I am sure they will continue to be successful and enjoy all the new opportunities ahead of them.

I am pleased to share that work will begin on the first stage of our junior playground development over the summer break. The playground will be resurfaced and when school returns in the Autumn, the next stage will take place. We will be using part of the PTA donation to install outdoor musical instruments, together with reading/writing sheds in both the infant and junior playgrounds. It will look amazing and something for the children to look forward to. My thanks to the PTA past and present for their hard work and generous donation.

It has been a wonderful year, with great SATS results in both KS1 and KS2. Our phonics continues to be strong and our Year 4 pupils did very well in their multiplication Times tables check with an average score of 20/25 Children throughout the school have worked hard with high levels of children achieving age related expectations and above at the end of each year. I am pleased to share that all our children across the school have made progress from their baseline at the start of the term in September. Their progress is due to the hard work of staff and you working closely with the school. It embodies our motto of ‘Together We Can with Christ by our side’ Progress and Results

I would like to wish Year 6 good luck for the future and I know they will settle into year 7 and continue to do well. They have worked hard and made us proud. Their production, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ was wonderful and their leavers Mass on Wednesday was the perfect way to end their time at St Joseph’s School. Fr James said Mass at the school and we were joined by many parents and friends. A huge thank you to all the year 6 parents for organising the leavers BBQ today. It was great fun seeing adults and children joining in the carnival atmosphere.

At this time of the year we not only say goodbye to our year 6 but also to some families who are moving away. I wish them all the best for the future and hope they will take away many happy memories of their time at the school.

We would like to wish Ms Chrusciak all the best for her wedding day in August. I know she will make a beautiful bride and we look forward to seeing the photographs.

A big thank you to our PTA who continue to do an amazing job. They provided the refreshments at the Year 6 leavers Mass and the hospitality at many new parent events. Please continue to support them they need lots of helpers as ‘many hands make light work’ Thank you to the PTA

Thank you to you parents and carers for your kind comments and the continued trust you show in the school. We cannot be successful without your support and that is what makes the difference. I hope you have a fun filled summer break and enjoy quality time with your children. On behalf of all staff I would like to thank you for your prayers, good wishes, cards and gifts, it makes a big difference hearing those simple words ‘Thank you’

My final thanks is to all the staff who support the children every day. The work we do changes lives and should never be underestimated. I am sure you will agree that they all deserve a relaxing break to recharge for September. Thank you also to the Governors for their continued encouragement and positivity.

This is my last newsletter for this academic year and my final good bye to you all. Thank you for the many happy memories, the laughter, the humour, the trust, but most of all the respect and consideration you have shown me and the support through some difficult challenges. It has been an absolute pleasure being the Headteacher of St Joseph’s School and something I will always be very proud of. Your children are like my own children and I will continue to think of them and smile when I do. You will always be in my prayers and thoughts and I will not forget you.

Thank you