Extra Ballet Lesson 

There will be extra ballet lessons on Monday 15^th March to make up for a day that was cancelled during the term.  Please ensure your child has their ballet kit in school.

Rugby Clubs 

Please note there will be no Rugby Club for J1/J2 with Mr Jones on Tuesday 16th March.  There will also be no Rugby Club for J3/J4 with Mr Spong on Tuesday 16th March or Friday 19th March (this is due to rugby match fixtures on those afternoons). 

Gardening Club

Gardening Club for Infants and Juniors on Thursday 18th March is cancelled as Mrs Elson will be attending a Science Challenge at Haileybury. 

Kaleidoscope Activities for Juniors 

Please note the last Kaleidoscope afternoon this term will be Wednesday 17th March.

St Joseph’s In The Park AGM  - Wednesday 17th March

As mentioned in last week's mailing the Fourth Annual General Meeting of St Joseph’s In The Park School will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 17th March in the Main Hall.   To give us an indication of numbers, could you please respond to Karen Tidiman, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  if you are able to attend this meeting. 

St Joseph’s Day – Friday 19th March

We are inviting as many fathers as possible to bring their children into school that morning and to come to Assembly.  There will be bacon rolls and cups of tea from 8.00 am.  As something different this year, we would like any dads that are able to stay for a little while to spend some time listening to the children read in the Infant and Junior corridors for the morning.  There will be assistants on hand to guide you. If you are able to give some time on 19th please let Mrs Albon know in the school office.  

Dates for key events in Summer Term 2010

As requested by some parents, we are able to publish here some of the key events in the Summer Term calendar, they are as follows:

After School Clubs & Extra Activities 

Just to remind you, all indoor clubs, ballet, Speech & Drama and extra instrumental lessons will end for the term on Friday 19th March. Graham School of Dance lessons will continue as normal on Tuesday 23rd March.

J1

White PE shorts

White PE trainers

The rest is being arranged by Mrs Brand and Mrs Santilli

J2

Anything with Spiderman on, or red and blue clothes

Black or brown (school) flat shoes

If you have any old clothes and hats, I would be grateful if you could turn them into a ‘raggy’ Wombles style costume. If you are not able to do so, please do not worry, there is a certain amount of costumes behind the stage.  Please speak to Mrs Santilli or Miss Matosevic.

J3

Trainers

A hoody or similar 1990s hip-hop style clothes

Jeans

A colourful T-shirt or 60s style top (for Scooby-Doo song)

 J4

Anything with SpongeBob or in yellow and blue

For the children singing Charlie Brown song, cute, childlike clothes

Jeans or colourful swimming trunks

Not essential, but if you have anything in the ‘flower power’ style, it would be great for The Yellow Submarine

If you are not sure about what your child should wear, please do not hesitate to speak to Mrs Santilli or Miss Matosevic.

Friday Assembly - 12th March

There will be no Friday Assembly on 12th March due to the Pre School and Infants Mothers Day Concert Dress Rehearsal taking place.

Rugby Club with Mr Spong

Rugby Club with Mr Spong on Tuesday 9th March and Friday 12th March are cancelled due to match fixtures taking place.  Rugby Club with Mr Jones for J1/J2 on Tuesday 9th March will continue as normal.

Parents Evening – Thursday 18^th March – Please note appointment sheets will go on display in the Guillemot Lobby with effect from the morning of Thursday 11^th March.  Please sign your name against the time of your preference.  Please leave a break between appointments if you have more than one teacher to see.

If you are unable to find a babysitter, Josh Capon will, once again, be available to look after children in the Dining Room during the evening.  A small donation towards his trip to Borneo in 2011 would be much appreciated.

Tesco Vouchers for School Equipment – Once again, we will be taking part in this scheme; the collection box is in the Entrance Hall.  We are most grateful for your support -  the more vouchers we collect the more equipment we can obtain for the children. Many thanks.

After School Netball Club – Please note this Club is cancelled on Monday 1^st March due to a hockey fixture at that time.

Photographs with Prệt-a-Portrait – Prệt-a-Portrait will be in school on Monday 1^st March to take class, team and choir photographs.  Children should be wearing full winter uniform with clean blazers and polished shoes.  Sports team members will need their clean sports kit with them.  Hair should be brushed, tidy and tied back if necessary.  It is advisable that your child brings a hairbrush or comb to school on Monday for any last minute adjustments.

Scholastics Book Fair – Thursday 4th – Tuesday 9^th March – This is a great opportunity for the children to choose from a very wide selection of high quality books and they will be visiting the Book Fair during the school day (the children will need to bring some money into school if they are making their own purchases).  If you prefer, the children can select books with you.  The Book Fair will be manned from 8.30 – 9.00 am each morning and also after school.

Mothers’ Day Sale – Friday 5^th March – Calling all Dads.  Please remember that in order for your child to buy a present for Mummy at the Mothers’ Day Sale next Friday, he or she will need to bring in £4 in an envelope marked with their name to their class teacher no later than Wednesday 3^rd March.

Sainsburys Active Kids Vouchers 2010 – We are again collecting Sainsburys vouchers.  Your support was tremendous last year which meant we were able to obtain valuable equipment for your children.  Please do bring your vouchers into school, the box is situated in the Entrance Hall.  Vouchers can also be left at the Reception office.

Dear J2/3/4 Parents

Games lessons on Tuesday's will be changing after half term until Easter.

J2 boys will be doing Volleyball in the hall, they can wear games kit with indoor trainers/plimsoles.

J3/4 boys will be doing hockey on the playground, they will wear games kit and outdoor trainers.  They must have shinpad and it is strongly advised they wear a gumshield.

J2/3/4 girls will be doing football on the field, they need shorts, shinpads with long socks and suitable footwear (old trainers are fine or football boots if you wish).

Friday Games lessons remain the same.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Dominic Spong & Helen Owen

Sports4All –  Healthy Lifestyle Challenge for Infant 1 to Junior 4 on 4th February

Further to the letter and form your child brought home last week, if you would like to sponsor your child for taking part and completing the four different exercise activities set for them by Sports4All, please return your completed form together with sponsorship money to the Reception Office as soon as we return after the half term. If you need a form please call in at the office.

Money raised will be split between Sports4All, Sparks medical research charity and the school (money raised for the school will be donated to the Haiti Appeal).

Drama for Fun for Infants -  Please note there will be no After School Drama Club for Infants on Monday 22nd February (you will not have been charged for this session) as Mrs Ash will be away that week.  Drama Club will resume on Monday 1st March.

Breakfast Club – For the week commencing 22nd February, Breakfast Club will be covered by other members of staff whilst Mrs Ash is away and therefore will run as normal.

Individual Meetings for Junior 3 Parents – As mentioned in the Friday Mailing dated 29th January, we will be holding a second evening of individual meetings for Junior 3 parents on Tuesday, 23rd February.  A list of appointment times has been on display in the Guillemot Lobby and hopefully you have been able to arrange the appointment time of your choice.

Kaleidoscope Skiiing  -  Please note, the children who took part in skiing in the first half of the Spring Term will have one extra extended lesson on Wednesday 24th February to make up for the lesson they missed.  They will return to school at approximately 4.45 pm that day. 

Precious Soles Shoe Sale – Thursday 25th February – Precious Soles will be in the Dining Room from 3.15 to 4.30 pm to measure your child’s feet and offer advice on the purchasing of  brown school shoes.

Guitar Lessons – for Infant 3 & Juniors - We are pleased to inform you that Mr Ian Kelleher, our new guitar teacher, will be joining us after half term.  His lessons will take place in school on Wednesday mornings from 8.30 am onwards.  Parents of children who have their names down or were receiving guitar lessons previously will be contacted shortly by Mr Kelleher. 

LAMDA Speech & Drama Exams

Please note that the closing date for entry into the LAMDA Speech and Drama examinations has now passed.  Mrs. Coley is concerned about the number of Entry forms missing!  Three pupils in Infant III and many pupils in Junior 1, Junior 2, Junior 3 and Junior 4 have not yet handed in their forms and will not be allowed to enter the exams without their parents signed permission.  Please ensure your LAMDA Reply Slip is handed into the School Office, marked for Mrs. Coley's attention, by Tuesday 9th February 2010.

Booster Classes

Please note Booster Classes have now ceased.

Prep for Juniors

Prep after school for Juniors is from 4.00 – 5.00pm every evening except Friday.  This is an opportunity for Junior children to do their homework in a quiet environment with a member of staff on hand for any assistance they may need.  May we remind you that if you are going to be delayed your child may go into Prep but the intention is that they remain there until 5.00 pm.  It has proved to be quite distracting if children are taken out of Prep before 5.00 pm. If you are likely to be late and do not wish your child to stay in Prep until 5.00 pm then they can go into the After School Care Club (this operates between 4 and 6 pm).   

After School Care Club - If your child is booked for the After School Care Club on a set day each week of the term, please contact the office if for any reason your child will not be attending on a certain day.  This will greatly assist us in our staffing arrangements and eliminate the need for the staff member on duty to then be searching for the child in question.  Many thanks for your assistance and co-operation.

Prep - Thursday 4th February - There will be no Prep on the evening of Thursday 4th February due to Staff Inset Training.  Prep will take place as normal on all other evenings next week.

J2 parents please open and print this document for your children.

J2 Assembly Script

Many Thanks

G.Matosevic

After School Rugby Club

Please note Rugby Club, for Junior 1 and 2 with Mr Jones, will commence on Tuesday 26th January. 

Rugby Club with Mr Spong on Tuesday 26th and Friday 29th January for Junior 3 and 4 are cancelled due to Rugby fixtures.

After School Singing Club for Juniors

Singing Club is open to all Juniors who would like to join and not as shown on the Calendar of Events ‘by invitation only’.

Booster Classes for Junior 4

These will end on Friday 29th January.

Tennis for Infants

Tennis coaching for Infants has now commenced and there are some payments outstanding.  If children from last term wish to continue please complete the slip sent out in last week’s mailing and return, together with payment, to the Reception Office no later than Monday morning (25th January) in order that your child can take part.

Final details.

You are welcome to come to the School Hall from 7.00pm tomorrow night where drinks and nibbles will be available.  Care will be provided for children in different locations, depending on their age group, with the School's staff. 

The event will begin officially at 7.30pm and, after a brief welcome, there will performances from our children and past pupils followed by presentations and a Q&A session.  It is going to be a wonderful occasion and I really hope that you are able to be there.

Gymnastics Club with Sports Xtra – Please note this Club will not take place until possibly the second half of the Spring Term.  Sports Xtra is in the process of recruiting another instructor to replace Lee Reynolds who has other commitments.  We will keep you informed of developments.

After School Care Club – If your child has previously attended After School Care Club on a regular basis please call in at the Reception Office to rebook your child’s place for the term.  Please note you will still be able to book your child in at any time on any day by telephoning the school office (may we remind you that this facility is available to Infant and Junior children only.  The sessions are 4.00 – 5.00pm and 5.00 to 6.00pm.

Street Jazz Dance Club for Juniors – May we remind you that this Club will recommence after the February half term.

Natural History Museum Trip (J1 & Woodlands J1) & British Museum Trip (J2 & Woodlands J2) – both on Wednesday 20th January – You have been emailed details regarding this trip this week and your child will also have been given a hard copy letter (please check school bags).  Please return the consent slip and payment to the Reception Office by Monday 18th January to enable your child to take part in the relevant trip. 

School will return to a semblance of normality on Thursday, we hope.  All indoor after school clubs and activities will be as normal including breakfast club before school at 7.45am and after school care until 6pm.

The weather forecast is reasonable but please consider your local conditions before deciding to make the journey.

Children must wear school  uniform but again, please bring warm clothes & boots for playing outdoors.  We are still tolerating "ski wear"!!!  For now...We have plenty of time to get back to our full uniform.

Homework for Junior 2

The following homework has been set for Junior 2 today, Wednesday 13th January 2010.

Please print off a copy and bring to school tomorrow.

 homework wednesday 13 jan 2010.pdf

Gabriela Matosevic

Junior 2 Teacher

School will be open today, Wednesday 13th January.  Arrangements will be as yesterday's update.

Please only make journeys if you feel it is reasonable to do so.  Drive with caution, particularly in Hertingfordbury and on the school drive.

School will again operate a normal day tomorrow, January 13th, apart from outdoor afterschool activities.

Children must wear school uniform but bring warm clothes & boots for playing outdoors.  Tracksuits are preferred over shorts or under skirts.

Weather forecast tomorrow is for snow throughout the day and we will keep you updated with any changes as necessary through the usual channels.

School will return to normal start and finish times tomorrow 12 January.  Children will wear their own clothes.  Please make sure these are warm and that they bring in a change of footwear.

Therefore please try to arrive for a normal start time of 8.50am.  However, due to continued difficult driving conditions and access to the school car park we will again operate a staggered start and expect to see the children by 9.30am. 

Normal before and after school care – Breakfast Club with Mrs Ash and After School Club with Miss Clark – will resume from 7.45am before school until 6.00pm after school. 

Owing to the weather conditions, outside clubs will be suspended for this week.  Indoor after school clubs will run as normal.

Please take great care when driving and only make journeys if you feel comfortable doing so.

Clarification of pick up & drop off arrangements tomorrow, 11th January 2010.

As tomorrow is a "staggered start", if you intend to come to school, we would not expect to see the children until 9.30am.  However, staff will be on site from 7.30am.  If you wish to make an earlier drop off, then please do so.  Children will go straight to their classrooms. 

Please take all necessary precautions when driving and only make the journey if you feel it is safe. 

At the end of the day, we will operate a "late room" to accomodate all children until they are picked up.  Staff will be on hand until 6.00pm.  However, for tomorrow at least, we ask parents to pick up as soon as possible, just in case the weather does worsen.

We will review the situation tomorrow and inform you of any revised arrangements for Tuesday through the usual channels.

It will be important over the next few days, should the freezing conditions continue, to reduce the number of car journeys to school.  If it is at all possible, it would be advisable to car pool with other families that live nearby.  In particular, if you have a 4x4 and are confident driving in these conditions, we hope that you may offer your services.

If you are able, please contact each other through the usual channels.  However, if are willing to share your details, would like to offer your vehicle or are unsure of other families in your area then you can forward your name, contact number and postcode securely to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  I will then endeavour to place name and postcode (no telehone numbers) on the secure, private section of the website under Friday Mailing.  If you spot a match then contact me via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will return the contact details.  Please be certain that you wish to share you details before emailing them.  All information will be shared via secure areas of the website and secure email.

School will be open on Monday 11th January as long as weather conditions do not deteriorate further (please monitor text messages and website for further information). 

Update 11/1/10: The drive will be gritted this evening, hopefully providing safer access to school.

Please be aware the following arrangements will be in place on Monday and Tuesday, at least, or until the weather significantly improves:

1. Children should wear their own clothes.  To be able to play outside, children must wear boots or Wellingtons to school and bring indoor shoes, a change of trousers and spare socks in a school bag.  They must also wear a warm coat, hat and gloves.  Children not properly dressed or equipped will remain indoors at break times.
2. We will operate a delayed start-time and earlier finish time.  Children should arrive at school from 9.30am onwards and registration will take place at 10.00am.   Children should be collected at 3.00pm for Infants and Junior siblings and 3.30pm for Juniors.
3. Update 11/1/10: Please only make journeys that you feel confident undertaking.  Driving in icy conditions is hazardous and due care and attention must be paid to advice.  Click on this link to the relevant section of the highway code.

Please ensure that you drive very slowly and carefully down the drive and avoid breaking heavily during these icy conditions.