National Adoption Week: 3rd - 9th of November 2014

Ysgol Uwchradd Gatholig ac Anglicanaidd Sant Joseff
St. Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School – Tel 01978 360310
St. Joseph’s Gazette
Newyddiadur Sant Joseff
Email / ebost: mailbox@st-joseph.wrexham.sch.uk
Website/ safle we: www.st-joseph.wrexham.sch.uk
23rd October 2014
23ain Hydref 2014
Volume 15
Issue 8
National Adoption Week: 3rd - 9th of November 2014
This week, we’ve been looking towards the Feast of All Saints in school and
in our parishes, when we will celebrate the heroes and heroines of our faith.
At the same time, there’s a series of national events coming up that
promote the work of some of the unsung heroes and heroines of society in
National Adoption Week. Adoption is one way in which many people are doing something
extraordinary and generous that makes a huge, and lasting, difference to the lives of children
and young people.
From November 3rd- 9th (the week after half term), The North Wales Adoption service aims to
inform and encourage people who may be interested in learning more about what’s involved and
how they might explore the possibility of welcoming a child or children into their lives and
homes.
There will be an information/drop in session in Wrexham at the Waterworld Leisure and Activity
Centre from 10am - 2pm on the 8th of November.
For further information please, visit www.northwalesadoption.gov.uk, Call 0800 085 0774 / 01978 295311.
Here at St Joseph’s, adoption has a very special place in our prayers: as a school, we are
passionate about supporting every type of family arrangement that enables children and young
people to have the love and security they need to flourish. As a Christian community named
after St Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, adoption and fostering has a special focus in our
prayers. We thank God for all involved in the important work of nurturing young people and pray
that we may be inspired by the example of St Joseph.
Rev’d Mary
Generous God, you have adopted us all into your family. Through your grace we are
heirs with Jesus of all your treasures. We pray for those seeking to adopt children
and for all who need the care of loving homes. We thank you for the faithful
example of St Joseph. May we be inspired by his story to show generous love to
others, and have the courage to open our hearts and homes to those in need. Amen.
Parent Governor Election – Results
Voting for the two Parent Governor vacancies closed at noon this Wednesday, 22nd October 2014.
In total, 474 votes were cast and the results of the Elections were as follows:
Alison Robin Fisher 158 votes
Charlotte Anne Moran 133 votes
Will Pitt 183 votes
Therefore, Alison Robin Fisher and Will Pitt are duly elected as Parent Governors on the Governing Body.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all three candidates for their interest in the vacancies
and to Parents and Carers for returning their Ballot Forms.
Mrs M. B. Rimmer - Returning Officer
Cymraeg yr Wythnos ~ 20fed – 24ain Hydref 2014
Welsh for the Week ~ 20th – 24th October 2014
Gwyiau – Holiday
Hydref – Autumn
Peidiwch â thaflu tân gwyllt – Don’t throw fireworks
Mwynhewch y noson – Enjoy the evening
Hanner Tymor – Half term
Noson tân gwyllt – Bonfire Night
Tân gwyllt – Fireworks
Byddwch yn ofalus – Take Care
Dates for your Diary
3rd November
4th November
5th November
10th November
11th November
13th November
School Re-opens
PTA meeting 6.45p.m.
Year 11 GCSE Exam Maths [Set 2 pupils only]
Year 11 GCSE Exam Maths [Set 2 pupils only]
Class of 2014 Graduation Evening
Bags2School collection
Letters Home this Week
20th October
21st October
Year 8 R.E. Trip to Liverpool Cathedrals
Year 8 Well Being Day letter
Maths Early Entry Extra Revision Opportunity!
On Monday 27th October, Mrs Jobson and Mrs Cooke will be running an extra revision
class for the set 2 pupils in Year 11 who are sitting their Maths GCSE immediately
after the half term. The session will take place in school and run from 10am till 1pm.
All pupils who are in Mr Tait’s, Mrs Cooke’s and Mrs Jobson’s Year 11 Set 2
classes are welcome and, indeed, very strongly advised to attend these crucial top up
sessions.
Mrs Jobson
Could we also politely remind parents of Year 11 pupils in Maths Set 2, GCSE Mathematics
exams will be Wednesday 5th November a.m. and Monday 10th November a.m. Pupils should
line up outside the Gym at 8.45 a.m. on both occasions, and must remember to bring all
mathematical equipment necessary.
Any queries please contact Mrs Stubbs, Mr Tait or Mrs Jobson. Thank you.
Our Visit to Quarry Bank Mill
On Wednesday 15th October, 78 Year 9 pupils went to Quarry Bank Mill. We
arrived at Quarry Bank Mill ready for an exciting day ahead of us. We set off
into our groups and started our activities. Our first activity was the carding, we
got into pairs and used wire brushes to card the wool. The next activity was using the spinning
wheel to turn the cotton in to strong pieces of thread. Next, we used yarn on the loom to make
pieces of cloth. We then set off to the apprentice house, and we had a tour of the living
conditions in each part of the house. In every part of the house, the tour guide gave us
information and we asked him questions about the people who lived and worked there. After
lunch, we went to the mill. We were first shown how they produced cloth in cottages. Secondly,
we were shown how the industrial revolution happened in Quarry Bank Mill. There were many
machines to make cotton into thread a lot faster than the thread would be used to make cloth
on a bigger loom turned by belts. The machines were powered by the steam engine and the water
wheel. This concluded our tour and we all had a brilliant day. Thanks to Mr Mann and Mr
Campbell for a lovely day out with us and to Mrs Y Williams for organising it.
Alex Derosa 9Cd and Robert Pemberton 9Kg
… Year 7 School Photographs
If you still wish to purchase a Year 7 school
photograph, the final deadline is Wednesday 5th
November. Please return forms and payments to Mrs Hardwell in the Library. Thank you.
We are very proud to let you know that Kimberley Dutton, 8 Cassidy has
been selected to join the Welsh Regional Development Girls Football
Squad. Well Done, Kimberley!
Miss Lynch
Clywedog ~v~ St Joseph’s
After a great match away at Clywedog, the Year 7 football team came away with a
4-4 draw. It was a very good match with a promising performance from all team
members. Unfortunately, the result doesn't reflect the run of play, as St Joseph's
were ahead for most of the game, Clywedog had to work hard to score a goal in the
last 60 seconds of play, but they did it!
Mr Jones
Bags2School - the PTA have organised another Bags2School collection on Thursday 13th
November. This is a fantastic opportunity to clear out the old ready for bringing in the new, in
time for Christmas. It also allows you to help with the fantastic fundraising efforts that our
PTA constantly does to help provide all those special extra things for our children. We will be
sending home some bags with your children, if you do not receive one please send in any items in
a bin bag and we will accept them. Bags2School will accept the following items:
Men’s, ladies and children’s clothing (not school uniforms), paired shoes (tied together or an
elastic band around them), handbags, ties, belts, hats and soft toys and jewellery. Please
support this fundraising effort. Thank you.
Fancy a shopping trip to Liverpool One?
With only 9 weeks left until Christmas, it’s time to get organised and have some fun!
Liverpool One is running a ‘Coaches at Christmas’ scheme to help raise PTA funds
for our school. Return coach travel from school to Liverpool One for £10 a return
seat!
Sunday 14th December
Depart 10.00 am ~ Return 5.00 pm
If you would like to join us, please enclose cash or cheque (made payable to St Joseph’s PTA),
together with how many seats are required to Mrs Hardwell in the Library by Friday 14th
November.
Mrs Jones
Art Class of 2014 ~ Any pupil who wishes to collect their GCSE Art work may do
so from now until the end of November. Please ring school to make arrangements
before coming in to collect. Many thanks.
Mrs Woodward
Year 11 Charity News …
Well done to Harry Hughes, 8 Romero who correctly guessed the identity of the
Stig, it was Mrs Morrey! Thank you to all those who entered the draw. A nice sum
of money was raised for ‘Reaching the Unreached’.
Mrs Tait and 11 Romero
6th Form Open Evenings
St Richard Gwyn, Flint - 5th February 2015 6-8p.m.
The Catholic High School Chester - Thursday 15th January 2015 6-8.30p.m.
The Maelor School, Penley - Monday 2nd February 2015 7-9p.m.
Ysgol Rhiwabon Thursday - 4th December 6-8p.m
Coleg Cambria
Deeside - Wednesday 12th November 5-8p.m.
Llysfasi - Wednesday 19th November 5-7p.m.
Yale - Thursday 13th November 5-8p.m.
Northop - 20th November 5-7p.m.
Acrobatic Medal Hopeful for the future ~ On Sunday 19th October, I represented
Abbey Road Acrobatics Club in the Welsh Acrobatics Championships. I was partnered with
Caitlin Connagan and our Floor Routine was performed in front of a large audience and 8 judges.
We competed against girls from South and North Wales as Grade 2 Women’s pairs, we were
successful and won the Bronze Medal. It was an amazing experience and everyone worked hard,
including my lovely friend Bethan Purdi, who also competed in the same competition and
performed very well.
Eleanor Jones
Congratulations to Eleanor, Caitlin and to Bethan.
Mrs Rimmer
Family Quiz night to be held tonight - Friday 24th October at St Mary’s Catholic
Club. Come and enjoy a fun night for all the family!
£5 entry per team maximum 6 people.
£50 Winners prize
50/50 half time draw
“Wear Something Pink” for Breast Cancer – Friday 7th November
On Friday 7th November, we are having a “Wear Something Pink” Day for Breast Cancer
Awareness. Pupils must still wear full school uniform, but can add something small that is
pink, such as a Breast Cancer badge, a hair clip, a pink scarf, or tie, or maybe pink socks. Pupils who take
part will be asked to donate £1, in support of this worthy cause. Last year, we raised over £520 and it
would be great to match or even beat this fantastic achievement.
Miss Lynch
Attendance Matters ~ This week’s whole school attendance is 97.3%. Ffantasteg!
What a brilliant finish to the half term! Congratulations to 8Ro, 9Kg, and 11Dx for achieving
100%. Great to see 18 out of 25 Forms (72%) achieving at least 96.5%. Looking back over the
half term, our whole school attendance emerges at an average of 96.5% - bang on target!! On
the best day, it was 97.7% and our worst was 95.06% . The Year Group achieving the highest
average is Year 7 (with 97.6%), closely followed by Year 8, with 97.5%
Mrs Rimmer
Year
Cassidy
Devereux
King
Kolbe
Romero
Year Average
7
8
9
10
11
96
98.9
97.5
96.3
93.6
96.5
97.9
97
96.8
98.5
100
98
96.3
98
100
94.7
97.5
97.3
98.5
92.1
99.5
95.8
97.5
96.7
99.5
100
97.8
97.5
96.4
98.2
97.6
97.2
98.3
96.6
97
Family average
This week’s Gazette was produced by Mrs C Dixon, and edited by Mrs M B Rimmer