Friday 5th January 2018

I wish all our children, parents and families a very Happy New Year and a warm welcome as we begin a new term. Each New Year invites us to make resolutions, a resolve to change the way we live, in matters small or great. Some are realistic; many are not. Some are kept; most are not. Let us focus on resolutions that are doable and that will help to make our world a better place. Focus on others and not ourselves. What service can I do? How can I love more? Is there a local charity that I can support? Can I be more helpful at home? Let us place our New Year in the hands of Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother in Faith to help us to be of service to others this New Year.

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The Magi came bearing gifts and bowed down before the baby in the manger, Jesus of Nazareth, God's greatest gift. The beauty of the baby in the crib would also lead to the terrible beauty of Christ on the cross. Human reason can only take us so far. Flesh and blood cannot grasp the mystery of faith: that God became man, that Jesus was born and rose from the dead. These are divine truths, revealed by God's grace. To see with the eyes of faith that Jesus is God made man is one of God's greatest gifts, giving us a deep joy and opening the door to the mystery of faith.

A reminder to any parents of children born between 01.09.13 and 31.08.14 to complete an application for Reception intake September 2018. Parents can apply online at www.dudley.gov.uk /admissions or they can phone the Dudley Admissions Office on 0300 555 2345 for a paper form. in addition you will also need to submit a supplementary information form and copy of your child's baptismal certificate. Contact the school office for more details. The closing date for all applications is 15th January 2018.

Hagley High Flyers Trampolining Club are offering a free taster session on Mondays between 4.45pm and 5.45pm at Haybridge Sports Centre, Brake Lane, Hagley DY8 2XS. The session dates are as follows: 15th, 22nd and 29th January and 5th and 12th February. If you would like further information or to book a session please enquire at the school office. This club is open to all pupils from Reception to Year 6.

If you have a business and would like to place an advertisement in this year's Pyramid Concert programme then please contact Mr Mallinson at Hagley High School via the following email address - fmm5@hagleyrc.worcs.sch.uk. Our Year 5 children have been working hard in preparation for this special event and will continue their final preparations during the course of the next six weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to perform at a first class venue in front of a large audience. The concert will take place on Thursday 15th February at Birmingham Town Hall starting at 7pm. Tickets are £10 and are available from the school office. Please support this event as future funding for next year and beyond is uncertain.

If you have changed your mobile number recently or there is any other any change to your contact information please inform the school office. Thank you.

In preparation for the Stourbridge Learning Partnership Cross Country Competition at the beginning of next month, training for children in Years 4 to 6 will take place on Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes from 12.30pm. Please ensure that your child has a separate sports kit for this club including plenty of warm layers. Thank you.

Children in St. Joseph's School are growing to be curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can do for the better.

Lord God, enlighten the eyes of my mind, deepen my vision and illuminate my imagination, that I may behold the greatest treasure of all: Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Eternal Son of God.

That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practise their faith in full freedom.