Friday 3rd April 2020

This has been a very challenging fortnight for everyone. The momentum and acceleration in changes as a result of Covid 19 has meant we have had to change the way we both work and live. However, one aspect which has been consistent during this time of uncertainty is the unity across all schools within our Academy Company. It has been very strange to only have a small number of pupils in school each day but we appreciate that the parents of these children are working to support those in need.  Please ensure that you check your phone for messages and the school website (under the Covid 19 tab) to keep up-to-date with any news.  The school will remain open on specific days during the Easter holidays for critical key workers children and I thank staff for their willingness to come in and support so that the school is able to remain open. This will be for us a very different way for us to celebrate Easter in being unable to attend services and Masses. However, I do encourage our children and their famiies to watch the live streaming which is available through the Our Lady and All Saints parish website. Details of live streaming across the Diocese are detailed below. Take care and God bless.

This Sunday we begin the final part of our Lenten journey - Holy Week. As we approach Easter, we have truly something excellent and praiseworthy to share.  The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ runs right through the Bible story and holds it all together.  Its message of hope stretches to eternity.  In this difficult time as a community, we can hold onto this message that Jesus will be there for us and he is present through and the acts of kindness we show to one another.

As a school community we have encountered a new way of living and working over the last fortnight and this looks to last for the foreseeable future too. As a provider of education for your child, we have prepared opportunities for home learning which have focused on consolidating the areas taught this term.  The paramount concern during this phase has been the welfare of our children and staff.  As we begin to settle into a rhythm of working in this manner, we enter an adjustment phase to look at how learning and care will look for our children both at home and at school.  From Monday 20th April, a weekly core subject summary sheet will provide your child with learning activities including those available online.  Coinciding with this, your child will be provided with a 'challenge' sheet which will cover foundation subjects for the half term period.  The children will select a minimum of four activities including one of the most challenging activities on the sheet to complete.  There will be an emphasis on consolidation and reinforcement of previous learning to help the children with long term memory.  New concepts will be introduced but these will be extended over a longer period so that misconceptions and gaps are minimised.  Teachers may also provide accompanying materials to support any new learning i.e. a PowerPoint to share with your child.  We are also conscious of children who have SEND and that their needs are met too.  Your child's class teacher may contact you if your child may need additional support. The key to this programme and way of learning is collaboration - so that we can work together in partnership to ensure that our children are able to succeed and continue to learn.  If you have any queries or concerns please contact the school office or via email at info@st-jo-st.dudley.sch.uk.

I am delighted to be able to tell you that Dan and Emily from One Life Music have kindly recorded a liturgy for schools and home. This will be a weekly event from now on (hence the title Weekly Worship and Song). This week you will be able to access it through the link below which will be available shortly. We hope that in future weeks we will also be able to put it directly on to the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service website. It is such a wonderful way to bring us together as a community of prayer and I am sure that we will all be strengthened by it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL-kS4ZP6hs&feature=youtu.be

At the Birmingham Diocesan Education webiste there is a webpage containing links to Prayer and Learning Resources for both home and school. This includes the CAFOD Virtual Sunday Children’s Liturgy and a child’s prayer for Spiritual Communion. More resources will be added as they become available. https://www.bdes.org.uk/des-support-for-schools-through-the-coronavirus-outbreak.html

The Birmingham Archdiocese have gathered together some of the parishes across the Diocese which live stream their Masses, so you can still access a Mass even if not in person.  https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/parishes-online

Dear Lord Jesus, as Holy Week approaches, we thank you for giving your life for us, so that one day we too may know the joys of heaven.  Amen.

Pupils at St. Joseph's are growing to be: faithf-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future.

Freedom from Addiction: We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied.