Tuesday 23rd January marks the anniversary of the capture of our MAC patron saint. Nicholas Owen was born in Oxford, in the 1550s, and was apprenticed to his father as a carpenter. From 1586 he worked with Fr. Henry Garnet, the Jesuit Provincial, and travelled throughout England constructing hiding places in country houses. He worked with marvellous skill, often at night and alone in order to keep the secret of the hides, and he frequently had to excavate brick and stone walls with his own hands. When planning a hiding place, he always started by receiving Holy Communion and he would pray continuously during his work. Nicholas Owen is the craftsman responsible for the fine set of hides at Harvington Hall and Coughton Court in Worcestershire.

Nicholas Owen became a Jesuit lay-brother in about 1600. He was eventually captured at Hindlip House, near Worcester, on 23 January 1606 and was taken to the Tower of London, where he was racked so brutally that he died under torture on 2 March 1606, but he was always faithful to the Church and never revealed the secret locations of his hides. Who knows...maybe there are some still hidden, waiting to be discovered, in some country homes around the country! He was declared a Saint on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

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.

Children and families are invited to the Arts Centre to find out about learning a musical instrument. We hope that you will encourage children who have expressed an interest to come along and try a range of instruments/meet teachers. This is an excellent opportunity for schools with whole class programmes to provide an opportunity for students to think about learning next year.

Mr Gibbons, one of our parents here at school, will be running for Macmillan Cancer at the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April 2018. In order to help him raise as much money as possible, we have agreed to hold an event here at St. Joseph's School on Saturday 10th February 2018 from 10am until 12noon. This will include a table top sale of children's toys, games and books as well as a coffee morning. All proceeds from this event will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. Further details about this event will be provided through a flyer which your child will receive in their school bag shortly. We will be collecting donations of any unwanted children's books, games or toys from this Monday 5th February which can be brought to school via the main office. Nearer the time we would also appreciate any donations of cakes to help with the coffee morning too. Thank you for your continued support for our brothers and sisters in need.

The first round of the Stourbridge Learning Partnership Cross Country Competition will take place on the playing field beside the school on Tuesday 6th February. We are looking for volunteers to help marshal at this event. If you are able to help please contact the school office. Thank you.

The school has been given a free trial to use the Home Access function of Education City. This will allow teachers to set modules for children to complete in maths, English or science as part of their homework. Progress and targets can then be identified and further support provided back in school. The children already know how to navigate around this program as it is used regularly in school. You have already received a letter from the school regarding your child's log-in information but if you require another copy then please let the school office know. Your feedback on this resource is welcome.

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.

The next PTA meeting is Monday 22nd January 7.30pm at The Wagon and Horses Pub, Worcester Street, Stourbridge. All welcome please come along.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for our school and parish communities. Please help me say 'yes' to you, and enrich the communities to which I belong. Amen.

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