Friday 12th February 2021

On behalf of all our School Staff and Governors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our parents and carers for their continued support and understanding during this period of extended closure once again. The Government is planning for schools to open from Monday 8th March, however, we do not know which years groups this will apply to until a further announcement is made on Monday 22nd February.  For the initial two weeks after half term, the remote learning provision following a blended approach of recorded videos and independent activities will continue.  In addition, we are also planning to hold a weekly live session for the children at home to meet with their teacher. We apologise for not being able to start this before half term due to technical issues in migrating over to our new IT provider. The School is also planning a recovery curriculum programme to support all children upon their return to school to address any gaps in their learning, support their emotional health and well-being, and prepare them for their next stage in their education and faith journey.  Have a well-deserved half term break and we look forward to gathering together as a school community in the very near future.  Take care and God bless.

In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear about Jesus' compassion in healing a man with leprosy. To be compassionate is to share someone's suffering - to feel sorrow for their situation and to do something about it. Compassion is an attractive quality. Our own example in daily life can help our children become more compassionate. Today, we can experience Jesus' compassion through our actions and words to others, but also through prayer.  

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and also the beginning of the season of Lent. Pope Francis in his new book 'Let Us Dream', explores faith in the light of the global pandemic. Through this, we are reminded that we are all brothers and sisters, created in the image and likeness of God. The pandemic has shed light on how we cope in times of trial and crisis.  It has presented us with the opportunity to examine our lives, re-evaluate our priorities, purposes and goals.  Self-examination and reflection is never easy.  So, let this season of Lent be a time to dream. But dreams mean changing and conversion. They point towards cleansing, purification and the love of God poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  For it is in prayer that we encounter the overflowing of God's love.  Only this gives us the grace to reach out to our brothers and sisters, especially those on the margins, the very edges. We see reality clearly when we think especially of those needing support of food banks, counselling and support. Let us raise our voice on behalf of the poor and suffering of the world.  May we consider our personal Lenten journey, our commitment and perseverance to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, to support our fellow brothers and sisters in need.

The Governors have unanimously agreed for a Mentor Dog to be introduced into our school community. This will be Mr Carry's new dog, named Ted, who will undergo training to be an accredited mentor dog in school, through The Dog Mentor programme. Ted is an F1 Cockapoo who is hypoallergenic and has a very kind-nature. A mentor dog will provide our children (staff and parents) with the benefits of the human-animal bond, in providing positive experiences with dogs that will help them educationally, developmentally, emotionally and socially. Moving forwards, the plan will be to conduct a pre-assessment visit with the qualified trainer who will assess the dog and the members of staff (Mr Carry and Mrs Hounsell) who will be working with the dog in school. Further school-based and online training will be undertaken to support the school in maximising the Power of the Dog Mentor programme. The aim will be to introduce Ted to school from the week commencing Monday 22nd February in preparation for the reopening of school.  If you have any questions or queries then please direct these to the School Info email account by Wednesday 17th February. Thank you for your continued support in what will be a positive way to help our school community move forwards following a challenging start to 2021.

This week the children have been learning more about online safety as part of the Global Safer Internet Day earlier in the week.  The theme, 'Together for a Better Internet', calls upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. For further information and resources to share with your child/ren, please click on the following link: Home - Safer Internet Day

Information and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home. Supporting your children's remote education during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Click on the following link to the NHS website for information on what to do if you or your child/ren show the main symptoms of Coronavirus. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms

We have all experienced challenges and difficulties during this pandemic, but sometimes we may need support from someone else or know of someone who may need additional help.  Dudley MBC have created a 'Support for Families' leaflet which signposts local services to parents. We have also included an updated list of support for parents via a range of local and national agencies.  These documents can be found within the Covid 19 tab on the school website landing page.

8am – 6pm Booking Link

https://rbsportsactivities.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=3344&t=2021-02-15

9.30am – 3.30pm Booking Link

https://rbsportsactivities.kidsclubhq.co.uk/rdr?u=book&id=3343&t=2021-02-15

God, Our Father, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus your Son nurtured the disciples with the Word of Scripture and nourished their faith with the Breaking of Bread. On our journey of life, renew our communities, restore our hope, and inspire our enthusiasm for learning. Increase our commitment to education, with compassion in our hearts and dedication to the Gospel. As disciples and friends of Jesus, empower us with the courage to lead and the humility to serve Your people. Amen.

Pope Francis has proclaimed this year ‘The Year of Joseph’ (8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021)

‘Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.’ Pope Francis (8th December 2020)

Celebrating the life of St Joseph, and calling on him for help, is particularly relevant in this time of universal turmoil when so many are having difficulty finding employment, when we are becoming more aware of how much we owe to so many ordinary, hardworking people, and when our human frailty and mortality are so much in our minds and in the news.

Through the Year of St Joseph, the Church is reminding us that we have a powerful ally in Heaven who, having lived and worked so long in the shadows like so many unsung heroes, is working tirelessly for us and with us in the here and now.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others.

Violence Against Women
We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.