Friday 5th March 2021

An Ingredient for a Joyful Life

Enthusiasm is one of life’s most important ingredients. The word ‘enthusiasm’ comes from the Greek word ‘entheos’ which means ‘God-filled’. Life really is joyful when we are enthusiastic about the right things. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read how the people had actually lost sight of God by getting caught up in their buying and selling. Jesus’ enthusiastic action was a protest that things had gone seriously wrong with how they were relating to God; something needed to change. St. Therese of Liseux in her life decided to do every single act with great joy, enthusiasm and kindness. Lent is also an opportunity for us all to renew our own relationship with God and to be filled with a new enthusiasm for life in all its fullness.

School Reopening to all Children from Monday 8th March (Updated)

We look forward to welcoming all our children back to school on Monday morning.  The school times will revert back to the approach used in the Autumn term as detailed in the letter sent out earlier this week.  The staggered approach will help with reducing congestion and the number of people on the school site. The children will also continue to be grouped according to their phase bubbles to mitigate risk and reduce contact with other year groups. Children are not required to wear face coverings as in line with Government guidance. Staff members and any visitors will wear face coverings in communal areas. The only changes to the guidance from the Autumn term is that pupil attendance is now mandatory. Also, breakfast and after school club sport provision is allowed to start in schools again.  For these sessions the children will be organised in their bubbles.  Children will also continue to be able to wear a tracksuit and PE kit on their allocated days each week to reduce any addtional items being brought into school. Physical activity and PE is such a crucial aspect in supporting the children's reintegration into school and in supporting their mental health and well-being. Thank you to all our members of staff, Local Governing Body and Directors for their continued hard-work and support for the children and families of St. Joseph's.  We hope and pray that there will be a positive progression in the reduction of measures so that we are all able to enjoy the Spring and Summer ahead with our families and friends.

Congratulations to Mrs Hickman

Mrs Hickman gave birth to two beautiful girls last weekend.  It is wonderful to share such good news in these difficult times.

Parents' Evening Booking Form

This term, our Parents' Evening sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 23rd March and Tuesday 30th March, both from 3.30pm until 5.30pm. There will be a five-minute time slot allocated to each parent. A booking form on the school website will be available from Monday 15th March. This will enable teachers to discuss the targets identiifed as part of the recovery programme in school, and also to inform how they have settled back into the daily life of the school. 

PE Days - Please ensure that your child wears a tracksuit and PE kit to school on the following days

Year Group Day 1 Day 2
Reception Wednesday Friday
Year 1 Thursday Friday
Year 2 Monday Thursday
Year 3 Tuesday Friday
Year 4 Tuesday Friday
Year 5 Monday Wednesday
Year 6 Monday Wednesday

Please note PE days for KS2 will change after 2 weeks - 

8th -19th March - Years 3 & 4 will be Tuesday & Friday

                          Years 5 & 6 will be Monday & Wednesday

22nd March - 1st April - Years 3 & 4 will be Monday & Friday

                                    Years 5 & 6 will be Tuesday & Wednesday

Breakfast and After School Sports Provision from Monday 8th March

Day Activity Year Group Time
Monday Multi-skills Years 1 to 3 8am-8.45am
Monday Football Years 1 and 2 3.15pm-4.15pm
Tuesday Gymnastics Years 3 to 6 8am-8.45am
Tuesday Irish Dancing Years 1 to 6 3.15pm-4.15pm
Wednesday Multi-skills Years 4 to 6 8am-8.45am
Thursday Gymnastics Years 1 and 2 8am-8.45am
Thursday Netball Years 5 and 6 start date to be confirmed
Friday Archery Years 1 to 6 8am-8.45am
Friday Football Years 3 and 4 3.15pm-4.45pm

INSET Days for 2021-22

The Local Governing Body and Directors have agreed the In-service Training Days for next academic year.  Children will not be required to attend schools on these days which are designated for staff professional development.  The Dudley term dates for next academic year are also available on the school website under the 'Key Information' tab.

Day 1               Thursday 2nd September 2021 

Day 2               Friday 3rd September 2021 

Day 3               Friday 8th October 2021 

Day 4               Friday 27th May 2022 

Day 5               Friday 24th June 2022 

Dudley MBC symptom-free testing information for parents

Parents and carers can also visit www.dudley.gov.uk/coronavirusparents for more information on both symptom and symptom-free testing and the other symptoms residents are now being encouraged to take a precautionary test if they display.

Accessing symptom-free tests

Parents and carers and anyone else living with a school age child or young person are among the priority groups being given access to free home lateral flow testing kits to test themselves.

Information on how to access these can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff

All are strongly encouraged to have a lateral flow test at a local testing site prior to starting home testing, to know how a test is undertaken. 

Twice weekly testing will help detect hidden asymptomatic cases and help keep pupils and staff safer in school.

Anyone unable to do home testing can go to one of the Dudley lateral flow testing centres. These are at Dudley Leisure Centre, Saltwells Education Centre, with pop-up sessions at Holy Trinity Church Community Centre in Wordsley, Lifecentral Church in Halesowen, St Andrews Church in Sedgley, St James Church in Wollaston and the Salvation Army Church in Lye.There is also testing at more than 30 pharmacies across the borough. For details on where you can get a lateral flow test and to book visit www.dudley.gov.uk/symptom-free-testing

DfE Guidance on supporting your children's remote education during the coronavirus (updated 15.02.21)

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)

Latest advice for parents on coronavirus from the DfE

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

Covid Family Support Information (Updated)

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.

Black Country Health Care 24-7 Support Line for adults and young people

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have just launched a 24-7 support line for adults, older adults, children and young people who require urgent mental health support during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please don't suffer in silence.  If you are experiencing increased distress or anxiety during these uncertain times, then pick up the phone and speak to one of the specialist mental health professionals who will be able to support you.  Further details and contact information can be found on the flyer within the Covid 19 tab on the school website.  

Prayer of the Week - Reopening of the School

Loving God,

 

We asked for strength, and you gave us difficulties to make us strong.

We asked for wisdom, and you gave us problems to solve.

We asked for prosperity, and you gave us purpose and brains to use.

We asked for courage, and you gave us fears to overcome.

We asked for patience, and you gave us situations where we were forced to wait.

We asked for love, and you gave us troubled people to help.

We asked for justice, and you called us to be just and lead with integrity.

Lord, we have received nothing that we asked for or wanted.

And yet, we receive everything that we needed.

For this we give thanks.

Amen

 

The Year of St Joseph

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.

Virtues Focus - Attentive and Discerning

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.

Pope's Intention for March

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.

 

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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