Thursday 1st April 2021

As we approach the end of another extraordinary term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, volunteers (school governors), parents and carers for their continued support in what has been a challenging start to 2021. With the cautious easing of lockdown restrictions earlier this week, and the start of the season of Spring, it gives us hope for the future term and year ahead. We pray for the many people who have unfortunately died due to Covid-19, but also thank God for the way our global community has worked collaboratively to create the vaccines which many of us have been fortuante to receive or will do so in the coming months. Have a wonderful, happy and Holy Easter break. We look forward to seeing all our children back in school again on Monday 19th April as we begin a new term together as a school community. Take care and God bless.

This week is Holy Week and this coming Sunday is Easter Sunday. This is the day when the Church throughout the world especially remembers and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus - his rising in glory. All are warmly invited to come and join with the Church community this Sunday and celebrate the hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings to our lives. Further details on how you can book to attend a service/Mass at Our Lady and All Saints Church over the Easter period are outlined below.

In line with current legislation, attendance numbers are to be strictly adhered to, so the services below can only be attended on a pre-booking basis.  You are able to book one of the Good Friday Services, and one of the three Easter Masses.  The booking number is 07377 893208 which will be open from Monday 22nd March to Friday 2nd April between the hours of 2pm to 6pm. Please note that if you have not booked for any of the services, please do not attend as entry will only be allowed on this pre-booking basis. Any other services during Holy Week will be on a first come basis. 

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the school has successfully appointed a new teacher to work in Year 5 from the start of the Summer term while Mrs Hickman continues her period of maternity leave. We welcome Mr Tipper to our school community.  Mrs McCole will also continue to teach in Year 5 once a week.

The weekly Wednesday Word is available via the following link:  The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church

Please check through the updated PE days for Summer term 1 in the table below.  We will still continue to allow children to wear their PE kit to school on these days, however, it must be as follows: School jumper/cardigan over the school PE kit with either plain blue or grey tracksuit bottoms.  Can you also ensure that your child brings a coat to school on a daily basis as the weather can be so changeable at this time of year.

Thank you to Mrs Riley for creating the Spring/Easter book recommendations for children from Reception to Year 6.  These can be found on the school website Our Community' tab 'Children's Area'  Easter Reading Recommendation.

Thank you to all the children who have supported our PTA fundraiser during the season of Lent.  A raffle took place in each class as well as a draw for the whole school.  Congratulations to Leonardo (3rd), Amelia R (2nd) and Oscar T (1st) who won the whole school raffle prizes. Our thanks also go out to our PTA members for their continued support to the children of St. Joseph's.

This past year has been one of the most difficult years in education, and more than ever, the country needs passionate and committed teachers to help our children make up for the many hours of lost learning time as a result of the pandemic. If you or someone you know is interested in teaching and already has a degree, then Our Lady and St. Hubert's 'Schools Direct' programme may be of interest. School Direct is a route into Initial Teacher Training, that places the school-based programme at the heart of the experience. This means that the course is based in school for the majority of the time. Training will take place in an environment that has an established reputation for excellence in teaching. For more information in our School Direct programme, visit the school's website here.

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

The Department for Education coronavirus (COVID-19) helpline will be open every day over the Easter holidays to answer any questions you have about coronavirus (COVID-19) relating to education settings and children’s social care. Over the bank holiday weekend (Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April), lines will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Our usual opening hours will resume on Tuesday 6 April. 

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.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for this Sunday’s wonderful celebration of your resurrection.
Please bless my family with new life throughout the great Season of Easter. Amen.

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.

Fundamental Rights
We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.