Friday 21st May 2021

Congratulations to the children of Year 3 who received the Sacrament of First Confession on Thursday evening.  Thank you to Fr. Philip, Mrs McCole, Miss Robertson and all other staff members and parents who have supported the children in preparing for the first of two sacraments that they will receive this term.

This coming Sunday the Church celebrates Pentecost. This is the feast of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. In this Sunday's Gospel, the risen Jesus offers his disciples the Holy Spirit and inner peace. True peace (the removal of all anxiety, worry and envy) comes only from God. God's peace is not dependent on peaceful conditions: we can experience it even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. St Margaret Mary Alacoque reminds us, "Peace of heart is more valuable than any treasure." Even if you may sometimes doubt, or feel distant from God, be assured that God is very close to you and wanting you to be filled with his peace.

Two thousand years later, we are called to be evangelisers for Christ, in speading the Good News through our words and actions each day.  May we share the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit to everyone we meet.

Thank you to the members of the PTA and School Staff who supported the restoration of the outside area on the school grounds last Saturday including the large area and pond adjacent to the KS1 playground. Saturday 12th June has been scheduled as the next day to complete further work on the outdoor environment.  If you are willing to help then please contact the school office. Thank you also to the parents who sold the tomato plants this morning before school - all funds raised will go back into school to support every child. 

The children can wear their own clothes on Thursday 27th May.

£1 donation to the PTA.

We are looking for someone to join our hardworking Cleaning Team.

The working hours are 2.45pm to 5.45pm Monday to Friday.

If you or anyone you know are interested please contact the school office on 01384 431980 or email info@st-jo-st.dudley.sch.uk for more details and an application form.

Closing date for applications is Friday 28th May 2021.

Our next scheduled INSET day will take place on Friday 28th May.  Children will not be in school on this day.  Summer term 2 will start for all children on Monday 7th June. The final INSET of this academic year will take place on Wednesday 21st July.  The INSET days for 2021-22 are also available on the school website. 

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

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen for Good Work or displaying the virtues of compassion and loving this week.  The children with have some time with Mr Carry and Ted next week as a thank you for their hard work.

The winning house this week is St. Luke's.

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

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 our special time together. Please help us to know
your perfect peace, and to share that peace with those around us. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: compassionate towards others, near
and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.

The World of Finance
Let us pray that those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.