Friday 18th June 2021

For the next two consecutive weekends, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of First Holy Communion with both Years 3 and 4. A huge amount of preparation has been undertaken by school staff, Fr. Philip and the team of volunteers at OLAS in order to prepare for this special occasion in the children's continued spiritual journey.  We thank them all for their commitment and hard work in what has been difficult to organise under the current restrictions in place.  The children have been well-prepared by the teachers and school staff in readiness to receive this beautiful and most holy sacrament. It will be a wonderful, reverent family occasion showing the school, parish and parents working together in partnership.

Mrs Chamberlain, our photographer, will be in school on the morning of Monday 21st June for Year 4 and Monday 28th June for Year 3, so that the children can come into school dressed in their First Holy Communion attire for individual and whole class photographs.  The children in these two classes will need to bring in their PE kit into school to get changed into afterwards as they have cricket with Mr Jones on a Monday afternoon.

Please pray for these children and their families over the coming two weekends.

It is a message of mixed emotions to inform you that Mrs Mahoney will be leaving St. Joseph's at the end of the school year to take on a new challenge in her life.  Whereas, we welcome Mr Tipper, who has been supporting the school in Mrs Hickman's absence, who will join our school team on a permanent basis.  Mrs Mahoney joined St. Joseph's back in September 2008 as an NQT and has taught many children during her time at the school from Reception, Year 1 and more recently in Year 4.  We thank Mrs Mahoney for all that he has given to the school and wish her every success in the future.  

A further update on where our staff will be teaching from September 2021 will be announced shortly so that information about next year can be shared with parents as part of our transition week.

Next week is National School Sport Week, where will will celebrate the benefits which physical, activity, physical education and school sport can bring to children and young people. We are planning a fun-filled week which will be delivered through a thematic approach each day, as follows:  Monday - Joyful Day, Tuesday - Team Building Day, Wednesday - Creative Day, Thursday - New Game Day and on Friday - Captain Sir Tom Moore Challenge Day. Due to the latest Covid restrictions and 'systems of controls', the children will take part in a Covid-safe Sports Day in their own class bubble. This will take place during the course of the week during one of their designated PE days. The children will still compete in their 'houses' and an overall winner will be announced at the end of the week. Unfortunately, due to the delay in the easing of Covid restirctions the Year 5 MAC Sports Day has been postponed, since Local Authorities are advising schools not to allow children to attend any face-to-face transition sessions. The plan will be for this event to take place in the Autumn term as part of their transition programme in Year 6. However, Mr Bennett, our multi-skills coach, will also be organisng a range of challenge activites on Friday morning to finish our sport-focused week.

For National School Sport Week, the children will need to come to school dressed in their PE kits on the following days.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Congratulations to the following children who have been chosen for good work and showing the Catholic virtues (Faith-filled and Hopeful) this week.  They will have 'Time with Ted' to celebrate their continued effort and hard work. Well done also to St. Matthew's house for gaining the highest number of house points this week.

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

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.

Lord Jesus, by this Holy Communion you have come to your home.  I want to say thank you with all my heart for making your home in me. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Faith-filled in their beliefs and
hopeful for the future.

The beauty of marriage
Let us pray for young people who are preparin for marriage with the support of a Christian community: may they grow in love, with generosity, faithfulness and patience.