Friday 16th July 2021

Goodbye and Happy Holidays

As we draw to the end of another school year, I would like to sincerely thank all staff, volunteers (including our governors), parents and family members for their continued support, commitment and dedication to the children and young people of our school.  There have been many challenges once again due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, yet through it all the children have shown resilience and have worked so hard with their teachers and other staff to make good progress and catch-up on missed learning.  I am so proud of each and everyone of them. The Government's decision to relax the easing of restrictions will allow St. Joseph's and other education settings to bring back some form of normality so that the children can share moments together as a school community once again.  A final letter will be circulated on Monday outlining the proposed arrangements for September.  I wish all our staff, children and their families a very well-deserved summer break and look forward to begin our journey together again in September.  God bless and enjoy the Summer holidays.

Sunday's Gospel Message (Wednesday Word)

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ friends, the apostles, returned after working hard. Hard work, and sometimes stress, can often be part of our lives so we all need a holiday at some time - to rest and refresh ourselves. Jesus knows that work is essential but, in this Sunday’s Gospel, he reminds us how important it is to take time out too. Our homes are ‘holy places’ and simply spending some quiet time at home with God throughout the holidays can help us to become happy, holy and truly rested. The word holiday comes from Holy-day. Consider how you could make these summer holidays into holy-days too.

Praise Assembly

Year Group Gospel Virtues Good Work
Reception Georgina Whole class
Year 1 Angelina Grace
Year 2 Elissar Flo and Freddie
Year 3 Clemency Lois
Year 4 Amelia Iris
Year 5 Isla Isabelle and Oskar
Year 6 Whole class Whole class

There is a summer holiday booklet for the Wednesday Word which you can share with your child each week. Please click on the following link to access this resource:The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church

Rainbow Hour Summer Booklet for Children

Last year, we introduced the 'Black Country Rainbow Hour Campaign' to provide all children and young people with access to one hour of well-being and physical activity each day.  The Summer edition booklet provides a range of well-being and physical activities which you can use during the summer holidays with your child.  This is available via the 'Our Community' tab and then by selecting the 'Children's Area' on the school website.  Next academic year, we will be introducing the 'Rainbow Warriors' Eco-activist project to enable our children and young people to shape and impact on the well-being and physical activity opportunities for all members of our school community. Further details to follow during the Autumn term.

Walk Once a Week Programme

Thank you for continuing to support the Living Streets 'Walk Once a Week' programme.  This is a great opportunity for children and their families to walk, scoot, cycle or park and stride to school at least once a week.  The children are awarded a badge at the end of each month for completing the challenge.  Out of 61 schools across the West Midlands, St. Joseph's was ranked 15 in terms of the number of journeys recorded to school.  We will continue this programme in 2021-22 and encourage all our children to start the day is an active way.  This will help them to prepare for their learning and also enable them to contribute to the Chief Medical Officer's recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day

Tennis Summer Camps

Wednesday Word Link

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 - End of Year Prayer

Lord God, You have blessed us in our relationship with you and with our friends. Our school has shared many things this past year. We were linked by common tasks and time together.  In few days we say good bye and end our school year. This is a time of praise and a time of thanks. Lord, bless our children, teachers and staff, especially those we will not see again next term. Keep each of us in your care both during the coming summer and throughout our lives. Guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, until we gather once again in your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Virtues Focus - Faith-filled and Hopeful

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

Pope's Intention for July

Universal intention -Social Friendship

We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.

 

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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