Friday 22nd June 2018

This coming Monday is the start of National School Sport Week. We will be marking this themed week through a number of different activities at school. On Wednesday, children from Years 1 to 6 will take part in a Healthy Active Lifestyle Day which will be led by Mr Welch from RB Gym and Sport. On Wednesday after school there will be a girls' football match at Gigmill School and our programme of lunchtime and after school clubs will continue (with the exception of Thursday). Our main event of the week will be the School Games Day on Thursday - Sports Day. Children are allowed to come into school wearing their 'House' colour on this day - this can be their t-shirt or shorts. If you are unsure about which house your child belongs to please liaise with your child's class teacher or the school office. The Reception event will start at 9.15am, then Key Stage 1 at 10.40am and finally the Key Stage 2 event will begin at 1.30pm. Please ensure that you apply sun cream to your child in the morning and to bring a water bottle and a sun hat/cap. The weather forecast is scheduled to be very hot. With this in mind, it is unlikely that Reception and KS1 will be outdoors in the afternoon. The school catering staff will be selling drinks and snacks to parents which will be served outside. Also for safeguarding reasons, any adults will have to be accompanied if they need to use the toilet as there will be children in school at the different times during the day. At lunchtime there will also be a designated area for children whose parents are unable to come along to make it easier for our staff to monitor. If you have any further questions please contact the school office.

Thank you to the parents, catechists, school staff and parishioners who have helped to support the Year 3 children throughout the year to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Saturday's Mass was a very joyful occasion and was well attended by family members and friends of the children from both the school and parish. Thank you also to Fr. Des who supported the parents through the evening preparation sessions too.

With the expected weather forecast next week it is imperative that children are protected from high temperatures both outdoors and indoors. Children's susceptibility to high temperatures varies: those who are under four years of age, who are overweight or who are taking certain medication may be at increased risk of adverse effects. Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill-health from heat. For further information on the actions to protect children suffering from heat illness please visit the Public Health England website - Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves.

Miss Robertson, our Humanities Coordinator, has been working with Mrs Copeland and Mr Bowden from B & C Educational to review the School's Geography and History curriculum. This will include a trial of new teaching and learning resources to enhance the children's knowledge of the school, locality and the world around them. For further information about these resources please visit the following website: www.primary-school-resources.com

CALLING ALL PARENTS - We need your help. Our Summer Fayre is fast approaching and we have stalls that still need covering. Dad's, we need help setting up from 9am. If anyone can spare half hour to cover a stall , please contact your Class Rep. To make this year's Summer Fayre a success we need everyone to pull together. All proceeds raised go to enriching your children's school experience. Thank you for your support.

There are some big family events taking place during June & July for Under 5's and also for the whole family to enjoy, so I have outlined some of these below for you to view:

Under 5's Events:

•Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 June - Under 5's Day Picnic Party At Dudley Zoo: http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/events/whats-on-at-dzg/under-5s-day/

•Friday 29 June - Himley Under 5's Fun Day: http://www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk/under5s

•Wednesday 11 July - Baby Festival Under 5's Day at Baggeridge: http://www.lovefromsedgley.co.uk/who-s-who/event/baby-festival-under-5s-day-2018

Events for the Whole Family

•Sunday 1 July - Armed Forces Day at Himley: http://www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk/armedforcesday

•Saturday 23 June - Saturday 29 July - The Black Country Festival 2018 Events: http://www.black-country-festival.co.uk/whats-on

All other events can be found on our website, if you click on the 'Events - what's on' section, the information will be on there. Any further activities and events we hear throughout the year will be uploaded onto our directory, so it's always worth checking this out on a regular basis.

http://fis.dudley.gov.uk/fsd/

To celebrate England's match against Panama on Sunday 24th June, we are having a football themed lunch on Monday (see below for menu). Cost of school lunches is £2.30 for children in KS2; children in Reception and KS1 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals.

Letters have been sent home this week for you to pre-order a packed lunch for your child/ren on Sports Day if you wish to. Please return orders by Monday 25th June. There will be no hot meals available that day too. You can order either a Ham, Cheese or Tuna Grab Bag which will include a drink, cookie/cake and crisps. Bacon sandwiches will be available, please indicate on the lunch order slip. Tea & Coffee will be available to purchase at break time. Strawberries and ice cream will be available to purchase at lunch time. The school kitchen staff will bring these snacks and refreshments onto the KS2 playground.

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

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You. (said three times).

Universal: Social Networks. That social networks may work towards that inclusiveness which respects others for their differences.