Friday 13th September 2019

Many thanks to our children and their families who supported last week's Education Sunday Mass which marked the beginning of our school year and a commitment to the new year ahead.  This coming Sunday reminds us of the tremendous care that Jesus has for each one of us.  The images of seeking, finding and rejoicing act as symbols of God's care and unconditional love - the care we often experience through the actions of the people around us.  A caring heart is a happy heart.  We are all part of God's family and when we show care for others we are showing care for God too. 

Adrian Chiles, BBC 5 Live Sports Presenter and columnist in The Guradian joined us for our first School Mass of the year on Wednesday.  In Thursday's Guardin he mentioned Fr. Des and referenced a Catholic School in Stourbridge.  He reported: "The kids, teachers and parents plainly love him...All I'm saying is, let's not forget the (many) good people of the cloth." He also added that: "you would need a heart of stone not to be moved by hundreds of kids shaking hands and squeaking 'Peace be with you' to each other." We are blessed to have Fr. Des as the Parish priest of Our Lady and All Saints but also to have such caring children at St. Joseph's School.

On Thursday, chidren from St. Matthew's house can wear purple to celebrate their Saint's feast day.

Congratulations to all our pupils who have been chosen by their peers to be our representatives for St. Joseph's for 2019-20.  As well as the key roles below, ten Prefects have been awarded to children in Year 6, six other Liturgy Leaders from Years 3 to 5, twelve Play Leaders (School Games Crew) from Year 6 and ten School Council Representatives from Years 1 to 5.  Thank you to all children who took the time to prepare and have a go at standing for one of the key positions in the school.   

A reminder that on Friday next week, we will be celebrating Roald Dahl Day.  Children can come into school wearing a costume of a character from one of Roald Dahl's books or can wear yellow clothing as this was Roald Dahl's favourite colour.  The £1 donation for each child will support Macmillan Cancer.  Children in Years 3 and 4 are asked not to wear any face paint as they will be swimming during the morning.

If you need to pass on a message to your child's class teacher, please see the member of staff on duty at the designated entrance in the morning from 8.45am.  If you would like to book an appointment with your child's class teacher, then please speak with a member of staff in the school office.  Thank you.

This September, to help support Get Set to Eat Fresh and its aims, Aldi's Kit for Schools promotion is giving twenty primary schools the chance to win £20,000 to kick-start a health legacy for their school.  Every school who enters by completing their Aldi's Kit for Schools poster (300 stickers) will also receive an exclusive school sports kit! Until 3rd November, we will be collecting the Team GB stickers which are given when you shop in store at Aldi. Please send them to the school office. Thank you for your continued support.

The Book Fair is coming ! Friday 20th September until Wednesday 25th September 3.15pm-3.45pm in the school hall. Please support this event as every book bought earns free books for our school.

Please join us on Friday 27th September for our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning 9.40am-10.40am in the school hall. Every penny we raise means Macmillan can help more people with cancer live life as fully as they can.

On 20 May Dudley SEND services took part in a week long Area Inspection, conducted by a joint OFSTED and CQC team. DMBC issued the following statement in response to the post inspection report released on the 16th July. 

"Dudley MBC knows that every child or young person deserves the very best, but they also recognise that they do not yet deliver this on a consistent basis in Dudley. The inspectors have found a number of areas of significant weakness. But they have also identified some areas of strong practice". 

Join us at this event to: Hear feedback from the inspection and take part in the SEND panel question time with senior decision makers including Martin Samuels - DMBC Strategic Director of People, Neil Hoskinson DMBC Head of Educational Outcomes & SEND Lead, Santokh Dulai DMBC Head of Dudley Disability Service, Neil Bucktin Dudley CCG Director of Commissioning, DR Tim Horsburgh Dudley CCG DMO and Clinincal Lead for Childrens Services.

See some incredible young people living with long term conditions and disabilities tell their stories.  Listen to the National Network of Parent Carer Forum describe their nationally agreed co-productio approach.  Get excited about the launch of 'Care and Share' - a platform built by parent carers for parent carers.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/it-starts-with-medudley-post-send-inspection-parent-information-sessiontickets-66170312185?err=29 to book you place at this event

Children in St. Joseph's School are growing to be: grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and care.  Please help us to care for creation and to do your work in the world with a loving and caring heart.  Amen.

That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world's seas and oceans.