Friday 7th May 2021

The Power of Love

God is love and all love comes from God. When we invite Jesus, as a loving friend, into our family life then love grows and life becomes more joyful. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus entrusts his friends, the disciples, with his message of unconditional love, and asks them to carry it to the whole world - not just in their words but also in their actions. Love is life’s greatest blessing and Jesus’ message is for us too. By loving as Jesus loves, we too become his friends and we experience the harmony and peace
which comes from following his command – to love.

In May, we pray with Pope Francis for those responsible for financial services, that they may work together with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.

As this is the month of Mary, why not set aside some space in your home to create a mini shrine to Our Lady? Decorate with flowers and use it as a focal point to ask Mary our Mother to pray for us. 

Mental Health Awareness Week

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, this year's Mental Health Awareness Week will take place between 10th and 16th May 2021.  The theme for this year is 'Nature'.  Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature. And it is only since a 1960s study in the US found that patients who were treated in hospitals with a view of nature recovered faster, that science has started to unpack the extraordinary health benefits. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, we will pull together the evidence that demonstrates the powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. We will look at nature’s unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. It turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts. We will show that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress.  

Nature is our great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future.

Despite this, many of us are not accessing or benefitting from nature. Teenagers in particular appear to be less connected with nature and around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden. We want to challenge the disparities in who is and who isn’t able to experience nature. Nature is not a luxury. It is a resource that must be available for everyone to enjoy - as basic as having access to clean water or a safe roof over our heads. Local and national governments need to consider their role in making this a reality for everyone, and we will be talking about how they can do so during the week. 

We have two clear aims. Firstly, to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this connection can have for their mental health. Secondly, to convince decision makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one.

2021 is going be a huge year for nature: a new Environment Bill will go through the UK Parliament which will shape the natural world for generations to come; the UK will host the G7 nations where creating a greener future will be a key priority and a historic international UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be hosted in Glasgow in November.

There could not be a more important time to understand the links between nature and mental health.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we are asking you to do three things: 

  • Experience nature: take time to recognise and grow your connection with nature during the week. Take a moment to notice and celebrate nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you notice!
  • Share nature: Take a photo, video or sound recording and share the connections you’ve made during the week, to inspire others. Join the discussion on how you’re connecting with nature by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
  • Talk about nature: use our tips, school packs, research and policy guides to discuss in your family, school, workplace and community how you can help encourage people to find new ways to connect with nature in your local environment.

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 

Wednesday Word Link

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

Good Work and Special Mention

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 this week.

Class Good Work Virtues
Reception Annie Heidi
Year 1 Isla L James
Year 2 Harry Freddie
Year 3 Annie Murray
Year 4 Leila Jarvis
Year 5 Jacob Kamran
Year 6 Harry G Seth

PE Kit on PE Days

A reminder to ensure that your child/ren wear the following kit on their dedicated PE days: school jumper/cardigan over the school PE kit with either plain blue or grey tracksuit bottoms.  

Year Group Day 1 Day 2
Reception Wednesday Friday
Year 1 Thursday Friday
Year 2 Monday Thursday
Year 3 Tuesday Friday
Year 4 Tuesday Friday
Year 5 Monday Wednesday
Year 6 Monday Wednesday

Job Vacancy - School Cleaner

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 14th May 2021.

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 - Prayer for our global neighbours

Dear God,

Speak to our hearts and help us to see that we are one big family.

Old or young, short or tall, wherever we live, you made us all.

Help us to share, however hard it seems, to make our world fair,

And live out our dreams.

Amen.

Virtues Focus - Compassionate and Loving

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.

Pope's Intention for May

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.

 

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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