Our Emmaus and Diocese Vision

Forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice

Dear Parents

I hope that you are all well. It has been very busy week in school. I can’t quite believe that we’re already approaching half term! Below I have included some brief updates for you. Could I also thank parents who responded to the parent survey prior to Christmas. I was delighted with the responses and will shortly send out a summary as well as a ‘you said, we did’ document.

I am thrilled to be able to make you aware that 100% of the parents who responded said their child is happy at our school and would recommended our school to another parent. Thank you, as ever, for you’re support. We’re so proud of our school, children and community.

Kind Hearts
Young Voices 2026!

We could not be more proud of our Key Stage 2 choir who sang their hearts out on Tuesday at the BP Pulse Live Arena at the NEC! A pop medley, songs from Wicked and a Sea Shanty mix thrilled the audience. What a great experience for our children and it was great for St Joseph’s to be represented at Young Voices. We were also delighted to have the honour of front row seats (the organisers must have heard about how amazing our choir are!). Thank you to Mrs Cangiano for preparing and organising this experience and to Mrs Hickman, Miss Carr, Mrs Chater and Mrs Hounsell for supporting he children – as well as all of the parents and families who came to support. What a night!

Questioning minds – Term Dates

The 2026-27 term dates are in the process of being finalised and I should be able to confirm them along with the planned Inset days very shortly.

Kind Hearts, Questioning minds – Communication

Could I please politely remind parents to regularly look at their in-app messages on the Arbor App for updates that we send out. Parents will be notified on a Friday afternoon if their child is to receive a certificate during the following Friday’s ‘Gifts from God’ assembly on a Friday afternoon. You will also find information around any payments on the Arbor app too. Please do turn notifications ‘on’ so that you do not miss out on anything. Thank you for your support.

Kind Hearts, A hunger for Justice

From time to time, there may be occasions that emerge when you need our support. Never hesitate to get in touch should you need our support. I am the DSL in school and Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Riley are the DDSLs. Mrs Mitchell is also our SENCo and Mental Health Leader. School safeguarding information and our Early Help offer can be found at this link on the school website St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Stourbridge - Safeguarding.

In school we are also very fortunate to have Mrs Dulson as our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant and Mental Health First Aider and can support your child in a whole manner of ways to support their wellbeing St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Stourbridge - Mental Health and ELSA. We’re here to help when you need us!

Gospel reflection: Matthew 5:1-12a

In Sunday’s Gospel Jesus talks to his disciples about the way he would like people to be treated, and how some people will be happy and blessed. “Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for what is right; God will satisfy them fully!”

In school we talk each week about how we too can show that Jesus is alive within us by how we treat others and how we can help Jesus’ words come alive today. This will make a better world for all.

God can work through us to bring comfort, mercy and happiness to others.

What will you do this week to help Jesus’ words to come alive in our world?
What could you do to help someone who is sad?
What could you do to help someone who is hungry or thirsty?
What could you do to help someone who is poor?
What could you do to help someone who is being laughed at or picked on for standing up for what they believe in?

Let us do these things to make a better world. A world where all people have what they need to live happy and healthy lives.

Amen.

Kind Hearts, Questioning minds

‘What’s on’ in the Parish:

OLAS-BULLETIN-11th-January-2026-1.pdf
• CHILDREN’S LITURGY – Saturday 5pm Mass
• FIRST HOLY COMMUION SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2026 – If your child has celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation and wishes to take part in the First Holy Communion programme, starting after Easter 2026 please download the letter available on our website olas.org.uk “Parish Youth Matters” page
• Fundraising Concert for Let the children Live! by Kingswinford Choral Society featuring Fr Philip, will be performing in Church on Saturday 21st March. More information about tickets will be available soon.
• TODDLERS – Tuesday mornings term time only.
• ALL SAINTS YOUTH GROUP – Tuesday 20th January 2026, 6-30pm – 8-30pm – years 5 – 9. All welcome.
• FOODBANK DONATIONS – Our shortages are Fruit Juice, tinned potatoes, small jars of coffee, tinned soup, jam and sugar. Washing up liquid and Shampoo. We are open on Tuesday, 12:30pm -3:00pm and Friday 10-00am – 12-30pm. Please drop your donations of food to the back door of the parish centre. Thank you for you continued support. If you wish to donate other items, please check with the foodbank volunteers first.

Questioning minds, A thirst for Knowledge

There have been some exciting lessons and projects taking place across school over the last couple of weeks! To ensure that you are kept up to date with what your child will be learning this term we have sent home termly study plans and Maths Key instant recall facts. Do also have a look at the curriculum page on the school website so that you can see the exciting learning coming up! St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Stourbridge - Curriculum Plans

Forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice

Gifts from God

The following children have received a certificate in today’s Gifts from God assembly. Well done children!

Attendance – Well done everyone, our whole school attendance is excellent!

Questioning minds
Dates for your diary – please keep an eye on the link below while dates are added:
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Stourbridge - Calendar

Inset Days

Please note a further inset day has been added. As a Multi-Academy Company, Emmaus are able to use a 6th inset day for staff development and formation.

The inset days for the rest of the academic year are as follows:
Friday 26th June
Friday 17th July – new date
Monday 20th July

As such, school will close for pupils for the summer break on Thursday 16th July at 3:15pm

Mr Wilkes
Mr A. Wilkes
Executive Principal