Friday 14th October 2022

Living Simply

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In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that God is not like the unjust judge who is irritated by the woman pestering him. No matter how much we pray to God, he does not think we are pestering him - he is our loving Father. There are many kinds of prayer. This Gospel reminds us about the value of ‘Asking Prayer’ and not giving up in our prayer requests. Prayer, at its simplest, is spending time with God – talking, listening, being together – telling God all about our lives. We can trust that God always hears our prayers and will always do what is best for us and those we pray for. 

As part of our school's commitment to CAFOD's Live Simply Award this year, we are going to implement an action plan to: Live Simply, Live Sustainably and Live in Solidarity at a school, local and global level.  Part of Living Simply is living like Jesus who lived and preached a simple life. It is where we focus on the important and more meaningful things in life such as slowing down, finding time to reflect and pray.  It also includes spending time in God's creation and finding happiness in what we have rather than always wanting more. 

Parents' Evening - Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th October (3.30pm-5.30pm)

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A reminder that our first Parents' Evening of the school year, will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.  Appointments will take place in the classrooms. Parents will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire after their consultation to inform the school what is working well and how it can improve.  Also, the second Parents' Evening session for Year 2 will take place on Thursday 20th October. PCs along the KS2 corridor and iPads will be available for parents to complete this.  We look forward to welcoming our parents back to school again. The following link will be open from Tuesday 18th October until Friday 21st October. Thank you. 

https://forms.office.com/r/BGCUuL7vi6

Brighten Up the Harvest

A huge "Thank You" to everyone who donated so generously to the Stourbridge Food Bank this week as part of Year 5 Harvest Festival.

The grand total of 226kg of food and 21kg of toiletries has been donated today to the Food Bank.

It was wonderful to see all the children dressed in bright clothing in support of CAFOD'S Brighten Up the Harvest. You can still donate to CAFOD through your child's ParentPay account. Thank you for supporting both of our harvest fundraising events this week. 

Gifts from God

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Congratulations to the following children who have been chosen by their class teacher this week.  Well done also to St. Matthew's for gaining the most house points this week.

Year Group Good Work Catholic Virtues (Compassionate and Loving)
Reception Class Charlie T Belle
Year 1 Adrian Nancy
Year 2 Iris Annie and Anouska
Year 3 Chloe Arthur
Year 4 Harry Gabriella
Year 5 Whole Class Chloe and Emilia
Year 6 Ronnie Oliver

School Games Update - Tag Rugby and Football

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Congratulations to the girls and boys from Years 5 and 6 who took part in the School Games Tag Rugby Competition at Windsor High School on Tuesday.  A total of 10 teams were involved, organised into two groups.  St. Joseph's won every group game and progressed to the final against The Ridge.  This game was decided by two minutes of extra time since at full time the score was 3-3.  Unfortunately, St. Joseph's conceded a try within the last minute losing by 4-3.  All children were fantastic ambassadors for the school and played well together as a team supporting one another. On Thursday, the school was informed that St. Joseph's as runners-up would proceed to the Dudley Finals.  A date and venue has yet to be arranged.

Training at school will continue on Tuesday lunchtimes at 12.30pm for both girls and boys in Years 5 and 6 led by Mr Carry and Mr Wheelwright.

Our School Football Team played a friendly fixture against St. James on Thursday afternoon.  This included some players who had never played a game of competitive football before. The game was played in a very positive spirit and although St. Joseph's scored first, two goals were conceded during the latter part of the second half.  This was a great opportunity for Mr Carry to look at the potential squad for the year ahead.

There will be a boys' and girls' league organised this year.  All children in Years 5 and 6 (girls and boys) are encouraged to come along to training each Thursday lunchtime at 12.30pm with Mr Carry.

Dates for your diary - October 2022

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Monday 17th October - PTA Uniform Sale (after school)

Tuesday 18th October - Flu Vaccinations pm (Parents were sent a consent form via email)

Tuesday 18th October - Parents' Evening Session 1 (3.30pm-5.30pm)

Wednesday 19th October - School celebrating the Feast Day of St Luke - children wear green on this day

Wednesday 19th October - Parents' Evening Session 2 (3.30pm-5.30pm)

Thursday 20th October - Year 6 'taster' transition session at Hagley Catholic High School (am)

Friday 21st October - PTA Spooky Disco (5pm-7pm)

Friday 21st October - school finishes for half term break

Monday 31st October - Autumn term 2 begins

 

 

Living with Covid Guidance

On Tuesday 29th March, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, set out the next steps for living with COVID-19 in England from Friday 1st April.

Free COVID-19 tests will continue to be available for specific groups, including eligible patients and NHS staff, once the universal testing offer ends on Friday 1st April.

Updated guidance will advise:

·         adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature

·         children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend

·         adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days.

For education and childcare settings from Friday 1st April:

·         regular asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended in any education or childcare setting, including in SEND, alternative provision and children's social care settings. Therefore, settings will no longer be able to order test kits

·         residential SEND settings may be advised by their local health protection team to re-introduce some time-limited asymptomatic testing. This would be an exceptional measure, for targeted groups of staff and pupils or students (secondary age or above) in the event of a possible COVID-19 outbreak. These settings are scheduled to receive an automatic delivery of contingency supply test kits during the week commencing Monday 28 March

·         the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will publish new guidance. Most of the specific COVID-19 guidance for education and childcare settings will be withdrawn from GOV.​UK on Friday 1 April. The operational guidance on the testing in education settings document sharing platform will also be removed on the same day.

Link to The Wednesday Word

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The Wednesday Word can be accessed via following link: The Wednesday Word Primary School Resource | Catholic Church.  Please go through this with leaflet with your child so that they become more familiar and understand the focus of the Gospel each week.

Prayer of the Week

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Compassionate and loving God,
you created the world for us all to share,
a world of beauty and plenty.
Create in us a desire to live simply,
so that our lives may reflect your generosity.
Creator God,
You gave us responsibility for the earth,
a world of riches and delight.
Create in us a desire to live sustainably,
so that those who follow after us
may enjoy the fruits of your creation.
God of peace and justice,
You give us the capacity to change,
to bring about a world that mirrors your wisdom.
Create in us a desire to act in solidarity,
so that the pillars of injustice crumble
and those now crushed are set free.
Amen.

Virtues Focus - Compassionate and Loving

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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 Francis' Monthly Intention

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OCTOBER

For a Church open to everyone

We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

 

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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