Friday 11th December 2020

This Sunday is know as Gaudete Sunday, which marks the Third Sunday of Advent. Gaudete means 'rejoice'. It reminds us of the joy to come to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  We also give thanks for the positivity which can come as a result of the good deeds shown by others to help our brothers and sisters in need around the world, especiallty during our current challening times. Sunday is also known as Bambinelli Sunday.  This beautiful Advent Tradition was instituted by Saint Pope John Paul II during his Papacy. The tradition is that children and adults bring their Baby Jesus figures from their homes to St. Peter's Square where they were blessed by the Pope. Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions in place we will be unable to bring our Baby Jesus figures to our local church to be blessed. Perhaps you can say a prayer together as a family asking for God's blessing during the season of Advent. For this week's Wednesday Word, please click the following link: https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/wednesday-word/wisdom?pid=MTA101634&v=8.8

Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we are unable to celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas in the same manner as we have done in previous years. However, we are still able to mark this special season of the Church's year in alternative ways.  Our virtual Christmas Nativity with our EYFS and KS1 children will be published on the school website next week - further details to follow. Our 'Hearts for Homes' initiative will mean that parishioners and members of the The Cedars and The Wychbury Care Homes, will receive a card created by our children. The children who have brought in cards for members of the their class will be able to take these home on Monday. Your items donated to the food bank will be delivered to Our Lady and All Saints later on next week too. We will be having a Christmas dinner in a slightly different format on Wednesday, children can also wear a Christmas jumper on this day to support the charity Crisis (£1 donation please). Thursday is our Christmas Party Day - all snacks and drinks will be provided for the children.  The children will also be watching a remote Pantomime on Thursday afternoon. Finally, on Friday morning, we will be watching Mass together as a school community to mark the end of term and celebrate Advent together.

The Department for Education has published end of term advice for schools and colleges regarding reporting positive cases of coronavirus during the festive period. If your child tests positive within 6 days after Friday 18th December, then please contact the school info email account.  The guidance from the DfE is as follows:

• Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
• For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.
• School staff are not asked to remain on-call or conduct any contact tracing more than 6 days after the final day of teaching. 

Please continue to support our local foodbank during the season of Advent. Plastic boxes are placed at the drop-off/collection points around the school site for items to be donated each day. If we all bring in one item during Advent this will mean that well over 200 items can be donated to our local food bank. These will be quarantined before being sent to Our Lady and All Saints Parish Centre. Thank you to those who have already contributed to this worthy cause.  For further details about the food bank items we require please click on the following link: https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Christmas-Shopping-List-with-toiletries.pdf

Children in St. John's House can wear red to school on Friday 18th December to mark the feast day of their saint which is celebrated during the Christmas break (27th December).

Bookings for one Mass only can be made by calling 07377 893208 between the hours of 2pm and 6pm Monday to Friday from November 30th to December 24th. Please be patient as this booking line is manned by one person. We understand you may be disappointed that you cannot attend Mass both Christmas Eve/Day and over the weekend. Please remember that the obligation for Sunday Mass and Holy days of obligation is still suspended. Only those who have booked a place will be able to attend Mass.

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

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

Congratulations to the following children for being chosen for Good Work or for showing the Catholic Virtues this week (Intentional and Prophetic).  Well done to St Luke's House for gaining the most House Points this week. 

Multi skills and Archery will continue during our final week of the term.

Years 1,2 & 3 Multi-Skills - Monday 8am

Years 4,5 & 6 Multi-Skills  - Wednesday 8am

Years 1-6 Archery Club - Friday 8am

After school football with Your Sport continues during our final week.

Year 1 & Year 2 - Monday 3.15-4.15pm

Year 3 & Year 4 - Friday 3.15-4.45pm

As you may be aware The Youth Sport Trust have taken the step to deliver a free virtual after school club as part of a national response to the second lockdown. The 30-minute club will take place at 5pm each weekday and be led by a different member of the YST's athlete mentor network. The first one aired on Thursday with world no.1 female inline skater and 10-time British Champion Jenna Downing. The After School Sport Club will run for five weeks until Friday 18th December, children and young people can take part live by visiting the YST YouTube channel. - http://www.youtube.com/user/YouthSportTrust.

Aimed mainly at primary-aged children, a different theme has been assigned for each day of the club - Adventure Monday, Tuesday Play, Wild Wednesday, Thinking Thursday and Fun Friday. The YST hope that this will provide support, capacity and inspiration to sit alongside the other great work and offers that are available for schools and children and young people to engage in.

God of hope, we cling to you, for you renew the face of the earth. Through the gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus, we follow you on the path of dawn. Enlightened by your love and wisdom, help us to lead each other back to your open arms. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and Prophetic in the example they set to others.

For a life of prayer

We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.