Friday 2nd February 2018

This coming Sunday is a very special day for our Year 6 Confirmandi as they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. They will become full members of the Catholic Church as followers of Christ. We are very pleased to welcome back Bishop David McGough (Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham) to Our Lady and All Saints Parish who will preside at this service. Our thanks go out to all parents, sponsors, school staff and parishioners who have supported the children through their journey of preparation. We pray for all the children, not only here at St. Joseph's, but also for the children and young people within the parish that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and support them throughout their lives. Prayer is also a focus of this Sunday's Gospel reading. We hear about Jesus taking time out to recover and refresh himself through prayer. Jesus regularly gathered together the community and prayed with them but he also made time to pray alone - a model of praying for us to follow. Prayer was the source of Jesus' joy, strength and compassion, and it can be ours too. Life is demanding. Prayer is good for us - it gives us great strength! Pope Emeritus XVI reminds us, "Prayer brings us not only nearer to God but also nearer to one another." Fr. Des reminds us all to remember to recite the Lord's Prayer each day, may we take this opportunity to make a commitment to do so within our family communities every day.

As part of this year's Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 6th February) we have organised a session to support parents on how to keep their children safe when using technology in school and at home. The session will be delivered by Heather Jeavons, the DGfL Senior Education Development Manager. There has been a poor parental response so far. Please contact the school office if you are interested in attending. Further information about keeping your child safe when online will be available on the school website shortly.

Children and families are invited to the Arts Centre to find out about learning a musical instrument. We hope that you will encourage children who have expressed an interest to come along and try a range of instruments/meet teachers. This is an excellent opportunity for schools with whole class programmes to provide an opportunity for students to think about learning next year.

Mr Gibbons, one of our parents here at school, will be running for Macmillan Cancer at the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April 2018. In order to help him raise as much money as possible, we have agreed to hold an event here at St. Joseph's School on Saturday 10th February 2018 from 10am until 12noon. This will include a table top sale of children's toys, games and books as well as a coffee morning. All proceeds from this event will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. We will be collecting donations of any unwanted children's books, games or toys from Monday 5th February which can be brought to school via the main office. Nearer the time we would also appreciate any donations of cakes to help with the coffee morning too. Thank you.

The first round of the Stourbridge Learning Partnership Cross Country Competition will take place on the playing field beside the school on Tuesday 6th February starting at 4pm. We are looking for volunteers to help marshal at this event. If you are able to help please contact the school office on Monday or Tuesday. Thank you.

Trompo is a highly popular, traditional Latin-American game of skill. A Mexican Trompos Champion visited St. Joseph's last week to demonstrate these skills to the children. The next step within this programme is for the children to take part in a workshop led by these champions (Thursday 8th February) and then prepare to participate in a West Midlands Competition. Trompos can be purchased from the school but are also available to buy on Ebay. They range in price from £2 to £6 and with every purchase a contribution is given to Birmingham's Children's Hospital. For further details about Trompos please go to the following website: www.tromposplaneta.uk. Every class will be taking part in a short taster workshop on Thursday 8th February.

We have been informed of three incidents, which have taken place over the last fortnight in Dudley, where adults have approached some secondary aged students and offered them a lift in their car. Please remind your child to not talk to or accept a lift from a stranger. It may be a good opportunity to risk assess your child's route from home if they have been given permission to walk from school.

Children in St. Joseph's School are growing to be curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can do for the better.

The Lord's Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Say "No" to Corruption - That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.