Friday 12th March 2021

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear about the ‘light’ that has come into the world. Pope Francis reminds us, “Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness.” Letting Jesus’ light shine in our lives provides a secure foundation for our lives and for the lives of our children too. This Gospel also reminds us that God loves us so much that he gave his only Son for us. Jesus’ great act of love, of self-giving, on the cross, has paved the way for us to share in the true richness of God’s love in this life, and also in the life to come. Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and also Mothering Sunday.  This is an opportunity to thank and pray for all mothers around the world, those on earth and those who are now with our Heavenly Father.  We also give thanks to Jesus' mother, Mary, and her unfailing love and commitment to her son. 

This term, our Parents' Evening sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 23rd March and Tuesday 30th March, both from 3.30pm until 5.30pm. There will be a five-minute time slot allocated to each parent. Please go to the school Life app to book a slot, times are available from Monday 15th March. This will enable teachers to discuss the targets identiifed as part of the recovery programme in school, and also to inform how they have settled back into the daily life of the school. 

Next Friday, we will be celebrating the feast day of St. Joseph, the patron saint of our school.  As part of this day's celebrations, we will be holding a non-uniform day in aid of Fr. Hudson's Good Shepherd Appeal.  This is an Archdiocese Charity which Catholic schools support every year.  This coming Monday, the children in each class will find our more about the work of Fr. Hudson in our local community through the Gospel Assembly.  We ask that children bring to school a £1 donation when wearing their own clothes in support of this charity.  On Friday, we will also be watching the livestream of Mass, celebrated by Fr. Philip in the morning.  The children will also be learning more about the life of St. Joseph as part of the 'Year of St. Joseph' which Pope Francis proclaimed back in December 2020.   ‘Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.’ Pope Francis (8th December 2020)

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

Please note PE days for KS2 will change after 2 weeks - 

8th -19th March - Years 3 & 4 will be Tuesday & Friday

                          Years 5 & 6 will be Monday & Wednesday

22nd March - 1st April - Years 3 & 4 will be Monday & Friday

                                    Years 5 & 6 will be Tuesday & Wednesday

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

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)

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

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.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your life for us. Thank you too for all the kind
people in our community who show us your way of love and self-giving. Amen.

Children at St. Joseph's are growing to be: Attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.