Friday 16th March 2018

The Feast Day of St Joseph

This coming Monday we will be celebrating the Feast Day of our School Patron Saint, Joseph. The husband of Mary and the chosen father of Jesus, St Joseph, is at the heart of the Holy Family and, indeed, the story of salvation itself. The Bible portrays Joseph as a rugged, down-to-earth, hard-working man who was very involved in the day-to-day life of his family and his world. He is the perfect role model for every Christian. Through his availability and total commitment to God's call; his example of faith; and finally, his calmness, charity and love to his family. Joseph showed tremendous faith when he was asked to be the husband of Mary. He remained calm and full of positive hope while in Bethlehem and when the family had to flee to Egypt. St Joseph maintained belief in God throughout all these challenges. He loved Mary and Jesus in the fullest, most complete way possible. St Joseph trusted in God's plan for all their lives, and in that trust offered his total love of God, God's Son and his wife, Mary. As we continue through our Lenten journey may we follow the virtues of being intentional and prophetic being a positive example to others like St. Joseph. Pray for us.

Attendance Information - Update from the Education Investigation Service

Dudley's Education Investigation Service has published the latest information on how the Local Authority will support schools to manage poor attendance and unauthorised absence. As mentioned in previous newsletters and in the leaflet distributed at the beginning of the academic year, the Principal cannot authorise any holidays during term time. Any requests for absence must be completed on a form from the school office. In future, a letter will be sent to parents stating whether the leave of absence has been granted or whether this will be classed as unauthorised. There are only very exceptional circumstances when leave of absence will be authorised. This includes bereavement of a close family member or a religious observance. The principle is that 'exceptional' is defined as rare, significant, unavoidable and short. If your child is absent from school for 10 continuous sessions or more (5 school days) as unauthorised then a referral will be made to the EIS. This will result in a penalty notice being issued. Poor attendance of 12 sessions of unauthorised absence within a six week period will also result in a referral to EIS, which may result in a penalty notice. Where pupils' absence is poor due to illness, the school will investigate the reasons for this and liaise with parents. Where absence due to illness is a continuing issue where no medical evidence is provided, then a letter will be issued to parents. This could lead to a referral to the EIS. Please also ensure that your child attends school punctually, registration closes at 9am each day and your child will be marked as late on the register after this time.

Praise Assembly

Year Group Catholic Virtues Good Work
Reception Shayden Chris and Clemency
Year 1 Nancy Whole Class
Year 3 Violet Whole Class
Year 4 Max Whole Class
Year 5 Kimran Phillippa and Daisy
Year 6 Shannon Charlotte

What's On

Monday 19th March all day St. Joseph's Feast Day
Monday 19th March 2pm Whole School Mass
Thursday 22nd March 7pm First Holy Communion Session for Parents (OLAS)
Friday 23rd March 9.10am Praise Assembly (last of the term)
Friday 23rd March 2.45pm Year 5 Guitar Concert
Saturday 24th March 10.30am Children's First Holy Communion Preparation Session (OLAS Parish Centre)
Sunday 25th March 10.30am First Holy Communion Preparation Mass (OLAS)
w/c Monday 26th March Holy Week
Monday 26th March 6.30pm Key Stage 1 Statutory Assessment Parents' Meeting
Tuesday 27th March 6.30pm Key Stage 2 Statutory Assessment Parents' Meeting
Tuesday 27th March Wear a Hat Day (Brain Tumour Research)
Tuesday 27th March 9.10am Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 Holy Week Assembly
Thursday 29th March 9.10am End of term Mass
Thursday 29th March 11am-2pm Dudley Gymnastics Competition

School Uniform

Please ensure you child has the correct school uniform. It is essential that all clothing is marked with your child's name. Sweatshirts, polo shirts, tee shirts, book bags and shorts are available from school. We have an official school uniform as listed below.

  • Dark grey skirt, pinafore or trousers
  • Royal blue cardigan or sweatshirt
  • Royal blue polo shirt
  • White, grey or royal blue ankle socks, knee socks or tights
  • Sensible black school shoes
  • KS2 children must wear trainers or alternative footwear at playtimes
  • For the Summer term, the girls may wear blue and white gingham dresses
  • PE Kit
  • White tee shirt with school crest and royal blue shirts
  • Black plimsolls(trainers for KS2)

Hair styles

It is essential that children with long hair wear it tied back off their faces at all times. Children are not allowed to wear large bows, small discreet hair accessories are more appropriate. Lines or patterns cut into the hair are not acceptable hair styles.

DPA Open Evening, 20th March 2018 @ Netherton Arts Centre, 6.00pm - 8.30pm

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.

INSET Days 2018-19

Dudley Term Dates for 2018-19 are available on the School Website under the 'Term Dates' tab.

Day 1 Monday 3rd September 2018
Day 2 Friday 12th October 2018
Day 3 Monday 25th February 2019
Day 4 Monday 3rd June 2019
Day 5 Monday 22nd July 2019

Lunchtime Sports Clubs

Monday Years 4 - 6 Cross Country (Mr Carry)
Tuesday Years 4 - 6 Football/ Competition Preparation (Mr Taylor)
Wednesday Years 3 and 4 Football Training (Your Sport)
Thursday Years 4 to 6 Cross Country (Mr Carry)
Friday Years 5 to 6 Football Training (Your Sport)

Your Sport - Easter Camp

Your Sport will be running an Easter Football Camp from Monday 9th April until Friday 13th April 2018 at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School . The cost will be £15 per day or £35 full week. Booking forms will be sent home on Thursday with more details. Alternatively you can contact Robyn Hingley on 07850 975995 or Stuart How on 07984 414553 to book your child's place on this camp.

Stourbridge Tennis Club - Easter Camp

The tennis coaching team at Stourbridge Tennis Club will be running an Easter Camp from Wednesday 11th until Friday 13th April. There are options for full or half days and even an early drop-off. For further details please contact Kirk Woodhall (07792 755567) or Grant Chapman (07800 936550). We are also looking to start an after school tennis club next term on a Wednesday which will be led by Grant. This will be for pupils from Year 2 upwards. There will be a series of taster sessions on Monday 23rd April to help gauge an interest in the club.

Dudley Primary Cross Country Championships

Well done to our Cross Country runners who took part in the Dudley Primary Championships at Baggeridge Park last Saturday morning. There were 118 girls and 130 boys competing in each race. Congratulations to Emily-Mae (Year 6) who was ranked in 10th position in the girls' race. She will represent Dudley at the Inter-area Cross Country Championships on Saturday 21st April.

Dudley Tag Rugby Finals

Well done to our tag rugby team who took part in the Dudley Finals at Old Swinford Hospital School on Wednesday. As runners-up in their group they progressed to the quarter finals but unfortunately lost 2-1. An excellent standard of tag rugby played throughout the event.

Stourbridge Learning Partnership Cross Country Round 2

Congratulations to our cross country runners who took part in Round 2 of the SLP competition on Wednesday at Ridgewood High School. Well done to Emily-Mae (Year 6) who was ranked third and also Jonathan (Year 4) and Edmund (Year 4) who were placed second and third respectively. The final round will take place at Brindley Heath Junior School on Thursday 19th April.

PTA

A huge THANK YOU to the PTA for all their support at school events, we could not go ahead without you. The PTA are always looking for new members, please come along to the next meeting if you can, alternatively pop into the school office and let them know you are interested in helping. The next PTA event will be our annual Summer Fayre, date to be confirmed, if you can spare an hour or two to help it would be greatly appreciated.

Virtues Focus - Intentional and Prophetic

Pupils at St. Joseph's School 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. Intentional means planning our actions and choosing to live how God wants us to. Prophetic means spreading the word of God through how we live our lives.

Prayer of the Week (Daily Novena Prayer to St Joseph)

Almighty God, you have chosen Saint Joseph to be the mainstay of Jesus and Mary, the wise and faithful servant in whom they could trust. We pray, that he may truly be the guardian of your Church; that he may inspire with confidence those who are devoted to him; that he may give security to those who work in the vineyard of Your Son; and finally, that he may be a source of strength to us, who wish, like him, to dedicate ourselves to Christ's service now and in times to come. Amen.

Pope's Intentions for March

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

Emmaus CMAC
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Ofsted

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