Friday 28th September 2018

We formally welcome our new Reception children to Our Lady and All Saints Parish this coming Sunday at the 10.30am Mass. This is also an opportunity for all members of St. Joseph's community, whether staff or volunteers, to acknowledge their commitment to the children who we serve. Our Catholic schools are diverse and enriching communities, founded by people with a desire to serve God and to help our children to be the best person they can be. Parents, school and parish working together help our children grow in goodness and unite all of us, enriching and enhancing the life of our school community. St. Basil the Great reminds us, "Each person, according to their ability, should be a pattern of goodness to others." We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Many thanks for your support with our events in school today, so far we have raised £410.00. The children have certainly enjoyed dressing up as their favourite Roald Dahl character - as well as the staff! All money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support which is a charity close to our heart as a school community.

Thank you to the regular members of the PTA and also the new parents who came along to the AGM last week. Without the support of this small group of parent volunteers the school, children and their families would miss out on the extra events and valuable resources provided to the school. Approximately £4,500 was raised last year and £4,300 was spent on events and resources for the children across the school. Each teacher has also requested resources to support and enrich the children's learning this year too. The target for the PTA is to raise £4,000. This will include a new home reading scheme linked to the Read Write Inc. phonics programme taught in school as well as resources for each class. Further details to be announced shortly. The next PTA meeting will be held on Thursday 11th October at The Wagon and Horses starting at 7pm. Please come along and support our PTA.

On Friday 5th October our Year 5 children will be leading an assembly in support of CAFOD's Family Fast Day. The theme entitled 'Brighten Up' reminds us that due to poverty and injustice, this harvest will not be bright for millions of children and young people around the world who will miss out on food, clean water and even on going to school. On this day children can come into school wearing bright clothes and to also bring with them some form of food produce which can either be sold after the assembly or given to our local food bank. Shortages at the Parish Food bank include: tinned fruit, tinned potatoes, packets of mash, biscuits, 1 litre milk cartons, tinned spaghetti, tinned/packet custard, tinned rice pudding, packets of cous cous, squash/cordial, tinned tomatoes, breakfast cereal packets of savoury rice and tinned meat ready meals (chilli/stew). The money raised will help make the world a brighter place for communities living in extreme poverty. Thank you for your continued support to help our brothers and sisters around the world.

Parent Zone has made available a number of guides that focus on 'trending' apps and games that pupils are engaging with. For further details please go to the following website link: https://parentzone.org.uk/advice/parent-guides

On Tuesday 16th October we will be holding an Open Morning for parents of Reception children for September 2019. This will take place in the school hall from 9.30am until 10.30am. Please encourage any friends and family members with children who are due to start Reception in September to come along. Thank you.

A reminder that due to ongoing building work at OLAS, there are limited spaces available for parking. Please be mindful of this on Sunday for our Reception Welcome and Commitment Mass. There is a two hour limit at the Aldi car park as an alternative but remember to insert your car registration in the machine in store.

On Saturday 29th September, a craft and gift fair is being held at St. James' CE Primary School (DY8 4RU) between 10am and 3pm. There will be a wide range of handmade craft and gift stalls (now about 30!) - perfect for early Christmas shopping! There will be cakes and refreshments served all day too. This event is being held to help support local Scouts who have been selected to represent West Mercia at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree in America.

Pupils at St. Joseph's are compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.

Creator God. In love you give life. In your generosity you create the gifts of the earth. As daughters and sons of the same Father, may we learn to share the plentiful gifts of creation, especially with those most in need. Give us open hands and loving hearts, so that we take less and give more. We ask that all benefit from your goodness, and share in the fullness of life you have promised. Amen.

Universal: Young People in Africa. That young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries.