Friday 3rd May 2019

We are reminded in this Sunday's Gospel reading about St. Peter being chosen by Jesus to lead the Church.  From this point onwards, St. Peter's life witnessed to the truth about Jesus. Through his witness, many people came to know and follow Jesus too.  Through our words, actions and the power of the Holy Spirit, we too can be God's witnesses, through living our lives the way Jesus shows us. 

There will be a Class Mass for Year 5 at 9.10am on Wednesday 8th May. The First Holy Communion programme will continue on Thursday 9th May with a parents' session at OLAS starting at 7pm.  The children's session will take place on Saturday from 10.30am until 12noon and the preparation Mass will be at OLAS on Sunday at 10.30am.

The Standards and Testing Agency have published a short guide for parents about this year's national curriculum tests at the end of key stages 1 and 2. This has been uploaded onto the school website and can be found within either of the Year 2 or Year 6 Statutory Assessment Information pages within the Key Information folder.  Please keep these children in your prayers during the month of May.

A final reminder to please return the Good Shepherd Appeal boxes to school on Tuesday 7th May.  Thank you for your continued support with this Lenten appeal.

Congratulations to the 150 children who managed to walk, cycle or scoot at least once per week during the month of April.  Active travel has been mentioned in the news recently about being a positive way to promote a more healthy active lifestyle.

A reminder that the early May Bank holiday will be on Monday 6th May.  The children will return to school on Tuesday 7th May.

In response to feedback, parents will be notified a week in advance of their child being praised during a Friday assembly.  A text will be sent on the Friday evening a week before. 

School INSET days for 2019-20 have been agreed.  Being part of a Multi-Academy Company (MAC), schools are also allowed up to two addtional INSET days to work collectively together.  There will be a MAC wide INSET day on Monday 6th January 2020.  The INSET dates for St. Joseph's next academic year are as follows: 02.09.19, 03.09.19, 11.10.19, 06.01.20, 22.05.20 and 20.07.20.  The Dudley term dates for 2019-20 have also been uploaded onto the school website.  From the home page, select the key information tab.

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.

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to be your witnesses by our love, so that others will come to know the joy of knowing you. Amen.

That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.