Friday 29th November 2019

This weekend marks the begining of the liturgical year (Year A) and also the season of Advent (meaning Important Arrival) when we think more deeply about Jesus' return.  This Sunday's Gospel reminds us that there is no time to lose.  We shouldn't put off our good resolutions until New Year.  Advent is a time to think about the way we live our lives and begin to make the necessary changes.  The message is clear for us all: we are to stand ready!  Prayer helps us to be ready - to stay alert to God's presence around us.  Pope Francis reminds us, 'Christ asks us to be wide awake and alert, ready to see things in life that really matter.' Thank you once again to the children of Year 3 (and staff) for the wonderful assembly on Advent which hass reminded us all of what we can do during this special time of year.  Each class was also given a reverse calendar box at the assembly to collect items for the local food bank and St. Chad's Sanctuary.  These are as follows: Reception - shower gel; Year 1 - gloves; Year 2 - tinned food; Year 3 - cereals/dried fruit; Year 4 - deodorant; Year 5 - chocolate and Year 6 - toothpaste and toothbrushes.  any donations are greatly received - thank you.

This Advent sees the beginning of an important year in the Catholic Church of England and Wales: A Year of the Word.  As the Church's focus turns to Year A, St. Matthew's Gospel, we are asked to consider the many ways in which God speaks to us: through the Bible, through Prayer and through other people. To launch this special year in our Archdiocese, Archbishop Bernard Longley will celebrate Mass at St. Chad's Catherdral on Saturday 30th November - the Vigil of the First Sunday of Advent. Everybody is welcome.

Please come along to our parish Christmas Fayre this coming Saturday from 10.30am until 2.30pm.  There will be gift stalls, food stalls a bottle stall, chocolate tombola, toys, cakes and refreshments, raffles, Father Christmas and much more.  Children are welcome to come along and sing Christmas carols at 12.45pm and children who go to Irish Dancing will be performing at 1.30pm. 

Many thanks to the parents who have returned the consent forms from Active Black Country who will be coming into St. Joseph's this coming Monday to speak with and film pupils and staff as part of a good practice case study concerning Active Travel.  The 'Walk Once a Week' programme, supported by Living Streets, was introduced in January 2019 as a way of encouraging the school and community to work collaboratively to enable children to be more physcially active outside of the school day.  Many children are physcially active in school through structured and unstructured play/activites in the mornings, lunchtimes and after school. The Chief Medical Officer's recommendation is that all children from 5-16 years should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day - 30 minutes in school and 30 minutes outside.  This programme is a way to support the activity time outside of school. Teachers are also incorporating physical activity through other lessons outside of PE too including as part of transition breaks to enable pupils to concentare and focus more in readiness for learning. 

Four boys and four girls from Key Stage 2 will be taking part in a swimming Gala at Wollescote School next Thursday along with another local school.  We hope they enjoy this opportunity.

Please ensure that your child brings non-fabric based trainers to school as these can become very wet during break and lunchtimes during the current weather at this time of year.  Also, for football sessions at lunchtimes astro-turf type trainers are advised due to the condition of the field.

St. Joseph's is developing its online presence as an addtional communication method to parents through Twitter and Instagram.  This will enable parents to keep up-to-date with what events and activities are happening in school. Further details to follow shortly.

The PTA are producing 2020 calendars featuring a photograph of the children whose birthdays fall on each month. Perfect Christmas gifts for family members. Calendars are priced at £6.50 each or 2+ at £6 each. If you have not returned your order/consent form or require another one please contact office. To include your child's photograph on the calendar we require your consent.Payment by either cash or cheques made payable to St. Joseph's PTA. Please support your St. Joseph's PTA, all monies raised goes to enriching the school lives of our children. If you would be interested in joining the PTA or volunteering at future events please contact the school office. 

A letter from the Principal at Hagley Catholic High School, Mr Hodson, is available on the school website within the Key Information page under the folder Letters.  The purpose of the letter is to notify parents of a proposed change to uniform at Hagley School. 

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to get ready during Advent to meet you with joy this Christmas, and when you come again in your glory.  Amen.

Pupils 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.

Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East: That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.