Our Catholic Mission: 'We do our best by following Jesus.'
Friday 15th September 2023
Message from Mrs Brocklesby
Last week we welcomed most of the school community back after a great break to refresh and relax (I hope!). The children this week have been in excellent form, ready to learn, good behaviour in classes and happy to be back. We hope any children new to our school have enjoyed the start of their journey. This week in classes we have had a focus on our school Mission, 'We do or best by following Jesus.' We have considered how we are part of shaping God’s plan for us in our first Gospel assembly of the school year and we hope that with hard work, prayer, good choices we will reach all our goals!
Message from Mrs Laskey
It was lovely to take part in a learning walk this morning and see all the children active in their learning. There was a real buzz of learning in Reception as they were practising their new sound i. In Year One I saw some beautiful handwriting as the children wrote their sentences using the openings of first and next. The whole class reading in Year Two introduced some exciting new vocabulary which the children could repeat back very clearly. Year Three were being busy mathematicians as they had to use their prior knowledge of place value to fill in the missing number on the number line. It was lovely to see RE being taught in Year Four and the importance of living out our virtues in our everyday lives. Year Five were busy in English writing about the Egyptians and Year Six were seeing if they had extracted the correct information from a given text.
Throughout the school the children demonstrated that they had settled into their news classes well and knew the expectations of all staff. Well done all.
Have a lovely weekend.
The Catholic Schools Pupil Profile - Generous and Grateful
On Monday morning during whole school prayer and liturgy the two virtues of Generous and Grateful were introduced to the children. The virtues of Generous and Grateful are the focus for this half term and the children then spent time in class exploring how they could demonstrate these virtues in their own lives. These virtues are particularly important as we are currently in the Season of Creation. This season was created by Pope Francis and he asks us to remember and pray for the care of our common home.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
At the Parish Mass on Sunday 17th September at 6p.m. our Year 6 pupils, who are to receive Confirmation in December, with their families will take part in the covenant signing and declaration. Please keep the Year Six pupils and their families in your prayers over the coming months as they continue their journey of faith in preparation for them to received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Folk Group are also playing at Mass on Sunday at 6p.m. and all are welcome.
Mass Times at St. Ambrose Catholic Church
Regular attendance at school means that your child will make the most of their education and improve their chances later on in life. At St Ambrose, good attendance is of high importance and we strive to have at least 96% attendance. Please help us with this target. If you need any support, then school is here to help so that your child can get the very best out of the education we provide.
We will continue sending out regular push notifications about attendance so that you are aware if you child falls below our 96% target and we are working with Louise Howles, our Education Welfare Officer to support us with improvements.
Year Group | This week | This Term |
Whole School | 94.1% | 94.4% |
Reception | 99.6% | 99.7% |
Year 1 | 92.1% | 93.8% |
Year 2 | 95.2% | 95.3% |
Year 3 | 86.8% | 89.4% |
Year 4 | 100% | 98.4% |
Year 5 | 94.3% | 94.3% |
Year 6 | 91.3% | 91.6% |
All Year 6 children will today have received a letter with information on applying for their secondary school place for the 2024/25 academic year. Applications need to be completed and submitted by no later than the 31st of October.
Please speak to the school office if you require and assistance in making your application.
Curriculum Workshops
A flyer will have come home today explaining about the Curriculum Workshops.
We would like to invite you into school to find out about the curriculum your child will be taught this year. These sessions will also provide you with information about how you can help your child at home. During the session you will also be given an opportunity to work with your child.
The dates for each year group are below. Please sign in at the school office as the sessions will take place in the school hall. If you are unable to attend the Powerpoint produced will be available on your child’s class website page and any copies of materials will be sent out to you. If you would like a grandparent to attend in your absence that is fine but sadly, we cannot accept any younger siblings due to the logistics of the session.
Year Group |
Time |
Date |
Year 3 |
9.05a.m. |
Monday 18th September |
Reception - Phonics |
2.30p.m. |
Tuesday 26th September |
Year 1 |
9.05a.m. |
Tuesday 10th October |
Year 2 |
9.05a.m. |
Thursday 12th October |
Year 4 |
9.05a.m. |
Tuesday 17th October |
Year 6 |
9.05a.m. |
Monday 2nd October |
Year 5 |
9.05a.m. |
Wednesday 4th October |
PE Uniform
This week PE lessons started in all class and sadly there were a few children who were not wearing the correct PE uniform.
Please find below our PE Uniform Policy and we ask for your support by ensuring that your child wears the correct PE uniform on their PE days. If you have any questions, please speak to your child's Class Teacher.
St. Ambrose PE Uniform
- black shorts (summer) / black joggers (winter)
- No logos should be visible
- These are widely available to purchase from supermarkets, Sports Direct, Matalan etc.
- burgundy t-shirt with school logo
- PE pumps or trainers
- If your child wants to spend the day in trainers, they must be black or dark grey without bright patterns/designs
- If your child only owns colourful trainers, they can come to school wearing their school shoes and change their shoes before their lesson starts
Year Two PE days have been amended and will now take place on Wednesday and Friday. Year Three PE days have been amended and will now take place on Tuesday and Thursday.
BEE HIVE CLUB
The Bee Hive Club is now open. The Club is based in the Bee Hive which is the nursery building currently.
Opening Times
The Bee Hive Club is open to children between 7.45am – 8.45am & 3.20pm - 6.00pm every school day.
There is a minimum of two qualified members of staff and a ratio of one member of staff to eight children under the age of eight years.
The Bee Hive Admissions Policy
The Bee Hive (Before and After School Club) will admit any child who attends St Ambrose School subject to availability of places, and the admissions criteria below.
The Bee Hive Morning Club will accept up to 20 children on any one day. The Bee Hive Evening Club will accept up to 20 children on any one day. The club operates a minimum staffing of one adult per eight children under the age of 8 years.
Event | Date |
Harvest Mass | Friday 13th October |
Autumn Parents Evening 1 | Tuesday 7th November |
Autumn Parents Evening 2 | Wednesday 8th November |
Term | Dates |
Autumn Term 1 | Monday 4th September - Friday 27th October |
Autumn Term 2 | Monday 6th November - Friday 22nd December |
Spring Term 1 | Monday 8th january - Friday 9th February |
Spring Term 2 | Monday 19th february - Friday 22nd March |
Summer Term 1 | Monday 8th April - Friday 24th May |
Summer Term 2 | Monday 3rd June - Monday 22nd July |
Staff Training Days | Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th September 23. Friday 6th October 23. Friday 9th February 24. Monday 22nd July 24. |
Kind Regards,
Mrs Laskey and Mrs Brocklesby