It was wonderful this week to start the season of Lent with Mass on Ash Wednesday. All children have learnt, Jesus came to bring us new life and they are encouraged to take time to look for and celebrate  signs of life in the world around us. Please take time as a family this weekend to say the prayer below remembering the people in Ukraine:

Lord,

may my support bring hope to people who are in difficulty around the world.

May they know that you are with them and that they have sisters and brothers who care for them.

Amen

From Tuesday you will be able to book an appointment to discuss your son or daughter's progress. The appointments will be on either Monday 28th March 3.30pm-6pm or Monday 4th April 4pm-6.30pm (If either date is difficult please speak to a member of staff and we will arrange a meeting on a day and time to suit). I am delighted to say we will be holding the meetings in school but a virtual or telephone appointment can be requested by adding a comment/note when you book.

To ensure we look after each other and keep everyone safe, please remind your children to stand with you at the end of the day. This ensures all children are safe and no accidents can occur. Thank you for remembering not to use the car park at the beginning or end of the day unless you have permission to drive in after 9:10 am or 3:20 pm. Thank you

On Monday morning, we will be celebrating children from each class who have followed our Catholic Mission: 'we do our best by following Jesus' in our Celebration assembly. The children receiving a certificate are:

On Monday 14th March we will be inviting parents to attend the celebration assembly at 9:10 am. If your son or daughter is receiving an award, notifications will be sent out via a push notification and email from the school office on a Thursday.

Next Friday we are looking forward to welcoming parents into school to see the Year 1 Assembly at 9:10 am.

This half term Father Lamb will be celebrating Mass in the school hall to enable him to discuss the parts of the Mass. Parents are welcome to join us.

On Wednesday, children across the school were invited to wear something yellow to mark yellow house saint's feast day. As it was Ash Wednesday, Y3, Y4 and Y6 went to church to celebrate Mass and the rest of the school joined virtually. All pupils had the opportunity to receive ashes either in church or in school - this was an opportunity for us to start Lent by saying we are sorry for our sins and to remind us to use the season of Lent as a period of preparation for the joys of Easter.

This year our book focus was Little Red Riding Hood. We celebrated our traditional tale across the whole school. The story of Little Red Riding Hood has been a staple in homes and classrooms for decades. But, many authors have adapted the story. Some books represent different cultures from around the world, while others just put a humorous twist on the original.

World Book Day started with an assembly. Year One, Miss Brewer and Miss Holtom read to the children the traditional tale version of Little Red Riding Hood. The following activities took place across the school.

Storytime with the House Captains

Decorating a pebble linked to a story

Book Quizzes

Little Red Riding Hood stories

Ethan, otherwise known as 'Jack' from Jack and the Beanstalk spoke to the whole school about how he was given a bean. He showed us all the pot he had put it in. And as if by magic...

Y5 focused upon Lon Po Po which is a Chinese version of Red Riding Hood but with a twist. We created book marks using Chinese characters as well as an advertisement poster that advertises Ginkgo nuts a nut that saved the children from the wicked wolf. 

Please watch the video about our Readathon. The children watched it in school yesterday. We would love to raise as much money as we can for this wonderful cause.

The Parish are holding a fundraising auction and have kindly asked if any parents could make any donations. i.e do you have a business that could offer vouchers, meals, discounts? Also if you have any unwanted/new gifts that could also be donated the Parish would be very grateful to receive them. 

The Church is currently following a directive from Pope Francis to focus on reflection and sharing of the whole church. Pope Francis states,

"By walking together, and together reflecting on the journey made, the Church will be
able to learn from what it will experience which processes can help it to live
communion, to achieve participation, to open itself to mission."

At Saint Ambrose we aim to enable families to experience the wide parish Community and for us to reflect and learn please complete the survey, see link below. The results will be shared with the parish to enable us to grow and learn together.

PLEASE EMAIL ebrocklesby@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk if your son (years 4-6) would like to train as an altar server or your son or daughter (years 3-6) would like to read at Parish Masses.

Father Lamb extends a warm welcome to all families to continue to attend Mass. Please click on the link below which will take you to the Parish website where you can view historical newsletters and get information on Mass times.

Please also click on the PDF to view the most recent Parish newsletter.

Please see the assembly dates below for this year:

Please ensure that your child comes to school in their correct P.E. kit. The P.E. uniform is as follows:

• Black shorts, black leggings, black track suit bottoms (unbranded if possible)
• Maroon round neck T-shirt with embroidered badge
• P.E pumps or black trainer

PLEASE NOTE: P.E. HOODIES CAN ONLY BE WORN ON P.E. DAYS.

Please follow the link below to access this week's Wednesday Word.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Brocklesby