Our Catholic Mission: 'We do our best by following Jesus.'

Executive Head: Mrs E Brocklesby

Head of School: Mrs S Laskey

email: enquiry_amb@emmasumac.com

Contact number: 01562 823568

Our Catholic Mission: 'We do our best by following Jesus.'

Friday 8th December 2023

It has been wonderful this week to mark the start of the Advent season and see all the prayer areas changed to purple and dressed to indicate this special season.

This week we have also celebrated the feast of Saint Ambrose by taking part in the Ambrosefest. Mrs Laskey will tell you all about the events in her weekly round up.

Dear Parents/Carers

 What a busy week we have had with AmbroseFest.  It all started on Wednesday when each year group was invited to an assembly led by Mr Thomas, who is the Lay Chaplain from Hagley RC High School.  He spoke to the children about the life of St Ambrose and how from an early age he was faith-filled and had the courage to talk to people about the church and his faith in God.  St Ambrose was a Doctor of the church because both of his writings and teachings were so important and had a significant impact on the early church.

 Following the assembly, as a school we celebrated Mass together in church.  All the children sang beautifully, and the readers read with such reverence. Thank you to Father Lamb for celebrating the Mass with us and to the altar servers who helped. 

On Thursday all the children welcomed one another by saying ‘Happy Feast Day’ and enjoyed using their gained facts about St Ambrose in their work.

 In Reception the children were very excited and eagerly found out lots of information about St Ambrose.

 “A swarm of bees went in his mouth” - Evie

“As sweet as honey” - Summer

“We have bees on our jumper because of Saint Ambrose” - Louis

Mrs Gawthorp asked the children ‘Why do we have bees on our school jumper?’

“because they dropped honey in his mouth” - 

“because he said words of honey”

“they went in his mouth and drop some honey”

The children noticed the bees on our school jumper and designed their our own beehives as St Ambrose was the patron saint of beekeepers. 

When Year One entered the classroom they all said 'Happy St Ambrose Day'. They made their own St Ambrose bees and said why they love coming to St Ambrose Catholic Primary School. When they went to Mass on Wednesday they stayed behind to look at the wonderful St Ambrose Statue. They saw the shepherds crook and the honey pot that St Ambrose was holding.

“I love coming to school to see my friends.” Florence H

“I like coming to school because the teachers are kind.” Charlotte

“I like St Ambrose because the classroom is nice.” Nicole

“I love St Ambrose because I learn lots at school.” Thomas B

“I love Art at St Ambrose.” Henry

Year Two had a lovely time learning about and celebrating the life of St Ambrose. They really enjoyed of the Mass lead by Father Lamb and the assembly from Mr Thomas. In class they each made a peg doll St Ambrose and wrote their our own class litany to the St Ambrose.

“A bee was in St Ambrose's mouth and then he could speak good, sweet words” 

“He would go around the city telling them that God loves them”

“St Ambrose spread the word of God in Milan and he was the Bishop of Milan”

“St Ambrose is good because he was the Bishop of Milan”

“St Ambrose says sweet words and he was full of love”

“St Ambrose is the patron saint of beggars, Milan, bee keepers and learning”

“St Ambrose talked about God and he spread the word of God. He loved God. He is the Patron Saint of beggars, bee keepers, Milan and learning”

“St Ambrose was a loving and compassionate person he gave away his money to the poor.” 

“St Ambrose was a sweet-talking person. A bee stung his tongue and then he could speak sweet words about God”.

In Year Three the children enjoyed watching a video all about the life of St Ambrose.  They then created a class collage of images and words relating to his life.

“When St Ambrose was voted in as the Bishop of Milan, he ran away and hid!' Abel

“St Ambrose is the patron saint of bee keepers, because when he was little a swarm of bees landed on him, but none of them stung him!” Isla

On Thursday afternoon, Year Six welcomed Bishop David Evans and Father Lamb into school to talk to them about Confirmation.  Bishop David was very impressed with the children’s knowledge about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and felt that they were all very well prepared.  He spoke at length about the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how we can use them effectively in our lives.  The children asked Bishop David some very interesting questions which I felt showed how attentive and interested the children were in his life and the choices he had made for his vocation to the priesthood.

In the evening the children received the Sacrament of Confirmation at that Parish Mass held for celebrating the Feast of St Ambrose.  The Mass was beautiful, and it was a lovely celebration of the children continuing their journey of faith.  They all showed great respect and reverence. 

We thank those children who didn’t make their Confirmation but came to support their friends.  The Mass was followed by a joyful celebration in the parish hall with pizzas for all.  These were provided by Father Lamb. Thank you also to the UCM for the refreshments.

‘’Confirmation was important to me because it was my third step into becoming part of the Catholic Church and God’s Family. It was important because the Bishop put the oil of Christ on our forehead, plus you get to meet him!’’ Charlie

“Confirmation was great yesterday because we renewed our baptism promises and we received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Also, we saw all our friends and family. It was a good time.’’ James

“Confirmation was so special to me because I felt happy and joyful with my friends and family, and as the Bishop sealed me with the Holy Spirit I felt good and I had more courage about my faith.’’ Katie

“Confirmation was special to me because I got to see my friends, get confirmed and see my journey through confirmation. I felt nervous but I got more confident when I saw my friends and family, who came to see me renew my baptismal promises and watch me get confirmed!’’ Fia-Bella

“I enjoyed it very much. I did get a bit scared whilst being stood up in church but being confirmed gave me much confidence! I have learnt a lot about each Saint, and I am really glad I did it, and I loved the after party!’’ Niamh

Today the children have all been busy decorating flags to support the close of Ambrosefest as the church is celebrating an International Mass at 7p.m.  All families are welcome to attend this.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mrs Laskey

Father Lamb would like to extend a big thank you to all of the families that contributed towards and attended the Parish Christmas Bazaar last Sunday. 

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS DINNER

If you would like your child to have a Christmas dinner on Thursday 21st of December, you must order this through the School Food United website/app. This will be the only meal option on this day. Kind regards.

!!! COMPETITION TIME !!!

Please see the poster for details on how to be in with the chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop voucher when you order your child's meal on School Food United!!

Teapot Tuesday will be 3-3.20pm

19th Decermber                                                                                    

And returning in the New Year on Tuesday 16^th Jan 

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.

The Big Ambition – Have your say!

Please click on the link to view the Christmas Wellbeing newsletter, which is filled with ideas to support the whole family (adults and children) in improving their overall wellbeing, through opportunities that are linked to the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’.

You can also access the newsletter from the PDF link below.

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.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Laskey and Mrs Brocklesby