DATE: Thursday 1st April 2021

Good afternoon,

We have had a great few weeks and have even had some beautiful weather his week. It has certainly felt more like springtime (apart from the cold today). This month we marked a year since the first lockdown, the country stood in silence at midday and lit candles on their doorsteps to remember all those who have died during this pandemic. It is hard to believe that the virus is still very much with us, but with the successful rollout of the vaccines, we are beginning to see an end.

The challenges we have all faced have been immense and I would like to pay tribute again to you as parents and to acknowledge your incredible work as the first and most enduring educators of your children. 

Please continue working together to protect our children, staff and families. Enjoy the well deserved break..

Throughout Lent we have prepared for the wonderful celebration of Easter and reminded each other to persevere with our Lenten promises, as God forgives us for our mistakes. Sunday marked the beginning of Holy week and the focus for the children during their daily collective worship this week has included:

  • Monday - The Last Supper
  • Tuesday - The Arrest
  • Wednesday - The Trial
  • Thursday - The Crucifixion

Tomorrow it would be wonderful if we could all access the Children's Stations of the Cross at Saint Ambrose Church via livestream http://www.stambrosekidderminster.org.uk/ourstandard.asp?pageid=137

All the staff would like to wish everyone a Happy and Holy Easter and we look foward to welcoming the children back on Monday 19th April.

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

This week, all classes have worked hard to produce some fantastic pictures of Jesus' journey to the cross inspired by the Stations of the Cross at St Chad's Cathedral. Each station was depicted by the following classes: 

Station 1: Reception
Station 2: Year 1
Station 3: Year 2
Station 4: Year 3
Station 5: Year 4
Station 6: Year 5
Station 7: Year 6
Station 8: Reception
Station 9: Year 1
Station 10: Year 2
Station 11: Year 3
Station 12: Year 4
Station 13: Year 5
Station 14: Year 6.

We hope you enjoy the following presentation of the children's work along with the readings and prayers read by Year 6.

YEAR 6 ARTWORK

This week, Year 6 have been looking at the words Jesus said on the cross and discussing why He died for us. They also have produced the following wonderful artwork depicting Jesus' final moments:

ST CHAD'S CATHEDRAL - VIRTUAL TOUR

This week, across the school, pupils enjoyed virtually exploring St Chad's Cathedral. They were challenged to listen carefully in order to be able to solve clues relating to Holy Week and then they had to nativate their way around the cathedral to find the different objects. Well done to all those who completed this.

THIS TERM'S VIRTUES: ATTENTIVE AND DISCERNING

This half term, we have focussed on the virtures: attentive and discerning. We have endeavoured to grow to be attentive to our experience and to our vocation; and discerning about the choices we make and the effects of these choices. The following children were congratulated for demonstrating these virtues and were either chosen by their peers or class teachers. Well done, everyone.

Year Pupil Nomination Teacher Nomination
Reception Cody Daria
Year 1 Parisa Joseph
Year 2 Szymon Lauren
Year 3 James Jaime
Year 4 Bertie Ethan
Year 5 Elle Aleksandra
Year 6 Katie Poppy

STARS OF THE WEEK

We are extremely proud of how hard ALL pupils have worked in school this week. On Monday morning, in our whole school virtual celebration assesmbly, the following children will be receiving a certificate for their fantastic efforts:

Year Group Star Learners
Reception Cody and Matthew
Year 1 Julia and Olly
Year 2 Maks and Molly
Year 3 Cian and Luca
Year 4 Woody and Karolina
Year 5 Filip and Lilli-Rose
Year 6 Aston and Harry

TERM DATES

Please see the pdf document below with the term dates for the 2021-22 academic year.

CLARKS - SCHOOL SHOE FITTING SERVICE

With non essential retail reopening on the 12th April we know how many parents will want to get down to the shops to get uniform sorted and we want to help make it as easy as possible.
 
We offer a fitting appointment service, 15 minutes per child, which means parents don't have to queue, we can control the volume of customers instore much more easily for everyone's safety. We even do quiet time appointments that can be booked if a child needs a little extra help or suffers with any sensory problems.
 
The benefit of the Worcester store is it's central location, we are open 9 till 5.30 with plenty of appointment slots free. 

RELATIONSHIPS, SEX, HEALTH EDUCATION

Further to our consultation regarding the new statutory curriculum subject, Relationship and Health Education, we are pleased to let you know that our school has decided to adopt the programme, Life to the Full, produced by the Catholic educational organisation, Ten Ten Resources.

The Life to the Full programme is based on the structure of ‘A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum’ by the Catholic Education Service. This model curriculum was highlighted as a work of good practice by the Department of Education so we therefore have confidence that the programme will be fit for purpose in supporting the growth and development of your child.

Life to the Full is much more than a series of lessons. It is an entire platform of creative resources that will engage, inform and inspire our children and, indeed, you as parents. This includes interactive video content, story-based activities, employing a wide range of teaching tools, original worship music and an accompanying programme of classroom prayers.

In addition there will be an online parent platform so that you, as parent and carers, can engage with the teaching and deepen the experience for your child. To access the online parent platform please visit: www.tentenresources.co.uk/parent-portal

School Username: st-ambrose-dy10

School Password: custard-111

Your child will have come home today with a short document that will help to give you an overview of the structure and content of the programme. This can also be viewed below.

Life to the Full is intended to be partnership between home, school and church. We know that you already do a fantastic job and we see our new programme, Life to the Full, as a means to further develop, support and enrich the partnership between home, school and church so that your child is fully supported.

We will be holding an information Zoom meeting for parents on: Monday 26th April at 10am and 5pm. Please note that you only need to attend one of these meetings and details will be send out nearer the time.

WE ARE READY, RESPECTFUL AND SAFE

This week our children have been living out the three principles of our Behaviour Policy to Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Safe. I have continued to be really impressed with children making the right choices around school for themselves without being  prompted and reminded. I will be holding zoom meetings for parents to update you about Saint Ambrose School principles:'Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Safe.'

Zoom meeting for parents Tuesday 30th March 10am or

Zoom meeting for parents Tuesday 30th March 5pm

Please note you only need to attend one meeting and zoom codes will be sent out on Monday.

 

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE IN RECEPTION 2021-2022

Do you know of any prospective parents who may be interested in their child joining us in September? If so, please do encourage them to call school for more information and encourage them to follow us on social media. 

We are also looking to promote our school further. Please review us on google if you have a google account and we would be very grateful if you could send us a testimonial which we can add to our promotions work and website. If you are happy for us to share your testimonials please follow the link provided on the news section of our website.

Each Wednesday at 2.45pm, starting next week, Miss Brewer will be sharing a story with Reception children and we are inviting you to join this at home on Zoom too. If you have young children at home or know of any other families who would like to join us for this please share the following details:

Meeting ID:4974976598 Password: ambrose123

PARISH FINANCE REPORT

Please see below for a copy of the Parish finance report.

SCHOOL DIRECT: GET INTO TEACHING

Please click on the YouTube link below to view a short video about getting into teaching. You can also access more information by following the following link

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teacher-training-routes/school-led-training/school-direct-salaried

WEDNESDAY WORD

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

PARENTPAY: IMPORTANT

We are now set-up for online payments via Parentpay and all payments to school will need to be made online after Easter with the exception of School Lunches. Letters were sent out to all parents with set up and individual user details and we have re-sent the letters today for thos parents who haven't already activated their accounts.

Please can we ask that upon receipt of your letter you activate your account as you will not be able to book any clubs, trips or other activities without doing so.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

RARING TO GO:SPRING EDITION

Please click on the link below to access the Spring Edition of raring2go. 

This issue is full of ideas to keep families entertained at home, as well as information on clubs and attractions that are starting to open up again.
There are some lovely contributions from local children, as well as features on gardening, reading and craft and plenty of competitions to be won.

WEBINARS

Please see the flyers below detailing webinars for you to access. These webinars are produced and delivered by the children's charity, Barnardos.

FREE ONLINE COURSES

Maybe you have heard about the online courses for parents, FREE for residents in our area?

The Solihull Approach (NHS) have launched a NEW online course!

How do I access?

www.inourplace.co.uk

 What’s the code?

Ø  If you haven’t used it already here is the access code for all the online courses (funded for residents of Worcestershire): SOLIHULLKPPROVWHWCS

Ø  If, like many parents, you have already used this code, log into your account here and this course will be ready in your dashboard to start whenever you are ready.

 Can I tell my family and friends?

Absolutely! Share the news with other families in the area so that they too can take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

 How long is it?

There are 7 modules which each take about 5 minutes to complete and will benefit from time to digest in between. 

If you like this…

…you might like the bigger ‘Understanding your child’ or ‘Understanding your child with additional needs’, or other courses in the series. www.inourplace.co.uk

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON REGULAR RAPID TESTING AND COVID-19 VACCINATION

Please see the following documents from NHS Test and Trace and NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group 

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS

Latest update on testing and isolation periods.

  • If a child or member of staff tests positive, they now have to self-isolate for at least 10 days, even if they feel well.
  • If they are NOT a known contact of a confirmed case they can return to school if the result is negative, providing they feel well and they have not had a fever for 48 hours.
  • If they are a contact of a confirmed case, they must stay off school for 14 days isolation period, even if they test negative. This is because they can develop the infection at any point up to 14 days after being in contact a confirmed case. This would apply to pupils and staff who have been in a bubble with a positive testing child.  School Leadership will decide which members of staff have come into close proximity with the bubble and therefore also need to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • Please be aware that anyone admitted to hospital is likely to receive a test for Covid, whether they are showing symptoms or not.  
  • Covid symptoms are now being classed as: a persistent cough, high temperature, and/or loss of taste and smell.
  • No action needs to be taken as a school until a test result is shared with us.

Please also note that we cannot request test results, parents have to approach us with results.

LATERAL FLOW TESTING KITS AND SELF ISOLATING GUIDES

Please see the following covid documents from Public Health.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Brocklesby

Emmaus CMAC
St Ambrose Catholic Primary School Ofsted
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