Good afternoon,

As you are all fully aware, all primary school children will be able to return to school on Monday 8th March 2021. This is such good news for us here at Saint Ambrose and we all look
forward to welcoming your children back. As a school, our staff will be continuing with the Lateral Flow Testing programme, testing twice a week to ensure that any asymptomatic people who might
otherwise continue to attend educational settings are identified and self-isolate. All
risk assessments are being reviewed again to ensure that the highest standards of
hygiene and protocol are maintained. You can read our risk assessment on the school website via Key Information then coronavirus information. 

We are really proud of how hard all pupils have worked in school and at home this week and the following children will be receiving a certificate for their fantastic efforts. On Monday morning, we are really looking forward to celebrating our celebration assembly with all children virtually in school. The following children will be receiving a certificate:

This half term, we are focussing on the virtures: attentive and discerning. We are growing to be attentive to our experience and to our vocation; and discerning about the choices we make and the effects of those choices. Please do let us know if your child shows these virtues at home by emailing Miss Holtom: year6@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk. Thank you

On Tuesday, we celebrated yellow house saint's feast day - Saint Chad - by all wearing something yellow. Father Lamb kindly taught us about the life of Saint Chad, which we all found really interesting.

At 10.00am, Father Lamb celebrated Mass for the whole school and this was live-streamed from our school hall. Afterwards, pupils in Year 6, Year 3 and Year 4 had the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament, experiencing the real presence of Jesus Christ in their lives. It was an uplifting opportunity to offer our own thoughts and prayers for vocations in quiet reflection. In the afternoon, Year 5, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 had the opportunity to do the same with Mr Moran and Father Lamb.

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

With Miss Noble, Year 6 have been discussing poverty and what we can do to help remedy this problem in our world. Aston has written a thoughtful prayer that we would like to share with you all:

The children had a World Book Day challenge to work out which teacher was reading each part of 'The Twits' by Roald Dahl, but... the teachers were disguised! Thank you to Miss Ballard for putting it all together.

Everyone also had the opportunity to dress up as a word and we loved all the creative ideas that were showcased. There were also lots of different activities that we took place across the day from drawing characters, designing book covers to writing recipes for our new school recipe book!

Please use the links below to help support and improve your child's reading.

This week, for Well-Being Wednesday, Mrs Holder set us lots of differences challenges to choose from. Here are some pictures showing what Year 6 got up to in school and at home:

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 will be re-sending letters during next week. Please activate your account as you will not be able to book any clubs, trips or other activities without doing so.

From Monday 8th March until the end of term, children can have a packed lunch at school with a choice of cheese, ham or tuna sandwich filling. Children in Reception, Y1 and Y2 do not need to make payment nor do children in receipt of free school meals. If you would like your child to have a packed lunch and they do not fall into the above categories you must notify the school office on Monday morning of their sandwich choice and make payment of £2.30 per meal.

We anticipate hot dinners to be phased back in after Easter. Anyone who had paid for hot dinners before lockdown will have a credit balance.

We will be sending out menus for after the Easter break over the course of next week. Please can we ask that everyone who would like a meal (universal free school meals, free school meals and paid meals) to complete the menu and return to the school office. If we do not receive a menu for your child we will assume that you do not want them to take a meal.

Please contact the school office should you need further clarification or support with this.

If your child has a food allergy or intolerance that has been medically diagnosed, please can you complete and return the form below. Even if your child only takes school dinners occassionally or on themed days it is imperative that Class Catering have this information so that they can create a bespoke menu if and when needed for your child.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S FEELINGS is a brand NEW 'taster' course from the Solihull Approach which is available using the access code below. It is an opportunity to try out a shorter online course.

Solihull Approach offer online courses for parents and they are free for all residents of Worcestershire. This is to support the Mental Health of parents and the Mental Health and well-being of children and young people. These courses are making a difference all over the country. 

Below is the link to the Starting Well website and the free access code is PARENTSROCK 

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.

Kind regards,

Mrs Brocklesby.