Good Afternoon,

Saint Ambrose is very fortunate to have supportive and friendly parents. We recognise that educating children is a process that involves a strong partnership between parents, teachers and the school community. As a partnership, we place importance on good working relationships to provide children with the necessary skills for adulthood. For these reasons we continue to welcome and encourage you to participate fully in the life of our school. 
I know you all agree that staff, parents and children are entitled to a safe and protective environment to learn and grow in. Behaviour that may cause harassment, alarm or distress to any member of our school community is contrary to the aims and ethos of our school, so for this reason if you have any concerns, please arrange to see a member of staff. I try to be on the gate every day and I am happy to help with any concerns. Every child has come home today with a letter and a copy of the Saint Nicholas Owen Parent/Visitor Code of Conduct.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

'Happy are the young, because they have time before them to do good.'

St Philip Neri

'Dear Lord Jesus, you are the source of all goodness. Thank you for all the people who help us to grow in the goodness and become the best that we can be.'

Amen

If your son or daughter is selected to receive an award at a Celebration Assembly this year you will receive two invitations from school on a Thursday. The first invitation is a push notification and the second invite is a slip in your son or daughter's book bag.

Please pop into the school office at any time if you are not receiving the push notifications. 

Well done to the children who received an award this week, they are;

Molly B, Poppy B, Honey B, Annabella B, Gianni B, Amelia C, Darcey G, Robyn H, Hubert L, Danny M, Colton M-B, Summer M-F, Louie N, Adrian P, Filip S, Charlie S.

''People forget what you said and what you did. But they never forget how you made them feel''

Maya Angelou

The Friendly February Action Calendar has daily suggested actions to do throughout February 2020 to bring happiness to others and improve your relationships.We will be following this calendar in school.

Please click on the link below to view the calendar. 

This week we have all learnt bravery comes in all shapes and sizes and is different for everyone. Please remind your son or daughter that bravery can be about sharing worries and asking for help when you need it, trying something new or making the right choices. All classes this week have enjoyed taking part in activities in class and during assemblies.

Year 6 and Mrs Stewart will be organising a celebration to remember Sister Breda at Saint Ambrose School. The celebration will be on Friday March 6th at 2pm. Everyone is welcome, including people who knew Sister Breda and would like to share their memories and anyone who would like to learn more about her.

We will be celebrating Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 11th February. The theme for this year is 'Together for a better internet.' Safer Internet Day is designed to empower young people to take control of their digital lives. 

This week on our journey with St Matthew we hear how Jesus was fulfilling his ministry from God by travelling around villages healing people. In Chapter 9:27 – 31 we read about how two blind men, having been witnesses to their faith, were cured but Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about what had happened. They could not contain themselves however and, “Left and spread the news about Jesus all over that part of the country”.

Jesus’ request seems strange today in a world where we constantly promote Following in Jesus’ Footsteps by sharing the Good News of Christ. We must remember Christ Jesus came to do the will of the Father. He was intent on keeping it that way.

In John 6:38, He said, "I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."  Jesus didn't long for earthly praise or human approval or acclaim. He was intent on doing what the Father wanted. 

Today in a competitive world where we humans crave approval and can’t wait to show off our achievements, this simple story from Scripture teaches us the true meaning of humility. For Christ, living meant simply doing God's will.

Jesus modelled what he taught. He helped other people and epitomised joy and love. He is the example for how we should lead our lives. This is the message that Year 4 have been exploring when Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World”.

 Our message from the scriptures this week then is a simple one, ‘There is nothing to brag about: it is all about God’.

For your own personal development try reading the Bible in a year using an app such as Bible in One Year.

This spring the Diocese are running a competition for children in all diocesan schools, with the theme of ‘The God Who Speaks’. They are asking pupils to build a Lego scene of Vocation based on Scripture and to send pictures to office@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk

All entries will be shared at the weekly Gospel Assembly on a Friday. There will be prizes for winning pupils. The closing date is Thursday 19th March (St. Joseph’s Day), with the winners announced on the Solemnity of the Annunciation (25th March). Please see below the poster and rules and entry information.

The Year 5 Pyramid Concert is taking place next week on Thursday 13th February! If anyone would like to attend there are still a few tickets left for purchase. This is a fabulous experience for the children and a great night out as a parent. We are all looking forward to it Year 5! 

The concert date for next year has already been booked and we now have a wonderful opportunity to vote for the theme of the concert. (This will be especially exciting for our current Year 4 children and their families) Please see the poster below detailing how you can vote. The results will be announced at the concert next Thursday evening.

Year 3 stepped back in time on Wednesday and spent the day as Stone Age travellers!

They spent the morning building monuments out of natural resources, and then in the afternoon they had a camp fire and cooked unleavened bread! 

The children can't wait to share their experiences, work and photos with their parents in next week's Express session! 

We are very proud to report that one of our pupils, Scarlet in Year 6, has decided to get her hair cut for charity. Not only is she donating her cut hair to 'The Little Princess Trust' but she is also raising money for 'The Mary Stevens Hospice' who provided amazing palliative end of life care to a much loved member of her family.

We kindly ask that, if possible, you could support her in her fundraising. If you are able to donate anything it would be gratefully received. Please click on the link below to access her Just Giving page. All donations will go directly to the Hospice.

The hair cut will take place during half term so please see the newsletter for information on how it all went.

Thank you for your continued support.

Please don't forget to follow us on Twitter where you can see all the wonderful tweets that the teachers share.

@ambrose_primary

The next school council meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th February.

PLEASE REGULARLY CHECK THE DIARY DATES FOR ANY UPDATES.

CAN WE PLEASE REMIND YOU THAT VIOLIN LESSONS ARE ON A MONDAY AND CLARINET LESSONS ARE ON A FRIDAY. PLEASE CAN YOU ENSURE THAT YOUR CHILD BRINGS THEIR INSTRUMENT INTO SCHOOL WITH THEM ON THE RELEVANT DAYS. MANY THANKS.

Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Miatowski from Hagley High School will be present at parents evening on Monday 30th March between 3.30pm and 6pm to talk to year 6 parents. If you would like an appointment to see them you can book this via the School Life app.

Please see below the dates for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests. If your son or daughter is in Year 2 or Year 6 you will be invited to attend an information workshop this term to update you on how you can support your son or daughter. The session will start with Mass followed by an information session in the school hall and the morning will conclude with an opportunity for you to work with your son or daughter.

First Holy Communion Day is Saturday 13th June 2020.

The preparation classes for your child this academic year will be held after school on a Wednesday 3.10-4pm (see below for the dates).

Father Lamb will lead the evening meetings for parents at 6.30pm in the Parish Centre. The first one will be held on Tuesday 28th January. 

Please see below the Mass dates for the Spring Term.

Please see the flyer below detailing the TAPP 'Bake Off'. It will be held on Friday 14th February. 

We have places available in Years Reception, 1, 4, 5 & 6. If you know of anyone who would be interested, please refer them to the School Office in the first instance.

Well done Year 3 !!

If any more parents would like to sign up for the first aid course please speak to Mrs Wallace who will register you on the course. It is being run by Worcestershire County Council, Family Links and is FREE if you earn £16,000 or less.

The course will be held in the Parish rooms at 9am - 10.30am on Tuesday 25th Feb and Tuesday 3rd March 9am - 10.30am, free tea and coffee will be available and a certificate of attendance will be issued.

Toast is available to the children on the following days:

The cost per slice will remain at 20p which is to be given to the class teacher in exchange for a token that the children will use to get their toast.

Thank you for your continued support in this venture.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the food bank collection before Christmas. We donated an amazing 164.80kg of items that have been distributed to the local community.

We will be continuing the collection of non-perishable food items for the food bank. If you can bring the items in on a Friday and the local foodbank will collect them on a monthly basis.

Our next collection date will be the end of February.

With the latest round of Gallagher Premiership matches now confirmed it has thrown up some exciting days here at Sixways.

The Warriors host Gloucester on Saturday 21^st March in a double header which also sees the ladies playing against Gloucester Hartpury.

Friday March 6^th Northampton are the visitors followed by two games in April.

Firstly Harlequins are the visitors on Saturday April 11^th which again is a double header with the ladies hosting Loughborough Lightning straight after.

Finally Bristol Bears make the short trip up the motorway on Friday April 24^th.

The Warriors have a number of festivals (both girls and boys) during this period along with a host of touring teams coming up looking for games. We also offer opportunities to be part of the Guard of Honour, play on the Stadium pitch at half time go behind the scenes and many more packages, so whatever your needs we can accomodate.

For more information on the matches and what is available please contact Henry.Beech@warriors.co.uk or Steve.Joslin@warriors.co.uk

With February Half Term around the corner we wanted to inform you that 'Fit For Sport' will be running holiday kids camps from the 17-21^st February at the nearby Wyre Forest leisure centre. Please see the link below for more information.

Please see the flyer below for information on the Kidderminster Harriers half term camp.

For more information or to book your child's plac you can email harrierscommunity@hotmail.com or call 01562 863821.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in going along to the Parish's Baby and Toddler group, the sessions are held on Wednesdays in term time from 9-11 am (except the last Wednesday of the month). We welcome newborn up to pre-school children and their parents. Your first session will be free of charge and thereafter will be 80p. This cost includes refreshments for you and your child. We have an array of toys and activities for you and your child to enjoy and this is also a great opportunity to meet and socialise with other families. If you have any enquiries, please see the Facebook page 'St Ambrose Toddlers Kidderminster'.

This initiative allows vital funds to be available to our Parish in order to meet its financila obligations. There is a total prize fund of £2,500 equating to monthly prizes of £75, £50 and £25 along with the 'Big Christmas Draw' with prizes of £400, £200 and £100. The cost for this initiative is £24 per annum, payable monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually in January. We would love to welcome many more new members. If you wish to join the 200 club please fill in a form that will be available from the school office or at the back of the Church and return to either the office or the rectory. 

For further information please contact either Janine Nicholls or Martin Grovenor using the details on the application forms.

St Ambrose

Sunday 11am & 6pm

Saturday 11:45 am - 12:45 pm, and by request.

Please see the attached poster detailing the Montini Group meetings for 2019/2020.

Kind regards,

Mrs Brocklesby