UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO UPDATED GDPR GUIDELINES WE ARE UNABLE TO PUBLISH ANY PICTURES OF THE CHILDREN THIS WEEK.

Good Afternoon,

'Dear Lord Jesus Christ, please help us to be open to your love and healing and to grow in faith as we celebrate your birth this Christmas. Amen.'

The God Who Speaks:

Scripture is at the centre of everything the Church does. The word of God shapes our prayer and worship. The Bible shows us how to understand the world, how we are called to live and relate to each other. Pope Francis says: ‘You are holding something divine in your hands: a book that is like fire! A book through which God speaks.’ The Year of the Word has a specific focus on the Gospel of St Matthew.

Very little is known about St Matthew, except that he was the son of Alpheus, and he was probably born in Galilee. He was a tax collector (a hated profession during the time of Christ), when Christ came to him and asked him to follow him. Matthew got up and followed him and became a disciple of Christ. Matthew’s central focus is on making Jesus’ words and action stand out clearly.

"My favourite story from the Gospel of Matthew is Jesus heals the Paralysed Man because it shows us the example of how we should live by caring for others. I also like the Parable of the Ten Young Women as it tells us to be ready for the Second Coming of Jesus." (Adrian Year 6)

‘I like the story in Matthew of the Temptation of Jesus because it shows us that Jesus always trusts in God and doesn’t let himself be tempted. We should follow his example. (Molly Year 6)

Advent Bible Reading at Lunchtime:

Children from Year 4 have been reading a Bible story to Year 2 children each lunchtime this week as part of their Advent preparations.

"This week I have chosen Bible stories for Advent. I have enjoyed asking the children questions about the stories and telling them all about how Zachariah listened to God in the end.’ Next week I will be reading Christmas stories."(Oscar Y4)

‘I have enjoyed listening to the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah. The angel spoke to Zachariah and he was shocked because they were too old to have a baby and he couldn’t speak until the baby was born.’ (Charlie Y2)

"I like going into the prayer room because I listened to the story of Elizabeth and Mary." (Cameron Y2)

‘I like the children reading stories to me because they give me information before the story and tell us what happens in the story.’ (Katie Y2)

"When I go in the prayer room I like saying prayers and people reading to me because it is quiet." (Amelia Y2)

Scripture Seekers "How do we make sense of something as big as the Bible?"

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

Last Sunday the Confirmandi Group shared during Mass their chosen Saint's name as their Confirmation Name. It was clear that for all the children their chosen Saint was someone whose life and faith have inspired them and who they feel will be the best model and guide for their life beyond the reception of the Sacrament. 

This week some children in Year 6 recieved the Sacrament of Confirmation. This marks  another significant step in the faith journey of our children. It entailed a programme of preparation in which school had the privilege to help and guide you and your child to a meaningful and enjoyable celebration of our faith. We would like to thank Bishop Byrne, Father Lamb ,the Parish Deacons, the Altar Servers, UCM Group, Parishioners, Teachers, Parents and children who all worked hard to prepare the Confirmandi Group.

Last Sunday marked the beginning of the Liturgical year, with the season of Advent and the children have already started learning about how they can prepare for the birth of Jesus by thinking of others.

This year each class will be creating a reverse Advent Calendar to collect items to donate to the food bank. Your child should have come home with a letter last week detailing the day they have been allocated to bring in an item for their class box. Please see your child's class teacher if they have not received a letter.

Yesterday we held our own school elections. The Year 6 children organised themselves into the 4 parties and wrote manifestos, which included an improvement they would like to make in school and a fundraising event they would organise to raise money for their chosen charity. They then set off campaigning around the classrooms. In the afternoon all the children in school came to the polling station and experienced going into a booth and making their vote, ably assisted by the two Returning Officers: Lily and Katie (Y4). It was a wonderful example of democracy in action. The results were announced in assembly this morning:

Labour 91 votes, Conservatives 45 votes, Green Party 34 votes, Liberal Democrats 29 votes.

Well done to all the Year 6’s for all their wonderful manifestos. Congratulations to the Labour party (Gracie, Mia, Adrian, Millie, Scarlet), Mrs Stewart is looking forward to working with them in the New Year to put their manifesto into action and supporting their chosen charity Children in Need.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their sponsorship form and money raised. Please send in any outstanding forms next week.

Thank you to TAPP for organising a fantastic Christmas party at the Kidz Barn in Kidderminster. It was a great opportunity for children and parents to chat. 

Thank you to TAPP for organising a real treat today for key Stage 2. The children have had a fantastic time observing amazing science experiments. We really were wowed!

Hagleys Principal, Mr Hodgson extends a warm invite to all parents to attend their Christmas Celebration Mass being held at the high school on Thursday 19th December. The evening will begin with carols played by the school orchestra at 6.45pm and the Mass will commence at 7pm. If you are able to attend please follow the link below stating how seats you will require for the evening

We are very proud of Millie from Year 6 who is taking part in Snow White at the Artrix in Bromsgrove from December 14-22nd.

Please see the flyer below for more details and for information on how to book tickets.

Good luck Millie!!!!

The children who received an award are:

Thomas B, Rosie B, Harry C, Lilli-Rose C, Katie E, Lucy J, Apolonia M, Luca M, Leighton O, Charlie S, Ethan S, Harley V.

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. 

We have places available in Years Reception, 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6. If you know of anyone who would be interested, please refer them to the School Office in the first instance.

We are now on Twitter you can follow us and keep up to date with all our latest news and events. You will need to register for a Twitter account first of all and then if you search for us at ambrose_primary.

We are pleased to be hosting another 2 taster sessions for the 'Understanding Your Child' programme. Please see the flyers below with more details of.

Well done Year 1 !!

We are taking part in The Sun's 'Books for Schools' campaign, which gives primary schools the chance to get their hands on more than 100 books for FREE - but we need your help. Please help us to collect 3500 tokens from The Sun and The Sun on Sunday newspapers between Saturday 23rd November, 2019 and Saturday January 18th, 2020.

WE ARE HOPING TO COLLECT AS MANY TOKENS AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER FOR OUR SCHOOL TO BENEFIT FROM THIS WONDERFUL SCHEME!

PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN YOUR TOKENS.

Mrs Wallace is continuing with her 'Teapot Time'. Please come along from 9-10am on Tuesday 10th December for an informal chat and to help form a group that could support you and your children. We look forward to welcoming you. Should you require any further information please see Mrs Wallace.

Teapot will be on this week, at the end of the chat, parents doing the first aid course will be invited into school to fill out their details online to register for the course.

There will be no teapot time on 7th or 14th Jan, however parents with any enquiries can always book an appointment with the office to see Mrs Wallace.

First Holy Communion Day next year is Saturday 13th June 2020. The preparation classes this academic year will be an after school club on a Wednesday 3.10-4pm (start date will be confirmed in January 2020). Father Lamb will lead the evening meetings for parents and the start date and time will be confirmed in January 2020.

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.

Please see below the Mass dates for the Autumn Term.

PLEASE REGULARLY CHECK THE DIARY DATES FOR ANY UPDATES.

If your child is due to start Reception in September 2020 then you will need to fill out an online application form by 15th January 2020.

Toast is available to the children on the following days:

KS2 will only be able to buy toast on a Tuesday break time.

KS1 will only be able to buy toast on a Thursday break time.

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 support in this venture.

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 Jnauary. 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