Good Afternoon,

We have all had a fantastic week in which each year group has had the opportunity to share their achievements with parents. Thank you to everyone who has attended the express events. I have enjoyed seeing you all and hearing about the children's achievements.
A particular highlight for the children and staff this week has been the phonics and sats workshops for Reception and Year 2. Thank you to the parents who have said the workshops provide a valuable insight into how you can support your children at home. We have also been delighted to see our Year 5 pupils perform at the Town Hall last night. On Wednesday after school we welcomed the children, who are starting on their journey towards First Holy Communion to focus on the importance of ‘listening and caring’ and we shared thoughts together about the importance of taking time to listen to and talk to God. 

At Saint Ambrose, our assemblies are the backbone of our school culture and shared celebration. It was wonderful today to see all Year 4 children involved in our collective worship and acting out stories and sharing their achievements and work. Well Done Everyone!

''The family is where parents become their children's first teachers in the faith. The family's strength lies in its capacity to love and to teach how to love.''

Pope Francis

Dear Lord Jesus, please bless all the people in my life who teach me. Thank you for being my friend and teacher. Please help me to learn and grow in your love.

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;

Louie N, Ben R, Aleksandra L, Demi B, Lilli-Rose C, Honey B, FFion B, Jess L, Archie M, Millie C, Ashley B, Charlie C, Lucy J, Olly H, Joseph H, Hannah M, Noah G, James B.

THE NEXT CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY WILL BE MONDAY 2ND MARCH.

Y5 have been working since September with Mr Mallinson from Hagley High School for their Pyramid Concert. Yesterday they went to Birmingham Town Hall for the big night but there was lots of rehearsal time to get it just right before their performance with the other schools! They performed their own version of the song ‘Heard it through the grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye! We were very proud of all of them - what an amazing Team! 😊 🎶

We have been completely overwhelmed today by the amazing entries for the children's
'Bake Off'. I am incredibly relieved that I didn't have the impossible job of judging them! We look forward to enjoying the cakes and will be announcing the winners and we will be publishing photos on our newsletter after half term.

''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. 

On Tuesday we celebrated Safer Internet Day. The theme for this year is 'Together for a better internet.' Safer Internet Day has helped us to empower our young people to take control of their digital lives. I am pleased to let you know about a safer internet talk that we have planned for parents. The talk will be on Friday 6th March at 9.15am at school and Simon Gallagher a police engagement officer will be talking to us all.

This week on our journey with St Matthew we heard how Jesus prepared his disciples to go out into the world. In Chapter 10: 5 - 15: The Mission of the Twelve, Jesus tells them to ‘Go and preach, the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’

 In their first lesson this week in preparation for receiving Holy Communion the Y3 children learned how, just like the disciples, our mission is also to ‘Know love and serve God in this world and to be happy with him in the next’.  

We are fortunate that our School Mission, ‘We do our best by following Jesus’ is a constant reminder that as Christians, God asks us to reveal himself to others through what we do and say.

As we prepare for a well earned half term break our thought for the week is to show others that Jesus is with us by always trying to be the best person we can be especially when we are out and about outside of school. 

God loves us unconditionally and as Scripture reminded the children all He asks is that we spare some time at least on Sunday to think about Him and get to know him better.

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. We have already recieved our first entry and remember 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.

Worcester Bosch are running an art/photography competition that focuses on the environment. This would be a lovely activity for you to do with your child over the half term. Please see the entry requirements on the poster below. It is also attached in PDF form for you to print out and complete if you would like to enter.

On Friday 28th February we will be having 'Hobby Day' at school. This is being organised by Molly in Year 6. She would like to invite all pupils with a hobby outside of school to come in wearing their kit or uniform or to bring it in with them. They will then have the opportunity to talk to their class about their hobby if they wish to do so.

I loved going into the Victorian classroom because it was a great experience seeing what school life was like all those years ago. Our teacher for the morning was really strict. - Archie B

It was really funny when Chinzia answered the teacher's question about who the reigning monarch was and she accidentally said Queen Elizabeth II when obviously the answer was meant to be Queen Victoria. - Molly S

The best part of the trip was getting changed into Victorian outfits at the start and having to line up in height order. It was really funny meeting the class teacher who was really strict and stern - she didn't smile once until the very end. - Alex P.

I liked trying out all the Victorian toys at break time and got to play with a metal hoop with a handle which was quite tricky to use. - Ashley B

I really enjoyed listening to the pictures that spoke to us when we explored the Bishop's house in the afternoon. - Adrian P

Thank you to all of the parents, carers and family members who attended the Year 2 SATS workshop. We hope that you found it informative and that you enjoyed spending time in schoool with your child.

A big thank you to all parents who attended the Phonic Workshop on Wednesday. What an amazing turn out! Your children were so excited to share their super sound knowledge with you. I hoped you enjoyed the trip through China at the end of the session. 

Matty-I loved having my Mum watching my Phonics. She was really proud of me.

Olly-My Mummy said my work was really good.

Joseph-I loved showing my Mum and Dad the Tai Chi.

Austin-Mummy said I did good listening.

Parisa-My Nan said my writing was really good.

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.

Mrs Tew will be completing a marathon (26.2 miles) for Alzheimers Society in memory of her Mum who suffered with Alzheimers. Her plan is to complete the marathon over 3 days, w/c 24^th February. Dementia UK are researching ways to improve the life of people suffering with dementia and support for their families and Mrs Tew is fundraising to support them.

If you would like to donate, please click on the link https://jogondementia.everydayhero.com/uk/barb

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

@ambrose_primary

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.

First Holy Communion Day is Saturday 13th June 2020 at 12pm

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. 

Please see below the Mass dates for the Spring and Summer terms.

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.

Please see the letter below that went home with your child yesterday regarding the guidlines around sickness and time off from school. Many thanks.

As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to stop germs:

always carry tissues then bin the tissue, and wash their hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

Always wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Well done Year 6  !!

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.

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 them.

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'.

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