Today the children in St Matthew's house celebrated their patron saint's feast day, the actual day falling on Saturday this year. They wore their house colour (red) with pride and enjoyed an extra morning break. They also enjoyed a drink and cake in the Hall together before going over to Church for a service of thanksgiving led by Father Lamb. He told them all about the life of St Matthew. Congratulations you all look like you had a lovely day.

"Put your trust in God, dear young friends! He knows and loves us."

Pope Francis.

Schools are very busy places and no year is ever the same as the previous year, indeed no two days are ever the same! Schools in England are currently coming to terms with some significant educational changes introduced at the beginning of this new year. Ofsted has introduced a new school inspection framework (Education Inspection Framework) which puts the curriculum at the heart of the inspection process. There is now an expectation that schools have real clarity and understanding on what they teach, why they teach it, and how they sequence teaching and learning to ensure all children learn effectively, not just in English and mathematics but across the whole curriculum - physical education, geography, art, music etc. As a school we welcome these changes. We believe these changes recognise the importance, and duty of schools, to provide a curriculum which is ambitious, challenging, exciting and prepares children well for the life of work and living in modern Britain.
We have already made some important changes to our curriculum and careful consideration has been given to the knowledge and skills taught.
Every week a different year group will showcase what they have learnt in a particular subject. Next week year 3 will be wowing us with the French they have learnt.

It has been an exciting week as the astro turf is nearly laid. The astro turf and daily mile track will certainly enhance the physical education curriculum that we provide. Every child in the school will benefit from the hardwork that the Parents and Teachers Association led with with determination and vision. Without all your support we would not have the fantastic pitch and track that the whole school can't wait to use.

This half term the staff and children are growing to be 'Grateful and Generous' in their words and actions. Today seven children came to my office for afternoon tea as a reward for displaying the values Grateful and Generous. The children were Olly H, Hannah M, Charlie S, Bertie B, Aleksandra L, Poppy B and Ashley B.

This is Oscar. A young boy from Worcester.

Oscar has T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which he has been battling for nearly 9 months now.

Unfortunately Oscar's recent stem cell transplant hasn't cured him meaning he needs further treatment that sadly the NHS won't fund.

Oscar's parents are pleading for help across the globe to save their childin raising £500.000 to either fund a seciond transplant or to enroll onto Car-T therapy in Singapore.

We will be holding a mufti day on Thursday 10th October to help raise funds for this worthwhile cause. We are asking for a donation of £1 for your child to come to school in their own clothes.

If you would like to further donate you can do so online by clicking on the link below.

We were so proud this week of everyone who was awarded a certificate for their curriculum achievements or discipleship behaviour and attitudes demonstrated in every aspect of school life.

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 anytime if you are not receiving the push notifications. 

Thank you to the parents who have already visited Father Lamb to register their child for the Confirmation programme, please arrange your visit with Father Lamb by 30^th September. I am so pleased to have your feedback and as a result of your visits the Confirmation classes for the children will now be an after school club on a Wednesday 3.10-4pm (start date will be confirmed after all families have registered). Father Lamb will lead the evening meetings for parents and the start date and time will be confirmed as soon as possible.

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.

Mrs Walters, who was a teacher at Saint Ambrose in the early 1960's, has recently passed away and left the school a special gift. The gift is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which will be kept in school for children and staff to enjoy.

Please see below the Mass dates for the Autumn Term.

Mr.Moran who is the Parish Pastoral Assistant will be supporting classes to prepare for Mass this year. He will work with the class who is leading the Mass on a Friday. This will enable the children to develop their understanding of the Mass. 

Mrs Price our SENDCo is available to meet with parents to discuss IEP's at Parent Evenings on Monday 14th October 5-7.30pm and Monday 21st October 3.30-6pm.

If you would like to discuss any concerns or would like some support, please contact the school office to book an appointment with Mrs Price. Mrs Price is in school on a Tuesday and Wednesday.

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.

On Thursday 2nd October we will be having a special menu at lunchtime. The theme is 'Street Food' and we are inviting children to come in on the day dressed in their own clothes. Please see the menu/order form below and return to school no later than wednesday 25th September.

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.

If your child is due to transfer to High School in September 2020 then you will need to fill out an online application by 31st October 2019. All Year 6 children were given their 'admissions to high school' pack last week. This included details of how to apply and a unique code for the individual child.

If you have applied for your child to go to Hagley Catholic High School they require a copy of your child's baptism certificate and a completed supplementary form to be sent back to them. The supplementary form is attached below or alternativley you can access this from their website. www.hagleyrc.worcs.sch.uk  From the home page select Our School>>Admissions>>Scroll down to the pdf's at the bottom and select 'Supplementary Form'.

The postal address to send the documents back to is:

Mrs L Millard, Hagley Catholic High School, Brake Lane, Hagley, DY8 2XL.

Please see below the letter from Miss Brewer regarding the Phonics Workshop for Reception class.

Mindfulness lunchtime activities is a nurture led initiative that gives the children an opportunity to access nurture and offers them focused, relaxing activities during their lunch break. Each class has access to this provision once a week. Please see some photo's below of the children enjoying their mindfulness lunchtime.

The Year 6 children be taking a jar of sweets around at school and it will also be available in the playground after school. The aim is to guess how many sweets are in the jar. The cost is £1 per guess and the winner gets the jar of sweets. All the money raised will be put towards Christmas events for the children.

Please put a note in your diary to support the Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 27th September in the Parish Hall from 9am. The Liturgy Leaders will be serving drinks and cakes.

Mrs Wallace is continuing with her 'Teapot Time'. Please come along from 9-10am 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 for more details.

We will be continuing to sell toast at morning break every Tuesday and Thursday. The cost per slice is 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.

https://mgsportswear.co.uk/shop/st-ambrose-store

We have places available in Years 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. Many thanks.

The Parish 200 Club is a major fundraiser to help support the running of the Parish. Members contribute £2 a month (£24 a year) and there will be monthly draws for cash prizes. Application forms for new members are now avaliable from the School Office.

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 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 socilaise with other families. If you have any enquiries, please see the Facebook page 'St Ambrose Toddlers Kidderminster'.

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

Sunday 11am & 6pm

St Ambrose

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

Kind regards

Mrs Brocklesby.