Good afternoon everyone,

So here we are... The final newsletter of the year and I just cannot believe how fast this year has flown. If we all take time to reflect and think about what we have done and what we have achieved then we have certainly packed it in. It has been one of the busiest years I can remember but it has remained a joy to welcome your children into school everyday. They have been so good and we are incredibly proud of them all. We have had such wonderful celebrations this year - Confirmation, Holy Communion, Easter, Christmas, the Summer Fete; we have participated in many sporting events, been on numerous trips and visits. Thank you for all your support, for the sunny smiles in the morning, for the support at all school events and for communicating with us so well throughout the year - it really does make a difference. All the staff would like me to thank you for all the cards and gifts they have received at the end of term. It is greatly appreciated - you have no idea what a kind word can do and how much it means. Thank you for your generosity.

I also want to thank the wonderful team of staff here at St Ambrose. We are so lucky to have staff who put in above and beyond what they are asked. They are brilliant to work with and I thank them for all they have done this year. We will be back in September, welcoming new members to our St Ambrose family - ready for another year.

It is not goodbye. We will continue to see Mrs Sherwood - I know she will visit and I know that she will continue to take a keen interest in the lives of all the children and staff at St Ambrose. However, we do want to thank Mrs Sherwood for all her care of our school over the past 15 years and we want to wish her good luck at her new school in Wales.

So this is it, we have to say goodbye to our Year 6 class! Goodbye and good luck to you all. May God bless you all and may you continue to be 'the best, that you can be.' We also say goodbye to many families today - some who have been with us for years. Goodbye and I wish all of you the best of luck.

Yesterday, the Year 6 children led the 'Leaver's Mass' and we were delighted so many parents/carers and family members were again able to join us at this special celebration. During the Mass the children shared memories of their time at the school and celebrated their achievements. We prayed for the children as they begin the next part of their faith journey and for their continued success in the future.

Our Year 6 children also performed their leaver's assembly in front of the rest of the school. They put on a lovely performance with fantastic acting, singing and dancing! This was also a chance for them to say goodbye to the school. The theme of their assembly was past, present and future with the focus being 'Memories'.

Yesterday Year 6 had a lovely time sharing friendship, memories, games and pizza in Father Lambs garden. It was a lovely way to celebrate the end of the year. Year 6 would like to give a special thanks to Father lamb for the privilege of using the garden and generously providing us with some delicious pizza.

Firstly, we must thank the PTA who have raised an amazing £1750 for home reading books that the children will be using in the Autumn Term. The planned library work will commence in the school holidays so watch this space for developments.

What a fantastic day the children had on Monday for their annual Sports Day. The children all competed with great skill and determination. It was lovely to see the children being competitive and determined but also showing great encouragement and sportsmanship towards each other. Thank you to so many parents, grandparents and friends who came to support us.

We hope the children enjoyed their transition morning as much as we did. We have lots of exciting things coming up throughout next year.

I am very pleased to share my exciting news that I am expecting a baby at the beginning of October. I will be going on maternity leave towards the end of September. Mrs Stewart will be the Acting Principal, Miss Holtom will be Acting Assistant Principal leading Key Stage 2 and Miss Brewer will be Acting Assistant Principal leading Early Years and Key Stage 1.

Thank you to the PTA and Mrs Sherwood and all the musicians whose wonderful fundraising has enabled the children to all have an ice-cream or an ice-lolly on the playground today from an ice-cream van.

This week everyone has received information about the exciting new changes to our houses next year in response to a request from our children through our school council. Across the school, children have voted that we re-name our houses after the Gospel writers. As staff, we feel this is an excellent choice relating to our Catholic Mission:'We do our best by following Jesus'. Therefore, next year the houses will be as follows:

All children will remain in the SAME colour house as they are currently in.

Miss Brewer, Miss Holtom, Mrs Leak, Miss Crumpler, Mrs Baylie, Mrs Fish, Miss Wright, Mrs Price, Mr Garvey and Mr Turner will be taking part in the Wild Warrior Challenge.

Click the link below to find out what they have let themselves in for.

https://xrunner.co.uk/wild-warrior-obstacle-course-race/

Please help us by sponsoring them. All money raised will go towards new reading books for all the children at St Ambrose.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ambroseinaction

Well Done Year 4!!!

Please see below for the PTA raffle winners. Please collect your prize from the school office this afternoon. Thank you.

On Thursday Mr. Memery-Brennan, a parent from school, attended a meeting at County Hall to present our view to Worcestershire County Council. We would like to thank him for representing all our children, families and staff.

Thank you for your support.

Letter from Lollipop Lady:

Today we received the fabulous news that Linda Lollipop will return to her pedestrian crossing point on the Birmingham Road until further notice.

Our school needs you! Help us win £5,000 of National Book Tokens for the school library - and get £100 for yourself! Just enter the competition online, it only takes a minute: http://po.st/schools18

Enjoy the summer break!

Mrs Brocklesby

Worcestershire County Council want to hear the views of parents and carers with 2, 3 and 4 year old children in Worcestershire and would be grateful if parents/carers would complete their online survey at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/childcaresufficiency . The aim of the survey is to find out about the experiences and needs of families with young children in relation to childcare. The information will be used to inform their Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and will support them to plan and ensure there are enough childcare places in Worcestershire. Responses to this survey are anonymous, all answers will remain confidential and they will never publish anything which might identify individual respondents. The survey closes on Friday 20th July 2018.

We have places available in Reception for 2018, Year 3, Year 4 & Year 5. If you know of anyone who would be interested please refer them to the school office in the first instance. Many thanks.

SUMMER HOLIDAY FOOTBALL - Kidderminster Harriers Community Trust will have summer football courses for children aged 5-14 years throughout the holidays. All courses run 10am-3pm. Cost £10 per day or £5 for half days. Competitions are held every day including Goal of the Day, Goalscorers Award plus our end of course 6-a-side tournament where all players receive a Harriers Skill Ball.

Week 1 - Kidderminster Baxter College - 25th, 26th 27th July

Week 2 - Bromsgrove, Catshill Middle School - 30th,31st July,1st August

Kinver High School -30th,31st July 1st August

Worcester, Bishop Perowne College 2nd & 3rd August

Week 3 - Tenbury High School, 6th,7th & 8th August

Stourport High School - 7th,8th & 9th August

Week 4 - Droitwich, Dodderhill School 13th,14th &15th August

Bromsgrove, Catshill Middle School 14th,15th &16th Aug

Week 5 - Kinver High School - 20th,21st, & 22nd August

Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre- 21st,22nd & 23rd Aug

Worcester, Bishop Perowne College- 23rd & 24th August

Week 6 - Kidderminster, Baxter College 28th,29th.30th,31st August

Places can be booked by email harrierscommunity@hotmail.co.uk or tel 01562863821

Sunday 11am & 6pm

St Ambrose

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