DATE: Friday 23rd April

Good afternoon,

I am so pleased to start the summer term this year with  the school being fully open and talking with the children this week, they tell me how much they now value their school experience. Their friends of course, but also a deep gratitude to parents and staff for the high level of engaging learning and the care and kindness which is imbued in countless daily acts. Many children have a new found appreciation for the silence and reverance of class worship and are inspired to write prayers and be active disciples. A deeper understanding and empathy for others is evident.
We, as society, have collectively been forced to re-evaluate what is important in our lives and I believe we will all be a little kinder as a result.

HAPPY SAINT GEORGE'S DAY

If as a family this weekend you have time to immerse yourself in the story of the gallant knight St George and his legendary battle against the fearful dragon click on the link below.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/st-georges-day/

Use the guides designed by the English Heritage to help you discover the history behind England's patron saint, and have a go at making your very own cardboard sword and shield to fend off any dragons you may encounter.Send your photographs in to office@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk. We will share all photographs on next weeks newsletter and give a small prize to everyone who sends in a photograph.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THIS TERM'S VIRTUES: COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING

On Monday, Miss Holtom introduced our new virtues for this half term: compassionate and loving. We are compassionate when we feel sympathy and concern for other people who are in difficulty, whether they are near to us or far away. Loving: We are loving when we show our sympathy and concern for other people by our actions and by our words. Please let Miss Holtom know if your child demonstrates these virtues at home (year6@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk) as we would love to reward them for this in our end of term celebration!

CAFOD'S EYES OF THE WORLD ASSEMBLY

On Thursday, we watched CAFOD's 'Eyes of the World' assembly. While the eyes of the world are on the UK this year for the COP26 meeting being held in Glasglow in November, we are going to be watching to make sure that decisions are made to make sure a stop is made to the climate change crisis and that help is given to the world's poorest communities. In our classes, we thought about how we can make a difference and what changes we can do to help save our planet. Some suggestions from our pupils as to have we can do this were: try and save energy by making sure our lights are switched off when we leave a room, cut down on waste, recycle and cut down the amount of plastic we use. We can make a difference - together!

STARS OF THE WEEK

We are extremely proud of how hard ALL pupils have worked in school this week. On Monday morning, in our whole school virtual celebration assesmbly, the following children will be receiving a certificate for their fantastic efforts:

Year Group Star Learners
Reception William and Oliver D
Year 1 Parisa and Summer
Year 2 Mikey and Franky
Year 3 Ted and Emelia
Year 4 Kian and Umar
Year 5 Lara and Alex
Year 6 Erin and Lacie-Mae

CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT

Lily in Year 5 will be performing at the Repertory Theatre in Birmingham in Cinderella.

Sir David Bintley's enchanting fairytale is a glorious celebration of ballet, with breathtaking scenery and costumes by John Macfarlane, the designer of Birmingham Royal Ballet's famous Nutcracker, and Prokofiev's beautiful music, played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

I am sure you would like to join me in congratulating her on getting the part of the Young Cinderella.

 

P.E. DAYS

Year Group PE Day
Reception Tuesday
Year 1 Tuesday and Friday
Year 2 Thursday and Friday
Year 3 Thursday and Friday
Year 4 Wednesday
Year 5 Tuesday
Year 6 Tuesday

Y3 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: JUNE 2021

We are very hopeful that as a community, we will be able to offer our Year 3 pupils the opportunity to prepare for and to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion this term. This Sacrament focusses on the Eucharist which nourishes our faith.

All being well, this year, First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday 26th June at 12.00 pm, slightly later than usual in the hope that further restrictions may be lifted so more of our family members can be part of the day.

Father Lamb will be holding a Zoom Information Parents session outlining the importance of this sacrament and the role you play in supporting your child to be a practising Catholic. Father lamb will also stress the importance of your committment and support of this programme of preparation. If you would like your child to register to complete sacramental preparations and are committed to supporting your child, please complete the slip attached to the letter below and return to the office no later than Wednesday 28th April 2021. Details of the date and time of Father Lamb's session will be given out nearer the time.

This year, due to COV-ID restrictions, preparations will take place in school with Miss Ballard, Ms Baylie, Miss Holtom and Mrs Brocklesby and the programme book 'Jesus Come To Me' can be purchased from school for £8. This book can be paid for via ParentPay from Wednesday 28th April and lessons will begin Week Commencing 3rd May 2021.

We are very much looking forward to helping support your child with this important moment in their lives.

YEAR 6 LIFE SKILLS: MONEYSENSE

On Tuesday, Year 6 took part in a MoneySense workshop where they had to investigate and help solve a fraud crime. They learnt about the different types of financial fraud and scam, how to protect themselves and others from identify theft and fraud and the financial impact of identity theft and fraud. The classroom was transformed into a crime scene and they were excellent at finding out what had happened to the girl in question. Well done!

CHARANGA MUSIC

All of the children should have been given their Charanga logins this week so that they can access this wonderful resource at home. If you have not received your child's login please email me at year1@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk

As we are restricted from doing group singing at school this is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to enjoy some singing activities and practice your musical skills.

Kind regards,

Mrs Holder.

ROYAL MAIL'S HEROS STAMP DESIGN COMPETITION

Next week, our pupils are going to be challenged to take part in a 'Heroes Stamp Design' competition as a way of honouring the key worker and volunteer heroes of the coronavirus pandemic on stamps.

We are asking our young designers to think about who their hero or heroes are, and to then design a stamp in their honour. A special panel of judges will pick the winning designs. The final eight stamps will be sent to Her Majesty The Queen before they can be printed and issued. This weekend, it would be wonderful, if you could please take some time to discuss who these hereos are with your child(ren).

Please also see the letter below detailing how personal data is used to run the competition. If you have any objections to your child entering, please let school know by 5pm on Monday 26th April. Thank you.

FAMILY LEARNING COURSES

Worcestershire County Council's Family Learning courses are due to start in the next few weeks. They have some places left on a few courses and parents can still book on. The courses are all free (parents need to tick the “free due to Covid” box when booking on).

All courses have a maximum of 18 places so please book your place as soon as possible:

Art to Support your Wellbeing for Parents

Wednesday evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6006&CustomerRequestGUID=

Thursday Afternoons:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6148&CustomerRequestGUID=

Maths in the Early Years

Thursday mornings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6137&CustomerRequestGUID=

Art to Improve your Self-Awareness for Parents

Thursday evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6149&CustomerRequestGUID=

Maths in Key Stage 2 and 3 for Parents

Wednesday evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6191&CustomerRequestGUID=

Maths in Key Stage 1 for Parents

Wednesday afternoons:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6138&CustomerRequestGUID=

English in Key Stage 1 for Parents

Thursday afternoons:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6141&CustomerRequestGUID=

Science in Key Stage 1 and 2 for Families

Thursday evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6143&CustomerRequestGUID=

E-Safety for Parents – Keeping Safe Online

Tuesday Evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6144&CustomerRequestGUID=

Cook with your Teenager for Parents and Teens

Thursday evenings:

https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/coursebookingpublic/CourseBooking.aspx?Login=False&CourseId=6151&CustomerRequestGUID=

RELATIONSHIPS, SEX, HEALTH EDUCATION

Further to our consultation regarding the new statutory curriculum subject, Relationship and Health Education, we are pleased to let you know that our school has decided to adopt the programme, Life to the Full, produced by the Catholic educational organisation, Ten Ten Resources.

The Life to the Full programme is based on the structure of 'A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum' by the Catholic Education Service. This model curriculum was highlighted as a work of good practice by the Department of Education so we therefore have confidence that the programme will be fit for purpose in supporting the growth and development of your child.

Life to the Full is much more than a series of lessons. It is an entire platform of creative resources that will engage, inform and inspire our children and, indeed, you as parents. This includes interactive video content, story-based activities, employing a wide range of teaching tools, original worship music and an accompanying programme of classroom prayers.

In addition there will be an online parent platform so that you, as parent and carers, can engage with the teaching and deepen the experience for your child. To access the online parent platform please visit: www.tentenresources.co.uk/parent-portal

School Username: st-ambrose-dy10

School Password: custard-111

A short document that will help to give you an overview of the structure and content of the programme can be viewed below.

Life to the Full is intended to be partnership between home, school and church. We know that you already do a fantastic job and we see our new programme, Life to the Full, as a means to further develop, support and enrich the partnership between home, school and church so that your child is fully supported.

We will be holding an information Zoom meeting for parents on: Monday 26th April at 10am and 5pm. Please note that you only need to attend one of these meetings and details will be send out nearer the time.

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE IN RECEPTION 2021-2022

Do you know of any prospective parents who may be interested in their child joining us in September? If so, please do encourage them to call school for more information and encourage them to follow us on social media. 

We are also looking to promote our school further. Please review us on google if you have a google account and we would be very grateful if you could send us a testimonial which we can add to our promotions work and website. If you are happy for us to share your testimonials please follow the link provided on the news section of our website.

Each Wednesday at 2.45pm, starting next week, Miss Brewer will be sharing a story with Reception children and we are inviting you to join this at home on Zoom too. If you have young children at home or know of any other families who would like to join us for this please share the following details:

Meeting ID:4974976598 Password: ambrose123

THREE COUNTIES FUN LIFE FESTIVAL POSTER COMPETTION

Please see the PDF document below with information on how to enter the competetion to create a poster for the Three Countes Fun Life Festival. 

 

WEDNESDAY WORD

Please follow the link below to access this week's Wednesday Word.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ON REGULAR RAPID TESTING AND COVID-19 VACCINATION

Please see the following documents from NHS Test and Trace and NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group 

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS

Latest update on testing and isolation periods.

  • If a child or member of staff tests positive, they now have to self-isolate for at least 10 days, even if they feel well.
  • If they are NOT a known contact of a confirmed case they can return to school if the result is negative, providing they feel well and they have not had a fever for 48 hours.
  • If they are a contact of a confirmed case, they must stay off school for 14 days isolation period, even if they test negative. This is because they can develop the infection at any point up to 14 days after being in contact a confirmed case. This would apply to pupils and staff who have been in a bubble with a positive testing child.  School Leadership will decide which members of staff have come into close proximity with the bubble and therefore also need to self-isolate for 14 days.
  • Please be aware that anyone admitted to hospital is likely to receive a test for Covid, whether they are showing symptoms or not.  
  • Covid symptoms are now being classed as: a persistent cough, high temperature, and/or loss of taste and smell.
  • No action needs to be taken as a school until a test result is shared with us.

Please also note that we cannot request test results, parents have to approach us with results.

LATERAL FLOW TESTING KITS AND SELF ISOLATING GUIDES

Please see the following covid documents from Public Health.

Kind Regards,

Mrs Brocklesby

Emmaus CMAC
St Ambrose Catholic Primary School Ofsted
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