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

Good Afternoon,

Thank you to all the Year 4 families who supported the family Mass last Sunday. The children read clearly and were very reverent and a credit to our school. I was so proud when numerous parishioners commented on the conduct of our pupils.

The next Family Mass is for Year 5 on Sunday 10th November.

This afternoon the whole school came together to celebrate the Rosary in honour of October being the month of the Rosary. The Y6 Liturgy Leaders led the service and representatives from each class formed a ‘living rosary;’ each holding an image of a coloured bead from the Mission Together Rosary whilst saying one of the 10 Hail Mary’s, as together we remembered children across the world.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude - October 28th.

During half term we celebrate the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude. We know little about them - the scriptures tell us that Simon had once been one of the 'Zealots' (a sect within Judaism), and that Jude is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot. Legend holds that they suffered a martyr's death in Persia, but we have no reliable evidence for this. The one thing that is certain though is that they were part of 'the twelve'. We find their names in each list of the Apostles, albeit with some variation in reference. And this is what we can recall today: we 'hold and teach the Catholic faith that comes to us from the Apostles'. We receive the faith of the Church which teaches what God has revealed about himself. But as well as receiving we're also called to give. The Catholic 'tradition' is the process of handing on the faith from one generation to another. May the holy Apostles Simon and Jude help us with their prayers as to engage in that task.

'When we live humbly, God takes our small efforts and creates great things'

Pope Francis.

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.

Look out tonight for the 3^rd edition of our children’s newsletter ‘The Kidz Catholic Community.’ It will keep you up to date with what is happening in school and don’t forget to enter the competitions too.

Congratulations to Chloe, Molly, Alex, Amelie and Mia for all their hard work. It is a super read!

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.

The children who received an award are:

Lily, Archie, Bertie, Aston, Scarlett, Summer, Elle, Ollie, Joseph H, Jared, Edward, Barbara, Woody, Michal, Oscar & Harley.

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. 

There was a special buzz on Wednesday when the Great British Spooky Bake Off came to our school.

TAPP organised a school wide bake off competition and the response from the children was phenomenal! With entries from over half the school the hall was bustling at the end of the day with children and parents buying and bidding for cakes.

Mrs Cunliffe had the tough job of creating a shortlist of finalists in each category. Baking was judged in two categories. The standard of baking was high and it was difficult to narrow down the list to just a couple of finalists in each group.

The winners were:

KS1:

1st - Robyn - Year 1

2nd - Fintan - Reception

3rd - Ted - Year 2

KS2:

1st - Poppy - Year 5

2nd - James V - Year 6

3rd - Archie - Year 5

Thank you to all parents, carers and children that took part and contributed to the bake off. You all helped to raise and amazing £221.35!!

On Thursday 31st October at 6.30pm the parish are hosting a 'Halloween Supper'.

It will be held in the Borromeo Hall. The cost will be £3 for adults and £1 for children and the food options are a jacket potato or sausage and beans.

There will be prizes for fancy dress/decorated lanterns.

If you would like to attend please sign up on the sheet at the back of Church.

Proceeds from this event will go to the maintenance fund.

Thank you for your continued support.

The UCM are holding a Christmas Craft and Gift Fayre on Saturday 9th November 10am-3pm at St Ambrose Parish Centre. As the school have been chosen as one of their fundraising projects, we are hoping that parents, carers and children will go along to support their venture.

Lucy Plowright will be avialble to meet any parents on Tuesday 5th November at 2.30pm. If you would like to meet with Lucy please phone the office to book an appointment.

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 are lucky enough to have Mrs Jessica Harris from Worcestershire adult learning coming to Teapot Tuesday on the 12th November at 9.30

The parents from Teapot time have chosen to start off with family first aid and basic paediatric skills. To attend for free you need to earn less than £16,000 each and more formal classes such as first aid will receive a recognised qualification. adultlearning@worcestershire.gov.uk offer informal events, more relaxed and formal courses.  Please could you put this on the news letter to try and encourage as many as possible. 

MULTIPLICATION TABLES CHECK:

In June all Year 4 pupils will be required to take an online multiplication tables check.

The national curriculum specifies that pupils should be taught to recall the multiplication tables up to and including 12 × 12 by the end of year 4.

The purpose of the Multiplication Tables Check is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. 

On Thursday 14th November Year 4 parents have been invited by their children to attend a times tables workshop from 9-10.30am. The workshop will update parents regarding the multiplication check and provide you with the opportunity to work with your son or daughter at school.

Please see the invite below.

My favourite book as a child was ‘The Jolly Postman’ by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. When I was at primary school this book was read to me and it soon became the best book ever during my childhood. The book began with the Jolly Postman on his bicycle visiting different characters in Storyland. Each time the postman stopped at a house to deliver a letter, an envelope magically appeared tucked inside the book. I used to sit patiently hoping that I would be the one who got to open the letter. Luckily for me, my class size was very small in my primary school so I didn’t have to wait for long. I always remember the postman visiting the witch and being handed a cup of green tea, which he politely declined to drink. To top it all I was delighted when ‘The Jolly Christmas Postman’ book came out and ended with a card, which you could look all the way down it like a telescope. As a teacher I purchased this book early on in my career so I can carry on reading this book to children I teach and allow them to have the same enjoyment I had as a child reading it. 

This term Reception children have been reading books to go with our ‘Marvellous Me’ topic.

We read ‘Mine’ by Hiawyn Oram.

Leo-I liked this book as it had loads of toys in and we learnt that sharing was caring.

We read ‘Michael Recycle’ by Ellie Bethel

Alicia-This book was fun and we learnt that we must put rubbish in the bin.

Cody-We put paper in the blue bin.

When children arrive in the classroom they vote for their end of the day story by placing a cube in the number 1 or 2 pot.

After half term Mrs Stewart will be telling us about her favourite book!

After half term we will be holding a 'Book Recital Competition' for KS2. Children can enter the competition by completing the slip that has been handed out to them today. They can choose their favourite book and any class that they wish to read it to. Entries are to reach the school office no later than Thursday 7th November.

In Year 2 we have been focusing on our local community and learning about all of the brilliant people who work in Kidderminster. We were very lucky to have a paramedic come into school to talk about what it is like to work in our community. We learnt all about the brilliant work paramedics do every day in the West Midlands.

We will be holding taster sessions in school for the 'Understanding your child/teen' programme delivered by The Solihull Approach and Ten Thirty Two.

The dates and times are as follows:

If you would like to attend please register your interest with the school office.

We still have spaces left on our after school sports clubs.

KS2 Multi-sports with Mr Garvey (Tuesdays). You will need to sign up via http://sportsstars.class4kids.co.uk

KS1 Multi-skills with Mr Carter (Wednesdays) please see the school office for a registration letter.

Luke and Oliver took their space at the head of the meeting and took their new roles in their stride.

Catholic life: we discussed the new Saint John Henry Newman and the trip Father Lamb and Mr Moran made to Rome to celebrate this really important event.

Some of the ideas Luke and Oliver will be taking to Mrs Brocklesby from the suggestion box are:

More/better gymnastic mats outside

Awards for being in Gold

Loom band and other clubs at lunchtime

Equipment at play times

To have a meeting with Father Lamb in the prayer room

Removing the willow?

Year 4 are in charge of the suggestion box this week.

We started to sort the lost property but the singing practice ended so we had to leave it until the next meeting…it will now be the key priority!!!

Our next meeting date has been set for Wednesday 13^th November.

Come along to the first TAPP meeting this year on Monday 4th November straight after school. Refreshments will be available and children will be supervised in a classroom by a member of staff.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Please remember to bring in your reply slips and £2 if you would like your child to attend the KS1 Christmas party.

Every child in KS1 is invited and once we have clarified numbers we will be able to offer a limited amount of places for siblings.

TAPP have organised a Christmas production to come into school for the children on ......................

Congratulations to Chloe who correctly guessed that there were 65 sweets in jar. 

The dates for your child's confirmation meetings are as below. They will be held on Wednesdays after school from 3.15-4.15pm.

The dates for the parent meetings are as below. They will be held from 6.30pm on a Tuesday in the Parish Hall and will last no longer than 1 hour.

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.

Well done Year 4!

PLEASE KEEP BRINGING IN YOUR ALDI STICKERS FOR THE KITS FOR SCHOOLS PROMOTION. WE HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED ONE POSTER AND ARE ONTO OUR NEXT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

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 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 that included details of how to apply and a unique code for the individual child.

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 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.

Due to the increasing demand for toast we need to change the days that it is available to the children.

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 socilaise 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.

Have a great half term,

Mrs Brocklesby.