Good Afternoon,

We are focusing on being ‘Compassionate’ and ‘Loving’ as our Gospel Virtues this half term. In our assemblies, this week, we have carefully considered about how God shows His love for each of us just as He did for Jesus when He was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. We continually reflect on the ways in which we can live out our school Mission by showing kindness, compassion and love towards everyone around us

'Always know in your heart that God is by your side. Let us never lose hope.'

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the hope and light you bring to our lives. Please help us to bring light and hope to others too.

Amen

I was delighted this week to recieve a thank you card from Parishioners. I have heard from Father Lamb that everyone was thrilled with the Christmas party hats and mats that the School Council made. THANK YOU TO THE SCHOOL COUNCIL FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

Father Lamb has invited everyone to attend Mass on Sunday at 11am as it is the Presentation of Our Lord (Candlemas). Everyone will gather in the Borremeo Hall at the parish centre before the beginning of Mass and will be given a candle. You will then join the procession into the Church. This procession will be photographed and will be included in the 2021 Parish Calendar.

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. Appointments are now available to book on the 'School Life' app.

We will be supporting the national Children's Mental Health Week, which takes place 3-9 February.The week is organised by the charity Place2Be and it shines a spotlight on the importance of children and young people's mental health. This year's theme is Find your Brave. During that week all children will take part in assemblies and activities organised by Place2Be. If you have any ideas or could recommend any visitors for us please speak to a member of staff.

We will be celebrating Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 11th February. The theme for this year is 'Together for a better internet.' Safer internet Day is designed to empower young people to take control of their digital lives. This week Simon Gallagher a a police engagement officer has delivered  E-safety workshops to years 1-6. He reminded the children at an age appropriate level how to use the internet safely. 

God's word is the number one way through which God speaks. The Bible says that God has exalted His word above His name (Psalm 138:2). This tells us about God's integrity; what He says He will do, so we can always trust that whatever God speaks to us through His word is true.

This week in assembly the children explored the story in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus teaches us to ask God for the things we need in Chapter 7:7 -12 (The Golden Rule). Jesus says that God will answer the way any loving father would. Jesus wants us to turn to God so much that he said it three different ways. He says to ask, to seek and th knock on God’s door. God knows everything and so he knows what we need. Still Jesus tells us that we must put our needs into words and pray for them. God will give us the best answer.

Having listened to Father Lamb at Mass on Wednesday, Y3 also helped Mrs Stewart in assembly today, by acting out the parable of the Sower from Matthew’s Gospel. They reminded the other children that we should be like the seeds that fell in the good soil and always listen attentively to the stories Jesus tells us in the Bible so that we can learn more about how to grow closer to God the Father and follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

For your own personal development try reading the Bible in a year using an app such as Bible in One Year.

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;

James B, Leonardo B, Emily G, Jack G, Lenna H, Xavier H, Aleksandra L, Apolonia M, Logan M, Kinga M, Izzie M, Katie O, Riccardo S, Molly S.

Children who have worked extremely hard and have put in the maximum of effort were invited to bring along work from their chosen subject. This week it was history and geography. Children proudly showed their exercise books and chatted to each other about the work they had produced in their various lessons, only to pause as they took another mouthful of their cake.

The children invited along this week were;

Leo B, Macey M, Isla P, Amelia M, Soloman E, Nicola K and Oscar C.

Well done!! 

Please follow us on our Twitter account where you can see all the wonderful tweets that the teachers share.

@ambrose_primary

Year 6 had fun testing their boats as part of their D&T/teamwork challenge.

Year 3 are very excited about the books they have borrows from the school library!

Reception would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!!

Our Year 3's delivered a wonderful dramatisation of the 'Parable of the Sower'.

Another budding artist!

To end our topics this half term, every class will be inviting parents to their express event to share what they have learnt. The express events will be held the week commencing 11th February.

Years 1 and 2 Tuesday 11th February 2.40pm

Year 5 and Reception (after phonics workshop) Wednesday 12th February 2.40 pm

Year 6 Thursday 13th February 2.40 pm

The Year 5 Pyramid Concert is now only a few weeks away so please ensure you have purchased your tickets. This is a fabulous experience for the children and a great night out as a parent. We are all looking forward to it Year 5! 

The meeting started with a prayer and then it was explained that this was an ‘extraordinary’ meeting, with a different agenda.

Lou from Class Catering came in to talk to the School Council about ideas they have got for the future.  She also asked the councillors for any ideas for future theme days and appropriate food themes.

Everyone was excited by a pizza making day,  the ‘bike smoothies’ and the plan of coming up with some more ideas for theme days…like the football day the councillors suggested to Lou last year.

All of the councillors are now feeding back to their classes and getting some great ideas ready for the next meeting which Lou is going to attend.

Reception councillors have kindly agreed to stay in charge of the suggestion box.

Our next meeting date has been set for Wednesday 12^th February.

Please see below the dates for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests. If your son or daughter is in Year 2 or Year 6 you will be invited to attend an information workshop this term to update you on how you can support your son or daughter. The session will start with Mass followed by an information session in the school hall and the morning will conclude with an opportunity for you to work with your son or daughter.

Year 2 February 12th 9-11.30 am 

Year 6 March 4th 9-11.30 am

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 flyer below detailing the TAPP 'Bake Off'. It will be held on Friday 14th February. 

Well done Year 3!!

First Holy Communion Day is Saturday 13th June 2020.

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. The first one will be held on Tuesday 28th January. 

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.

For more information on the matches and what is available please contact Henry.Beech@warriors.co.uk or Steve.Joslin@warriors.co.uk

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.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the food bank collection before Christmas. We donated an amazing 164.80kg of items that have been distributed to the local community.

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 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.

Please see below the Mass dates for the Spring Term.

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.

Toast is available to the children on the following days:

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

This initiative allows vital funds to be available to our Parish in order to meet its financila obligations. There is a total prize fund of £2,500 equating to monthly prizes of £75, £50 and £25 along with the 'Big Christmas Draw' with prizes of £400, £200 and £100. The cost for this initiative is £24 per annum, payable monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually in January. We would love to welcome many more new members. If you wish to join the 200 club please fill in a form that will be available from the school office or at the back of the Church and return to either the office or the rectory. 

For further information please contact either Janine Nicholls or Martin Grovenor using the details on the application forms.

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