Good afternoon everyone,

During the month of November, we always have a prayer intention book where families can record the names of deceased loved ones. We are planning to introduce a 'Prayer Intentions' book for other periods in the school year. This will be located in the school reception area and will be available for families to record their prayer intentions, for example: you may wish to offer a prayer for a family member who is ill, a prayer for a significant family celebration or maybe a prayer during a time of worry such as exams. Every Monday morning, when the staff gather at 8:30am for weekly briefing, we will share your intentions and join our prayers with yours.

We are aiming for every class to reach 96% every week so well done Year 2-Keep it up.

Thank you for joining us this week, if your son or daughter received a star award please remember we will inform you in three ways:

1. a push notification

2. a slip from your child's class teacher

3. on the website

Well Done to the seven children who joined me for 'afternoon tea' today.

Year 3 entertained us with an assembly about the Anglo-Saxons today. We were so impressed by the singing, dancing and acting by all of the children.

Thanks to all the staff and children for their hard work!

Mrs Holder led two very informative assemblies on Tuesday for Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children.

She talked to us all about how we can be safe on the internet by remembering 8 top tips, please discuss the top tips with your son or daughter.

Try to think of your online world as an extension of your offline friendships. Include friends in your activities.

Respect your friends on social media. Don't post photos of them that they might find embarrassing without asking first - and take them down straight away if someone asks you to.

Every time you go online you leave a digital 'footprint' which shows others where you are and what you have been doing.

Social media and some websites can be great for airing your opinions. However, you risk saying or writing things on the spur of the moment that you may later regret. Try to put your point across in a positive or neutral way. It will have more impact and shouldn't cause offence. When you respond to something someone has said, remember there's a person at the other end who has feelings, just like you do.

Lots of people only play or chat with people they know in person, and that's a sensible approach. But if you do meet people you don't know, use the same caution that you would offline. People may not be who they say they are, so be mindful about what you say about yourself. Keep chat general and if you are concerned that someone's asking for personal details, stop contact and tell a trusted adult. Never arrange to meet someone you only know online.

When using the internet never give out personal information, such as your number, where you live or what school you go to - it's a big no-no. If you are using social media check your privacy settings and make sure only friends can see your posts.

Photos and posts can exaggerate real life. Think about it - we usually select our prettiest, happiest pictures (you rarely see posts about going to the supermarket with your mum, or photos of a massive spot). Images of other people's (carefully chosen) perfect lives can leave you feeling low, but they rarely tell the whole story.

The internet is a fantastic resource for playing, sharing, and learning. But if you find yourself spending a lot of time online, or thinking about it when you could be doing fun 'real world' things, maybe it's time to back off a bit. There's a whole world out there. It's about striking a balance.

After half term, we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 2nd March and are looking forward to seeing the children dress up as one of their favourite characters from a book.

The following week we are excited to have author Edward Trayer, writing under the pen name Billy Bob Buttons, visiting school in the afternoon on Wednesday 7th March. He has written lots of children's books and was the 2014 UK People´s Book Prize Winner. On the day of his visit, children will be able to buy signed copies of his books and further information about this will be sent out shortly.

Then on the 12th- 16th March our Scholastic Book Club will be back in school where children will have the opportunity after school to browse and purchase the different books on offer for their collections at home.

It was wonderful to hear from so many parents how valuable the learn to write workshop was on Thursday. I would also like to thank the Reception children and staff for the fantastic Tai Chi display.

We were delighted that some parents were able to join us for our end of the school day collective worship this week. This is now a regular event and all parents, grandparents etc. are most welcome. This is on a Friday, for children in Years 2 and 4 until Easter.

Thank you for joining us at the Education City information session yesterday. I was delighted to hear that parents are enjoying using the resource as well.

Have you booked a place at the Maths Event on Monday March 5th at 9am or 2.15pm?

All children from Reception to Year 6 will have a Maths Passport to keep in school. This document will accompany your child on their exciting journey through the world of mental maths. This important document shows your child the steps they need to take, as well as the direction they will travel on their learning journey and will track the progress they make as they develop their rapid recall of key number facts. At the meeting Mrs Sherwood will explain how you can support your son or daughter and after the meeting you will have the opportunity to visit classrooms.

Please remember to bring in your payment card when you make any more installments for the Pioneer Trip. Many thanks.

It was wonderful to welcome so many Year 3 families to continue their faith journeys, as they start the preparation to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

If you would like tickets for the Schools of Rock Pyramid Concert at the Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday 15th February at 7pm, please pop into the school office or email the school office at office@st-ambrose.worcs.sch.uk.

Also, if you own your own business or know anyone who does Mr Mallinson is selling advertising space in the programme. This is to help raise funds to pay for this event. Please speak to the school office in the first instance if you would be interested in using the advertising space.

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.

Kind regards,

Mrs Brocklesby

Please can we kindly ask for any donations of unwanted lego. Many thanks.

We have places available in Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 & Year 6. If you know of anyone who would be interested please refer them to the school office in the first instance. Many thanks.

All classes have been given login's for 'Oxford Owl', a website where they can read books online for free.

Please encourage your child to use this resource to read a wide range of books at home.

St Ambrose's

Sunday 11am & 6pm

St Ambrose's

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

After half term, we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 2nd March and are looking forward to seeing the children dress up as one of their favourite characters from a book.

The following week we are excited to have author Edward Trayer, writing under the pen name Billy Bob Buttons, visiting school in the afternoon on Wednesday 7th March. He has written lots of children's books and was the 2014 UK People´s Book Prize Winner. On the day of his visit, children will be able to buy signed copies of his books and further information about this will be sent out shortly.

Then on the 12th- 16th March our Scholastic Book Club will be back in school where children will have the opportunity after school to browse and purchase the different books on offer for their collections at home.