3 February 2023

Dear Parents and Carers

We hope everyone has had a good week. Thank you to all the Year 4 families who joined us for Mass this morning. As ever the children read beautifully with confidence and reverence. Well done Year 4. Next Friday will be Year 3s Mass and we invite not only Year 3 families but all families and members of our parish community to attend at 9.15am Please stay for coffee and biscuits afterwards.

We are very much looking forward to our Poetry and Pastry morning led by Mrs Tasker. Due to the possibility of nationwide strike action, the date of 'Poetry and a Pastry' morning has been moved to Tuesday 14th March. We apologise for any inconvenience. As we did this week, we will endeavour to work to ensure school is open on any future days of action.

A reminder to all Year 5 families that tickets for the Emmaus Pyramid Concert on 13 February are still on sale. The concert, this year held at Birmingham Symphony Hall, is a fabulous very memorable event. The Year 5 children are working so hard with Mr Mallinson from Hagley High School to ensure they perform to the very best of their ability. Tickets can be purchased via ParentPay at £5.00 per ticket. There will also be a DVD of the evening , again to order on ParentPay at £5.00. Any queries please do not hesitate to contact either Miss Mc Gowan or the school office.

We are extending the offer to parents of Year 4 also. If you would like to see what awaits your child next year tickets can be purchased for adults with Year 4 children going free, Contact Mrs Brown if you are interested.

In English this week, Year 3 have enjoyed listening to the end of the Iron Man story and we have begun to look at the features of persuasive writing and how we could write our own advert to sell an Iron Man toy. During DT, the children have begun to create their own Iron Man models including moveable parts or eyes that light up.

This half term Reception Class have been trying hard to use their phonics knowledge to read and write words and sentences. In addition to their phonics lessons the class have been writing sentences connected to their book of the week, writing independently during their time in provision, and in the weekly challenges they complete to climb the ‘Challenge Mountain’. Well done Reception Class.

This afternoon, Year 4 carried out an investigation to find out which materials were good insulators and conductors. The children have become more confident at explaining their findings using scientific words and started to record their findings in a scientific way. They can explain the importance of materials conducting electricity and not conducting electricity in the context of everyday life.  

It has been another busy week in Year 5 and we have been working very hard! We have been reading about Mary Jackson in our class text, Hidden Figures, and have been writing a persuasive letters in role. We also finished our gymnastics unit this week and had the opportunity to perform to each other. We then started our new unit of very exciting dance, which is all about superheroes and an alien invasion! With only a short time to go before our pyramid concert, we have also been practising our songs ready for the big performance. There are some very exciting times ahead! 

Spring Parents Evening will be held on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March. On Tuesday 28 February 4:00-7:00pm, there will be face to face meetings in school. On Wednesday 1 March there will be face to face meetings in school from 4.30-5.30pm followed by virtual meetings from 6:00-7:00pm. From parent feedback continuing this hybrid system should address everyone's choices . For this to run smoothly and equitably it is essential that all parents adhere to the 10 minute allocated time slot. The signing up system will be available shortly.

Next academic year term dates are now available on the school website. If you plan to take your child out of school for a holiday please contact me to arrange a meeting. As well as to discuss the impact of absence it is essential we know where the children are for safeguarding procedures. Can I also remind parents and carers to either phone or email the school office by 9.00am if your child is absent.  Mrs Brown spends a large part of the morning phoning parents of absent children. This again is part of our statutory safeguarding procedure in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Thank you for your support in keeping your children safe.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding your child’s academic, social or emotional needs please do not hesitate to contact me or their class teacher. Many thanks for your continued support and enjoy a lovely weekend with your families.

KE Savage

Principal

Can I also remind parents and carers to either phone or email the school office by 9.00am if your child is absent.  Mrs Brown spends a large part of the morning phoning parents of absent children. This again is part of our statutory safeguarding procedure in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Thank you for your support in keeping your children safe.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding your child’s academic, social or emotional needs please do not hesitate to contact me or their class teacher. Many thanks for your continued support and enjoy a lovely weekend with your families.

KE Savage

Principal