24 March 2023

Dear Parents and Carers

We hope everyone has had a good week. There has been a lot happening in school this week and next week is equally busy. It is lovely to see so many activities and events that enhance the children's school experience.

This coming Monday, 27 March, our Tempest photographer will be in school to take whole class photographs. Please send your child in winter uniform that day- white shirt, school tie and grey skirt or trousers. Thank you

As has happened in previous years we are once again organizing an Easter egg competition for the children. There is no charge for entering and the children are asked to use their imaginations and any materials available to them to decorate a hard boiled egg. The entries need to be brought into school on Friday 31 March (the last day of term) and they will be judged by one of our Governors with an Easter Egg prize available for each class winner.

After Easter the children are able to wear summer uniform of red checked dresses and red polo shirts with shorts or trousers. Please note checked shorts or 'jumpsuit' all in one style dresses are not part of our school uniform. Red sandals are permitted but please do not send your child in open toe sandals or trainer type sandals. Summer uniform is not obligatory if your child prefers to carry on wearing winter uniform. Please remember bleached hair and extreme haircuts are not permissable in line with our uniform policy. Thank you to everyone in their support.

A reminder from Mrs Brown that if your child is absent from school please cancel their lunch on School Food United before 9.30am. Also a reminder that if you wish to order a lunch unexpectedly you can order one until 6pm for the following day. Thank you.

On Thursday our children took part in the Catholic Teachers’ Association annual netball tournament. We couldn’t be more proud of the Under 9 team as they showed excellent sportsmanship and determination to do their best and were very worthy competitors. Although not medal winners, the U9  teams were  both enthusiastic and impressive showing great promise for the future. They played well together as a team and it was lovely to see how they have developed their skills over the last year. Similarly the U11 team fought hard in all of their matches illustrating some fantastic team work. This U11 team is also powering their way through the local netball league on Wednesday evenings. 

“Yesterday, we ( Year 3, 4, 5 and 6), competed in the CTA netball tournament at Blessed Edwards College in Worcester. We had 2 teams, 11 and under, and 9 and under. We competed against 5 teams with determination and resilience.” Gracie-Leigh M, Year 6

All of the children who took part represented St Wulstan’s wonderfully. They faced some very tricky competition, but worked hard, played their best and made us all very proud. Mrs Gariff and Mrs Thomas were so happy to the teams face the challenge with enthusiasm and hard work. Well done!

As well as thanking the children for their hard work and the parents for such wonderful support and enthusiasm, I would like to acknowledge the adults who give so freely of their  own time. Mrs Gariff, Mrs Thomas and Mr Tasker  have coached after school CTA training clubs since Christmas and given up their evenings to support the children. Thursday night Netball club has finished now for the season and Wednesday night's league matches will be completed this Wednesday also.

Thank you to all our families who have joined us for Class Masses over the last few weeks. Today Mass was celebrated in Year 3 and as ever the children read and prayed with great reverence and dignity. We will be planning our Summer Term Class Masses shortly and the dates will be included on the calendar on the school website. We welcome everyone to join us, catholic, non catholic, wider family and friends and parishioners. All are welcome.

As you will be aware is part of EMMAUS Multi Academy Company which is governed by our Local Governing Body and the EMMAUS Board of Directors. Their voluntary role is crucial to supporting and improving the education of our children. It is both a challenging but very rewarding role and we are so grateful to them all for work and impact they bring to us. Presently there are vacancies to these roles as some members terms of office comes to an end. Please see below a recruitment advert if you feel you would like to be part of the EMMAUS Board of Directors. Thank you.

Having spent the afternoon Bellboating along the canal last week it reminded us of how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful county as Worcestershire. There are so many relaxing walks on our doorstep. It was coincidental to receive today a flyer from KEMP Hospice advertising a fundraising Family Walk weekend. Please see the attached information of how we can enjoy a fun walk whilst supporting such a worthy cause.

On Monday, the Scholastic Book Fair will be delivered and will be available before and after school each day in the hall. Children will also have the opportunity in the school day to visit the fair at some point during the week. The children always enjoy the book fair and every purchase helps us get free books for school. Payments may be made via cash or card payments. A message will be sent out once the book fair has arrived to let you know if it is available after school on Monday.

It has been another fantastic week for Reception Class. The focus this week has been on a much loved story 'Owl Babies'. The children were very excited to see that each of their caterpillars have formed a chrysalis so they are now waiting patiently to see them become beautiful butterflies!

During this week's Outdoor Learning the children of Reception and Year 1 completed a range of science tasks. Our first challenge was a five senses Spring scavenger hunt. The children had great recall of knowledge that we learnt way back in September! They really enjoyed this sensory approach on our lesson. The second task was to spot the signs of Spring around the Forest area. The EYFS/Year 1 staff were delighted by how beautifully the children listened to what sorts of things they could look out for and how engrossed in the task the children were. Our final task was to plant sunflowers ready for our plant focus next term. The children love their Outdoor Learning sessions and have learnt so much about the world around them! Please see our class page for more photos.

This week, Year 5 were very lucky to have the wonderful Mrs Brown come and speak to them about First Aid. We talked about what we should do and how we should respond in an emergency situation. From knowing how to stay calm to the recovery position, we were shown some basic skills that might help us. Mrs Brown also reiterated that it is always important to seek help from an adult or even emergency services and discussed how and when we might do this. We had a really great afternoon and learnt so much. Thank you Mrs Brown!

This week, Year 3 have begun to write their own adventure story. They have spent time creating characters, setting and plot and they are now beginning to create their first draft. The children have continued looking at a vast variety of rocks as they have enjoyed bringing in their own selection to share with their friends. We have had a fantastic response with homework this week and we have seen several model volcanoes and a large selection of rock cakes being brought in too. A huge thank you to everyone! During hockey, the children have demonstrated great skills and fantastic teamwork during our PE lessons. Well done Year 3! Finally, we have been lucky enough to spend time with the ducklings from Year 1, which was a real treat for us all.

This week the children in Year 2 have been learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of our RE. We were fortunate to be joined by some children from Year 6 on Monday who were able to share their first hand experience and knowledge with us.

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend

KE Savage

Principal