On Sunday we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent, which is the start of the new liturgical year. Advent is a time for us all to prepare our hearts for Jesus' coming. On Monday we will start the Season of Advent by gathering together in Assembly and the children will be given the opportunity to think of different ways that they can prepare for the season of Christmas. 

Here are some facts about Advent

• Advent lasts for 4 weeks
• We have an Advent Wreath to show the countdown to Christmas
• The lighting of the candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world
• The wreath is in a circular shape and so there is no end. This reminds us that God's love for us has no end.
• The evergreen leaves are also used to show God's everlasting love
• The colour purple is used during Advent to remind us that we are in a time of preparation
• During Advent we make promises that prepare us for the second coming of Jesus Christ
• Each week we have a different focus

I wish you all a happy and prayerful Advent.

Message from Mrs Warnett

Year 1 and Reception class have had a busy week with the preparations for the nativity. The children were very excited to find out their parts for the performance and they have been trying very hard during practises. The singing has been wonderful and lots of the children have been heard singing the songs at other times during their day!

Year 1 children have been really impressing the teachers with their addition and subtraction knowledge this week. They have been able to show their understanding in lots of different ways. In particular they enjoyed the competitive element of trying to solve more number sentences than their partner in order to reach the top of the tower first!

Year 2 and 3 have been re-telling the start of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, learning more about using the past and present tense in their writing. The children have used their knowledge of red squirrels to write some beautiful descriptions as well! In maths, the children have been learning how to use formal methods of column addition and subtraction and have been so pleased to see how quiForckly they can solve calculations using large numbers. Well done! The children have been preparing for their trip to Cadbury World next week by completing their learning on Bournville and the Cadbury family. We are very excited for our trip next week! The children have started reading the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, 'The Snow Queen' and feeling very festive reading it. As you can imagine, they were quick to notice its links to the film, 'Frozen'! The children have also been busy completing assessments in reading, writing and mathematics this week. Mrs Tasker and Mrs Morgan are very proud of their mature, hard-working attitude to these assessments.

Year 4 have started their new class text 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' this week and they have had lots of thoughts and questions about the characters discussed so far. In art, the children began their lessons looking at 'proportion' and used materials such as charcoal to create light and dark tones. Lots of interesting discussions were had about artwork that played around with proportions and the impact this had. The children started their gymnastics unit in PE this week and were recapping their understanding of 'points' and 'patches'. They used controlled movements to demonstrate spins and balances using these areas of the body. In geography, the children looked at deposition and the reasons why rivers deposit materials on their journey. The children are looking forward to applying their understanding on their fieldtrip down to the river next week. The children enjoyed celebrating Mass this morning, with the theme being 'Forgive as the Lord as Forgiven You'. Mr Tasker was impressed with the children's confident readings and responses during the Mass. Well done!

Year 5 

In Year 5 this week the children have been very creative! They have now completed their installation rooms inspired by Cai Guo-Xiang. They were very creative in how they painted and decorate their rooms using a range of techniques from teabags dipped in paints to sprinkling glitter and coloured sand to create texture. The next step it to add ‘people’ to the rooms to consider the experience that viewers would have when entering the room. The children then explored ‘everyday art’. Using everyday objects arranged in interesting ways to create 3d art in the  classroom. The children were so creative and the results were brilliant! Well done for a such fantastic work Year 5! Next week, the children will be having a go at using digital mapping to plot a journey in the UK, building on their map work this week!

Year 6

It’s been another busy week for Year 6! They’ve been working hard to consolidate their understanding of fractions, with a particular focus on adding and subtracting mixed numbers. In R.E., the children explored the calling of St. Matthew through Caravaggio’s famous painting, deepening their understanding of this significant biblical moment. Additionally, they learned about Mayan hieroglyphs and discovered how the Maya civilization used these symbols for communication. In P.E., the children have been practising a range of symmetrical and asymmetrical balances, both individually and with a partner. They have worked on holding these positions while maintaining control and stability, as well as performing counterbalances, where one partner’s movement supports or contrasts with the other’s to create a balanced and coordinated pose. In Design and Technology, the children have been working on designing and assembling playground structures as part of their project. They used creativity and teamwork to plan and build a variety of structures, including swings, slides, and climbing frames, ensuring each design is safe and functional. They are looking forward to completing their playgrounds. Year 6, keep up the great work!

Next Friday, the children and staff will be participating in the Reindeer Run/Santa Dash around our playing field.  The children can wear warm active wear and don't need to wear school uniform that day.  If they wish, they can wear a festive Christmas jumper over their active wear.  They will need to bring a pair of spare shoes to change into once they have completed the run and are back in school.  There is no charge for taking part, but if you would like to make a donation of £1 towards Kemp Hospice, that would be gratefully received.  Thank you

Over the weekend please visit our School Facebook page.

Thank you to our School Council and Mrs Tasker for designing and creating such a beautiful trolley for tonight’s Three Kings Parade. All of the children in school contributed by making a sparkly snowflake for the trolley too! We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible tonight! We will be meeting in the Civic Centre car park at 5:45PM. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Please note that,due to unforeseen circumstances, the carol service (for Years 4,5, & 6) has been moved to Monday 16 December at 6.30pm.  

When attending the forthcoming events in school this term, could you please park considerately to ensure that local residents have access to their driveways at all times.  We appreciate your co-operation in being courteous to our neighbours, thank you.

Tuesday 24 December - Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 4:30pm (at St Wulstan's church) and 8:00pm (at Bewdley catholic church)

Wednesday 25 December - Mass at 10:00am (at St Wulstan's church)

During the school holidays, eligible families can book FREE holiday activities, family passes and events through the programme.  Funded by the Department of Education, HAF is primarily for children in receipt of benefits related free school meals (not the universal free school meals).  The programme also supports  children with special educational needs.   

More information about the programme is available on the Worcestershire County Council website.

St Wulstan's has signed up to the Asda Cashpot - a scheme where Asda will donate a percentage of your shop to your chosen school. If you would like to choose St Wulstan's as your school to donate to, click on the link below to find out more.

Cashpot for schools (asda.com)

If your child is due to start school in September 2025 (and was born between 1 September 2020-31 August 2021), you need to apply for a school place by 15 January 2025.  For more information and to apply, please visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

If you require assistance, please contact Mrs Brown in the school office.

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive universal free school meals.  However, based on your income, you may be eligible to a different free school meal type. This can be applied for even when your child is still in Reception, Years 1 & 2.  This entitles you to a free school meal voucher during the holidays and also continued free school meals until the end of Year 6. If you think you may qualify for these, please contact Mrs Brown in the school office for a form or visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk or contact the team on 01905 845280.  They will require your date of birth and national insurance number to check whether you are eligible.