Newsletter 13th March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you to everyone for your continued support at this time of worry with the Corona Virus pandemic. Thank you for your generous supply of tissues. At the moment we will follow the Government’s instructions. We will not close the school and we await to hear any further information. We would recommend that you follow government guidance. If you or anyone in your family has ‘a new or continuous cough or a high temperature self-isolate for 7 days’. We will update you with any news as soon as we get it.
For any further information please refer to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
In school we will continue to ensure everyone does the following:
- Wash hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
- people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting
- pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
- before leaving home, on arrival at school, after using the toilet, after breaks and sporting activities, before food preparation, before eating any food, including snacks, before leaving school
- use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
- avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Thank you to those of you who attended the Sacred Heart Parish seminar on Society, Community and Family. There were some very interesting speakers and good conversations were had around the problems our young people are facing. It is key that families, the parish and schools work together to build a safe future for everybody.
We are now in the season of Lent. Cafod has an excellent calendar that will take you through this liturgical season. Please look at the following link for inspiration: https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Lent-Calendar . There is also a calendar for young people that suggests an action every day to support their Faith. https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/50694/641040/version/2/file/Lent%2020%20one%20page%20calendar%20YP.pdf
The Late Archbishop Emeritus Peter Smith
Archbishop John has announced the arrangements for the funeral of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Smith.
"Following the death of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Peter Smith, funeral arrangements have been organised as follows:
The Reception of the Body and Requiem Mass will both take place at St George's Cathedral, Southwark.
Sunday 29th March:
6pm: Reception into St George's Cathedral followed by Cathedral Mass: Archbishop John Wilson to preside.
8pm: Vigil Service, after which the Cathedral Will close.
Monday 30th March:
12.30pm: Funeral Mass: Archbishop John Wilson to preside. Burial in the Cathedral Crypt at the end of the Mass".
All are welcome to attend these liturgies in order to pray for the repose of the soul of
Archbishop Peter Smith and to pray for his family. May he rest in peace.
Booster Sessions have commenced for Key Stage 1 and Year 1 Phonics. Please make sure your child attends these. Year 6 boosters continue. Miss Swann is having meeting for parents regarding the testing that is taking place. There will be a meeting on how to help your children for Year 1 Phonics on Friday 13th March, Year 2 SATS on Friday 20th March and Achieving an Early Years Good Level of Development on Friday 27th March
First Holy Communion Classes These classes are continuing to take place on a Tuesday after school for 45 minutes. The next sessions are Tuesday 27th March and Tuesday 24th March. After the Easter Holidays the sessions will continue on Tuesday 28th April, Tuesday 5th May, Tuesday 12th May and Tuesday 19th May.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will happen on Saturday 6th June at Sacred Heart Church.
Gymnastics - Well Done to Year 2 who represented St Josephs at a Gymnastics competition on Monday 9th March. We won!
Attendance and Punctuality
Schools have a duty to report poor attendance and punctuality to the local authority. This is described as persistent absence and where attendance is extremely low it will trigger local authority support. We expect attendance to be above 95%.
Dates for your diary
Tuesday 17th March: St Patrick’s Day
Thursday 19th March: St Joseph’s Day - wear your own clothes day
Wednesday 1st April: Easter Passion Play in Sacred Heart Church
Monday 11th May: Year 6 SATS start this week and run from Monday to Thursday.
Reflection: A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence nor deprive me of your holy spirit. Psalms50: 3-6 12-14
Have a good week ahead
Anita Gallagher