Monsignor Joseph joins in our May Day celebrations.
Pentecost -Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Disciples.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
A message from the Bishop’s Conference in Wales
Dear Young People,
Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Disciples.
Feeling afraid and uncertain, the Disciples locked themselves away: Jesus had been their friend helping them and now He was no longer with them. Whilst praying, the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples and they became Apostles. An Apostle is someone sent out to share the message of Jesus with everyone and that is what the Apostles did – they went out spreading the Good News to everyone. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must have the courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We must stand up for what is right in our own community and in the global community.
Many of you will remember the letter Pope Francis wrote called Laudato si’ asking all of us in the whole world to take care of our common home.
Pope Francis says that climate change affects us all, but it is the poorest communities who will suffer the most.
We all have a responsibility to take care of our common home, and you can make that change through your choices as an individual in your home, school, parish and local community. Recycling materials correctly, reducing food waste, not wasting water, switching the lights off and thinking about the way you travel to school.
Young people are passionate about making these important changes. Not only are you probably already doing them, but through your actions you are also educating others around you!
Two important events are happening in our country this year. In June, the G7 will take place in Cornwall. World leaders from the seven most powerful countries in the world will meet to discuss global issues, such as climate change and recovery from the global pandemic. Their talks will affect all our brothers and sisters in our global family.
In November, COP26, a meeting of world leaders and governments organised by the United Nations, will be taking place in Glasgow. Important decisions will be made about how countries can help tackle the climate crisis.
Our government is hosting this meeting: they represent us. We have the power to make a difference by speaking up and making sure that our voices are heard. Like the Disciples at Pentecost, we need to become Apostles, spreading the Good News of Jesus and building a better future and fairer world for all.
What can I do?
If you haven’t already done so, watch the CAFOD assembly: ‘Eyes of the World’. Take part in the campaign by making pictures of eyes to show the eyes of the world are watching, and so are we! Write to the government telling them to think about the world’s poorest people as they make their decisions! https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Eyes-of-the-world
Let Us Pray:
We pray for a world where everyone has the chance to live life to the full.
Port Talbot to Peru- Why should we get fitter? Why should we raise money for our linked mission in Peru?
How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus?
How can we be Compassionate and Loving?
Curious and active?
Saint Joseph’s Sponsored Strava challenge
We as a school and parish community are aiming to raise money for the plight of Bishop Giovanni. Our Missio group have decided that we are going to do our best to walk or run as many miles in May as possible! Our astronomical end goal is 5929 miles! The distance between Port Talbot and Peru.
This challenge is all about exercising with family whilst raising money for such an important cause. Your whole family can take part and help you to reach your sponsorship goals.
Be an Action Researcher to find out what our money will go towards?
What differences will it make to the people of Prelatura Santiago Apostol de Huancane?
Please follow the instructions below to take part.
- Sign up to Strava app.
- Use ‘explore’ and search for ‘Saint Joseph’s Infants’ in ‘Clubs’. Request to join!
- Once you have joined our club, every walk or run will be added to our mileage and our leader board. We will be tallying up the miles at the end of each week.
- *Important* every time you Record a walk or run and ‘choose a sport’, please choose ‘Run’ EVEN if you are walking. This will allow your activity to be added to our mileage leader board.
- Please involve your whole family! Brothers, Sisters, Aunt’s, Uncle’s, Grandparents! The more family members involved, the better.
Saint Joseph’s Infant School is a Smoke Free School
Dear parents/carers,
From 1st March 2021, all school grounds in Wales have become smoke-free spaces.
As Wales becomes the first country in the UK to extend its smoking ban to certain outdoor areas, we are committed to improving the health of our staff and pupils by providing a smoke-free environment.
Smoking in smoke-free spaces – which not only includes school grounds but also public playgrounds, outdoor day-care and child-minding settings as well as hospital grounds – from 1st March could result in a £100 fine.
We want to protect everyone from harmful second-hand smoke and we especially recognise the important role that adults have in influencing the attitudes and smoking behaviour of children and young people. Banning smoking in places where children and young people spend their time will denormalise smoking and reduce the chances of children and your people starting smoking in the first place– ultimately saving lives.
TESTUN AR GYFER CYLCHLYTHYRAU YSGOLION
I look forward to having your support to ensure we all play our part in building a healthier future.
Those looking for help to stop smoking can access Wales’ free NHS support service Help Me Quit on 0800 085 2219 or visit www.helpmequit.wales for help and support, including access to free stop smoking medication.
Yours sincerely,
Ms Julie Beaumont
Headteacher
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
Our school vision at St Joseph’s Catholic Infant school is to develop eloquent and truthful learners who are ambitious and capable. Eloquent in what they say of themselves and in the relations between people and the world. To be eloquent in our Foundation Phase setting, children must learn to speak with confidence and then build on these skills to develop reading and writing skills.
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Collaboration with parents to develop ambitious, capable learners
During lockdown some children have flown with reading development, however, many for lots of different reasons have plateaued or regressed.
We would like all parents to work with us to help improve every child’s reading skills.
How?
Step 1: Be consistent. Read daily with your child 10- 15 mins
Step 2: Practise reading the Oxford Reading Scheme daily. It is always good to ‘walk ‘ through the book before reading, looking at pictures on the cover, and looking through the book together. Go over any tricky words. Set children up to achieve.
- Read the story to your child, pointing under the words as you read
- Re-read the story with your child, encouraging them to join in with repeated patterns
- Give them lots of praise
- Write in the Reading Record – share how the session went with your child’s teacher.
- PLEASE remember to send book and reading record back on the designated day. We need to set them aside 48 hours before using.
Step 3: Log on to Oxford Reading Buddies for short burst 3 times a week. This is a fantastic resource which tracking shows is being underused. Logon codes will be resent later this week.
Step 4: Use flash cards sent home as a home learning tool. Make the activity fun. Keep it short, make it a game. Make additional flash cards if your child finds a word tricky. Help them recognise common words by sight. Make sure they know the names of the main characters.
Step 5: Use fun resources that surround us in a language rich world. Teach them songs and nursery rhymes; clap rhythms of the words, help them to think of another word that begins with…
Make use of online resources such as:
· BBC Bitesize has a good section on ‘Top tips to support your child’s reading at home’ which may be of help with strategies.
· readingrockets.org has ideas for family reading activities.
· The Pori Drwy Stori website has lots of activities/ideas for families (https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/programmes-and-campaigns/poridrwystori/
· The Literacy Trust also has information/support for parents (https://literacytrust.org.uk/)
Enterprising and Creative – Go St Joseph’s! Saint Joseph’s School Council
Well done to all those who entered the School Council competition to redesign our learning environment.
We have had some fantastic ideas ranging from willow walk dragon to repainting rainbow coloured roads in the side yard.
Outdoor play prizes have been awarded to the winning entry, one in all 4 classes.
Now watch this space! Year 1 have cleaned the flowerbeds ready for Year 2 to have a go at painting.
It is a risk. It is going to be messy. But we are ambitious capable learners.
We will do our best and God will do the rest!
Parish Priests Monsignor Joseph and Father Andrzej
Should you wish to discuss the next step for your child in Sacramental preparation please contact our parish priests.
First Holy Communion Programme 2021
Saint Joseph’s Port Talbot – Monsignor Joseph: Tel 01639 882846
Our Lady of Margam – Father Andrzej: Tel 01639 883323
Please complete and return to school, or post on SEE- SAW, consent form sent home today.
We are truly delighted that there is a realistic possibility that our Year 2 cohort will be able to make their First Holy Communion July 2021!
|
Child’s Name: Year 2 |
|
| I would like my child to be prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion | |
| Signed:
(Parent Signature) |
|
| Date:
|
|
|
NB: First session to start Wednesday 28th April 2021 Time: 2:45-3:30 |
|