Newsletters

Friday 9th July 2021

Eucharist - First Holy Communion - Parish of Donaghmore

Tomorrow is a really special day for some of our children, as they shall be making their First Holy Communion.

Pope Francis refers to the Eucharist as a gift. He reminds us about how important the Eucharist is to our faith journey. He encourages us to receive the Eucharist as a family as often as possible. Our Holy Father once said, to a group of young people in Italy, “You will make your First Communion, always remember that day your whole life: the first day that Jesus came to us. He comes, makes himself one with us, makes himself our food, our nourishment to give us strength.”

Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank you for their innocence and goodness.

May their hands, extended in anticipation of your body and blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament.

Amen.

This week I received a really lovely email from a past pupil. This gentleman praised our fantastic children and staff. With his permission I am sharing this with you.

I was a pupil in Miss Riley’s reception class at St. Joseph’s 1949/1950. Subsequent teachers were Miss McDougall and Miss Higgins. Miss Hinkins was Head. I left to attend De La Salle College in 1954 and then Birmingham University where I graduated in Medicine 1966. My career as a doctor took me all over the world and it all began on St Joseph’s Rd!

My wife and I recently visited St. Joseph’s graveyard where my parents are buried and enjoyed a few improvised moments as football monitors retrieving and returning the ball to the playground and the anxiously waiting boys and girls. Our handy work was greeted with boundless delight, enthusiastic gratitude and thanks. The happy energetic sound took me back 70 years, although I don’t remember anything as exotic as a real football, never mind 2.

We just wanted to congratulate the school on creating such a dynamic and courteous group of pupils.

Please pass on our best wishes to Ms McFarlane and her team.

Kindest regards,

Mike and Bojana

Advice and Support for Parents Sheffield Parent Hub Events | Eventbrite

Sheffield Parent Hub is a free service. Parents and carers can access a range of groups that offer practical advice and support with parenting. They deliver programmes that are evidence based, tried and tested. The content is written by professional psychologists who have conducted years of research into what works to manage behaviours and difficulties that we can all face as parents.

Everyone has busy lives and we are all different. There are different types of groups you can access depending on your needs and at times to suit you.

Programmes provide a wide range of advice including support with children's sleep, self-confidence, emotions and behaviour.

Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/parenting

Parents can book onto any of the Seminars, Coffee Get Togethers or Discussion Groups using the Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sheffield-parent-hub-17631456258 .

If you are interested, it’s also worth following Sheffield Family Centres on Facebook and YouTube-There are lots of useful clips on there.

Parenting central contact number: 0114 2057243

E-Mail: Sheffieldparenting@sheffield.gov.uk

Nursery : Jonah for being always kind to his friends, helping both his friends and teachers when they ask him to and being a superstar listener.

Reception: Delilah for being always enthusiastic and positive on her morning Google Meets whilst isolating.

Y1: Alexander consistently gives good input into lessons, putting his hand up and answering questions confidently during carpet time.

Y2: Ava because she has shown a passion and enthusiasm for learning this week

Y3: Alessandro for being always ready to learn

Y4: Tianna — for her commitment and creativity during arts week!

Y5: Mariagrazia - for trying so hard during arts week and producing some fantastic pieces!

Y6: Harvey for excellent contribution to class discussion during the All Saints PSHE lesson.

Winning House

This year it has been difficult to have our usual House treats, with the many restrictions in place.

Next week we shall find out who the winning team is !

After a discussion with our house captains and prefects, it was decided that the most sensible option in the current circumstances, was for every child in the winning house to have an extra playtime and a special treat. In this way we don't need to mix any of our class bubbles.

Hopefully next year with easing of restrictions, will allow us to be more creative with our house treats.

Reports

All reports shall be emailed to you all this afternoon.

We are so proud of the progress all the children have made throughout the year and the way they have returned to school with a positive attitude to learning. The government has again removed the requirement to report on national assessments and attendance due to the ongoing restrictions. As a result of this your child’s report will include attainment for each subject and identify targets for the year ahead. Meetings have taken place between your child’s current teacher and staff for the next academic year to ensure a smooth transition takes place in September

Please read through your child’s report and contact us if you have any questions.

We would appreciate comments from yourselves after reading the report. Please forward your comment back to your class teacher. Should you need to speak to your teacher after reading the report, then please make contact directly via email and teachers will then arrange a time to call you when they are in school.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for our teddy bear raffle — we raised £98.00 towards the Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity.

Winners of the Nursery and Reception raffle were — Delilah and Niamh

July Virtue of the Month is Prayer - Challenge