Pupil Premium 2016/17
Please be reminded that the Pupil Premium for 2016/17 will be based on pupils recorded on School Census at January 2016 who are / have been entitled to Free School Meals at any time during the 
last 6 years.
Therefore schools are advised to encourage parents/ carers of pupils that may be entitled to Free School Meals but who have not yet submitted a claim to do so as soon as possible in order that pupils may be recorded on the January 2016 School Census enabling schools to receive Pupil Premium funding for 2016/17.
Attached is a link to Dudley’s FSM on line application 
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/your-council/benefits/free-school-meals/

This year in school, we celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

The build up to a special anniversary is always exciting, especially when it commemorates over a century of partnership between school and parish.

In 1965, Our Lady and St Kenelm Catholic School first opened. This year marks 50 years since the school first opened! Although many things have changed over the years and the school and church are in separate buildings, the powerful amalgamation of the two families is clearly visible for all to see and experience.

 

Leading up to the anniversary, each class held dance workshops to create a festival of dance and song to honour this jubilant occasion. Beautiful productions included dancing through the decades. Staff and children alike, dressed in bright and colourful clothes from the 1960s. All of the marvellous dance creations were celebrated outside in the playground in front of all the parents and a whole school family picnic, was enjoyed by everyone. The varying renditions of songs, dances and drama pieces, showed life through the ages of OLSK School and Church.

 

On Tuesday 29^th September, the celebrations were bought to a joyous end, led by Fr Bruce, with the school and parish community uniting in a beautiful Mass, followed by refreshments in the Phizz Lab. The Mass preceded an after-school tour, which gave past and present pupils, along with parents, friends, parishioners and members of the community, the chance to see how the school has changed and developed over the years. A museum of old photos, year books, newspaper cuttings and relics was also set up in the Phizz Lab for all to enjoy and others to reminisce!

Thank you to all those involved in helping ensure our celebrations were so memorable; we look forward to the next 50 years of ever-blossoming partnership.

 

It was a truly beautiful Mass and Fr Bruce blessed our new Altar candles, donated to school by Grace Kalinski's family- a past pupil who is currently very sick. Please pray for her and all of our school community.

 

 

In partnership with our local artist and past pupil Matt Johnson, we have created a piece of art; 'Tree of Life' which is displayed in the corridor by the new offices! The inspiration for the tree is taken from the Bible.; I am the vine and you are the branches.  All the children in school have placed their picture on the tree to show that they belong to our school family, knowing that they are all God's children. 

Today we had great fun in school, to raise funds for CAFOD. All of the staff dressed in school uniform and the children dressed as their favourite teacher. The staff, dressed in school uniform, were told off for not tucking their shirts in, wearing high heels (Mrs Finnegan)undoing their top button, not wearing the correct jumpers or cardigans! Many of the staff were given 'time out' and Miss Marshall lost her Golden Time for wearing a sign on her back saying 'Teachers Smell'!! Everybody had great fun, especially the children! What a great way to raise funds for children who are less fortunate than ours. Thank you for all your contributions! 

 

 

 

 

Please find on our Children's Page- a new website, created and designed for us to keep in touch with what Pope Francis is up to, and listen to what he has to say. Take a peek and listen to Pope Francis' inspiring words of wisdom.

On Tuesday 7th July, Bishop Pargeter joined Fr Bruce in school, to bless our new offices and welcome area! Mrs Anne North, our chief cleaner, who retired early this year, came back to cut the ribbon, along with the oldest and youngest children in school! The whole school joined in the prayer service as Bishop Pargeter sprinkled Holy Water over us all. We thank Bishop Pargeter and Fr Bruce for leading us in prayer! 

During Arts Week, Matt Johnson, a local artist and past pupil of our school, came in to work alongside the children to plan, design and paint the book characters for our newly refurbished library! Matt was brilliant with all the children; passing on his artistic skills and talent and inspiring our own budding artists, inspiring them to persue their God given talents! Matt has worked in school throughout the year, working alongside the staff and children, enabling them to use their artistic skills across all areas of the curriculum! Well done Matt. 

During May half term, Mrs Finnegan joined members of the Arch Diocese of Birmingham for their 75th Anniversary trip to Lourdes. She travelled with parishioners from OLSK Church, supporting sick pilgrims on their journey! Mrs Finnegan shared all her memories and pictures with all the staff and children in an assembly on her return, including having lunch with our Arch Bishop, Bernard Longley. Wow! How fabulous! 

Many of the children who travelled, were from the High Schools in our diocese and they were a credit to their schools, especially the staff and students from Hagley High School. Thank you for all of your prayers for those who travelled. 

 

 

Congratulations to the Y3/Y4 team for coming 4th in the final of the Dudley Inter-Schools Championship. We are very proud of you.