St Mary's Sabden

With Jesus in our hearts, we welcome, we learn, we laugh, we flourish.

As we come to the end of this week and prepare for our last half term holiday for this year, let us take the time to think about everything that gives us joy. It’s a funny thing, joy – there are times in our lives when it can seem very far away. Perhaps we’re unwell, or we have exams to prepare for, or our list of work tasks seems to be never ending. Perhaps we’ve argued with a friend or a loved one; whatever it is, we all know that feeling when you think you may never be happy again. It’s the kind of feeling that weighs you down, the intrusive thoughts that pop into your head to remind you that you haven’t done your homework or walked the dog. Sometimes it’s little things, other times it’s much bigger – but they all threaten to impact our happiness.
And yet, if we can face the world (and all its difficulties) with joy, we quickly find that things are easier to face and most problems can be overcome. And that’s what God gives us, the hope to make it through the tough times and to see the joy and wonder in everything. On a rainy day we can take joy in the reflections in the puddles, or the fact that the pollen is more controlled, or we can enjoy the smell of wet grass. When it’s a little too hot, we can still delight in how vibrant the greens look or enjoy the sound of the many different pollinators who inhabit our hedgerows. And so it is with our problems, if we face them, secure in the knowledge that God is there for us, if we remember the hope, joy and peace that He grants, so we can go out and find that joy in our hearts, even in the most difficult of times.
So, this half term, let us go out with joy in our hearts, let us dance to the sound of the birds, and, even if it is only for a short time, let us put our worries to one side, and revel in the peace that fills our hearts when we remember the love of our loving Lord.
Romans 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Following Boris Johnson’s 8pm announcement we now know that as of midnight tonight the country has entered a new period of Lockdown, a Lockdown that includes the closure of school. 

School will be open for the children of Key Workers and for pupils who are deemed vulnerable. All pupils will be provided with work in order for them to keep learning. 

Tonight’s announcement was very short notice for you as parents and also for us as a Staff. Tomorrow, by 11am there will be three tasks on the school website for each Class to complete as their Tuesday learning. However, School will be closed to ALL pupils tomorrow. 

 

Staff, however, will be in school preparing for the rest of the Lockdown. Through tomorrow we will prepare school to make it safe for Key worker pupils and vulnerable children to return. 

We will send out a form for you to apply for a place in the Keyworker Bubbles and we will let you know more about how children will be learning remotely. We will do our very best to re-open to Key Worker children and vulnerable pupils by Wednesday. 

I am aware of how difficult this is for you all, School closing creates a multitude of problems for everyone but data surrounding this awful disease dictates that this is a necessary step. As ever, the safety and health of everyone must be a priority. 

Thank you for your continued support and we will be in frequent contact over the next few days. 

Many thanks

Claire Halstead