Emmanuel School Walsall

Today is the final day in school this academic year and for our last assembly, we handed our certificates to pupils, including those who recited all our memory passages throughout the year or to those who earned the most stars.

Please remember to continue collecting unused and/or unwanted clothes and empty ink cartridges and donate them to school. We are able to exchange these for cash that helps with our school fundraising.

Thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement through the year. We trust that you all have a wonderful summer.

The children return to school on Thursday 7th September and we look forward to welcoming them back, alongside an encouraging number of new faces. Meanwhile "may the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other."

As an end of year treat for all their hard work, our Infant class enjoyed some pizza for lunch today.

Yesterday we had our end of year assembly where we said goodbye to our Year 11 pupils, presented our end of year shields and had singing and speaking performances from our primary pupils.

FREE EARLY YEARS PLACES AVAILABLE

Emmanuel School offers 15 hours per week (during term time) for 3 and 4 year olds (30 hours for eligible families)

We aim to be a centre for early excellence where children achieve and reach their full potential as they learn through play, fun and laughter.

Our Early Years Unit was rated GOOD at our 2020 Ofsted inspection.

Our qualified, experienced and caring staff provide a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment where children learn swiftly and flourish greatly.

Full and part time vacancies are available (we offer flexible sessions to support working parents)

For more information please contact the school office on 01922 635810 or email [email protected]

Please do share this around your friends and to anyone who may be interested. Thank you.

As a final week treat for our pupils, we invited an ice cream van to school! All our pupils really enjoyed their ice creams and ice lollys (and so did the staff!)

Yesterday, our seniors went to Tenpin Walsall for two games of Laser Tag together before our Year 10 pupils went for their end of year trip to the cinema and a meal out. It was an enjoyable trip for all and we pray we can provide our students with even more fun experiences together in September.

Mr Swain's weekly devotional:

In 1 Corinthians this week, we have focused on the fact that love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

When I looked up the meaning of the word always, there were two definitions with example sentences that I have copied below:

1. "at all times, on all occasions - the sun always rises in the East."

2. "as a last resort, failing all else - if the marriage doesn't work out, we can always get divorced"

In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, it is clear that the always implied is the first of these two definitions. But it struck me that often we act in our relationship with God like the second one. We try to work things out, even to love people in our own strength and in our own way. I have heard the song, "I did it my way" at several funerals! However, as Christians we are called to do things God's way. We should come to him as our starting point, not when we think all other options have run out!

And that is so true for the four characteristics of love mentioned. They are only fully possible, when we come to God. For example, how can we always hope when we look around at all that is going on in the world and see so much that could make us despair? Well, we know that God is in control, that He is good, that He loves us and one day we will be with Him. That gives me hope. Always? It should do.

How can we always trust when people let us down so often? We can always trust in a God who never lets us down and is completely trustworthy in all he says and does.

I could go on but the key point is as follows: if we want to be people who love like the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, we need to be filled to overflowing with God's love in our lives and then we can show that love towards others. Always? It will be hard, but the more we let God control our lives, the closer we can get.

May we know and show more of his love over the rest of this term and beyond.

In our junior class, our pupils have been working with money to see how we use Maths in our life. Income, expenses, profit, loss, credit, debit and balance are all new words in their vocabulary and each child had the chance to be a customer and a cashier, to practice how things work and how we need to manage our money.

It was very touching to see our children worried about those in need and create their own donation box for children in need. For all our pupils, we pray that this generous and thoughtful spirit may grow side by side with their academic skills.

Yesterday was our Culture Day. This is an annual event where we celebrate the different cultures in our school. The children enjoyed showing their outfits and creating cultural crafts.

Last Friday, we had our whole school fun sports afternoon at Reedswood Park. Our pupils enjoyed competing in events such as egg and spoon races and obstacle courses. Thank you to all the parents that came along to show their support and to Mr Swain who organised such a great event. It was a lovely afternoon and a good chance to bring our whole school community together.

On Wednesday, our years 5 and above went to the CST Sports Day in Oxford where we competed against other Christian schools. We are delighted to have won four events: 300m senior girls, 800m senior girls, 100m junior girls and 800m senior boys. We are very proud of these pupils and everyone else who took part and did their best. It was a lovely day for everyone involved and a great chance to spend time together outside the classroom.

On Tuesday, we had our annual trip to Drayton Manor Resort for those in the school who said all their memory passages throughout the year. It was a great day and we can't wait to go again.

Mr Swain's weekly devotional:

Last week in our look at 1 Corinthians 13 we considered some of the things that love does not do - it does not envy or boast. It keeps no record of wrongs. This week, we consider what love IS NOT. We are told, "It is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered."

As I read through the list my first reaction is that I struggle so much in these areas and cannot avoid falling into some of these things. I am so grateful that I have the example of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit and recognise that I need to pray constantly that I will let the Spirit guide my life rather than fight to be in control myself.

Like last week, let's look at just one of these areas in a bit more detail.

Self-seeking is defined as "having concern for one's own welfare and interests before those of others." When we consider it specifically in the context of 1 Corinthians it can be summarised as follows: "those who embody true Biblical love do not insist upon their own way or their own rights." What a contrast this message is to what we hear all around us day by day when we are told to look after ourselves, to do what makes us happy, to fight our own corner. To put the needs of others first requires humility, courage and a willingness to stand out from the society around us. And yet that is what Jesus did, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..." It is not what Jesus taught that we should do, "but whoever wants to be great among you, let him be one who waits on you.” But before we think that we are called to a life of misery, remember that Jesus also said, "I have come that they may have life, and life to the full."

Our culture has so changed our way of thinking that we believe that true happiness comes from doing what we want, meeting our needs, fighting for our interests. We need to let this passage challenge us about the true nature of love and the true nature of joy that comes by showing that love to others.

JOB VACANCY

Emmanuel School is looking for a new member of staff to join them for next academic year.

This vacancy is for a part time Secondary Science teacher.

Please do circulate this to people who you know who are suitable and may be interested and we would be very grateful if you could advertise this in your churches and Christian communities.

If you or someone you know is interested in this vacancy then please email [email protected]

Yesterday, our KS3 class enjoyed a trip out to the Thinktank museum in Birmingham. The trip linked into their studies in Science this academic year. They particularly enjoyed the Journey into the Cell show.

In preparation for our two sports days this week, some of our seniors went to Reedswood Park on Friday where they were able to learn and practice skills and techniques in events such as the javelin, shot put and relay race.

Yesterday, our Year 11 students went on their leavers' trip where they enjoyed Go Karting and Crazy Golf. Please do pray for this group that they will know God's peace throughout the summer as they wait for their exam results and look forward to their next steps away from Emmanuel.

Today we had a bake sale to raise funds for our school. Thank you to all the parents and students who donated and baked cakes, they were very tasty!

Mr Swain's weekly devotional:

It is an interesting fact in life that sometimes the best way of defining what something is includes having to say what it is not. This is exactly what we see in 1 Corinthians 13. Having started by explaining that love is patient and kind, over the next few verses we get a list of things that don't form part of the definition of love. We will briefly look at this section today and next week. They fall into two categories: things that love does not do and things that love is not. We start with the former.

Love does not envy. Love does not boast. It keeps no record of wrongs.

I just want to look at the last of these because it is the one that has challenged me most over the course of the week. Keeping no record of wrongs is more than just forgiving someone, more than repairing a relationship and seeking to move on. Both of those are hard enough but this requires even more. It is about making a conscious decision to forget the wrongs that have been done to us. And yet some memory of them can be so useful. We can use the memory to protect ourselves in the future. Or to bring up in future discussions, when we are being criticised for a similar thing - don't you remember when you did that to me? Or to make a point in an argument - do you remember when I forgave you when you did ...! It is amazing, some people can recall things that were said or done to hurt them, from decades previously. On a number of occasions the Lord is quoted as follows:

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31 v 34. The Message puts it like this:

"I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree."

That is my challenge - to love like that. Not just to forgive but to choose to forget, to remember the sins of others no more, just as God does that for me. Let us pray for one another that God will help us to love like Him.

Just a reminder about our current job vacancy. We are currently looking for a Nursery Assistant in EYFS.

Thank you to everyone who has shared this and please continue to pass it around your Christian circles. It is greatly appreciated.

JOB VACANCY

Emmanuel School is looking for a new member of staff to join them for next academic year.

This vacancy is for a Nursery Assistant in EYFS.

Please do circulate this to people who you know who are suitable and may be interested and we would be very grateful if you could advertise this in your churches and Christian communities.

If you or someone you know is interested in this vacancy then please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Friday 30th June 2023.

On Friday, our Senior pupils had the opportunity to go to Walsall Arboretum to learn and play tennis together for their fun afternoon with Mr Swain.

JOB VACANCY

Emmanuel School is looking for a new member of staff to join them for next academic year.

This vacancy is for a Nursery Assistant in EYFS.

Please do circulate this to people who you know who are suitable and may be interested and we would be very grateful if you could advertise this in your churches and Christian communities.

If you or someone you know is interested in this vacancy then please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Friday 30th June 2023.

Last week, our junior class went to Tenpin Walsall to enjoy a game of bowling together. They had a lot of fun and we can't wait to go again.

Yesterday, the Change Your Mind team from Queen Mary's Grammar School came into Emmanuel to do a talk on First Aid to our junior class. As well as enjoying the demonstration, our pupils also learned valuable first aid skills. Thank you to the Change Your Mind team.

Last Friday, our KS2 pupils went to the Thinktank museum in Birmingham. They explored topics that they had covered in science during this academic year. As you can see from the photos, a good time was had by all!

Last week, our KS3 pupils went to Wales for the day. They drove to Cadair Idris and walked to Llyn Cau where they had a picnic. During the afternoon, after finishing their walk, they went to Barmouth to enjoy games on the beach and a fish and chip tea. The aim of the trip was to take the pupils to an area where they can see some of the features of a glacial landscape that they have been studying in the summer term and to show them a beautiful part of the country that many will have not visited and develop their appreciation of the wonder of God’s Creation (and to have some fun, of course).

For our secondary pupils, this week at Emmanuel is Exam Week. Please pray for our pupils over the next few days that they will know God's peace as they work hard and demonstrate what they've learned throughout the year.

Today we welcomed back our pupils for a new half term, the final one of another school year at Emmanuel. We hope that you have all had a good break and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.

This will be a busy half term as it will be a culmination of the work of the year and also a chance to use the summer weather to be out and about more with the pupils.

Yesterday, our Early Years and KS1 classes went on a trip to Aldridge Transport Museum. The children had a lot of fun going onto all the old buses and even had the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat!

Here are some pictures of their trip and the work our reception children have done today:

Yesterday, our Key Stage Three class went on a trip to the The New Art Gallery Walsall. They had the opportunity to see Karla Black's exhibition, which links to their current art topic as well as seeing many other different art styles by a range of artists.

Just a reminder about our current job vacancy. We are currently looking for a part time Secondary Science teacher.

Thank you to everyone who has shared this and please continue to pass it around your Christian circles. It is greatly appreciated.

JOB VACANCY

Emmanuel School is looking for a new member of staff to join them for next academic year.

This vacancy is for a part time Secondary Science teacher.

Please do circulate this to people who you know who are suitable and may be interested and we would be very grateful if you could advertise this in your churches and Christian communities.

If you or someone you know is interested in this vacancy then please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Friday 9th June 2023.

As part of their fun Friday afternoon last week, some of our secondary pupils spent time in the kitchen where they each made a savory filled pastry and a small individual cheesecake. This was greatly enjoyed by all and we thank Mrs Vreugdenhil for organising it.

Mr Swain's weekly devotional:

As we continue through Hebrews 12, I want to briefly look at the challenge of discipline. Hebrews 12 v 11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful." We live in a society that has moved almost entirely away from physical punishment which might lead us to thinking that this verse is not so relevant but I do not think this is the case.

Often self-discipline can seem painful. For a young athlete the discipline of maintaining a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, saying no to parties and nights out to prepare for big events can all seem painful. We can feel that the effort is not worth it, that the cost is too high.

Even for our usual understanding of discipline in the sense of correction, it can be painful. Sometimes the hurt is emotional. Most teenagers would find having their phone taken off them exceptionally 'painful.' But perhaps the most common area of pain is our pride. Naturally, none of us like to be corrected. We do not like to admit our faults and the hurt that we have caused. We resent people pointing it out to us and we resent those in authority correcting us. So, I want to leave you with three thoughts:

1. We need a good support network. People around us who can keep us going when we are struggling with discipline whether that is self-discipline or correction. We need them to help us maintain our perspective and to keep going, determined to make this a positive experience.

2. Sometimes, we do need to humble ourselves and put aside our hurt pride, admit our faults and accept the correction and training that we need. James 4 v 10 says "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

3. Finally, when we are struggling with discipline I want to encourage you to keep going and trust the process. Hebrews 12 v 11 turns into Hebrews 12 and I would encourage you to read next week's newsletter when we will look at the rewards and fruit of discipline. So, if you are a parent struggling with a challenging toddler or a temperamental teenager - hang in there, keep disciplining and discipling, it will be worth it if we don't give up. We do pray for you all because we know it is not easy. Please do let us know if there are any specific issues that you would like us to pray for. And if you are on the receiving end of discipline, keep going. It may be hard now but if it is being done by people who love you and want the best for you, keep going, understand their desires for you and come back next week to see the fruit it will bring.

As part of Walk to School week, our Early Years class have been busy creating their very own maps to direct their way to School as well as thinking about the many different methods of transport that are available for us to use.

JOB VACANCY

Emmanuel School is looking for a new member of staff to join them for next academic year.

This vacancy is for a part time Secondary Science teacher.

Please do circulate this to people who you know who are suitable and may be interested and we would be very grateful if you could advertise this in your churches and Christian communities.

If you or someone you know is interested in this vacancy then please email [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Friday 9th June 2023.

Mr Swain's weekly devotional:
"God disciplines those he loves."
Last week, we considered the origin of the word discipline (and disciple) - both words coming from the same root meaning a pupil / one who learns. Discipline is part of discipleship and not something that we should view with a negative mindset.
In Matthew 11 v 29 Jesus tells us to come and "learn from me." We need to be his pupils and his teaching and our learning will involve 'disciplinus' - discipleship and discipline. Why does Jesus give us this instruction and why does it involve discipline? Because he loves us. He wants us to trust him. He desires that we choose the right paths. Sadly, we so often choose to go our own way and follow what we think is best. Sometimes, we need correction, turning around and pointing in the right direction.
Who do we discipline and disciple? The answer is that we discipline and disciple the ones that we love and care for most. For most parents, there is a deep love for their children - we want them to make good choices. We want to protect them and keep them safe and train them to grow in the love and knowledge of God and to be responsible citizens who shine his light to those around them. To achieve that aim, we will 'disciplinus' them - disciple and discipline them in our desire to help them head along good paths. I may see other children making poor choices but I am not as invested in them because they are not my children and my love for my children is the strongest.
We are God's children, He loves us with a far greater love than any human parent will ever love their child. That is why he disciplines us. And if God does that for his children, we ought - with His help - to do the same for our children.
Let me go one stage further. A school is referred to as being 'in loco parentis' - in the place of wise and loving parents. Parents hand their children over to the care and protection of teachers and leave them at school for many hours day after day. As teachers, we should seek to act like parents who love, care for and want the best for each child in our care. We seek to disciple and discipline them for their good to help them achieve the best they can in their work, interactions and to help them follow the best paths in their lives. It is not easy for children to always understand that but I want to make it known that I firmly believe that this is the heart of what we should be about as a school and that every member of staff would have that desire.
We do get it wrong and I sometimes see that pupils focus on the negative side of discipline rather than the desire to disciple. It can come across as punitive rather than loving correction to a pupil. Please work with us in seeking to get across that we desire the best for them. Just as God disciplines those He loves because he wants the best for them, and a parent disciplines their children because they want the best for them, so we desire to discipline (train and disciple) the pupils in our school because we want the best for them. We are always striving to improve how we do things and reflect on what works well and what doesn't. We made changes to our discipline system last year having had a parental consultation session to try and incorporate the feedback we were getting. The truth is that we still feel that we could improve our system. Therefore, if you have any ideas or input that you would like to give us, please do contact me on [email protected] and either share your ideas or arrange a time to come and have a short chat with me. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting our fundraising efforts.

We have raised over £50 from sending a car load of second hand clothes to Cash for Clothes and we have raised over £70 from donations of loose change.

Thank you all and please keep donating to both as you are able.

Next week is the start of the GCSE period for our Year 11 pupils. Please pray for them over the next 6 weeks in this really important section of their education and lives.