"Leave all your cares and concerns in the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

Have you ever had a fire in your belly about something? This week, following Pentecost, we have spoken about the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit and how a fire burned within them to proclaim the Good News. Just weeks before, they had cowered; scared about what would happen to them after the death of Jesus. I have challenged the children to find the fire in their bellies for the final half term and achieve what they have set their hearts on. This may be something in their classroom, something that they have been working on for some time or a personal quality of theirs - it is their choice!

The month of June is known as the month of The Sacred Heart - the loving heart of Jesus. Images that are shown of The Sacred Heart are often shown with a cross, flames and thorns to illustrate Jesus’ love for us and what he did for us. Today, our Year 4 children walked to St Joseph’s church in Ansdell where they joined our other deanery schools to celebrate them making their first Holy Communion. All schools were asked to make a board for the offertory which represented the sacred heart. Our children drew images on the hearts that showed Jesus’ love for us all.

There are now three buttons below. The first one will take you to our prayer and liturgy in school which you may want to use at home. The second is a link to our final family mass of the year, on Sunday 6th July. Our Holy Communion children will be coming in their dresses and singing for the parish. As always we need readings, singers to join the choir and the offertory. Finally, St Annes Carnival is fast approaching and in recent years we have walked with our parish family - we will be doing the same this year too. It is always so lovely seeing all of our children walking with their different clubs. If you are able to walk with us this year, please fill in the form by clinking the button below.

Mini Vinnie Foodbank

One of our ways of contributing to our local community this year has been the foodbank, which you have all been so generous with. For June and July, we will be collecting tinned soup, beans, fruit, vegeatbles and pasta. If you can pick any of these up whilst you are out and about shopping - please do! Our donations are so gratefully received.

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Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

Forest School Blog

We all know how successful our forest school has been so far this year; in such a short period of time, we have managed to get every child in there at some point this year - even parents have had the opportunity to visit. But a very important group of people who hadn’t yet seen the wonders were our staff team. So on Wednesday, for our staff meeting, we headed out to the canopy to gather and learn about the pedagogy of forest provision. We have so many of our children benefit, it was lovely to try it out first hand. Tree climbing, hammock swinging, den making and forest bathing were enjoyed by all who could make it. I think you can see from the pictures just how much fun we all had - even more so when the bacon butties came at the end. The staff work so incredibly hard in school, it is these moments that can be created which give everyone the chance to breath and recalibrate. Thank you Miss Lavelle and Mrs Tierney who led the session for us. And a big congratulations to Miss Lavelle who this week passed the practical aspect of her Forest School Leaders Certificate. We know we are very lucky and you have worked so hard. Miss Lavelle will be leaving us at the end of this year to go and have another forest baby and enjoy her maternity leave. Mrs Tierney will be taking over in her absence - she is also working towards her forest school leaders award.

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Office News

At this time of year, the office is always really busy. Whether it is finalising trips, booking coaches, ordering stationary for next year; it is always such a busy place of the school. This week, Mrs Nel and Mrs Howe have been busy organising everything for our new Nursery and Reception starters who will be joining us in September. Before the end of the year, please can you ensure that all of your Parent Pay account is settled, ready to start a new in September. Thank you so much for this.

Last week, I mentioned that we had some laptops available for you to buy. The larger £75 ones have now been sold, as well as a number of the smaller £50 ones. There are just 5 left if anybody would like to purchase one. They are Windows 11 laptops.

As we approach the end of the year, and start to look ahead to next year, the All Stars booking form is now open. This is for the next academic year, from September. Please have a think about what provision is needed and complete the booking form accordingly. All children who currently use the wrap around care will be prioritised so please do not worry - we just need to know sooner rather than later.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%.

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The transition of our children from one year group to the next is always considered. We want to make sure that we get it right without being too intense. We are so lucky that the relationships in our school are so strong and everyone has had the opportunity to work with each teacher through enrichment this year. In the coming weeks, I will be able to share with you who the staff team will be next year and the teaching teams in each class. With the end of any school year, we often have some goodbyes to say. On Wednesday 16th July, we will be gathering at church to say goodbye to our Year 6 children at their leavers’ mass, together with Mrs Webster and Miss Hanlon. Mrs Webster has been a member of staff at school for over a decade - over 16 years in fact, as well as a parent of her children who came through our Lady’s. Working in a number of classes, she has always been led by her faith and working with our children with such love. Not only has she supported in class, she has also been involved with the Holy Communion programme for many years and have been on a number of residential with Year 6. Mrs Webster will be retiring at the end of this year to spend more time with her family and travel more often too. I absolutely know that this will not be goodbye - I know she will still be involved in school and parish life.

Miss Hanlon was employed last year as a maternity cover, so we knew she would only be with us briefly - but in the time she has been with us, she has fully committed to her role as class teacher and we have loved watching her continue to learn and grow. Yesterday, Miss Hanlon secured her next teaching job, and we could not be more proud of her. We will enjoy spending the last few weeks alongside her. I know you will all want to wish her well too.

Have a lovely weekend with your families

God bless

Mrs Gregan

You'll find happiness in the small, seemingly insignificant moments of your life if you're present for them.

Over the past two weeks, we have rejoiced in the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Our Year 4 children, together with members of our parish family, made their First Holy Communion. Both days were beautiful, and so heart-felt as families came together to celebrate the children. As we break for the May half term, we have focused our attention on Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We know that this gives us courage and support when we need it; enabling us to be the best versions of ourselves. In our final half term, we will have the last family mass of the year on Sunday 6th July. Here our Year 4 Holy Communicants will be invited back to mass in their communion dress and then back to the Parish Centre afterwards for tea and cake. As it is our final family mass, I would love to see as many of you as possible; as readers, as singers and for the offertory.

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To lead is to serve

Following on from Year 6’s successes last week, they headed off on their three day residential to Winmarleigh. As you can see from the photographs below, they had the best time and made memories for life. This class were a dream to take away, and in true Year 6 style, they looked after each other throughout - and even the staff. A huge thank you to Mrs Harrison, Mrs Webster, Mr Cornwell and Mr Murray who gave up their time to take the children away. Year 5 were given their residential letters for next year this week - such an exciting time. Then yesterday, I had my favourite day of the year; my chance to interview our Year 6 children for their jobs around school in the final half term. In the midst of them trying to prove that they were the right person for the job, and also deciding which Disney Princess they would be if they could, they also told me how they had grown throughout their time at Our Ladys and their magic moments. I am so proud of them and can’t wait to see them come to life in their new roles after half term.

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Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

I love being visited in my office with fabulous work and Mrs Lyons was raving about the work that was taking place in her class - especially the writing. The children have been continuing their unit of work on The Firework Maker’s Daughter. Their writing was exciting, grammatically correct and full of great vocabulary! Well done Year 4.

Forest School Blog

So, this short half term comes to an end, but we've managed to cram so much into it! 

We've taken advantage of the beautiful weather and along with our nurture groups we've had some takeover days, so this have meant our years 1 and 3 joined us last week and year 2 have been with us this week. 

One of the favourite activities was solar printing. Using Cynotype paper and clear acrylic screens the children gathered leaves, petals and flowers placed arranged them on the paper, placed the screens overt and let them sit in the full sun for 20 minutes. We then washed them and hung them to dry. The designs were very creative and a useful way to use natural resources. 

We've heard the pitter patter of tiny feet too! Our bird box which was only put up a couple of months ago is now home to a family of Coal Tits. All the groups have been really respectful and quiet around the area so not to scare mum and dad away.  Today we had a group of year 5 out in the wood and they found a couple of bees really struggling. Thy carefully moved the bees into the shade and we used some sugar syrup to revive them, after a few minutes the bees even gave us a high 5!! (Check out the pictures) The children showed a lot of compassion and care towards the bees and the natural area. 

Our wildflowers meadow is starting to take shape, we've raked the area, placed down some stepping stones and scatter some seeds, were all looking forward seeing what we get out of the seed mixes we have sown!

APPEAL - Does any one have a water butt that they are getting rid of or that isn't needed? We'd like to put one over near the shed and the meadow.

Thank you in advance!

Fun Nature fact of the week - Hummingbirds have heart rates that can reach up to 1200 beats per minute during flight, helping them sustain their rapid wing movement. 

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Sporting Success

There has been two significant events this week; the Year 3 & 4 Striking and Fielding Festival and the Year 5 & 6 swimming gala. The sun shone and the children had a great time working with other children from other schools in a range of challenges - all to do with cricket! They were wonderful and enjoyed their representation of school for the first time. Then today we had the annual swimming gala held at Palatine. We finished in our highest ever place, 3rd; which is astonishing. We managed to final in 19 races - well done to all of the children taking part. Next year, our current Year 4 children will be joining the squad when they move into Year 5; so get practising now so you are ready for the gala. After half term, our Sports Days will take centre stage - and I am praying for some rain to sort our field out! We also have a Year 3 & 4 tennis event and upper junior cricket event too. Details will be coming out over half term. I will text when they are live.

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Office News

Last week, I mentioned that we had some laptops available for you to buy. Two of these now have been some and we currently have just 1 Acer Laptops with the following specification ready for immediate sale and use, priced at £75 each.

The Acer laptop, which offers impressive specifications, It's a solid all-rounder-ideal for everyday tasks and even a bit of light gaming. All laptops are in good used condition and come with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, ready for immediate use. 

We also have some smaller laptops available at £50 each, again refurbed and ready to use straight away. If you are interested in buying one, please contact Mrs Gregan at head@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 6 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%. Our whole school attendance was 97.6%

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Uniform Check

As we seem to be in the throws of Spring and Summer (fingers firmly crossed that it lasts) I have had a number of conversations with parents around school uniform and hair styles etc. I have attached the uniform guidance again below. School summer dresses or shorts can be worn at any point in the school year. The most important thing is that the shoes that the children wear for school are closed toe shoes - not sandals. This is due to them running around at break time and moving around a school that has lots and lots of pupils and adults. We have seen an increase in jewellery being worn. The only thing that can be worn is a pair of plain studs and a wrist watch. Please avoid anything around the neck or earings that do not meet school guidance. Lots of you have already asked about hair styles before heading to the barbers for a summer trim and the guidance is really clear. Long hair must be tied up and remain up throughout the course of the day and no lines or pattens to be cut into the children’s hair please. That has never changed but I think as it becomes more of a thing and fashionable with footballers, we are tempted to allow the children to have them. If you could save that for the summer holidays or longer holidays where it can grow out, that would be appreciated. Thank you again for your support and for always asking the question when you aren’t quite sure.

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Please have a wonderful half term holiday and make special memories with your families. I am praying for some rain to recover our school field as best as we can for sports days! We look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday 9th June.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"Love one another as I have loved you."

We are still in the midst of Easter and the event that followed after Jesus’s resurrection. We have been looking at the times that Jesus appeared following his death and the key messages that he left to his disciples and followers behind. One of the most significant lines in the bible is this, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Easy right? To love everyone? But this is so much more difficult than it sounds. In a world at the moment where opinions can cause conflict, love is needed! We have one main rule in school; to be kind. If we are kind then love manifests. Each week I create a prayer and liturgy document that we follow in school for the week around the Gospel for the weekend. I thought it would be nice to share this with you at home. We always have a word of the week and then a mission going forward.

Last Saturday, our first group of Year 4 children made their First Holy Communion. The church was packed and it was an incredibly special moment for the children to be surrounded by love. The sun certainly shone so very brightly! I will reserve the photograph until next week after our second group of children make theirs. Tomorrow, we will have our second group of children make their Holy Communion - and again the sun will shine. Please continue to pray for them.

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STAR pupils this week - Leading Learnings and Star Virtues

Yet again, our Year 6 children are amongst the leading learners for this week; how could we choose. Each morning this week they have come into school with a huge smile on their face, determined to be the best they could possibly be as they tackled their end of key stage assessments. These assessments test a snapshot of what they can do - but not everything; these children are so much more and we are beyond proud of them. They are just fantastic human beings who love each other. After the arrival of the ice-cream van and leavers hoodies, attention turned to the end of year play. Ironically, it is a story of kindness with one of the famous lines being: "Always be a little kinder than necessary". Our Year 6 children, ably supported by Year 5, will tell the story of Peter Pan! Auditions have been held today, before they head off on Monday for residential. Year 6 - we cannot wait to see just what you are able to achieve in your final half term in school.

Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

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Online Safety

Whenever we look at safeguarding procedures and concerns in school, online safety is the golden thread that runs through it as our children try to learn how to navigate the technological world in which they are entering. Education around this is so important so that we don’t deprive them but give them the tools in which they can thrive, and more importantly, feel safe. We have teamed with Knowsley City Learning to produce our own newsletter on the issues that are currently being faced in this area. Each month there will be a newsletter than can keep you updated with current issues. I will also post these on the online safety page on the Engage part of the website. Please support us to support your children.

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Sporting Success

You know how much I love sport and I love how much our children love sport too! Over the past two weeks, our football teams have been in action; representing our school in the local school’s tournament held at LSA. Last week our boys worked wonders, and after getting used to playing on the astroturf, managed to finish a respectable 3rd. Yesterday, our girls took to the pitches and remained unbeaten throughout the games; this meant that they were crowned the winner. They were just fabulous and played with constant smiles on their faces. They have now been invited to represent Fylde at the Coastal Games on 10th July at Stanley Park. Well done to both teams, we are so proud of you!

Mr Cornwell is now looking forward to next year and finalising squads. If you are in Year 4 or 5 currently; girl or boy, you are able to sign up for football trials on the Sports page of the website. These will take place towards the end of June and July. Please do attend if you are wanting to represent the school team. Next week, a group of Year 3 and 4 children will be attending a Striking and Fielding Festival at LSA with myself and Mr Nay.

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Office News

You may remember that last year we had a number of iPads for sale as we were replacing what we have in school. We are predominantly using iPads now to deliver our computing curriculum, therefore we have a large number of laptops that we no longer need. Over the next few months, as our IT technician refurbishes them and replaces memory on them, I will pop them on the blog for families to buy if interested. They will vary in price but based on the specification of the device. We currently have 3 Acer Laptops with the following specification ready for immediate sale and use, priced at £75 each.

The Acer laptop, which offers impressive specifications, It's a solid all-rounder-ideal for everyday tasks and even a bit of light gaming. 

All laptops are in good used condition and come with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, ready for immediate use. 

Full Specification:  

✔Acer Extensa 2540  

✔15.6" LED Screen  

✔Intel Core i5-7200u (Gen 7)  

✔8GB RAM  

✔120GB SSD (PNY High Performance) 

✔DVD-RW  

✔Webcam  

✔Card Reader  

✔Bluetooth  

✔3 X USB  

✔HDMI Output  

✔Intel UHD 620 Graphics  

✔Intel Dual Band AC WIFI  

✔Windows 11 Home  

🔌Original Power Supply & Lead Included🔌  

🔋 Please note: The battery charges and appears to hold power; however, it has not been fully tested. If using the laptop away from mains power is important to you, the battery may need replacing—either in the near future or possibly right away. 

If you are interested in buying one, please contact Mrs Gregan at head@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 3 for winning this week's attendance with 100%. Our whole school attendance was 97.6%

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Uniform Check

As we seem to be in the throws of Spring and Summer (fingers firmly crossed that it lasts) I have had a number of conversations with parents around school uniform and hair styles etc. I have attached the uniform guidance again below. School summer dresses or shorts can be worn at any point in the school year. The most important thing is that the shoes that the children wear for school are closed toe shoes - not sandals. This is due to them running around at break time and moving around a school that has lots and lots of pupils and adults. We have seen an increase in jewellery being worn. The only thing that can be worn is a pair of plain studs and a wrist watch. Please avoid anything around the neck or earings that do not meet school guidance. Lots of you have already asked about hair styles before heading to the barbers for a summer trim and the guidance is really clear. Long hair must be tied up and remain up throughout the course of the day and no lines or pattens to be cut into the children’s hair please. That has never changed but I think as it becomes more of a thing and fashionable with footballers, we are tempted to allow the children to have them. If you could save that for the summer holidays or longer holidays where it can grow out, that would be appreciated. Thank you again for your support and for always asking the question when you aren’t quite sure.

This month’s foodbank collection is for toiletries. With one week to go in May, please can we all try and donate something for it to keep our contribution high. Thank you for your generosity.

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Showing from Thu 15 — Sat 17 May 2025

Don’t forget our SHREK superstars this weekend! There are still spaces and tickets available.

Enjoy the wonderful sunshine this weekend!

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"Peace be with you." - Pope Leo XIV

This week, we have watched, in anticipation, for the billowing white smoke to appear from the chimney of the Sistene Chapel. The most secretive vote in history took place and from it our new pope was revealed. It seems beautiful that as yesterday we celebrated VE day and the peace that came following 6 years of war, our new Pope’s opening words were, “Peace be with you.” We pray that his papacy is led by his faith and devotion to peace; uniting an often broken world with compassion and love. I urge you all to discover who Pope Leo is. Where did he serve? What was his previous role in the Vatican? What would you like him to focus on first? Who would be the best pope in your family? Could you run your own secret conclave.

Over the next two weekends, our Year 4 children will make their first holy communion. It is such a special time for each of them, and their families - and my goodness will the sun be shining. Quite often we take for granted the gift of communion, but it is the most sacred of all sacraments. Please do pray for our children, and the children of the parish, who are making their communion over the next two weekends.

We have had 6 pieces of artwork brought in that shows Mary in lots of different ways. All have been framed and placed in school - they are beautiful! Please keep adding to them so that we can create a gallery to Our Lady. Why not create an image of Mary from another culture?

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“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”

We have been incredibly lukcy with the weather recently which made coming together for a whole school picnic outside so much easier! Red white and blue were adorned by everyone in recognition for the service men and women who fought so bravely for our country. 80 years ago, peace was felt after 6 years of fighting - and my goodness, we still need that peace now. We had an awful lot of fun coming together, eating, playing and singing!

Forest School Blog

Another week of beautiful weather! Nursery have taken advantage and sat in the sun and made some lovely willow wands and had lots of fun casting spells!This week is hedgehog awareness week so each session we've started with chatting about one of the UK's best loved wild animals. Our specially made hedgehog houses will be carefully placed in our woodland in September ready for hibernation. We've been making hedgehogs with clay and bits of wood we found on the forest floor along with some other creations - Can you tell what they are?

We've also made some woodland jewellery  using Elder branches, the heartwood (inside of the branch) are soft and spongy, so using tent pegs we hollowed out the inside and threaded them onto twine. The mud kitchen has been the source of lots of fun this week, we've even had stone soup and mud cupcakes! Year 5 created some amazing dens with different rooms including a kitchen, plus they made a wigwam structure and a fantastic pretend fire. We've also had two very generous donations this week, the first is from Ansdell Builders who have kindly given us a safety grill for our pond. Secondly B&Q have donated the remaining compost needed for our meadow which Year 5 moved and stacked ready for next week.

Looks like another warm one next week so please ensure children have sun cream applied, and a hat, long sleeves and trouser rule still applies.

Fun Nature Fact Of The Week - Hedgehogs would be great in a Triathlon, if you switched cycling for climbing! They are great runners, proficient climbers and can even swim. They also have a top speed of 5mph, albeit for short bursts!

Shining Stars and Leading Learners

This group of children are our STAR learners this week. For the past 7 years, our Year 6s have worked tirelessy - loving every moment of their education. Next week they will sit their End of Key stage assessments, ready for their next academic journey at high school. I am sure you will join us all in wishing them all the luck in the world as they take on this challenge. I have told them not to be nervous - but to head into the hall determined to show everyone exactly what they can do! Keep them in your thoughts next week and pray for them. We are unbelievably proud of them all!

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Office News - Don’t forget about Year 5’s fundraiser below that is coming up next Friday. Orders have closed for the boxes to be ordered but donuts can be bought in school next Friday at breaktime for £1.

Please can I ask that when you drop your children off, you do so safely. We have had phone calls this week about parents parking in the middle of the road and allowing the children to jump out across the road where there are other cars. This is so important and we urge you to support us with this.

There is a circus workshop being held at St Annes Library on Thursday 29th May from 2.30pm - 3.30pm, for childred aged 5+. Pop into the library or visit stannes.library@lancashire.gov.uk to book a place.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 & Year 6 for winning this week's attendance with 97.5%. Our whole school attendance was 96%

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Uniform Check

As we seem to be in the throws of Spring and Summer (fingers firmly crossed that it lasts) I have had a number of conversations with parents around school uniform and hair styles etc. I have attached the uniform guidance again below. School summer dresses or shorts can be worn at any point in the school year. The most important thing is that the shoes that the children wear for school are closed toe shoes - not sandals. This is due to them running around at break time and moving around a school that has lots and lots of pupils and adults. We have seen an increase in jewellery being worn. The only thing that can be worn is a pair of plain studs and a wrist watch. Please avoid anything around the neck or earings that do not meet school guidance. Lots of you have already asked about hair styles before heading to the barbers for a summer trim and the guidance is really clear. Long hair must be tied up and remain up throughout the course of the day and no lines or pattens to be cut into the children’s hair please. That has never changed but I think as it becomes more of a thing and fashionable with footballers, we are tempted to allow the children to have them. If you could save that for the summer holidays or longer holidays where it can grow out, that would be appreciated. Thank you again for your support and for always asking the question when you aren’t quite sure.

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Showing from Thu 15 — Sat 17 May 2025

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...."

The Sound of Musical Theatre Company returns to the Lowther Pavilion Theatre in May 2025 with everyone's favourite ogre in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, DreamWorks Animation film. We have three of our talented pupils; Toby, Isaac and Logan are joining the cast and would love to see you there. Click below to book.

Enjoy the wonderful sunshine this weekend

God bless

Mrs Gregan

“We must always walk in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord .”

The death of Pope Francis this week has brought a new found togetherness within school. At our liturgy on Monday it was not spoke of sadness, but rather the legacy that Pope Francis has left on our world. He was incredibly active in the world, which we certainly need more people to be. All week, the children and staff, have been contributing to a book of reflection and prayer for the late Pope, which will now make its way to Rome. On Sunday, Mr and Mrs Uttley have a trip planned there and have very kindly offered to take the book on our behalf. Along with the book, there will also be a school cardigan with our STAR badge on it. This badge is a sign of us all being active members of our community - just like Pope Francis was. It is so important that the school has contributed to this moment in time. We now pray for Pope Francis’ successor and will watch in the coming weeks as the conclave gather to make the decision. On Monday evening, I will be joining Bishop Paul, along with Mrs Hills and Father Peter, at the cathedral for a requiem mass for Pope Francis. Then on Tuesday evening, there will be a deanery mass held at St Joseph’s at 7pm. This mass is open to all. I encourage you and invite you to this mass to pay your own respects.

In assembly today we have looked at the theme of miracles and how Pope Francis called for everyday to be a miracle, not just the monumental moments in life. We are in the period of Eastertide where Jesus appeared three times before Pentecost. I challenge you all to see the miracles of life, each and every day, and to give thanks for them.

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“Let Nature be your teacher.” – William Wordsworth

You will all know that I am incredibly passionate about the children experiencing enriching opportunites beyond the classroom; which is one of the reasons that we have developed a forest school here at Our Ladys. There is a really clear pedagogy behind the philosophy of Forest School, but we would still like all of our children to experience it throughout the year. This week, our open invitation to parents was taken up and Miss Lavelle and Mrs Tierney held two sessions of adult play - boy did they play! From forest bathing, to the new hammock and den making area, to tree climbing; lots of fun was had by them all.

We are trying to keep forest school as self-sustaining. With the budget pressures that all schools are facing, areas like this are so important and need to be preserved. We will continue to find innovative ways to maintain the area and will always need your help with this. If you have any tree stumps that we can use for seating in the area, or want to donate some new climbing plants for the back fence of the area - please do!

A little Forest School Update for this half term…Over the half term holiday there was lots of changes in Forest School. Matt from Greentouch Landscapes installed our new hammock posts and out amazing den building supports. All the trees and brash were responsibly sourced from The Coppicing Co-operative. Mrs Tierney dug our new pond,  which will soon be home to our tadpoles which a currently in nursery. Our groups this week have been enjoying our new additions - the hammock is proving popular! Some of the feedback has been lovely to hear such as "this is my new happy place" and "I can't remember the last time I was this relaxed." It's good to slow down and appreciate the little thing in life and the nature we are so lucky to have. We've also been doing some weaving using sticks and wool which have been hung in our Holm Oak tree.

The statue of Our Lady Of Lourdes has also visited Forest School, our children have decorated pebbles to make a beautiful cross.

Fun Nature Fact Of The Week - There are more trees on earth than stars in the Milky Way. Scientists estimate that there are between 200-400 billion stars in our galaxy, while there are an estimated 1 trillion trees on earth!

Year 5 have also started their own forest school journey this term. They have been trying out the new hammock and den making kits to see what they can build - with a little bit of tree climbing in the mix…and smores!

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Shining Stars and Leading Learners

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Office News

On Thursday 8th May, we will be celebrating 80 years since VE Day - such an important day in the history of Great Britain. To honour the day, the children can come into school wearing red, white and blue; and we will also be having a school picnic on the field for lunch time.

The menu will be: assorted sandwiches, pizza bites, sausage rolls, veggie sticks and dip, and crisps - with a victoria sponge cake and fruit.

If your child normally has a dinner on a Thursday, then you do not need to complete the form. If your child has a packed lunch or does not have dinner on a Thursday, and would like a school picnic, then please complete the form below. The cost of the picnic is £2.90.

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This half term is a really short one, but still jam-packed with lots of opportunities for the children. Please continue to read each class blog to keep an eye on what is happening in school. I have updated the school calendar with all of the events that are taking place this term, and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. The Gym Jam Jog will happen in the second half of the term - this is such a great event for the whole school!

Finally, a really huge good luck to our parents who are running the London Marathon this weekend! You are superheroes!

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"A world full of hope and kindness is a more beautiful world.”

As we arrive back in school for our final term together, our hearts have been saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis, at the age of 88. In recent months, his illness has been a concern for Catholics and Christians around the world; knowing that this illness would have caused discomfort and ultimately could possibly reunite him with his Father. As I have sat here this weekend, watching the news and the outpouring of love for him, it is not his illness, but it is his life which is being spoken about so fondly. Pope Francis was a pope who wanted to reunite people; especially vulnerable members of our world. He was often misunderstood for his comments or his actions, but his motive was love and acceptance. Pope Francis was clearly a pope for the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised within society. Throughout his pontificate he was very humble, turning down the Pope's traditional Apostolic palace to live in a Vatican guesthouse. In fact, he never lost his ability to be amongst people, only on Easter Sunday he was out in St Peter's square after speaking to the crowds from the balcony of the Vatican. He has chosen not to be buried in the Vatican, but in Santa Maria Maggoire Basilica, a church in a poorer district in Rome where he often went to pray before an image of Our Lady and baby Jesus. In his final testament, he stated that, ‘The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.’

It seems fitting that Pope Francis has passed away on Easter weekend, the most important weekend in our liturgical year and the weekend that we honour our Servant King. Pope Francis understood that leadership was service, even yesterday being present yesterday at the Easter Service, he wanted to stabilise the church and to continue to unite. For the past 12 years, and more, Pope Francis has been such an influence in the Roman Catholic Church. He has changed the church, but has stayed resolute to the principles of faith - to support and honour the marginalised and to live with complete universal love. This morning, we will gather as a whole school community for liturgy to celebrate the legacy of Pope Francis and to learn from his extraordinary leadership. In our Worship Area, there will be a book of celebration for the life of Pope Francis. Pupils, staff, parents and governors are invited to contribute to it through prayers, thoughts and reflections. As we continue to pilgrimage through the Year of Hope, and start to live our new Jesuit Virtues of Curious and Active, what better way to celebrate these than to acknowledge someone whose life was completely active and dedicated to making our world a better, and much more tolerant, place to live for all.

““A world full of hope and kindness is a more beautiful world.””

— Pope Francis

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

It seems only a blink of eye since we celebrated Christmas together with our children performing nativities and carol concerts. Yet her we are this week celebrating their thought-provoking and incredibly emotional Holy Week liturgies. It never fails to hit me just how different these performances can be when the children and staff are telling the same story. I am just so proud of them. I know that you too have appreciated being part of this and have felt it just like I have. These images below are a beautiful reminder of what was portrayed this week and what the children produced.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Our Lady of Lourdes

For the Diocese of Lancaster’s centenary, a pilgrimage of Our Lady of Lourdes is taking place across the diocese. Three, very beautiful, statues are visiting each and every school and are being shared by the children there. On Wednesday, St Peter’s brought her to our school and took part in a special liturgy to welcome Our Lady to our school. Father Peter spoke the Gospel and together we looked at how Mary helped the most vulnerable members of the world - not in spectacular places, but in humble ones; like appearing to Bernadette in a grotto. The statue is living in our Worship Area and will be with us the week when we return from Easter. You will see that each school is collating images and work that they do with the statue whilst she is with them. Please do visit the statue if you can or you want a quiet period of reflection.

As part of the children’s STAR charter, they have all been tasked with raising money for charities close to their hearts. This week, Year 2 completed a pilgrimage to every holy door between our school chapel and the White Church in Lytham. They have raised over £300!

Shining Stars and Leading Learners

Our award winners as voted by their friends in their classroom

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Office News

With the sun now shining so brightly - let’s hope it stays - the children need to bring suncream into school that they can apply independently. We found that last year, the roll on suncream was best as the children could do this and we could ensure that it was rubbed in correctly. Please send one in, labelled with your child’s name that can be kept in school.

The menu above is the final menu of our reduced options whilst the kitchen has been organised. The button below will take you to the new menu which will come into effect from April 23rd, when we return at £2.90 a meal.

All Stars for Summer Term

Please can you complete the form above if you require All Stars care for the Summer Term. This is for all children, even if they currently attend. Don’t worry, they will still have their place after Easter, we just need to ensure that the numbers are correct and that you are billed correctly. We can also ensure staffing levels are maintained.

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Today we say goodbye to Mrs Maano who is leaving us for a new challenge. We so love her and have enjoyed working with her so much; she has given so many children the gift of reading. We know that she will keep in touch with us and keep us up to date with her adventures.

Thank you also to the photos that have started to come into school of past pupils of Our Ladys. Look at this cracker above! Please do send any photographs that you have in and we can collate them in school. Rafe and Sophia will also be arranging interviews to take place comparing school then and now.

Forest school sessions for parents are now viable and you will receive a text to which one you have booked onto and can attend. We are really looking forward to welcoming you into school each morning.

Thank you all for the most wonderful end to Easter today - the easter egg raffle went down a treat. Thank you all for your donations, so far we have raised over £700 which will continue to help us develop our outdoor area and enhance play in school. The lenten box money will also be counted over Easter as our donation to CAFOD.

We look forward to welcoming you back to school on Tuesday 22nd April.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate.”

And so we are about to enter the most important week of the school year and litrugical year. Next week is everything that our school is about - the ultimate service to others. Through the portrayal of Holy Week, told so beautifully through the eyes and voices of our children, we will walk with Jesus as he journeys to his death on the cross. Whether it is through the joy of the Palm Sunday people, or the solemnity of the Last Supper or the sheer devastation of the Crucifixion, we are looking forward to bringing the community together as we journey through Holy Week. Each litrugy will start at 9:15am, so I urge you to arrive to be seated from 8:55am, once the children are all in school. The whole school is part of this special moment and their prayer will start in class. Please be completely present in this moment. There will be no drinks allowed in the hall or food, due to the atmosphere that we want to create. Space in the hall is also really limited so please do think about bringing smaller children. Prams will have to be left outside too to ensure we can fit everyone in.

Monday 7th April @ 9.15am - Year 2: Palm Sunday

Tuesday 8th April @ 9.15am - Year 3:The Last Supper

Wednesday 9th April @ 9.15am - Year 4: Garden of Gethsemane

Thursday 10th April @ 9.15am - Year 5: The Crucifixion

Friday 11th April @ 9:15am - Year 6: The Resurrection

Diocesan News

On Wednesday, the Our Lady of Lourdes statue will be welcomed into our school as part of her pilgrimage around the diocese. St Peters will be bringing her here to us where we will welcome her for three days of prayer and worship before taking her to her next place of rest. This year is the Lancaster Diocese Centenary, and as part of it, we will be holding a school history project. Rafe and Sophia, our Head Boy and Girl, have some wonderful ideas of how this will work, but for now, they would like you to collect any photographs or items that you have collected from when you were younger. Maybe a school photograph? Or a newspaper article? Do you have any old uniform? Rafe and Sophia will reveal their plans next Friday.

The school art competition has now closed and the entries are being judged to be sent to the diocese. Thank you to everyone who got involved.

Luce, our pilgrimage doll for the Year of Hope, has been busy touring family homes and getting invovled in Catholic Life around the school. We have a big floor book where we are collecting her adventures - she even made it to Newcastle last weekend for the cup parade! Remember you too can take Luce on your adventures - I think she is off to Crete for Easter! Luce will be at our next family mass this Sunday. The readers are prepared and I will choose some children for the offertory when there. The homily this weekend is a letter from Bishop Paul which contains information about a sensitive subject. We have therefore made the decision that liturgy will take place and the children will go there instead of staying in mass.

Shining Stars and Leading Learners

Virtue award winners for this week in school. We are so proud of them!

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Office News

School photographs were just beautiful this week. The sun shone and we sat in the garden being snapped away. Over the next couple of days, the photographs will be ready for you to see. All you need to do is to scan the QR code on the paper that you were given, you will then get an email alert when they are ready. Some of our younger children were really interested in the process and even had a go snapping their younger brother! The sports photographs that were taken will come back to school. On Monday we will send you an email with the code to access the photograph that your child is in.

We are so proud of our school family and the people who make it so very special, but we also recognise that we have to share these people too with the world. Next Friday, Mrs Maano will be leaving us to take up a new career in another field away from education. We are so blessed to have worked with her for so long and she has had the most impact on our younger children and their love of phonics whilst she has been here. What she does not know about reading and phonics is not worth knowing. We have been really lucky to have worked alongside her for these past few years and know that she will spread the Our Lady magic in her next role. We wish her all of the luck in the world!

Raffle ticket money has been coming in thick and fast this week, and with one week to go, you have to be in it to win it! These are just a fraction of the eggs available to be won - we have over 300!. £1 a strip gets you 5 raffle tickets for the event taking place next Friday. In addition to the eggs, we also have this furry friend to be won. Name the bunny is £1 a go and will be available after school on Monday and Tuesday next week!

The menu above is the final menu of our reduced options whilst the kitchen has been organised. The button below will take you to the new menu which will come into effect from April 23rd, when we return at £2.90 a meal.

All Stars for Summer Term

Please can you complete the form below if you require All Stars care for the Summer Term. This is for all children, even if they currently attend. Don’t worry, they will still have their place after Easter, we just need to ensure that the numbers are correct and that you are billed correctly. We can also ensure staffing levels are maintained.

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Our Weekly School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week.

Our attendance figures have been slowly rising in recent weeks since the mid-year reports went out and attendance was highlighted. Next week, I will be sending letters out to those parents who we have concerns regarding their children’s attendance in school.

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Finally, please don’t forget we are holding two parent forest school sessions after half term alongside Miss Lavelle. There are two opportunities on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th April from 9 - 10:30am. Please sign up by clicking on the button below. It is first come, first served as we can only have a set amount of parents around the fire. We could really do with a few more parents on the Thursday session to make it viable. Please do come and get involved.

We finish for Easter at 2pm next Friday, 11th April, and will return to school on Tuesday 23rd April. Have a wonderful weekend.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

“He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

In assembly this week we have reflected on the beauty of life and the world that we were given. What is the most beautiful place that you have ever visited in the world? We have such a responsibility to care for the world that we have been given which is why we have incorporated it into our STAR charter. After Easter, I will be popping the form on the website for you to complete if your child has acheived the distinction award this year.

The school has started to prepare for the events of Holy Week. Whether it is through the joy of the Palm Sunday people, or the solemnity of the Last Supper or the sheer devastation of the Crucifixion, we are looking forward to bringing the community together as we journey through Holy Week. Please do join us if you can:

Monday 7th April @ 9.15am - Year 2: Palm Sunday

Tuesday 8th April @ 9.15am - Year 3:The Last Supper

Wednesday 9th April @ 9.15am - Year 4: Garden of Gethsemane

Thursday 10th April @ 9.15am - Year 5: The Crucifixion

Friday 11th April @ 9:15am - Year 6: The Resurrection

During our final week of the term, we will be joined in school by statues that belong to the Pilgrims of Grace. This special initiative involves three statues of Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness of our diocese, visiting every school in the Diocese of Lancaster. The tour culminates in October with representatives from all our schools gathering at one of three diocesan sites: St. Mary’s, Cleator, St. Mary’s, Ladyewell, or Sacred Heart, Blackpool. During the week we will be coming together to worship alongside the statues before taking them to their next school; St John Vianney. The statute will be positioned in the Worship Area if any of you would like to come and pay your respects.

Our next family mass is on Sunday 6th April. If your child would like to play a part, please complete the form below. Finally, Monday is the closing date for any Jubilee Art Competition entries. These will then be sent off to the diocese next week.

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On Tuesday night, our Year 4 children made their first Reconciliation. This is always such a beautiful service as the children, one by one, speak to the priest in total confidence. The children all came off the altar beaming and feeling totally cleansed. I am so proud of them and all of the catechists who have supported the children in this journey.

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Shining Stars and Leading Learners

Virtue award winners for this week in school. We are so proud of them!

Learner award winners for this week in school. We are so proud of them!

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Office News

Thank you to everyone who has settled their Parent Pay debts. Please do check them regularly to ensure that you are up to date and any errors quickly identified. Don’t forget about Sports Days!

EYFS (Nursery & Reception) - Wednesday 11th June pm

KS1 (Year 1 & Year 2) - Tuesday 10th June pm

LKS2 (Year 3 & 4) - Monday 16th June pm

UKS2 (Year 5 & 6) - Wednesday 18th June pm

School photographs will be taking place next week on, Wednesday 2nd April. We are certainly hoping that the sun will be shining that day as they are due to take place outside in the garden. As well as the individual and sibling photographs, we are hoping to take some of the sports teams too so it is important that football and netball kits are brought into school as well as the children being in uniform. We will also be taking a photograph of our School Council. Nobody needs to arrive early for school. Everything will be done within the school day.

Raffle ticket money has been coming in thick and fast this week - they absolutely would like to win an egg at the raffle. Just send the money in with your child in an envelope and we will allocate the raffle tickets in school; popping them into the box.

Lunch menu for next week

We have only got two more weeks of the slimmed down menu before we transfer to three options after Easter. We will share that new menu with you next week so you can start to plan for the Summer Term. In September, Lancashire increased their lunch prices. We chose not to due to the work that was taking place on the new kitchen and the impact that it had on the dinners and kept the prices the same as they had been. With the new expanded menu, that will be the time that the prices increase to £2.90 inline with Lancashire schools. Mrs Nel will calculate the new costings and we will share them with you in due course.

Our Weekly School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week.

Our Girls’ Football Team

Finally, each week in school I send out a staff bulletin which has all of the information on for the coming week. Part of this is staff shout outs - a little shout out for the amazing things that our staff do each week. This week I have three parent shout outs! Mrs Couch - who has very kindly taken our ducklings from Year 2 and rehomed them with her. They have had a lovely breakfast of lettuce and even a bath in the bath tub last night. Mr Davies - who very kindly helped one of our school visitors with a flat tyre last week. He inflated it for her to be able to drive off. Mrs Riddell - who responded to our shout out for sponsorship for our Forest School shed. She took our cause to her company and they responded with a £250 donation towards the cost. We are so grateful! This term, we introduced Forest School into our setting; which has been really successful. We would like to give the opportunity to our parents to take part in a Forest School session, alongside Miss Lavelle, understand what it is about and to see what the children experience. There are two opportunities on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th April from 9 - 10:30am. Please sign up by clicking on the button below. It is first come, first served as we can only have a set amount of parents around the fire.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

“Look and you will see! Your eyes are healed because of your faith.”

With three weeks until we finish for Easter, our pilgrimage to the cross is becoming more real. But rather than focus on the sadness of the events, especially the crucifixion of Jesus, we are taking joy in the message that comes with it. This week it was all about growth. Somethings take a long time to grow, for them to develop, for them to bear fruit - do we just cut these things down, or do we give them the time; never giving up on them. The same is said for us as human beings, we all need time to grow and to develop, to be the person that we were intended to be. It is not up to us to cut this person off or to deny them, instead we embrace them, love them and allow them to just be.

In the final week of the term, we will be journeying to the cross together. Please do join us if you can:

Monday 7th April @ 9.15am - Year 2: Palm Sunday

Tuesday 8th April @ 9.15am - Year 3:The Last Supper

Wednesday 9th April @ 9.15am - Year 4: Garden of Gethsemane

Thursday 10th April @ 9.15am - Year 5: The Crucifixion

Friday 11th April @ 9:15am - Year 6: The Resurrection

Enriching Life in School

The one thing, above anything, that brings me the most joy in school is seeing the children experience things that they haven’t before; that they are making memories that will enrich their lives. Over the past few weeks, I have seen this fully in every single class. Last week it was the Tea Dance at Marine Hall, this week it is seeing our Year 4 children close the performance of The Tempest at The Grand in Blackpool. Being an RSC Associate school is something we are really proud of. Together with Year 5 as the perfect audience, we journeyed to support the children. What is so special is that the children join with lots of different children from lots of different schools - it really is a big collaboration. I cannot thank Mrs Lyons and Miss Bray enough for their work on this. Mrs Lyons has gone above and beyond to ensure that the children had the best time. In addition to this, we had the arrival of 5 duck eggs with their incubator into school on Tuesday; Year 2 were desperately hoping that they would hatch this week - and they were right. We have 5 duck chicks living in the Year 2 classroom, helping the children to understand life cycles. I know a paddling pool has been ordered ready for their maiden swim next week, before they head off to their forever home. Then today, we have been visited by Lytham Hall to make planters for the people who we love. It really has been the lovliest of weeks! The Book Fair has been really successful in school, as has the second hand book sale. We have ordered some new outdoor bean bags for the playground so the money raised from that will go towards them. The final chance to visit the Book Fair is on Monday after school.

There is so much in the news about the cost of things going up and funding being frozen, we are certainly feeling it in school and will continue to feel this going forward more significantly than ever before. The biggest change we have noticed is the price of transport to enable our children to go out and about. But these experience and memories are so important for our children, every single one of them and I am determined that they will continue and we will enhance our school further. It is time to think creatively about how we can preserve this moving forward and come together as a school community even more. I have a few plans that I will share with you after half term. Enjoy the photos below of our wonderful week!

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Shining Stars and Leading Learners

Learner and Virtue award winners for this week in school. We are so proud of them!

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Office News

Thank you to everyone who has settled their Parent Pay debts. Please do check them regularly to ensure that you are up to date and any errors quickly identified. Don’t forget about Sports Days!

EYFS (Nursery & Reception) - Wednesday 11th June pm

KS1 (Year 1 & Year 2) - Tuesday 10th June pm

LKS2 (Year 3 & 4) - Monday 16th June pm

UKS2 (Year 5 & 6) - Wednesday 18th June pm

Our netball and football teams are in action again next Tuesday v Clifton at LSA. Girls football will be played on Thursday away at Clifton Primary School.

School photographs will be taking place on Wednesday 2nd April. We are certainly hoping that the sun will be shining that day as they are due to take place outside in the garden. If the weather is not as lovely as we want, we will rearrange. As well as the individual and sibling photographs, we are hoping to take some of the sports teams too. I will confirm everything in next week’s blog.

Thank you for your generosity with the Easter Egg donations today - we are officially ready for the raffle! Tickets will go on sale on Monday for £1 per strip, you can buy as many as you want. Simply send the money into school in an envelope and we will add your ticket to the prize draw. There will also be a name the bunny competition too at £1 a guess. We can’t wait to get the Easter feeling.

Our Weekly School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 & Year 6 this week with 98.7% who will earn extra break time next week.

As a family of Newcastle United fans (you may have heard) this came into fruition for us last weekend, and I shared the story of Dan Burn with children in assembly on Monday. A boy who was written off at the age of 11, let go from Newcastle United Academy, worked hard at school, in a local supermarket and then through the ranks of the lower league teams. His hard work and determination not to give up saw him return to his boyhood club and win a cup in the same week he was called up to the England Squad at the age of 32! He grew in his own way, became the person he was meant to be and got where he was meant to be - it just took a little longer and he did it in his own time. Whilst we celebrate the cup, it is testament to the hard work and dedication of the working class people of Newcastle - a place very close to my heart! It was a tale about daring to dream -that no matter what comes your way, dreams are wonderful things that can come to life in the place where you are loved the most. This school is full of dreams and I am so proud of it.

It has been a fabulous week. I hope your weekends are just as wonderful.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"I am but a pilgrim here on earth"

Let me introduce you to Luce, the official mascot for the Jubilee Year - The Year of Hope. Luce is the official mascot for this Jubilee year and we have her in school; she has been blessed in Rome. Luce is very distintive. Her yellow raincoat is the colour of the Vatican flag and waterproof as she journies through life’s storms. Her eyes raditate light; the light of Christ. She is wearing a set of rosary beads to demonstrate her faith and show the importance of prayer. Her boots are green, the colour of hope, and very muddy; life is certainly not perfect and she has been on quite the pilgrimage. Finally, she is carrying a walking stick to show that we all need hope along the way and that our journies in life may be long.

Luce will now form part of our school family. She will take part in school trips, attend prayer and liturgy around the school, visit our parish family and church liturgies and be taken home by our pupils who are going on journies of their own. Please do come and ask if you would like Luce to go home with you.

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Learner and Virtue award winners

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Office News

Thank you to everyone who has settled their Parent Pay debts. Please do check them regularly to ensure that you are up to date and any errors quickly identified. We are in the process of updating the school calendar to include Summer term events. I know Sports Days are at the centre of these for you so here are those dates:

EYFS (Nursery & Reception) - Wednesday 11th June pm

KS1 (Year 1 & Year 2) - Tuesday 10th June pm

LKS2 (Year 3 & 4) - Monday 16th June pm

UKS2 (Year 5 & 6) - Wednesday 18th June pm

Our netball and football teams are back in action next Tuesday v Lytham C of E at LSA. Girls football will be played on Thursday at our school.

Our Weekly School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 & Year 2 this week with 99% who will earn extra break time next week.

Upcoming School Events

Next week the Book Fair will be landing in school. On the evening of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the book fair will be set up in the school hall. There will also be a 2nd hand book stall. If you have any books that you would like to donate to the sale, please do bring them in early next week. Use the weekend to have a sort out.

Next Friday, Friday 21st March - own clothes day and bring an Easter Egg for the Easter Raffle. Also on this day, Greg Anderson from Lytham Hall will be joining us in school to help the children make a ‘People we love’ planter. These are optional to be made and will cost £6 to cover the cost of the experience. Mrs Nel has popped it on Parent Pay and if you would like your child to be part of it, we will take payment as confirmation. The deadline for payment is Tuesday 18th March. So many have already paid - thank you! Greg will talk the children through the different plants used and each child will make it for someone they love.

It has been a fabulous week. I hope your weekends are just as wonderful.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"Lent is the perfect time to deny ourselves in order to enrich others' lives" - Pope Francis

““The ashes on our foreheads remind us that we belong to God, and nothing in this world can separate us from His love”. ”

— Quote Source

When Father Peter spoke to the children at mass on Wednesday, he used the image of our school badge to explain the significance of Ash Wednesday. Whilst lots of schools have adopted a blue uniform, non of them have a badge like ours. Our badge represents our school and the pride that we have in it. Our ashes cross on Wednesday represents our faith and our commitment to it. Only a small number of children wear our school badge, where millions of people worldwide have worn the cross this week - we belong to something much bigger. A school tradition in Lent is the making and swapping of Lenten boxes. There have been so many thoughtful ones made this week and swapped. Now it is over to you. The children have been tasked with completing acts of kindness and help at home in order to raise money for CAFOD. Keep collecting small bits of change and let’s see just how much we can raise.

On Tuesday, our Year 4 children started their preparation for their Holy Communion and Reconciliation. This year we have 41 children completing the programme as we welcome 11 children from other schools who belong to our parish. This really is communion in action. Not only did the children start their prep, but so too did the parents. There are two parents sessions where they are tasked with discussing how they can support their child and to identify what they may find challenging. We discussed our own experiences of sacraments, and focused on Reconciliation. Thank you to all of the parents who attended and took time to contribute to the session. Father Peter also mentioned how he would like to bring the sacrament of Confirmation earlier in a young person’s life and instead of high school, for them to make it whilst they are still at Our Ladys; in Year 6. The proposal would see the current Year 5 complete 4 sacramental confirmation classes in the Autumn term. Please can you complete this form if you would want your child to make their confirmation.

"A book is a gift you can open again and again" 

World Book Day is certainly a favourite day in school; so much fun is had by all! We have really worked on our reading culture in school and to enable every child to love books. Over the past month, we have redesigned our library and made it open to all and like a mini-book shop. I hope you will agree that it looks magical and will continue to be loved by every child in school. As part of our celebrations this week, our Year 4 children took story time in there; reading books for Reception. It really was magical!

We had the perfect end to World Book Day. As I was catching up on my work from the day, there was a knock on my office window - it was Dan Worsley our local author who visited us in school last year. He had heard about our new library transformation, and after visiting a local primary school for the day, he decided to stop by and take a look. We quickly gathered some of our All Stars and Choir and asked if he would formally open the library. After grabbing some ribbon, attaching it to the tree; Dan cut it and told the children to keep reading and finding new adventures. What a fitting end of the day!

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“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.”

Last week I shared with you how play and lunch time had changed in school - it has been another really successful week. On Monday we launched the new playground equipment that we have raised money for through school events. New scooters, playtime equipment and chalk boards have been added to the den area for play. The sun has definitely helped this week but SO MUCH FUN has been had! Our older children have continued to support the younger children at lunchtime in the hall and play with them outside. It really is a community feel and has started the season of service; Lent, so well.

Lunch menu for next week in school

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Learner and Virtue award winners

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Academisation Update

You will all be aware that before Christmas we went out to consultation for the Bishop’s vision of Our Ladys to academise and join BEBCMAT. Both staff and parents were consulted on what we had been asked to do and both were given the opportunity to ask any questions that they had. Following the consultation process, reports were produced and submitted to the governing body for consideration, before making a formal decision about the journey forward. After considering all questions, the governing body decided to submit an application to join the BEBCMAT to the DFE, which this week has been granted and an academy order has been issued.

There is still a long way to go on this journey and the timeline for full academy status in line with Bishop Paul’s visit is still unknown. It does mean that we can start working with BEBCMAT to complete key paperwork and ensure that when the time does come, we will all be fully informed completely ready. I will continue to communicate with you throughout the process via the button on the main page of the website and please do ask any questions that you have. My door is always open and I am more than happy to discuss anything at any point.

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Upcoming School Events

On Friday 21st March - own clothes day and bring an Easter Egg for the Easter Raffle. Also on this day, Greg Anderson from Lytham Hall will be joining us in school to help the children make a ‘People we love’ planter. These are optional to be made and will cost £6 to cover the cost of the experience. Mrs Nel has popped it on Parent Pay and if you would like your child to be part of it, we will take payment as confirmation. So many have already paid - thank you! Greg will talk the children through the different plants used and each child will make it for someone they love.

Thank you so much for the Food Bank donations for February, they have been blown away with our school’s contributions. A staggering 34.53kg of food was donated in February. In March, we are collecting biscuits. Many of you will have given up biscuits for Lent, why not buy a pack for our food bank - this can be your almsgiving.

It has been a fabulous week. I hope your weekends are just as wonderful.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul".

With the new half term, sunshine has arrived and renewed hope for the remainder of the year ahead. Our new virtues for this half term is to be grateful and generous. Through myhappyMind, we are really challenging ourselves to have an attitude to gratitude; to really appreciate what we have and to say thank you - more times than we may want to complain about something, which is often really hard. We are also looking at how we can be generous, especially with our time. This week I have seen so many children be generous with their time in supporting our younger children (more about that later).

As we continue to journey through the Year of Hope for the jubilee, I have challenged each class to create their door of hope; a door in which when we pass through, we will see God on the other side in the faces and action of our community. They are absolutely beautiful, I am sure you will agree.

Next week, the journey to the cross will begin as we start Lent together. On Wednesday, we will be walking down to church for Ash Wednesday. It is one of the most important dates in the Catholic calendar; we would love for you to join us if you can. Don’t forget to make your lenten boxes and bring them into school next week.

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“Play builds the kind of free-and-easy, try-it-out, do-it-yourself character that our future needs.”

I am really hoping that the children have come home from school this week telling you all about the changes that we have made to playtime at school this week. With the opening of the new kitchen, it gave us the opportunity to really think about how this would be integrated into school life. After the pandemic, we kept three break and lunchtimes operating, which took a large part of the day and meant the playground and hall was out of action for some time. It also meant that the children were sat in the hall eating their dinner longer than they needed to be; often for 10 minutes after they had finished. Play is so important and it is here that they learn a lot about problem-solving, creativity and negotiation. We have therefore increased playtimes to 20 minutes instead of 15, and made lunch into 50 minutes but giving the children flexibility to head outside to play as soon as they have finished their dinner, they no longer have to wait. Different classes are also sat together in the hall giving our older children real leadership experience. The children have been utterly amazing this week with it and lunch service has gone from 1 hour 20 minutes to 40 minutes; thus maximising play!

After a week of settling into our new kitchen, the team are ready to tweak the menu next week (still within the current electrical limitations that we have). Therefore there will be more hot elements; pasta is back!

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Learner and Virtue award winners

Office News

Thank you to everyone who has settled their payments on Parent Pay for last half term. Please can you all make sure you regularly visit Parent Pay to keep on top of things that appear and then any errors can be sorted quickly. Mrs Nel and Mrs Howe work so hard in the office to ensure everything is as it should be; but if you have any questions at all, please just give them a ring. Dinner money for this half term is 34 x £2.50 = £85.00.

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Upcoming School Events

Please do not forget the events that are coming up over the next half term. Next Thursday is World Book Day; one of our favourite days of the year. There are lots of ideas of what the children can come dressed as; not always in costume. Please just have fun and come in what the children are comfortable in. We will also be doing a book swap on that day. Each child needs to bring a book in from home that they would like to swap with a friend in their class. Sustainability is key!

On Friday 21st March - own clothes day and bring an Easter Egg for the Easter Raffle. Also on this day, Greg Anderson from Lytham Hall will be joining us in school to help the children make a ‘People we love’ planter. These are optional to be made and will cost £6 to cover the cost of the experience. Mrs Nel will pop it on Parent Pay and if you would like your child to be part of it, we will take payment as confirmation. Greg will talk the children through the different plants used and each child will make it for someone they love.

Finally…You may remember a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we will be taking delivery of 180 saplings and hedge row to extend our Forest School area and to protect the canopy too. They have been dispatched and we are expecting delivery imminently. We would love for members of our community to join us to help us - if you can please do. Next Friday afternoon, there will be a planting session where the saplings will be placed. We need support for this and your help. If you can live out our virtue of generosity - being generous with your time - then please fill in the form below so we know how many to expect. Don’t forget 2ltr bottles too!

Thank you so much for the Food Bank donations for February, they have been blown away with our school’s contributions. The food is being collected on Tuesday ready for us to start collecting for March. In March, it is biscuits. Please can you buy an extra packet of biscuits with your weekly shop and send it in throughout the month of March.

I am beyond grateful for the generosity that is shown to our school by our community. There is an awful lot going on to create memories for the children. School life is buzzing. Please do keep an eye on the school calendar and weekly blogs to ensure you are all up to date.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"All it takes is one good person to restore hope."

It only seems two minutes since we were celebrating Christmas together, and yet here we are, at the half-way point of the school year. As I sat in Mass yesterday morning, and listened to Father Peter tell us all about the jubilee logo; how it was about people coming together and being anchored by faith - even when the waters can become a little rocky; I just thought about our school. That no matter what happens, we are all anchored by faith and our call to do good.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we will hear how Jesus announced to His disciples what it is that made them blessed. God the Father sees us all and nobody is forgotten; if we trust in him and focus on God’s way to true happiness. I wonder what makes you happy? What is true happiness and what are your priorities in life?

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

When we come back after half-term, we will be into Lent. On Wednesday 5th March, we will be going to Mass for Ash Wednesday and starting our Lenten pilgrimage. Each year we ask the children to make a Lenten box for their partner in another class so that acts of kindness can be rewarded and all money raised will be for CAFOD. This is a lovely half-term task. Why not make your Lenten box ready for Ash Wednesday.

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Discussing all things Learning

Thank you all for your attendance at today’s parent and teacher meetings. They are absolutely crucial so that you are fully aware of what amazing things your child has achieved so far this year and what areas they need help in too. I know the teachers all enjoy talking to you, and I hope the addition of this year’s mid-year report added an extra layer of information for you all and something you can discuss further with your child at home. There will be opportunity to come and sit with your child to look at their work again during the summer term as part of our book looks - I know how much you enjoy doing this with your child.

As always, we welcome any feedback, and instead of just at the end of the year, there is another opportunity here as well. I am particularly interested in your thoughts on uniform. It has been some time since we have thought about uniform, bar the introduction of the school hoodies which has been a great success. I do want the children to come to school and be smart; representing the school as ambassadors. This is why we have changed items to just navy blue (no black) and school trainers need to be set colours. But this must also be balanced with cost too; which I am incredibly mindful of. I made the decision this year to remove the badged polo shirt from compulsory uniform, but they are still available for choice. The plain polo shirts are replaceable and still look smart alongside the jumpers and cardigans, however, I am really interested in your thoughts on this and would encourage you to complete the form below. I can then collate findings to share with you after half term and then evolve going forward.

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Office News

Thank you to everyone who has settled their payments on Parent Pay for this half term. Please can you all make sure you have visited your child’s account by the time that they have returned to school and cleared them - thank you. Mrs Nel will then add any additional items after half-term and calculate All Stars fees for the second half of the Spring term will also be added.

The kitchen is in its final stages and by the time the children will return following the holiday, the kitchen will be open. However, there has been one little glitch; the electricity power from Electricity North West has not been transferred in time; meaning the kitchen will not be fully operational until the middle of March. This means that we will continue with the menu we have now until this time, but it will be prepared in our kitchen with what we can use. I am seeing this as a blessing in disguise so that we can get to grips with the new space before being over whelmed with a new menu and three options. The kitchen looks wonderful - it is really spacious. They say an army marches on it’s stomach - the same can be said for the children and staff of Our Lady Star of the Sea! We will be changing the timetable after half term too for the children to eat and then go out. There will be a staggering of times and a chance for flexible eating. It is really exciting.

Our Half-Termly Attendance

Well done to every class who is now above 90%

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School Events After Half-Term

There is an awful lot happening after half-term as we build up to Easter. Don’t forget about World Book Day on Thursday 6th March. There is no pressure to come as a character; you may just want to come as a colour or a theme or a book - the choice is yours. We would like to collect any old World Book Day costumes that you may have at home and no longer fit. There will be a rail at the front of school for you to put them then anyone who may need one can use them. It is always good to share what we have and no longer need.

You may remember that last year, the Easter bunny visited school. This year, he is having a year off and instead we are bringing back the Easter Egg Raffle! On Friday 21st March it is own clothes day and bring an easter egg into school. These will all be collected and then raffled off on the final day of the term. Raffle tickets will go on sale after the 21st - you have to be in it to win it! Also on Friday 21st March, Greg Anderton from The Garden Hub at Lytham Hall will be coming into school to talk the children through making a Spring planter. They will learn about the different plants and making a planter to take home. This will be added to Parent Pay after half term if you would like your child to take part in this lovely whole school event.

You may remember a couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we will be taking delivery of 180 saplings and hedge row to extend our Forest School area and to protect the canopy too. These will be delivered the week of the 3rd March. On Friday 7th March, from 1pm, we will be having a planting afternoon that Year 5 will lead. We need to get these in place and to protect them too. We would love for members of our community to join us to help us - if you can please do. I will add a form to the website following half term for you to sign up. To protect the plants, we need 2ltr bottles that will be made to wrap around them when growing. Can you start collecting these too! There are a lot of plants that need protecting!

Have a lovely weekend with your families. Don’t forget that we have another staff INSET day on Monday 24th February, therefore the children will be back in school on Tuesday 25th February.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

The theme of a boat and the sea is symbolic to Our Ladys; not only does it feature in our name but also on our school badge. Living too by the coast, we have a constant reminder of how close we are in the sea air that we breathe in each day and certainly the weather that we experience - there is always a breeze. This week in school, there have been a number of references to boats and water. On Tuesday, our Year 2 children led us all in a liturgy about faith; told through the story of The Calming of the Storm. Here Jesus rebukes a storm and calms the waters around the boat; the sea is instantly stilled. As we are continuing to find ways to be faith-filled and hopeful this half term, this was a beautiful reminder that we all have times in which a storm rages inside us for many reasons. This storm can always be calmed, and just by talking to God, the chaos and worry in our lives can be stilled.

Next Thursday, we will be going to Mass to celebrate the start of the Jubilee year with Father Peter. We would love for you to join us and walk with us. If you are able to, please come to the entrance of the school at 9am and we will set off shortly after.

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Governor Visits into School

I am really lucky that I can work with a governing body who see my vision for the school and are wanting to come in and work with the staff and children. This week, before our curriculum meeting, a number of governors came into school to sit in lessons, work alongside our children and chat to staff; before sharing what they had seen and asking me some really challenging questions. From geography to science to drama - they were fully involved (as you can see above).

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Parents’ Meetings - Friday 14th February

Next Friday is the Parent Meetings with your child’s teacher. They are very much looking to talking you through the progress that your child has made this year and the areas that they need some support. As a staff team, we have looked at ways of providing you with more information about your child so that when you have the meeting next week, it is productive and informative. On Thursday, you will receive a mid-year report that will show where your children are at in the core subjects. It will either say that they are working within their current year group and are on track, or more support is needed. This will hopefully prompt a great discussion next Friday when you meet your class teacher. It is important that we continue to work together to share the progress of your child and identify ways in which you can help them too at home. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our Year 1, 2 and Reception parents in over the next few weeks to have some mathematical discussions.

This platform has no app for you to install, you simply use your web browser, and you will be automatically connected with the teacher at the time you have booked in the appointment schedule. Each appointment will last ten minutes and start at the allotted time. You will then see the time and count down on the screen. Please note: when the countdown ends, the meeting is automatically closed and the next appointment is started, we have no control over this. Please log in and check the audio and visual before your appointment starts.

Within the program there is a facility to add a note when you book. If there is something specific which you would like to discuss, this will enable you to communicate it to the teacher before the meeting.

The available appointments will be on Friday 14th February from 8.30am - 5.00pm. Appointments can be booked from 4pm today by clicking on this link:

When it asks you to input your child’s class at login please input the following:

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

When booking, it is crucial that you use your child’s legal forename and surname – those recorded on our school management system. If any part of your child’s name is hyphenated, again it needs to be so when typing in their name. Your own name on Sims is now recorded with one of the following titles Miss, Mrs, Mr or Dr. The system will also ask for an email address so that a reminder can be sent out. If you are having any problems, please do email Mrs Nel on bursar@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk and we will help you next week.

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Shining the way this week…

STAR Awards for this week

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Office News

Our Weekly Attendance

Well done to Year 1 & Year 4 this week with 98% who will earn extra break time next week.

Well done to Marsden who has won this half term’s house points by one point! You can come in your house colours of green next Thursday - our last day!

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World Book Day is fast approaching and as we are in the middle of revamping the library, it all seems to be happening at the same time which is great. For World Book Day, it isn’t just about the costumes of the book characters, there is so much more you could dress up as. Below on the poster is lots of ideas that you could use - not just costumes. Be creative!

Next week is National Online Safety Day - technology is wonderful and has such an important place in our lives. I am regularly celebrating children for their work on Numbots or TT Rockstars; but how do we protect ourselves when online? Whats steps can we put in place to educate ourselves now and to protect ourselves in the future? This is conversation that we will continue to have to enable our children to grow up safely whilst accessing a technological world.

Have a lovely weekend with your families.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

“A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

All around school, doors of hope are popping up, having been designed by the children in the classrooms. They are joyful and each one a symbol of what hope means to them. Last week, we talked about the jubilee and the significance of the door. I asked the children teo visualise their own doors at home and what these looked like; some are black or white, some colourful, some have flowers or wreaths, some glass or solid. Whatever your door looks like, always make sure that it welcomes people in and that God is seen on the other side. Our classroom doors will now form a pilgrimage through the school - so special as we journey towards Lent.

Don’t forget about…Jubilee Art Competition

The diocese are really keen for as many people to be part of the Jubilee celebrations as possible; with lots of events taking place throughout the year. One of the first events is an art competition - which we love here at Our Ladys. There is not just a competition for the children, but one for adults too (and after pottery painting, I know that we have some very talented parents). Below are the instructions as to how you can get involved and when the work needs to be brought into school. Read the instructions carefully and look at the inspiration given. Let’s see if we can get lots of entries to submit to Bishop Paul.

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Family Mass Celebration

It is our 3rd family mass on Sunday; lots of children are yet again involved and this Sunday marks the final day of the Christmas period. We look forward to seeing you there and to celebrating together. I know the hymns are firm favourites of the children so we should be in good voice.

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Growing our School

You will all be aware that our Forest School is in its infancy, and we are so very excited about how this journey is going to progress and move forward. You will see from the photographs above just how much fun and creativity was shown from our afternoon groups this week with their tree art using clay. We also have our garden area with our planting beds which over the years, Mrs Hotchkiss & Mrs Mather have developed. In the coming weeks, we are going to have a number of hedges and saplings arrive which we are going to plant to increase the space of Forest School and also section off the garden. We are planning to hold a planting afternoon where it is all hands on deck to get involved - we will need your help. On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Hotchkiss, Mrs Mather and two of our Year 5 children headed off to a school in Chorley who has made growing their super power. They went to find out what a community garden looks like and how we can embed it into our plans here. Another exciting opportunity coming up!

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Parents’ Meetings - Friday 14th February

In a few weeks, there will be the opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher and find out how they are getting on following your conversation in October. In the Summer term, you will again be invited into school to sit with your child and see their work alongside them. There is so much wonderful learning taking place.

We will be using the same system we used in the past, called SchoolCloud. This will allow you to access the meeting from where ever you are (even if you are flying off somewhere exotic), with no need to wait in school. This can always be tricky, especially if you have multiple children. We have found in the past year that parent attendance has been higher virtually, than it was in person. I even had the pleasure of conducting a parents’ meeting whilst the family was on a beach in Mexico!

This platform has no app for you to install, you simply use your web browser, and you will be automatically connected with the teacher at the time you have booked in the appointment schedule. Each appointment will last ten minutes and start at the allotted time. You will then see the time and count down on the screen. Please note: when the countdown ends, the meeting is automatically closed and the next appointment is started, we have no control over this. Please log in and check the audio and visual before your appointment starts.

Within the program there is a facility to add a note when you book. If there is something specific which you would like to discuss, this will enable you to communicate it to the teacher before the meeting.

The available appointments will be on Friday 14th February from 8.30am - 5.00pm. Appointments can be booked from 4pm today by clicking on this link:

When it asks you to input your child’s class at login please input the following:

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

When booking, it is crucial that you use your child’s legal forename and surname – those recorded on our school management system. If any part of your child’s name is hyphenated, again it needs to be so when typing in their name. Your own name on Sims is now recorded with one of the following titles Miss, Mrs, Mr or Dr. The system will also ask for an email address so that a reminder can be sent out. If you are having any problems, please do email Mrs Nel on bursar@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk and we will help you next week.

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Shining the way this week…

Our Learning Award Winners!

Our STAR virtues

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Office News

Our Weekly Attendance

Well done to Year 1 & Year 4 this week with 98% who will earn extra break time next week.

Thank you so much for all of the dog posters and photographs that have come into school this week. I will be very busy next week making them into posters and laminating them for the fences. I hope that because of the better weather, and lighter mornings and evenings, the problem that we have been having will disappear!

You may have also noticed a police presence before and after school this week. This is to ensure that we are all parking safely and not on the double yellow lines and zig zag lines. Thank you again for your cooperation with this. We know our roads are busy, we just need to look out for each other.

During the month of January, we collected 48 tins of soup for the Food Bank. In February, it will be baked beans. Please add a tin to your weekly shop and bring it into school during February. Let’s see if we can beat January’s total!

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The warmer weather is definitely on its way, the sun has shone more brightly and the children are much happier. Have a lovely weekend with your families.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Weather Warning - Friday 24th January 2025

As spoken about on the news this week, we are expecting Storm Éowyn to bring very strong winds tomorrow. Although the main brunt of the storm with affect Northen Ireland and Scotland with a red weather warning, we too expect to feel the effects of the strong winds here on the coast for most of the day. The safety of all children, staff and families is paramount, and after speaking with other local head teachers, a number of steps will be put in place to ensure that children can access school safely tomorrow.

• School will be open from 8:30am tomorrow to allow for a longer drop off period and travel into school. The gates will close at normal time but entrance to the school can still be sought through the school office beyond 8:55am.

• Staff will be present on the gates as normal, but instead of the children walking to their classrooms as they normally do, they will be accompanied by the adult who will be dropping them off at school. We ask that parents, grandparents and friends walk the children to their classrooms and hold their hands to ensure their safety. Certainly no running to the classroom.

• The children will be inside the school building all day and not have access to the playground. Breaktime and lunchtimes will be spent with the wet play equipment in their classrooms as if it was a wet playtime.

• Forest School will not run tomorrow for the children in Year 4 who are taking part in the wood craft club.

• The school gates will open at 3:20pm tomorrow for a quick pick up, therefore not a prolonged time spent on the playground.

Thank you for your support and understanding. Hopefully these few steps will ensure the safety of all and so that the children can attend school as normal. If there are any futher developments, I will update you again.

"Do what I ask you to do."

In assembly today, we looked carefully at the first miracle that Jesus performed; the wedding at Cana. Like us, you may think that this parable is all about Jesus and what he did, but infact, it was about Mary and her faith in her son. So many times in our life we doubt that we can do something because we may not be ready or our time has not come yet - this is exactly what Jesus said to Mary, “My hour is not here.” These words we will hear again in the coming weeks when in fact, Jesus’s hour does come. This parable fits in with our Jesuit virtures this half-term. Mary epitomised faith; in every sense of the word. She believed in Jesus when he didn’t believe in himself. Who will you have faith in this week?

Next Friday, we will be launching the Year of Hope; the jubilee year in the Catholic Church that comes around every 25 years. It will be a really special time for us, along with the diocesan centenary this year.

Our next family mass will take place on Sunday 2nd February at 9.30am. Again, as in the previous masses, I will rotate things around to give all children the chance to take part over the year.

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Our Mini-Vinnies need you!

Thank you so much for the donations that we have received into school this week. The reception area is a haven of tinned soup - we will continue to collect these during the month of January. We have also been inundated with warm clothes and blankets for the homeless which are being collected in reception too. Our Mini-Vinnies will be collecting them and taking them to a local charity. This really is kindness in action!

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Standards in School

At the start of the year, I was really clear about school uniform and what we expect to see in school each and every day. Being part of a family means representing the school and wearing it’s uniform correctly. Please can I ask that the correct uniform is worn daily, along with the correct PE kit. PE kit should only be worn on PE days and it is navy jogger, leggings and shorts. Recently, black has appeared, but not only that, football shorts and joggers/leggings with slogans down the side. Please can you also check jewellery and watches etc. This is not worn for PE lessons. Thank you for your cooperation. I have really high standards, but this is so important to ensure that there is consistency and we are proud of our school.

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Forest School photos of the week…

This week it was pancakes on the stove. After some den making, tree climbing and bird watching, Miss Lavelle made some delicious pancakes to enjoy along with hot chocolate. Mrs Hills, our Chair of Governors, joined us for a sing song around the camp fire. Our nursery ended their week with a story around the fire (you may spot our nursery ladies running as dragons) and some lovely hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows!

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Shining the way this week…

Our STAR virtues and learning award winners this week

Office News

Parents’s Day is fast approaching; Friday 14th February. Next week, booking will be available on the school website for this day.

Our Weekly Attendance

Well done to Year 4 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week.

On Wedndesday afternoon, a group of Year 5 & 6 children represented the school at the Fylde and Wyre Indoor Athletics competition. I have put together a snippet of the event with photos and films. Representing school is a huge thing and the expectation to be an ambassador is high. The children were wonderful and the event went swimmingly.

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God certainly seems to have been calling his angels recently, and after sharing the deaths of both Paul Boustead and Mary Webster last week, we have been saddened to hear of the passing of Bobbie Brown. Many of you will know Bobbie and her connection to the school for over 50 years, with her children and grandchildren. There was not a nativity that Bobbie did not attend, or school play, or family mass. She lived and breathed Our Ladys and whenever she came into school or to church, she would always turn to me and say she felt at “home” - she was Our Ladys through and through; we will certainly miss seeing her. Again, our condolences have been shared with the family and I know the church will be full as her life is celebrated. We pray for Bobbie, but thank God for her love and warmth over so many years.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

'But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.'

Happy New Year and welcome back to school. I don’t think anyone expected the cold, snow and icy conditions that we have had this week to stay around for so long; another one of my jobs has been to salt the playground. Our school grounds are beautiful, and even more so when they are glistening in the sunshine. I hope that you have all had a restful Christmas and that you managed to make some new memories with your family and friends. Christmas is such a busy time, but with it, we get a new sense of renewal and hope in the birth of Jesus Christ. We started our week in school by reflecting on the events of the Epiphany and what it meant for the Wise Men to visit the crib with their gifts. What our nativities showed us was that each character brought something different from themselves; curiosity, generosity, faith, compassion - and so many more. Just what we are trying to do in school.

In assembly today, I asked the question, “Does the size of a seed determine the size of a plant?” This led us into the discussion of the mustard seed and how the smallest seed would grow into the largest of trees. George helped me plant a seed - let’s see if it will grow! Like a small mustard seed, acts of kindess too can be small but can grow into something amazing.

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Faith-filled and Hopeful

With a new half-term, we have a new set of virtues that we are looking at. This half-term, we are trying to be faith-filled and hopeful. In assembly today, we tried to understand the Parable of the Mustard Seed; and how something so small can grow to be something so big. Faith makes us believe that anything is possible. we must have faith in ourselves, each other and our community. Hope is something that shines brightly. It ensures that we never live in darkness, but that we continue to move forward towards the light. What do you hope for in 2025? How will your faith enable this to happen?

Our next family mass will take place on Sunday 2nd February at 9.30am. The last two have been really special. If you can attend and you child would like a role, please complete the form below. Again, as in the previous masses, I will rotate things around to give all children the chance to take part over the year. Next Friday our Year 1 children will be attending the Parish Coffee Morning. We would love for some of our parents & grandparents to walk down.

Myhappymind - An Attitude to Gratitude

So far this year we have Met the Brain; learning all about it, and we have also learnt how to celebrate our strengths and who we are as a person. We are now ready to meet Arabella - our APPRECIATE strand. In this module, the children and staff will learn:

• How to develop an Attitude of Gratitude

• How to be grateful for others, experiences and ourselves.

• How giving and receiving gratitude makes us feel.

Don’t forget to download the parent app so you can echo the key messages at home.

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Our Mini-Vinnies need you!

As it is so cold outside, our Mini-Vinnies would like to collect warm clothes, blankets, scarves and hats for the homeless. From next week, there will a box at the entrance to school where you can pop anything that you have at home; that you no-longer need. Items of all shapes and sizes are welcome.

Don’t forget about the Food Bank too! We have thought about how we can support our local food bank more and each month, we are going to ask for just one thing. In January, it is tinned soup. Please add a tin to your shopping list and bring it into school - it can be popped on our food bank shelves at the front of school.

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Forest School in Action

And so it has started! In the beautiful grounds of our school, Forest School has started led by Miss Lavelle and supported by Mrs Tierney and Mrs Krol. Our Reception children have started their sessions by exploring the grounds, making dens and toasting marshmallows around the camp fire; not forgetting to ensure that our grounds are litter free. We are really excited about this addition to our school and how over the coming years, all children will benefit from the school.

We are in need of some spare clothing for Forest School. If you have any spare all in one suits, puddle suits, waterproof trousers etc at home, please do bring them in for us to have as spare. We are also still on the collection of scooters for the playground - thank you so much for your support.

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Shining the way this week…

Our STAR virtues and learning award winners this week

Office News

Our Weekly Attendance

Well done to Year 4 this week with 98.7% who will earn extra break time next week.

There is a lot going on this term, with trips galore and visits into school. There are class assemblies for Year 1 & Reception; as well as the beautifully poignant Easter liturgies that take place from Year 2 - Year 6. All of the dates for this term are now on the website; more will be added in the coming weeks for book looks following Parents’ Day on the 14th February.

We are hopefully into the final few weeks of the kitchen build; with the completion date at half term (fingers crossed). This will add so much more to our school; along with the launch of a new menu.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the All Stars programme and been in touch to confirm places this week. There was so many changes last term, and whilst it is all still very new for us, we needed all places to be reconfirmed so that everyone knew what was what; and what was available. The office team spend a lot of their time ensuring that the registers and payments match; thank you so much for your patience and for being on the ball. We really do appreciate it.

Don’t forget clubs start next week. Thank you everyone who has signed up - they have proved very popular. The Year 2 & 3 multi-sports is now full; there are a few places left in the other clubs.

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Finally, over Christmas we have lost two very much loved members of our school community; Paul Boustead and Mary Webster. Many of you will know Paul as father to Stanley who left us for St Bedes in the Summer. Paul was an adventurer and loved being in the outdoors, on his bike and with his dog. Over the holidays, Paul ventured up Helvelyn in the Lakes, and very sadly fell. On behalf of us all, I have sent condolences to his family and our prayers too. I know many of you will be part of his wider football family too and will have fond memories of him and will be supporting the family as best as you can.

Mary has been part of the Our Lady family for over 20 years as both her grandchildren attended school and Mrs Webster joined us as a teaching assistant. Personally, Mary was a close friend of my grandparents too. In the years that have followed, she always attended mass on a Sunday, class mass on Feast Days and Christmas celebrations at school - she loved Our Ladys and found comfort in our mission here. Mary passed away peacefully on 27th December, aged 92, surrounded by her family. Again our condolences and prayers are shared with her family and friends at this time - she was very much loved and we thank God for looking after her. We pray that he continues to look after both Paul and Mary as they journey ever closer towards him and continue to watch over their loved ones in their grief.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Isaiah 7:14)

As I stood and spoke in church the other night, I felt an enormous sense of pride and happiness. Our carol concerts are perfect in every way. The way the children spoke, the way they sang and the way they led us in prayer was perfect. It was the perfect end to our school pilgrimage. For the past three weeks, we have journeyed to the stable in many different ways; but always with the intent of telling the story of Jesus’s birth. At church on Monday night, Year 6 talked about the people of the nativity; the characters, and what we can learn from each of them. Mary - a symbol of hope; Joseph - of courage and trust; the generosity of the Wise Men and curiosity of the Shepherds. The script was beautifully written and incorporated all of the school virtues. Thank you to each and every one of you who has joined us this Advent. All of the money raised from the ticket sales and donations at church go straight to Brian House - we sing for our local children at Christmas. So far we have raised over £850 which is just incredible. Thank you all for your generosity.

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Parish News

Don’t forget about the parish Singalong a Christmas tonight Friday, 20th December at the Parish Centre. If you are coming along just to join in or indeed sing you are advised to get there between 7.00 and 7.15pm to be assured of a seat – it might be busy. If you’re joining us to sing its always good to get a quick look at what we are doing but as per usual we will be winging it! It’s a very Christmassy night (so come suitably attired) but also has a bit of fun thrown in for all the family. Please come along, bring the family – it’s a great night.

Christmas Celebrations

There has been a real buzz this Advent with all of the exciting events and activities that the children have been involved in. The little and often events have worked and ensured that all children can be involved in some things in some way. From film nights, to own clothes days, to school raffles and party days - there has been something for everyone. This week we drew the school Christmas Raffle - with over 100 prizes; it was just spectacular. Much fun was had by all during the draw - with some spot prizes too!

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Enrichment Across the Curriculum

As part of our Christmas Memory week in school, where the children have been busy creating lots of lovely things to bring home, they also completed their enrichment morning in another class with another teacher. From Van Gogh inspired nativity art work, to Christmas photography, to stick stars and dancing too, the children (and staff) enjoyed spending time together. For weeks now, Mr Cornwell had been preparing his Christmas quiz for our Reception class to complete - he loved it!

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Learners of the Term

Learners of the term as voted by their classmates

Office News

Our Termly Attendance

Well done to Year 4 this week with 98.7% who will earn extra break time next week.

The kitchen build has progressed really well; plastering has taken place this week so we are on course for the completion date of February half-term. We now also have a door and windows. The large brick wall that is exposed is calling out for some school art work; watch this space. I have manged to take Jacqui and Mirium in there today and they are so happy with how it will turn out. Dinners for Spring 1 are £2.50 for 29 dinners, totalling £72.50. Towards the end of next half term, we will announce the new look menu for when the kitchen opens.

Thank you for everyone who has booked onto All Stars for Spring term. Your places have been confirmed if you have booked a place. We will see you in the New Year.

School Vacancies

We currently have two vacancies in school for after Christmas; Teaching Assistant (23 hours a week - temporary) & a Welfare Assistant (11.5 hours a week). These two roles may be combined into one role or kept separate depending on the right candidate. Please do contact Mrs Gregan if interested; we are really looking to grow our staff team and support our community. Both jobs and descriptions can be found on LCC website.

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Finally, this morning our annual staff panto took place. I cannot begin to tell you what wonderful human beings this group of people are. They love each and everyone of the children so very dearly. On behalf of every family I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication; they are certainly ready for a rest this Christmas. We also said a goodbye to Miss Liddell and Mrs Shields who are about to embark on their next adventures. We wish them all the love in the world.

Have a wonderful, happy and holy Christmas with your families. We look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 6th January.

God bless

Mrs Gregan