“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

April 24, 2026 Natalie Gregan

This Sunday is Vocation Sunday in church, which falls on the fourth Sunday of Easter and is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. The word vocation is used a lot at the moment, coupled with the word journey. But what does it actually mean?

“A vocation is a strong, inner calling toward a specific career, way of life, or purpose, often involving a sense of dedication to serving others. While it can mean a regular occupation, it frequently implies a deeper, passionate commitment rather than just a job. Originating from the Latin vocare ("to call"), it can be professional or religious.”

Looking at our community - I know many of us will say that we are here because of a calling and a vocation. The work we do in our community transends the normal working day. In school, working with children is a true vocation - there is no job quite like it. There is a saying, never work with children or animals - but I would say children every day of the week. They are so innocent, bring such joy and we play such an important role in shaping their earliest experiences of life. This week I have welcomed our new Reception cohort for 2026. 30 children will be joining our family of faith here and starting their school life.

On Vocation Sunday, I want to thank all of the staff team here who do go above and beyond every single day to love and grow our children - giving them the very best start that they can to their primary school life.

Prayer and liturgy

Sunshine and Happiness

All about OPAL

We have been really blessed with the beautiful weather this week; the children certainly have enjoyed being out and about at breaktime. The den area is very much loved, but this week we had a new addition with the outdoor library. Our Year 6 children have been busy getting the books ready to wheel out onto the playground and it has been well-received. The transformation of the playground in recent years has been something that I am looking to continue to develop. Play is such an important part of childhood experiences and what we have started to put in place has proved that. Children in British primary schools spend 20% or 1.4 years of their school attendance in play; so we have to prioritise this. Next year we are going to start our OPAL journey together. This is a 2 year programme on Outdoor Play and Learning. It will take a team of people to get this up and running and to make it sustainable. From resource sourcing and organisation - but it is really exciting. Part of the team will be parent representatives who want to support this. I will be in touch later on in the term with more about how you can get involved and support us further. The button below will take you to the OPAL website where you can have a look at what this could look like here.

Sustainability will be the prominent feature of our action plan in school next year - across every level. It is the year of St Francis and being stewards of our common home - so now feels like the right time. What we want to do is preserve and enhance Our Ladys, even with al of the financial pressures we are facing - creativity is at the heart of this.

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Has Our Lady Got Talent?

So far we have 28 entries for Our Lady’s Got Talent!! This is an amazing response. Next week, I will be closing the form on Wednesday to start to look at who has entered and then meet with the children wanting to take part.

This is all about sharing talents - there will be no winners; just a celebration of our children. If your child wants to get involved, complete the form below.

Our Lady’s Got Talent Sign Up

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday.

Snack order for week beginning 27th April

Summer Menu

The Summer Lunch Menu is now live. You can see a copy here below and also on the lunch page of the website.

Office News

Sports Days: EYFS 9.15am on Wednesday 10th June. Year 1 & 2 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th June. Year 3 & 4 9.15am on Wednesday 17th June. Year 5 & 6 1.30pm on Wednesday 17th June.
We have Our Lady merchandise! The Our Lady Tote bag is available for £5 to support the school PTFA. Order yours via Parent Pay and we will get one sent home with your child.
It has been lovely to see the new PE tops in action this week - they look incredibly smart!

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

Our school photographer was back on site today taking the Reception and Year 6 class photographs, as well as our sports teams. Next year, the individual and sibling photographs will be taken in the Autumn term, early on - and classes in Spring. We have also spoken to the photographer about a package if you have multiple children in school too.

Attendance Matters

School attendance for this week.

Well done to Year 3 with a winning % of 99.8%. Our whole school attendance was 96.9%

Have a lovely weekend. Let’s hope the sun continues to shine!

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE."

April 2, 2026 Natalie Gregan

I guess it is a funny saying to say that Holy Week in school is my favourite week; especially when I spend most of the week incredibly sad. But for me, it is the most important part of our Christian faith. There has to be hope and without hope, we would live in permanent darkness. The way the children, from aged 6 - 11 portray the Passion of Christ so intently never ceases to amaze me. I never think that it can be better than the year before but it always is. This week we have walked hand in hand with millions of Christians worldwide - we connect with the global church past, present and future. Year 6 completed our liturgy this week showing us that there is hope after death and that we must continue to live in love, hope and service to others. Thank you to everyone who has shared this week with us.

In our final liturgy of the term, we reflected on the entire Passion together - and our own journey to the cross. I have attached the video for you to share together at home.

Our new Catholic Family

Yesterday, we officially joined BEBCMAT; our new trust. Mrs O’Neill our CEO, joined us yesterday for the Crucifixion liturgy before spending some time walking through each of the classrooms. She has written a letter to our parents and has asked me to share it with you.

Parents Welcome Letter

Easter Celebrations

With the lovely, dry weather - came the bi-annual EASTER EGG HUNT. The Easter Bunny arrived at school this week, armed with 240 Easter eggs for the children, and some for the staff too! Today, we finished proceedings with our Easter Egg raffle raising over £300 for the school. Thank you for your continued support in all things fundraising for Our Lady’s.

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Snack order for week beginning 13th April

Office News

Please settle ALL Parent Pay amounts before Easter. From September, there is a directive that everything must be paid for in advance to avoid an outstanding payments at the end of each half term.
Our new PE tops have been decided following the consultation; thank you to everyone who contributed and commented. These will be available after Easter in Top Marques and compulsory wear on PE days from September.
Sports Days: EYFS 9.15am on Wednesday 10th June. Year 1 & 2 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th June. Year 3 & 4 9.15am on Wednesday 17th June. Year 5 & 6 1.30pm on Wednesday 17th June.
We have Our Lady merchandise! The Our Lady Tote bag is available for £5 to support the school PTFA. Order yours via Parent Pay and we will get one sent home with your child.

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

School attendance for this term

Well done to Year 3 this week who are our termly winners!

I wish you all a very happy and holy Easter.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!'".

March 27, 2026 Natalie Gregan

Today we started our journey to the cross. Year 2 led us in an incredibly beautiful and poignant liturgy, sharing the joy of how the crowds felt when Jesus arrived, to the disappointment of the pharisees at his popularity. Next week we will continue our journey, and I really hope that you will be able to join us.

Monday 30th March at 9.15am - Year 3 The Last Supper

Tuesday 31st March at 9.15am - Year 4 Gethsemane

Wednesday 1st April at 9.15am - Year 5 Crucifixion

Thursday 2nd April at 9.15am - Year 6 Resurrection

We are incredibly close to reaching Nigeria! Nursery alone has walked over 125 miles! With just 800 miles to go - can we do it! All Lenten box money and CAFOD sponsor money needs to be in by Wednesday next week. Thank you so much for your continued support.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

CAFOD walk to Nigeria collection form

Growing our Catholic Family

Next Wednesday, 1st April, we will officially be joining BEBCMAT, along with St Peters. This is an opportunity to grow our faith more and to seek new an innovative ways of doing things with a closer team of schools. We also know just what we have to offer to others and look forward to sharing our practice with them.

"To make pottery is an adventure to me, every new work is a new beginning."

Our pottery events have become a staple of the school calendar. Thank you to everyone who came last night and spent time painting their easter decorations. They will be back with us next week ready to be displayed in your home over Easter weekend.

Every half-term, the local catholic heads who feed into St Bedes; along with Mr Marsden come together. We discuss all manner of things, but one thing we are keen to do is ensure that we link our school communities as much as possible. This week, we linked our choirs together for a special performance. Each choir performed and Mr Warrington brought us all together with harmonies and group performance. It was a gorgeous morning and my cup was definitely filled! Over the next week, I will merge the videos and photos together and share next week.

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 30th March

Office News

There are no clubs next week in school. A new timetable will come out after Easter.
Please settle ALL Parent Pay amounts before Easter. From September, there is a directive that everything must be paid for in advance to avoid an outstanding payments at the end of each half term.
School Photographs took place on Wednesday. We are going to book in another day for the class ones when the weather is lovely and we can go outside. The company that we use is a local company is now used across most of the schools in the area. In today’s day and age, school photographs are becoming a thing of the past as parents take their own digital ones. We still feel like there is a place for them if parents choose.
Our new PE tops have been decided following the consultation; thank you to everyone who contributed and commented. Over-whelmingly, these were the favourites - as modelled by our lovely model. These will be available after Easter in Top Marques and compulsory wear on PE days from September.
Sports Days: EYFS 9.15am on Wednesday 10th June. Year 1 & 2 1.30pm on Wednesday 10th June. Year 3 & 4 9.15am on Wednesday 17th June. Year 5 & 6 1.30pm on Wednesday 17th June.
We have Our Lady merchandise! The Our Lady Tote bag is available for £5 to support the school PTFA. Order yours via Parent Pay and we will get one sent home with your child.
Easter Egg raffle will take place on Thursday next week. £1 tickets can be bought right up until Thursday morning. The Easter bunny may also make an appearance?

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

School attendance for this week

Well done to Year 1 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week. Our whole school attendance was 97.8%

As we start Holy Week, I know Father Peter would love to see as many of you as possible in church for Palm Sunday and for the events next week.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God…” John 11:26-27

March 20, 2026 Natalie Gregan

As we move closer and closer to Good Friday, and to Easter Sunday, the bible readings that we are hearing are preparing us for what is to come; we are being introduced to themes of death and resurrection. In this week’s Gospel we meet Martha. Martha loved Jesus and was a friend of His. It was her faith that helped her and when she needed help - Jesus did as he said.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

It is in this story of Lazarus that we understand the fear that Jesus was starting to face. He knew he was to be killed, he knew he was despised and hated. Yet, he continued to help and encouraged everyone to have faith.

Next Friday, we will start our Holy Week liturgies to the cross; led by our pupils. These are always such a solemn reminder of the path that Jesus walked. We hope that you can join us.

Friday 27th March at 9.15am - Year 2 Palm Sunday

Monday 30th March at 9.15am - Year 3 The Last Supper

Tuesday 31st March at 9.15am - Year 4 Gethsemane

Wednesday 1st April at 9.15am - Year 5 Crucifixion

Thursday 2nd April at 9.15am - Year 6 Resurrection

Prayer and Liturgy in School

CAFOD walk to Nigeria collection form

Food bank donations for March - Biscuits. The foodbank have seen a significant surge in demand at their food bank over the past few weeks, making it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of those who rely on their services. Let’s help where we can!

“The Catholic ethos of the school is vibrantly lived out by all and impacts pupils, staff, governors, families and the wider community.”

A couple of weeks ago, we were visited by the Catholic Inspection Team who conducted a thorough and rigourous two day inspection of all things Catholic life at Our Ladys. The inspection looks at three areas; Catholic Life and Ethos, Religious Education and Collective Worship. Within those, leadership, provision and pupils are also inspected. I hope when you read it you feel the same sense of pride that I did when I read it for the first time. The result of this inspection is not easy to achieve and in the last year when we have had a new RE curriculum, new Prayer and Liturgy Directory and a new Inspection Framework; the results are even more astonishing. To maintain what we have done, given all of the changes (and to do it so quickly) is something to be celebrated. Our beautiful children are at the heart of it all.

There is a lot of ‘noise’ at the moment about the education sector, which is hard to ignore. With lack of funding coming our way, teacher retention and competition with other sectors, poor communication and growing need; schools are expected to be more than a place of education, and also a place that is beyond the school day, which of course has an impact to everyone involved. This report is testament for the hard work of a team of dedicated and committed staff who love our children deeply. They constantly go above and beyond; teaching is most definitely a vocation. Relationships are at the heart of this report and the links within our community. The vision that I have for our school is being “vibrantly lived out by all.” Thank you to each and every member of our special community.

Catholic Inspection Report

"Baptism marks the start of a beautiful story."

On Wednesday, our Year 2 children put on their finest clothes to share in a very special day. Nellie was baptised into the family of faith. Year 2 knew this was a very important day and they knew they had to dress for the occasion - I am so proud of them all. Again, to say you want to be baptised is an incredibly brave decision to make; Nellie shone so brightly. Thank you to her family for letting us be part of this beautiful day.

Exciting Enrichment for our Ambassadors

This week, a number of our children have had the opportunity to branch out of their school surroundings and try something different. Year 4 have headed to The Grand this week to take part in Shakespeare alongside other schools - they had a great time performing there. Then today, our digital leaders, supported by Mrs Naylor, headed to UCLAN to take part in a digital showcase. Together with children from lots of different primary schools and staff from BAE, STEM was the focus of the afternoon. This is incredibly exciting and something we will be able to explore more next year.

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 23rd March

Office News

Please check the extra-curriculare timetable to see when the clubs your child is attending finish.
Please settle ALL Parent Pay amounts before Easter. From September, there is a directive that everything must be paid for in advance to avoid an outstanding payments at the end of each half term.
Own clothes day on Monday - bring an Easter Egg for the Easter Egg Raffle. Tickets will go on sale towards the end of next week.
School Photographs on Wednesday.
We have Our Lady merchandise! The Our Lady Tote bag is available for £5 to support the school PTFA. Order yours via Parent Pay and we will get one sent home with your child.

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

School attendance for this week

Well done to Year 3 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week. Our whole school attendance was 96%

Have a lovely weekend with your families. Here is hoping the sunshine stays for just a little bit longer.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“According to your faith let it be done to you"

March 13, 2026 Natalie Gregan

When talking to the children about Lent, and hearing the start of the Easter liturgies being brought together in the hall, the word joy would not ordinarily spring to mind. However, this weekend we celebrate Laetare Sunday. Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent's Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. Even though we are in the midst of Lent, there is still so much joy to be found; in the interactions between our pupils, in the creative learning that is taking place and in the generosity of our community. For us in school we are praying, fasting and giving - let’s keep it up! Don’t forget about our walk to Nigeria - we will be doing a miles total on Monday!

Prayer and Liturgy in School

CAFOD walk to Nigeria collection form

"God will protect and watch over you, guiding you towards a life of faith and love".

On Wednesday, Reception and Year 4 walked down to church to watch as two of our beautiful pupils were baptised. It was a lovely occasion to see Father Peter and Deacon John bless the girls together and welcome them into the family of faith.

It takes real bravery as you get older to commit yourself to something that usually only happens when you are a baby. Next week one of our Year 2 friends will be baptised too.

Lancashire’s Big Sing

The sound of children singing melts anyone’s heart and on Wednesday our choir joined 230 other children from different schools as part of Lancashire’s Big Sing. We love this event! The choir sang their hearts out - ably supported by a team of amazing staff - and I think you all need to hear it. It is a good 11 minutes long, but it needs to be so you can hear them for yourselves. We have really developed our choir over recent years and in a couple of weeks, they will head to St Bedes to perform there too. Well done children - you are remarkable.

Easter Events in School

Easter will soon be upon us and in traditional Our Lady’s style we have a new event for the occasion, as well as our Easter Egg Raffle.

On Thursday 26th March we have organised another Pottery Event after school where you will have the opportunity to paint Easter themed pottery. There will be refreshements too. Just like Christmas, it is £10 per person. Please complete the form below booking for this event.

On Monday 23rd March, it is own clothes day but to bring an Easter Egg for the raffle!

easter Pottery night

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

STAR Charter Distinction Award - Our first 2025/2026 recipient

Speaking of fundraising, we have a remarkable young lady who has gone above and beyond to help others. Our lovely Lillie has donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust. The Little Princess Trust provides wigs to children to help restore their confidence and identity. All costs, including the making, fitting, and styling of the wig, are met by the charity, and this free service is available to any young person up to the age of 24 with hair loss. As part of its Hair and Hope mission, The Little Princess Trust also funds childhood cancer research aiming to find kinder and more effective treatments. It costs £700 to make a wig and Lillie is well on her way to making it. I have added her just giving page below if anyone can support her further.

It only seemed right that today she was awarded the very first STAR distinction award of the year. Well done!

The Little Princess Trust - donation page

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am. Sausage butties are on the menu next week!

Morning snack order form - 16th March

Office News

Thank you to everyone who has supported the school book fair this week - we have had a great turn out. All of the books bought will support us as a school to buy books for each classroom. We really appreciate your support.

We have Our Lady merchandise! The Our Lady Tote bag is available for £5 to support the school PTFA. Order yours via Parent Pay and we will get one sent home with your child.

School attendance for this week

Well done to Year 3 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week. Our whole school attendance was 96.6%

Have a lovely weekend with your families. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our wonderful mums out there.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

Jesus answered, "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst."

March 6, 2026 Natalie Gregan

This week has been a real celebration of what life is like at Our Ladys and the importance of our faith. Being inspected is always an axious time as everyone wants to ensure that we show our school and children in the very best light; but I need not worry. The most special part of of our school is the community that we have and the support that we give each other. From parents, to teachers, to governors, to staff and finally our gorgeous children - we are so incredibly lucky. Myself and governors have had initial feedback and we now wait for the report to be finalised; at that point we will be able to share it just before Easter. Thank you to everyone who completed the Parent View feedback, this is always so valuable and apprectiated.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

I Will Give You Rest: Come

On the World Day of Prayer, we have come to school in the theme of LOVE. To love ourselves and the world which we have been given. The day is centred around the women of Nigeria and their call to prayer. We are incredibly lucky to have our wonderful Izioma who has helped us all to understand what life is like in Nigeria. She has come to school today in traditional clothes - I think you will all agree that she looks so very special. She has spent time in each class telling us about life in Nigeria so that we could learn something about her culture. Thank you so much!

Well done to our choir who today joined with Christians from our local area to celebrate The World Day of Prayer - they sang so beautifully!

CAFOD walk to Nigeria collection form

As well as celebrating prayer, the children have been making their LOVE PLANTERS for someone who they love. Thank you to Mrs Tierney and Greg from Leafy Lytham who have organised it. Today was a fundraiser for the school PTFA. The non-uniform day has raised £323 for school. Once we have calculated planters, this too will be added. Thank you all so much.

World Book Day - Go All In!

World Book Day is one of the most joyous parts of the school calendar and when we ever suggest that we celebrate it in a different way, our Year 6 children are horrified - they love dressing up! The theme this year is to Go All In, to read anything and everything and find your reader identity. I must say - I think we have all found that. What a wonderful celebration of reading to launch us into the rest of the National Year of Reading! Next week, the Book Fair arrives in school from Wednesday. We have kept the tokens for World Book Day and will give these to the children next week ready for the Book Fair. We will have it from Wednesday 11th - Tuesday 17th March!

Easter Events in School

Easter will soon be upon us and in traditional Our Lady’s style we have a new event for the occasion, as well as our Easter Egg Raffle.

On Monday 23rd March, it is own clothes day but to bring an Easter Egg for the raffle!

easter Pottery night

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

Leading Learners and Star Virtues

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 9th March

Office News

School attendance for this week

Well done to Year 2 this week with 100% who will earn extra break time next week. Our whole school attendance was 96.6%

Have a lovely weekend with your families. Hopefully the sun will shine.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

Catholic Schools Inspection

March 2, 2026 Natalie Gregan

Dear Parent and Carers

The school is due to have an inspection undertaken by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate on 4th and 5th March. The inspection is both a diocesan and a statutory responsibility.

In the organisation of the Church, the bishop is the ‘first teacher’ in the diocese with responsibility for the formation and education of his people, with particular responsibilities in schools. The inspectors working for the Inspectorate act on his behalf to fulfil this responsibility.

The purpose of inspection is to report to and advise the bishop on the quality of the Catholic life and mission of the school, of religious education and of collective worship. Of course, it also stands to inform parents and the wider Catholic community.

Inspectors will observe learning and acts of worship, talk to staff and pupils, analyse data, and discuss emerging issues with the school’s leadership. The inspection culminates in a written report that will be sent to you.

The view of parents is very important, and we shall be sharing with the inspectors any evidence we have of parents’ views of the school. The inspectors would also like to hear directly from you. We appreciate that we have not given you very much time, but it would be helpful if you could complete the questionnaire, which can be accessed here:

Parent View Form

Responses to the questionnaire go directly to the inspectors, are anonymous and individual responses cannot be identified.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of the inspection when the report has been received.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Gregan

"Our Father who art in Heaven.”

February 27, 2026 Natalie Gregan

The number 40 appears over 150 times in the bible:

Noah’s flood lasted for 40 days.
Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt lasted for 40 days.
King David reigned for 40 years.
Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days.
Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection.

Today I asked the question in assembly, how are you going to spend the 40 days of Lent making somebody’s day better than it was. Through our actions of Pray, Fast and Give - how are you spending Lent preparing for the cross.

This week’s mission - how can you share you love this half term and show people that you love them?

On Sunday, our Holy Communion children for this year will be welcomed into Mass by Father Peter on Sunday. This is our family mass for this term. If you are able to join us, we would be really grateful. The Holy Communion children will be reading and doing the offertory too. This will be our family mass for this half term.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Catholic Life as we move towards the cross..

Almsgiving during Lent is one of the foundational pillars - along with prayer and fasting. The photos above are our commemoration to Lent and our journey to the cross. You may also spot our work on Ramadan and the prayer station in the library. We have been talking about how their level of fasting is different to us in Lent. This Lent, as with every year, we are fundraising for CAFOD. There are a number of ways in which we are commemorating Lent this year…

The Stations of the Cross

As you walk through our school, you will see our journey towards the cross. Every two years, each class produces a board which demonstrates the Stations of the Cross. This year these are starting in the worship area of school before circling the hall. Over the next 40 days, each child will take part in a pilgrimage with their partner class.

Prayer Bags

As we do in Advent, the link between home and school is crucial. During Lent we will be extending our prayer life to home by a small purple bag. These are prayer bags and all they contain is a cross and a small book for a prayer to be written or a picture to be drawn.

Lenten Boxes

It has been really special to see the Lenten boxes being swapped this week amongst partner classes and the joy that it brings to the children. This is our almsgiving. The mission now is to complete little acts at home to earn coins throughout Lent. Bring back your filled boxes in the final week of the school term.

CAFOD Big Walk

We have made a wonderful start with this and already managed to clock up 125 miles in week 1. Huge shout out to Team Leyden who have clocked up the majority of these. This is a whole school community walk, run, scoot and cycle sponsored event. Every time you are out and about, please complete the form below and add some more footprints to our mission. Sponsor forms went out this week and are not due back until the final week of the term - just like the Lenten boxes. If you play football, that distance counts too. I will be recording my miles around a netball court as I umpire this weekend.

CAFOD walk to Nigeria collection form

Food bank donations for February - Biscuits. The foodbank have seen a significant surge in demand at their food bank over the past few weeks, making it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of those who rely on their services. Let’s help where we can! Instead of eating biscuits during Lent, why not give them up and donate them to the food bank.

Book Looks

Book looks are so very special! I have loved pottering around the hall this week and listening to all of the conversations that are taking place about the learning this year. The children are rightly so proud of their work and what they have achieved so far - they had to share each and every piece with you. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as the children did.

Shining Virtues and Leading Learners this week

Online Safety

MArch Newsletter

We have received an email from Smartphone Free Childhood that I want to share…

I wanted to share a brief update on the positive momentum following our recent Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) Parent/Teacher event at Lytham Hall Park Primary School in January.

We have been genuinely overwhelmed by the level of support from local schools, particularly those who have displayed the SFC School Gates banners. Thank you to you and your parent school organisers for arranging this so promptly, the visible show of unity across our schools is powerful. The Parent Pact is our online pledge encouraging parents to delay getting smartphones until 14 and social media until 16, which continues to gain momentum. Nationally we have 180,754 signed pacts! The Lancashire leaderboard currently stands at 2,089 signed Parent Pacts, with strong representation from our local school communities. In fact, the figures below account for nearly 20% of the region-wide total, demonstrating significant local support for a delayed approach.

Can you sign the Parent Pact and get Our Ladys up the leaderboard? There will a Smartphone Free event held at St Bedes in the coming weeks for the parents of Our Ladys, St Peters and St Bedes. Once we have the date, I will share.

School Events next week…

Thursday 5th March - World Book Day

We are inviting every child to come into school dressed as their reader identity; what types of books are they really interested in? Comics, non-fiction science or dinosaurs, history, princess? The choice is yours. Don’t forget to bring a copy of the book with you.

Friday 6th March - World Day of Prayer & Love Yourself Day

Friday 6th March is World Prayer Day - a celebration of united love and global support. On this day the children will have the opportunity to make the ‘People we love planter,” which we did last year in conjunction with Lytham Hall’s Leafy Lytham. If your child does not want to make a planter, they can get involved by coming into school wearing something that they love to wear - something that makes them them - something that celebrates who they are and who we love. No uniform required.

Our choir will be singing at the World Prayer Day service on Friday 6th March from 2pm at the Parish Centre.

Fundraising for School

Fundraising is an essential part of school life and with ever decreasing budgets and schools required to do more with less, fundraising helps us to still provide for our children in the best way we can. We are hoping that more and more whole school events will take place, including an Our Lady’s Got Talent in the Summer term (get thinking about how you could enter). Recently, we have also had a number of donations into school from families which have been greatly received. But one of the easiest ways is to sign up to Easy Fundraising. So far, over £500 has been raised through this method and it is really easy. Every time you purchase something, the company will donate to our school - it really is that easy and at no cost to yourselves. Thank you as well to everyone who has contributed to the Pay it Forward Campaign on Parent Pay. Since September, £510 has been donated which has really helped us to support children to go on trips with the increased cost of transport. What you are giving is invaluable - thank you so much!

Our Easter school fundraising will be shared next week - Easter Pottery Event & Easter Egg Raffle!

Easy Fundraising For our lady star of the sea

Office news

Thank you to everyone who has settled their Parent Pay accounts before half term; we have had a flurry of All Stars payments this week. If you haven’t managed to do so yet, please can you do so before close of play on Friday.

Parking around School Reminder

Having a school in the middle of a residential area is not easy to manage. In the morning, I am certainly seeing more cars disregard the yellow line, corners of streets, zig zags around school, neighbours driveways and parking irresponsibly. Please remember that this is a school and the care of the people within it is essential. Please park safely and away from the school. The local PSCO has been alerted and will be doing some spot checks in the coming weeks.

The car park in school is also staff car park. Please can you ensure that when you are dropping your child off or picking up from All Stars, that the car park is not used. The increased traffic coming in and out needs to be minimised. Once staff cars are in, they remain in. All children need walking to the gate and collecting by an adult. Thank you so much for your support with this.

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 2nd March

FROZEN - The Academy

We have so many talented children in our school who take part in a range of classes and clubs. Next week, the children who attend Musical Theatre classes at The Academy will be bringing their performance of Frozen to life. They would love your support. If you clink on the image, it will take you to the booking form to get your tickets.

We hope that you have a lovely weekend with your family.

God bless

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the World." Matthew 5:13-16

February 6, 2026 Natalie Gregan

Salt has some very magical powers and has been used for centuries when it comes to food and cleaning. It flavours and preserves, de-ices roads, can be used as a cleaning agent and also medicinal. This week, I was told to gargle salt water by my dentist to help settle down some pain in with my wisdom tooth. But in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calls his followers to be, “the salt of the earth.” To demonstrate their role to preserve society and our faith, to flavour and enhance goodness and to continue to shine God’s love in our world today. It shows that we, as God’s people, should have a transformative and positive influence - flavouring our community with kindness. It is immediately followed by the prase, “You are the light of the world.” showing that as disciples we need to be visible and bright - striving to bring positive change to all around us.

This week’s mission - how can you flavour somebody’s life positively this week? How can you be the salt of the earth?

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Catholic Life as we move towards Lent…

This Sunday is our next family mass and the first one back with Father Peter. On Wednesday, Father Peter joined my in school, the first time since last July; it was lovely to welcome him back into school, I know how much he has missed us. We spent our time together planning Lent and how we could ensure that the importance of this part of the liturgical year was recognised by both school and parish. Father Peter will be joining us to hear confessions for Year 5 & 6 during Lent. Ash Wednesday is during half-term, please do ensure that if you can get to mass for the children to receive their ashes, that you do. During Lent, we will be:

Recreating the Stations of the Cross through art with each class focusing on one or two of them.
Sending home prayer bags so as a family you can come closer to Jesus as He comes closer to the cross.
Making Lenten boxes for our partner classes. Our almsgiving will be donated to CAFOD.
Trying to walk to Nigeria for CAFOD (not literally). To recognise The World Day of Prayer which starts in Nigeria, and the link to our own Isioma, we are going to try and walk 4,235 miles as a community during lent. I will share more about what this will look like next week on the newsletter.
Partner classes will be attending Mass with Father Peter. Once we have confirmed dates, we will share and hopefully you will be able to join us too.

Family Mass - Sunday 8th February

Food bank donations for February - Baked Beans. The foodbank have seen a significant surge in demand at their food bank over the past few weeks, making it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of those who rely on their services. Let’s help where we can!

“Dancing is like dreaming with your feet!”

On Monday afternoon, 25 of our dancers headed off to Blackpool Tower Ballroom to take part in the Wyre and Fylde Dance Competition. Together with 18 other primary schools and 5 secondary schools, they competed to theme of unity for our world. Inspired by the Winter Olympics that is starting this week, and from sport across the world, each school took to the floor - it was spectacular! Our children were incredible in every sense of word and made memories to last a lifetime - who can say that they have danced on the ballroom floor at Blackpool Tower? A huge thank you to Mrs Harrison who has spent so much time dedicated to putting this dance together with the children. She has lived and breathed this dance for so many weeks; costumes, light up bobbles, hair glitter - the lot. And to Mrs Davis and Mrs Webster who joined us as the hair and make up team. Please do enjoy the dance and the wonderful comments by the judges - I know you will be as proud as we are.

Child and Parent Consultation

Thank you all for your positive comments about the recording I did last week; it has been lovely to get good feedback on it - I can see how appreciated it was. So many comments spoke about trusting the school and seeing the clear vision - this is really important to me. Lots of conversations too about things that parents have learnt, especially around funding, what access we get to support and the length of time things take to put in place as part of a graduated response. I will do these more regularly to keep you all in the loop and hopefully more informed.

Following the presentation, there was the opportunity to add a comment on the consultation form regarding the PE top and assembly. Thank you to everyone who responded as your views are considered and contribute to a wider discussion. I have collated it below:

Uniform

The liking of the PE top was unanimous - 100% of you thought it was a good idea with 94% prefering the two blue option as opposed to the plain navy one. I will now consult with Top Marques regarding this and get it into stock with it being compulsory from September 2026. It will be available to be seen on Parents Day next week.
100% of you like the PE hoodie/zip option. The PE hoodie or branded tracksuit top is compulsory wear now anyway, so this would not change.
Badged polo shirts will still be available, not compulsory but encouraged as it is now. Plain polo shirts are acceptable wear for non-PE days.
Earrings was also mentioned so this is something that I am considering as St Bedes and other schools have a no earring policy. We are getting a variety of earrings being worn which are not complying with school policy so a no earring policy would sort this aspect out and also improve the health and safety aspect of school life.

Assembly

You all love coming to assembly and this has been a welcomed part of how life have changed in school, but receiving the text the night before can be tricky and not everyone can always get there, which you have acknowledged. We will definitely keep parental invitations but just think about how this can be better organised and planned for over the year to give you as much notice as possible.
Celebrating the children’s success is important, but the majority of you spoke about how this does not have to be weekly and that there is often a wait between children receiving things. We will look at how we can give immediate praise and not a weekly certificate. All children being celebrated is the culture we are aiming for and to recognise their contributions. This should alleviate the need to text parents the night before.
The stars are loved - so we will keep those and think about how they are delivered within the classroom and then shared. The messages for the stars are about the children as a person; that is why they are so special.
Some of you mentioned a school weekly roundup rather than individual celebrations - so this is something to think about as well. I have attached some research below on rewards and why we need to think carefully about how they are given. Today’s assembly was an illustration of this as we celebrated the dance team, Nursery storytellers and some artists whose work will be displayed at Lytham Heritage Centre from the 10th February - 1st March.

We will continue to work on a new model of assembly on a Friday; ensuring that parental involvement remains. This will take a bit more work - so leave it with us.

why rewards don't work

Parents’s Day

Parents’s Day is next Friday, Friday 13th February - either face to face or virtual. Please make sure that you have contacted your class teacher and booked in an appointment. On Wednesday, your child will bring home their mid-term report which will include the areas they are working well at, and the areas that they need some support on - together with attendance, focus in class and learning behaviours. After half-term, there will then be book looks for you to share and celebrate your child’s work.

Tuesday 24th February 9am: Year 5

Tuesday 24th February 2.30pm: Year 6

Wednesday 25th February: 9am: Year 3

Wednesday 25th February: 2:30pm: Year 4

Thursday 26th February: 9am: Year 2

Friday 27th February: 9am: Year 1

The National Year of Reading

2026 is the National Year of Reading with the slogan - GO ALL IN! It is all about children finding their identity as a reader; reading things that they find interesting, exciting or fascinating. We are looking at this in school for World Book Day - Thursday 5th March.

Your child needs to come as their reader identity:

If they love comics - they can come as a comic character.
If they love animal books - an animal.
Non-fiction books about dinosaurs - a dinosaur!

The choice really is endless - but it is all about what they enjoy to read.

We are looking for some additional things for our library: comics, newspapers, magazines. Do you have these at home for children? Could they be donated to school?

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Office news

Well done to Marsden - house team winners and a green day on Thursday!

Parking around School

All Stars

No All Stars on Wednesday 11th February due to staff training.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 for winning this week's attendance with 97%. Our school attendance is 95.1%

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am. Bacon butties are on the menu next week.

Morning snack order form - 9th February

Finally, and so importantly, the role of a teacher is one of pure joy; a vocation in itself and far more than a profession - especially to the teachers here at Our Ladys. I am truly blessed to work with such a dedicated team who work so generously to ensure that all of the children feel safe, nurtured and able to achieve the most wonderful of milestones. I am also under no illusion just how hard the staff here work and far beyond the hours of a school day. Many of the staff here wear multiple hats and have young families too who they want to devote as much time to as possible as they grow.

You will all be aware that Mrs Hartley returned from her maternity leave in September after the birth of her daughter the previous year. After lots of discussions with her family and the school, Mrs Hartley has made the decision that for now, her priority is her family, and that to be totally present as her daughter grows and develops, stepping away from teaching at Our Ladys is the right thing to do at this moment in time. We all know just how fast time goes and how quick our little ones grow up; any of us will say that. Mrs Hartley will be leaving us at February half-term, with her final day in school with the children next Thursday and us as a statt on the Friday for INSET. Mrs Hartley has had an enormous impact on Our Ladys; she is a true master of her craft and a perfectionist; she will give 100% to everything. We will miss her deeply but with such a sense of pride at what she is going on to do. Her daughter is so lucky. I am sure that you will join us in wishing her the very best of luck for her future.

School closes for half term on Thursday 12th February at 3:30pm.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

January 30, 2026 Natalie Gregan

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Beatitudes are eight blessings spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–12) that describe the virtues of the kingdom of heaven, focusing on humility, mercy, and righteousness. They represent a reversal of worldly values, promising divine comfort and inheritance to those who are often marginalised members of society. Derived from the Latin word beatus, meaning "blessed" or "happy," they outline the spiritual qualities and character of those who belong to the Kingdom of God. As a Catholic school, this is our main mission - to support those who are the most vulnerable and to help where we can. All of our work on Catholic Social Teaching supports this as it focuses on putting faith into action by loving neighbors, protecting dignity, and caring for creation.

On Tuesday, our Year 2 children told a beautiful story which focused on Human Dignity, the story of two groups of people who didn’t see just how special they were - and competed instead of coming together.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Family Mass - Sunday 8th February

At the family mass on the 8th February, Father Peter and Deacon John have extended an invitation to any child in Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 who would like to be on the altar with them trying out the role of an altar server. If your child would be interested in this, please send me an email to express interest. I am seeing Father Peter on Wednesday to discuss the mass with him and to give out the readings. Please complete the form if your child wants to be involved in any aspect.

Celebrating our School

A couple of Wednesdays ago, I had the pleasure of talking a group of parents through the journey of our school over the last three years. I was a little nervous talking about what we had done, but I really didn’t need to be. I chose to talk about the three things that we had worked the hardest on; SEND, curriculum and environment, and what has had the most impact. All of the work in these areas are evident in our school and in the classrooms, but with them also comes challenges and room for more growth.

Please find attached a voice recording of the presentation.

Consultation on uniform and assembly

Parents’s Day

Parents’s Day is on Friday 13th February - either face to face or virtual. You again have the choice of what you would like to do and just need to sign up with your class teacher. Prior to the meeting with your child’s teacher, you will be emailed a mid-term report on your child with their attainment to date, attendance and learning behaviour that they are currently showing. After half-term, there will then be book looks for you to share and celebrate your child’s work.

Tuesday 24th February 9am: Year 5

Tuesday 24th February 2.30pm: Year 6

Wednesday 25th February: 9am: Year 3

Wednesday 25th February: 2:30pm: Year 4

Thursday 26th February: 9am: Year 2

Friday 27th February: 9am: Year 1

The National Year of Reading

Your child needs to come as their reader identity:

If they love comics - they can come as a comic character.
If they love animal books - an animal.
Non-fiction books about dinosaurs - a dinosaur!

The choice really is endless - but it is all about what they enjoy to read.

We are looking for some additional things for our library: comics, newspapers, magazines. Do you have these at home for children? Could they be donated to school?

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Online Safety

We have been working really closely with the Smartphone Free Campaign and next week I will be meeting Mr Marsden to discuss how this can continue at St Bedes. We are now also proudly displaying our banner at school.

Online Safety Newsletter

Office news

The office has been really busy this week as Mrs Nel has completed the school census and Catholic Census. Please can you visit Parent Pay and ensure that your accounts are settled. Thank you so much.

The school calendar for this term is up to date with assemblies, events and Easter liturgies.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 1 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%. Our school attendance is 96.9%

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 2nd February

Have a lovely weekend with your family and friends.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.“ Matthew 4:19

January 23, 2026 Natalie Gregan

I found this image this week and I think it is just stunning; it is now proudly displayed in the worship area as we look to this weekend’s gospel. On Monday morning I asked the children to close their eyes and picture someone who was a true disciple in their class. Someone who is faith-filled and hopeful, some who chooses kindness, someone who might not always get things right but always has the right intention -someone who they would follow. All week they have been studying this person and trying to seek their disciple qualities. "Fishers of Men" teaches that Jesus called disciples Simon, Andrew, James, and John to stop fishing for fish and instead help people follow Him, acting as "fishers of people" by spreading His love. This passage is important to the gospel because we see Jesus work a miracle and then teach his new disciples what their life will be like as fishers of men. The men were unable to catch any fish until Jesus came and they listened to him. Jesus then tells them that they will be fishers of men. Their ministry, like their fishing trip, will be completely dependent on Jesus’ will. We learn that Jesus called ordinary men to be His disciples and to do His work - just like me and you.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Family Mass - Sunday 8th February

Food bank donations for January - Rice and Pasta. The foodbank have seen a significant surge in demand at their food bank over the past few weeks, making it increasingly challenging to meet the needs of those who rely on their services. Let’s help where we can!

Celebrating our School

On Wednesday morning, I had the pleasure of talking a group of parents through the journey of our school over the last three years. I was a little nervous talking about what we had done, but I really didn’t need to be. I chose to talk about the three things that we had worked the hardest on; SEND, curriculum and environment, and what has had the most impact. All of the work in these areas are evident in our school and in the classrooms, but with them also comes challenges and room for more growth. I was going to attach the presentation today, but without context or narrative it might get lost in translation. I will do a voice over for it next week and pop it on the blog next Friday so I can talk you through it.

At the end of the presentation there was two things that we discussed as a group of parents, that I had already discussed with our children.

Uniform - the guidance now tells us that we can only have 3 branded items of uniform that is compulsory for all of our pupils. Currently, we have our school jumper & cardigan, which is the first item, and the school PE hoodie which is the second. Historically, the white badged polo was a piece of PE uniform, which we have now made non compulsory as a school polo shirt for every day uniform. However, following the uniform consultation last year and from conversations with both pupils and parents, a white polo for PE is not ideal and not sustainable in any way. Lots of parents last year spoke about them becoming increasingly dirty and having to be replaced more frequently. After conversations with other local heads and trying to create consistency, I have suggested a darker branded top for PE, a navy blue which would make up our third piece of compulsory uniform. I have shown pupils, parents and staff the options, and am awaiting some more. We will then move forward with making a decision. The price of this will also be considered in the final decision.
We are seeing an increase in jewellery, smart watches and bracelets of all kind come into school. Please can earrings be gold or silver studs only, no smart watches (just digital or analogue) and no bracelets. Thank you.
Assembly - I love assemblies and have chosen to add an additional one in at the start of the week. It is so important that we bookend our week together. We have looked at the length of Friday’s assembly and the content. Again, discussing with pupils, staff and students we have discussed whether weekly certificates are needed as all our pupils are so brilliant and whether we can think about them a little more differently. Parents love coming to assembly, but not everyone can and especially when they are text the night before. We have discussed celebrating the school learning each week and inviting parents throughout the year so that you are still part of the school culture and see it. Stars are very much loved. This idea will continue to evolve as well over the coming months and will be shared with you too.
Snacks at School - these have been a really big hit. We can see from the numbers each week just how much they have been appreciated. The parents this week spoke about keeping them all year around, and not just for the winter. There has been a decrease in the amount of rubbish in school too.

Parents’s Day

Tuesday 24th February 9am: Year 5

Tuesday 24th February 2.30pm: Year 6

Wednesday 25th February: 9am: Year 3

Wednesday 25th February: 2:30pm: Year 4

Thursday 26th February: 9am: Year 2

Friday 27th February: 9am: Year 1

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Office news

The office has been really busy this week as Mrs Nel has completed the school census and Catholic Census. Please can you visit Parent Pay and ensure that your accounts are settled. Thank you so much.

The school calendar for this term is up to date with assemblies, events and Easter liturgies.
We have had a glitch on the online form for reporting absences - all should be sorted now.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 3 for winning this week's attendance with 100%. Our school attendance is 96.9%

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 26th January

Have a lovely weekend with your family and friends.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." John 1:34

January 16, 2026 Natalie Gregan

We all have something really special within us, that can help us when we need it the most; the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this week’s Gospel, John the Baptist understands Jesus’s true identity - we too can be witnesses for Him in the world. On Tuesday, I spent the day popping in and out of classes, sharing all of the RE work that they have been doing. It was when I was in Year 4 that I saw just what this Gospel is all about. Jesus had many titles, but this week we have looked at what it meant to be called The Lamb of God.

God wants us to…

Know that John the Baptist was a witness to Jesus’ true identity which was revealed to him at Jesus’ Baptism.
Recognise that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lamb of God.
Understand that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we too can get to know Jesus and recognise Him as God.
Choose to be witnesses for Him in the world through our way of life.

As we slowly start our journey towards Easter, we begin to look at Jesus’s ministry more closely. In next week’s Gospel, we are told of the story of Jesus recruiting his disciples as fishers of men. I wonder how we can be disciples of faith this week?

Loving Learning

Spring term really is a term for growth and after having a few months getting to know the routines of their new class, the children really fly. I have had many conversations with the teachers this week where their class have done just that; they have really got their heads down and are making lots of progress with their work because they know the expectations and have built upon the knowledge that they have already amassed. Over the next few weeks, the teachers will be completing mid-year reports on your child which will be emailed in the final week of this half term. These can then be discussed with your child’s teacher on Parents Day - Friday 13th February. Again, these will be available as face-to-face or virtual. Appointments will be available to be made from next Friday.

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Our School Journey

On Wednesday 21st January, there will be a coffee morning in school with me from 9am. I have now been head teacher for three years - time has really flown - and so much has happened in that time; but there is still so much more to come. This is an opportunity to come and listen to me talk about our journey, to see what is coming, find out about the challenges we are facing, the support we have sought along the way and to ask any questions that you may have too - we are constantly learning. I have some things to run by you and to get your opinion on as well. You all know me and how much I love a chat! If you can complete the form below letting me know if you are able to come, that would be great. I might do a spot of baking too!

Coffee Morning with Mrs Gregan

Today I met with our Student Council - our first meeting since Christmas. It is always such a positive experience and quite often, they give me much more to think about than what I had initially thought. There was numerous topics up for discussion:

Friday assembly - does it need tweaking for more impact? Do we need certificates and to celebrate attendance? How should learning points be collated and celebrated?
Uniform - with the new DFE guidance, each school is allowed 3 branded pieces as part of compulsory uniform. What should our 3 pieces be?
Snacks - the winter snacks are proving a really big hit in school and as such, our wrappers have been reduced. However, there is still some that need to be removed. The student council have asked me to remind you that we are a wrapper free school and as such snacks should be in reusable containers.

Sporting events

On Wednesday afternoon, our Year 5 & 6 Athletics team headed to Stanley Park to compete in the Fylde Schools Indoor Athletics Competition. This event is always a good one and filled with excitement and drama. Every child can compete across the track and field, ensuring that they run as fast as they can, jump as high and as far as they can, throw over significant distances and speed bounce like there is no tomorrow. It is always hard to track just where you might place, and in a field of 9 schools - that can be hard. Unbelievably, the team took away 3rd place - a bronze finish and we could not be prouder. Each and every one of them cheered every child and school on, celebrated and were wonderful ambassadors for our school. There enthusiasm was infectious. We are so very proud of them all! Enjoy this little montage that I have put together; it captures only a little bit of the afternoon.

Office news

The office has been really busy this week with the close of the Primary School Application window. Thank you to everyone who has returned their supplementary forms. Everything has now been collated for LCC so that they can rank accordingly and let us know our intake list for September 2026.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 3 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%. Our school attendance is 97.6%.

Winter Warmer Snack Booking Form

Here is the winter warmer snack booking form for next week with sausage sandwiches for Thursday! Please book before 8am on Monday. A reminder text has been scheduled for Monday at 7.20am.

Morning snack order form - 19th January

Have a lovely weekend with your family and friends.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

January 9, 2026 Natalie Gregan

The icy conditions may have altered our celebrations of the Epiphany in church, but they did not alter our celebration of the feast here in school. On Monday we gathered together to look at what the word Epiphany meant and how the pilgrimage of the wise men was such a special one. The three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar followed the star of God's Son who became human two thousand and twenty-six years ago. As with the intention of Bishop Paul, we have reflected ways in which we can bring the light of Christ into our new year.

The Jubilee Year has also concluded this week on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. As the Holy Doors shut, we turn to the Magi – the original pilgrims of hope – to guide us in reflecting on all that God has done in the year. The Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and the weeks following. We gather to ask for God's blessing on our homes and schools and those who visit them. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows. The following letters have been placed above the main entrance 20+C+M+B+26. The letters C, M, B have two meanings - they are the initials of the three Magi, they also abbreviate the Latin 'May Christ bless this place' + represents the cross and 2026 is the year. See if you can spot it when you come into school.

Today in assembly, we have talked about our new virtues: being Eloquent and Truthful. This means that we can speak clearly, and with thought first and being truthful with what we say. The story of Zacchaeus was used to highlight the importance of change and our own narrative. We cannot write anyone else’s story - only our own and what we speak is testament to this.

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Our School Journey

On Wednesday 21st January, there will be a coffee morning in school with me from 9am. I have now been head teacher for three years - time has really flown - and so much has happened in that time; but there is still so much more to come. This is an opportunity to come and listen to me talk about our journey, to see what is coming and to ask any questions that you may have too. I have some things to run by you and to get your opinion on as well. You all know me and how much I love a chat! If you can complete the form below letting me know if you are able to come, that would be great. I might do a spot of baking too!

Coffee Morning with Mrs Gregan

Sporting events

Next Wednesday, our Year 5 & 6 Athletics team will be competing at the indoor athletics comp v other schools in our cluster. It is always such a wonderful afternoon - we wish the team the very best of luck! Our dance team are also busy preparing their dance for the Dance Competition at Blackpool Tower Ballroom in February. The team made up of our fabulous boys and girls from Year 4, 5 & 6 are being supported by Mrs Harrison as they choreograph their dance. They are fabulous role models for our children across the school. We cannot wait to see what they produce in a few weeks.

Online Safety and Smartphone Free Childhood Campaign

Invitation to the next Smartphone Free Childhood event.

Date: Wednesday 14th January

Timings: Arrival 5:45pm; Presentation will start at 6pm & end at 7pm
Venue: Lytham Hall Park Primary School, South Park, FY8 4QU

Office news

Next Thursday sees the admission window for September 2026 placements close. Please remember that alongside any supplementary forms, we also need copies of baptismal forms too. Don’t leave it until the last minute - apply sooner rather than later.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 1 for winning this week's attendance with 99.1%. Our school attendance is 96.4%.

The winter warmer snacks have gone down really well this week in the cold weather - they continue to be really popular and an easy snack for parents. I think we were slightly out of practise this week with snacks as we were inundated with phone calls on Monday morning. Please can you ensure that these are booked before 8am via the online form so that the order can take place and the snacks made on time. Thank you so much for your help!

Morning snack order form - 12th January

Finally, we had some wonderful news over half term as Mr Cornwell became a daddy on New Year’s eve to a beautiful baby girl, Emilia Jean Cornwell. New Years Eve is infact Mr Cornwell’s birthday too. We have sent lots of love to the new family and cannot wait to see them all. I know they will be in your thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

January 3, 2026 Natalie Gregan

In the recent letter from Bishop Paul that was read out at mass last weekend, we heard the message, “Be slow to part with Christmas.” If your house is anything like mine, then the Christmas tree has dropped his needles, the lights that have been hung up and have started to droop and there are still far too many Christmas treats still in the kitchen. We can be forgiven to urge Christmas away - but there is still so much more to come. On Tuesday we will be walking to church to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany; the day in which the three wise men arrive at the stable in Bethlehem. "Epiphany" comes from a Greek word meaning "to reveal" or "manifestation," signifying Jesus's revelation as Saviour to all people, not just Jews.

Our children are all so respectful at Mass and understand the importance of being reverent and respectful; this comes from a whole-family approach. We would love as many people as possible to join us for Mass on Tuesday and walk with us to church to support our children. If you are able to, please join us at school at 9am.

The term ahead…

New Phone Logistics - for those children who walk home in Year 5 & 6, and therefore may be bringing a phone into school, these will now no longer be kept in the classroom by their class teacher; they will be kept in the school office. Before your child comes into school with their phone, it must be dropped at the office first via the front door to the school - they can then enter the gates to their classrooms. This way, there will be no phones coming through school with a child. At the end of the day, they will then return to the school office via the front door to collect their phone. We will be moving next year to a smart phone free school from September 2026.
On Wednesday 21st January, there will be a coffee morning with me in school where we can talk all things school and learning and I can share with you the things that we have been working on and the direction that we are moving in next. I will be putting a form out next week so I can work out numbers and then logistics for the morning. I do hope that you can join me.
Don’t forget to book a place for All Stars for this term if you haven’t already done so.
Please also book your Winter Warmer snacks for the week ahead.

All Stars booking form for Spring

Winter warmer snack booking form - 5th January

Extra Curricular clubs will go live tomorrow to book on for this half term. Fencing will replace archery. Please make sure that you check the dates for these as they start on different weeks. I will text to let you know when the links are open for booking. The Year 5 & 6 indoor athletics competition takes place a week on Wednesday. We will be selecting the team this week with training still taking place on a Wednesday morning. Lots to look forward to this term.

We are looking forward to welcoming the children back to school on Monday morning at 8.45am - hopefully it isn’t too cold out there on the gate. We hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas together.

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us)."

December 19, 2025 Natalie Gregan

Christmas invites us to pause and reflect on the great gift of hope that lies at the heart of our faith. In the humble birth of Christ, we are reminded that God enters our world quietly, bringing light into darkness and peace into uncertainty. This message of hope and love is one that resonates strongly with our vocation as educators, called to serve in line with our core values of Trust, Respect, Faith, Hope and Service. As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity, I pray that this Christmas brings you rest, renewal and time with those you love. May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts and homes, and may we return in the New Year refreshed and strengthened to continue our mission together. We cannot thank you enough for joining us this Advent to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together. Each week in December has brought us closer to the stable with each and every nativity. On Tuesday, our KS2 children brought it to a close as they shared prayer, scripture and song. It was the perfect way to bring everything to a close. Father Peter was deeply touched by the event and I know that it would have given him renewed strength as he continues to get well. Our travelling nativites too have made their way around our school. We hope that they have given you the opportunity to pause this Christmas time.

The joy of Christmas certainly came this week as we enjoyed Christmas parties, Christmas Dinners and Christmas films. The kitchen staff completed the enormous order of getting everything ready for Christmas dinner with nearly 200 orders in this year! It was a mammoth but welcomed task and enjoyed by each one of us. Then the parties hit - from fun and games, dancing and giggles to a visit for our KS1 children from Santa. We loved every minute of it.

This year we introduced a whole key stage film afternoon which went down really well. I thought I had chosen well and always cater for the youngest children in the room. Our EYFS and KS1 film was about a young reindeer who was learning to fly, but to do that, he had to find his dad in the North Pole who was one of Santa’s reindeers and learn his magic. It was a U and classed as family film with comedy - the perfect choice until the small reindeer was chased by a pack of wolves that were not that nice! I have never run so fast in my life to prevent tears and children being scared! A quick fast forward and we were back on track!

Operatic Societies Christmas Carol and songs singalong on the 19th December in the Parish Centre. It's a great festive fun occasion for all the family. It's free!

The bar is open and feel free to bring along some festive snacks and really get into the spirit.

Singing is led by the Op Soc but everybody is encouraged to join in this festive night that really kicks off the Christmas season. Singing starts 7.45pm but come early to get your seats as its usually well attended.

The Staff Panto - From St Annes to Agrabah

The team of people that work in our school go above and beyond every single day. We may not always get things right, but what we do is always come from a place of love and from a place where each child is given the opportunity to thrive and fly. The staff panto is testament to this group - and oh what fun we had! They look forward to this every year and go out of their way to ensure they look their best for the occasion. I think the group dance at the end to Golden was a winner this year with every child on their feet.

On behalf of them all, thank you all for your generosity this Christmas. We are truly blessed to work with such a dedicated group of humans.

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

All Stars

Thank you to everyone who has completed the booking form for All Stars for Spring term. You will have noticed that there is a new doorbell and a new light been installed for All Stars. This is attached to a different gate - the small gate off the car park. This will be the new drop off and collection point. There will never be a car parked in that space, but as it is a car park - the children will need to be supervised at all times.

All Stars booking form for Spring

Whole School Attendance

This is our termly attendance. Well done to Year 5, Year 1 and Year 3 who were our top attending classes. Our whole school termly attendance is 96.9%.

At various times in our year, different staff members come and go. This week we have welcomed Mrs Carragher back after her maternity leave. She will be working in Year 4 alongside Mrs Lyons. I have also interviewed for a welfare assistant and TA. I am pleased to say that after Christmas Miss Geraghty will be joining us as welfare assistant and Mr Nay as a member of staff. For many years, we have bought Mr Nay in as our sports coach; but he is now officially one of us! He will be working with us on a Monday and a Wednesday in official capacity. Today we have said a small goodbye to Miss Slater. She has secured a job working in alternative provision and helping children who need her support. We are so proud of her! She will continue to be part of our All Stars team - so we are not fully saying goodbye!

We wish you all a very merry and holy Christmas

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

December 12, 2025 Natalie Gregan

Our school is the same as every house this Advent, quietly being decorated ready for the coming of Christmas in a few weeks time. For those of you who have been in school for our nativities, you will have seen the beautifully lit Christmas tree in the corner; but you will not have seen the prayer stations that are dotted around the school. Each class has been responsible for part of our prayer pilgrimage, each representing part of the nativity story. Over the last week, the children will be completing the pilgrimage with their partner class, taking a moment of quiet reflection when they pause. At the front of the hall is our giant Advent wreath. Each one of the hand prints is by each of our children with their promise for Advent written on them - as we make pledges in our Year of Hope - we too make a pledge at Advent. Our Mini-Vinnies continue to inspire and promote kindness in our school. This year they have made a kindness calendar with 24 ways in which we can be kind to one another this Christmas time.

“What am I going to be? In this year’s Nativity?”

Stars…that is what our KS1 children are. All stars! I have never seen a nativity like it, and I don’t think I will see one again. This was spectacular in every sense of the word. There is a magic about being in a primary school during Christmas time and so many memories to be made. It is certainly times like this one that I miss being a class teacher - and classes like these two as well. Our Year 1 and 2 children rose to every challenge and produced the most heart warming of plays. Just like our donkey told us, it was full of sunshine and happiness. Whether the child was a tree, an angel or a king - the part didn’t matter - the storytelling did. The children worked so hard as one big team and I could not be prouder of them all.

Next Tuesday we will complete our journey to the stable in church with our KS2 children. For the first performance, we will be walking down to church at 1.30pm for a 2pm start. If you are able to walk with us, please join us at school first. Then we will gather at night time for the evening performance in the darkness of the church. All KS2 children need to arrive at church, in full school uniform, after 5:40pm on Tuesday, for a 6pm start. The doors will only be open at this time so please wait patiently outside and in a calm manner.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Bake Off

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Christmassy Bake Off this year! We have been inundated with bakes and cakes, biscuits and treats - and they have been delightful! Judging has been very hard this year! Appearance, taste, texture and Christmas fun was all taken into account when deciding. Boxed up cake was for sale after school and all donations will support our school. So far over £730 has been raised! Thank you all for your generous donations.

Guess the name of the elf…don’t forget we still have names left. £1 a go!

Star Virtue and Learners of the Week

Online Safety and Smartphone Free Childhood Campaign

Online Safety Newsletter - december

A few weeks ago, I spoke about the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign; a national campaign by where we are trying to delay the age that a child receives a smart phone and the age that a child accesses social media. I have had so many positive conversations with parents around this and the pressure that they feel from their children as a result of their peers. Austrailia has been in the news this week with their monumental decision to ban social media until a child is at least 16. It is incredibly current and on the run up to Christmas, I can imagine that a smartphone will feature on a child’s Christmas list.

As a team of Local Heads, this is something that we are really passionate about and we want to create healthy habits for our young people as they leave us and move to high school. We are also working with St Bedes and LSA on this campaign. We have therefore discussed streamlining our approaches and moving towards being smartphone free schools. Some schools are already there and no phones are allowed for their young people - we will be moving towards this point eventually. Walking home with a phone is making a child more vulnerable not less. Following the meeting with Local Heads, this was then discussed with our Governing Board as part of our safeguarding strategy and a new policy was determined.

New routine for after Christmas…

After Christmas, for those children who walk home in Year 5 & 6, and therefore may be bringing a phone into school, these will now no longer be kept in the classroom by their class teacher; they will be kept in the school office. Before your child comes into school with their phone, it must be dropped at the office first via the front door to the school - they can then enter the gates to their classrooms. This way, there will be no phones coming through school with a child. At the end of the day, they will then return to the school office via the front door to collect their phone. New phone letters will be sent home next week with this policy included so everyone is aware and we can start the new year correctly. We will be moving next year to a smart phone free school from September 2026.

School Office News

Our raffle is ready to be drawn on Wednesday, and below you will find the extensive list of prizes to be won!
There is no ALL STARS next Friday as we finish for Christmas at 2pm.
Can everybody who needs an ALL STAR place for Spring now rebook on the form below.

All Stars booking form for Spring

List of Raffle Prizes

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 5 for winning this week's attendance with 97.3%. Our school attendance is 95.6%

Lunches for next week…

As we come to the end of the term, the kitchen needs to make sure that everything is used ready to start a fresh in the New Year. We have therefore tweaked lunches for next week to use what we have.

Monday - Brunch or Pasta

Tuesday - Beef Chilli Taco or Jacket Potato

Wednesday - CHRISTMAS DINNER

Thursday - Sausages & wedges or Jacket Potato

Friday - Fish Fingers or Pizza

Don’t forget to order snacks for next week - bacon butties are available on Thursday!

Morning snack order form - 15th December

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend with your family.

God bless you all

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"For unto us a Child is born."

December 5, 2025 Natalie Gregan

There are so many moments of magic in primary school life, and this week stands firmly at the top of them all. Our youngest children took to the stage this week to share the most special story of Jesus’ nativity. It never ceases to amaze me that children who are so small, tell this story with such confidence. It was pure joy! Next week, our KS1 carry on the story. We cannot wait to see just what they do. The story of Jesus’s birth is the same whereever it is told, but it can be told in so many ways. Today, with the help of Freddie the donkey, we transported Mary and Joseph to our stable in Bethlehem. I cannot think of a more special memory - it was so lovely. With the help of our Reception cast and our Year 6 readers, we reflected on the scripture from Isaiah. Thank you to everyon who came to join in with us and to see our very own Mary and Joseph being led to their stable for Jesus.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Family Mass and Christmas Fair

On Sunday, we will be gathering in church for our second family mass of the year. We are really hoping that Father Peter will be with us too. The children who are reading have what they are going to say and I have text the offertory and choir. We have kept the choir to Year 1 and above so the littlest of ones can sing loudly from their pew. After mass is the Parish Christmas fair - we really hope that you will be able to join us. I am hoping that I can gather the children who are there for an impromtu sing song as a little Our Lady’s choir! If you can support, please do!

Laudato Si

Here at Our Ladys, we are determined to continue to work of Pope Francis to care for our Common Home. Using the money we received from a grant, Year 5 planted the mini Christmas trees that we bought. This will now separate Forest School from the playing field and also section off the canopy area. We love them already and can see the difference that it will make. The Year 5 class were wonderful and worked incredibly hard. Some of the trees even have names!

Bake Off

On Friday, it is the return of the Great Our Lady Bake Off and we need entries in each classrooms. Here is the key info for the day:

Children can enter individually or as a family. It is £3 per entry and you can bake anything as long as it is CHRISTMASSY! Judging will take place in each classrooms. Please do get involved and bake if you can. There is just one request - NO NUTs to be used in any bake.
If you do not want to bake but want to have some cake, then it is £1 for the cake sale on the day and £1 to wear a Christmas jumper.
The maximum amount is £5 per child.

Please do support this fundraiser for school and contribute to the baking competition.

Guess the name of the elf…

£1 a go will be available after school each night next week. Run by our children - what do you think his name will be?

Names can be chosen in the school office and hopefully outside if the weather is dry enough.

Pottery Design

What fun was had last night with our annual pottery painting! I could see lots of creations being made and great time and care spent on them. Thank you to everyone who came and supported. We have raised over £400 for school and your decorations should be back towards the end of next week or early the week after. Mrs Naylor is already planning an Easter pottery paint.

School Office News

Parent Pay accounts have been updated for you to settle.
We are in need of raffle prizes for our Christmas Raffle. Please send donations to the school office. Last year’s raffle was wonderful - let’s keep it up! Thank you for the incredible donations of chocolate and bottles from our last two own clothes days. Today over 50 hampers have been created which will be added to the raffle prizes. Next week I will share our prize list so you know what can be won on Wednesday 18th December.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 5 for winning this week's attendance with 99.7%. Our school attendance is 96.6%.%

Christmas Dinner Order Form

Lunch Menu autumn winter

Morning snack order form - 7th December

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Wednesday Word

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

November 28, 2025 Natalie Gregan

Our travelling nativity sets are busy making their way around every home as we start our preparations for Advent and the birth of Jesus this Christmas. Each nativity set have been considered and loved in lots of different ways; with stories also being shared. This Sunday sees the first Sunday of Advent with the theme of HOPE. In this Jubilee Year - how can we all be Pilgrims of Hope this Christmas time. Next week, our nativities start in school. Our EYFS children always start our journey to the stable; it really will be magical. Tickets for Wednesday’s performance has sold out, but there are still a few left for Thursday. Please can I ask that no drinks are brought into the hall when you come and watch, and the distractions for the children are minimal. They have worked so hard for this, we want them to be able to deliver their special performance with pride.

Next Friday morning is our walking nativity at school. We are aiming to start at 9:30am and create a line of children to mark the path to the chapel where a stable scene will be set up. We will sing as Mary and Joseph make their way to the stable and then meet together there for prayers and scripture reflections. We really hope that you can join us for this very special event - please pray for dry weather!

Thank you everyone who has completed the form for the Family Mass next Sunday. Some of you will have seen that Father Peter has come back to mass and concelebrated mass last Sunday. Let’s fill the church next Sunday and really welcome him back to mass. There is a Christmas Fair afterwards in the Parish Centre - I am going to see which children are there and maybe we can sing a few carols whist there.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Family Mass - Sunday 7th December

Faith Friends

Over the past year, we have had a visit to school from Faith Friends; friends from a different faith who have come to share their faith with us. On Tuesday our Nursery, Reception, Year 3 and Year 6 children learnt all about celebrations. In particular they looked at Hanukah. The children were shown the candles and they discussed the miracle of the oil. She showed them the drindles that they play and the four sides on them - telling them they would get lots of presents on Christmas Day. The Jewish children felt they missed out so the Rabbi decided that Hanukah would be their day of celebration. As a school, we have really enjoyed learning about the Jewish faith - I wonder which faith we will choose next.

Christmas is coming…

Thank you to everyone for the chocolate donations yesterday for own clothes. Everything that we collect will be made into hampers that you can win at our Christmas Raffle. Next Thursday it is own clothes day and bring a bottle - this can be any kind of bottle!

Don’t forget to book a place at our pottery event next Thursday evening. It is a parent and child event to decorate a Christmas decoration for the tree. The pottery will be taken away and fired ready for you to hang on your tree this Christmas. The booking will close on Tuesday for this.

The Bake Off is fast approaching too - what are you going to bake this year?

Guess the name of the elf…

£1 a go will be available after school each night next week. Run by our children - what do you think his name will be?

Christmas Pottery Booking Form

Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

School Office News

Parent Pay accounts have been updated for you to settle.
We are in need of raffle prizes for our Christmas Raffle. Please send donations to the school office. Last year’s raffle was wonderful - let’s keep it up!
We are in need of a catering assistant in school. LCC have advertised the job which can be found by clicking the button below.

Catering assistant position

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 1 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%. Our school attendance is 96.6%.%

Lunch Menu autumn winter

Morning snack order form - 1st December

Enjoy your weekend in the preparation for Advent and the joy that is coming.

Wednesday Word

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

November 21, 2025 Natalie Gregan

As someone who has been part of Catholic education and part of the faith since I was born, I understand the importance of sacramental journeys; and they are so special. On Tuesday evening, after weeks of preparation, a group of 38 young people made their confirmation alongside Bishop Paul. It was very special as one by one, each child accompanied by their sponsor made their way to the front to be presented. Bishop Paul spoke with passion during his homily and what he said has resonated with me throughout the week. Our children don’t always need someone to speak for them, or act on their behalf; they need people to be present in their lives and to simply stand by them. Thank you to all of our families for standing by our children, even when it is tricky, and for being a constant in their lives.

In addition to the receiving of the sacrament, another special moment occurred. Father Peter was part of the service for the first time since his diagnosis. Father Peter presented each of the candidates to Bishop Paul and spoke of his pride with the number of candidates there. Here is hoping that we start to see more and more of him in the coming weeks as he continues his recovery - we have sure missed him!

On Sunday 7th December, we will have our next family mass. This is the second Sunday of Advent so it will be special to spend time together. Following the mass, there is a Christmas Fair taking place at the Parish Centre, which we hope you will be able to attend. There is a section on the form for the fair as it would be lovely to have some of our children singing lovely Christmas carols there.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

Family Mass - Sunday 7th December

Christmas is coming…

We are hurtling at the speed of knots towards Christmas, and it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement it brings. Advent is my favourite time as we prepare and come together in lots of different ways. The nativities that we will see and the carol concerts that we will hear will, I am sure, enable us all to stop and reflect a little more.

This is also a period of fun and enjoyment and we are very good at that too. Next Thursday, the children are invited to come into school in their own clothes, but they must bring some chocolate with them that can be added to our raffle hampers. The following week it will be a bottle - any bottle (ketchup, bubble bath, alcohol) the choice is yours. All of these goodies will be collated for the hampers which can be won in the raffle. Thank you so much for the prizes we have received already; Stringers Voucher, Avanti Train Voucher, Beaverbrooks Necklace, Christmas tree and skirt, hair vouchers - please keep them coming in.

Pottery Night - last year we held our first pottery event in school and it is back again on Thursday 4th December. Please do come along after school ready to paint a decoration for your Christmas Tree. Decorations and paint will be provided, as well as refreshments. Please complete the booking form below with the people who are coming and support our fundraiser for school. Each person’s ticket will be £10 which includes the tree decoration and refreshments.

Finally, on the subject of Christmas…the magic of Father Christmas is something that we want to capture and hang onto for as long as we live. Being in a primary school, you cannot help but tobe immersed in this magic - it is the best part of what we do. However, we are increasingly hearing conversations amongst our children that this magic does not exist and rumours are being spread about his existence. Of course, we all know that this isn’t true and we want our children to know this magic and to believe. If conversations have been had at home, they need to stay at home and not come into school. Nobody wants this magic to be questioned. We absolutely need your support with this.

Christmas Pottery Booking Form

All about Learning

This week, I devoted a whole day to walking the school and talking to children. I had THE BEST day. We have worked so hard over the last few years on our curriculum, on what excellence looks like and how we need to have the highest expectations for all of our pupils and our behaviour and relationship consistency. I was so incredibly proud to see this in action, to see the growth in all of the staff and to see our children shining so very brightly. As part of my walking and talking, I spent some time talking to pupils from nursery through to Year 6 about their lived experience in school. I laughed so much and smiled from ear to ear; the stories they told me and the answers to my questions were golden. They love our school, they feel safe here and they know how hard we are all working to make sure that this happens - adults and children. There has been a really strong focus on staff CPD and coaching over the past number of years. We have created a programme of support for teachers that result in team teaching and coaching, as well as experiencing other year groups too and learning from colleagues in there. Miss Woodend is currently working alongside Miss Drummond in Reception, and Mrs Marshall now supporting in KS2. These will change throughout the year. It gives teachers the opportunity to see learning beyond their year groups and share knowledge. Children also get the opportunity to work with a wide range of adults which enhance relationships further.

Please don’t forget the Parent Coffee Morning on Wednesday 21st January where I will talk you through the work that we have put in place and where we are going next. The educational landscape changes so rapidly, it is about keeping that finger on that button and seeing how it evolves whilst making some really careful decisions for our community. I hope you can join me.

Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

Laudato Si - our Common Home mission

As part of our mission to become more sustainable and look after our common home, our Eco Councillors have come up with a plan to ensure we are doing what we need to. From litter picking, to parking around school and ensuring that engines are turned off, to better education on recycling - they really understand what we need to do. This week our boilers were fired up and in line with our sustainability plan, they were turned down a few degrees. We also welcomed Lancashire Recycling Team to talk to Year 4, 5 & 6 about how better to recycle and what can be recycled. We brought in our no wrapper rule for a reason - and that stands. Please ensure that children do not bring wrapped snacks into school. Thank you so much!

“Remember, no wrapped snacks to be brought into school. Please use reusable snack pots and recycle at home.”

We have also been looking at ways in which we can protect our Forest School environment and canopy area; making it more of a cosy and protected area. There are lots of grants out there and we have been lucky enough to secure £500 to support biodiversity from the Ernest Trust. We have also worked with Asda community champion who has helped us buy 57 evergreen trees with the money to plan along the edge of the field and around the canopy area. Over the next few weeks, we will get these in place with the help of our Year 5 children and eco-council. Thank you to Mrs Tierney for her continued work to develop our Forest School - she so passionate about it. She is has launched an Instagram Page for it that showcases the environment and what activities take place there. This will help us to become more visible in the community and also help us secure funding with the wonderful work we are doing. The children are not involved in any posts - just the beautiful place we have created. Search ourladysforestschool to see for yourself - you may see our wildlife camera too!

School Office News

Parent Pay accounts have been updated for you to settle.
We are in need of raffle prizes for our Christmas Raffle. Please send donations to the school office. Last year’s raffle was wonderful - let’s keep it up!
The text messaging system has been updated this week and as a result we have had issues with the syncing of contacts from one system to another. Please bear with us as we continue to solve this. Please share any text messages you get just incase people are not receiving them in your class. We are getting there and the company have assured us that this is being resolved.
We are in need of a catering assistant in school. LCC have advertised the job which can be found by clicking the button below.

Catering assistant position

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 4 for winning this week's attendance with 99.7%. Our school attendance is 96.6%.%

Sausage barms were a winner this week and went down really well! It will be bacon barms next month. Don’t forget to order next week’s snacks by by 8am on Monday.

Lunch Menu autumn winter

Morning snack order form - 24th November

Finally, we are incredibly proud of the achievements of our children beyond school and our PROUD CLOUD is testament to this. Each week we see the swimming, judo, sporting and musical achievements of our children. If your children has achieved something, please do share it with us. We have seen Barnaby excel in Judo - a multi medalist at competitions. Oscar has joined a club wanting to be a goalkeeper - we are so proud of him. A huge shout out to our Joseph in Year 6 who will be starring in Nativity at The Grand Theatre next week. After months and months of rehearsals, Joseph and his parents will take to the stage. We are always proud of our pupils and what they go on and achieve beyond school. Well done Joseph! You also may be aware that I am an England Netball Umpire, who is also able to officiate internationally. Not quite Commonwealth Games level but not too far off. After Christmas my weekends will be spent touring the country officiating the Super League. Towards the end of next week I will be heading to Glasgow to officiate for World Netball at an International Tournament, The Celtic Cup. Luce will be coming with me - as well as my coat as it will be cold - luckily for me the matches are inside. I am looking forward to telling the children all about it and showing them what I have been up to.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"

November 14, 2025 Natalie Gregan

Remembrance Day gives us the opportunity to stop and pause - to remember. In the demands of life, this can be difficult, but it is so important. On Tuesday, after walking to Ashton Gardens from school, our Year 6 children joined the many service men and women, as well as children from other schools to take part in the act of remembrance. Despite this being a really solemn moment in time, there was so much hope shared in all of the children present. Back at school, it was then special to spend some time with our youngest children listening to their understanding of remembrance. Having written messages on their crosses, they then took them over to the chapel to be placed in the ground there; creating their own remembrance garden. A beautifully moving day.

Prayer and Liturgy in School

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"

In Monday’s liturgy we spoke about the temple being destroyed by Jesus who had been frustrated about how the temple was being used. We used this Gospel to talk about life in school and what the Our Lady Way looks like. There are certain rules in school that we must follow in order to keep everyone safe and our ethic of excellence alive and living. These are the things that we spoke about:

Uniform standards to remain high. In particular our PE kit and shorts. Some of the shorts creeping into school for our girls are becoming shorter and shorter. Please can these be looked at so they remain just above the knee.
Walking in and around school. As the children come into school each morning, enter the school building, walk through the hall at any time during the school day; we must always be walking to ensure we are safe and others are at all times.
Toilet trips during the school day. We have carefully crafted the school day to give adaquate time to the children in order to go to the toilet during break and lunch times. Please can we ask that the children come into school having been to the toilet before they arrive, we will then monitor usage during the day and encourage the children to go at break times. We are trying to minimise lesson disruption as much as possible for the best learning to take place for all children. We are aware of medical needs and these are always supported; we are also aware when children just want a 5 minute lesson out and a toilet trip seems like the best way. We know our children really well which always helps in these situations.

We need your support to keep pushing the message of excellence in all we do. Thank you to you all because we really cannot do this by ourselves.

I love my job, despite it being so very challenging and requiring a lot of head space, it really is the best job in the world. Last night I had the honour of being invited to St Bedes to celebrate their Year 11 class of 2025. This was extra special for me as this was my class that I never got to say goodbye to as they left as the pandemic hit. Through the many smiles and the tears last night, I watched these wonderful young men and women receive their GCSE certificates, with many receiving special accolades for individual subjects. My proudest moment was Nathan receiving the Paul Fiddler award for Sports - the first recipient. Many of you will remember the story of the man from Freckleton who lost his life in the storm last year when a tree crushed his van at Hutton. Paul was a friend of mine from St Bedes and Newman, so for Nathan to receive this award, I was beyond proud.

All about Learning

There is so much wonderful learning taking place in our school. We have spent a lot of time getting our curriculum offer right, but we also know that there is more work to be done. The educational wheel constantly moves, and we need to ensure that we are on board with it. Next week, I have dedicated some time to being in classes, to seeing what our children are achieving and to celebrating what we are doing, whilst making plans for how we move forward further. In the Spring term, on Wednesday 21st January, there will be a coffee morning with me in school where we can talk all things school and learning and I can share with you the things that we have been working on and the direction that we are moving in next. There will be an opportunity to tour the school with me and see learning in action too. We have spent a lot of time working on our curriculum pages on the website, in particular the HRSE and RE pages. HRSE is a complex, statutory curriculum which is delivered through Ten Ten and myHappymind.

HRSE Wesbite

The above button takes you to the HRSE curriculum overviews, Ten Ten and Parental Portal where you can see what your children will be learning. As the children move up the school, into our Upper Juniors, learning can become more complex and detailed so it is well worth a look to keep you informed and enable you to have conversations at home. All of the login details for you to access this are on the webpage.

Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues

School Office News

Parent Pay accounts have been updated for you to settle.
We are in need of raffle prizes for our Christmas Raffle. Please send donations to the school office. Last year’s raffle was wonderful - let’s keep it up!
The text messaging system has been updated this week and as a result we have had issues with the syncing of contacts from one system to another. Please bear with us as we continue to solve this. Please share any text messages you get just incase people are not receiving them in your class.
PJ Day for Brian House on Monday. Children to wear pjs, trainers, bring £1 and a suitable sized teddy (nothing too extreme).
B Team Football tournament on Friday for our 2 teams at Poolfoot Farm. Please collect your child at 12 midday.
We are in need of a catering assistant in school. LCC have advertised the job which can be found by clicking the button below.

Catering assistant position

Attendance Matters

We all know the drive to improve school attendance in the recent years from the government and what this has meant for schools. We have become much tighter with what can and what cannot be authorised and are now having to report everything to the DFE. As a result of this data, we have received a report highlighting trends in attendance, but recognising that we are in the top % nationally. Yay us! And that we are back to pre-pandemic attendance levels. This is wonderful and shows that what we have put in place is working. That the messages that we are sharing are working. And that we are all on the same page. One thing that was highlighted was that when our attendance does dip, this seems to be on a Monday. This is something that we can monitor going forward. Over the next few weeks, I will be writing attendance letters for those children who are currently not meeting expected levels.

Whole School Attendance

Well done to Year 5 for winning this week's attendance with 99.3%. Our school attendance is 98.3%

Sausage barms appear on the winter snack menu on Thursday this week. This will be on the 3rd Thursday each month. Don’t forget to order by 8am on Monday.

Lunch Menu autumn winter

Morning snack order form - 17th November

Smartphone Free Childhood

Smartphones have fundamentally reshaped childhood. Not because this is what any of us want for our kids. Just because, until now, choosing another path has felt impossible.

That’s why this movement exists. Not to judge or divide, but to stand together.

To say: maybe this isn’t inevitable. Maybe we can pause. Maybe if we work together we can reset – and give our kids something better.

Earlier this week, a meeting was held locally that introduced and shared the idea of a Smartphone Free Childhood. This is a national campaign with the focus on ensuring that our children live both smart phone and social media free for as long as possible. This is something that I am passionate about and that other local heads are too. I know that some of our parents went to the event and have spoken about the power of the collective messages. When we meet as local heads in two weeks, we will be discussing this and how having parent champions in school would be amazing. I know Mrs Barrow and Mrs Kennedy are already thinking about this here at our school. Please do click on the button below to read all about it and how you can get involved. There is a local Whatsapp group to be involved in to hear more and to gain more support. Once we have a plan, we will share it with you.

Smartphone Free Childhood

Finally, our school photographer has been into school recently to take some photos of school life. There are so many wonderful photos to choose from and he will be coming back to get some more of classroom life in particular. Here are some to make you smile.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend

Mrs Gregan

Wednesday Word