Welcome back to the new academic year - we are really excited to have all of our school family back together; the school doesn’t feel the same without it being full. We are excited about getting to know the children in our classes, excited about the learning opportunities that will come the children’s way, but most excited about seeing just how much the children grow this year and how they become even better versions of themselves - and us too as adults. Last year, there was a really big focus on the Catholic Life of the School; about being visible in our community and seeing just what we can achieve. We have the ability to have an impact on our world and for the children to realise that is so special. This year we will be continuing our STAR mission and embedding it even deeper into our culture.
Over the past three summers, we have made some significant changes to our school: a huge kitchen extension that doubled our previous space, a new library space, All Stars Wrap Around Care room and the reflooring of Year 6, redecoration of the prayer space in the entrance to school and the resurfacing of the hall floor. This summer has been no different. For some time we have needed the roof above the Year 1 classroom to be looked at and retiled. The old tiles were deteriorating which was causing water damage underneath them. This summer we have had the roof replaced and the classroom redecorated - Miss Bassett and Mrs Hartley are very excited!
The teachers and school staff has been busy in school during the past few weeks getting each classroom ready to welcome the children back next Tuesday. We would like to invite you to see your child’s new learning space and to meet the class team on Wednesday 10th September. Just like last year, there will be two opportunities to visit on that night: 3:45pm - 4:30pm & 4:45pm - 5:30pm. This session is a chance for parents to meet the teacher, if you could find alternative childcare for your child on that night, it would be appreciated.
Sustainability of our School
The word sustainability is used an awful lot in our world today - and rightly so. The world which we have been given as a gift is fragile, therefore making things sustainable is the only way to ensure that it lasts as long as it can do. All schools have been asked to create a Climate Change Action Plan which clear and manageable ways that each school can make our world a better place. We already do lots of things in school as it is, but this action plans sees us take greater steps and make more of a commitment. A big thing that we are installing this year is an Eco Council that runs throughout the school with representation from each class - just like the Student Council. These children will be responsible for challenging their class to become eco warriors and linking in with the whole school priorities. The second thing that we want to work on is our waste disposal in school and the use of single use plastics and wrappers in school. As well as being sustainble in our work to protect the planet, we are also striving to be financially sustainable too. The cost of everything has rocketed, everyone is feeling that, but in school our budget is getting tighter and tighter; without any increase to what we are given. We have seen a big increase in what we are asked to pay for waste collection, so if we can reduce our waste, our costs will decrease too. We are asking that all snacks brought into school come in a snack box that can be taken home - no wrappers that would go into a waste bin in school. Hopefully this will help you think about what snacks the children are bringing in. For those who bring lunch boxes, the same applies, just yogurt cartons will be recycled in our art room. We know that this will take some time, but would really appreciate your support with this decision and see the importance of this. I have attached the climate action planm for you to have a read of as different iniatives will appear at different times throughout the year.
““Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.””
Kindness and acts of kindess are central to life here at Our Ladys. Without the support of each other, none of us would be able to thrive and our growth would be stunted. The need to help others is as important now as it ever has been before, in all manner of ways, so this year we will be looking at ways that we can pay kindness forward to every single member of our community. This campaign links into us being sustainable as a community. There are lots of ways that you can pay kindness forward, and I can’t wait to hear about them throughout the year. Another way to help us to be financially sustainable is for you to pay a school trip forward for another child. In recent years, the cost of transport has increased, and whilst we still want to provide enriching experiences for our children, we understand that the cost can be unmanageable. There will be an option on Parent Pay to Pay It Forward. It could be the entire cost of a trip or just a donation if and when you can afford to do so. We have an incredibly generous community, in every sense of the word so I know that this will be a welcome addition. It is hoped that the small amount of money we raise from this will support lots of children and families across the school and provide that inclusive environment that our budget is struggling to maintain. Again, thank you so much for your support.
Just a few reminders for the new year:
I am sure you are all super organised with your uniform (unlike me who still needs to sort it out). Just a reminder of the uniform expectations that I communicated last year. Full school uniform is expected on all days, with a school badged jumper or cardigan. On PE days, the school PE kit can be worn which is a navy school hoodie or school tracksuit and white, blue or black trainers. Leggings or jogging bottoms can be worn but these must be navy - not black. Navy school shorts (not football badged shorts) to also be worn.
Water bottles need to be in school and to be of the right size - nothing enormous. All of the children have chair pockets that fit their water bottles in so that they can be regularly accessed throughout the school day. Water bottles must fit in these and ideally no bigger than 20cm in height. The same with pencil cases for our older children too. Please make them manageable and the right size so that they can be stored in the back of chairs. Organisation is crucial in school and trying to keep 30 children organised can be a tough ask. All these little things really help.
There was a huge increase in keyrings on bags last year which became unmanageable, with so many getting broken. The rule is one keyring on your school bag so that your bag can be identifed if needed. Thank you.
Autumn 1 is made up of 38 sessions, therefore dinner money for this half term is £2.90 x 38 sessions = £110.20. This applies for all children in Nursery, Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 who are having a school dinner.
The school calendar and dates will be added on over the weekend and on Monday. Keep an eye on it as it populates.
We are really looking forward to welcoming the children back on Tuesday and to see all of our families too.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Gregan