This Sunday marks an incredibly poignant moment in the year, in British history; Remembrance Sunday. The first reading on Sunday talks about peace, promoting peace in our world. My goodness, we need to promote and strive for this now more than ever. In liturgy on Tuesday, we spoke about fraternal love; taken from Pope Francis’s letter Fratelli Tutti. Fratelli Tutti is a special letter written by Pope Francis that means "Brothers and Sisters All". It is like a big, friendly reminder to the whole world that everyone on Earth belongs to one big family. Pope Francis says we need to stop building "walls" around our hearts and in our towns. Instead, we should build "bridges" to talk, listen, and care for one another. The button below takes you to the video that we watched and explains it so beautifully.
Next Wednesday is Remembrance Day. As in recent years, we will be walking down to Ashton Gardens with our Year 6 class to assemble and pay our respects at the cenotaph. It is a beautifully solemn event. It would be lovely to see some of you there. Please do walk with us if you are able.
On Monday, our Mini-Vinnie group will re-join to start their mission to bring concern to action. The group did so much great work last year, I cannot wait to see what they achieve this year. In addition to their work as Mini Vinnies, they will also be working towards an award of a School of Sanctuary. This is our commitment that our school will be a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all. If your child is in Year 2 or above and would like to become a Mini-Vinnie, head to the Catholic Life page on the website to sign up.
Sending Condolences
This week, many of you will have heard of the passing of Mr James; one of our Year 3 daddy’s at school. Since becoming Headteacher, our school community has experienced more than its fair share of bereavement, illness and heartbreak. These situations are always incredibly difficult to navigate, not least because the news belongs first and foremost to the families involved. Whenever I communicate such news, my priority is always the family at the centre of it all. This week, alongside Mrs Hotchkiss, Mr Marsden and Mrs Boylen from St Bede's, I attended a family Mass at Our Lady's offered for the intention of Mr James. It was both heartbreaking and beautiful. It served as a reminder of all that the family have endured, but also of the strength of community. So many members of our families and wider school community came together to support them, demonstrating once again the kindness, faith and compassion that make Our Lady's such a special place. As the family now journey to India, where Mr James will be laid to rest, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks and months.
I know the Year 3 families want to support the family and are thinking of ways to do so, including a tree of remembrance and some music. We will share their plans in the coming months. As a school we will always support the family and welcome them back into school soon.
You will see at the front of the school that the work has started to build the raised beds for the sensory garden there. This week, 3 lovely men from the Vetren Charity, Dig In came to start the build. They just needed our chief Eco-Councillor to check they were on the straight and narrrow!
OPAL Play Launch
You will have spotted the new welly storage dotted around the playground which arrived this week. From Monday, the field will be open; but the children must have a pair of wellies or an old pair of shoes to access it. Wellies will be required for all children in the future to keep the children’s feet dry. Get them in and then we can get playing. The lovely new trim trail flooring has been well used this week, and because of that, we have had to buy some lovely brushes to help keep the bark in - our Stewardship Station. It has been so well used and a wonderful group of Year 5 children have led by example. Next week, we have our grounds meeting where we will formally plan exactly what the playground will look like (I am super excited). The following week, the sandpit will be dug out and the ground from it will be used to make a slide mound.
For our first OPAL bingo - we need sand pit buckets and spades. A green salt bin will be placed by the bin store where buckets, spades, sieves and all manner of sand toys can be donated.
Maths Challenge - ROCKSTAR Day
What a day it has been - our very first ROCKSTAR and MATHS Day! So much fun has been had across the school and even some rockstar music at break time too. We definitely need a stage and music area on our new playground! Please visit each individual blog to see what has been taking place. I think we are all exhausted!
STAR Virtue Award Winners
Office News
Snack Booking Form
Here is the snack booking form for next week. Please book before 8am on Tuesday.
The Lunch Menu is now live for Autumn and Winter. You can see a copy here below and also on the lunch page of the website. Next week we are on Week 3 of the menu.
No earrings - including retainers - to be worn in school.
Dates are available on the calendar until Christmas.
All Parent Pay debts need to be paid.
Christmas will soon be here and below you can see the events that will be taking place during Advent. To help us to prepare, we are requiring numbers for the pottery event and for Christmas Dinner. The Christmas Pottery event will be in the school hall and cost £10 per person taking part. Please click on the buttons below to book. Christmas Dinner will be £2.90 per child. Please complete the form if your child would like a dinner this year.
Christmas Nativity Ticket ordering form will be going home next week!
Staffing Update
Many of you will be aware that Miss Drummond has been absent from school since Easter. During this time, we have been incredibly fortunate to have Miss Brookes teaching Year 3. Before October half term, Miss Drummond informed me that she will not be returning to Our Lady's. We will be thanking her for her contribution to school life during her time with us and wish her every happiness for the future. As Miss Brookes is currently employed on a temporary contract, we have advertised the permanent Year 3 teaching position. This process is now underway, and we will be appointing a new Year 3 teacher during this half term, with a start date of April 2027. As soon as an appointment has been made, I will of course share the news with you.
Fundraising for Our Ladys
We had such a wonderful first meeting of the Fundraising Squad yesterday and there are lots of ideas in the pipeline for next year including a Spring Disco! Thank you to everyone who came and who are wanting to get involved - you are all wonderful.
Today our Year 6 football team competed in the Wyre and Fylde Football Tournament at Poolfoot Farm. Excellent attitudes, brilliant skills and all round lovely boys. Well done, we are so very proud of you!
Have a lovely half term holiday.
God bless
Mrs Gregan