This week, we have watched, in anticipation, for the billowing white smoke to appear from the chimney of the Sistene Chapel. The most secretive vote in history took place and from it our new pope was revealed. It seems beautiful that as yesterday we celebrated VE day and the peace that came following 6 years of war, our new Pope’s opening words were, “Peace be with you.” We pray that his papacy is led by his faith and devotion to peace; uniting an often broken world with compassion and love. I urge you all to discover who Pope Leo is. Where did he serve? What was his previous role in the Vatican? What would you like him to focus on first? Who would be the best pope in your family? Could you run your own secret conclave.
Over the next two weekends, our Year 4 children will make their first holy communion. It is such a special time for each of them, and their families - and my goodness will the sun be shining. Quite often we take for granted the gift of communion, but it is the most sacred of all sacraments. Please do pray for our children, and the children of the parish, who are making their communion over the next two weekends.
We have had 6 pieces of artwork brought in that shows Mary in lots of different ways. All have been framed and placed in school - they are beautiful! Please keep adding to them so that we can create a gallery to Our Lady. Why not create an image of Mary from another culture?
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
We have been incredibly lukcy with the weather recently which made coming together for a whole school picnic outside so much easier! Red white and blue were adorned by everyone in recognition for the service men and women who fought so bravely for our country. 80 years ago, peace was felt after 6 years of fighting - and my goodness, we still need that peace now. We had an awful lot of fun coming together, eating, playing and singing!
Forest School Blog
Another week of beautiful weather! Nursery have taken advantage and sat in the sun and made some lovely willow wands and had lots of fun casting spells!This week is hedgehog awareness week so each session we've started with chatting about one of the UK's best loved wild animals. Our specially made hedgehog houses will be carefully placed in our woodland in September ready for hibernation. We've been making hedgehogs with clay and bits of wood we found on the forest floor along with some other creations - Can you tell what they are?
We've also made some woodland jewellery using Elder branches, the heartwood (inside of the branch) are soft and spongy, so using tent pegs we hollowed out the inside and threaded them onto twine. The mud kitchen has been the source of lots of fun this week, we've even had stone soup and mud cupcakes! Year 5 created some amazing dens with different rooms including a kitchen, plus they made a wigwam structure and a fantastic pretend fire. We've also had two very generous donations this week, the first is from Ansdell Builders who have kindly given us a safety grill for our pond. Secondly B&Q have donated the remaining compost needed for our meadow which Year 5 moved and stacked ready for next week.
Looks like another warm one next week so please ensure children have sun cream applied, and a hat, long sleeves and trouser rule still applies.
Fun Nature Fact Of The Week - Hedgehogs would be great in a Triathlon, if you switched cycling for climbing! They are great runners, proficient climbers and can even swim. They also have a top speed of 5mph, albeit for short bursts!
Shining Stars and Leading Learners
This group of children are our STAR learners this week. For the past 7 years, our Year 6s have worked tirelessy - loving every moment of their education. Next week they will sit their End of Key stage assessments, ready for their next academic journey at high school. I am sure you will join us all in wishing them all the luck in the world as they take on this challenge. I have told them not to be nervous - but to head into the hall determined to show everyone exactly what they can do! Keep them in your thoughts next week and pray for them. We are unbelievably proud of them all!
Office News - Don’t forget about Year 5’s fundraiser below that is coming up next Friday. Orders have closed for the boxes to be ordered but donuts can be bought in school next Friday at breaktime for £1.
Please can I ask that when you drop your children off, you do so safely. We have had phone calls this week about parents parking in the middle of the road and allowing the children to jump out across the road where there are other cars. This is so important and we urge you to support us with this.
There is a circus workshop being held at St Annes Library on Thursday 29th May from 2.30pm - 3.30pm, for childred aged 5+. Pop into the library or visit stannes.library@lancashire.gov.uk to book a place.
Whole School Attendance
Uniform Check
As we seem to be in the throws of Spring and Summer (fingers firmly crossed that it lasts) I have had a number of conversations with parents around school uniform and hair styles etc. I have attached the uniform guidance again below. School summer dresses or shorts can be worn at any point in the school year. The most important thing is that the shoes that the children wear for school are closed toe shoes - not sandals. This is due to them running around at break time and moving around a school that has lots and lots of pupils and adults. We have seen an increase in jewellery being worn. The only thing that can be worn is a pair of plain studs and a wrist watch. Please avoid anything around the neck or earings that do not meet school guidance. Lots of you have already asked about hair styles before heading to the barbers for a summer trim and the guidance is really clear. Long hair must be tied up and remain up throughout the course of the day and no lines or pattens to be cut into the children’s hair please. That has never changed but I think as it becomes more of a thing and fashionable with footballers, we are tempted to allow the children to have them. If you could save that for the summer holidays or longer holidays where it can grow out, that would be appreciated. Thank you again for your support and for always asking the question when you aren’t quite sure.
Showing from Thu 15 — Sat 17 May 2025
"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...."
The Sound of Musical Theatre Company returns to the Lowther Pavilion Theatre in May 2025 with everyone's favourite ogre in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, DreamWorks Animation film. We have three of our talented pupils; Toby, Isaac and Logan are joining the cast and would love to see you there. Click below to book.
Enjoy the wonderful sunshine this weekend
God bless
Mrs Gregan