Have you ever had a fire in your belly about something? This week, following Pentecost, we have spoken about the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit and how a fire burned within them to proclaim the Good News. Just weeks before, they had cowered; scared about what would happen to them after the death of Jesus. I have challenged the children to find the fire in their bellies for the final half term and achieve what they have set their hearts on. This may be something in their classroom, something that they have been working on for some time or a personal quality of theirs - it is their choice!
The month of June is known as the month of The Sacred Heart - the loving heart of Jesus. Images that are shown of The Sacred Heart are often shown with a cross, flames and thorns to illustrate Jesus’ love for us and what he did for us. Today, our Year 4 children walked to St Joseph’s church in Ansdell where they joined our other deanery schools to celebrate them making their first Holy Communion. All schools were asked to make a board for the offertory which represented the sacred heart. Our children drew images on the hearts that showed Jesus’ love for us all.
There are now three buttons below. The first one will take you to our prayer and liturgy in school which you may want to use at home. The second is a link to our final family mass of the year, on Sunday 6th July. Our Holy Communion children will be coming in their dresses and singing for the parish. As always we need readings, singers to join the choir and the offertory. Finally, St Annes Carnival is fast approaching and in recent years we have walked with our parish family - we will be doing the same this year too. It is always so lovely seeing all of our children walking with their different clubs. If you are able to walk with us this year, please fill in the form by clinking the button below.
Mini Vinnie Foodbank
One of our ways of contributing to our local community this year has been the foodbank, which you have all been so generous with. For June and July, we will be collecting tinned soup, beans, fruit, vegeatbles and pasta. If you can pick any of these up whilst you are out and about shopping - please do! Our donations are so gratefully received.
Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues
Forest School Blog
We all know how successful our forest school has been so far this year; in such a short period of time, we have managed to get every child in there at some point this year - even parents have had the opportunity to visit. But a very important group of people who hadn’t yet seen the wonders were our staff team. So on Wednesday, for our staff meeting, we headed out to the canopy to gather and learn about the pedagogy of forest provision. We have so many of our children benefit, it was lovely to try it out first hand. Tree climbing, hammock swinging, den making and forest bathing were enjoyed by all who could make it. I think you can see from the pictures just how much fun we all had - even more so when the bacon butties came at the end. The staff work so incredibly hard in school, it is these moments that can be created which give everyone the chance to breath and recalibrate. Thank you Miss Lavelle and Mrs Tierney who led the session for us. And a big congratulations to Miss Lavelle who this week passed the practical aspect of her Forest School Leaders Certificate. We know we are very lucky and you have worked so hard. Miss Lavelle will be leaving us at the end of this year to go and have another forest baby and enjoy her maternity leave. Mrs Tierney will be taking over in her absence - she is also working towards her forest school leaders award.
Office News
At this time of year, the office is always really busy. Whether it is finalising trips, booking coaches, ordering stationary for next year; it is always such a busy place of the school. This week, Mrs Nel and Mrs Howe have been busy organising everything for our new Nursery and Reception starters who will be joining us in September. Before the end of the year, please can you ensure that all of your Parent Pay account is settled, ready to start a new in September. Thank you so much for this.
Last week, I mentioned that we had some laptops available for you to buy. The larger £75 ones have now been sold, as well as a number of the smaller £50 ones. There are just 5 left if anybody would like to purchase one. They are Windows 11 laptops.
As we approach the end of the year, and start to look ahead to next year, the All Stars booking form is now open. This is for the next academic year, from September. Please have a think about what provision is needed and complete the booking form accordingly. All children who currently use the wrap around care will be prioritised so please do not worry - we just need to know sooner rather than later.
Whole School Attendance
The transition of our children from one year group to the next is always considered. We want to make sure that we get it right without being too intense. We are so lucky that the relationships in our school are so strong and everyone has had the opportunity to work with each teacher through enrichment this year. In the coming weeks, I will be able to share with you who the staff team will be next year and the teaching teams in each class. With the end of any school year, we often have some goodbyes to say. On Wednesday 16th July, we will be gathering at church to say goodbye to our Year 6 children at their leavers’ mass, together with Mrs Webster and Miss Hanlon. Mrs Webster has been a member of staff at school for over a decade - over 16 years in fact, as well as a parent of her children who came through our Lady’s. Working in a number of classes, she has always been led by her faith and working with our children with such love. Not only has she supported in class, she has also been involved with the Holy Communion programme for many years and have been on a number of residential with Year 6. Mrs Webster will be retiring at the end of this year to spend more time with her family and travel more often too. I absolutely know that this will not be goodbye - I know she will still be involved in school and parish life.
Miss Hanlon was employed last year as a maternity cover, so we knew she would only be with us briefly - but in the time she has been with us, she has fully committed to her role as class teacher and we have loved watching her continue to learn and grow. Yesterday, Miss Hanlon secured her next teaching job, and we could not be more proud of her. We will enjoy spending the last few weeks alongside her. I know you will all want to wish her well too.
Have a lovely weekend with your families
God bless
Mrs Gregan