As far as first week’s go in school, this has been utterly beautiful. Every single classroom has been a space of calmness and serenity as children have come back and started to discover their new environments. All of the positivity this week comes from secure relationships that were formed before we left for Summer and the roles that our adults play in their lives. Everytime I have popped into classrooms this week, I have been met with a sea of smiles and seen such enthusiasm for learning; every child has been thoroughly immersed in their new way of learning. On Tuesday morning, we spoke as a whole school about grasping every opportunity that comes our way - that we only ever get to live each day once, and each year group once. I am so proud of each and every one of them. On Monday Year 1 - Year 6 will be walking to church to celebrate Our Lady’s birthday and our new school year together. We always need walkers so we hope that you will be able to join us.
We have all started our new RE curriculum and are all working on Creation and Covenant. Part of this has enabled us to look at The Garden of Eden and how this most beautiful place can be built here at Our Ladys. In order for it to be built, we must each play our part. This year, aswell as having Student Councillors, we will also be having Eco leads and Play leads in each class. These will be sub group and will mean that by the end of primary school, everyone will have a chance to lead. Next week the children will have the opportunity to put themselves forward. Class Councillors will be decided within in the classroom but if your child would like to be an Eco-Councillor; they need to write a letter, make a poster or draw a picture as to why they would be suitable for the role. Equally, if your child would like to be a Play Leader, they need to write a letter, make a poster or draw a picture as to why they would be suitable for the role. Mrs Tierney and Mrs Mather will be looking at the eco applications and Mr Cornwell the Play Leader applications. We are so excited about this growth within school and look forward to seeing the applications. As well as this, each house has a day when they have a responsibilty to keep our school tidy; both inside and on the playground. We are really pushing to ensure everyone plays a part in the sustainability of our school.
A word that we have been using around school this week is exceptional. We want to be exceptional learners, exceptional human beings and to be exceptional in every sense of the word. Another huge thanks goes to you all for ensuring that uniform expectations have been met. The children look wonderful; from PE kit, to school uniform, to school shoes and trainers - everything is compliant. Please can you also ensure that hair pieces are also school colours: bows, headbands and large bobbles. Thank you for your support.
Our Food Bank Collection for September is pasta, rice and noodles. Please do pick something up on your weekly shop and drop it off at the school office.
Meet the Class Team
Next Wednesday, 10th September, parents from Year 1 through to Year 6 will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teaching team for the year. There are two opportunites to do this:
3.45pm - 4.30pm and 4.45pm - 5.30pm
Please try and make arrangements for your child’s care as this is just for parents to gain an insight into the year and to ask any questions they may have.
Sustainability in School
On last week’s blog I spoke about sustainability in school and how the increase to waste is costing us an unstainable amount of money. I have had so many lovely conversations with parents this week who are 100% behind this campaign in school; we all know we have a role to play in helping our world become as healthy as it can be. In just our first week, we have not had to pick up any litter outside and the wrappers that have come into school as part of lunch have gone home to be recycled correctly there. We are encouraging as many natural wrappers as possible. This approach also helps you to think about the snacks that you are sending in with your child. Now is the time to invest in snack boxes, they are everywhere at the moment; in every shop. Please just make sure that they are labelled. We are having a hard launch on this in school.
I am not a joy kill either and know that when it is a child’s birthday, small bags of sweets appear. These are fine to still continue as they go home with the children at the end of the day. I am so thankful and happy with how this has gone this week. Even the staff have been brilliant and our staffroom bin has been clear. Thank you again - let’s keep it up and get rid of wrappers in school altogether.
Mrs Hotchkiss and Mrs Tierney are in need of some glass jars for the garden area and Forest school for plant growing and autumn globes. Autumn is the perfect time to propagate plants. We want to grow our own plants and sell them once they are established.
To do this we need jars. These keep water warm in the polytunnel and roots will srout from our cuttings. If you have any spare jars we would love to make use of them. Just drop them off with Mrs Hotchkiss round at Year 2. Thank you!
Forest School
Forest School will be up and running in the next few weeks, Mrs Tierney is currently putting her plans together for it to get up a running. We still need one more volunteer for a Tuesday afternoon - every other afternoon is covered. If you are able to donate your time on a Tuesday, even if it is just until Christmas, please do let us know. Forest School is a privaledge to be part of and it relies on the community to make it sustainable. Email Mrs Tierney on a.tierney@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk if you are able to help.
First Aid or Medical Need
You will see that this poster looks similar to the one above about sustainability. I am trying to create one page ‘go to’ that will be collated on the website for any quick questions that you have. Last year, we introduced a different way of reporting injuries to you at home - which has been much more successful. However, I need you to know what will be reported and what won’t as it is not possible to tell you all every little thing. To the left is exactly what we will contact you about; some things will be left for your child to tell you about.
Also, if you do receive a text message, this is just to inform you so you are aware when your child comes home; it does not mean that you need to ring the school office regarding it. Please be assured that if we are concerned about any injury or illness; we will contact you straight away. You send your child to us because you trust us after making the choice that this is the school for you. Please trust us to act with compassion and professionalism. Finally, the one comment we hear alot from children when they are not feeling 100% is, “My mum/dad said you would ring them if I don’t feel better.” Please can you not tell your child this as often when we do not ring, the child can feel hard done to. The best thing to do is, if your child is feeling unwell, but still well enough to come into school, please let the teacher know by email or to a member of staff on the gate; not to the child. It will allow us to work with the child during the day and make the decision based on how they present. Thank you so much for your support with this; hopefully it will make all of our roles a little more straight forward and easier, and the children know that they are safe here.
Online Safety Update
Please click on the button below to take you to September’s Online Safety update. There is lots of wonderful information on this newsletter to keep your family safe.
Office News
Just a few pointers from the school office:
Please contact Mrs Nel in the school office if there has been a change to address or phone number over the summer holidays.
All Stars will be closed on Wednesday 22nd October due to staff training. Please arrange alternative collection for that evening.
School dinners are £110.20 for the half term or £2.90 per dinner.
Please check any trips on Parent Pay - they are starting to appear on class pages. The Pay if Forward option is also live. Thank you so much to the families who have started to donate.
Extra-curricular clubs are now live for Autumn 1 and some of them start next week. Below is the timetable but all booking forms are on the Sport page of the website via the Engage button. If your child attends All Stars on the day there is a club, that is fine, please let us know if you no longer need an All Stars place on that day for this half term. Some children will go from the club to All Stars, and that is fine too.
Whole School Attendance
This week’s attendance has been phenomenal. It is the best start to the year we have had in such a long time, I can tell you were eager to get the children back to school. New research came out this week that showed any child who misses the first week of school have more issues going through that year than any other pupil. It also showed that they were likely to become persistently absent. Thank you for this week - long may it continue.
Parish News
Our first family mass of the year will be on Sunday 5th October. This will be a welcome mass for all of our new families and a way to celebrate the start of the year together.
Dates for the Year 6 upwards Confirmation Programme will be released next week. I am trying to get them on two sessions, rather than four, they will just be longer sessions. If your child is in Year 6 and you haven’t get signed up for the programme, please contact Mrs Nel in the office.
On 3rd October is my Gala opening for my art exhibition in Our Ladys Parish Centre. It starts 7.00pm for 7.30pm with a fizz reception and nibbles. Tickets are £5 with all ticket proceeds going to the centre. If you would like to come along you can pay either by cash or by bank transfer to Mr L R Appleton. Contact him on 07713238597 to book a place.
What a fabulous week. My heart is full and so very proud!
Have a wonderful weekend
Mrs Gregan