Everywhere we look in our world we see crosses. Not necessarily the cross that we associate with our faith, but lots and lots of examples of how lines cross and have different meanings. Whether it is the cross on a first aid sign, or the ones painted in a junction box on the floor, or quite simply the crosses in a window pane - all of these symbols have a meaning; some positive and a call to help, others not so much and mean don’t go near. This Sunday is the feast of The Holy Cross. It is a day in our liturgical calendar to honour and glorify the cross, a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s immense love for humanity. On Monday we were also joined by CAFOD, who came into school after our first mass of the year. They explained the mission that they have for this year and how our donations over the past year have supported them. Through Catholic Social Teaching, we are really trying to understand how we can help others in our world - the ones who need it the most. This year we are all being STEWARDS. CAFOD are working hard to improve water across the world, which fits in with us being sustainable too!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.”
This week in school has been all about service to others; thinking what is possible and who would be right for the job. Our Year 6 children always start the year by applying for the position of responsibility that they think they would be best suited to. It could be office monitors, librarian, art monitor, sports leader or digital leaders. We also ask them to prepare presentations to be a House Captain, which are voted for by the children. This year, the videos are just amazing, truly wonderful and you had to see them. I wonder who you would vote for?
Our staff have been busy voting for the senior leadership team of Head Boy & Girl and Deputy Head Boy & Girl. These children will play a significant role in the interactions that we have with other schools and will be our ambassadors for this year. I am excited to work with them closely and to promote real change. Their first outing will be with me next Thursday to attend a deanary mass. On Monday morning we will gather to announce the leadership roles as well as presenting class councillors, eco-councillors and play leaders with their positions too. I am really excited to see just what we can achieve this year!
Mini-Vinnies - we need you!
Last year, our Mini-Vinnie team were instrumental in the change we established in school. Whether it was the Harvest, food bank donations, collecting of blankets and clothes or preparing prayers for school liturgies, this group of children acted so selflessly. This year, Mini-Vinnies will run every other Monday throughout the school year, led by Miss Bassett. If you attend All Stars on a Monday night, this might be something that you can get involved in too. Our previous Mini-Vinnies will still have a role and we will need a new President and Secretary - but there is now space for some more. If you are in Year 3 and above, and would like to get involved. Please do fill in the application form by writing a short letter as to why you would make a good Mini-Vinnie and what you can do for our world. Application forms can be found in your classrooms.
Learning across the school
School is absolutely buzzing and there is a hive of activity in each classroom. This week we have welcomed our Reception children full-time and they have settled in beautifully. Our Year 6 children have been perfect role models and have brought them into the lunch hall each day and helped them to have their lunch. We are so proud of them and how they have grown to learn the routines here in school. This year sees the whole-school starting a new RE curriculum. It had previously been adopted up to Year 4, but now our Upper Juniors are accessing it too. I have the pleasure of delivering RE to Year 5 on a Monday and I love it - it is deep, thought-proking and engaging. The teachers are all really busy starting to organise trips and enrichment activities for their class so keep an eye on Parent Pay and class blogs to see what is coming up, but next Thursday, Year 5 will be heading to London. As part of their unit of work on democracy, the children will be heading to London to visit the Houses of Parliament and to see what it is like to be there. We hope they have the most wonderful time - I am sure there will be many photographs next week.
Thank you to everyone who came to our Induction Nights with our teachers this week. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved and see our school in action this year - keep an eye out!
Leading Learners from across the school and STAR Virtues
Our school has shone so brightly this week. Well done to our virtue award winners for being LEARNED and WISE in their choices and to our learners who have led by example in their classrooms.
Office News
Our new lunch menu for Autumn can be found by clicking the button below. There has certainly been a few more smells of comfort food drifting from the kitchen this week as the weather has changed.
Whole School Attendance
One of our wonderful parents is doing a sky dive for charity. On the 9th October Xander’s daddy Will, will be doing his first tandem skydive from 11,000ft over Cockerham raising money for vulnerable adults with disabilities. Please click on the button below to read about his efforts, the cause and to support if you can.
It always seems odd to be thinking about the next academic year just as we start the new academic year, but that is what we are doing. If you have a child who is due to start school next September, there are a number of open mornings, afternoons and an evening where you can come for a tour of the school and to see what life would be like as part of our family. Please do share with your friends and family and contact the office to book a place.
For those children in Year 6 who have asked to be part of the Confirmation Programme, letters will be going out next week with everything that you need to know. This week I have met with Father Peter and Deacon John to finalise what the programme will look like. If you were at Mass last weekend or if the children came out of school on Monday, you may have heard that Father Peter has been diagnosed with bowel cancer and is due to have an operation in the coming weeks. He is doing really well and we are hoping that after being looked after and a period of rest, he will be back with us for Advent. Our first family mass on Sunday 4th October will still be going ahead and I will be asking for readers next week. Please do keep Father Peter in your thoughts and prayers.
God bless
Mrs Gregan