Our word of the week has been WEALTH, as we have explored, what is real wealth? In the Gospel this week we have learnt how monetary wealth is temporary, but our faith and family are permanent and it is this wealth that brings us the most happiness. This can be really difficult to understand, especially in a world where everything is readily available and adverts (especially on the run up to Christmas) attract our youngest of eyes. On Tuesday, Year 6 shared with us the first class assembly of the year around the theme, “Fill Your Bucket.” Everyone has a bucket and when we are exposed to acts of kindness and love, our buckets become full. However, when we experience moments of unkindness - our buckets take a dip. I have bought all classes a bucket, somewhere where they can collect moments of kindness throughout the term and continue our Pay it Forward mission.
Family Mass - Sunday 5th October at 9.30am
Our first family mass of the year is coming up, and this one will be dedicated to our new Reception children who have just joined our school. We will be using this mass to welcome them formally into our community. There is a form above for you to complete if your child is interested in reading, singing in the choir or taking the offertory. I will then complete a rota as we go through the year. Readings will be given out next week
World News
We are all fully aware of what kind of world we are now living in and how the news has been recently dominated by dark stories and conflicts, both here politically and also abroad. As a school of faith, and as decent human beings, we teach the children to live in utter kindness and to ensure the world is a better place because of their presence in it. This week I have spoken at length with our KS2 children about conversations that they are having, sometimes with each other and sometimes within ear shot of our younger children, about events that are taking place or have happened world wide. Some of the conversations have revolved around gun crime, political stances and UK issues, which as you can imagine, can be very distressing and very confusing to hear. When I spoke with KS2, I made it very clear that regardless of conversations that they may have at home, or what they see on TV, at school we reamin kind and ensure that every conversation is appropriate and from a place of love. The education of our young children is pivotal in how they will grow as adults and shape our world today. Thank you as always, with your support at home.
Student Council
Today, I met with our newly formed Student Council to put an action plan together for this half term. They will take back our missions back to their classes, and together with the Eco-council and Play-Council, develop our school further. They were wonderful and full of ideas! Toby and Matilda led us first in prayer before deciding on 3 actions that we would focus on this month.
For each class to have a kindness bucket that is filled with acts of kindness.
For each class to make something for Father Peter’s hamper (see below for more info).
To ensure that wrappers are not being brought into school by children or staff for snacks. We are continuing to be sustainable.
Learning across the school
I am so proud of how each and every child has started this new school year - the school is buzzing and a hive of learning. I am very much someone who likes to get in classes and this week I have been in Year 6 to deliver their next Kidsafe lesson on Online Safety, as well as a bit of PE too; in Year 5 to continue our work on Moses and looked carefully at the Ten Commandments in relation to the Israelites leaving Egypt; and finally I have spent some time today in Reception seeing just how beautifully our Reception children have settled into school and are already growing their brains and learning school routines.
At the end of this half term, Friday 24th October, you will have the opportunity to speak with your child’s class teacher to see just how they are doing in their new classrooms and get some support with how you can help your child at home. In previous years, we have had a completely online system for Parents Day, with the opportunity to come into school and sit with your child for their book look. This year, we are tweaking things ever so slightly. There will still be the opportunity to sit down with your child and look at their work through a book look, where you will find the dates and times below. But Parents Day, you can either choose to come in and have your 10 minute appointment face to face, or you can access a virtual appointment via TEAMs. I know there have been lots of parents who have preferred virtual in the past so that both parents can access them with work commitments or holidays, but we would also love to have you back in school. This may prove to be logistically challenging so I need to be really organised. On your child’s blog this week, you will find a form to complete - this will state your preference for the appointment. Once we have all of the responses, we can then organise the timetable. Virtual appointments will be during a set time of the day to allow the teacher to go from meeting to meeting. We will let you know timings next week.
Book Looks Date for your Diary
Reception Stay and Play - either 7th November @ 9.15am or 10th November @ 2.15pm
Year 1 - Thursday 16th October @ 9am
Year 2 - Thursday 16th October @ 2.30pm
Year 3 - Tuesday 21st October @ 2.30pm
Year 4 - Friday 17th October @ 9am
Year 5 - Tuesday 21st October @ 9am
Year 6 - Monday 20th October @ 2.30pm
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.
Our attendance is exceptional yet again this week with very few children off - 98%. Let’s keep it up! The fact that everyone is in is certainly reflected in the work that the children are producing in class. Well done everyone!
Whole School Attendance
Our Sports Teams get going next week with fixtures outlined for both the netball and football teams. There is a strong approach by our cluster this year - we want as many children as possible to represent their school teams; we know what magical memories this will hold. We are also aware of the huge variety of clubs our children attend beyond school too. Please visit the Sports Page to see what fixtures are taking part and when; and who is involved. There are a number of afternoon football tournaments next half term which will require parent transport or team approach to transport. Please know when these are.
Dates for your diary
Those eagle eyed parents among you will have seen that the calendar on the website have been populated with important dates this term; we will continue to add to these too. In addition to specific things in classes, there is also whole-class events that will be taking place too. I have collated them on this document so you can be prepared for nearer the time. These will take you right until Christmas with our Annual Great Our Lady Bake Off. We will announce each event as they come, but this should help you plan better.
You will be pleased to know that Father Peter’s operation went well and he is on the road to recovery. I have heard from him this week and he is missing us lots. I have assured him that he is in our thoughts and prayers and we will be right here for him when he is well enough. In the entrance next week, there will be a hamper basket. We are going to add things into it to make Father Peter a get well soon gift. If you would like to add to it, please do: a get well soon card, a box of biscuits or a picture drawn by the children - or anything else you might think of. The choice is yours. We thought it would make him smile when he comes home.
God bless
Mrs Gregan