In this weekend’s Gospel, we will hear the importance of a few words; thank you! In assembly today we talked about the magic word - and I don’t mean abracadabra - but simply thank you. Through the healing of the 10 lepars, whose faith healed them, Jesus was showing us that we just need to reach out to him and ask. Every Monday, I have the pleasure of teaching RE to Year 5 - it really is one of the highlights of my week. This past Monday, our curriculum went deep and we explored what it meant to be a good neighbour today. How can we love our neighbour in today’s world. We looked at the Lampedusa Cross, a wooden cross made out of a boat that was carrying refugees to safety when it crashed and broke. The children made their own crosses as a reminder to be a good neighbour to all.
As well as a dedicated staff team, we also have an incredibly governing body who really do support the school in everything that they do. All volunteers, the ensure that they are fully present at meetings - always challenging and questioning the decisions we make in school. On Tuesday, they were invited into school to experience collective worship and RE in each class from nursery through to Year 6; and they were astounded. It was 1 million children pray the rosary on Tuesday - and we did that. From our youngest children praying the rosary around the prayer garden in nursery, to a rosary being made in Forest School - to a lesson on the Fall of Creation in Year 6. There was so much to celebrate and we can’t wait to share this with you at book looks and into Advent.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who attended our first family mass of the year - it was beautiful. To our readers, offertory and children in the choir, you represented our school so well. Cannon Cooper was astounded by the commitment of our school, but we did miss Father Peter (although I definitely think he was listening in). I have been to see Father Peter this morning and to take the most generous hamper of gifts - he was incredibly touched by everyone’s kindness and good wishes. He is doing really well and is slowly on the mend. A little bit more rest and I am sure he will be back with us before we know it. Please do keep him in your prayers as he continues his recovery. He is missing us all so much and in his words, “It is in school that he really finds God.”
““Be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.””
We really value mental health and giving both children and adults a voice where they can understand themselves and learn to love themselves a little more. Today is World Mental Health day and we adopted the “Hello Yellow” theme - promoting sunshine and positive thoughts. With the money raised both last year and this year, we have been able to invest in a library of books for both parents and children. They are there for you to take, to read and to bring back for someone else to enjoy. In our entrance, you will find the book shelf - please do come and use it. If there is a book that we haven’t got and you can recommend it - please let me know. We have raised £191.30 so far for more new books!
Our Forest School contributes widely to the mental health of all children. At the start of this year, and in this first half term, we have focused on the transition of the children into their new classes; and the children have settled so well. After half term, these groups will be reducing in size and the children who have completed the transition programme will now just enjoy take over days with their class. Mrs Tierney’s blog gives a flavour of what has been happening.
What an amazing month we've had in Forest School. We've enjoyed some beautiful weather and braved the tail end of Storm Amy. Our groups have had the full Forest School experience. Our mud kitchen has a new menu! 'Mudflurries' have been popular along with 'Beetle Burgers.' It's been lovely to see how creative the children have got - their imaginations are truly amazing. The team work that we have seen in the den building area has also been fantastic. The children have planned their structures and really worked well together moving the larger pieces of brash being careful not to injure anyone.
Our resident hedgehogs Sam, Barbara and Horace have brought lots of excitements to the classes, along with our little field mice and squirrels. We're hoping that they will make the most of our hedgehog houses and hibernate safely this winter at Our Lady's. We've discussed other animals that hibernate and looked at the changes in our environment which become more noticeable week by week as we get further into Autumn.
With October being the month of the Holy Rosary, our Tuesday group joined the rest of school and millions of children around the world in praying together, we created our own Rosary Beads using pebbles that our children have decorated over the last few weeks. Nursery paid us a quick visit on Wednesday while we cleared the pond of leaves left over from Storm Amy, as they peeked into the pond one of our frogs popped his head up to say hello!
John from Tree & Hedgecare delivered us some woodchip for us to spread on the forest floor, The children have mucked in and made a start. It's so important that they are learning about sustainability and looking after our area so that we are able to carry enjoying it for year to come, this can be hard work but it's vital that we help stop the erosion of our footpaths. They certainly worked up an appetite so they really enjoyed pancakes and honey cooked on the fire. Our Thursday group were very chilled out last week when we did some Forest Bathing, they closed their eyes and listened to the sounds around them, the leaves rustling in the wind, the birds singing and the trickling of water from our neighbour's pond.
Finally, this week we've made from 'calm down' bottles. The children have collected different coloured leaves, acorns and other pieces of treasure from the forest floor then filled out bottles with water, glycerine and biodegradable glitter. When they feel anxious, worried or a little annoyed they can shake the bottle and watch the leaves and glitter as they slowly settle. I am planning a tidy up day within the next few weeks to get the area ready for winter and finish spreading the wood chip. This will be on Friday 7th November from 1.30pm. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated and essential. Tea and biscuits provided!
Mrs Tierney
Learning across the school
Thank you to everyone who has booked their parents appointments for the 24th October. We are really excited to welcome you back into school to share your child’s progress and how well they have settled into life in their new classes. The book looks are an ideal opportunity to sit down with your child and share their work with them. We are really working on excellence and there is excellence all over the school. Don’t forget the dates below.
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
Whole School Attendance
As we approach the end of this half term, please can you visit Parent Pay to ensure that all payments are cleared ready to start again when we return. This week we have also received the new lunch menu that will be in place after half term and into the Winter months. We will also be introducing some warm snacks for morning breaktime - now that we have our wonderful kitchen, it seems only right to use it to its potential and provide something a little wamer for the children. This also ties into our wrapper free school. I will collate everything and share it with you next week.
Some of you may have noticed how well Mr Nay is looking at the moment; he has set his mind on exercising fully - taking it very seriously I may add, ready for Christmas. So much so that a Spin bike appeared this week in school (which got me thinking). After half term, Mr Nay (supported by staff) is going to do a sponsored spin for the day in school, to raise money for school and the new sports equipment that we need to buy. Watch this space for more information - this is going to be really fun!
Finally, a big well done to Xander’s daddy who completed his sky dive yesterday. He ended up doing a 15,000ft skydive and we raised just over £5000 for Onefylde and Cancer research. I think he may now have the bug!
Have a lovely weekend
God bless
Mrs Gregan