A celebration of Harvest is the perfect time to stop, reflect and to say thank you - because we have so much to be thankful for. Yesterday morning, we gathered as a school community to reflect on the story of creation and to pray for those who grow, cook and supply our food; and also for those who do not have enough food in the world. I cannot thank you enough for you generous Harvest donations which equated to a massive 116.71kg! That is massive and the Foodbank at Fylde are so very grateful. Mrs Hills, our Chair of Governors volunteers at the Food Bank on a Tuesday afernoon so she collected our donations for us. You may have also spotted at the bottom of the photos, there is a tray of potatoes. Our allotment has been busy growing potatoes that was planted by our old Year 6s, and during enrichment on Wednesday afternoon, our Year 3s harvested them, ready for us to eat. Part of our Laudato Si mission is growing our own supplies and using them within our kitchen. They made the perfect accompanyment for our cheese flan - some children even asked for them as a side to their curry! They were enjoyed by all!
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.”
Remembrance Day is always a special day in the national calendar, but also in our school calendar as we remember those who have come before us. The symbol of the poppy is at the heart of this. A few years ago, we adorned our chapel with handmade poppies that our community had made. There is some that can still be seen and some that have grown into the ground below - which I really like. There will be a basket in the prayer area for any poppies you can make at home during half term and the first week back. There is an example below. You choose how best to make them, try and make them waterproof. On Tuesday 11th November, Year 6 will be walking down to the Cenotaph at Ashton Gardens to take part in the town remembrance tribute. They will be planting wooden crosses of remembrance which we will add to our chapel too.
Community links in action
On Thursday afternoon, Police Community Officers Trevor Sterling and Fiona Hartley joined us in school to give a talk to our Year 5 & 6s about Halloween and Bonfire Safety. As the children get older and maybe will be going out and about by themselves for Halloween, they need a good understanding of what is acceptable and not acceptable in terms of social behaviour. As expected, our children already had great knowledge in this area - we knew they would; but a little reminder is always useful. We look forward to continuing to work with the Police Team through their Pol-ed approach in the coming year.
School Office News
Whole School Attendance
Please can all Parent Pay amounts be settled before returning to school after the half-term.
Below you will find the two buttons for next half term’s menu and to order the snacks for the week for morning break. Each week there will be a different button on my blog where you can order for the week ahead and total up what your child has had. This will then go onto Parent Pay at the end of the week. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children will still have access to the free fruit provided but can buy this as an optional extra if wished. All orders need to be in by the Monday morning at 8am so the kitchen can get organised for the week ahead.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
The Autumn 2 calendar and booking forms are now live on the Sport and News Around the School page of the website. Please have a look at what is on offer and sign your child up. Choir is starting for our KS2 children which is always lovely in the build up to Christmas.
Forest School Tidy Up Afternoon - Friday 7th November from 1.30pm
We really need all hands on deck to get Forest School ready for the winter and give it a bit of love as it has been so well-used this half term. If you are able to help, or you know someone who can, please can you fill in this form so we know how many smores and hot chocolates to make! If you are able to bring a spade - please do!
Christmas is definitely coming, and given how fast this half term has gone, it will be here before we know it. As part of our Christmas fundraising for school, we will be running the Christmas Raffle again that proved so very popular last year. We are looking for donations for raffle prizes - really special raffle prizes. If you can, or your know someone who can, donate prizes for our raffle please start getting them into the school office. We have our own clothes days to bring in a bottle or chocolate for the hampers coming up too. Christmas is the most magical time of the year in school - it is my favourite time and we cannot wait to share it with you all.
Thank you to you all for taking the time to come and speak to the teachers today about how your child has settled into school this year. There is so much to celebrate and together, we can do some wonderful things. Have a lovely half-term holiday. We will see you when school reopens on Monday 3rd November.
God bless
Mrs Gregan