In our teacher’s liturgy this week we have listened to this week’s gospel, Matthew 5:13–16 which teaches us how Jesus wants us to make the world a better and brighter place.
We reflected on the meaning of this gopsel and how when He says we are the “salt of the earth,” it means we help bring goodness, kindness, and love into the world—just like salt makes food taste better. And when He says we are the “light of the world,” it means our actions can help others see what is good, just like a light helps you see in the dark. Jesus tells us not to hide this goodness. Instead, we should let our kindness, honesty, and love shine so brightly that others notice and feel encouraged. By doing good things, we help people understand what God’s love is like. The children then all shared the ways that they will bring God’s light in to the world…
Thank you to the following children who led us in a truly beautfiul liturgy earlier this week to celebrate the feast of The Presentation of the Lord which remembers when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, where Jesus was presented to God. This feast is also known as Candlemas, because for many centuries people celebrated it with blessed candles, symbolising Jesus as the “Light of the World.”
Lenten boxes
We soon will be starting our journey to the cross, preparing ourselves for a time of solemnity and self-reflection where we recognise our failings and resolve to live a more Godly life based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. During Lent, we are going to be focused on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.
As in previous years we ask that each child to decorate a Lenten box which they can swap with a child from our partner class (Reception). Then, during the Lenten period your child can perform acts of kindness, helpfulness and generosity for a donation into their box. We will then return them to school straight after half term and donate the money to Cafod.
Year 6 will be holding a liturgy together Monday morning and afterwards they will share their likes and favourite colours to help us design the book for their partner. It is important that each child decorates and brings in a Lenten box to ensure that each child in Reception will receive a box. Thank you as always for your support.
Wow we have fit so much work in to one week… in Science we have been comparing the digestive system to the circulatory system, which we studied last half term; we have been developing our hockey skills in PE, learning long division in maths and started our classic fiction topic in English, where we have been analysing the opening to the class book… Wizard of Oz.
This week the children have attemped grammar SAT’s whole papers. The children have of course attempted example questions since September, but this is the first time they have seen them as a whole paper. This is not a benchmark for their learning, and their score is not relevant at this time, as we have not yet covered the whole Year 6 curriculum. This was simply to give the children an insight as to what the papers look like, the style of questionning, to come across misconceptions sooner, rather than later, giving the children the time and space to reflect and evaluate in a safe space. They will be getting a bit of feedback on these after half term, but please do not at this point focus on scores, instead please ask that important question … what did you learn? We have to teach the children to see beyond the immediate scores and instead see this as a process, a journey of self-reflection and learning.
Delving deeper through talk …
How can we let our light shine in our every day lives?
What makes a novel a CLASSIC novel? Why not start reading one together to enhance our English topic? Here is a website of the best classic novels for children…
Leading Learners
Well done to Jacob this week.
Jacob we are so proud of your resilience and determination to improve in all areas of the curriculum! We love your ‘I CAN’ attitude and the way you ask for help when you feel you need it, but most importantly you never give up, you try your best and reflect on how you can improve. Well done Jacob!
Eloquent and Truthful Stars
This half term we will be on the lookout for all the children that are eloquent in their words, that show the language to ask questions, express emotions, speak beliefs, talk about matters of faith and hope, debate points of view, and engage in conversation. Those who are truthful, who speak the truth about themselves and others. These children are the role models of the school. This week we thank Joseph for being eloquent and truthful.
Helpers in the morning
This week we have the following children helping to take the younger children to their class:
Beth Tilly John Paul Lorenzo
Notices
Please do continue to keep up to date with your child’s homework (particularly spelling). The vocabulary that the children are being asked to spell are getting more complex and they will need your support to figure out the best strategy to use. Learning them over time, rather than bulking them the night before, always seems like the best route to use.
On Friday 13th February it is Parents Day - please email your preferred time at k.harrison@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk.
Have a happy weekend.
Mrs Harrison, Mrs Tierney and Mrs Barker