Welcome to Year 5 2025!

We hope you have had an amazing summer break and we can’t wait to hear what you have got up to. We will be welcoming you back on Tuesday as upper juniors who are ready to lead our school as excellent role models. Year 5 an exciting and challenging year but one that will be memorable.

Our virtues for our first half term will be Learned and Wise. These will be at the core of everything we do in school and we are always looking out for children who display these characteristics. These will be important for our class councilor votes that will be taking place in the coming weeks.

Don’t forget to come equipped with your own pencil cases, making sure you have all you need in there but please make sure they are small enough to fit in your chair covers or trays at the end of the day- any that are too big will be sent home.

Indoor PE days will be on a Tuesday. On these days you need to make sure you wear tracksuits but also have a pair of shorts either under your trousers or in your bag to get changed in to. We don’t wear trainers during indoor PE, but if there are any issues with this then I must be informed by an adult. Our first lesson will be on our first day back on Tuesday 2nd September.

Outdoor PE is on a Wednesday, our first one is on Wednesday 3rd September.

Art in on a Monday- please remember to bring in your art tops to stop your uniform from getting paint on- we will keep this in our trays.

Homework- will go out on Friday afternoons and will be due in the following Thursday. Please support us in this process to ensure children complete their homework and hand it in on time. We are trying to prepare them for Year 6 (and also high school) and taking responsibility and accountability is one of the best ways we can do this- we don’t want this to be such a shock next year.

Induction information will be sent out next week, so please look out for when it will be. You will be able discover more about the exciting opportunities and topics that they will be learning during their time in Year 5 and we can answer any questions you may have! More information, such as important forms that will need completing will be available soon so please do keep checking the Year 5 page.

Important Notices:

Please make sure all coats and school uniform is labelled- let’s get off to a good start.

Payment is live on parent pay for our trip to London on Thursday 18th September.

We can’t wait to see you all on Tuesday and hear about your holidays!

Water bottles are essential to keep us hydrated throughout the day.


Enjoy your last few days of the holidays and we look forward to seeing you in Year 5,
Mr Cornwell and Miss Johnson

Welcome to Year 1 2025!

We are so excited to welcome you to Year 1!

We hope that you have all had a wonderful summer, we have definitely done well with the weather - perfect for lots of nice walks and days out! This week we have been busy making the classroom ready to welcome the children back in on Tuesday morning. We have a lovely home corner, a learning pod for our guided work, fine motor area, maths and English areas, a topic investigation zone, book corner, and IPad station, all of which will have a linked activity for our current learning.

Below we hope to answer all of the questions that might be popping into your minds as you start to get ready for Tuesday…

In Year 1 you do NOT need to bring in a pencil case, we will have all the stationary that your child may need in class for them - one less thing to think about!

You will need a water bottle - if possible labelled to help with making sure they go home with the right child.

Similarly to Reception, there will be a healthy snack provided (this will be a piece of fruit or vegetable such as carrots) however if you would like your child to bring in their own snack you are most welcome. They will be able to get these out before our morning snack time. Please make sure these are a healthy snack and remember that we are a nut free school.

Outside PE lessons are on Mondays, so you need to come in wearing your PE tracksuit.

Inside PE lessons are on Thursdays, again you can come into school wearing PE tracksuits (if warm then no need for tracksuit bottoms - just PE shorts). As the weather gets colder please make sure that PE shorts are either worn under tracksuit bottoms, or left in school or in your child’s school bag - ready to change into before the lesson

We ask for no earrings / jewellery to be worn on PE days. Unfortunately, we are unable to help take earrings out or put them back in so this must be done before school at home.

Art is on a Tuesday afternoon with Mrs Mather. Please bring an art shirt/t-shirt to keep in your trays, to cover your uniform in messy lessons.

Homework will be sent home on a Friday and should be brought back into school by the following Wednesday.

As we settle into Year 1 each child will have a reading book and reading record. We will give you more information about this shortly.

At home times, children will be collected from the Year 1 outside area next to the classroom. Morning drop off is as usual.

Please remember to label all of your uniform.

We can’t wait to see you all next week!

Should you need or want to get in contact with us, below are our email addresses:

c.bassett@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

s.hartley@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Miss Bassett, Mrs Hartley and Mrs Hennessy

Welcome to Year 6 2025!

We can’t wait to welcome you all back to school for a VERY exciting year, full of challenges, fun learning and service. We are now in the process of getting it all ready for your arrival and I know as soon as you come through the door, you are going to make such wonderful leaders of the school. This is your final year at Our Lady’s- let’s make it the best one yet, where we achieve everything we are capable of, love and celebrate one another and serve the school through inspiring all of our younger pupils. Don’t forget to send all of your House Captain Speeches in, your deadline is Thursday 4th September!

Next week we will be focusing on our leadership roles within school and how our two new virtues (Learned and Wise) will be at the centre of these roles. We will be applying for the jobs we would like, looking at how WE can make a difference in our school and looking at what type of leader we hoped to be.

Don’t forget to come equipped with your own pencil cases, making sure you have all you need in there but please make sure they are small enough to fit in your chair covers or trays at the end of the day- any that are too big will be sent home.

Indoor PE days will be on a Monday. On these days you need to make sure you wear tracksuits but also have a pair of shorts either under your trousers or in your bag to get changed in to. We don’t wear trainers during indoor PE, but if there are any issues with this then I must be informed by an adult.

Outdoor PE is on a Wednesday, our first one is on Wednesday 3rd September.

Art in on a Friday- please remember to bring in your art tops to stop your uniform from getting paint on- we will keep this in our trays.

Homework- will go out on Thursday afternoons and will be due in the following Wednesday. Please support us in this process to ensure children complete their homework and hand it in on time. We are trying to prepare them for high school and taking responsibility and accountability is one of the best ways we can do this- we don’t want this to be such a shock next year.

Induction information will be sent out next week, so please look out for when it will be. You will be able discover more about the exciting opportunities and topics that they will be learning during their time in Year 6 and we can answer any questions you may have! More information, such as important forms that will need completing will be available soon so please do keep checking the Year 6 page.

Important Notices:

Please make sure all coats and school uniform is labelled- let’s get off to a good start.

Don’t forget to keep those house captain speeches coming in!

We can’t wait to see you all on Tuesday and hear about your holidays!

Water bottles are essential to keep us hydrated throughout the day.


Enjoy your last few days of the holidays and we look forward to seeing you in Year 6,
Mrs Harrison, Mrs Barker and Mrs Tierney.

House Captain Videos ...

Use this summer wisely to prepare and film your House Captain speeches …The children are to film a House Captain speech ready to show the younger children in the second week back in September. The children will be familiar, from watching them over the years, of great examples of effective speeches all made by previous Year 6 children. The speech needs to be inspirational, directed at the younger children, unique to us and enjoyable to watch, but must give us/ show us the reasons why they should be voted to be the next leader of their house! So remember to share your qualities, talents and the reasons why you would make a great House Captain! Could all videos please be emailed to Mrs Harrison within the first week back in Year 6. Remember, if you want to be considered as head boy or girl, sports captains as well as a house captain, then the video is crucial.

 

k.harrison@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Hope you are having a wonderful summer and see you in Year 6!

Our final blog of the year!!

Well, here we are, the last blog of the year. It seemed only yesterday I was coming to visit everyone at home!

It has been a week full of fun and celebration of everything we have achieved during the year and my goodness have we accomplished a lot! On Monday we watched the Year 6 end of year play, Peter Pan. It was absolutely amazing. I can remember the children when they were in nursery so many years ago and now look at them! It was like a West End production and makes me extremely proud.

Wednesday was our end of year Leavers Party (with a visit from a Giant Octopus!). Everyone had a great time! Take a look at our photos!

In the afternoon, we had a movie afternoon…with popcorn!

As you are aware our lovely Michelle is retiring today…a well earned rest is in order. I’m sure you will join me in wishing her a healthy and happy retirement, and to say a massive thank you for all she has done for nursery over the years.

Michelle has written a ‘farewell’ message to everyone.

Hello everyone,

I can’t believe that I am writing my last nursery blog. I am so lucky to have got to spend the last three years with all of the wonderful children and staff at Our Lady’s . I have been privileged to have been involved in educating so mant tiny minds.

I would like to thank all of the children, staff and families for all thier well wishes and gifts! It is lovely to feel so appreciated. Thank you also for all the wonderful memories. They will stay with me forever.

Lots of love

Michelle

Finally, I would like to thank you for choosing Our Lady’s Nursery to be the start of your child’s learning journey. It has been an honour to work alongside your child and with you trust and support. Thank you.

May I also, on behalf of the whole tea. thank you for your kind words and generous gifts. It is truly overwhelming.

Have the most wonderful summer. We will see some of our friends that will be returning to nursery in September, others we will see ‘over the garden wall’ in Reception and some we hope will pop in to see us from time to time as they venture further afield. Once an Our Lady, always and Our Lady.

Take care and God Bless

Barbara

Final Year 5 Blog of the Year 2024/25

And we have arrived at the end! What a fantastic week to finish off such a wonderful year. As tradition, Year 5 get to take part in Year 6’s end of year performance (which was outstanding!). Our children grew in confidence as each performance went on and really did save their best until last. Some children even stepped in on last minute to read the lines of other children who were absent which showed incredible bravery, resilience and confidence- thank you to those children! We are still scraping the final pieces of glitter and face paint from the carpet but it was all worth it in the end as the Indian braves gave their best war cries and dances whilst our sea creatures glided across the lagoon.

With the final days becoming more relaxed, teachers have ‘forgotten’ to blow the whistle at the end of break times, which has allowed the children to get the most out of their last few break times of the year.

Let’s Celebrate

  • Learner of the Year- This week our award goes to Finley for displaying all of our learning characteristics throughout the whole year. It did not surprise me to see that you had won the children’s vote for this award. Your teachers have always known that you display all of our characteristics so it is brilliant to see that your classmates have also seen this.


  • Virtue Star of the Year- Our winner, voted by the children, for our star of the year goes to Ciaran. You are such a liked member of our class Ciaran but this does not come from your football skills or your jokes, it comes from you being a good and hardworking person- a person who always displays our virtues day in and day out. You are so full of kindness and this is something we all see everyday. Never change in this regard.

Notices

  • Homework- There is no official homework set over the summer but it is vital that children keep on top of their times tables, reading and handwriting so they are ready for Year 6 and can get the ball rolling straight away.

  • Book Collection- Please can everyone have a look at home for any library books, which are to be brought in back in September.

  • Football Kits- Any school football kits that are found at home over summer need to be brought back in to Mr Cornwell in September.

  • School will reopen for the new year on 2nd September.

    Have a fantastic and safe summer holidays!

What a fantastic first year!

My goodness, I cannot believe we have reached the end of our first year of All Stars! We have had such an amazing year with wonderful children and wonderful parents. It has been an absolute privilege to provide wraparound care for our children here at Our Lady’s.

This half term has seen the sun shine bright and blue skies a plenty, which has enabled us to have lots of outside time. From snack on the benches to a cool treat on the hotter days and the choice of a variety of child lead activities. The staff and I have had just as much fun as the children! With Den Making a plenty, tennis, outdoor games and Lego builds. Dressing up into an array of characters and joining the Gym Jam Jog. We have certainly kept ourselves entertained!

The All Stars team would like to thank you all for your support, contributions and donations throughout the year.

We look forward to welcoming you back next year, old and new. If you haven’t already done so, please do book your required places now, this will enable us to plan ahead and ensure we have the correct staffing in place.

 We look forward to welcoming you back in September.

 

Have a wonderful Summer Holiday

God Bless

The All Stars Team

Food Technology- Seasonal Flan

 I cannot believe how quick this term has flown, let alone the year! We have had a wonderful time in Year 3 this term exploring where in the world various foods come from, the air miles that they travel and the carbon footprint it leaves. We have looked at climate across the globe and how preparing seasonal meals can help cut emissions. The children have continued on their food preparation journey, by learning how to peel a variety of fruits and vegetables and have enhanced their cutting skills. They then went onto planning a collaborative seasonal flan in small groups and worked together to make their chosen flan. They all looked and smelt amazing! I do hope the children enjoyed their hard work.

 It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. I look forward to teaching them new skills next year where they will continue on their creative journey. Thank you for your continued support.

Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Food Technology- Smoothies

I cannot believe how quick this final term has flown! We have had such a wonderful time in year 1 exploring where fruits and vegetables come from; below ground, above ground and on a plant. We then investigated what defines a fruit and vegetables, with an interesting conversation over the humble pineapple- is it fruit or veg, as it has no seeds! The children then moved onto cutting and juicing fruit in preparation for their smoothie making. After having a tasting session of various branded smoothies, they then went on to plan their very own. Thank you Miss Hennessey for you assistance on the day! It was absolutely delicious, just what we needed on a very hot day!

It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. I look forward to teaching them new skills next year where they will continue on their creative journey. Thank you for your continued support.

 Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Food Technology- Biscuits

I cannot believe how quick this term has flown, let alone the year! We have had a wonderful time in Year 4 investigating and exploring the world of biscuits! We kick started the unit with a huge tasting session, which consisted of evaluating a variety of branded biscuits. The children then went on to making a basic biscuit. From there, they went on to collaboratively design a new biscuit by adapting the original recipe. We looked at product marketing, packaging and advertising their new biscuit with a particular target audience in mind. The final results were amazing, with the packaging and posters, they would certainly give existing companies a run for their money!

 

 

It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. I look forward to teaching them new skills next year where they will continue on their creative journey. Thank you for your continued support.

Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Food Technology- Wraps

I cannot believe how quick this term has flown, let alone the year! We have had a wonderful time in Year 2 this term exploring the food groups and why it is important to have a balanced diet in order for our bodies to develop, mend and grow. The children had great fun looking at existing balanced meals in restaurants to plan their own menu. They then went on to develop their cutting skills and mastered how to grate a variety of vegetables ending in a tasting session. Well done to the children for having a go and tasting new things! Finally, the children went on to design their own wrap according to their own tastes, with the challenge of having each of the food groups in their design. The end results looked absolutely delicious, I do hope the children enjoyed them. Thank you Miss Slater for your assistance on the day!

 It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. I look forward to teaching them new skills next year where they will continue on their creative journey. Thank you for your continued support.

Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Food Technology- Bolognaise

I cannot believe how quick this term has flown, let alone the year! We have had a wonderful time in Year 5 this term discovering the ins and outs of Bolognaise sauce! We kick started the unit by learning about where our meat comes from and how it journeys from farm to fork. We had a tasting session to see if they could identify ingredients within a branded sauce and whether they could distinguish between a high end and value sauce. Looking at a basic bolognaise recipe, the children collaboratively adapted the recipe to their choice, swapping one ingredient and adding three more. The children worked wonderfully together, taking each other’s opinions into consideration before deciding on the final ingredients. They continued to worked superbly when cooking day came, they all chipped in to make a delicious sauce. The aroma around the school was amazing! I do hope they enjoyed the fruits of their labour. A huge thank you Mrs Tierney for assisting on the day.

It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. I look forward to teaching them new skills next year where they will continue on their creative journey. Thank you for your continued support.

Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Food Technology – Come Dine with Me- Forest School Style!

 I cannot believe how quick this term has flown, let alone the year! We had a wonderful time this half term designing a collaborative three course meal to prepare and cook on the campfire. The children used all their previous learning to create a healthy, balances meal for their peers. As a half class group, they all worked superbly together supporting not only with their dish, but to help with the other dishes as well.  This was very much a first here at Our Lady’s and what a huge success it was! I cannot thank the children enough for their enthusiasm and maturity throughout the process.

A huge thank you goes to Miss Lavelle for assisting and coordinating the campfire cooking! It has been such a joy and a pleasure to teach Art and DT with your children this year. They have been so enthusiastic with their learning and have turned their hand to a myriad of skills and techniques this year. Thank you so much for your support. Year 6 are an amazing group of children. I with them all the very best as they embark on their next creative journey.

Have a wonderful Summer

God Bless

Mrs Mather