It has been a pleasure to welcome all the children back to school. Everywhere I have turned I’ve seen children immersed in learning- focused and enthusiastic. Every class seems to have found their stride, relationships secured and with this, a clear sense of belonging and belief. Once we feel this safe and settled, resilience follows. Children know that their efforts and determination will be seen and celebrated and that makes all the difference!
On Tuesday we celebrated All Saints Day in church - a lovely way start our second half term. Year 1 parents are in for a treat next week - I spotted a very joyful assembly practice today. Year 6 have been planning dinner time clubs to run for the younger children and Year 4 allowed all the teachers to watch them take part in a maths lesson, - yes, due to careful planning and strategic cover, ALL the teachers in the same lesson! This is called “Lesson Study”, it is a way for teachers to learn from one another. We are all part of a learning community here and we never stop learning or wanting to move forward!
On Thursday the children came together for a special assembly with our Headteacher to be (January 2023) Mrs Gregan. During the assembly she shared the story of Stuart Robinson. Stuart is a gold medal winning Paralympian, who represented GB in the recent Olympic games in wheel-chair rugby. Together we are going to take part in a Sport for Schools event. Stuart will be inspiring the children and setting them sporting challenges which we are hoping you will sponsor them to complete. Remember, PE kits next Friday. Please see the sports section on the Engage page of the website for more information. Sponsor forms were sent home this week - please check bags.
Finally a little shout out to the new Eco Council. This group is made up of Year 5 volunteers. They are the children who keep the school grounds spick-and-span! On Thursday they joined the community at Hope Park to plant spring bulbs. In under 45 mins they planted almost 200. Well done children - we look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour in Spring!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Here at Our Lady’s we encourage the children to bring healthy snacks to eat on the playground. Every day, children come with a wide selection of interesting foods. We have recently reviewed our approach to allergies and, in light of this review, we would like to make changes to our snacks at break time practice. Please press the button below to open our Healthy Snack Guide. Here you will see which snacks we encourage. Please also notice that nuts have been removed and the following is stated:
Our Lady Star of the Sea support the approach advocated by The Anaphylaxis Campaign and Allergy UK towards allergies. We are a Allergen aware school. No school can guarantee a truly allergen free environment for a child living with food allergy. Instead, we have adopted a culture of allergy awareness and education. This ‘whole school awareness of allergies’ ensures teachers, parents, pupils and all other staff are aware of what allergies are, the importance of avoiding the pupils’ allergens, the signs & symptoms, how to deal with allergic reactions and to ensure policies and procedures are in place to minimise risk. In line with our school policy. We therefore ask you please not to bring nuts to school as an everyday snack – similarly no bars which are nut based.
OFFICE NEWS
As we said in the last newsletter, this is a 7 week and 2 day half- term (37 sessions) leading up to Christmas. Dinner Money for the half-term is £88.80 (dinners are £2.40 each) and as always, payable on ParentPay. This week’s dinners will be inputted by the end of today and any necessary reminders sent by text re payment. Please look at your child’s dinner account - we have some arrears which weren’t cleared over the holiday. On Monday we’ll check balances and contact any parents whose children’s dinner accounts are in debit if no arrangement has been agreed.
Again, UNIFORM! On Friday 11th November at 2:50pm, we’ll have a pre-loved uniform stall which has now been relocated to the School Hall, to visit before picking up the children – there will be no charge to anyone. We’d just like people to come and take items which will be of use to them.
We’ve received some spare outgrown uniform, washed and in good condition, in the Office, and could do with lots more, if available, to make it a real Eco Uniform event. Please check if you have anything to pass on in decent condition and we’ll make this a termly event if there is a demand.
Tempest Photography Orders – many of you have ordered online which is great! If you haven’t and would like to send your orders via school, please bring in to class by Wednesday, 9th November AT THE LATEST and we will organise a special collection.
Finally – Poppies –sadly we haven’t received any again this year and have tried contacting the Head Office at Royal British Legion to find someone local to supply us but not been successful. We’re disappointed as we always collect a goodly sum for this charity and will try to ensure we have them for next year. Hopefully you can buy poppies locally, children can wear them in school and we shall be reflecting and having the 2 minute silence at 11am on Friday 11th November.
Attendance
News Beyond the school!
It is a very busy time in school and in our parish too. There is a Quiz night next Friday and if you want a special night out, why not attend the annual Advent celebration meal- here is the notice from the Parish Newsletter:
An Advent Celebration - We will be holding our Advent celebration on Saturday 26th November from 5pm until approximately 8pm. (If people want I can open the bar after that). This is the first Advent celebration since Covid and unfortunately catering prices have increased so regrettably I have had to increase the ticket prices. Adult ticket is £17 for a three course meal and wine (meal choices - veg soup or pate; steak and ale pie or salmon, dessert). Child’s ticket is £7.50 for veg soup, chicken, dessert orange or blackcurrant cordial. I need as many children as possible to take part and can guarantee a part for any child who wants one. For more information please contact Jane 0n 07714588068.
Bonfire night: Click here for a list of organised firework displays in Lancashire. Please keep safe - the children have all participated in firwework safety lessons this week and we hope that all who attend events, parties and gatherings will do so safely and have a great time.
We wish everyone a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
Wednesday Word
Please take time to reflect on the Gospel alone or with family. God Bless