In this week’s Gospel, we are told that it is now our responsibility to live as Jesus helped us to. Now that he has ascended to heaven, it is down to us to care for our common home and the people who live on it. At mass today, Father Peter reminded us of this in his homily, and a very important prayer that was written by St Teresa:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Starting on May 19th, Pope Francis has set Laudato Si Week - Seeds of Hope. He has asked us to see our world as a suffering plant, calling for us to plant seeds of hope. Let us be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, rooted in faith and love. It seems appropriate that next Friday, our Eco-Team in Year 5 are asking us to be GREEN for the day. This will start our Laudato Si week in school. They have a mission to buy new litter pickers for the school and to buy some bird houses and feeders for the garden. Thank you Year 5 for caring for our Common Home so well.
We watched the CAFOD video in assembly today - why not watch it at home too.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of accompanying Year 6 to The Grand Theatre in Blackpool to see The Boy at the Back of the Class. This novel tells the story of a young boy who simply arrived at the back of his classroom; with no information about him. This story tells us how a group of friends fought for his friendship, protected him against prejudice and discrimination and ultimately reunited him with his family who had been lost when he became a refugee. I can tell you there was not a dry eye in the theatre from beginning to end. The message in this book demonstrates everything we need to be as human beings; what a beautiful link to our common home and the key messages from this week.
Over the next two weekends, our Year 4 children will be making their First Holy Communion. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they embark on their next sacramental journey. Our Year 6 children also have a big week next week as they take their end of year statutory assessments. Please keep them in your prayers too. We are so very proud of them and what they have already achieved.
Learning Role Models of the Week
Virtue Butterflies - Children being Learned and Wise
Learning Role Models
Walk to School in May
The lovely weather that we have been having has certainly helped our walk to school campaign. It has been really lovely seeing so many innovative ways that the children have created to come to school; I think many parents have done the same. We cannot thank you enough for your support with this and our roads do appear to be a lot quieter.
Next week, the weather isn’t looking quite as nice as it has been - this is your real test. Can you keep up the good work in damp conditions? We have every faith that you will.
More student councillors will be out and about next week with their flyers encouraging safe driving, safe parking and walking to school.
I have met with the Year 3 & 4 councillors this week who have decided to pool their winning prize money together and buy some scooters; creating a scooter area on the playground. These are role models and innovators in this area; we have never done this before. This week’s winning classes are Reception and Nursery!
Office news…
On Monday, sponsor forms will be going out for our annual JIM JAM JOG - a firm fixture on the school’s calendar. Every Summer, 240 children, staff and parents come dressed in their pjs ready to run as many times around the school field as possible. The funds raise always go towards the development of the school; this year that is our outside area and break time equipment. This year, it will take place on Monday 17th June at 8am.
In addition, this year we wanted to help another cause. It is very important that our children are aware of their community and causes that are close to them and us. There have been a number of significant events that have really made us stop this year and reflect. We hope that this summer, we can raise money for them both.
On 15th September 2023, we lost a very dear former pupil of ours, Harrison Bretheron. In a couple of week’s time, the family and friends of Harrison will be running his 22nd mile. Harrison never made it to 22 years of age; this is their tribute to him. All money raised from the run will be donated between Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and The Firefighter’s Charity; both of which have supported many of our current and former families. So far, they have raised over £15,000 - it is remarkable. We want to do our bit as well. Please support this event as much as you can - get your pjs ready!
We will be hosting a second charity towards the end of the year which our Year 5 children will tell us all about in a few week’s time.
Our Weekly Attendance
Attendance letters have been issued to any children whose attendance has fallen below 90%. We know that there are many reasons for this, and each child is different. By law, we have to have working relationships with parents, alerting them to their children’s attendance. As always, please come and speak to me if you have any concerns.
Wrap Around Care
Over the last few months, we have been looking at the offer we provide for Wrap Around Care, in line with the new guidance that will be available in the coming months. We will be in a position to let you know our plans in school before half-term.
One area we are continuing to look at is half-term provision. Judo Education successfully ran a half-term club at Easter. Our May half-term is always two weeks and I know that this may be an issue for those parents who need additional care; especially in that second week of the holidays. I have spoken to Mr Nay and Mr Murray who have said that there is a possibility of them running a club for children from Reception to Year 6 from 8am-3pm here at school. For this to happen, we have to have the numbers to support it and make it viable to run. If you would be interested in this provision, please can you complete the expression of interest form below. We will then be able to gage interest and let you know if it is something that CN Active can provide.
Have a lovely weekend with your families.
God bless
Mrs Gregan