I don’t think many of us can believe just how quick this year has gone. It does not seem two minutes since we were opening the doors to school in September, and yet here we are in the final half-term of the year. It seems really fitting that the last two Jesuit virtues of our school year are Grateful and Generous. There is so much to be grateful for as we look back but still so much to give. Our Year 6s are showing us how to be generous with our time; they have embarked on their jobs around school, supporting children in classes and leading at sports days. We couldn’t be prouder of this group of children and how they have grown throughout their time at Our Ladys. In assembly today, we talked about the Kingdom of God and how we can bring it alive here in our community. Next week I will be meeting our student council to discuss what it means to be a star. The more and more I think about our children and community, the more I see them shining so very brightly. We are going to bring this idea across the school next year; from nursery through to Year 6.
Sports Days
Schooling is all about creating memories; good or bad, they are the times and events that we remember as we grow up and can shape our outlook on things. Sports days are one of those memories. Despite my absolute love of sport, I still remember getting my polo shirt button caught in the cargo net of the obstacle race at the age of 7. The sun kind of shone this week, meaning that we could complete the KS2 Sports Days. All 120 children gave it their all as they jumped, threw, ran and hurdled with the aim of collecting enough points for their houses. Parents, grandparents and friends cheered from the sidelines; the louder they got the quicker the children ran. Plessington were victorious in Year 5 & 6 and Harcourt in Year 3 & 4; currently, Plessington are the overall winners as we move into Key Stage 1 next week. The weather is looking unpredictable so please keep praying for nice weather so our younger children can have their chance to shine.
This week also demonstrated our new virtues fully as you showed just how generous you are and how grateful we are for the care Dominic has received. Before half-term, I told you how we would be raising money this half-term for causes close to our hearts; for Harrison Bretherton and for Dominic Barrow. A team of Year 5 children, buckets in arm, manned the gates to Sports Day, collecting funds for The Manchester Children’s Hospital. Just this week, we have raised £298.40 for the cause - WOW! Let’s see if we can keep this going into our Key Stage 1 events.
The Gym Jam Jog will take place on Monday morning at 8am (weather dependant). Don’t forget pjs, teddies and your sponsor money - have a hearty breakfast before you come to school! If the weather is not good, we will postpone and rearrange so that it is an enjoyable event for all. I will send out a text on Sunday to confirm.
Thsi morning I hosted the Lytham St Annes Swimming Gala at Palatine Swimming Baths. All of thye local schools send swimmers from Year 5 & 6 to compete in individual and realy events. Our team were magnificent, if not a little depleted. Despite this, we had more finalists than we have had before and earned more points. Well done to all swimmers! A special shout out to Benjamin and Ella who both medalled at the event in their individual races!
Learning Role Models of the Week
Learning role models of the half-term
Virtue butterfly award winner
Office news…
Before half-term, I asked for biographies from parents who wanted to be involved in school as a parent governor. I know that we have asked alot for this recently and have appointed a few times in recent years, so I am incredibly grateful that Michael Heyes and Kate Howcroft have stepped forward. I have attached their biographies below for you to read over the weekend. Voting slips will then be going out on Monday for you all to cast your votes and return to school. Thank you so much.
Below you will see our attendance for this week. Thank you to all of the parents who have been away during half-term and experienced delays on the return; thank you for communicating them to us. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you the government changes to attendance that will be implemented next year. I will try and make it as easy to understand as I can.
Our Weekly Attendance
In a couple of weeks, Saturday 29th June, St Annes Carnival Day will be coming to town. Last year we walked with our parish family as a school, and this year we plan to do the same. If your child would like to walk with us as a school and parish, please can you complete the form below so that we can plan for numbers. It would be lovely to have a good group of children and parents walking like we did last year.
Finally, on behalf of us all, I would like to extend our congratulations to Mrs Hartley and her husband who are expecting their first child together. We are so happy for them and know that the reception class are incredibly excited! Once teachers for next year have been finalised, I will of course share them with you. They will all be popping in to work with their new classes in the next few weeks before transition day on Wednesday 3rd July; on this day, the children will be visiting their new classes and getting a taste of what life will be like next year.
God bless and have a wonderful weekend. I know many of you will be excited about the Euros - fingers crossed for England (although I have Spain in the staff sweepstake!)
Mrs Gregan