November can often be a solemn month as we remember everyone who has passed before us; the but the sign of the poppy can too bring a smile. This week in school, we have been looking at the poppy and the symbol that it is. I think the display in our Worship Area is one of my most favourite displays to date. It is made with love. On Monday, I will be taking our Year 6 leadership team to the Cenotaph to be part of the community celebrations for Remembrance, and taking the wreath that we have created. I am sure it will be incredibly poignant.
We have continued to act with intention in school and follow in the footsteps of the Saints who have come before us. In Monday’s liturgy, we discussed the diversity of the saints that we have and the difference in ages. We met Carlos Acutis who became a saint at the age of 15 - we too can be saints and behave like them; always intentionally.
What intentionally kind acts can you spot at home this weekend?
Christmas is coming…
Now the excitement of fireworks and Bonfire have left us, attention in school is quickly turning to Christmas and the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Songs have started to be heard around school as each class prepares for their own retelling of the nativity story. Nativity letters will be going home with how you can order your tickets and tonight, the travelling nativities will be heading to their homes for the first time. This was something that we introduced last year to ensure that each house welcomed the stable. In each bag you will find; the nativity, purple material, a story, some candles and a book for each child to sketch or write what they feel. Please do take a photo and email it into your class teacher.
We also want to create a menu of opportunity for the children to get involved in events, whilst raising money for the school at the same time. Christmas is about community and family - there really is something for everyone here! Nothing costs the earth either, as I know Christmas is an expensive time for us all. This year Mrs Nel has organised a Christmas raffle - just like the ones that we used to have. These raffle books will be coming home on Monday. We have already started gathering prizes, but if any generous members of our community would like to offer more; please do. In order to create raffle hampers, we will be having two own clothes days; one for a bar of chocolate and one for a bottle. Mrs Naylor will also be running a parent and child pottery night after school on Tuesday 3rd December where you can paint decorations together; she will then arranged for them to be fired. Further information will go on the blog next week.
Creative Playtimes.
Thank you to everyone who has donated blocks and more blocks for our playground. They have been well used this week and we have had so much fun together. We have a dolls house and some cars arriving soon too! The Year 2 girls have been putting on show after show - I think a stage might be next!
Book Looks
Thank you to all of the parents in Year 2, 3 and 5 who came to look through their child’s books with them this week. The children really love sitting down with you and sharing their work - they really have worked their socks off this year so far.
The dates and times for next week’s book looks are below. We look forward to seein you then.
13th November: Year 6 Book Look @ 2.30pm
14th November: Year 1 Book Look @ 9am
14th November: Year 4 Book Look @ 2.30pm
STARs of the Week
Office News
Our kitchen extension is flying up and because of the bought of dry weather, we are currently two weeks ahead of schedule - which is staggering. Despite Jacqui and Mirium feeding the builders large quantities of her famous flapjacks, they seem to have just got on. Maybe the flapjacks were the fuel that they needed! Because we are ahead, it means that they will be knocking through sooner than we thought. Therefore next Friday will be Jacqui and Mirium’s last day in the current kitchen before they move to St Thomas’s to cook our dinners from there. I will communicate next Friday what this means for lunches going forward. We are getting even more excited about what this add to our school and the impact that we have.
Our Weekly Attendance
A funny thing has happened in school this week. As you know, we have had a group of workmen outside school completing the extension to our school kitchen rapidly. Well, one of our brick layers has turned out to be a rubgy league player for Leigh Leopards (he is training for life beyond rugby), and as many of you know, our Sale boys are huge fans of the Leopards, infact Josh is their favourite player. Another lovely fact is that Sale Way (which Leigh Sports Stadium is built upon) is named after Tommy Sale MBE (the boys’ great-grandad). Very kindly, Josh has signed some of the boys merchandise and kit for them this week and answered their questions when meeting them - it was so lovely and incredibly special. .
Finally, on behalf of the whole school community, I have sent congratulations to Mrs Hartley and her husband on the safe arrival of their beautiful little girl, Freya. Both mum and daugter are well and Freya is perfect in every way. We cannot wait to welcome them into school for cuddles.
Have a lovely weekend - don’t forget PJ day next Friday for Brian House. £1 and teddy is all you need!
God bless
Mrs Gregan