All around school, doors of hope are popping up, having been designed by the children in the classrooms. They are joyful and each one a symbol of what hope means to them. Last week, we talked about the jubilee and the significance of the door. I asked the children teo visualise their own doors at home and what these looked like; some are black or white, some colourful, some have flowers or wreaths, some glass or solid. Whatever your door looks like, always make sure that it welcomes people in and that God is seen on the other side. Our classroom doors will now form a pilgrimage through the school - so special as we journey towards Lent.
Don’t forget about…Jubilee Art Competition
The diocese are really keen for as many people to be part of the Jubilee celebrations as possible; with lots of events taking place throughout the year. One of the first events is an art competition - which we love here at Our Ladys. There is not just a competition for the children, but one for adults too (and after pottery painting, I know that we have some very talented parents). Below are the instructions as to how you can get involved and when the work needs to be brought into school. Read the instructions carefully and look at the inspiration given. Let’s see if we can get lots of entries to submit to Bishop Paul.
Family Mass Celebration
It is our 3rd family mass on Sunday; lots of children are yet again involved and this Sunday marks the final day of the Christmas period. We look forward to seeing you there and to celebrating together. I know the hymns are firm favourites of the children so we should be in good voice.
Growing our School
You will all be aware that our Forest School is in its infancy, and we are so very excited about how this journey is going to progress and move forward. You will see from the photographs above just how much fun and creativity was shown from our afternoon groups this week with their tree art using clay. We also have our garden area with our planting beds which over the years, Mrs Hotchkiss & Mrs Mather have developed. In the coming weeks, we are going to have a number of hedges and saplings arrive which we are going to plant to increase the space of Forest School and also section off the garden. We are planning to hold a planting afternoon where it is all hands on deck to get involved - we will need your help. On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Hotchkiss, Mrs Mather and two of our Year 5 children headed off to a school in Chorley who has made growing their super power. They went to find out what a community garden looks like and how we can embed it into our plans here. Another exciting opportunity coming up!
Parents’ Meetings - Friday 14th February
In a few weeks, there will be the opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher and find out how they are getting on following your conversation in October. In the Summer term, you will again be invited into school to sit with your child and see their work alongside them. There is so much wonderful learning taking place.
We will be using the same system we used in the past, called SchoolCloud. This will allow you to access the meeting from where ever you are (even if you are flying off somewhere exotic), with no need to wait in school. This can always be tricky, especially if you have multiple children. We have found in the past year that parent attendance has been higher virtually, than it was in person. I even had the pleasure of conducting a parents’ meeting whilst the family was on a beach in Mexico!
This platform has no app for you to install, you simply use your web browser, and you will be automatically connected with the teacher at the time you have booked in the appointment schedule. Each appointment will last ten minutes and start at the allotted time. You will then see the time and count down on the screen. Please note: when the countdown ends, the meeting is automatically closed and the next appointment is started, we have no control over this. Please log in and check the audio and visual before your appointment starts.
Within the program there is a facility to add a note when you book. If there is something specific which you would like to discuss, this will enable you to communicate it to the teacher before the meeting.
The available appointments will be on Friday 14th February from 8.30am - 5.00pm. Appointments can be booked from 4pm today by clicking on this link:
When it asks you to input your child’s class at login please input the following:
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
When booking, it is crucial that you use your child’s legal forename and surname – those recorded on our school management system. If any part of your child’s name is hyphenated, again it needs to be so when typing in their name. Your own name on Sims is now recorded with one of the following titles Miss, Mrs, Mr or Dr. The system will also ask for an email address so that a reminder can be sent out. If you are having any problems, please do email Mrs Nel on bursar@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk and we will help you next week.
Shining the way this week…
Our Learning Award Winners!
Our STAR virtues
Office News
Our Weekly Attendance
Thank you so much for all of the dog posters and photographs that have come into school this week. I will be very busy next week making them into posters and laminating them for the fences. I hope that because of the better weather, and lighter mornings and evenings, the problem that we have been having will disappear!
You may have also noticed a police presence before and after school this week. This is to ensure that we are all parking safely and not on the double yellow lines and zig zag lines. Thank you again for your cooperation with this. We know our roads are busy, we just need to look out for each other.
During the month of January, we collected 48 tins of soup for the Food Bank. In February, it will be baked beans. Please add a tin to your weekly shop and bring it into school during February. Let’s see if we can beat January’s total!
The warmer weather is definitely on its way, the sun has shone more brightly and the children are much happier. Have a lovely weekend with your families.
God bless
Mrs Gregan