The theme of a boat and the sea is symbolic to Our Ladys; not only does it feature in our name but also on our school badge. Living too by the coast, we have a constant reminder of how close we are in the sea air that we breathe in each day and certainly the weather that we experience - there is always a breeze. This week in school, there have been a number of references to boats and water. On Tuesday, our Year 2 children led us all in a liturgy about faith; told through the story of The Calming of the Storm. Here Jesus rebukes a storm and calms the waters around the boat; the sea is instantly stilled. As we are continuing to find ways to be faith-filled and hopeful this half term, this was a beautiful reminder that we all have times in which a storm rages inside us for many reasons. This storm can always be calmed, and just by talking to God, the chaos and worry in our lives can be stilled.
Next Thursday, we will be going to Mass to celebrate the start of the Jubilee year with Father Peter. We would love for you to join us and walk with us. If you are able to, please come to the entrance of the school at 9am and we will set off shortly after.
Governor Visits into School
I am really lucky that I can work with a governing body who see my vision for the school and are wanting to come in and work with the staff and children. This week, before our curriculum meeting, a number of governors came into school to sit in lessons, work alongside our children and chat to staff; before sharing what they had seen and asking me some really challenging questions. From geography to science to drama - they were fully involved (as you can see above).
Parents’ Meetings - Friday 14th February
Next Friday is the Parent Meetings with your child’s teacher. They are very much looking to talking you through the progress that your child has made this year and the areas that they need some support. As a staff team, we have looked at ways of providing you with more information about your child so that when you have the meeting next week, it is productive and informative. On Thursday, you will receive a mid-year report that will show where your children are at in the core subjects. It will either say that they are working within their current year group and are on track, or more support is needed. This will hopefully prompt a great discussion next Friday when you meet your class teacher. It is important that we continue to work together to share the progress of your child and identify ways in which you can help them too at home. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our Year 1, 2 and Reception parents in over the next few weeks to have some mathematical discussions.
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…
STAR Awards for this week
Office News
Our Weekly Attendance
Well done to Marsden who has won this half term’s house points by one point! You can come in your house colours of green next Thursday - our last day!
World Book Day is fast approaching and as we are in the middle of revamping the library, it all seems to be happening at the same time which is great. For World Book Day, it isn’t just about the costumes of the book characters, there is so much more you could dress up as. Below on the poster is lots of ideas that you could use - not just costumes. Be creative!
Next week is National Online Safety Day - technology is wonderful and has such an important place in our lives. I am regularly celebrating children for their work on Numbots or TT Rockstars; but how do we protect ourselves when online? Whats steps can we put in place to educate ourselves now and to protect ourselves in the future? This is conversation that we will continue to have to enable our children to grow up safely whilst accessing a technological world.
Have a lovely weekend with your families.
God bless
Mrs Gregan