Reconciliation and Holy Communion Programme

Today, marks the start of the children’s preparation to receive the very special gift of the eucharist in May. Throughout the next term, the children will be asked to think deeply about their faith and their commitment to the church before receiving Jesus via the Eucharist in May.

On Sunday, it is the Welcome Mass for all children and families. Those who are taking part in the programme will be expected to attend 9.30am mass so that Father Peter can welcome you all formally as part of the programme. During this week, Mrs Lyons and the class will be making something for them to bring with them, ready to display in church. It is a really special mass and it is so important that all children who will be making their First Reconciliation and Holy Communion make time to attend.

The formal sessions will then start for the children next Thursday and will run on the following dates from 3.30-4.20pm:

Thursday 29th February

Thursday 7th March

Thursday 14th March

Thursday 25th April

Thursday 2nd May

Thursday 9th May

Father Peter has asked to change the parents’s session due to him being called out of the diocese next Thursday. The parents’s sessions will now take place on the following dates from 3.30-4.20pm in school:

Thursday 7th March - Introductory Session and Reconciliation

Thursday 25th April - Holy Communion

This programme does require complete commitment from the children so that they will have that knowledge and understanding about what they will be doing and the significance of what they receive - it is so important and part of their sacramental journey.

We look forward to seeing you at church on Sunday and working with you all over the coming months.

Mrs Gregan

 

 

Year 1 Homework 9.2.24

Reading Challenge

The children are excited to start the reading challenge just a reminder it is one box per day. This will enciuarge the children to read regulary and it will help develop their fluency.

The QR codes are great too there are videos to help your child practise their sounds, If you need the code again let me know.

Lenten Boxes

In the lead up to Lent, we have been thinking about how we can support others in our local community. It has become an Our Lady’s tradition to make and swap Lenten boxes. This year, each Year 1 child will make a Lenten box that they will give to their buddy in Year 4. Year 4 will also be making a Lenten box for Year 1.

We kindly ask that these boxes are made during the half term break and brought back to school by Wednesday 21st February. Year 1 have brought home a note today in their reading folders to give them some ideas for decorating the Lenten box for their buddy.

Once swapped, these Lenten boxes can be used to collect donations for acts of kindness.

Have a lovely half term break

Miss Drummond

Year 5 Weekly Blog 09.02.24- It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light'

And just like that, we have reached halfway! It is crazy to think that we are already halfway through to the year-with the focus on Easter after half term which will then take us into summer. It has been a huge week of reflection as we celebrated both ‘Internet Safety Day’ and ‘Children’s Mental Health Week’. On Tuesday, we joined in with the rest of the country for a BBC live lesson which focused on the use of AI and what it is used for in daily life. We then looked at social media and compared each app to its age restriction- in which we discussed why this is and dangers that can arise from using social media.

On Wednesday, we opened the discussion about mental health and talked about what this means and how it is different from your physical health. The children then shared their own strategies which they use to help cope with stress in their life- no matter how big or small. On Wednesday, we also had the luxury of the afternoon out at St Bedes- in which we watched a pupil production of ‘The Lion King’. I was pleased to see the children take inspiration of the talent and hard work on show from the high school pupils.

On Monday afternoon, Year 5 took part in another enrichment afternoon- where they were learning the art of ballroom and Latin dancing with Mrs Harrison. This was a brilliant chance for children to show what they could do and also try out something completely new. Mrs Harrison could not compliment the children enough on their attitude and behaviour throughout the lesson.

In English, there has been lots of independent writing going on as the children finished their sci-fi story plans and completed their own story. In Maths, we touched base again with multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000- where children have understood the relationship between the place values when doing this. After half term, we will be moving to the right by dividing by 10, 100 and 1000.

In PE, it was promised that if our gymnastic sequences were to be completed and recorded by last week, then the most excitable ‘apparatus’ lesson would happen this week. The famous primary school climbing frame and ropes appeared for the first time this year as the children got to try out their balancing skills using some equipment and also test themselves on the ropes. It is fair to say they enjoyed this one.



Let’s Celebrate

With it being the end of a half term, the children have again voted for the certificate winners this week. To mark the halfway point of the school year, the theme has been progress. Who has made the most improvements this year from September- based on our learning characters. Here is who the children voted for and why:

  • Layla- Your classmates have noticed your focus, enthusiasm and determination throughout your work in the classroom. You don’t just sit back and act passively during our lessons- you’re always engaged.



  • Rose- Your classmates have noticed your determination throughout your maths lessons and have spotted how hard you have been working. Your focus has improved but more importantly your self-belief that you can do it!



  • Virtue Butterflies- Our butterfly this week goes to Sophia. You are very truthful in your actions in that you are always there comfort those who need it. You have brought such calmness to the classroom since you have been back and your approach to learning is so eloquent.



  • Lunchtime Certificates

    • Role Model of the Week- Millie

    • Marvelous Manners- Jacob

Notices

  • Lenten Boxes- Please check the homework blog to see more information about this.



  • World Book Day- Will be on Thursday 7th March. The children can dress up as a character from a book and they can also bring in a ‘magical object’, which they’ll use for a storytelling activity. This object could be as simple as a feather, shell, pebble or stick- They will use their imagination to create a story including this item.



  • Parents Evening Appointments- This will take place between 2:00pm-5:30pm over the course of two days, which are Wednesday 13th March and Wednesday 20th.



  • Extra-Curricular Timetable- This is now available on the sports page of the website, which includes the times and dates of the upcoming sports activities for before and after school. The children have also been given a copy of this.

This week...

Another half term over. We are already half way through our year at nursery…tempus fugit - time flies (when you are having fun)!

We have crammed so much into this week. It has been Online Safety Week and Mental Health Week. To help us understand how to stay safe online. We read the stories Once Upon an Online, Chicken Clicking and Smartie the Penguin. This stimulated a huge discussion about when and how often we should use our tablets and what we should do if something happened that worried us -who are safe people to sort the problem.

If you want to read the stories at home:

Click here for Chicken Clicking

Click here for Once upon an Online

Click here for Smartie the Penguin

I hope these stories help you approach the difficult topic of staying safe online at home.

Throughout the week we have been looking after our minds. We have talked about how our brains can sometimes become ‘overloaded’ and too busy’ and it can make us sad and fuzzy. To help us reconnect with ourselves and others we have been doing yoga and mindfulnes techniques…we are all so zen now. On Friday we will be having a Spa Day at nursery where we we be relaxing our minds and bodies, doing hand massages and breathing exercises. Here are a few links for you to try at home.

Bubble bounce

Smell the flower, blow out the candle

Rainbow relaxation

Thought bubbles

Body Scanner

Emma’s Blog

Hello everyone,

I can't believe it's our last week before half-term. Time goes so fast when your having fun at nursery. 

We have been busy enjoying helping the dinosaurs escape from the ice. We put some toy dinosaurs in water and popped them in the freezer. The children then used pipettes with warm water to melt the ice. We were working on our pincer grip and strengthening our muscles. We also used toy hammers, as some dinosaurs were very tricky to get out. As the ice melted, we talked about how the ice was solid at first, then as it melted it turned back into a liquid. The children ended up releasing 10 dinosaurs from the ice, it was great fun.

The children have been little artists outside, drawing their own dinosaurs with chalk. They came up with some fantastic dinosaurs. We did have some sad news though… the stegosaurus that we had made has gone on a new adventure to find a new home. The children have followed its footprints, but just can't seem to see where it has gone. I think the stegosaurus will enjoy a bit of peace and quiet wherever ever it has gone to.

The children did make another dinosaur with Justine, a small t-rex and a pterodactyl. They used the children's arms as a template for their wings. Why don't you have a go at home and see if you can make your own dinosaur over the holidays. Here is a video to give you an idea.

Click here Have fun!

Continuing with the dinosaur learning thread and improving our fine motor skills and hand strengthening, the children have been putting pegs onto dinosaurs. The dinosaurs all had a number on them and the children were working out how many pegs to put onto the dinosaur to match the dinosaurs number. Good counting everyone!!

We have been working hard giving our house outside a 'Spring clean'. We have spruced it up with some curtains, lampshades, fairy lights, and pictures on the wall. We have also added our nursery family pictures…IT LOOKS FABULOUS! The children have really enjoyed going in and playing, as well as looking after their new house. 

This week has been 'online safety week' at nursery, and we have been reading, watching and singing about how to be safe online, and what we should do if ever something unexpected pops up on screen whilst online (tell a safe grown up).

We have been so busy, and now its time for a well deserved rest.

Have a wonderful week off, and see you all soon.

Emma 

Michelle’s Blog

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's blog.

We have had a lovely week this week concentrating on our mental health.

We have had lots of lovely calm moments. One of our favourite moments was rainbow breathing. This is a good technique to use to have a calm moment. Click here

We have also continued to practice our letter sounds and have been playing a game to help. This has helped us with the letter sound g. Here is a link

Playing board games is a great way to practice taking turns. This week we played snakes and ladders and we had to throw the dice and say the number. Subitising is an essential skill to master that will make us maths wizards.

Our wellness week finished on Friday as we had a spa day. So relaxing, what a great way to start the half term

See you all soon and have a lovely half term.

Michelle 

 Worship

This week we linked our worship word of the week ‘HEAL’ to mental health week. Our lively discussing as always came back to be kind and loving just like Jesus. Everyone, including Mrs Gregan was given two smiles to give away to someone who has lost theirs. We were inspired by two quotes one which said “if you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours” and …in a world where you can be anything, BE KIND. The impact has been astounding, without being prompted the children noticed if a friend needed an extra bit of love, and gave them one of their smiley faces.

Half term Wednesday Word click here

We have been practising our new hymn Shine Jesus Shine and we are getting FABULOUS. We sang so loud that Mrs.Gregan heard us in her office and came into nursery to join us.

Art Exhibition

Don’t forget to pop along to the Art Exhibition at the Heritage Centre in Lytham to take a look at our exhibit along with exhibits from the rest of our school, and other local school! I believe it will be there during February.

Lenten Boxes

As in previous years we will be joining in with school and producing Lenten Almsgiving boxes. Over half term we would like each child to make a Lenten box to swap with a child from our Class link (YR 3). The children could use a margarine tub, small cardboard box or container and decorate it how they choose. Please ensure Lenten Boxes are brought back into nursery by Wednesday 21st February ready to swap.

Spa Day

Such a wonderful way to finish our Mental Health week….

Half term

Nursery closes for half term Friday 9th February and reopens on Monday 19th February. As always I would like to say a huge thank you for all your support of nursery… you are wonderful.

When we return we will be exploring a new learning thread so watch this space (that’s a clue!)

Enjoy a well earned rest if you can and I will see you all on Monday 19th, bright and early.

God Bless and stay safe.

Barbara

Year 5 Half Term Homework

Reading

We are currently at just over 4 million words as a class on our word count for the year. At Christmas, we set a target of 10 million words before the end of school in summer. We are currently halfway through the year so the more everyone reads- the closer we will get to the target!

Spelling

This weeks focus has been words ending in ‘shus’ but spelt -cious. After half term, we will then be focusing on words with -tious endings so it is important we that we practice over half term to learn the difference.

  1. spacious

  2. vicious

  3. precious

  4. suspicious

  5. conscious

  6. delicious

  7. ferocious

  8. luscious

  9. malicious

  10. precocious

  11. atrocious

  12. pugnacious

Maths

We will be beginning our big multiplication and division topic after half term so it is vital that the children keep practicing their times tables over the week and they feel confident with all tables up to x12.

Science

For anyone who has not finished their planets fan project- this will need to be competed over half term. The research side has all been done and it is onto the colouring and making of the fans.

They will need to make a small hole through the circle, which is at the bottom of each sheet. Then you will need to place a split pin through each sheet (one by one) to create the fan.

When you have finished, take a picture of your child with their fan project so that the photo can go in their book for evidence.

Lenten Boxes

Easter will soon be approaching us after half term so the children will need to make a lenten box in order to swap with another child. The children could use butter tubs, plastic container, small cardboard box- it’s up to you! (Just make sure it is fully cleaned first)

Here are some examples of last years to help you out.

Year 6 Weekly Blog - 'Don't be afraid to take on the biggest of challenges, they offer the greatest reward.'

We have reached the end of a very busy and full half term. I know I say this most weeks, but I really am in awe of the work that the children are completing and the expectations that they have of themselves. Whether it be Science, Maths, RE or Art, the children always get fully stuck into their learning and become immersed by what they are being taught. I am so very proud of them all.

Online Safety

In the midst of our busy week, we devoted a large amount of conversation time to online safety. Tuesday was National Online Safety Day. Children from all over the country will have been looking carefully at their online behaviour; hopefully they will have learnt a thing or two.

In class we started by taking part in the BBC live lesson- looking at all of the ways technology enhances our lives and Artifical Intelligence, reflecting on both the positive and potential dangers of this. We then went on to talk about how online beahviours can influence us, both positively and negatively- there was lots of very deep and open conversations around this. Today we spoke about scoial media and how there are age restirctions for a reason. We relefcted on positive and negative behviours at using these platforms.

WELL-BEING…

On Wednesday, we looked at and discussed, all the ways we can look after our emotional well-being and looked at some strategies we can use when we feel overwhelmed by certain emotions. Today, we read a book about ‘tapping your way to a great big smile’ which focuses on a different strategy of tapping to relieve stress or as a way to manage feelings. All great tools to have under our belt as we progress to the end of the year!

Where has our learning taken us this week?

  • English - ‘Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo.’ This week we have explored Romeo and Juliet’s first encounter and written a recount in role- very romantic!

  • Maths - We have continued with our long division practice and consolidation- this will be ongoing now, so please do not worry if we are not 100% confident with this just YET- we WILL get there, we just have to be Sadie Spiders! Fractions has been a big part of the week, we have been simplifying fractions byt finding the highest common factor!

  • RE - What happens during the Liturgy of the Eucharist- we have looked at the main parts and discussed how Jesus is present.

Amended version of the video from last week. I am very sorry I missed off our final group!

Being an active and curious learner.

I am sure the children have come home to tell you that this week we sat our first mock SAT’ paper. We have really played these assessments down this year, focusing on the children’s learning, development and any gaps they have, rather than teaching them how to take a test. Year 6 knew just days before that they were going to complete this, as I didn’t want to give them too much time to dwell, however, they came in to school yesterday with great resilience and such a positive attitude. It is often really hard plunging into the unknown, but that is exactly what the children have done. After half term, we will continue to complete the Maths and Reading, but they all understand the importance of this and I am sure lots of lessons will be learnt which will enable us to build and move forward together as a class. Once they have completed these assessment, they will of course be marked and handed back to them where they will be encouraged to think about their progress and where they want to be next time they take a set of papers. Marginal gains is what it is all about. Over the next few weeks, the children will be bringing folders home, with their papers in them. This is their opportunity to share their work with you, to purple pen, celebrate their successes and reflect on their mistakes. At this point, it is really important to remember that the Year 6 curriculum has not been fully covered yet and we still have plenty of time. Please celebrate your child’s achievements and help them to develop their own targets. You may also find, over the next few weeks, past papers or SAT examples may come home as part of their homework. This can be completed the best way you see fit- whether this is alongside your child, independently or even, if they independently start and then go over their answers after. Homework is not always about assessing your child, this is done in class, homework is all about consolidating what they have learnt in class, revising and practicing skills they will need, so this may not always be formally marked, but what they have gained from carrying out these practice papers will have helped them greatly.

LEARNER OF THE HALF TERM

Voted for by your classmates for being an excellent learning role model within our classroom. The class think you have shone this half term …

Connor-Sean and Christian

Eloquent and Truthful butterflies

This half term we will be on the lookout for all the children that are eloquent in their words, that show the language to ask questions, express emotions, speak beliefs, talk about matters of faith and hope, debate points of view, and engage in conversation. Those who are truthful, who speak the truth about themselves and others. These children are the role models of the school. This week we thank Rosa for always being eloquent and truthful.

Lunch Time Awards …

Marvelous Manners awards … Charlie

Role Model of the week … Evan

Helpers in the morning

This week we have the following children helping to take the younger children to their class:

Evan Owen Harvey Matilda

Notices

  • World Book Day 7th March- dress up as your favourite BOOK characters and bring with you a magical object to help spark our imaginations to create our own cllass story! This ‘magical object’ could be linked to the character you’re dressed up as, but it doesn’t have to be- but be prepared to share your story and get creative! Some magical objects may include: a magic feather, a magic stone, a magic jewel- be creative!

  • Wednesday 6th March Year 6 Book Look at 2pm- we will also be doing a brief talk on SAT’s - what to expect and on the end of year residential, so please come along!

  • Parent meetings will be going live on Mrs Gregan’s blog so please book an appointment- these virtual meetings will take place on either Wednesday 13th March or Wednesday 20th March 2pm- 5:20pm.

  • Please do continue to keep up to date with your child’s homework (particularly spelling). The vocabulary that the children are being asked to spell are getting more complex and they will need your support to figure out the best strategy to use. Learning them over time, rather than bulking them the night before, always seems like the best route to use. Over half term they have some key areas to focus on- especially the long division which we have been doing this week- we don’t want them to lose this skill and forget! Have a look at this great video some of our Year 6 put together, to remind themselves and their grown-ups how to do long division (it is also on the homework page) …

Have a wonderful and restful half term.

Mrs Harrison, Mrs Webster and Mrs Barker

Year 6 Home Learning 9.02.24

Maths

Long division- Please complete the division questions using our new long division strategy. This week our focus is just on 3 digits divided by 2 digits without a remainder. Thanks to our wonderful helpers who have made a short video to help you remember the strategy …

You may need extra practice with short division and you will have a sheet for this, but if you would like to have a go at the long division over the holidays then please do!

Please complete the following IXL strands:

L6 Write fractions in lowest terms

Reading

Please do lots and lots of reading over half term- read independently and read with an adult! Some of us are very behind on our quizzing!

Spellings

We have reflected and the spellings last week were tricky! We are going to give you over half term to learn these …


Mrs Barker’s Group

large learn letter listen men mother

Research (needed for 2nd week back)

Can you research William Shakespeare - what information can you find out about him? Then bring back your research after half term please for our English lessons. Think about the following titles: Early life; education; how he became a playwright; late life and legacy

LET’S GET CREATIVE

Two creative tasks for you to do over half term:

  1. Can you design and make a special lenten box for your Reception partner. This needs to be a specially designed and decorated container that you can give to your partner the first week back after half term ready for them to take home and collect money during lent for our chosen charity. Think about what your partner likes and what their interests are, this may help you when planning what to do- refer to your partners card they wrote for you. You could make your box out of any plastic container, cardboard box, it is up to you- just make sure it is fully cleaned out first!

  2. Start thinking about what character you want to become on World Book Day! Be creative with what you have!

Year 3 Homework - Tuesday 6th February

Lenten Boxes

Over half term we would like the children to make Lenten boxes to swap with another child. The children could use a margarine tub, small cardboard box or container and decorate it how they choose. Please ensure Lenten Boxes are brought back into school by Wednesday 21st February ready to swap with a child in Nursery. Here’s a few photos of last years Lenten boxes to inspire you.

Geography (ongoing from last week)

Your challenge is to consolidate your learning about Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii. We are building on the skill of communicating geographically; everyone will have the oppourtunity to share their learning with the rest of the class. We will be listening out for key vocabulary (e.g. mantle, magma, eruption, volcano, lava, ash, gas, rocks) and understanding about what happened. You can present your learning however you choose e.g. in your homework book; on Purple Mash; a news report; a poster; as a 3d model etc. Be creative, but don’t forget the learning focus.

Below are some resources to support you, click on the pictures to open the document. Parents, this event was of course devastating and I’m aware that there are photos on the internet that the children may find unsettling. I kindly ask that you monitor their research. Thank you!

You have got until Thursday 8th February to complete this challenge.

Spellings

Prefix - mis
misspell misplace mislaid mislead misbehave misfortune misunderstand misunderstood mistreat misuse

Your spelling quiz will be on Monday 19th February