Dear Parents, Carers and Children, 

Half term is nearly upon us again.  You are receiving our June newsletter a little early as we are about to begin our half term break. 

ACE video

Miss Brady has created an excellent video which we have been reflecting on in our daily work and in assemblies recently.  In line with our school vision: ‘We will be courageous and inspire each other to excellence, shining in the light of Christ and making a positive impact in our world,’  we want our pupils to leave with knowledge and skills which will not only create excellent life opportunities but will also prepare them exceptionally well for life beyond our schools.   Our Curriculum intent is underpinned by three driver words taken from our ambitious school vision: Aspire, Courage and Excellence.  

Please find below our revised video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13V-95cpxuCsFcDYq44Nf1gCzbGXxIZo7/view?usp=sharing 

Reception 2022

Unusually, we have five spaces left in our 2022 Reception class. If you are aware of anyone who may be interested in a place for their child,  please ask them to make contact with school as soon as possible.

There are only a limited number of Nursery places still available for next academic year, please ask friends to contact us asap if you know anyone seeking spaces.  

PTA

Thanks you to the PTA for donating over £4000 so we can sources additional whole class texts, ipads and for subsidising the cost of school trips.   This significant contribution highlights the importance and value of our school events – every penny raised goes directly back to the children! Well done everyone! 

Attendance 

Thank you for your support in meeting our high expectations for attendance.

A special well done to Year 1 (98.2%) , Reception (97.8%) and Year 6 (97.6%) who have achieved the highest weekly attendance since Easter.  Our expected attendance is 97%  In House meetings each week we inform the children of the highest class attendance.  Children in classes who achieve 100% attendance for a week are rewarded with an additional play time.

A reminder that if a child is absent from school with an illness lasting more than 2 days, we will require a letter from the parent/carer. The Trust may also be involved in house visits for safeguarding reasons for lengthy absences or regular absentees.  

Ear rings

A gentle reminder that all jewellery, except for a watch and small stud earrings, should not be worn or brought into school.  If pupils have pierced ears, one pair of discreet studs may be worn. Earrings must not be worn for PE lessons for health and safety reasons. 

Walking home

Only children in Years 5 and 6, who have permission on Arbor are able to walk home alone.  If your child is walking home regularly, alone or with friends, please remind them about road safety and stranger danger and ensure they walk an agreed safe and publically visible route. 

Sun cream/Sun Hats

Now the weather is improving please apply sun cream in advance of the school day.  Children can wear their sun hats and sunglasses at break/lunchtime but are responsible for them.  

May events

Reconciliation

Many of our Y4/5 children are preparing weekly for their Sacrament of First Communion currently.  Over Easter they all made their Sacrament of Confession – this Sacrament draws together a deeper understanding  of God’s love and forgiveness.  

My Mission

Thank you so much for your contribution to the Red Mission box appeal throughout Lent.  You and your children are wonderfully kind. We raised a staggering £500!  This has been sent directly to Mission Together’s appeal to support children in Malawi. 

St Bernadette’s procession

On Friday 6th May we had our first St Bernadette’s process for Reception to Year 6 pupils. The experience is reminiscent of the Lourdes torchlight procession.  Lourdes of course is such a special place for us as it is where our Lady appeared to St Bernadette.  What a beautiful experience it was.  The children sang their hearts out and took part in a beautiful shared liturgy with Miss Brady and Monsignor Hogan.  

Bede house retreat day

Each year we dedicate a retreat day to one of our 4 houses.  On Friday 20th May we celebrated Bede day.  St Bede (672-735 AD) was an English monk in the Kingdom of Northumbria and is famous for his scholar skills. 

Spelling Bee

Miss Cuff organised our 2nd Spelling Bee last week.  This was a competition from Y2-6 to find school spelling champions and prizes were also awarded for participation and effort! 

Well done to Florence L Y1, Edward G Y2,Bobby L Y3, Seth P Y4, Francesca C,Y5, Jessie B in Y6 – Our ACE Attitude winners in the Spelling Bee.

Spelling Bee Winners :Y1 Emily B, Y2 Daisy D, Y3 Eleanor Mc,  Y4 Annie C, Y5 Oliver W, Y6 Sebastian B

 

Y6 SATs

Thank you to the teachers/parents/carers of the children in supporting them through their SATs.  The children arrived early; they were calm, confident and really tried their best! 

Y5/6 sleepover

As part of building a greater awareness of people who are homeless, we had a ‘sleepover’ in the School Hall on Friday 13th May to fundraise for the homeless. The children had a great time and took part in several thoughtful activities such as: team building games; simple eating and a liturgy.  The children contributed £10 and the money was sent directly to the DePaul society which supports young homeless. We raised £440, so well done everyone! 

Relationships and Sex Education 

A reminder that we now teacher our Relationships and Sex Education across the full year now and we no longer do our annual ‘Journey in Love’ week.  Please find a reminder of our annual coverage and content via our school website:   PHSE/RSE | St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School

Assemblies

Y1 delivered a lovely assembly focussing on the importance of Our Lady and Mothers as we began the month of May in reflection on Wednesday 4th May.  

Y4 amazed us this week with their wealth of knowledge in reflecting on our ACE curriculum drivers.  What fantastic citizens they will go on to be and make a positive impact on the world!   

Thanks to parents/family members who could join us.

Y3 pedestrian training

This week, as part of road safety awareness Miss Lumley arranged for our Y3 to partake in pedestrian training to build up a greater awareness of the dangers near roads and crossing safely. 

May Sporting Events 

We were so privileged to be chosen to view Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open Trophy on St Bernadette’s Primary on Thursday 12th May as part of the LTA Youth Schools ‘Emma Raducanu Trophy Tour.’  As a school that delivers the LTA Youth Schools programme, the LTA, the national governing body for tennis in Britain, have invited us to be part of the Trophy Tour.  As part of the tour, our KS2 children watched a special message from Raducanu and our Y4 children had an opportunity for an LTA Youth tennis session delivered by an LTA Youth coach.

Pupils pose with Emma Raducanu’s US Open trophy in Middlesbrough | The Northern Echo

 

Mrs Smith will revise our current extended school activities offer following the half term . The after school activities will commence in the week beginning 13th June.   Information will be distributed immediately after half term. 

Future Events 

Summer dates of note for your diary (details to follow as appropriate) 

• • Monday 6th June – Staff PD day
  • Tuesday 7th June – Children return to school
  • Wednesday 8th June – PTA meet, 7pm in school (support vital to plan summer Fayre)
  • Wednesday 15th June – Y3 assembly (2 family members per child)
  • Friday 17th June – Y6 Holy Island visit
  • Friday 24th June – Summer Fayre (provisional, dependant on support)
  • Monday 27th June – First Holy Communion photos (8.30-9.30am -relevant Y4/5 children arrive in First Holy Communion attire before changing into PE kits)

• Tuesday 28th June – Sports day (all children wear PE kits)

• Wednesday 29th June – Friday 1st July – Y6 residential to Robinwood 
• Monday 4th July – Transition week 
• Monday 4th July, 10.30am – Reception Starters meeting (Sept 2022) in our school hall – please book a dinner if you require one
• Thursday 14th July – Y5/6 Drama production @ Trinity (all welcome)
• Tuesday 19th July – Y6 Leavers liturgy
•  Wednesday 20th July – Last day of school
• Monday 5th September – Children return to school 

 

And finally, 

Have a lovely time together next week and we look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 7th June.

Yours sincerely,  

Mr P Conway (Head Teacher)  / Miss S Brady (Head of school)