The School Councillors conducted a survey with all the children to decide on whether we should have a theme for 2018 World Book Day (Thursday 1st March).

The winning theme was Disney and with over 100 books turned into Disney movies the choices are endless. Please remember the that day is about celebrating books and an enjoyment and love of reading; the dressing up part is optional and just a bit of fun.

You could even wear your own clothes if you wish and make a mask of a famous character. Please see the link below for the list of books turned into Disney movies.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11716.Books_Turned_Into_Disney_Movies

 

Some of my old childhood favourites are in there too: Dumbo, Bambi and The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe.

 

During the day the children will be taking part in lots of fun reading based activities and we will be talking to the children about the extreme reading competition we have running until the 9th March.

Also, all the children in Year 5 & 6 will be attending 'The Book Show' at The Marches on Tuesday 27th February.

 

More information was published in the School newsletter, but if you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

Many thanks,

 

Mrs Nikki O'Dwyer

 

 

_{Dear Parents and Carers,}

_{I am afraid to be informing you with very sad news that Rev.Steve McKenna passed away this morning in the Hospice, he was pain free and peaceful. I have also ensured that a text message has been sent to you today with this message. I will be holding an assembly with the children and staff on Monday morning to inform the pupils of this news, but wanted to ensure you knew before then in case you would prefer to discuss it with your child/ren first.}

_{As soon as I have more information regarding his funeral I will make contact in writing. Please keep Maureen McKenna and the rest of the family in your prayers.}

_{God Bless,}

_{Mrs Nikki O'Dwyer}

 

 

Prayer for those who mourn

Bless those who mourn, eternal God,

with the comfort of your love

that they may face each new day with hope

and the certainty that nothing can destroy

the good that has been given.

May their memories become joyful,

their days enriched with friendship,

and their lives encircled by your love.

Amen.

 

Vienna Cobb Anderson, from Prayers of Our Hearts (1991, Crossroad Publishing Co.)

Thank you to everyone who sent us a picture of the Snowman they built while they were away from school. We hope you enjoy looking at these as much as we have . . .

Please see the attached letter from Bishop Mark in which he shares his concerns about the future of Catholic Education

Once again Mary's Garden has taken on a seasonal feel with a special Christmas bed.   Thank you to everyone who worked on this.  

 

 

Congratulations to our Hockey A Team who came second in the recent tournament at Marches School.    They won their group matches and beat Cockshutt School before meeting The Meadows in the final which they lost.

We are very proud of their performance.

 

We have a VERY cute Husky(see our picture) who is looking for a new home.   If you can guess the name of the Husky Toy you will be able to take him home for keeps.   All you need to do is think of a name, bring in your £1 donation and fill in a guessing slip - any day next week.  The winner will be announced on Friday and all proceeds will go to Children In Need.

Also, don't forget that on Friday November 17th children and grown ups are encouraged to wear their PJs and donate £1 to this very worthwhile cause.  

Finally, there a box in the School Office for Pudsey's Round Pound Countdown; so your can donate any old pound coins you may still have.

 

Over the past few months a team of volunteers have been planning - and more recently beginning - the renovation of the school pond area.  Once completed this will provide school with a learning area focussed around a dipping pond and will encourage wildlife into the area.

 

The work was delayed to ensure minimum interruption to the old pond's wildlife.  This year there were hundreds of tadpoles a significant number of whom survived to develop into frogs.  

We had various experts visit to give advice on the plants in the old pond.  Our volunteers then went in to clear the plants  and store them ready for replanting.     Overhanging trees were either cut back or removed to open up the area.  We now have a light and spacious area. 

 

Sadly for those who were working in the area over half term, the planned days turned out to be the wettest in the week, so when the Environmental Agency Team arrived complete with mini digger, they had quite a challenge on their hands.   However, along with our volunteers they have completely redesigned the pond, so it now varies in depth.    The team have also placed large rocks at strategic points along the edge as a start to the landscaping.

 

Already, thanks to the recent rains, the pond starting to fill and we have installed a storage facility for rainwater off the demountable roof so that we can top the pond up if necessary.

 

We are really grateful to everyone who has been involved in this project.    There is still a lot of work to be done however.  The next work to be done is to lay slabs around the dipping area of the pond and are looking for volunteers for this.

 

 

 

Dear Parents, carers and extended families,

 

Following on from my message in last week’s newsletter I am just writing with the confirmed details for this year’s Harvest Festival celebration that I hope you can support and be a part of on Friday 29th September 9am onwards.

 

The celebrations will begin with a Harvest play, performed by the after school Drama Group and led by Mrs H Jones. Each class will be performing a class song linked to the play and our newly formed choir will perform for the whole school community. We hope to get across the importance of preparing for the Harvest, the work undertaken by farmers and the lack of food people endure every day.

 

Therefore, this year we are supporting our local community by providing resources for ‘The Oswestry Foodbank’. The Foodbank is currently really struggling due to lack of supplies; as the demand is so high for people and families within our locality. Please can you support by donating the following during the lead up the Harvest Festival, as we would like to display the collection generated by the whole school community during this celebration.

 

Please can the following classes donate:

• St. Bernadette Class: Sugar, Pasta or Rice.

• St. Francis Class: Tinned meat, tinned fruit or tinned custard and rice pudding.

• St. Anthony Class: Long life fruit juice or squash.

• St. Martin Class: Cereals or snacks such as pot noodles or soups that you just add hot water to.

• St. Therese Class: Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner or deodorant.

   

  I will then arrange for the food to be donated to ‘The Foodbank’ during the afternoon of 29th September.

   

  When the ‘School Performance’ and ‘Special Mention’ assembly has finished I would like to invite you all to stay for tea and coffee whilst we set the school hall up for bread making and baking. If you have any free time it would be lovely if you can stay and join in the bread baking with your child/children. All the children will have the opportunity to shape their own bread roll that will be baked in the school kitchen throughout the morning.

   

  Then to complete our school Harvest celebration, I would like to invite you to join with the children at lunchtime for the Harvest lunch.

   

  The lunch consists of vegetable soup and homemade bread for the adults followed by apple crumble and custard for a total cost of £3 each made payable via Parentpay.

   

  The children’s lunch will remain as the popular pizza, but will include the homemade bread and with the option to try some soup as well, followed by either apple crumble and custard or an oat cookie if preferred.

   

  Please can you complete the slip sent out  this week to  let us know which part of the Harvest festival you will be joining us in and whether you would like to order a lunch. We need to have final numbers to school by Friday 22nd eptember for catering purposes and ordering as slips after this date will not be approved. We look forward to celebrating the Harvest with you and thank you for your continued support.

We will be holding two informal Friend's meetings on Thursday 21st September at 9am and 2:30pm to discuss future events and fundraising. Please join us for a cuppa and a catch up.