All of a sudden the pond is transforming from a muddy area to a place of beauty.   It has not been without a lot of thought and work and we thank everyone who has been involved. 

 

As you will see from the photographs, the banks of the pond have been planted, the donated water lilies introduced to their new home and just this week, the latest delivery of plants have arrived ready.

 

The team have been really careful to include elements that will encourage wildlife to the area.  As well as the planting in the pond itself and special access areas, the frame for the bug hotel is completed, ready for the children to fill it.  Piles of logs have been placed to encourage other insects and animals to make their homes - or just as a stopping off place.  There is the start of a little island in the middle of the pond, planted to encourage rooting and growth.

 

A new compost bay has been built which will be re-sited once the fencing work has been done.  The broken slabs have been cleared and the area leveled so that the log seating circle can be used and bulbs have been planted among the plants you can currently see on the back bank.

 

The work is ongoing, but we would like to say a really big thank you to everyone who has and is working on this project; to those who have generously provided plants and other items and to the Friends of Our Ladies who are continuing fundraising to support this project and other external areas around the school.

 

Thank you to Mrs Rothera for the lovely photographs.

Once again a big thank you to our team of volunteer gardeners who last week transformed the raised bed in the Key Stage 1 Play Yard.  As our photograph shows, it now has a mixture of herbs and other plants and it will be interesting to watch what develops in the pots.

 

If you would like to join our team of volunteers please see Mrs Edmondson.   At the moment we are looking for volunteers to help with the planting of geraniums and other pot plants so please either speak to Mrs Rothera or Mrs Edmondson if you can help.

CHANGE TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS ELIGIBILITY

 

The introduction of Universal Credit (that is replacing many benefits, eg jobseekers’ allowance) means there are changes to free school meals eligibility for children of qualifying parents. The new criteria for free school meals eligibility is that all families in receipt of Universal Credit and earning £7,400 or lower per annum will be entitled to free school meals.

 

From 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants will continue to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out (currently to roll out in Shropshire from May 2018 and scheduled to complete in March 2022), even if their circumstances change eg earnings rise above the new threshold during the roll out period.

 

Any child who gains eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 (eg in July 2019), will also continue to receive free school meals during the Universal Credit roll out period.

 

Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (ie primary or secondary).

 

During the roll out of Universal Credit, protection arrangements mean that once a pupil has claimed free school meals and has been found eligible, there is no requirement from the Department for further eligibility checks to be undertaken.

 

We therefore encourage parents who believe they may qualify for this (whether in Key Stage 1 or 2) to make an application for this via: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/free-school-meals.

 

Please contact the School Office if you have any other queries regarding this.

Please use this link to make your RACE FOR LIFE donation: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/our-lady-st-oswalds-catholic-primary-school

 

Thank you :-)

Monday 14.5.18 11.55 am

Everyone has arrived safely and settled into their rooms overlooking the lake.   

The programme for today:

Orienteering

Raft Building

Afternoon Tea

Bird of Prey Demonstration

Cinema:  The Greatest Showman - singalong version!

We think they are going to have a great time.

We will update this each day with news and pictures.

 

Tuesday 15.5.18 09.10am

Everyone slept really well last night after their first day.  The children (and staff) really enjoyed the various events and challenges yesterday - when they get back ask them about the Birds of Prey!!   

First thing this morning there was a mist across the lake but that has lifted and they have another gloriously sunny day.   They have had breakfast and are now starting today's programme which includes:

Archery

High Ropes

Canoeing

A Lake Trip

Swimming Pool

all rounded off with Bingo this evening.

 

Wednesday 16.5.18 9.20am

The fun continued last night with Bingo and a DVD.

Unfortunately, this morning the weather has changed and although dry it is grey and misty.   However everyone ate a good breakfast and they are now embarking on this morning's programme which includes:

Ten Pin Bowling and

Climbing Walls

followed by lunch.

Then it will be time to pack up and return to school.   The aim is to be back in school by 3.15pm.

 

 

 

We are delighted to say that now the better weather has arrived, the pond project is moving on.    Mrs Rothera was on site over the holidays and has continued with the planting this week.   

We are expecting a donation of pond plants (more info to follow on this) so are looking for pond baskets for these.   If anyone has any spare they would be gratefully accepted.

Although the pond isn't fully set up yet, it hasn't stopped the wildlife arriving.  We have a small amount of Frogspawn, and a Newt has moved in too, which is great news and means the work hasn't interrupted the natural cycle of things.

We really appreciate the help we are getting from lots of you and are looking forward to being able to open the pond for the children's first dipping experience.

If anyone has any plants or baskets or time to help with this project please see either Mrs Rothera or Mrs Edmondson.

 

Please use the following link to complete this short questionnaire, thank you.