OUTSTANDING – CSI Report 5th May 2023
Diocesan inspection report said:
“Leaders and governors are inspirational in promoting the school’s mission. They are deeply committed and passionate and constantly support everyone. The school seeks to work well with the local parish and show a commitment to its mission. The school promotes parental engagement; they are highly supportive of developing their child’s vocation.
One parent commented, ‘The school’s ethos supports and reflects the Catholic faith. Christ is at the centre of everything that they do.’
Staff speak highly of the care and love that leaders demonstrate and told inspectors, ‘Our school promotes a love of faith which is engaging and inspiring for all our children. Our Catholic ethos is intrinsic in all that we say and do.’ There is an open-door well-being policy, and staff feel confident they can readily access support. One staff commented, ‘St Mary’s is a wonderful place where strong relationships are formed, and everyone is respected.’ Governors make highly significant contributions, effectively evaluating with rigour, analysis, and targeted improvement.”
OFSTED report said:
“There is a strong sense of pastoral care across the school, which reflects the school’s Catholic values.
Leaders promote pupils’ personal development well. They teach them how to be responsible, active citizens. Pupils raise money for charity or make donations to organisations in the local community.
Parents and carers value the opportunities available to their children. A comment made by a parent reflects the views of many others: ‘My child is not just learning academically, but also spiritually and how to be a kind and caring person.” OFSTED December 2022
Our Mission at St. Mary’s
The Catholic Life of the school is given the highest priority where the development of an authentic Catholic ethos is actively sought by all. Children are empowered to have a thorough understanding of the Church’s liturgical year, its seasons, rites and symbols. Within the school community, prayer has a profound and visible effect on the development of all pupils and staff irrespective of ability or faith background. As a school, we promote a love of faith; engaging and inspiring our children to take responsibility for promoting the Catholic ethos of our community whilst seeking to lead and develop this further. Developing a greater understanding of vocation is fundamental in giving our children a meaningful reason to live out their faith. Teachers ensure that children are provided with opportunities to develop their thinking and respond to questions of faith. Our school celebrates, develops and enhances the Catholic Life of our children and ensures our Catholic ethos underpins all that we do and strive to achieve.
Christ has no body on earth but ours.
Ours are the hands with which He heals.
Ours are His eyes, His feet, His lips.
Ours are the hearts through which He loves.
Teresa of Avila
Our Curriculum – Catholic Social Teaching Coverage
Our whole school curriculum is centred around the principles of Building the Kingdom and Catholic Social Teaching. In principle, this means bringing the unchangeable values of the Gospel into an everchanging modern society. Our curriculum and pedagogical approach provides our children with a foundation to make the world a better place. Our children realise that they are not too young to make a difference and that each individual’s unique vocation is not for the future but for now. All of the children’s learning leads them towards answering one of these Big Questions at the end of each learning block. Please see our ‘Curriculum’ page to view our overviews and find more information.
Catholic Life Gallery
Here is this week's Wednesday Word to share at home with your families. This also includes the Easter holiday weeks.
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com/lent-easter-special?pid=MTA101634&v=206.9
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Lent & Easter Special – Magazine – Page 1
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com
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Today in our Gospel Celebration of the Word, the children who made their Sacrament of Reconciliation last weekend were presented with their certificates by Mrs. Mellor.
Please continue to pray for the children as they prepare to take their First Holy Communion in June.
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Good morning,
Next week we will be having our Holy Week assemblies.
Please see the poster below for details.
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🙏 Family Mass 🙏
This evening some of our children and families joined together at Holy Trinity for Family Mass and we were so proud of the wonderful way the children took part. They did a fantastic job altar serving, reading and bringing up the offertory gifts, helping to make the Mass really special for everyone there.
It was lovely to see so many of our school families there and many parishioners came to speak to the children afterwards to tell them how well they had read and how beautifully they represented the school. We were very proud of them all.
Thank you to Canon Paul and Holy Trinity Catholic Church Newcastle for always making our families feel so welcome and to everyone who came to support. Moments like this really show the strength of our school and parish community together.
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The Big Lent Walk 2026 👣✝
Today our whole school community came together for the Big Lent Walk. As a school family, we walked reflecting on those in need, particularly those living in poverty, remembering the Catholic Social Teaching principle of solidarity and our call to stand alongside our brothers and sisters around the world.
This year the Big Lent Walk is helping CAFOD raise money for the floating gardens in Bangladesh, which support families whose homes and land are affected by flooding. Through our walking, prayer and generosity, we are helping to make a real difference.
Thank you to all of our families for your kindness and support in sponsoring the children. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Please remember that any remaining sponsorship money should be handed into the school office by Monday.
Well done everyone — we are very proud of our St Mary’s community.
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Our Minnie Vinnies have been working hard preparing Easter biscuits and cards this week! This morning, they attended the parish mass and handed them out to our parishioners. We are very proud here at St. Mary’s of the wonderful work they do, spreading joy and love in the local community.
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Tomorrow, the 5:15pm mass at Holy Trinity will be the St. Mary's family mass. Our pupils will be leading the liturgy and it would be lovely to see as many families and parishoners there with us to join in prayer during this season of Lent and also a time for us to join together as a community before the Easter break.
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💛 Act of Kindness 💛
Pippa in Year 6’s godmother kindly donated her own beautifully illustrated book, Winnie the Pooh: Five Little Bees, to St Mary’s Reception classes. What a compassionate and generous gesture. Reception absolutely loved it and were so excited to explore the story and look at the amazing illustrations together! 🍯🐝
We are so grateful to Pippa and her family for sharing this special gift with our school community, reminding us of the joy of giving and the love we show one another. 📚✨🍯
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Thank you to Leah and Oscar who led our final Lenten stay and pray 🙏 it has been wonderful to share in prayerful reflection with our children, families and parishioners.
Next week, we begin our journey towards Holy Week and will be holding daily reflections each morning from 9:15am.
Tuesday – Year 4 – Palm Sunday
Wednesay – Year 3 – The last Supper
Thursday – Year 5 – The Garden of Gethsemene
Friday – Year 6 – Stations of the cross
Parents and parishioners are very welcome to join us.
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