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.
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RE Christmas Homework
Well done to all of the children who created a nativity scene over the Christmas holidays!
We had some fabulous entries and it was lovely to see all the hard work the children had put in to their projects!
Well done to our winners: Milenq (EYFS), Mischa (KS1), Joanna (LKS2) and Bethany (UKS2).
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Please find below the link to this week's Wednesday Word.
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Witness – Magazine – Page 1
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✝️ Thank you so much to The Fishers from St John Fisher Catholic College for leading a Confirmation Workshop with us. ✝️
We began by retrieving our knowledge of the Sacrament of Baptism and thought about how this links to our upcoming Confirmation.
We then looked at the story of Pentecost and reminded ourselves of the shock that the Disciples had when they were given the ability to speak in different languages – a power bestowed upon them by the Holy Spirit. This then led to us produce our own piece of artwork depicting the fruits of the Spirit.
To end, we enjoyed a good sing-a-long to one of our favourites 'My Lighthouse'.
We now look forward to our Sacrament and are grateful to you for helping us to prepare! 🕊️
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Please find the link below this week's Wednesday Word to share at home with your families.
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New Start – Magazine – Page 1
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Epiphany Door Chalking ✨✝️
Although snow has kept us at home over the past couple of days, our school community has still been united in faith.
Today, pupils and staff have been joining in with the Epiphany door-chalking tradition at home, something we always share together in school each year. When we return, we will complete this tradition once again as a whole school.
The chalked letters remind us of the Wise Men, who followed the star to Jesus, and of God’s blessing on our homes and families for the year ahead.
20 + C + M + B + 26
This can stand for the traditional names of the Wise Men (Caspar, Belthazar and Melchior)
and also for the Latin words
Christus Mansionem Benedicat
“May Christ bless this home.”
Thank you to everyone who has shared photos and joined in so beautifully. It has been lovely to see faith lived out at home and school, even on snowy days.
May God bless all our homes and families.
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✨The Feast of the Epiphany✨
Today we were meant to gather together in school for Mass but even though we are at home, God is still close to us.
The picture shows the Wise Men travelling through the night, guided by a bright star. They did not know exactly where the star would lead them but they trusted God and kept going. In the same way, we sometimes have days that do not go as planned. Unexpected circumstances can change our routines, but God walks with us wherever we are.
Take a quiet moment to look at the picture.
Think about the star shining in the sky.
Remember that Jesus is the light who guides us, wherever we are.
Prayer to say together:
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of this new day.
Thank you for keeping us safe and warm.
Just as the star guided the Wise Men to Jesus,
help us to follow your light in all that we do.
Bless our families today
and help us to be kind, patient and thankful.
Amen.
You might like to finish by saying the Sign of the Cross together as a family.
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A huge congratulations to Joe in Year 6 who has been officially enrolled into the Guild of St. Stephen this morning. Joe has received his medal after a year of hard work and dedication whilst training to become an altar server.
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Today we celebrate the joyful news of Christmas Day: Jesus is born. God chose to come into the world as a baby, bringing love, peace and hope to everyone. The light of Christ shines in the darkness and reminds us that we are never alone.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Christmas invites us to notice hope in simple and loving moments – in family, friendship and care for one another. Just as the shepherds and wise men shared the good news, we are called to share the joy of Jesus through kindness, generosity and love.
Loving God,
thank you for the gift of Jesus,
born in a stable,
bringing light and hope to the world.
Fill our hearts with joy this Christmas Day
and help us to welcome Jesus with love.
Teach us to share his peace and kindness
with everyone we meet.
May the light of Christ
shine in our homes, our school and our world,
and may we be people of hope
today and always.
Amen.
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