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
October Half Term RE Homework Project
Theme: All Saints and All Souls / Jesuit Virtues – Compassion and Love
🕊️ Project Title: Saint Spotlight
• EYFS (Nursery and Reception) : Draw a picture of someone kind or helpful (this could be a saint, a teacher, or family member). Ask a grown-up to help you write what makes them special.
• KS1: Choose a saint and make a poster showing their story. Include a drawing and a sentence about how they showed love or kindness.
• KS2: Research a saint who lived out compassion and love. Create a fact file or mini-book, including a prayer and quotes from Scripture or the saint. Use recycled materials to make it!
Please hand in any winning entries to Mrs. Wrigley on the first Monday back!
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📚 Today, Year 6 proudly took part in their Catholic Life Pledge, focusing on restocking the Woodland Library by exploring Newcastle’s many charity shops! This thoughtful initiative not only helped support local charities but also promoted sustainability as part of CAFOD’s Live Simply campaign. The children managed to source an incredible 262 books for our school library! After a busy afternoon of shopping and carrying bags full of stories, they enjoyed a well-deserved drink to celebrate their hard work. A huge thank you to our wonderful PTFA for funding this meaningful project.
While out and about, the children met a member of staff from Cancer Research UK who was amazed by their kindness, enthusiasm and dedication to our Catholic Life Pledge – a lovely moment that made the day even more special! 📚 #year6stm #catholiclifestm #readingstm #readingforpleasurestm #ptfastm #CAFOD … See MoreSee Less
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🙏 Combined Schools’ Mass 2026 🙏
Thank you to all of our children who represented us so beautifully as this year’s combined schools’ mass.
It was lovely to gather together at the start of this academic year with the schools across our deanery on this feast of St. John Henry Newman.
“God has created me to do some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.”
As a school community, let us reflect on these inspirational words and strive forward to live out our calling with compassion and love.
St. John Henry Newman – pray for us
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Good evening,
Starting from this week, I will be sending out a PDF document of 'The Wednesday Word – A Gift to you and your family from your Catholic School.' This is a resource based on the previous Sunday's Gospel that can be shared as a family.
Please note this is by no means compulsory and is not a homework task that needs to be handed into school but it is a lovely way to engage with God's word as a family.
There are also some activities such as word searches etc. for the children to enjoy.
Thank you,
Mrs. Wrigley
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com/thankfulness?pid=MTA101634&v=186.9
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Thankfulness – Magazine – Page 1
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com
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🌟Year 3 Catholic Life Pledge – Learning Block One🌟
Year 3's first Catholic Life Pledge has centered around CAFOD's Family Fast Day 2025.
This is an initiative that reoccurs every harvest time and the aim is to stand in solidarity with our global family. The children swapped one of their main meals for a simple bowl of soup in order to think about and raise awareness for those throughout the world who regularly go without food. Put so beautifully by our own Archbishop Bernard: 'We are called to live more simply so that others can simply live.'
To find out more about Family Fast Day and to donate to CAFOD's appeal please click on the following link: cafod.org.uk/give/appeals/family-fast-day-appeal?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=R1…
'Helping the poor is a matter of justice before a question of charity.' – Pope Leo XIV
Thank you children and families for all of your efforts!
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🌿💛 A Heartwarming Look Back at Our Time at Brookfields House 💛🌿
As we reflect on our visits to Brookfields House, our hearts are full of wonderful memories. The children not only built beautiful friendships with the lovely residents – but also showed such care and creativity by building 'bug hotels' in the garden, creating safe little homes for all kinds of tiny creatures. 🐞
These moments were so much more than just activities – they were opportunities to connect across generations, learn about kindness and community, and nurture a love for nature and the world around us. 🌱
A huge thank you to everyone at Brookfields House for welcoming us so warmly. We’ll cherish these memories and look forward to many more special visits.
Check out our visit in the news!
stoke.nub.news/news/advertisement-features/sp9259-north-staffordshire-schoolchildren-and-retired-…
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📣 Meet the New St Mary’s Leadership Team 📣
This year we are proud to introduce St Mary’s newly expanded Leadership Team!
At St Mary’s, we are passionate about Oracy so we asked all applicants to submit a video explaining why they would be the right choice for the role. The standard of applications was outstanding and we were truly impressed by the effort and enthusiasm shown by every child.
After the application stage, shortlisted candidates were interviewed by Mrs Mellor, who was blown away by the confidence and passion they showed. We are delighted to reveal our new Leadership Team:
Head Boys and Girls
🏆 Olivia
🏆 Maria
🏆 Chrisa
🏆 Toluwa
Deputy Head Boys and Girls
⭐ Scarlett
⭐ Milly
⭐ Jackson
⭐ Millie
A huge congratulations to all of our new leaders. We cannot wait to see the incredible things you will achieve this year.
Check out their brilliant application videos below!
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Today marks the 100th celebration of the St. Vincent De Paul society. Today our Minnie Vinnies have been to Holy Trinity to celebrate alongside the parish group. They have been working hard over the past few weeks making crafts to sell to raise money for the society.
A huge thank you to our wonderful leaders Mrs. Furnival and Miss. Lowe who dedicate so much of their time to our Minnie Vinnies. We thank God for the love and commitment of our Minnie Vinnies.
St Vincent De Paul – pray for us 🙏
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💛💚Thank you to our wonderful families for supporting us today in raising money for the charity close to the hearts of so many, Dougie Mac. Together, we raised a total of £251! Also, a huge thank you to our amazing staff for their donations and support in making it happen.💛💚 #catholiclifestm … See MoreSee Less
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