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
Today our Minnie Vinnies went over to visit the residents at Brookfields House to entertain them for World Book Day 📚
The children performed their rendition of George’s Marvelous Medicine, and it went down a treat – it had the audience laughing from start to finish! 😄
We were so taken aback by the kindness of the residents when they presented us with book tokens as a gesture of appreciation. It was such a thoughtful surprise and very much appreciated.
A huge thank you to everyone at Brookfields House for making us feel so welcome. We had a wonderful time and loved sharing World Book Day with you all. 💙
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Good morning,
Here is this week's Wednesday Word to share at home with your families.
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com/god-s-love?pid=MTA101634&v=203.7
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God’s Love – Magazine – Page 1
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com
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Thank you to Jessica and Jessica in Y5 who led us in our second Stay and Pray. We focused on the theme of renewal and finding God’s peace in our life, during this Lenten season.
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North Staffordshire Deanery Mass for Vocations 🙏
Thank you to the children who represented our school so beautifully at this evening’s mass, on this very special feast day for our Archdiocese – the feast of St. Chad.
It was wonderful to join together in prayer with the other schools across our deanery.
St. Chad… Pray for us
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A huge congratulations to Bethany, Joanna and Serah who won the RE competition in their phases. Well done to all of the children who entered, it was wonderful to look through your creations and see the dedication and commitment you put into them!
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Thank you to David Worrall from CAFOD who came in today to talk to the children about the Lenten fundraising initiative that our Big Lent Walk will contribute towards. The focus this year is the floating gardens in Bangladesh.
Just a reminder that our Big Lent Walk will take place in school on Friday 20th March so in the meantime please try and gather as much sponsorship as possible for this very worthwhile cause.
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Year 2 spent the afternoon celebrating St David’s Day, one of our class saints. We learnt all about how he spread Gods word and founded numerous monasteries. As St David was Welsh, we enjoyed creating an observational drawing of daffodils and even tried some Welsh cakes! Very yummy!! #year2stm #catholiclifestm #artstm … See MoreSee Less
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Thank you to Nessa and Rianna who led our first Lenten stay and pray. We reflected on Lent being a time of bringing our hearts and mind back to God.
Please join us each Tuesday during Lent, at 3:30pm in our beautiful chapel for our stay and pray reflections.
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All parents and parishoners are welcome to join us to celebrate out whole school mass next Tuesday.
This will be celebrated by Canon Paul.
Please see the poster below for details.
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