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
💜 Sacramental Preparation – Reconciliation 💜🙏
Today, our children took part in their second session of preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We explored the difference between good and bad choices, reflecting on how the decisions we make each day can either bring us closer to God or distance us from Him.
Through the Scripture story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10), we learnt that Jesus loves us even when we make mistakes and that it is never too late to make a fresh start. Just as Zacchaeus recognised his wrong choices and changed his ways, we too are called to say sorry, seek forgiveness and choose to follow Jesus.
The children reflected on how their words and actions affect others and how making loving, kind and thoughtful choices helps us grow closer to God.
A beautiful reminder that God's love and forgiveness are always there for us and that every day is an opportunity to make good choices and follow Jesus.
#catholiclifestm #prayerandliturgystm #sacramentalpreparationstm #year3stm …
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⛪️✨ Combined Schools’ Mass ✨⛪️
Today our Year 6 children had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Combined Schools’ Mass alongside children from across St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust at St Gregory’s Catholic Church in Longton. 🙏
The Mass celebrated the life of St Francis of Assisi and reminded us of the importance of humility, kindness and compassion. Through his example we reflected on how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps by showing love and care to those around us. ❤️
A lovely opportunity for our children to come together as one Catholic community in faith, prayer and reflection. 🕊️
#CatholicLifeSTM #year6stm #prayerandliturgystm …
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Here is this week's Wednesday Word to share with your families.
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com/invitation?pid=MTA101634&v=222.8
#catholiclifestm …
Invitation – Magazine – Page 1
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🐑 ✝️ Sacramental Preparation – Reconciliation ✝️ 🐑
Today, our children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation began their first preparation session.
We explored the Parable of the Lost Sheep and reflected on its beautiful message that God knows each one of us, loves us and always welcomes us back to Him.
We thought about how the Sacrament of Reconciliation brings us back to God when we have made wrong choices and reminds us that His love and forgiveness are always there for us.
To finish our session, each child wrote their name on a sheep and chose one word to describe how they had felt during our time together, including words such as loved, safe, welcomed and happy.
A lovely first step on their journey towards receiving this special sacrament. 🙏
#catholiclifestm #prayerandliturgystm #sacramentalpreparationstm …
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🥣 🌍 Year 3 Catholic Life Pledge 🌍 🥣
As part of our Catholic Life Pledge, Year 3 took part in CAFOD’s Family Fast Day.
The children stood in solidarity with people around the world who do not have enough food to eat by replacing one of their usual meals with a simple bowl of soup. 🥣
This simple act helped us to think about how fortunate we are and to remember our responsibility to care for our global family. It was a meaningful way for the children to put their faith into action and live out the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Solidarity. 💚🌎
We are so proud of our Year 3 children for showing compassion and thinking of others through their actions.
#catholiclifestm #year3 #year3stm …
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Thank you to the staff and learners at St John Fisher who led a beautiful prayer service at Holy Trinity reflecting on looking after God’s creation. The children took a tear drop with them to reflect on what their wishes for creation were. They also participated by reading the bidding prayers. #catholiclifestm …
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⛪ Holy Trinity – Guild of St Stephen Altar Servers ⛪
Would your child like to become an altar server at Holy Trinity?
Training classes for boys and girls who would like to become altar servers will begin in church on:
📅 Tuesday 3rd November
⏰ 6:30pm
📍 Holy Trinity Church
Becoming an altar server is a wonderful way for children to take an active role in the life of our parish and serve God during Mass.
If your child is interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Nick Bridgewater:
📧 nick.bridgewater@hotmail.com
📞 01782 621027
Alternatively, you are very welcome to simply come along to the first training session on Tuesday 3rd November.
If children or parents would like any more information about altar serving, they can also speak to Mrs Wrigley in school.
We would love to see some of our St Mary’s children joining the altar serving team!
#catholiclifestm …
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🎨🌍 Celebration of Creation – Artwork Appeal 🌿🙏
We are delighted to be joining with our local parish for a special Celebration of Creation prayer service, giving thanks to God for the wonderful gift of our common home.
We would love our children to help make the celebration extra special by creating some beautiful artwork to be displayed and used as part of the prayer service.
Children are invited to create a piece of artwork inspired by God’s wonderful creation. This could include our beautiful world, animals and plants, the changing seasons, caring for our common home or anything that reminds us of the beauty of God’s creation. 🌳🌸🐝🌎
Artwork can be created using any materials – pencils, paints, crayons, collage or anything else you would like!
Please send all entries to Mrs Wrigley by Monday 28th September.
#catholiclifestm …
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Here is this week's Wednesday Word to share at home with your families.
wednesday-word.paperturn-view.com/generous?pid=MTA101634&p=2&v=219.7
#catholiclifestm …
Generous – Magazine – Page 2
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