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
“He is not here. He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)
Today we celebrate Easter Sunday, the most joyful day of the Church year. After the sadness of Good Friday, we hear the wonderful news that Jesus has risen from the dead. The tomb is empty and new life has begun.
Easter reminds us that God’s love is stronger than death, stronger than sadness and stronger than anything we may face. Because Jesus is alive, we know that there is always hope. Light comes after darkness, joy comes after sorrow and God is always with us.
As a school community, we give thanks for the gift of Easter and for the joy of knowing that Jesus is alive. May the peace of the Risen Lord fill our homes and our hearts, and may we share his love with everyone we meet.
Prayer:
Risen Jesus,
Thank you for the joy of Easter and the hope you bring to the world.
Bless our families and our school community.
Help us to live as people of love, peace and joy.
Alleluia. Amen.
Family action:
Say together today:
Alleluia, Jesus is risen.
Then share one thing you are thankful for this Easter.
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“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
Good Friday is the day we remember that Jesus died on the cross because of his great love for us. On this day the Church often prays the Stations of the Cross which help us to walk with Jesus on his journey to Calvary. We remember the times he fell, the people who helped him and the love he showed even when he was suffering.
Good Friday can feel like a sad day but it is also a day of great hope. Jesus shows us that love is stronger than hatred, kindness is stronger than cruelty and God never leaves us, even in the hardest moments.
As we pray today, we remember all those in our world who are suffering, worried or lonely. We ask Jesus to stay close to them and to help us to be people who bring comfort and peace to others.
Prayer:
Jesus,
Thank you for loving us so much that you gave your life for us.
Help us to remember your sacrifice and to trust in your love.
Be close to those who are sad, sick or afraid.
Stay with our families and keep us in your care.
Amen.
Family action:
Spend a quiet moment together. Look at a cross and say:
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
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“I have given you an example, so that you may do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)
On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper, when Jesus gathered with his friends to share a meal. During this meal he washed the feet of his disciples, showing them that true love means serving others with kindness and humility.
Jesus also gave us the gift of the Eucharist on this night so that we could always be close to him. He asked his followers to love one another just as he had loved them. This is not always easy but small acts of kindness, patience and forgiveness help us to live the way Jesus taught us.
During Holy Week we are invited to think about how we can serve others in our own homes and families. When we help, share, listen or forgive, we are following the example Jesus gave us.
Prayer:
Loving Jesus,
Thank you for the gift of your love and for showing us how to serve others.
Help our families to be gentle, patient and kind with one another.
May our homes be filled with peace as we try to live as you taught us.
Amen.
Family action:
Each person chooses one kind thing to do for someone else today without being asked.
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“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Mark 11:9)
Today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. We remember Jesus entering Jerusalem, welcomed by the crowds who waved palm branches and shouted with joy. They knew he was special but they did not yet understand that he came as a king of love, peace and sacrifice.
Although we are not in school during Holy Week, we would still like to stay united as a school family during this very important time in the Church year. Throughout this week we will share short reflections for families to use at home so that together, wherever we are, we can walk with Jesus through the events of Holy Week and prepare our hearts for Easter.
Holy Week is a time to slow down, to pray a little more and to try to live as Jesus taught us. We can welcome Jesus into our homes by showing kindness, forgiveness and love to those around us. Just as the people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, we are invited to welcome him into our hearts.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
As we begin Holy Week, help our school community to stay close to you.
Bless our families as we pray at home this week.
Teach us to welcome you with love, to follow you with faith and to trust in you always.
Amen.
Family action:
Place a cross or candle somewhere in your home this week to remind you that we are walking together with Jesus through Holy Week.
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A quick and well explained video to share with the children at the start of this Holy Week.
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✝️The Stations of the Cross✝️
Thank you to all parents and parishioners who joined us for our Stations of the Cross Assembly. Year 6’s performance was a reflective depiction of Jesus’ last days on earth and a reminder of the torture that Jesus suffered to save us from our sins. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they’ve done…” Luke 23:34
The children carried out each station with such reverence and grace, doing a truly beautiful job in honouring this sacred journey.
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Thank you to Year 5 who led us in a beautiful reflection on the next part of our Holy Week journey – The Garden of Gethsemene.
We reflected on Jesus’ sacrifice and how we can put the will of God before our own desires.
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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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