Dear Parent/Carer

DIARY DATES:

26th January- Y5 Assembly 2.45 pm

29th January –KS2 Numeracy/Football day

31st January- Sacramental Program Meeting 6.30pm

2nd February- Y4 Assembly 2.45pm

6th-12th February - Travelling Book Fair

6th February – revised date Y4 Gymnastics Competition

13th February – revised date Y2 Gymnastics Competition

13th February – PSA Valentine’s Disco:

5.30pm - 6.30pm Foundation/KS1

6.45pm – 7.45pm KS2

PSA: NEW YEAR DISCO

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was

necessary to cancel the planned PSA New Year’s Disco.

This has now been rearranged to a ‘Valentine’s Disco’ to

be held on Tuesday 13th February – times given above.

Tickets already purchased are transferable to this new

date. Further details will be sent home in a separate

letter.

FAMILY LEARNING

Family Learning sessions, delivered by Lynne Sydall from

Bolton College, started in school on Thursday 18th January

2018. It was attended by parents/grandparents and will

run over a fun free 4-week course covering phonics,

reading, writing, spelling strategies and more.

How the course works: The adults come into school as

they drop their children off. We begin with sharing a

story and discussing the skills that are being developed

i.e. English, Maths, Knowledge & understanding of the

world, History etc. Then the adults make some lovely

resources to keep and support learning at home i.e.

English and Maths games and character puppets. The

children then join the group for half an hour later in the

morning, where they share the story and make a craft

activity to take home. (They love you being in school!)

The second session is:

‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Books’ by Julia Donaldson

On: Thursday 25th January 2018

Time: 9 am-12 noon

Come along and have a coffee and a chat with the family

learning group and have some fun with your child!

SATS EVENING

On Monday 15th January 2018 we invited the parents of

our Year 6 and Year 2 pupils to meetings to hear

information about the Government Statutory Assessment

Tests (SATs) that will take place in May 2018. The

meetings offered Y6 and Y2 parents the opportunity to

learn more about the tasks, tests and Government

expectations of the children. Parents were able to see

past papers and ask questions about the system. Crucially

it was shared how school and home can work together in

partnership to best support pupils in preparation for

these Assessments. We are pleased to say the meeting

was well attended. Thank-you to all parents who joined us.

CARITAS WEEK 9th – 12th January 2017

Catholic school communities were invited to take up Pope

Francis' challenge to 'weave bonds of belonging' within

our schools, our homes and within the wider communities

to which our schools belong.

The focus and activities for each year group were based

on the theme of Family and Community. On Monday 15th

January Mrs Hesketh led a whole school assembly when

the children gathered together and each class shared the

work they had done and what they had learnt.

SWEETS

During the Autumn Term 2017, the School Council asked

us to review whether pupils could be allowed to give out

sweets to celebrate birthdays. Surveys were completed

by pupils, parents, staff and Governors. It has been

agreed that parents may send a birthday treat, with no

obligation. Teachers will be made aware of any peer

pressure. Please note lollies are not permitted. Parents

are invited to send in alternatives e.g. fruit, raisins, fruit

bars or another healthy treat. If a parent does not wish

their child to receive a treat they should let school know

and a healthy option could be given e.g. raisins.

PUPIL CHAPLAINS

On Thursday 21st December 2017, Father Barry visited

school to interview Y5 pupils who had applied to be our

new Pupil Chaplains for 2018. The children lead others in

prayer, represent St Mary’s at events. Father Barry was

very impressed by the children’s enthusiasm, commitment

and articulation in sharing their faith and wanting to help

others.

On Friday 19th January the nine new pupil chaplains took

part in a retreat day at St Anthony’s. They met other

chaplain teams from 22 catholic schools in Bolton.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Please note the next Sacramental Programme meeting for

Y3 parents will be held on Wednesday 31st January at

6.30pm in the Rosary Room, next to St Mary’s RC Church.

This meeting is important preparation for Wednesday 7th

February when the children will receive the sacrament of

Reconciliation for the first time. The service on that day

also begins at 6.30pm, but we ask pupils and parents to

arrive by 6.20pm at the latest.

The children are being prepared in school by Mrs Ford

and Mrs Christian. It is vital that at least one parent

attends the meeting on 31/1/18. If you have any

difficulty in arranging this please see Mrs Ford, Mrs

Christian or Mrs Davies as soon as possible.

ROAD WORKS

We thank you for your patience during building work

continues on the college site. We understand that

parking must be difficult. Please share any concerns you

have with us especially when it comes to the safety of our

children and families. Any information and feedback let

us know as Jones’ Homes are doing their best to work

with us during this time.

BAGS 2 SCHOOL

The ‘Bags 2 school’ company ask for unwanted clothes,

bedding, and soft toys. These items are recycled and

school receives funds. Therefore the scheme is great

for the environment and school and shows the children

the importance using resources wisely. The collection held

in October 2017 raised £124 for school and the

collection today raised £48.40 and weighed 121 kg.

Thank-you for supporting us with this initiative.

3Rs - RESPECT, READY, RESPONSIBLE

The 3R’s are fundamental to St Mary’s School Golden

rules and behaviour policy. In January we highlight links

with the ‘British value’ of ‘Respect’ and ‘Respect of those

who keep us safe’.

An example of this was to consider our mid-day

supervisors and Lollipop people and what a wonderful job

they do in keeping us safe.

GYMNASTICS

On Monday 15th January, five children from Year 6 were

competing in a Bolton School Games competition at St.

Joseph’s High School. The children had to complete a

body management routine along with both a floor and a

vault exercise. On the evening, the team finished 4th out

of 7. Overall they finished 11th out of 15. Alice, Imogen,

Rosie, Harry and Marley were excellent ambassadors for

our school. Well done!

FAMILY SNACK CHALLENGE

We are sending home a leaflet from ‘Change 4 life’ as we

want to support parents and protect children from

serious health problems by making some simple changes.

Join over a million families who are already using the

helpful tips, ideas, tasty recipes and money–saving

vouchers. Take the 7 day family snack challenge. Don’t

forget to tick the box each when you complete the

challenge. Pupils can tell Teachers of their success.

YEAR 6 ASSEMBLY

Our Year 6 pupils commenced our series of class

assemblies with a presentation for pupils, parents and

friends themed on WW1 which is the topic for this term.

The children sang two popular songs from the war and

recited the moving poem of ‘In Flanders Field’ by John

McCrea. The Y6 enjoyed sharing their learning and were

great role models to the rest of the school.

YEAR 3’s VISIT TO THE OCTAGON THEATRE

On Wednesday 10th January, Year 3 went to the Octagon

Theatre in Bolton to watch ‘A Christmas Carol’. The

children all enjoyed the production. When we came back

to school the children all wrote an Acrostic poem which

we have displayed on our wonderful writing board.

ROMAN HOMEWORK

Y4 have really been enjoying their new topic of ‘Romans’.

Mr Pickavance challenged the children in homework to

research an area that they were particularly interested

in. He wanted them to learn more and then share it with

the class.

On Monday 15th January one our pupils John arrived at

school with his weekend project complete. As you can see

it is very impressive!

John told the whole school about his work. He said

‘I made this with my dad. First we designed it, we worked

together and it took us two days to complete. We used

cardboard and duct tape to make the Scutum (shield) and

Gladius (sword). We found the design in my dad’s book.’

Year 4 have been very busy at home and school and their

research has been displayed in class. Mr Pickavance and

all the staff in Y4 want to say a big thank-you to the

children and parents for their time and enthusiasm.

AUSTRALIA

One of our school key priorities this academic year is to

learn about other faiths, cultures and communities. Ruby

in Y4 was very brave and gave a presentation to the whole

school about her recent visit to Australia to see family.

Firstly she talked of the travel and transport, cities and

landmarks. She explained about the weather, the houses,

sport, lifestyle and food. It is lovely to hear of children’s

adventures near or far.

TRAVELLING BOOKS

Exciting news we have a travelling book fair arriving soon!

It will be open from Tuesday 6th–Friday 9th February.

Children and parents are invited to browse and buy books.

We really want to encourage a love of reading at St

Mary’s and offer children an opportunity to see new

books.

Every Travelling Book Fair brings hundreds of the best

books for children to schools. Carefully curated by their

book buying team, the tailored selection includes

something for every age, ability and interest, and with

prices starting from only £2.99, they say ‘there's sure to

be a book for every child’. Get a sneak preview of the

highlights at your Book Fair by browsing the age-ranged

leaflets we have sent home with this newsletter.

SUNDAY MASS ARTS & CRAFTS

Just a reminder for all our families that after 11am Mass

on Sundays at St Mary’s Church the Rosary room is open

and there is an opportunity for children to take part in

arts and crafts activities. Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits

are also available and time to chat with friends.

During this Mass children are invited to attend a

children’s liturgy when the day’s Gospel is shared as are

activities linked to the readings and theme of the Mass.

All are welcome!