St Mary's Catholic Primary Schools Trust

Headteacher

Newsletter no. 28

Friday 24th April

Dear Parents and Carers

It feels like we are finally turning a corner with the weather, which has given the children a wonderful opportunity to take their learning outdoors.

This week, we celebrated Earth Day and spent time thinking about how we can protect our planet for future generations. The children shared some fantastic ideas, including turning off taps, switching off lights when leaving a room, not dropping litter, walking or scooting to school where possible, and recycling paper, cardboard, plastic and glass.

Some children also created posters to remind us of these important actions. It’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm, I think we are developing the next generation of eco-warriors!

St Bernadette Class Assembly

We had the pleasure of being joined by St Bernadette parents on Wednesday for their class assembly.

With it being Earth Day the children showed how important it is for us all to take care of God’s Creation. We must all play our part in ensuring it continues to be sustainable and that all creature great and small are given the opportunity to thrive.

St Bernadette children sang and explained all they had learnt about God’s creation. They read the Gospel according to Matthew 6:26–30 where “Jesus tells children not to worry about food or clothes, using birds and flowers as examples. God feeds the birds, even though they don't farm, and makes flowers beautiful, even though they don't work. Because people are far more valuable to God than birds or flowers, He will surely take care of all their needs.”

St Bernadette class asked us to reflect on the changes we could make to ensure that the world continues to thrive

St Therese Class Assembly

On Wednesday 29^th April St Therese Class would like to invite their parents in to take part in their class assembly.

Please come along at 9.15 to take part.

Wellbeing

'We have been very lucky to have Elli working in our school every Wednesday. Elli is an Educational Wellbeing Practitioner and is available to offer support to you, our families. She can support with strategies for encouraging positive behaviour and managing negative behaviours; managing anxiety and promoting wellbeing in parents and children plus other areas too.

Some of our families have just completed a short course about managing common behaviour difficulties and Year 2 have completed sessions on caring friendship.

Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with them sharing that they had felt supported, learnt new strategies to try at home and felt more confident in their ability to deal with challenging behaviours.

NEXT EVENT - We will be looking at 'Emotional Regulation'.

Does your child struggle to manage their emotions? Would you benefit from strategies to support this?

We will be holding a Coffee Morning in school with Elli, on Wednesday 20th May at 9.10am to explore this topic further and give some practical strategies to support you and your children.

If you would like any more information about support that Elli could offer, please email the school office or speak with Mrs Charlesworth or Miss Mitchell. Please see the attached flier for information. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your parenting journey.'

Internet Safety

Croydon Wellbeing services are coming to school to run an Internet Safety meeting for parents on Tuesday 28^th April.

9.15am in the school Hall

7pm on line

Please come along to ensure you are equipped with all the knowledge to keep your child safe online.

Technologies are moving at such an alarming rate that we need to know what our children are accessing and looking at online. It is also our duty to keep them safe.

As part of our Computing Curriculum we teach the children how to keep themselves safe on line but we need to ensure we are constantly reminding them and be aware of what they are doing on line.

Volunteering to help with cleaning up and gardening

We are asking any volunteers who can spare the time to come and help tidy up our garden in preparation for our Feast Day at the end of term. Help would be greatly appreciated. If you are available please come on Thursday 8th May once you have dropped your child at school.

Thank you very much

Golden Table

Today I had the absolute pleasure of sitting on the Golden Table with six of our children at lunchtime. It was such an enjoyable experience. The children demonstrated impeccable manners throughout – saying “please” and “thank you,” using their cutlery beautifully and engaging in such polite, thoughtful conversation.

The children who joined me this week were:

Sophie – in St Andrew

Elijah – in St George

Joy -- St Bernadette

Tiresimi – in St Therese

Alex– in St Martin

Tymur – in St Francis

They were a credit to themselves and to our school. It was lovely to spend time with them and see first-hand the kindness, respect and consideration they show every day. Well done to each of them for setting such a wonderful example.

Wednesday Word

Follow

A word from the Saints

“It is for each of us to learn the path by which Jesus requires us to follow him, and to follow in that path.”

St Katherine Drexel

Dear Lord Jesus

You are the Good Shepherd who knows us by name and guides us through life. Please help us to hear your voice and follow you always.

Amen