As We Approach the End of Term I Write to Thank You for Your Support Throughout the Term

May 2017

Dear Parents,

As we approach the end of term I write to thank you for your support throughout the term and also to inform you of what has been going on in school.

Our Y6 and Y2 children worked very hard to complete their SATS tests. I want to thank them for their hard work but do need to mention that the tests do not reflect the ‘Whole Child’ and only measure three areas of learning. I want to celebrate all our children’s gifts not just reading, writing and maths.

Thank you to the Y6 parents who attended our Y6 prayer service this week. You could really see how the children have grown over the last 7 years and I know you realise that we are now preparing them to move forward on their next step of their journey. We can only do this with your continued support.

Our new nursery is due to open in September and we have decided to call it ‘Little Doves’. We are very excited about meeting our new, tiny children who will enhance our school community. Our nursery staff will be Mrs Spedding and Miss Moore who are both extremely excited about the new venture.

Our Y3 children are busy preparing for their Holy Communion which takes place on June 11th at 9.30am. I will be looking for choir singers to come and support the children on their special day.Thank you to the parents for being so supportive and attending meetings and masses; it is crucial that the children have you with them at this time.

Our Y5 and 6 choir sang at the Forum this week and made us feel extremely proud with their beautiful voices. I am biased but St Columba’s are the best singers in the world!!!

Thank you to the parents who have been supporting us at class Masses over the last few weeks. Class Masses take place on Tuesday mornings at 9.15am and each year group is on a rota. Next few

Our Y5 children took part in the ‘Football Tournament ‘ this week. We are proud of their hard work and team spirit. Thank you to Mrs Milligan, Mrs Sharpe and Mr Nicholson for taking them.

Y5 had a lovely trip to Brantwood to learn about the artist John Ruskin and produced fabulous artwork.

Our May procession this week was a lovely whole school celebration and helped us to remember that Mary looks after our school every day. We always pray to her if we are worried or need some help so this was a special way to remember her.

As you are no doubt aware I am currently 34 weeks pregnant and will be getting ready to go on maternity leave on June 16th. My baby is due on July 10th so I will unfortunately miss the end of term this year. I will be taking the full year off so will return to school on June 16th 2018.

While I am off work Mrs Sharpe will be the acting Headteacher, Mrs Athersmith will be the acting deputy Headteacher and Mrs Evans will be the acting assistant Headteacher. We are lucky to have staff that are more than capable of acting up to fill the above positions; I trust them to look after St Columba’s while I am away and I know you will give them your full support.

Classes for Sep 2017 will be

Nursery: Mrs Spedding and Miss Moore

Reception: Mrs Lewis

Y1: We are appointing a teacher today and Mrs Cubiss

Y2: Mrs Evans

Y3: Mrs Polkinghorn

Y4: Mrs Pryer until April when Mrs Darroch returns from maternity

Y5: Mrs Pope and Mrs O’Flynn

Y6: Mrs Athersmith

Thank you to the parents and children for all your support and good wishes during my pregnancy, I look forward to bringing the baby into school to meet you all and will no doubt see you all around and about during the year.

Important dates for next term:

June 6th: No Mass as it is our whole school St Columba’s Feast Day Mass on June 9th at 2pm

June 9th: St Columba’s Feast Day, whole school Mass 2pm

June 13th: Y5

June 20th: Y4

June 27th: Y3

July 4th: Y2

July 11th: Y6

July 18th: Whole school, end of term ‘Leaver’s Mass’ 9.15am.

Please try and come along to support our children and pray with us.