Dear Parents

We have had a very busy week in school between Parent Teacher meetings, visits to Bagenal’s Castle for Halloween celebrations, the end of term party for pupils who met their Lexia and Nessy targets and the Halloween Disco. We also managed to get the big end of half term Mental Maths check up tests fitted in. The outcomes of these will be shared with P3 – P7 parents when we return to school after the mid- term break.

In relation to the parent teacher meetings, the teachers were very happy to have the opportunity to speak to you and I hope that you also found them beneficial. Our children thrive when home and school are working together to support their learning.

Re the Halloween disco, I issue a big ‘thank you’ to our own school council and the girls from St Mary’s High School Council Their combined efforts really made the event special. The ‘Senior girls’ led the children in dancing, organisedfabulous playlists and face paints whilst our council members planned the event from start to finish with commitment and pride. We are so appreciative to have had the input of the wonderfully mature and highly capable St Mary’s students. We thank them for taking time out from their very busy timetables to support us. The final amount of money raised has not been tallied- I will let you know in my next weekly letter, but I hope that we raised a substantial amount that we can put towards the 24/25 fundraising pot.

On Friday 1st November we celebrate All Saints’ day and that is followed by All Souls’ day on Saturday 2nd November. It marks the beginning of a special time in the life of our church whereby we honour our beloved deceased friends and family. We will be speaking to the children a lot about this in November so no doubt you will hear similar discussions in your home. It is our privilege to journey through the liturgical year in daily prayer and I think that it is important for you to have an insight into our prayer focus each month.

I wish you a wonderful mid term break and pray that I will see your children return  to school refreshed and injury free after the Halloween celebrations. I always worry about their safety over the Halloween break and have spoken to them at assembly about being careful around fireworks, sparklers and bonfires. Children are very precious!

Thank you for your support throughout this first half term, we have made a strong start to the 24/25 school year.

Yours in partnership,

Mrs Monaghan

Reminder: School will reopen on Monday 4th November.

First Confession Wednesday 11th December 2024 @ 11.00am St Mary’s Church.

Confirmation. Friday 9th May 2025 @ 6.00pm The Cathedral.

First Holy Communion Saturday 17th May @ 11.30am The Cathedral.

I really need your help parents and remind you:

That we operate a 'drop off zone' and a one way system. We have had a few 'near misses as parents have not followed the one way system and have 'cut off' across the flow of traffic, to park in the area beside the canteen. I am very fearful that we will have an accident.

1. That you need to be so careful when dropping off children. Pupils should disembark onto the pavement- not onto the road/ car park side, where cars are busily trying to depart.
2. When driving off from your'drop off position' that you need to be mindful of other cars coming up from behind. We have had a few 'near collisions' re this.
3. That buses are being held up when some of you stay too long in your 'drop off' position. I have frequently seen the bus unable to take the bend to get to its drop off position because some of you have left your car unattended or are delaying your departure to make phone calls etc, unaware that your vehicle is blocking the way.

I know that with your support we can make the process safer for our school community.

Mrs Monaghan