Jesus’ message for the last two Sundays of Easter is simply to love each other as He loves us. It sounds so easy and yet it is a daily challenge for each of us as we strive to open our hearts with true acceptance. Ultimately, this is what makes us kind and, at a deeper level, opens up the possibility of being loving through our just and merciful actions and forgiving words. The more we love others, the more we are truly human and most truly ourselves. Throughout this term we have continued to nurture the virtue of love alongside compassion, supporting the children as they meet their own daily challenges.
It has been a half term of highs and lows however. Lows through hearing many children speaking in a very derogatory manner towards each other which has shocked and deeply upset me and all the staff. I appreciate that there are many ‘fads’ which the children see and hear on a range of different media, and I am not naive enough to know that they want to try things out, however, I have always been so proud of the children’s ability to be kind and respectful here at Our Lady’s. I have talked to all KS2 children about this and reminded them that they should never speak to anyone in a derogatory way and if they hear anyone doing so, they should tell them to stop and tell an adult. I have written a letter to all KS2 parents explaining this.
I do understand from the children that there is also similar ‘game’ going on online where the group openly ‘jibe’ others, which the children refer to as ‘roasting’. With this in mind I would ask parents to check their monitoring arrangements of children’s devices. There is a helpful booklet attached below which may help you in checking devices:
We will also be attaching a monthly online safety newsletter on our news page towards the middle of each month. Look out for this too as it may contain some helpful hints/information about the programs, games and sites which your child may be using. Having a greater awareness of these may allow you to have better conversations with your children about what they are doing online and who they are talking to.
And we have of course been shocked and deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of the death of little Jordan, the boy struck by lightening on the football field at the end of Common Edge Road last week. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terrible time and both our school and parish are offering our prayers everyday for him.
Our highs, and the moments which keep us all inspired, are through the hard work and determination of our amazing pupils. Everyday when I see our Reception class jumping and laughing at the gate, ready to greet their teachers it not only makes me smile, but also makes me so proud of all they, and indeed all the children have achieved this year!
Works on Common Edge Road
You will have been sent a text as a reminder that, as our half-term break begins, so to do some road surfacing works along Common Edge Road. The works are due to take 3 weeks beginning on 24th May. Although the first 2 weeks of the works will not affect us, the third week of works certainly will. Highways inform me that half of the road will remain open, but ONLY FOR TRAFFIC TOWARDS TOWN CENTRE BLACKPOOL. Therefore, if you drive to school coming from that direction, you will be unable to get through. Therefore on the first week back at school (week beginning 7th June) you may need to set off earlier and perhaps expect to park further away and walk the last part of the journey so that you do not get held up for work.
