“Ah, Kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world”

Parent - Teacher Meetings

Parents Day Video link is now live. Parents should now have been sent a link to book a slot with your child’s class teacher/s by text and/or email.

The system simply asks you to type in your child’s first name and this will take you to the choice of teacher you wish to book a meeting time with. You are then invited to open the meeting slots available for your child’s class teacher.

On last weeks blog (News page) there is a button which has a guide with instructions for the site if you need to look at this.

We are looking forward to being able to speak to you about how your child has settled since returning to school. Please remember that there is a time limit of 10 minutes on each of the calls, so if there is some information/issue you want to specifically discuss; it would be a good idea to email your child’s teacher using the class email to let them know if this is the case.

Flu Vaccinations

A reminder for parents that your consent forms for flu vaccinations MUST BE RETURNED by Tuesday 26th October .

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme can be accessed by clicking the following link: Flu vaccination for children: leaflets and posters - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further information on the vaccination programme can be found on NHS Choices at: Link

As in previous years you must opt-in to the programme. Even if you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child against flu, you must please complete the consent form giving the reason. This will help the Nursing Service plan and improve the service.

This simple spray for your child is really important this year more than ever, as with more mixing, the likelihood of severe infection from flu this year is very high.

New Electronic Process

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals have enhanced the consent process by transforming a previously paper process into a streamlined electronic form accessible anywhere. Previously receiving consent for a child’s vaccine was reliant on school staff handing the paper forms out and getting them home to their parents/guardians, increasing the potential for the form being lost. Now electronic, the form can be easily and quickly completed via mobile device, tablet or computer. This will save parent/carers time and free up school staff time. Once your child has been vaccinated you will also be notified by text ensuring that you are up to date with the child’s vaccinations.

Filling out the Consent Form:

You will be required to provide your Child’s NHS number. Please click the following link if you do not know your child’s NHS number: Link

1.       Please click the following link to access the online consent form: Link

2.       Please quote the unique school code. The code for our school is:  BP119596

If you experience any problems accessing the form, please telephone your local vaccination team on the number below and the team will be happy to help.

Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre 01253 951984

Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth & over Wyre - 01524 519430

The vaccinations will be undertaken in school on Tuesday 2nd November. Please do ensure you sign your child for this important vaccination.

School Photographs

A quick reminder that your child’s photograph proof wiil be coming out on Monday (so please look in your child’s bag for this!)

The final date for return payment if you wish to purchase a photograph is Tuesday 19th October.

Finally…

I hope that this lovely weather we experienced today continues; although I fear not… but, whatever you are doing, enjoy your weekend and relax!!!!!

Miss Haggerty

"All of us can co-operate, as instruments of God, for the care of creation."

Season of Creation

If you have read either Y5 or Y6 class bogs you will have heard about the work our children have been undertaking during this Season of Creation. They have been considering climate change through the CAFOD “Eyes of the World” Campaign. The eyes of the world are on us this year as Britain hosts world leaders for the United Nations' climate change talks – COP26. They will make important decisions that will shape the future of our global family. Our Lady’s is joining the campaign to call on the Prime Minister to support the world's poorest communities affected by the climate crisis.

Last week our new Head Boy and girl joined an extremely wet group as they joined members of CAFOD who are spanning the country with a banner highlighting the issues for creation. The banner will conclude it’s journey in November in Glasgow for the conference.

Keeping each other safe

It was so lovely to have a little sense of ‘normailty’ again last week with the photographer visiting us in school to take the children’s pictures. These are small steps as we still need to remain very aware that we are still very much at a very difficult point in the year with infection rates still rising nationally. We are (and we know we will continue) to experience further cases within our school community. As other germs like colds and flu are also present with similar symptoms, navigating guidance can seem like a minefield. Please if you are unsure always email or ring to check and remember we always here to help as you are making those decisions.

Within school we continue to teach the children about how we can each play a part in reducing germs spreading. Just like us, the children forget and little reminders are helping them to remember how their actions make a difference.  

We planned our school organisation carefully for September to enable us to revert to bubbles if the need arose. We will be closely monitoring cases and will make any changes that are necessary based on Blackpool Public Health Advice.

Parents’ Day

As with everything else we are having to make decisions based on the current situation.

This term we would like to invite you to a virtual parents’ meeting on Parents’ Day (Friday October 22nd) with class teachers. We are using a video and booking system which is part of the Teachers2Parents text system to connect parents and teachers by video call.

This platform has no app for you to install, you simply use your web browser, and you will be automatically connected to the teacher at the time you have booked in the appointment schedule.

All appointments will be ten minutes and start at the allotted (booked) time. You will then see the time and count down on the screen. Please note: when the countdown ends, the meeting is automatically closed and the next appointment is started, the teacher has no control over this. We would recommend that you login and check the audio and visual before your appointment starts.

The facility unfortunately has no format to add a note when you book. If there is something specific you would like to discuss, or any particular concerns you would like to discuss with your child’s class teacher please use your class email to communicate it to the teacher before the meeting.

The available appointments will generally be between 8:45am and 4:30pm. Appointments will be able to be booked once we confirm your class teachers available times. This will be done by the end of the coming week (wb 4th October)

If you have more than one child, the system will automatically enable you to book more than one appointment by bringing up the names and classes of your other child/children on the screen. Before booking your other child’s appointment, you will simply need to ensure the times do not overlap.

There is a button below which provide support on booking an appointment and how to access the virtual meeting. Please click to find out more.

You will be alerted by text and email (if you have provided school with an email address) when the booking system is open. 24 hours before the Parents Day you will be sent a link for the video call which you will open to speak to your child’s class teacher.

If you are struggling once the system is open, please contact school and we can help.

Finally…

Let’s hope that next week is a little drier; fingers crossed! An Indian summer would be hugely welcomed and, as the days shorten, getting out into that fresh air and having a brisk walk can be so good for all of us. I just hope that, whatever the weather, you get chance to have some relaxing time and some fun with your families athe weekends.

Miss Haggerty

Only when I have the qualities in me that I want others to learn. can I lead them!

I can’t believe how wonderfully the children have settled back to school life! I have felt proud and humbled by the wonderful way they have all entered their new classes, learned new rules and routines, and began their learning again in this new school year.

You are all truly amazing!

The teachers here at Our Lady’s are so committed and have worked incredibly hard to make the new school year a positive transition and get their classes off to the best start possible. To lead others is not always an easy task and can at times prove challenging, however it is a gift to take that responsibility and serve with gentleness, just as Jesus did. Please know that they will love your children and always want the very best for them.

New Responsibilities…

Over the last week our Year 6 children have considered which positions of reponsibility they feel they are able to take on during the coming year. On Monday we heard some wonderfully inspring speeches from those children who wished to take on the role of Head Boy and Girl. They reminded us all of the talents, skills and gifts they had all developed through their time at Our Lady’s and explained how they were now ready to use those skills to represent our school. It was inspiring to watch the children congratulate each other as they each returned to their seats; such a great reflection of the class team they have formed.

On Friday all positions of responsibility were allocated and our Head & Deputy Head Boy & Girl were announced at a beautiful assembly on our school field. This was made even more poignant as Fr Jim came across to then bless the children in front of the whole school, reminding us all of the importance of these new roles and the mission of Christ which the children will carry on though their positions of leadership.

It reminded us that we all walk in the footsteps of Jesus and that that every task we undertake holds great resposibility: in Mother Teresa's words: 'Not all of us can do great things; but we can do small things with great love'.

We can now celebrate the decisions made as the importance of service in school comes to life. We give thanks to God for our children’s roles and the love they show to one another.

This means that we can now officially congratulate our new Head Boy and Head Girl Declan and Isabella, and our new Deputy Head Boy and Girl Jacob and Eliza!

Everyone at Our Lady of the Assumption wishes you and all of your class happiness, strength and courage in your new leadership roles.

A poignant farewell…

It was also a fitting farewell to Fr Jim at our Friday assembly as he gave his blessing on the Y6 children beginning their new roles and then to the whole school.

Fr Jim had come across wearing the new stole which the children had presented to him at the mass on Our Lady’s Birthday. He explained that when he arrived at Our Lady of the Assumption to begin his role as our Parish Priest, the Y6 children were only just finding their way in school (just like him) as they were in Reception Class, and it had been his privilege to watch them grow and mature during the years he had been here.

Well Fr Jim… we all feel just the same!

It has been our privilege to have you here as our Parish Priest. You have given us your time, your love and support and we have been all the better for it. We will miss you very much and we wish you every success and happiness in your new role in Ulverston.

(We hope that the children, staff and parishes there, realise how lucky they are!)

Welcome Back! "It's so nice to have you back where you belong!!!"

It has been a delight to be able to welcome all of the children back to Our Lady’s family again this week… although I really don’t believe its been six weeks since we broke up for Summer! Time goes far too fast!!!

I would first like to thank parents and families for your patience in our return these last two days. I appreciate confusion was caused for EVERYONE as we tried to establish our new entrances and routines (not helped that even I forgot some arrangements and was sending parents to the wrong gate - HUGE APOLOGIES for that!) But thank you all for your patience and understanding as we get routines established again and the children are confident in where they come to/line up etc and with which teacher!

I know some parents have expressed their concerns at how busy Thornhill Close is now. I am hoping that as everyone becomes more familiar with their entrance and exit routines (& times) this will alleviate so many parents arriving earlier that they need to and having to wait in one area for a long time. We actually have less pupils arriving at that entrance than we did last year so this issue should rectify itself very soon.

COVID Update

As you know, COVID cases are again on the increase. Unfortunately we must leave arrangements as they are at the moment as all schools must have a contingency plan ready for being able to step back into tighter restrictions if required.

I know I have said this many times over the past year, but thank you… we have got to this point through the actions of every individual and now we need to build on this solid foundation. We all need to learn to live with this virus whilst continuing to keep each other safe. Please if you haven’t read all our updated guidance (available here), please do, as these documents confirm all those little things that we have removed or introduced.

There is a letter which has been produced by Public Health in Blackpool (available here) which presents scenarios and helps to provide answers to the questions you may have. These documents will continue to change as the year progresses and any changes will be communicated with you. Most importantly please always err on the side of caution and if your child develops any of the three symptoms associated with the virus keep them at home and book a PCR test. If we know that your child has been in contact with a positive case within school we will text/phone to recommend you book a PCR test. Both of these actions will help us to minimise the spread of the virus.

It is also worth reminding you that if your child will be absent, due to COVID symptoms - or any other sickness, that you please inform the office by phone (01253 762833) or email (admin@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk) as soon as possible and not simply report the absence through your child’s class email.

Some sad news…

Members of the parish were informed during the Summer that Fr Jim has been asked to move to another Parish in a couple of weeks time by Bishop Paul, bishop of Lancaster.

We are all devastated at this news as Fr Jim has been a wonderful support to us, not only in his roles as our Parish Priest and Dean of Blackpool, but most especially in his genuine love and care for our school, our staff and our children and families. Fr Jim will not be replaced. Therefore we will not have a Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Assumption from 20th September. We have been informed that Canon Chris Loughran will be overseeing our parish along with the parishes of St Cuthbert’s and St John Vianney, where he will be residing.

On behalf of our whole community we say a huge, huge thank you to Fr Jim. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your sharing of your time. Thank you for your science and IT skills. Thank you for your encouragement & most of all, thank you for your love. Our Lady of the Assumption school and parish are forever indebted to you and will never forget you!

School will have a special mass on the Feast of the birthday of Our Lady (8th September) when KS2 classes will celebrate mass with the parish (and KS1 also, through a live link) where we can officially bid farewell to Fr Jim.

We are so sorry to be losing you!

A new Adventure

This morning (and throughout the coming week, our Year 6 children from last year have (and will) all commenced their high school journey. We wish them well and know they will continue to find that inner strength as they meet new challenges and grow into the human beings Christ made them to become.

Finally…

And so… as we head into our new school year we have so much to be thankful for and, at a time when the world needs a warm embrace, our prayers are never more needed.

We especially ask for all of your prayers for Amy - who should have joined Year 4 this year, but unfortunately has had to undergo further treatment in hospital. All our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. We are all praying for you and wishing you well Amy and we look forward to you joining the Year 4 class when you are strong enough again.

Together, act by act, prayer by prayer, we have the power to slowly bring the Kingdom of God to life…  we have the power to support each other through Christ who strengthens us.

Enjoy a restful weekend

Don't look back to yesterday's... look ahead to God's promises yet to unfold!

Thank you to Everyone

I have few words to express the frustrations, anxiety, fears etc which the past 15 (or so) months have brought. All I can say is, that I am so proud of the way everyone in Our Lady of the Assumption School have taken every challenge in their stride, remained positive, and worked as hard as they could to keep our little school as safe as they possibly could during this terrible time. I am so immensely thankful and humbled by our children and staff and the amazing way they have dealt with every problem which has come their way. In fact, not only dealt with - but remained upbeat and smiling through every challenge which (more often than not) was thrust upon us at the eleventh hour! Our school has worked together and supported one another other, being humble and always learning together. I am truly blessed to be a part of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Sad news and happy news…

As we come to the close of another school year, Our Lady’s has quite a few changes going forward.

We first have to say some sad goodbye’s to some of our most long serving and much loved staff. Mrs Mahoney, who has worked for over 20 years in our KS1 and Reception Classes has announced her retirement as we break for the Summer holidays!

Also taking a well earned retirement is our wonderful cook, Mrs Judy Fawcett. Judy has been with Our Lady’s for many, many years and will be sadly missed (not least for her barbeque chicken and amazing flapjack!!!)

And (as if that wasn’t enough…) one of our Welfare Staff Mrs J Hemstock will also be retiring this Summer!

We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to these ladies, who have supported, guided, loved (& fed) your children for many, many years. I know you will join me in thanking them SO much for all their care and service towards all of Our Lady’s Community through the years and wish them well for their retirements!

We also celebrate the extremely happy news of the marriages of 4 (yes 4!) of our staff this Summer. Firstly that of Miss Slater who will be getting married at Our Lady of the Assumption this Saturday. She will become Mrs Murphy from September.

We also have the wedding of Mr Whetnall during the Summer Holidays (luckily we have no name change there…)

We then have Miss Dixon’s wedding which again takes place during the Summer break. She will become Mrs Holden from September.

Finally (for this year) we have Mrs Murray from Year 6 who also ties the knot during the Summer! She will then become Mrs Owen!

Our Lady’s family wishes each of them every happiness as they begin this new chapter in their lives. (And we all hope we can remember their new names!!!!)

We also welcome a new staff member at this time… Miss Whitehead!

Miss Whitehead will be joining us as our new Year 4 teacher for September. The children have already met her and she will be working alongside them all to get to know them well over the next 2 weeks. We ask God to bless her and welcome her into the wonderful family of Our Lady of the Assumption!

School Uniform

With the summer holidays fast approaching parents and carers may be looking to purchase school uniform for the new school year. One of our uniform suppliers, 1st Class Kids have sent us details of how you can purchase uniform from them. Please click here for the latest from them.

Our other uniform supplier is The Uniform and Leisurewear Company who are on Clifton Street in the town centre. Their website is: https://www.ualonline.uk/

A reminder of our school uniform requirements, including hairstyles, will be re-issued along with your child’s report. Please, please ensure that you read this carefully and avoid any unnecessary mistakes when your child returns in September. Governors, staff and myself want to ensure that we start this new school year as we mean to go on, so will be ensuring that this is adhered to. We thank you, as always for your support with this.

September Timetable:

We break for the Summer holidays on Friday 16th July at our usual time (1.05pm/1.15pm). There will be After School Club on this afternoon.

From September we will return to a more ‘normal’ school timetable BUT will start the year with our staggered starting and finishing times so that we can still avoid large crowds of parents having to wait together in the playground: We will also remain using both of our school entrances.

Our new starting & ending times will be closer together with the first family groups entering at 8.45am and the second groups entering at 8.55am. Therefore final register and start of school will be as soon as second groups of children enter at 8.55am - so anyone arriving after 9.00am will be recorded as late.

The school day will end at 3.15pm & 3.25pm Monday to Friday.

Timetable including the groups & entrance for your child will come out in a letter with your child’s report.

We all must remain alert.....

Coronavirus Update

As you will be aware we are devastated to have had to close 3 class bubbles over the past few days due to 3 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus.

This has saddened us all tremendously.

It is something which has made all of us very anxious, but is obviously something we must take very seriously and ensure that we are following guidance and keeping ourselves and others safe. It is incredibly frustrating, especially when we were expecting restrictions to be lifted and also when we see crowds of people at sporting events such as Euro 2021 and Wimbledon!

I have had a letter from Dr Arif Rajpura - our Director of Public Health for Blackpool who has written to all families reminding us all to remain alert and rigidly stick to the guidance in light of the rapidly spreading Delta variant in the North West.

Read his letter HERE

As you can see, Dr Rajpura is asking us all to keep to the guidance, keeping our distance from others when collecting and dropping off children, wearing masks and continuing our strict handwashing practices.

This variant is spreading extremely rapidly which means our R rate is higher than the rest of England:

Latest R number range for England -

Range for England                1.2 - 1.4 

Range for the North West    1.3 - 1.5

Last updated on Friday 18 June 2021

Current symptoms - Delta Variant

As more and more people are contracting the virus due to this new variant - we in schools are being asked to take notice of children who are exhibiting slightly different symptoms from the 3 which we are used to (Persistent cough / high temperature / loss or change in taste or smell) and now included for children are “…cough and loss of smell or taste as less common symptoms for people who have contracted the coronavirus Delta variant. Meanwhile, sore throat, runny nose, fever, upset stomach and headaches are more common among young patients.”

I have already texted parents with children currently in school to be on your guard for these, or any strange symptoms in your child. As you will be aware, children are strictly in bubbles within school, so, if any child is presenting with any symptoms above, we are contacting parents and urging you to book your child for a PCR (lab) test.

A few parents have expressed that they are regularly undertaking the rapid lateral flow tests with the family (LFT test) While this is useful if showing no symptoms - if symptomatic, the PCR test should be undertaken. There may also be problems accessing a PCR test. if this is the case and you have been asked by school to undertake a lab test, please let us know and we can forward you information to take to the test centre to identify that we have sent you for this.

The NHS website identifies this:

Getting a PCR test if you have no symptoms

You can also use this service if:

• you’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive

• you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council or someone from NHS Test and Trace

• a GP or other professional has asked you to get a test

• you’re taking part in a government pilot project

• you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result

• you’ve received an unclear result and were told to get a second test

• you need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms

So please let us know if you have any difficulty in booking a test.

Have Faith….

As I said at the beginning of this blog - I completely understand how frustrated parents must be at being unable to join in with the usual lovely events at the end of a year. Believe me when I say, no-one feels more upset that your child’s class teachers. They are working so, so hard both in school to keep your child’s learning planned and delivered and not to let your child miss out on any of their usual school activities; and also at home, where they are trying to ensure they are isolating, not visiting busy places - sometimes not even seeing their own families, mindful that they HAVE to keep themselves as safe as possible to come into school to teach their class bubble each day. Our teachers love your children very much and they are trying their very best to keep them happy, safe and sheltered from so much that is happening in our community.

At this frightening time, have faith in our teachers: They are doing their very, very best; many times at personal expense! Have faith in each other: We are all doing what we can to stop the spread of this awful virus and of course… as the Gospel told us this weekend, have faith in Christ: No matter how much we worry, falter, and make mistakes; He is always there loving us.

What more can we ask for?

Faith as small as a mustard seed.... can move mountains!

School Events

We have all missed so many things with regards our school community this year. In particular in being unable to get together to share our end of year events. Some of you have already shared your feelings with me. This reflects just how we all feel inside the building too. I know being able to gather once again and to share those precious moments of prayer and celebration will remind us all not to take them for granted in the future; I certainly will not.

Year 6 - Our Year 6 children have auditioned and been rehearsing for an end of year performance over the past week (a lovely reminder of what the children love about Year 6, and definitely a little piece of normality) We cannot have large groups in our hall and therefore cannot share this ‘live’ with the rest of the school or parents, but the children are excited about filming and editing the performance so that school and families can see them perform. We can’t wait to share special times again with all our families.  There are lots of special events prepared for the children and Miss Slater, Mrs Murray and I want to ensure we prepare and undertake each one with everyone’s safety at the forefront of all of our minds. Miss Slater will be sending out a letter next week to detail some of the exciting things planned to celebrate our Year 6’s time at Our Lady’s and wish them well for the next stage in their lives.

Y6 Transition - As parents will be aware, all transition visits to high schools have been cancelled due to the rising infection rates in our area. However, I do want to reassure you all that the High Schools are working really closely with us so that the children will receive videos, calls and a variety of information from their prospective high schools and they will certainly be given all the information they need in order to begin Y7. Miss Slater is personally meeting with, or speaking to, teachers from each of the destination schools in order to pass on as much information as she can.

Sports Days - All our children will enjoy their own bubble sports afternoon, with stickers, medals (and ice lollies at the end). We know this is normally an event which you love to watch and as this isn’t currently possible we promise to provide you with a real taste of your children competing and will be taking lots of photographs for you to see - and of course we will report on the winning Houses from KS1 & KS2! . (Keep an eye on your child’s class blog)

End of year reports - are being completed by your child’s class teacher and will be sent home for you 9th July.

Keeping Safe - Making decisions which impact on a whole community has been so difficult at times for the governors and I: as we all know, it is rarely possible to meet the needs of everyone, and we do our utmost to make the best possible choices taking into account the prevailing advice and our school circumstances. At the heart of every decision has been first and foremost the safety of each individual and the aspiration to keep children engaged in learning. The unpredictability of this year and the changing guidance, often published at the eleventh hour, has made the position of schools close to impossible at times. I have been so fortunate throughout the pandemic to work with an experienced, informed Governing Body, a wonderful staff team and trusting families who have supported each other as difficult decisions have had to be made.

Current Covid situation - Can I begin by thanking every family who has contacted us immediately if they have had to self-isolate for whatever reason; your actions are helping to keep us all safe. Many of you are also erring on the side of caution and keeping children at home if exhibiting any of the familiar symptoms (cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache) This is a very sensible thing to do and ensuring that the rest of the class bubble remains safe and can continue with their learning.

With the growing transmission numbers, we are even more aware that we all need to be extra vigilant and exercise the same caution. Public Health for Blackpool have also sent the following reminder for school and parents:   

You will have read and heard about the rise of cases of Covid-19 in Lancashire, and across the North West, driven by the variant first identified in India, now known as Delta. We know that this is far more transmissible than previous strains. The Prime Minister has announced that the full lifting of COVID-19 restrictions is to be delayed until 19 July due to this variant.

Until then, current restrictions still remain in place. You should continue to work from home if you can and limit the number of people you come into contact with, remembering to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

If you suspect your child has coronavirus: Do not send your child to their nursery, childminder, school, college or to an entry test/exam for a selective school/organisation if:

• they are showing one or more coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

• someone in their household is showing symptoms

• someone in their support bubble or childcare bubble has symptoms and they have been in close contact with them since the symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started

• they or someone in their household or support or childcare bubble has tested positive for COVID-19

• they are required to quarantine having recently visited a red list travel ban country

Book a PCR test if you or your child develop symptoms. Inform your nursery, childminder, school or college of the results.

Positive PCR test results - If the test is positive, follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, and engage with the NHS Test and Trace process.

If your child is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is asked to self-isolate, you do not need to self-isolate unless your child develops symptoms.

This also applies to other members of your household (including any other children in the same school or college).

If your child has been a close contact of someone who has tested positive, and then develops symptoms but has a negative test result, they will still need to self-isolate for the full 10 days from the day after contact with the person who tested positive.

It is really important you support your child to follow this guidance in order to keep our community safe and reduce the risk of transmission. Of course, if at any time your child becomes more unwell or their symptoms worsen, do seek medical advice straightaway.

We therefore have to still take very precautionary measures to ensure that we can keep ourselves and our children safe.

For now, we need to celebrate what we have achieved together. The children are thriving, making progress and enjoying their learning. The staff are still all here, working so hard to pinpoint need and provide the right support at the right time, and although I know you are weary, you are continuing to support us albeit from afar - and through rain and shine!

‘it is in the human heart that the kingdom takes root and grows’ (Pope Francis)

Please all take care and keep safe, being ever vigilant.  

God bless

Miss Haggerty

'Love one another, as I have loved you'

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.