I can’t begin to tell you how proud we all are with our Year 6 class. You wouldn’t have been able to tell that SATs was taking place in our school at all because calmness and positivity has filled the air. The children took each day in their stride and staff have certainly ensured that the children are prepared and keep their outlook that they can only do their best. Well done to our Year 6 role models. You are all an inspiration and an absolute  delight. Mrs Rossall has  worked so hard to prepare the children, as have all staff within the class. There really was a compliment for you Mrs Rossall when I described you in today’s assembly as a solid block of cheese!

We have been inspired by the talent of one of our parents this week. Mrs. Harwood (whose art is commissioned under the website name Angela Wakefield) has given two full days of her time in order to paint our greenhouse wall. The children were in awe when each class looked at her website and saw her beautiful paintings. Here are just a couple….

Dear families and friends,

We thank you very much for your patience today.

On Angels Wings

Wade In The Water

Band

I often refer to our children as stars because they shine in everything they do. Even when things are difficult, they sparkle because they always try their very best. One of our governors emailed me to congratulate our league table success as one of the top performing primary schools in the country. I had forgotten about this because we are so used to our natural  ‘sparkle’ at St.Francis’ that we sometimes take it for granted that we do well. Results can change year on year and different circumstances affect score boards but I do know that our children are very talented and kind individuals and our staff are highly skilled and dedicated. This week, we won £100 and were presented with a cheque from Furness Building Society on behalf of OJ’s charity. Some of our children filled Smartie tubes with money and we found out that we raised the most out of all other primary schools. Our head girl, Libby, had promoted this throughout school and we thank her very much.Following or huge gymnastics success last week, I couldn’t believe that our ‘small’ school had managed another win. Whatever we do, we do well because we do it wholeheartedly and that it what always makes the difference.

PRESTON SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS!

We have made a great start to our Spring term. In a huge event, at the City of Preston Gymnastics Centre, close to 200 gymnasts were present, with the competition lasted close to six hours, with some of the biggest schools in Preston taking part. St Francis were represented by two girl teams and one boy team (made up of Amy Peacock, Gracie Holden, Katrina Grixti and Maggie Luke – as the first team. Grace Davies, Lizzy Moran, Libby Riley and Kitty Rossall as the second team. Liam Hamer,  Leo Briggs, Frankie Rossall and Felix Spinks as the boys team.) The children had spent the last two weeks preparing their routines, in school and and at home.  Our girls first team, came first overall, out of 32 teams, made up of 128 individual girls. Making St Francis, the Preston Schools Gymnastics Girls CHAMPIONS! Amy Peacock,  won the individual award, as the most outstanding gymnast in the girls category. Gracie, came 4th overall with an incredible routine.  The boys team, made up of two children who are new to gymnastics, came third overall, out of 16 teams; an incredible achievement.Frankie and Leo finished 5th and 6th respectively, just missing out on the medals.

We are very proud – well done children! You can see how professional they came across from the pictures below. Thank you very much Miss Stewart, Mr Gilmour and parents for preparing the children so well. Not only did they perform really well, they had a great day out also.

In other news, new topics have sparked new inspiration and there seems to be a theme of bones and wildlife running throughout school. Our Wednesday animal welfare group found two mice in the greenhouse and this triggered a lengthy rescue mission. It seems that the wooden planting area was causing little birds to become trapped and unable to fly out. The remains were taken to Fairsnape class to be investigated and we removed the bench so this wouldn’t happen again.