Many things in life are a mystery. We can’t always comprehend things because the world is a bigger place than we can imagine. When you play ‘Pooh Sticks’ alongside a river and see a crawfish for the first time as a child, it is special. When you see a baby’s first tooth appear and the same child’s adult tooth appear, it is equally as amazing and special. Many things in life are like chapters in a book and we have begun our new school year chapter. I was fortunate enough to go on holiday this Summer and two words kept coming to my mind throughout: grateful and glad. Hayley Mills played a little girl in a film called ‘Pollyanna’ and she was always glad. She spread her happiness to everyone she met because of her high spirit and positivity. Glad seems to be a word underused these days. John Rutter’s version of ‘I was Glad’ is one of my favourites and I am glad every day I come to St.Francis’ school. I am glad that the new starters have settled in well and I am glad to see so many smiles every day on our playground. I am also glad that my new ‘gritting machine’ has arrived as this will save me a lot of time and heat loss during the frosty months.  Miss Taylor and I were accused of ‘online shopping’  because of my excited ‘ooohs’ and ‘that one looks a great price-let’s buy it now!’  until the member of staff caught sight of the many varied gritting machines! When I say machine, it resembles a wheelbarrow with a hole in the middle, but I’m sure it will be an excellent addition to the school team!

In a world where solidarity, support and kindness are needed more than ever, I hope that we always stand together this school year for the ones who matter the most to us-the treasures that are our children.

Let us keep high spirits and positivity this school year. Every day counts and we always aim to bring sheer delight and joy to our children, staff and community. A Catholic school matters the most because we make Christ’s teaching and love known to all and, because of that, we try to make our world a better place. I hope that we feel grateful and glad for even the smallest of wonders and experiences because they all count and matter. It amazes me how much I know about the children because they tell me so much. School prepares children for their greatest aspirations. Let them be archaeologists, vets, teachers, farmers, hairdressers, comedians, astronauts and unicorn keepers ( just some things they have told me they want to be) . The world needs the greatest variety imaginable but let them do it as wonderful people who care.

For the first time in my life, I have been called a shepherd. Apparently, you just have to command sheep to go back in a stern voice and wave your arms behind them. This strategy clearly works! This is just a typical welcome back to school…

Our new rabbits have settled in and they are being looked after by Pendle Class, Pre-School and the animal welfare UFA group.

New starters are smiling and all classrooms are busy places again…

Today, Year 5 are on a trip to Cobble Hey, alongside other schools, and we held our Jeans for Genes assembly.

On Monday, new Reception Class parents and families are invited to an official welcome assembly led by Year 6. This starts at 9.15am and all new starters will be presented with a certificate from their Year 5 buddy.

Next Friday, we have our Macmillan/Harvest celebration and food donated will be sent to Ingol food bank. The school band will be playing and Year 6 will be holding stalls to raise money for Macmillan Cancer research. Any cakes for donation will be gratefully received. Please send any spare tinned food and non perishables in next week.

You are all welcome to come into the school hall on Tuesday at 3.30pm for a ‘calculation station’ workshop event. This is informal and you can visit year group tables with examples and information about how we teach mathematical calculations throughout the school-this is for all year groups starting from Pendle class. We have put our calculations policy on our website for you to see the progression with examples of how to do them.

Have a lovely weekend.