This Sunday, we light our first Advent candle; the candle of Hope. This candle is also called the Prophecy candle as hear from the prophets who told us for many years about the coming of the Messiah, the chosen one. In assembly today, we have spoken about being Pilgrims of Hope, something that Pope Francis is asking us to do for the year 2025. In a world that we have now, Hope needs to radiate out. It seems fitting that our next family mass of the year will take place on the first Sunday in Advent. It also sees the start of the new liturgical year so we will have new lectionaries in Mass. One of our Year 6 children will light the advent candle before our children read and sing as one. For the homily, as with every homily on the 1st Sunday of Advent, there will be a letter read out written by Bishop Paul. Having been visited by Bishop Paul this year, it will be special for the children to hear directly from him in a letter. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Pilgrimage will feature a lot during our Advent preparations. The nativity story tells us of a pilgrimage that was taken to see the Baby Jesus and as we become pilgrims ourselves, we remember the significance of this journey. Tonight, our school has been decorated ready to celebrate Christmas together and prayer stations have been dotted around the school that each class have put together about a significant part of the Christmas story. Together, we will become pilgrims.
The parish community have lots of wonderful things happening this Advent; including the Parish Panto which will be taking our Year 3 & 4 children to next Friday. On Friday 20th December in the Parish Centre they will be holding their annual community Carol evening led by the Operatic Society. Doors will open 7.00pm and the singing will commence 7.45pm approx. Arrive early to bag the best table. Please come and support this lovely, fun, festive, family event.
Our Forest School area is starting to take shape. Miss Lavelle and Mrs Tierney have been busy formulating plans ready to start rolling it out with some groups after Christmas. As part of their STAR Charter, and their contribution to our common home, the Year 5 children got involved with the shovelling and moving of wood chip this week. Thank you Year 5 for helping us to create another experience for our children here at school.
Christmas is coming…
Thank you to everyone who has booked a place on the Christmas Pottery session - it is going to be lovely to get all christmassy after school on Tuesday 3rd December. It will start at 3.30pm straight after school and should be about an hour; with Christmas treats and drinks.
Friday 6th December - Own clothes day and bring a bottle of your choice for the raffle. This can be any bottle that you may like to receive in a raffle: bubble bath, olive oil, wine, alcohol - the choice is yours. We will have a wheelbarrow on the gates for drop off!
We will be making hamper bags out of the donations to add to the raffle prizes. Mrs Nel has been busy collating a list of all of the raffle prizes so far, which you can find below - there is still time to donate more! Please bring in your raffle booklet stubs and money before the draw on Wednesday 18th December to be in with a chance of winning.
Christmas film nights will take place during the penultimate week of the term. The two films chosen are below. Please click the button to book your child onto the film night, there is a place for everybody; so don’t worry about it being full. Mrs Nel will assign £3 to everyone’s Parent Pay for you to pay for the place. For those children who attend All Stars on those evenings, you will be able to come as you have already paid for your session that night.
The Great Our Lady Bake Off
After the success of last year’s master bake off - it returns for 2024. I know many of the children have already planned their bakes for the day, and I am really excited to taste them! There is a menu of choice again here so you can get involved as much or as little as you want. See the poster to find out the information and decide what you would like to you.
We will open the hall at the end of the day for further cake to be bought by families.
This is such a wonderful fundraiser for the school - and we get to eat cake in the process.
STARs of the Week
Well done to our children this week who have been beacons of light for us all. You have shone so brightly to demonstrate our virtues; intentional and prophetic, and with excellent learning.
Office News
Our Weekly Attendance
Lunch options for next week in addition to sandwiches:
Monday - Booths sausage in a bun with ketchup and veggie sticks
Tuesday - Packed Lunch
Wednesday - Packed Lunch
Thursday - Fish finger butties
Friday - Pizza slices
Nativity tickets have flown out of the office this week; and we are really excited to welcome our EYFS families next week. Space in the hall is tight due to the building work so please do bring your tickets with you. The children move around the hall too, so please can you ensure no hot drinks are brought into school. We have the performance being filmed on Tuesday and photographs of all of the children in their costumes; this will enable you to enjoy the performance even more.
Please don’t forget about the consultation meeting at 2.45pm on Monday with the proposed Academy Trust. If you are able to come, please complete the form below so that we can arrange a suitable room.
Have a lovely and festive start to December with your families.
God bless
Mrs Gregan