Headteacher's Newsletter

23^rd May 2025

Dear Parents,

First Holy Communion – Thank You

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We are delighted to share that all the children on our Sacramental Programme have now made their First Holy Communion. The Masses were very special occasions and a beautiful celebration of faith for our whole school community.

Thank you to Canon Jonathan and Fr Matthew, who supported the children both in school and during Mass. We are also very grateful to our dedicated teaching staff, who helped prepare the children so well to receive this important sacrament.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all parents and carers for your continued support throughout the programme. A special thanks goes to those who read the readings and prayers, and to the parents who led the offertory procession during the Masses.

Thank you also to the sponsors, who walked alongside the children during their sacramental journey, offering guidance, encouragement, and prayer.

To mark this joyful milestone, we will be holding a Celebration Mass for Y3 parents on Thursday 19^th June at 9:15am in the junior department hall.

International Mass

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Yesterday our entire school community gathered outside for our much loved International Mass, a well established tradition in our calendar. This special whole school celebration was a beautiful expression of the rich cultural diversity that makes our community so unique.

In the days leading up to the Mass, children thoughtfully prepared by translating their readings into their home languages. During the celebration, we were blessed to hear over ten different languages spoken, a testament to the vibrant mix of cultures within our school.

It was lovely to see pupils, staff, parents, carers, and grandparents united in prayer and celebration. The Mass was a moving reminder of the strength we find in our differences and the importance of celebrating and valuing every child’s background and identity.

Year 5 Robinwood Education Visit

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Welcome Back, Year 5!

Our Year 5 children have returned from their exciting overnight outdoor education visit to Robinwood activity centre, and what a fantastic time they had! Throughout their stay, the children embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves through a wide range of adventurous activities including water sports, climbing, and team-building games. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and determination were truly inspiring. It was wonderful to see the children grow in confidence, resilience, and independence as they tackled new experiences and made lasting memories with their friends. A huge thank you to the dedicated staff who accompanied the children and cared for them so well throughout the trip. Their support and encouragement made this experience very special for everyone involved. Well done Year 5, we are very proud of you!

PTA Summer Fair

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Our Summer Fair and Circus event will take place on Saturday 21^st June 12pm-3pm. Our PTA have worked so hard to ensure this year will be bigger and better than ever for our children and families to enjoy. As well as the usual stalls and games, there will be a professional circus show, as well as an Irish dancing and singing show, circus workshops, inflatables, food, licensed bar and a live DJ.

Tickets for the circus shows are available to buy now on ParentPay and are limited, so please buy yours now to avoid missing out.

Tokens and tickets for the fair can also be bought in advance on ParentPay.

If you have an hour or 2 to spare to help to run this wonderful event, it would be greatly appreciated. Class reps have allocated a stall per class and can be contacted via the class WhatsApp groups. The children of volunteers will all receive an ice cream!

Finally, all of this can only go ahead with the help of our whole school community. We will therefore be asking for donations in exchange for 'Wear your own clothes days' on the following days.

Manchester University Festival

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We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity for our school community. The Universally Manchester Festival is back this summer, a free, fun-filled day for families, hosted by The University of Manchester.

When: Saturday 14 June 2025
Time: 11:00am – 4:30pm
Where: Oxford Road Campus, The University of Manchester

This community event is open to all and offers a packed programme of activities for children. You will find:

• Creative workshops and a colourful street art trail
• Interactive science experiments and hands-on discovery stalls
• A chance to plant your own take-home pot in the university-community allotment
• Inspiring talks and performances as part of the Bee Curious programme
• Live music, storytelling, and much more

It’s a great way to spend time together as a family while exploring what makes for a greener, healthier, and fairer world. Whether you’re planting seeds, unleashing your inner scientist, or enjoying some poetry and music, there’s something for everyone.

Explore the full programme here: universallymanchester.com

Follow the fun on social media: #universallymanchesterfestival

We close for the half term break today and the children will return to school on Monday 9^th June. I hope you have a lovely break with your family.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Harrop

Headteacher