Dear Parents, Carers & Parishoners,

Welcome back everyone – I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Easter. As a school, we now enter the

last term of the academic year. The Trinity term will hopefully prove to be the most exciting of the year

and will bring to an end, sadly, the primary journey for our current Y6 cohort, before they leave to pas-

tures new at St Bede’s.

Easter was probably one of the coldest I can remember, with that easterly wind but it was a wonderful

bank holiday weekend and we experienced a sunny start to the new term. Whilst I am delighted that the

sun has finally appeared, and that the warm days are returning can I remind everyone of keeping safe in

the sun especially during the summer. The last thing we want is for children to suffer from sunburn, heat

stroke or dehydration, for that matter.

We have many events happening across the new term, and I look forward to children making the Sacra-

ment of First Communion, as well as exciting trips, sporting events, assemblies, liturgies and enjoying the

outside environment to the full. I have provided an extensive list of diary dates for parents in this week’s

newsletter.

Online Safety

National Online Safety’s #WakeUpWednesday campaign have provided parents/carers

with 14 tips to get smart about smart home devices. This guide will help you identify some

of the ways that you can stay alert and protect yourself and your children from the associ-

ated risks. For more information on ‘Smart Devices’ please visit https://

nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/wake-up-wednesday/smart-home-devices

Home Time

Can I please request that parents do not enter school at home times via the children’s

exits to look for personal belongings or to wander through school looking for a member

of staff. We are always happy to help wherever possible so please ask a member of staff

or go to the front office. We never want to ask a parent to leave, but when children are

still in school this is something that we must do. Thank you for your understanding in

this manner.

St Mary’s RC Primary School

Newsletter - Issue 22 - May 2019

Headteacher: Mr D Miller

Deputy Headteacher: Mrs M Ross

Chair of Governors: Mrs M Harris

Telephone: 01207 502657 First Day Response No: 07845788957

E-mail: blackhillstmary@durhamlearning.net

Website: www.blackhill-st-marys-rc.durham.sch.uk

Attendance

Our whole school attendance is currently running at: 96.3%

Gospel Reflection

Gospel: Taken from the Gospel for Sunday 28th April 2019 - Jesus in the Upper Room

(John 20:19-31)

The doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Je-

sus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and showed

them his hands and his side. He said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father

sent me, so am I sending you.” After saying this he breathed on them and said:

“Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you re-

tain, they are retained.” Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when

Jesus came. When the disciples said, “We have seen the Lord”, he answered, “Unless I see the holes that

the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand

into his side, I refuse to believe.” Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was

with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he

said. Then he spoke to Thomas, “Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it

into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him:

“You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Why do some people find it hard to believe in God whom they haven’t seen? How can they strengthen

their faith?

Our attendance target for the year is to be above 97%

Year

Summer

Term

Attendance

so far:

% of Pupils

above 97%

R 96.9% 46.7%

1 92.1% 66.7%

2 95.9% 53.3%

3 98.3% 63.3%

4 98.5% 56.7%

5 95.5% 53.3%

6 97.6% 40%

It makes such a difference

to your children’s academic

and personal development

by coming to school as

often as possible. Thank

you for your support in

helping us to achieve our

97%

Lets all work together

to achieve our target

of being above 97%

Date Event Time Parents Invited

Tuesday 7th May Mass in school—Mary theme 10:00am No

w/b 13th May KS2 SATS week AM No

Friday 17th May Year R trip—Whitehouse Farm All Day No

Friday 17th May Year 6 Treat Day All Day No

w/b 20th May SPORTS WEEK All Day No

Friday 24th May Sports Day & Family Picnic AM Yes

Wednesday 5th June Years 5 & 6 Mass at Church 10:00am Yes

Thursday 6th June Reserve Sports Day and Family Picnic AM Yes

Friday 7th June Year 3 Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Tuesday 11th June Reception New Starters Meeting 6:00pm Yes

Wednesday 12th June Years 3 & 4 Mass at Church 10:00am Yes

Friday 14th June Year 1 Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Friday 14th June Year 2 Trip—Botanical Gardens All Day No

Monday17th June Year 6 Residential—Ford Castle All Day No

Tuesday 18th June Year 6 Residential—Ford Castle All Day No

Wednesday 19th June Year 6 Residential—Ford Castle All Day No

Friday 21st June Year 2 Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Saturday 22nd June First Holy Communion—GROUP A 10:00am Yes

Monday 24th June Year 6 YMT Primary Festival All Day No

Wednesday 26th June Years 1 & 2 Mass at Church 10:00am Yes

Wednesday 26th June Year 5 Transition Day—St Bede’s All Day No

Friday 28th June Year 5 Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Friday 28th June FUN FRIDAY All Day No

Saturday 29th June First Holy Communion—GROUP B 10:00am Yes

Wednesday 3rd July ‘New Year 3’ - Transition Meetings 3:15pm & 4:15pm Yes

Thursday 4th July ‘New Year 1’ - Transition Meetings 3:15pm & 4:15pm Yes

Friday 5th July Year 4 Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Sunday 7th July First Holy Communion—Going Forth 10:00am Yes

Monday 8th July MOVE UP DAY All Day No

Monday 8th July Year 6 Transition Day—St Bede’s All Day No

Tuesday 9th July Year 6 Transition Day—St Bede’s All Day No

Wednesday 10th July Year 6 Leavers Mass at Church 10:00am Yes

Friday 12th July Year R—Celebration Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Wednesday 17th July Year 6 Leavers Production 6:00pm Yes

Thursday 18th July Summer Fayre 1:00pm Yes

Star of the Week

NSPCC

Over the past two weeks the children have received a special assembly and workshops from the NSPCC.

‘Speak out Stay’ safe aims to equip a generation of children with the knowledge and understanding they

need to stay safe from abuse and neglect. Children are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a

trusted adult or Childline.

Miles C Year R For super work and finding halves of shapes and numbers. Well Done!

Ella M Year R For super reading and matching rhyming words. Well Done!

Heath S Year 1 For 100% effort in every lesson all week. A true super star!

Eliza M Year 1 For working hard and producing an amazing animal report!

Jordan B Year 2 For trying very hard and doing some great work on time. Well Done!

Adam K Year 2 For trying hard, working hard and finishing all of your work. Well Done!

Bobby W Year 3 For being very kind and respectful, and constantly working to improve!

Olivia B Year 3 For working exceptionally hard in class and showing great maturity. Well Done!

Jake B Year 4 For independently applying place value knowledge to compare decimal numbers.

Ethan J Year 4 For listening carefully to new work and applying his skills appropriately!

Owen S Year 5 For a well organised diary entry and super quick Maths work. A super week!

Imogen M Year 5 For an excellent week of Maths. Your recall skills were extremely quick!

Max R Year 6 For working exceptionally hard for the upcoming SATs. Well Done!

Amy B Year 6 For exceptional effort in Maths this week. Super learning - Well Done!

Dear God, help us as we learn new things. If we learn quickly and easily, may we help oth-

ers to understand. If we make mistakes, may we understand what went wrong. Help us

never to be afraid of new things, but to see them as an adventure. Amen

Golden Ticket Winners

Reception

100% - The Whole Class. Well Done everyone!

Year 1

Oliver, Alfie A, Tiaamii, Gaby, Rosie, Alfie C, Georgi-

na, Leah, Ella, John George, Mollybeth, Grethyn,

Josie, Kyle, Noah, Millie, Eliza, Jacob, Joshua, Flor-

ence, Evan, Heath, John, Hunter

Year 2

Ben, Holly, Sam, William, Eva, Taylor, Oliver, Freya,

Levi, Evie, Hermione, Sofie, Will, Ryan, Shay, Abigail,

Lacey, Adam, James, Ichiro, Lillie, Riley, Isaac, Jor-

dan

Year 3

Ellis, Oliver, Grace H, Lola, Jonty, Eva, Ella, Bobby,

Theo, Toby D, Toby S, Connor, Archie, Ava, Alice,

Faye, Kirk, Eva

Year 4

Annabel, Jake, Ollie, Kai, Charlie, Isla, Josh, Lilly,

Harry, Maisie, Scarlett, Scarlett, Hayden, Ethan,

Joshua, Nathan, Casper, Roan, Halle, Jack, Joseph,

Ollie, Ethan, Kuba, Alfie, Eve, Callum, William

Year 5

Rose, Jessica, Courtney, Sebastian, Teair, Ruby,

Liam, Amelia, Marysia, Alex, Sophie, Tallah, Alfie,

Chloe, Dylan, Henry, Chloe, Ellie, Imogen, Scarlett,

Olivia, Joseph, Lilly

Year 6

100% - The Whole Class. Well Done everyone! Well Done to all those children who have received

individual Golden Tickets.

Year 1 School Trip

All the children enjoyed their trip to Hall Hill Farm!

St Mary’s RC Primary School

SUGGESTION SLIP

Name: …………………………………………………………………….. Telephone No: ………………………………………………….

If you prefer to remain anonymous, that is fine. It is your views that we really want.

Please detail below how we can improve the school further, state any areas where you think we excel,

or ask any questions you would like answered:

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Each week the children use the Wednesday Word to plan, resource and deliver Collective Worship as a

class. Here is Year 4 in our Prayer room this week taking some time for spiritual reflection.

Thank you

Mr Pryer has recently been working hard to develop our P.E. provision within

school and part of this involved updating our goal posts and nets. Can I please

offer a special thank to David Malone who was instrumental in organising profes-

sional help to ensure our installation complied with building regulations. Can I also

offer a special thank you to Craig Madrell who also went the extra mile and offered

his labour during the installation. Your help was greatly appreciated and valued!

Hopefully the St Mary’s teams will score many goals in our new nets!

Summer Fayre

Thursday 18th July is the date to mark in your calendar as we’ll be holding the

Summer Fayre in the afternoon straight after lunchtime, following the same struc-

ture as last year. There will be bouncy castles, tombolas, ice cream stalls, tea and

coffee, various games for the children, bric-a-brac and much more. In order to help

this day run as smoothly as possible we need adult volunteers to help out at

different times during the day. Can you spare an hour or two? This is a wonderful

family event to bring the school year to a close; it would be wonderful to see as many as possible at the

community centred event. Further details will be released nearer the time but please pencil this date into

your diary now! In preparation for the big day we will be having some special non-uniform days - it is

hoped that in exchange for the non-uniform days that the children can bring in a donation that we can

use at the fayre. Please see below for the dates and themes of the non-uniform days:

27th June - Toys and DVDs

4th July - Bottles (Bottle tombola)

11th July - Chocolates (Chocolate tombola)

New Reception Class

Very recently, parents of children looking forward to joining our successful

school were notified of their success in gaining a school place. This year, our

school has again seen unprecedented numbers of parents wishing to send

their children to St Mary’s RC Primary School. I received well over 30 applica-

tions, from children who have been baptised, for a school place in our Recep-

tion intake for September 2019, an in excess of 50 applications in total—this

reflects the continued success of our school and is a great credit to all involved within our school commu-

nity, including my outstanding team of staff who work tirelessly to ensure that only the very best provi-

sion is delivered to pupils. Unfortunately, due to space in school, only 30 children have been successful in

gaining a place to join us in September 2019, which has resulted in many disappointed families. The staff

and I are now looking forward to planning transition events for parents and our new Reception pupils to

ease the process of starting school and to make their first year at St Mary’s a success.

Tag Rugby Festival

A huge well done to our year 3 team who recently represented the

school at a Tag Rugby event. They were wonderful ambassadors for

the school displaying exemplary conduct as well as amazing skills. All

of the children were amazing but I would like to say a special ‘Well

Done’ to Kirk who demonstrated great maturity in offering to be sub-

stituted so everyone could get a game. He was the personification of

the T.R.E.A.D.S values, that the boys who attend Consett Rugby Club,

were telling me all about. A fab day - Well Done everyone!

Achievements Outside of School

A huge Well Done to Scarlett who has recently won a gymnastics com-

pletion in South Durham. During the competition Scarlett had to ex-

pertly perform moves on the bars, beam, vault and the floor. Scarlett is

a very talented gymnast with a very bright future. We are all extremely

proud of her achievements! We love to hear all about your achieve-

ments! If you want to be on this page, take a photo and please send it

to: blackhillstmary@durhamlearning.net

Enterprise Week

Our Children’s & Community Governing Body Committee are working hard to or-

ganise a special enterprise week for our Year 6 pupils. The overarching theme is

Enterprise and Aspiration. We hope to equip the children with key entrepre-

neurial skills to make the annual ’Fiver Challenge’ a huge success. We also want

the children to start thinking about what jobs and careers they may wish to pursue

as they approach Secondary School. Governors are working hard behind the scenes to arrange work-

shops and special visitors. However, we realise that we have a great deal of expertise within our families.

Can we tempt you to come into school to work with our Year 6 children, explaining your job role, what

qualifications you may need, what you enjoy about your job etc. We want to excite the children about

their future and help them to see the link between their curriculum subjects and the working world. En-

terprise week is scheduled for the week beginning June 10th - If you can help us out and come into school

please contact the school office. Thank you in advance for your support.

Prayers for Sri Lanka

This special Easter season, which is celebrated for 50 days until Pentecost, is meant

to be a time for joy; nevertheless there has been great sadness. We have all been

shocked by the terrible events on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka and pray for the vic-

tims and their families as they come to terms with the tragic loss of so many lives.

May the Lord have mercy on their souls.