Term 6 2018-19

News in School

19th July 2019

Another Amazing Year— Well done everyone

Amazing Year 1

Class News 2-8

PTA News 9

Year 6 special 6-7

Musical talents 10

Sports News Wrap around care

11

Term Dates & Forth coming events

12

Inside this issue:

A big thank you is in order to everyone for making the 2018-19 school year so amazing. With the support of our families we have been able to work together, with you, to en-able the children to achieve their best.

I never tire of seeing the children skipping in to school, greeting the day with enthusiasm and joy, and seeing them

leave with wide smiles and stories to tell of the day. It is a privilege to share in both their successes and challenges.

On behalf of all the staff and governors, we wish you a long,

hot, restful summer and are very much looking forward to welcoming you all back on Wednesday 4th September.

8

Our Lady Of Good Counsel

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School

The Drove, Sleaford NG34 7AT

Email:office.admin@our-lady.lincs.sch.uk Website:www.our-lady.lincs.sch.uk

Our Lady’s Achieve ‘Platinum’ Sports!

I am delighted to be able to inform you that Our Lady’s School has been awarded the very pres-tigious accolade of School Games—platinum award. This celebrates five success-ful years of ‘school games’ delivery in school. Well done every-one—especially Mrs Al-len.

Well done to St Patrick’s (green) team who have taken the Team point challenge cup—collecting 13378 points throughout the year . Well done !

There final score was recently boosted by there vic-tory at sports day—earning 5650 points, as well as achieving the highest number of team points in term 6 too.

In reward Green team are invited to enjoy a non-uniform day on Tuesday 10th September 2019.

Reception CLASS

Page 2 Term 6 2018-19

The final term of the school year is over. The term has been very important for the children as

they have had lots of new experiences in preparation for Year 1! Maths and writing work has

become much more formal, and the children have been working more independently and in big-

ger groups. As the new year’s Reception children have been visiting, the current class have had

to be more grown up and very helpful, making sure that the younger children have a great time

and begin to settle in as well as possible. Many of the class have even said that they are looking

forward to helping the children next year when they see them around the school! The children

then got to spend the afternoon visiting their new Year 1 teacher, Mrs Graves, and getting a feel

for what it will be like to be in their new class. Sports Day was very exciting for the children as

many had never experienced such a big sporting event before! They all really enjoyed taking

part and cheering on other members of their house team. As part of the school’s ongoing chari-

ty work the children donated, made and decorated a range of delicious cakes and sold them to

raise money for the Rainbow Stars charity which supports children with autism. They had a

great time deciding what to put on each cake and knowing that their efforts would help other

children in greater need than themselves! Lastly, the children made Miss Rodgers and Mrs

Smith extremely proud with their loud speaking voices and masses of confidence when leading

whole Liturgy! What a wonderful year!

Year 2— Learning about Explorers Year 2 been captivated by Chris-topher Columbus and kick-started the term with an awesome assem-bly all about his voyages. Through the term, the class have enjoyed learning about pirates who raided their ways across the oceans and they imagined being pirates to write diary entries from on a ship. The class also set sail to the Isle of Struay to learn all about Katie Morag and wrote their own adven-ture stories for the character. Not forgetting baking porridgies like Granny Island, which tasted yummy!

News in School Page 3

Year 1—Caring for our world

In DT, the children made their own funky fish tanks with moving fish and in Art they painted and pastilled some beautiful seascapes, mini Monets in the making! In RE, the children talked about treasures of the world which linked in nicely when exploring pirate treasure and worldly treasures and they made their own chest of wonderful treasures they’re thankful for. P.E included athletic skills and had them all set for a great Sports day! In Science, the children discovered coastal and ocean habitats and learnt about the importance of keeping habitats clean, with a focus on the sea turtle, so ask them all about it! Not forgetting Maths, they reviewed their multiplication skill and time knowledge to be ready for Year 3. A longer term meant even more work great work was packed in for the final weeks and the children are now ready for their well-earned holidays. Bon voyage from Year 2!

This term, Year one have been learning all about making the world a better place. In their topic les-sons they have been learning about the five oceans of the world and how they can take care of them. The children learnt that our oceans need a big clean up from rubbish and oil. They have talked about how animals and even people can be effected by dirty oceans. The children put their business suits on and thought of inventions that could be the answer to cleaning up the oceans. Some of the suggestions in-cluded robot cleaners and sticky gloves.

Year 1 carried on the theme of taking care of our world in their RE topic: Neighbours. Where they have looked at how they all are neighbours in God’s world. The children have discussed how they should treat all our neighbours and how they can help others around the world.

The summer holidays are upon us, and year 3 have worked very hard to the last

minute, in what has been a very busy term! The children have been extremely en-

gaged in their learning, showing that they truly are ready for the step up to year 4.

In both Maths and English, the children have had the chance to further their skills

and they have particularly worked on reasoning and explaining their answers. The

science topic of ‘Light’ has provided plenty of opportunities for investigation into

reflection and mirrors, and the children have really enjoyed using their enquiry

skills to learn more. In CLJ, the children have worked on their artistic skills, pro-

ducing some beautiful collages and sketches inspired by the local environment and

the book ‘Window’. However, the action has not just taken place in the class-

room. This term, the children in year 3 have had the opportunity to represent Our

Lady’s school at both the St. Therese of Lisieux Multi Academy Trust Mass and at

the Mini Olympics where they participated in a wide variety of sports, alongside

other local schools, and their enjoyment is clearly evident on the photo below!

On both occasions, they represented the school admirably.

All in all, it has been a great fun year, and a pleasure to see how the children have

developed. It only remains to wish all the children and parents of year 3 all the

best for their future as children and parents in year 4!

Page 4

Year 3—Representing the school

TOP TIP—In order to ‘spring board’ the children into the new school year in September, and

avoid the 6 week holiday learning lag, we would highly recommend that parents/carers encour-

age the children to continue to read regularly over the holiday. Also practicing, from time to

time, times tables facts will ensure that they get ahead in maths too and are well prepared for the

Autumn term.

Page 5 Term 6 2018-19

Year 4 have had an amazing end to the aca-demic year! They have been working hard to continue their learning and prepare them-selves ready to become mature Year 5s!

In Maths, they have worked incredibly hard to consolidate their use of multiplication and division strategies and have loved get-ting hands-on finding fractions of quanti-ties of all sorts of wonderful sweets, liquids and much more! This hard work continued into English where the children have been

exploring the amazing world of ‘The Wind in the Willows’, creating some amazing narrative writing.

Over the past few weeks of term, Y4 have been learning all about raging rivers. We have explored the different parts of a river, in addition to the impact they can have when they flood surround-ing villages and cities. In Art, the children have loved walking in the footsteps of Claude Monet ex-ploring his fantastic river portraits. Each week, they have used a different medium to create some wonderful effective river scenes.

What a wonderful end to the Year!

Year 4— Raging River Studies

Father Peter continues to lead Mass for the Parish. Mass times

are : Saturday for Sunday 6pm, Sunday 10am, Monday-

Thursday 10.15am and Friday: 11.30am

The Parish are seeking volunteers to help present

‘Little Church’ during Sunday Mass. Anyone able to as-

sist should contact the school office for further de-

tails.

Parish News

Year 6, Year 6, where have you been??! We’ve been to London to see ...

The Natural History Museum

The Houses of Parliament

Horse Guards Parade

The Queen! At Buckingham Palace

Good Luck Year 6 The year and this chapter of their lives con-cluded with their family and friends joining to celebrate Mass together. We were treated to one last extravaganza of their tal-ents with their fantastic performance and singing in the Leavers’ Play. We wish them all the very best and lots of luck for the future.

The

Lion King show

The Tower of London

Year 5 have had the most amazing term which rounds off a most

fabulous year! They are definitely ready to start in year 6.

In English, the children have studied Shakespearean sonnets, they have demonstrated

their ability for moving on the action, tension and characters through dialogue- some

have been really creative with sinking ships, crumbling caves and fast rising floods!

Maths has been a revision and getting ready for year 6.

They have continued studying the Egyptians- they know what Howard Carter found in

Tutankhamun’s tomb and their embalming skills are coming on nicely.

Their visit to St George’s was great fun as well as educational. They learned all about

chromatography and took part in a maths quiz. Lunch was delicious. They have played

in a concert where they demonstrated their musical abilities on the clarinet and with

their singing but the highlight of the term was being at PGL.

Year 5—

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Page 9

Thank you PTA for a great year !

Over the year we have enjoyed an amazing array of social events organized by the PTA.

They have presented Race Night, Bingo Night and a Quiz Night for all the family to en-

joy. There have been school disco’s and film nights. Not to mention, the Christmas Fair

and the Family Fun Day. I’m sure that you would agree, it has been wonderful to enjoy

of all these events. As a result of the fundraising conducted along side these events, I am

delighted to advise that yesterday the PTA arrived in school to present the us with a

cheque for £5000. We are overwhelmed! Current spending plans relate to sports, ICT and

music equipment. I will advise you of our final plans, but thank you all so very much for

your support in raising these funds for the children. Next year’s PTA event dates have

been agreed. Please check out the PTA facebook page to be the first to view!

Family Fun Day—13th July 2019

A wonderful day out !

Next year’s Family Fun Day will take place on

Saturday 11th July 2019.

Year 4 and 5 have again enjoyed the support of Mrs Carter and Mrs Patter-son, from LCC Music Service, during their music lessons this year. All of the children have learnt to play the ukelelee, with year 4 learning samba drums and year 5 learning to play the clarinet. It is a great opportunity for the children. In addition to class lessons, LCC are able to provide 1:1 or small group instrumental teaching in school. If your child is currently in year 2 or above and are interested in learning to play the cello, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone or piano please contact the office for more information and cost details.

Entertaining the masses!

Page 10

Sport—Prestigious Platinum Award!

News in School Page 11

The School Games Mark is a Government led award

scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, to reward schools for their commitment to the de-

velopment of competition across their school and into the community. I am extremely pleased congratulate Mrs Al-len for all of her hard work over the year, and the past

five years, which have provided for excellent sports and

PE provision in the school which has led to this platinum award. Through PE and engagement in competitive sport the children:

Have fun and enjoy themselves!

Develop friendships and meet new people

Become more determined and demonstrate resilience

Understand and demonstrate the importance of respect for others

Learn to develop self control and manage emotions

Experience being part of a team and understand your contribution to it

Win with pride and lose with grace

Learn the importance of practice and preparation

Learn how to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them

Aspire to improve and challenge themselves

Watch out for the new after school club list being issued in September!

Little Flowers Our Breakfast and After School Clubs offer daily wrap around care from

8.45am to 5.45pm Bookings can be made directly through your ParentPay

accounts, with same day bookings available though the office.

Fees for these services have remained unchanged for over 3 years. You

will appreciate that costs have risen over this time, so we have had to

make the difficult decision to review the pricing structure. From September

charges for wrap around services will be as follows:

Breakfast Club, including a wide range of tasty breakfast treats, cost will be £3.25 per session. Af-

ter School Club provides a light snack and a range of fun activities. Session are £7.25 each. We will

continue to offer a sibling reduction for after school club, with each additional child being charged

£5.25.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School A Voluntary Academy

PLEASE REMEMBER THE SCHOOL DAY STARTS AT 8.55am — It is essential that children arrive in

good time and always before 8.55am, when the whistle is blown to mark the start of the day.

Late arrival impacts on the efficient start of the school day and your full support is greatly ap-

preciated in this area.

In order to combat this common school nuisance we would be extremely grateful if all

parents/carers would kindly take extra care over the holidays to check your child’s hair

and treat as necessary. Please remember eggs are not always killed on the first treat-

ment and a second application can be needed 5-7 days after the first.

Uniform Reminders—Please ensure that pupils have and wear the

published uniform. Dark/charcoal grey is the required colour for school trousers, shorts, dresses & skirts. Children need black school shoes, train-ers should be worn for PE or outdoor play only. All children are required to wear formal school shirts with stiffened, square collars. Patterned socks should not be worn to school, plain white/grey for girls, plain black/grey for boys, please. Please note that ’Jo Jo’ bows are not part of our published uni-form and should not be worn in school. Thank you for complying with our uniform requirements which ensures that our uniform represents the high standards we hold at Our Lady’s. PLEASE REMEMBER TO NAME YOUR CHILD’S UNIFORM—THIS ENSURES THAT MISPLACED ITEMS CAN BE RETURNED TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS.

Term Dates 2019-20

Term 1 – Wed 4th Sep—Thurs 17th Oct

Term 2—Mon 28th Oct—Thurs 19th Dec

Term 3—Mon 6th Jan—Thurs 14th Feb

Term 4—Mon 24th Feb—Thurs 2nd April

Term 5—Mon 20th April—Fri 22nd May

Term 6—Mon 1st June—Tues 21st July

Dates for your Diary

04/09—First day of term

13/09—11+ paper one 18/09—School photos 20/09—11+ paper two 07/10—PTA movie night 8/11—PTA Quiz night 18/10—Last day of term 1/12 Sleaford Christmas Tree Festival 17/12 Whole School Panto

Dealing with Little Critters

FIRST DAY BACK—Wednesday 4th SEPTEMBER

School Attendance I recently asked for your support regarding school attendance. Whilst we did see an immediate increase in attendance, after this request, the school’s overall average did not quite recover to our previous high standards. This year’s attendance level is 95.71%. I can confirm that 15 pupils have achieved 100% attendance this year. Which is an amazing achievement. It would be brilliant to see an increase on this number next year! I will continue to monitor attendance, in line with LA and De-partment of Education guidance, and will seek to arrange attendance meetings, to overcome any attendance barriers for those children with persistent absence (less