Dear Parents, Carers & Parishoners,

Welcome back to school! It was a pleasure on Monday to see so many smiling (and sleepy) children com-

ing into school. This week marks the feast of the Epiphany, and during assembly, we have talked about

the journey of the Magi and the meaning of the gifts they offered to the baby Jesus. We invited the chil-

dren to think about the gifts God has given them, and how they can use those gifts to be a light in the

world. The Spring Term is a short but busy time, and we take the opportunity in the first few weeks to re-

view the missions that we set for ourselves in September, to think about New Year’s Resolutions and

about where we want to be by the Summer. It is our mission at school to value and nurture all of our chil-

dren, and to enable them to be the best that they can be. We are delighted with the progress the children

are making, and in speaking to them as I move around the school, how much they are enjoying their

learning. I would like to remind all families that if you or your child are in need of any additional support,

you are welcome to speak to us informally or to make a private appointment via the office, and we will

always offer or signpost help where we can. Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Show Racism the Red Card

On Thursday 30th January we will be supporting ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ in

school. The children are invited to come to school dressed in red to help us think

about our theme. The aim of the day is not to look at diversity on a global scale, but

diversity within Britain. We even aim to look at different cultures and countries

across the world after our ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ day has ended.

In class we will use stories to help develop our understanding. Each class will have its

own theme and we will be sharing an assembly at the end of the day to teach the

other classes about our learning. On top of this, the children will be working with ex-professional foot-

ballers in a variety of workshops to further develop our understanding of diversity and also our under-

standing of article 19: You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or

mind.

Onesie Day

In what is quickly becoming a new year tradition at St Mary’s, our special ‘onesie fun day’

for 2020 takes place on Friday 7th February. Children can come to school wearing their

favourite onesie and even bring their favourite teddy bear with them. There is no charge

for this fun day but if you would like to contribute £1 towards the school fund it would

be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.

St Mary’s RC Primary School

Newsletter - Issue 7 - January 2020

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: 95.9%

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

Year

Attendance

this week:

Spring—

Term

Attendance

so far:

R 93.6% 93.6%

1 94.3% 94.3%

2 96.4% 96.4%

3 97.3% 97.3%

4 91.3% 91.3%

5 96.2% 96.2%

6 97.0% 97.0%

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 togeth-

er to achieve our tar-

get of being above

Rainbow Rewards

Red he gave (FRIENDSHIPIs for the blood ) Eve, Jack Mc, Charlotte, Halle, Kuba, Sophie B, Jessica C,

Tallah, Liam, Joe, Isaac Mc, William K, Kasper, Chloe B

Yellow Scalett H, Matthew G, Archie W, Grace C, Ellie-Anne,

Josh L, Ava, Chloe B, Archie C, Emelia, Lauren, Harry Mc,

Lilly D, Olivia F, Melody, Scarlett L

Is for his light so bright (KINDNESS)

Pink Autumn Is for a new tomorrow (COMPASSIONATE)

Green Charlotte Is for the grass he made (A GOOD DEED)

Orange Is strong and full of might (COURAGE)

Purple Scarlett H Is for his hour of sorrow (SAYING SORRY)

Blue Scarlett H, Olivia F, Lauren, Lilly D, Ruby Is for the sky he made so we can aim high (EFFORT)

The rainbow is a sign of God’s promise,

He will guide us through any storm.

When you feel battered by life’s storms,

Just remember God’s rainbow is coming

Statement to Live by this week:

“Jesus Christ lives amongst us.”

Date Event Time Parents Invited

Thursday 30th January Show Racism the Red Card—Wear RED All day No

Friday 31st January Fun Friday All day No

Friday 7th February Onesie Day All day No

Friday 14th February Let there be Love Yes

Tuesday 25th February Yr 1 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Wednesday 26th February Yr 2 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Thursday 27th February Reception Stay and Discover Number AM Yes

Friday 28th February Fun Friday All day No

Monday 2nd March Yr 6 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Tuesday 3rd March Yr 5 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Wednesday 4th March Yr 4 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Thursday 5th March World Book Day All day No

Friday 6th March Yr 3 Seeing is Believing PM Yes

Friday 13th March All stars Cricket Roadshow—Yr 1, 2 & 3 All day No

Monday 16th March Yr 1 Phonics Parents Meeting 3:30pm & 4:10pm Yr 1 only

Wednesday 18th March Inclusion Day—Wheelchair Basketball All day No

Wednesday 18th March Yr 2 Parents SATs meeting 3:30pm & 4:10pm Yr 2 only

Thursday 19th March Yr 6 Parents SATs meeting 3:30pm & 4:10pm Yr 6 only

Friday 20th March Mothers Day Tea and Gifts 2:30pm Yes

Monday 23rd March Interim Reports sent out 3:15pm No

Wednesday 25th March Parents Evening 3:30pm - 6:00pm Yes

Thursday 26th March Parents Evening 3:30pm - 6:00pm Yes

Friday 27th March Fun Friday All day Yes

Monday 30th March Yr 1 & 2 Palm Sunday Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Tuesday 31st March Yr 3 Last Supper Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Wednesday 1st April Yr 4 Garden of Gethsemane Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Thursday 2nd April Yr 5 Crucifixion Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Friday 3rd April Yr 6 Resurrection Liturgy 2:30pm Yes

Key Dates for your Diary

Reception Places

The deadline for applications for places in Reception class September 2020 is Wednesday

15th January 2020. Applications for Reception class are to be submitted directly to the

local authority.

Thomas S Year R For being smart, sensible, listening carefully on the carpet and being a role model

Year R Lilly W For always trying hard and for having beautiful handwriting.

Harry S Year 1 For good work in Science. Well done!

Year 1 Charlie F For listening well and being super attentive. Well done!

Evan P Year 2 For trying hard in all lessons, all week. Well done!

Ella C Year 2 For amazing Maths work - you are a Maths Star!

Max D Year 3 For amazing effort all week - what a fantastic first week back!

Taylor L Year 3 For working really hard in Maths - keep it up!

James C Year 4 For a great first week back to school and for amazing handwriting. Well done!

Alice C Year 4 For listening well and showing great enthusiasm in class. Super stuff!

Jack M Year 5 For excellent reading during the holidays—a very impressive effort!

Eve S Year 5 For fantastic work in Maths this week—a great understanding of perimeter!

Imogen M Year 6 For showing excellent resilience this week and for working very hard.

Year 6 Teair W For showing a great attitude, being kind and mature. Impressive!

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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Golden Ticket Winners

Lent Appeal

Our Mini Vinnies drive our school’s commitment to the common good and

over the past two years have definitely ‘turned concern into action’ raising

a considerable amount of money for various good causes. They have asked

the children to give them suggestions for a charity or cause that we can

support during Lent. If you have any suggestions, please do speak to your

child about it.

Mobile Phones

Many of you may have received new mobile phones over the Christmas holi-

day. I would like to remind you to notify the school office of any new tele-

phone numbers, email addresses or changes to any of your child’s emergency

contact numbers as soon as possible. We are often unable to contact parents

or carers because they do not wish to answer unknown numbers. Where this is

the case can I please ask that you provide school with a contactable number. Thank you for your contin-

ued support.

Reception

Eve, Sophia, Melody, Heidi, Sophie, Eevee, Jax, Erin,

George, Harrison, William, Isaac, Harry, Darcey,

John-James, Joe, Ava, Tom, Eliza, Thomas S,

Matthew, Mac, Jessica, Emily, Oliver, Lily-Mae, Ma-

tilda, Harper

Year 1

The whole class. 100%. Well done everyone!

Year 2

Alfie, Oliver, Tiaamii, Gaby, Rosie, Alfie, Georgina,

Leah, Ella, John-George, Grethyn, Josie, Noah, Mil-

lie, Eliza, Jacob, Maya, Johnny, Florence, Evan,

Heath, Sophia, John, Hunter

Year 3

Freya, Eva, James, Keelie, Holly, Abigail, William,

Max, Adam, Hermione, Lucy-Mai, Shay, Ryan, Will,

Lacey-May, Ichiro, Evie, Lillie, Sofie, Riley, Grace,

Ben

Year 4

The whole class. 100%. Well done everyone!

Year 5

Ananbel, Jake, Oliver, Kai, Charlie, Isla, Josh, Mag-

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

Joshua, Nathan, Casper, Roan, Joseph, Ollie, Riley,

Jakub, Alfie, William

Year 6

Tallah, Charlotte, Henry, Sebastien, Sophie, Chloe,

Alfie, Olivia, Ellie-Anne, Matthew, Elizabeth, Jack,

Scarlett, Imogen, Courtney, Liam, Lauren, Amelia,

Dylan, Chloe, Rose, Ruby, Teair, Marysia

Well Done to all those children who have received

individual Golden Tickets.

SuperStar Fundraisers

Two of our children recently completed an amazing feat to raise funds for charity. Kirk and Bobby have

climbed Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. The boys climbed to the top to raise funds for the Poppy

Appeal and for the Orthopaedic department of Durham Hospital. Their achievements were rightly cele-

brated in the Northern Echo recently.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a residential with both boys—they are kind hearted, thoughtful

and wonderful ambassadors for St Mary’s. We are all so proud of you, well done!

Creative Prayer

Prayer is communicating with God. It can be anything from doing the dishes to riding a bike, reading

the Bible to praying an to an icon, eating an ice-cream to dancing in the streets. When it comes to pray-

er, it is much more about the attitude we do things with, than what we do.

Safeguarding

The wellbeing of our children is of paramount importance to all staff. Should any par-

ent have a concern regarding a child’s wellbeing, please inform a member of the

school’s Designated Safeguarding Team: Mr Miller, Mrs Ross, Mrs Davison and Miss

Hughes. In cases where school staff have concerns, they have a statutory duty to

discuss the issue with one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers to seek further ad-

vice.

“Safeguarding is thinking the unthinkable and then figuring out

how to reduce the probability of the unthinkable happening.”

Graham Fawcet

Year 4 Spiritual Retreat

Christmas Fayre

I know that this seems like a distant memory now but can I please extend my thanks to everyone who

attended on the night and supported the school. It was a wonderful turnout and the atmosphere was

amazing. I’m very pleased to announce that the Christmas Fayre raised an amazing £1000 For the school

fund. As always, thank you for your continued support - it is greatly appreciated!

Dear God, Help us to make our families places where we may grow in love and wisdom. En-

courage us to reach out in love to our brothers and sisters around the world and to recognise

that even though we are all different we are all members of one family. We make this pray-

er through Jesus, your Son. Amen.

“The family is where we first learn to listen and share, to be patient and show respect, to

help on another.” Pope Francis