Newsletter - 13th May 2016
Hello Everyone,
The Month of May is upon us and for us May is the Month of Mary, the Blessed Virgin and mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today we have witnessed her importance to our community. The May Procession was beautiful. In the Infant playground we have developed a shrine to Our Lady and this will be an area in front of which the children can be prayerful and witness their faith. A statue of Our Lady will be in the Junior foyer for you all to praise.
SATs and Tests
Our Year 6 have completed their SATs this week. They have worked very hard and I am sure have done their best. As I have said before, this year the children have been tested for the first time against the 2014 National Curriculum and the national expectation is greater. From next year 85% of the Year 6 cohort will have to be at or above the national ‘expected standard’. To that end we have also conducted age appropriate tests for Year 3, 4 and 5 so we know where our children are placed nationally as well as locally. As a school this gives us greater evidence about a pupil’s progress and more evidence when it comes to Ofsted. Our Year 2 children have been practising for their SATS and Year 1 for their Phonics Screening Check. These will be happening for real over the next few weeks.
Art Exhibition
You will have been personally invited by your child/children to our Art Gallery on Friday 20th May. This is very exciting for the children. They have produced some fantastic art work that will be displayed gallery style in our school hall. If you have not responded with a time to visit the gallery then please do so this week. I am delighted to tell you that Tiana from Blue Class has won a London-wide competition for ‘Tiana’s Creature’ and was presented with her prize at City Hall. In our school we have ‘hidden’ talent and it is our job, as parents and teachers, to find and nurture it so our children can be the best they can be. 
The Queens 90th Birthday Celebrations
On Thursday 9th June we are having an own clothes day. The theme will be ‘red, white and blue’ so please dress in these colours. This is to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Her official Birthday is on Sunday 12th June. The children have already been busy writing her birthday cards and sending her good wishes. I am sure you will agree that to reach the grand age of 90 is worth celebrating!
Dates for your diary
Wednesday 18th May: Important Year 6 School Journey Meeting 4pm
Half Term: Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June – there is no school during this week
Monday 20th June is an INSET day - the children are NOT in school on this day
Reflection
‘God our Father, open our eyes to see the vision that you have for each of us and lead us to grow in confidence in who we are and in the faith that you call each of us by name.’ Nicholas Hutchinson FSC
‘Creativity takes courage’ – Henri Matisse 
Anita Gallagher
