Candlemas
Next week we celebrate ‘Candlemas’ or, the Feast of the Presentation on Wednesday February 2nd. It is a beautiful feast which reminds us, in the words of Simeon, that Jesus was born to be ‘a revealing light…’the glory of the peoples…’ For this reason, traditionally at least since the seventh century, candles have been blessed at Mass this day that will be used throughout the year, hence coining the term “Candlemas.”
The feast reminds us of our own baptism, where, we, too, received a lit candle from the paschal candle, at which the priest said, “You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as a child of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.” Therefore, as a light, each of us must bear witness to Our Lord. We must be the beacon that guides others to Christ.
How will you ‘Shine your light’ this week?
Our Year 2 children will be attending mass together on Thursday and I’m sure they will be showing their ‘shining lights’ to Fr Frank as he celebrates mass with them at 9.30am.
Half-Term Parents Meetings
We will be holding Parent Teacher Meetings again on MONDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2022 - these will be held virtually, as they were in October. You should have received an email/text with the date, inviting you to book the time of your appointment slot. During these meetings your child’s teacher will be able to inform you of the progress your child has made as we come to the half way point in our school year.
If there are any difficulties in booking an appointment slot or you wish to ask any further information please do not hesitate to inform your child’s class teacher through the class email (yearx@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk) or by informing the school office on 762833 or by email at admin@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk.
Shakespeare News…
You may have seen in Year 5 class blog that the Year 5 children have been very busy this week exploring the Shakespeare play ‘Much Ado about Nothing’. The class will be putting together a performance of this play to be performed on the stage of the Grand Theatre! Mrs McVey’s class will perform alongside other associate schools across Blackpool and Wyre as part of the school’s role as Lead Associate school in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Grand Theatre. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to work with R.S.C. practitioners and put all their acting skills to great use for this performance. We are all very excited for them and look forward to what they are able to produce with Mrs McVey and Mrs Ormerod.
Watch this space!
National Storytelling Week
This week is the start of National Storytelling Week and Blackpool Family Learning Team are hosting some lovely workshops which you and your children can participate in:
Storytelling Week event – Where the Wild Things Are story and puppet workshop
Thursday 3 February 4pm @ Central Library
Families can sign up in advance using the link https://bit.ly/FLStorytellingWeek There are also some further courses available:
Online workshops for parents to help to support children’s literacy and numeracy Free 90 minute workshops for parents from reception to Y6
Parents can sign up in advance using the link https://bit.ly/FLOnlineWorkshops
The Family Learning Team also have other really useful face to face courses which families can participate in. They are awaiting booking for these right now! You may find these helpful and details are on the posters attached or you can contact the team at: adult.learning@blackpool.gov.uk
Courses now booking include
Learn Together
Pirate Phonics
Family English
Family Maths
Family Cookery
For more info on any of the courses or to book a course for your families please get in touch using the links above.
Announcement…
I write to inform you that after nearly 20 years as Headteacher of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School, I will be retiring at the end of this academic year.
Looking back since I arrived as a new deputy headteacher in 2003, I have been privileged and humbled to work alongside such inspirational staff and Governors, and the learning community we have built together is filled with trust, openness and love. It is testament to the power of faith which has touched the hearts and minds of so many children, and continues to do so today.
I feel so very blessed to have spent the majority of my career and certainly my time as head teacher in such a beautiful, awe-inspiring community. Teaching has definitely been a vocation and I cannot thank God enough for bringing me to become a huge part of the family which is Our Lady of the Assumption.
This is a wonderful school. Staff are strong and we will continue to work together over the next 2 terms to ensure that every pupil achieves to the best of their ability. I can assure you that we are all completely focussed upon ensuring the very best for the children here and, whilst a change of Headteacher can be unsettling, the Governors and myself will be focussed on ensuring that we continue very much with ‘business as usual’, to provide the high standard of education that you, as parents, would expect from us. The commitment and passion of the whole team reflects the true service of our mission and shines brightest as it is challenged.
I look forward to seeing you at the various school events which we have taking place before the end of this academic year and I would like to thank you for the continued support of the school.
With kind regards
Miss M Haggerty
