I can't believe we're half way through our year already! We've had another great half term - Year 5 have all worked really hard and definitely deserve the break. This half term, however, is tinged with a bit of sadness as we had to say goodbye to Michael today. Michael and his family are moving away from Blackpool and he will be starting a new school after half term. Goodbye Michael! We're going to miss you and we wish you well for your new school!
Our award winners:
Golden Award (RESPECT) - Michael
Writing Award - Luna
Maths Award - Jessie
Our Golden Ticket winners…
During this half term, all children have been awarded a golden ticket for each three times they have read this term. Today, during our Golden Award celebration assembly, each class drew a golden ticket winner and our Golden Ticket winner for reading this half term was Layla for Year 5. Along with the other winners, they have won a prize which has kindly been donated by the PTFA. Well done Layla!
Our Reading champions
Well done to our reading champions this half term, who all completed bookmarks for reading regularly at home. Let’s see if next half term we can see more reading champions. Don’t forget to keep up with your reading regularly and get your diaries signed.
Safer Internet Day
On Tuesday, it was Safer Internet Day and in school we joined an online lesson with the BBC on the theme of ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’.
Keeping children and young people safe online is one of the biggest challenges facing society today and it is all of our responsibility to ensure that children are educated to make positive, informed choices when they are online. Below are some links and safety guides which you may find useful:
This month’s online safety guide gives helpful advice about…
What Parents and Educators Need to Know about Supporting safe use of AI This is a practical guide to help parents support their children to use AI safely, thoughtfully and responsibly in everyday life.
UK Safer Internet Centre
Tips for Parents and Carers: Keeping you and your loved ones safe online https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025/tips-for-parents-and-carers
PARENTAL CONTROLS: Protecting young people from inappropriate online content. https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/parental-controls
Internet matters.org
See recommended online safety guides for parents:
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-safety-guide-0-5-year-olds/ With so many websites and apps targeting pre-schoolers, find out the simple steps you can take to protect your young children.
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-safety-guide-6-10-year-olds/ As internet use grows, learn about the steps you can make to establish positive behaviour and how you can teach your child to stay safe.
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-safety-guide-11-13-year-olds/ As your child makes the important transition from primary to secondary school make sure your knowledge increases with theirs.
Activate parental controls with how-to guides https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/ Parental controls can be used to manage screen time, block inappropriate content, prevent accidental spending, and keep strangers away.
We hope you find these guides informative and helpful in promoting the positive use of technology to make the online world a better and safer place for us all.
Thank you for your support.
Our learning this week…
In English the children have been working really hard on planning and writing their first person narrative on an image from our text, The FArTHER.
In maths we spent some time this week solving problems using multiplication and division and then we started working on multiplying fractions.
In RE we have explored the idea of an inner life.
This week’s prayer and liturgy was planned and led by Finlay and Sienna. Their liturgy was about Jesus teaching his followers how to live and act in the world. In this scripture, Jesus tells people that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt makes food taste better, and light helps people see in the dark. Jesus is saying that when we are kind, helpful, and caring, we make the world a better place.
"You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5: 13 - 16
In science, we have recapped the process of sexual reproduction in flowering plants and we’ve dissected some flowers to label the different parts.
In art, the children put the finishing touches to their 3D sculptures inspired by the work of Alberto Giacometti. They look really good and the children are proud of them. Take a look...
During our history lesson, we’ve investigated the importance of Viking trading routes.
In PE the children are working with PE specialist Max from Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. The focus of PE this half term is gymnastics.
The BEBCMAT Rock Stars Super League competition runs till the end of school today. Good luck everyone!
Our school is currently in 5th place out of 15 schools in the trust and we have scored 1884 points (school average score) so far.
This week’s Our Lady’s Top of the Rock’s Leaderboard:
1st Alexander Year 6 18074 WINNER!
2nd Matilda Year 4 16732
3rd Stephen Year 6 16252
4th Freddie Year 4 15420
5th Buddy Year 4 13941
Well done to everyone on our leaderboard this week but especially to Alexander in Year 6 who is this half term's Our Lady's TTRS Champion!
To read this week’s Good News Gospel reading, please follow the link to share the Gospel at home with your family. These are really child-friendly resources to share at home. Good News Gospel
Please also have a look at this Parent Newsletter linked with our weekly whole school and class worship…
Swimming over half term is free for under16s!
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Another great half term, Year 5! Hope you all have a wonderful half term! See you all back at school on Monday 23rd February!
Mrs McVey and Mrs Hodgkiss