September 2020

END OF HALF-TERM LETTER TO ALL PARENTS

23 Oct 2020

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I’d like to begin by paying tribute to the pupils who have made a fabulous return to full-time education since September. They have been excellent in adapting to a number of different rules and expectations, showing a great deal of maturity in their approach. They have been ably assisted by all the hard-working staff who, equally, have had to get used to a variety of different working methods. I hope the forthcoming half-term holiday brings a well-deserved rest for all.

REMOTE LEARNING

With the current possibility of pupils having to self-isolate and work from home, we have been working very hard to provide the best possible opportunities for pupils with remote learning. On the school website, there is now a dedicated page to remote learning. This offers support to pupils and parents alike, with advice on a full range of topics concerning working from home. As well as advice on topics such as ClassCharts and Microsoft Teams, it also contains a range of valuable online learning resources that can be utilised in addition to any work set by teachers. This can be found here: https://www.lsmchs.com/remote-learning

In addition, school is able to assist families struggling to access remote learning due to the lack of a computer at home. I would urge any family in this position to get in touch with school and we can advise accordingly.

TIER 3 RESTRICTIONS

Thankfully, the recent movement of Lancashire into the government’s ‘Very High’ Tier 3 category has not affected current arrangements at St Mary’s. Although local cases of Covid-19 may be rising, we are able to stay open. I’m sure you would join me in welcoming this. There is no substitute for face-to-face teaching and we are hopeful that schools across the region will continue to remain open. Youngsters have experienced enough disruption to their education and are very much benefitting from being back in the school environment.

MASKS

As we move into the half-term break, it is a timely reminder that your child’s face mask should be regularly washed as this ensures they remain an effective barrier to airborne particles. Equally, disposable masks should be regularly changed. The pupils have responded to the wearing of masks very well, but it is a good time to ensure your child has an adequate supply for when they return. Up to now, school has been providing masks free of charge to any child without a face covering. However, this is not sustainable as the masks we purchase are coming directly from the school budget. Therefore, when we return in November, we will be charging 50p for masks to help offset this mounting cost.   

REPORTS AND PROGRESS EVENINGS

Written reports and interim assessment updates will continue to be issued to parents in the usual manner, as in previous years.

However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Progress Evenings will be allowed at any point soon. For this reason, we will be moving to telephone-based appointments in the week you would ordinarily expect your child’s Progress Evening to be held. Form tutors, pastoral staff or senior staff will phone to offer an update on your child’s general progress in all subjects. These calls will last no longer than 10 minutes. As ever, if you require further advice on your child’s progress for any particular subject area, please get in touch with school and we will provide further details. We have already successfully used this system with parents of Year 7 pupils and I will write to each year group separately when their Progress Evening approaches.

YEAR 8 LEARNING MANAGER

Recently we said a temporary farewell to the Head of Year 8, Mrs Drew, as she began maternity leave. We wish her all the very best! Until Mrs Drew returns, our experienced RE teacher Mrs Wilson has taken over the role and all correspondence can now be addressed to her. Mrs Kelly remains in place as Pastoral Assistant for the year group.

To cover Mrs Drew’s classes, we have appointed Miss Young to the MFL department, and welcome her to St Mary’s.

YEAR 7 CAT TESTS

Year 7 have recently completed their CAT tests. We hold CAT tests, or Cognitive Abilities Tests to give them their full name, every year. They give us an indication as to a pupil’s overall ability level and, given the lack of SAT tests in the summer, are especially important this year. After half-term, pupils in Year 7 will begin to be placed in sets for the majority of classes. These initial decisions will be taken based on evidence from class and homework, as well as the CAT test scores. From this point forwards, pupils will be assessed at various points in the year and, as in older year groups, may find themselves moving sets based on their overall effort and performance.

BIKE HELMETS

It is very encouraging to see so many pupils cycling to school. However, now that the clocks are about to change and we enter the winter months, it would be a good idea for bikes to be fit with front and back lights. In addition, the wearing of bike helmets is compulsory for all cyclists. We introduced this last January with a great deal of parental support. After half-term, pupils will not be allowed to leave school on their bike at the end of the day unless they are wearing a helmet. Any bike which is temporarily confiscated will be safely stored and returned to the rider when we are satisfied they are in possession of a helmet. Remember please that no matter how safely bicycles are ridden, risks do exist on the busy roads and helmets are purely for your child’s protection.

JUMPERS

A reminder that jumpers again become a compulsory part of school uniform after half-term. This rule will remain in place until we break for the Easter holidays in March and applies to year groups 7 – 10. The wearing of jumpers is optional for Year 11 pupils.

FIZZY DRINKS

There has been an increase recently in the consumption of sugary fizzy drinks such as Lucozade, Coke, Fanta etc. These are not healthy and do nothing to aid a child’s concentration in class. Therefore, such drinks will be confiscated and disposed of if seen by staff. Please could you remind your child not to bring such drinks into school. School does sell fruit-flavoured carbonated water and this is a much healthier and cheaper alternative to shop-bought products. 

ARCHDIOCESAN CONTRIBUTION AND ST MARY’S 500 CLUB

Every year the Archdiocese asks for a contribution of £10 per family to its Building Levy. This is a centrally-based pot of money available to all Liverpool Archdiocesan schools. St Mary’s has directly benefitted from this fund over the years, most recently with the recent £100,000 refurbishment to the Music rooms and pastoral zone. In previous years, school has allocated its share straight from the school fund. Unfortunately, Covid-related costs have risen rapidly for the school and we are requesting assistance from you to help cover this obligation.

If your family is in the position to donate £10 per family towards our Archdiocesan contribution, we would be extremely grateful. Alternatively, rather than pay £10, families can sign-up for the school’s 500 club. Every month lucky numbers are drawn out and 50% of the monies raised are paid as prizes – the more who join, the bigger the prize. By joining the 500 club, you would still be helping to contribute to the Archdiocesan fund, but also stand the chance of winning this amount, and more, back! Further details can be found here: https://smchsleyland.schoolzineplus.co.uk/form/33

Finally, may I once again thank you for your patience, understanding and support during this half-term. It is never taken for granted and always appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Mr P Thompson

Headteacher

South Ribble's Big Christmas Sleepover

20 Oct 2020

Dear Parents / Carers,

A group of local mums have decided to try and make this Christmas better and special for the vulnerable children that live in our area by launching the South Ribble's Big Christmas Sleepover campaign.

Please click this link for further information.

The official campaign page on Facebook is South Ribble's Big Christmas Sleepover and the email address is southribblechristmas@hotmail.com. They are the only communication points for this campaign, any other groups are not connected to this campaign. 

Donations of cosy new pyjamas may be sent into St Mary’s Catholic High School via your child, by Friday 4^th December 2020.  The ‘drop off’ point in school will be the Pastoral office. 

Kind regards,

on behalf of the Team at South Ribble’s Big Christmas Sleepover.

Y11 Careers Programme 2020

12 Oct 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

Prior to Covid restrictions we were scheduled to host a lunchtime drop in session for all our local post 16 education and training providers. So we are able to provide the one to one next steps advice, in a similar way, a different provider will be coming to school to see pupils, each lunch time this week. Your child will be reminded each day in form. Please encourage your child to attend. 

Tuesday, 13^th October – Myerscough College

Wednesday, 14^th October - Training 200

Thursday, 15^th October – Preston’s College

Friday, 16^th October – Runshaw College 

Tuesday, 20^th October – Ask Apprenticeships

On Wednesday afternoon, 14th October, 3-4pm, Mrs Halliwell will be hosting a ‘Post 16 Application Support Session’ in room 108i. Should you child require support of any kind with regards to their application, please do encourage them to attend. They need not stay for the whole hour. 

Thank you, 

Mrs Pilling

Assistant Headteacher

Annual Image Consent 2020/21

07 Oct 2020

On an annual basis we need to request consent from parents/carers for use of  images and videos for school purposes. Thi was part of your child's admission pack.  Unfortunately we are about 100 consents short!

Our system does not allow us to pick out those parents who have already returned, so apologies in advance.  If you recognise the form, then there is no reason to resubmit.

Please would you be kind enough to complete the short on-line form

Annual Image Consent 2020/21

07 Oct 2020

On an annual basis we need to request consent from parents/carers for use of mages and videos for school purposes.

Please would you be kind enough to complete the short on-line form

Y9 Interhouse Competition / Employee Encounter 2020

29 Sep 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

I am writing to inform you that as part of our Personal Development curriculum, Year 9 pupils will be taking part in an ‘Interhouse Competition’ Super Learning Day on Thursday, 1^st October. This is designed to provide part fulfilment of St Mary’s duty to ensure that all pupils are provided with and are able to access cultural capital whereby all pupils are provided with the opportunity to take part in a physical activity, whilst competing for their House. In order to keep in line with Government guidelines, activities delivered during this day have been approved by their respective National Governing Body. Boys will take part in softball whilst the girls take part in rounders. In the event that these activities cannot take place due to adverse weather alternative sessions will be provided. 

During this day we will also be joined by special guest Liam Moore. Liam is a Rugby Super League Referee who will speak to pupils about his career and how he came to achieve his goals. The aim of this session is to encourage pupils to aspire, make good choices and understand what they need to do to reach and succeed in the careers to which they aspire. 

We hope the day will serve to inspire pupils to think about their future careers and different values that they use not only in sport but in general. Leading pupils to fulfilling an enjoyable sports experience, a positive and healthy lifelong relationship with sports, and a successful, happy and value-driven life. 

As this day will be practical in nature pupils will be required to come to school in their PE kit for the duration of the day. With the weather changing and pupils being outside for the majority of the day it is recommended that boys wear their long sleeve rugby tops and girls wear their PE jumper. Jumpers that do not have the school logo are not allowed and any pupils wearing these will be asked to remove them. 

We believe that this Super Learning Day will be of great benefit and is a necessity to facilitate the holistic education of our pupils and support them in taking their next steps. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely, 

Miss J. Thornhill

Curriculum Leader for PE

Y8 Faith in Action Day 2020

29 Sep 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

I am writing to inform you that as part of our Catholic Ethos Programme, Year 8 pupils will be taking part in a ‘Faith in Action’ Super Learning Day on Thursday, 1^st October. This Super Learning Day is designed to provide part fulfilment of St Mary’s duty to ensure that all pupils understand the nature of being a Catholic and how we can put our faith into action today, and everyday through both our words and actions. 

Three external providers will be coming in to school to deliver the following one hour sessions: 

• NUGENT is an established charity based in Liverpool, founded in 1881 by Father James Nugent, which offers a diverse range of support to vulnerable adults and children within the North West area through our schools, care homes, community and social work services and social enterprise.
• WHITECHAPEL is a Liverpool Charity who are committed to helping homeless people find and maintain a home and learn the life skills essential for independent living.
• VICTIM SUPPORT is an independent charity, who work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

We hope the day will serve to inspire pupils to think about their role in the world and how their faith can be put into practice. Understanding our Christian values is at the core of our curriculum at St Mary’s. We want to give the pupils the opportunities to be inspired by those who live out their faith and to follow their example. Pupils will also be able to get creative in other sessions led by the RE team, Art and Music.

Our day will end with a Mass, where Fr Jonathan will lead us in this celebration in the Chapel via Zoom. 

We believe that this Super Learning Day will be of great benefit and is a necessity to facilitate the holistic education of our pupils and support them through their own faith journey. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mrs L. Conway

RE Curriculum Leader

Y10 Personal Development Day 2020

29 Sep 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

I am writing to inform you that as part of our Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHCEE) curriculum, Year 10 pupils will be taking part in a ‘Personal Development’ Super Learning Day on Thursday, 1^st October. This Super Learning Day is designed to fulfil St Mary’s duty to extend our curriculum beyond the academic and vocational; we believe it essential to support our pupils to develop in many diverse aspects of their life, including knowing how to keep themselves safe from the various threats and dangers facing citizens of the 21st Century. This event also encompasses the new statutory requirement for us to deliver Relationship and Sex Education, within the ethos of our school. 

Five external providers will be visiting school to deliver the following one hour sessions: 

• Lancashire Police Digital Crime Unit – Cyber Ethics
• Lancashire Police – Crossing the Line
• Lancashire Fire and Rescue – Wasted Lives
• NHS – Communication, Consent and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Her Majesties Prison Service – Prison Life

Although the subject matter may appear hard hitting, I can assure you that all material is age appropriate and will be delivered in a sensitive manner by experts in the field. Furthermore, at the beginning and end of each session pupils will be reminded that there are members of staff to whom they can go for support if they are affected by any of the messages. They will also be signposted to external support agencies. 

We believe that these Super Learning Days are of great benefit and are a necessity to facilitate the holistic education of our pupils. If you have any concerns, or if you wish to withdraw your child from any of the sessions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mrs. L. Pilling

Assistant Head Teacher

Y11 'My Future' Day 2020

29 Sep 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

I am writing to inform you that as part of our Careers Guidance and Inspiration (CGI) curriculum, Year 11 pupils will be taking part in a ‘My Future’ Super Learning Day on Thursday, 1^st October. This Super Learning Day is designed to provide part fulfilment of St Mary’s duty to ensure that all pupils are provided with impartial information on the full range of training and education options and career pathways, and to help them make informed choices about their future so that they achieve their potential. 

Five external providers will be coming in to school to deliver the following one hour sessions: 

• Cardinal Newman College – Vision, Effort & Success: Revision and Learning Techniques
• Runshaw College – The Post 16 Application Process
• Preston’s College – Next steps information
• Eric Wright Foundation – Employment Skills
• Ask - Apprenticeships
• Blackburn College – Creating a CV 

We hope the day will serve to inspire pupils to think about their future possibilities; to aim high, motivating them in school as well as beyond; to be informed about education, training and career options; to assess their current strengths and areas for development; and to acquire the skills valued by employers. Throughout the day, pupils will be reminded of the Year 11 CGI programme and the people to whom they can go for support if they require advice or guidance at any time throughout the year, in school or externally. 

We believe that this Super Learning Day will be of great benefit and is a necessity to facilitate the holistic education of our pupils and support them in taking their next steps. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mrs L. Pilling

Assistant Head Teacher

Y7 Friendship Day 2020

29 Sep 2020

Dear Parents / Carers, 

I am writing to inform you that as part of our Catholic Ethos Programme, Year 7 pupils will be taking part in a ‘Friendship’ Super Learning Day on Thursday, 1^st October. This Super Learning Day is designed to provide part fulfilment of St Mary’s duty to ensure that all pupils understand the nature of belonging to a Catholic Christian community.  Friendship day is also part of our new and exciting Personal, Social, Health, Citizen and Economic (PSHCEE) curriculum. 

The objectives for this day are: 

• To achieve a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.
• To enhance the use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• To help develop responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults.
• To promote equality of opportunity so that all pupils can thrive together, understanding that difference is a positive, not a negative, and that individual characteristics make people unique. 

Students are required to bring with them their packed lunch (unless they receive free school meals) along with their pencil case and colouring pencils. 

Fr. Jonathan will end our special day by celebrating Holy Mass from our school Chapel.  Due to the current COVID guidelines, this will be streamed via ZOOM to your child’s form room. 

We believe that this Super Learning Day will be of great benefit and is of the essence to facilitate the spiritual development of our pupils and support them through their own faith journey. 

If you have any questions regarding this day, please do not hesitate to contact me on the telephone number above. 

May the Lord our God bless and protect you and your families. 

Mr. Anthony Cave

Chaplain.