Newsletter 4

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With the Easter holidays just around the corner, we reflect on our Lenten journey, a time for prayer and giving. Easter is a time of hope, renewal and joy. It reminds us of God’s love and the promise of new life through the resurrection of Jesus.

In our schools, the children and staff have been working hard to prepare for the Easter celebrations with:

• Stations of Cross in the school community and outside
• Easter Passion performances
• A special visit from Bishop Alan at St Winefride’s

As we enter the Easter break, may this be a time of peace, rest, and joyful moments with your loved ones. May the hope of Easter bring blessings to you all.

With warmest wishes,

Nuala Cashell

Catholic Senior Executive Lead

In all of our schools, our mission is to provide an enabling environment which promotes the learning and development of every child attending the EYFS setting.

It is our aim that children will move onto KS1 as resilient, independent and reflective learners. Through a range of experiences, we want children to learn how to work together collectively and become responsible, respectful members of the EYFS community.

All staff in our EYFS teams have a thorough understanding of the curriculum and how to support children effectively. The Trust support for the continuous professional development of the EYFS staff is ongoing.

Peer reviews carried out to ensure a continuous provision (resources that are available at all times) at each school, noted:-

🙂 The children are accessing the areas well, demonstrating high levels of involvement and independence.

🍎 Lots of high quality conversations are happening between children and adults.

✍🏻 The child are able to talk about what they are learning and how.

🚛 All resources are accessible and visible to the children.

📖 The learning environments are connected to the curriculum.

💟 There are lovely relationships forming between children and adults.

The resources pictured below are a sample of the changes to our continuous provision of readily accessible and well planned resources, ensuring that our children are supported in their learning and development.

The Nursery and Reception class children at St Francis' really enjoyed a special visit from a member of the London Air Ambulance team this half term! The visitor explained how the team helps critically injured patients and she explained the importance of the helicopter. They learnt all about the rapid response cars and how they are used at night or in bad weather conditions. As well as asking lots of questions, the children were able to try on the special orange medical flight suit that the team wears in the helicopter.

You may remember reading in our last newsletter that all seven of the Trust’s schools took part in a fun and festive Rudolph Run in December. Our thanks to everyone who helped to raise a magnificent £1,568.

Pupils, Headteacher, Mr Allen and the Trust CSEL, Mrs Cashell were excited to present a cheque to Bernadette Fisher, Director of Brentwood Catholic Children's Society, when she visited St Joachim’s Primary School.

Our donation to the charity will be used to support children’s & young people’s mental health & wellbeing in our schools and the local area.

We would like to thank all of the members of staff who are taking part in the Digital Champion Training. This is a big time commitment, in addition to their normal working hours.

They have been looking at how best AI can be used to support learning and they are developing skills such as reporting and data analysis, using a suite of programmes.

In understanding and planning for the role of technology in their own schools and beyond, they can support learners on future digital careers so that they can improve outcomes for pupils and all members of the community.

Congratulations to the staff and pupils at St Antony's on achieving 'Good' and 'Outstanding' judgements in their recent Ofsted Inspection in February.

The inspection report highlighted the pupils exemplary behaviour and their support of each other to do the right thing, the ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum that they experience, and that pupils benefit from a wealth of opportunities that prepare them well for their future.

We believe that music nurtures creativity, discipline, and teamwork. Whether through playing an instrument, singing in a choir, or composing original pieces, students develop critical thinking skills, perseverance, and self-expression.

The children at St Michael's had the fantastic opportunity to take part in the Young Voices concert at the 02 arena, North Greenwich. They joined with other primary school pupils from all around the country to take part in one of the biggest and most exciting music events.

Earlier in March, pupils from three of our Trust schools, St Edward’s, St Joachim’s and St Winefride’s proudly performed as part of the Commonwealth Choir at the Commonwealth Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Memorial Gates at Hyde Park Corner, Central London.

The ceremony honours the servicemen and women from the Commonwealth who served alongside the Allied Forces during the First and Second World Wars.

The children sang beautifully and their performance was greatly appreciated by all the dignitaries attending the event.

March marked the beginning of Lent, a time in the Church that focuses on prayer, fasting and almsgiving (charitable giving). Throughout all of our schools, our children have taken part in Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday activities and are learning about this special time.

At St Winefride's, Headteacher, Mrs Brosnan (who is also a Eucharistic Minister) spent time with the children in the pre school, teaching them the importance of Lent. She joined with the children in praying about things they were thankful for and then applied the ashes to each child in turn.

During their pilgrimage to Rome, Year 5 pupils from St Helen's and St Joachim's had an incredible opportunity to visit some of the most significant holy sites in the Eternal City. They visited the four great basilicas and went through all four holy doors. They also visited the tombs of so many great saints and toured many wonderful churches and saw great works of religious art. Beyond the religious experience, the children delved into ancient Roman history, exploring the ruins of the mighty Colosseum and the beauty of the Trevi Fountain. Their journey was both spiritual and educational, giving them a deeper appreciation of their faith and the historical roots of Christianity. Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without indulging in plenty of delicious pizza and pasta!

We are planning a celebratory event when all of our school and Trust communities and parishes will be invited to come together to celebrate Mass and share in a picnic. MORE DETAILS COMING SOON...

The Ford Britain Trust provides grants to support the communities close to their UK locations.

Accessing additional funds like these would enable us to provide opportunities that our pupils wouldn't normally have access to.

The Ford Britain Trust particularly encourages applications that are supported by Ford employees or retirees. So if you, or a member of your family, connected to one of our Trust schools, or the OLOG Trust itself, is a Ford employee or retiree please email info@olog.org.uk . We would really appreciate it if you are able to support our application for funding.

Thank you

Dear God,

At this time of reflection,

Teach us to be thankful for the goodness you have given us,

Let us remember to treat others as we would like to be treated.

At this time of fasting and giving up our favourite things,

Teach us to be thankful for the food we eat.

Let us remember that everybody is not so fortunate.

At this time of forgiveness,

Teach us to be thankful for the gift of your mercy.

Let us remember the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ.

At this time of prayer,

Teach us to listen to your word.

Let us remember the lessons of our saviour,

Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Email: info@olog.org.uk
Website: www.olog.org.uk
Location: St. Helen's Catholic Primary School, Chargeable Lane, London E13 8DW
Phone: 020 4530 9232