Half term already!
I hope that you have had a good term so far, I'm sure that you are looking forward to the break next week.
As we come to the half way point in the academic year, it's important to take stock of school attendance. It is clearly shown that children that attend school regularly have higher attainment. We have been affected recently by all the winter bugs, including scarlet fever.
Our current attendance across the school for the year to date is 93.6%. this is much lower than our usual 96%, although we do reflect the national picture.
Persistent Absentees
1 in 5 of our pupils is currently classified as a persistent absentee:
- 89 students have attendance below 90% - on track to miss a month of school.
- 18 students have attendance below 80% - on track to miss half a term.
- 6 students have attendance below 75% - on track to miss 9 weeks of school.
You can really help the learning process for all the children in class by making sure that your child attends school as much as possible. We understand that sickness affects attendance, however we are still getting requests for leave in term time. When we combine absence for holiday with sickness it can mean that a child becomes a "persistent absentee."
You can see your child's current attendance rate on the Pupil Asset App. We will also be sending out an attendance, Reading, Writing and Maths assessment report just after the half term break, in time for the Parent Teacher Meetings.
Lateness
Please don't forget that the school gates close at 08:50. Attendance after this time will be recorded as late, we have currently recorded 7573 minutes of lateness on the attendance system.
We ask that if you are one of those parents who push the children in after the gates have closed each day that you put some plans in place to improve the situation for the new half term. Late minutes are clearly shown on the children's reports.
Mission Weeks
Years 5 and 6 have recently completed their Mission Weeks. Thanks to Year 6 for reminding us of the plight of the homeless, they really have come to a greater understanding of the issues that can face people, the causes of people living on the streets. Thanks to their efforts and parent generosity we have been able to send £613.74 to the Cardinal Hume Centre for the Homeless in London.
Year 5's Mission Week focussed on Wellbeing, it has been lovely to see all of their ideas flowing out to our classes for little activities throughout the week, including laughing Yoga today. We hope that you managed to take part in Thoughtful Thursday and that someone special in the family will be getting a lovely letter or picture over the coming days. Thank you Year 5!
Best wishes for a lovely half term break,
Vince Burke
Head Teacher
Brownie Thinking Day
World Thinking Day remains one of the most important dates in the guiding calendar, and every year the theme of the event encourages members to think about the big issues affecting them and their global community. Previous World Thinking Days have tackled the subjects of poverty, gender inequality, environmental sustainability and access to education.
We look forward to seeing all our Brownies and Rainbows in their uniforms, celebrating friendship and understanding.
Geography news
From Mr Caulfield, our subject leader for Geography.
"It's been another busy half term of fantastic Geography at St Cecilia's, and it was brilliant to round it off with a Geography quiz on Wednesday afternoon. Students who took part were tested on rebuilding a cut-up map of the UK, general knowledge, flag matching, and were even tasked with building their own mini river!
Students throughout the school are also becoming familiar with DIGI maps; our school's online mapping system. From accurately measuring their route to school, to locating mountain ranges, it's been an eye-opening way for students to make comparisons and explore our world digitally.
It's been great to chat with students' about their Geography learning this half term, and it's been so impressive to hear them confidently use new technical vocabulary from their lessons. I had a lovely time joining the Year 2s as they impressively mapped out our school site. Our students rightly enjoy hands-on Geography, and I'm sure all year groups will have plenty of opportunities for even more fieldwork in their school grounds and local area as our weather (hopefully) begins to warm again!
Book Week
As part of Book Week, we will be celebrating World Book Day on March 1st, this will help us to avoid possible industrial action by teaching staff and will help us to ensure that all classes can enjoy our activities on the day.
Mrs Jack, our Subject Leader for Writing will be in touch with you via Class Dojo with more news about what is happening on the day.
Lenten reflection from Canon Victor
As we start the season of Lent just after half term here is a special message from Canon Victor, the new Episcopal Vicar for Education.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Wednesday 22nd of this month is Ash Wednesday. On that day we begin the Holy Season of Lent. This is a time of penance and preparation. The first reading of the Mass of Ash Wednesday is a call from Prophet Joel (Chapter 2: 12-18) inviting us all to come back to the Lord with all our hearts, fasting, weeping, and mourning. Prophet Joel encourages us to focus on having a change of heart and our merciful God will forgive us.
In his Lenten message for Lent last year, Pope Francis encouraged us in these words: "Let us not grow tired of uprooting evil from our lives. May the corporal fasting to which Lent calls us to fortify our spirit for the battle against sin.” Through these words, our Holy Father set the tone for this season.
Time and again we must have heard people say: “what are you giving up from Lent.” Rightly so, we should make every effort to practice the spiritual disciplines of lent by praying a bit more, giving a bit more and fasting and abstaining a bit more than we used to do. This year, in addition to all these, I would like to encourage you to do something slightly different. Why not consider what you will take up for Lent? We can choose to take up some new good habits, we can take up reading the bible, or we can take up being more kind and supportive of others. Most of all: We can take up attending Mass this season of Lent.
Whatever we choose to give up, or take up this Lent, may the Lord sustain us for the 40 days and may his abiding love and mercy continue to be with us this season. Amen.
May God bless you
Canon Victor Darlington,
Episcopal Vicar for Education
St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School
Email: office@stcecilias.school
Website: www.stcecilias.school
Phone: 020 8337 4566
