Weekly Update for 4th October - St Francis of Assisi

“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

St Francis of Assisi - Pray for Us!

National Poetry Day

This Thursday (and across this week) we've been celebrating our favourite poems!

They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way.

(now read from bottom to top)

October - The Month of the Holy Rosary

October is a month dedicated to the Rosary. Every day, the Mini Vinnies and members of the school community gather around the statue of Mary, reflect on a mystery and pray a decade of the Rosary together. On a Friday afternoon, we also invite parents and family members to join us afterschool for the final mystery of the week.

Across the school we'll be taking part in the Mark 10 Mission Rosary Challenge. Click here for more information: https://www.smi.hounslow.sch.uk/The-Rosary/. You can use this target sheet to help you keep track during the challenge.

rosary challenge record sheet.pdf

Black History Month

On Tuesday 8th October, Key Stage Two will be visited by Big Foot Arts Education. Through their assembly and workshops (Years 5 and 6), the children will have the opportunity to further acknowledge and celebrate Black History. This year’s focus will be ‘Africa; My Story’. Key Stage 1 will experience similar learning opportunies in their classes.

At part of our curriculum at St Mary’s, Black History is embedded into all subjects. This allows children to learn about a broad range of accomplishments, experiences and perspectives, through a range of figures and across a school year. We aim for children to see their own lives and experiences reflected in the content of the curriculum, but also to view lives and stories that are different from their own. This will allow them to demonstrate a strong sense of empathy and understanding.

Minnie Vinnies Commissioning

Our team of Mini Vinnies were commissioned in an assembly on Monday 30th September. Katy and Ania from the St Vincent de Paul Society led the assembly explaining the importance of the society and the vital role the Mini Vinnies will play as their youngest members. We started the assembly by thanking the previous year’s Mini Vinnies for their service. Thank you again Bella, Emily, Crystal, Isaac, Connie, Elise, Evie and Jan for all your fundraising, support and time last year.

We then heard the story of the Good Samaritan and discussed the significance of the Samaritan helping a man who he did not know but who needed his help. Finally, the Mini Vinnies for the new academic year were invited up to make their Mini Vinnie pledge and tell the rest of the school what this role means to them.

After the assembly, the Mini Vinnies enjoyed discussing with Katy and Ania all the different ideas they have for the different fundraising projects they would like to do this year!

mini vinnie assemly 2.pdf

World Mental Health Day - Thursday 10th October 2024

world mental health day 10 oct 2024.pdf

Walk to School - WOW Competition

Congratulations to Częstochowa class who are the WOW Walk to School winners for September. They will receive EXTRA PLAY next week!

Keep up the walking, scooting and riding to school everyone!

PUNCTUALITY & ATTENDANCE - W/E 27^th September

Well done to children in Willesden, Westminster, Doncaster, Lourdes, Loreto, Guadalupe and Walsingham!

Pre-Loved Uniform Events

We will be holding a selection of Pre-Loved Uniform Events between now and half term which will take place on the following dates:

Friday 11th October – afterschool (small hall)
Thursday 17th October – afterschool (small hall)

There will be no specific cost for uniform items however donations would be welcome.

Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to help sort uniform and helped out on the days.

Parent Elected Governor

There is a vacancy for a parent elected governor on the governing board. For more information click here.

Have a great weekend everyone!