Dear Parents
There is lots of good news to share this week - thank you for all your support to ensure the success of our school community! During our training last Friday, staff considered the phrase “It is not what you do once in a while that makes a difference but what you do every day.” This is certainly as true for parenting as it is for education. Thank you for working with us day in and day out to make a difference for our children.
Catholic Schools Inspection - Outstanding!
Following our inspection at the end of September, we have now received our inspection grading and report from the Diocese. We are delighted to have been awarded “Outstanding” in all areas inspected for the first time ever! Well done to the whole school community for working together to achieve this for our children! We know how hard we work to serve our children and families all year round, but it is lovely to have that achievement recognised by Catholic Schools Inspectors. The full 12 page report is on the school website here, but some of our favourite quotes include:
“The mission statement is central and permeates all aspects of school life.”
“Evidence clearly shows exceptional pupil progress and depth of understanding.”
“Acts of worship engage all pupils’ interest and are central to the life of the school.”
“Pastoral care is a significant strength.”
“Children approach their learning with great interest, passion and enthusiasm and, despite the challenges of the pandemic, achieve very well.”
Thank you for working with us to build our community of learners, believers and friends and to enable our children to reach their full potential.
Blessing of the New Hall
On Thursday morning, our school community including Governors, parents and children welcomed Bishop Richard Moth to school to bless our new hall extension. Year 5 Emerald Class led us in a very prayerful worship themed around our patron St John Henry Newman. Bishop Richard blessed the hall and all those present, praying that our school community may always have the grace to follow the light of Christ. You can see photos here.
Presentation for Miss Ward
Bishop Richard’s visit also gave the school community the opportunity to thank Miss Ward for her 32 years of service at Cardinal Newman. Bishop Richard has the right to grant a special award for those who have given extraordinary service to the diocese. The medal is called the “St Philip Howard” medal and was granted to Miss Ward for her service to Catholic Education in the service of Arundel and Brighton! Photos here. We were delighted to have kept it secret for long enough to surprise Miss Ward, who received a standing ovation from staff and governors present. Well done Miss Ward and thank you! Happily, Miss Ward will continue to work with our children part-time, so her service is not yet done!
Donations Requested:
We are always trying to improve the equipment and facilities for our children, but this can sometimes be costly and a number of parents have suggested that they may have good quality items at home which are finished with and could be put to good use by school. If you have finished with any of the following at home, we would be most grateful for your support:
“Small World” play (Happyland / Playmobil type figures and equipment)
Garden mirror
Garden table and / or chairs
Water table
Digital Cameras (wiped clean of any photos! For the children to use so as cheap and cheerful as possible!)
Good quality books (Fiction and non-fiction)
We can always use Lego / Duplo and good quality board games in our wet-play boxes. Thank you for your support!
Care for Creation
Well done to Imogen in Y4 who has worked with her cub scouts to help researchers counting walrus from Space! The project is covered on the BBC Newsround page here and Imogen is even quoted! We are proud of your commitment to the environment Imogen – well done and keep it up! WWF and British Antarctic Survey are looking for more volunteers to help with their research, if you are interested in getting involved. https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/walrus-from-space
Wishing all of our children and families a lovely weekend!
Catherine Burnham
Headteacher
