“Christ is at the Heart of this Roman Catholic School.”

Sacred Heart Mission Statement

Sacred Heart R.C. Primary School

Central Drive, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3DU Tel: 01942 634681 / Fax: 01942 634682

E-mail: office@sacred-heart.bolton.sch.uk Website/cLc: www.sacred-heart.bolton.sch.uk/cLc

Sacred Heart Parish Website: www.sacred-heart-westhoughton.org.uk

Headteacher: Mr. Martin Johnson B.A. (Hons.) Q.T.S. NPQH Deputy Headteacher: Mrs Catherine Parkinson B.Ed. (Hons.) NPQH

Chair of Governors: Mrs Mary-Anne Yearn

"I think someone should explain to the child that it's OK to make mistakes. That's how we learn. When we compete, we make mistakes." Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4

Thursday 22

nd March 2012.

Dear Parents, Children, Staff & Governors,

WEEKLY NEWS: WORLD WATER DAY

This week’s theme is: ‘I try to keep going when things get difficult and not give up hope’. In our assembly we heard about Blind Bartimaeus. In Jesus’ time there were many beggars who would hold out their hands to people passing by in the hopes that they would give them some money. Life was very difficult for poor and disabled people. They hoped that others would be generous so that they could have something to eat:

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, the son of Timaeus – Bartimaeus, a blind beggar – was sitting along the road. Hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Son of David, Jesus, take pity on me!” And many people scolded

him severely and told him to be silent. But he cried even louder, “Son of David, take pity on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him!” They called the blind man and said, “Be brave, and get up. He’s calling you!” Then he threw off his coat and leaped toward Jesus. Jesus spoke to him and said, “What do you want for me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I would like to see!”

And Jesus said, “Go, your faith has saved you. And he followed Jesus on his way.

RIGHTS RESPECTING SCHOOL: The Government should make sure that children are not abducted or sold. [UNCRC, Article 35].

City of London Week: We all had a fantastic week of creativity last week, and

we extend our thanks to all the beginning teachers from the University of Cumbria who led our week with great energy and enthusiasm. It was enjoyed by all our pupils and was fantastic to see the support of our wider community on Friday morning and afternoon during our open event ‘Tudor & Stuart Market’ and celebration assembly. Our photo-story of the week will be added

to our cLc over the next few days.

Comments included: We like:

The buddy systems; involvement of staff e.g. lunch across key stages; teachers were helpful and trusted us to take over their class for the week; The school takes pride in its appearance and the outdoor areas are great; The positive ethos and calm manner that the staff model for the children; The staff trusted us as student teachers to be capable and responsible; The pupils are very bright, happy and confident which was lovely to work with; Its friendly, welcoming environment; Staff were supportive - it really is like one big family; Welcoming, shared ethos throughout the whole school; Loved the use of technology, particularly the praise pod; So much going on; Lively - full of life - and the children; Enthusiastic, friendly staff, fantastic ethos of good behaviour; Creative use of display space; Friendly staff and pupils, engaging environment; Friendly staff and pupils, engaging environment – pupils want to learn and creative vibe; The positive family feel - everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction; Friendliness of staff, friendliness of children, very welcoming, very supportive LOVELY school to be in!

And: Thank you to everyone – especially 2B! Thank you for allowing us to work freely this week; I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience – thank you for the support; Really enjoyed being part of your school; Thank you for a fantastic week; Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for including us in everything (meetings) along with staff members; A big thank you for having me at your school. I have really enjoyed my time here;

Mrs V. Hayton, who worked with our 6T children will return for her final block placement at Sacred Heart next term. 5Ws – Worship : (Welcome – Word – Witness – Welfare –

Worship ). This week we continue to consider how, ensuring that our school is authentically and distinctively Catholic, we are

called to together as a community:

WHOLE SCHOOL:

Worship opportunities for pupils throughout the school (prayer, reflection, liturgies) including small and large groups – which are appropriate to their backgrounds and faith experiences;

The development of opportunities for pupils to worship according to their intellectual and life experience needs and stages of faith development;

Worshipping opportunities promote a strong community sense of service for each other; Inclusive worship helps pupils to grow in confidence in prayer and develop a relationship with God.

CURRICULUM:

Using the Word of God as a resource for nurturing the spirituality of the child e.g. meditation, imaginative prayer and reflection on the Word of God;

Prayer develops pupils’ understanding of belief and attitudes; Prayer enables pupils to learn reverence and respect and aids their development in ‘talking and listening to God’ and in

nurturing their relationship with God; The pupils’ faith development is deepened by appropriate prayer and worship opportunities.

PUPIL EXPERIENCE:

Opportunities for whole school and parish communities to celebrate together thereby demonstrating the glory and activity of God in their lives;

Through worship, all are led to reflect, meditate and pray in a way that nurtures the spirituality of the whole community; In worship the Word of God is celebrated and given reverence; Collective worship is planned, which stimulates reflection on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues; Pupils participate in liturgy in a meaningful manner, both in larger settings and also in the classroom; The purpose and value of collective worship is reinforced by consistent celebrations of the liturgical year which also recognise

the faiths and beliefs of other people from minority groups within the school.

TROUBLE AT T’MILL: Our Drama Club, led each week by Miss Middleton and Mr

Adam, and working closely with the Westhoughton Local History Group, will perform their play, Trouble at t’Mill, telling the story of the events surrounding the Luddite Burning of Westhoughton Mill, 1812, on Tuesday 17

th April, from 6:30pm. Please

attend. [Note change of date from previously published.]

Innovate...: The word innovation has become the buzz-word in our school over the last couple of years, as we have continually

strived to be different in our approach at Sacred Heart. This means we are continually looking at what we do and challenging ourselves to find new, high impact ways of carrying out our roles. We are all excited about the new radio station which has arrived in school, and

the potential it has to further transform learning.

RADIO @ HEART: We invite you to suggest a name and create a logo image for our new radio station. We are also looking for some great ‘jingles’ to introduce the broadcasts. All entries

should be given in to Mr Tipton, our leader of connected learning.

WHAT ARE ‘KITEMARKS’ IN A SCHOOL CONTEXT? Far from being ‘logos’, school kitemarks have a real meaning – validating

important aspects of a school’s continuing journey to excellence. External validation and recognition is important in a climate where school self-evaluation is at the core of the role of leadership teams in schools. This also includes Local Authority validation through termly team meetings, where our leadership & management team and governors take part in evaluation activities and meet with our School Link Professional, Carol Aspinall. Our Spring Term meeting is next week. Our Governing Body are working towards the Governor Mark – which is supported by the Department for Education. This is a challenging award with a rigorous assessment process. The Governing Body will show real evidence of: school improvement, impact on pupil outcomes, records of the governing body supporting and challenging the school, evidence of shared strategic leadership. We are also working towards the NACE Challenge Award, which is about the delivery of effective challenge for all learners. Our subject and aspect leaders are accountable for their roles, and how they contribute to continued improvement in standards of teaching, learning and leadership – and we choose to use these standards to benchmark our progress.

OLÉ: This week at the Natures Den, our groups of KS1 children, guided by Mr Simpson, toasted marsh mallows and

drank hot chocolate by the camp fire, played with a bow and arrow, tyre swing and built dens. They also made a team flag.

In our workshop today, the children drew woodland animals, dug our allotment beds and became archers using our willow bow.

Last week, Miss Dewhurst, Mr Winteringham and Miss O’Connor, were coached in the GOAL area by Mr Bilinkewycz. Mr Simpson &

Mr Bilinkewycz also supported St George’s CE Primary School last Thursday afternoon, when they coached the children and staff in planting new willow structures in the school grounds.

WORLD FORESTRY DAY: Yesterday was World Forestry Day. To learn more

about woodland habitats, our Class 6T & 6CB children will visit Hall Lee Bank Park next Thursday to explore the habitats and woodland management there. We will explore more woodland environments in the summer and autumn terms. GOAL BOTTLE TUNNEL: We still need lots more 2litre round plastic bottles – in

all colours. Please collect them and send into school.

ROOM 2 GROW: This week in the Room 2 Grow, our children sowed some seed that will hopefully give us a good crop later in the

season.

If you have any seeds to donate to our , please send them in.

READING & WRITING – BE A MAGPIE: In school we encourage children to steal phrases, words and ideas from the authors they

meet during our English lessons – including from one another. Teachers model writing, using skills we want the children to use. Author, Julia Bell, believes good writers to be magpies, who steal huge amounts of general knowledge in order to feather the nests of their writing. Have you stolen any phrases when reading with your children at home? Note them down and send into school for our STEALS working

walls. LITERACY PARENTS MEETING: Wednesday 28th March 2011, 6pm. Led by Catriona Fletcher, Bolton LA Primary Adviser. The focus is phonics and how you can support your child through sharing texts and reading at home. All interested parents are encouraged to attend. The meeting is particularly suitable for Reception & KS1 parents.

Book Exchange: Please send in your read books for our shelves! We have set up the book exchange, for

both adults and pupils. The shelves are in our link corridor, by the media suite, and in the school foyer. To take a book, [grown up and children’s books are available] we ask that you make a small donation to our collection – which will be used to fund new reading books for our library.

Daybreak have launched a nationwide campaign to Get Britain Reading! More information at: http://www.itv.com/daybreak/lifestyle/familiesandparenting/getbritainreading/

SACRED HEART FAMILIES AND SCHOOL TOGETHER - FAST - Registered Charity No. 1131994 BONUS BALL: If you are interested in joining in with the competition please either give your name and contact to Fr.

Michael or to the school office marked Bonus Ball - FAO Ann Blezard. (£1 per week-prize £25). We now have a few numbers available. Winning number: 15 – Saturday 17

th March.

NEXT FAST JIGSAW MEETING: Tuesday 17th April, 7pm, Parish Centre.

EASTER EGGS: Thank you to those who took part in our own clothes day this Monday and donated eggs for our Easter Egg Bingo

event. PLANNED FAST EVENTS:

Easter Egg Bingo – Friday 30th March, 6:30pm. (School) Ladies Night / Fashion Show – 26th April, 7:30pm. (Parish Centre) Summer Ball – Friday 29th June 2012 (Brookfield Masonic Hall). £25 cost – formal dinner dance. Y6 Leavers Party – Friday 6th July 2012. Mercury Motel. Details to follow. Christmas Fair – Provisional Date: Sunday 2nd December 2012. SACRED HEART WALKING GROUP: Next walk planned - 31/03/2012: Anglezarke Reservoir. Contact John Clare for more details:

07740929051 / Walks@ClareNSL.demon.co.uk THANK YOU! Last Friday we waved goodbye to Miss Parsons and Miss Rees, our Edge Hill beginning teachers, who completed their

PGCE developmental placements last week.

WELCOME: To Michelle Lee who has now begun work in our school kitchens. I am sure you will all make her feel

welcome. ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MEETING: For parents and children – next Wednesday, 28

th March, 6-8pm in the

school. Please come along… ‘Look at the stars… Look how they shine for you…’

VOUCHERS & TOKENS: School is collecting all vouchers and tokens, including Nestle box tops for books, Sainsbury’s Active Kids &

Tesco vouchers etc. Please send them into school. Our collection boxes are in the link corridor by the media suite.

TOMORROW - SPORTS RELIEF MILE: Class 6T have calculated how many laps of the top playground we will need to run to

make a mile. Children are invited to run the mile tomorrow - £1 to come in their sports kit and take part, and any additional sponsorship / donations welcome. Y5 VIRGIN MONEY PROJECT: The camera crew were in school again today, working with the children on their enterprise project.

FAIR TRADE: Reported in the Bolton News yesterday -

THE PROUD TREE: Our Y5 & Reception Cohorts will tell the story

of The Proud Tree in a service on Wednesday 28th

March, from 2pm in the school hall. All are welcome to attend. Volunteer

helpers would be appreciated to help organise refreshments.

PASSION @ SACRED HEART: Our Journey with the cross will take place on Monday 2

nd April, from 2pm. Please join us.

THE EASTER EXPERIENCE: Our Y6 classes will take part in ‘The Easter Experience’ at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church, next

Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons. We welcome the opportunity to work with our ecumenical partners in Westhoughton in a shared spirit of Christian unity. OVER THE NEXT FORTNIGHT:

19 MARCH

22/03: Spring Term SIP link professional visit [part 1 of 2]: Dual lesson observations throughout school – MJ/Carol Aspinall. 22/03: Administrative Assistant Interview Day 22/03: Y6 Masterclass, 3:45-4:45pm. 23/03: Y5 Bikeability. [Now April 2012] 23/03: Subject Leadership course session 3 – CB/JC. 9am-12noon. 23/03: SPORTS RELIEF MILE EVENT

22/03: WORLD WATER DAY

23/03: 2C Assembly, 3pm. Rescheduled to 22nd

June. 25/03: British Summertime [BST] begins.

26 MARCH

EASTER EXPERIENCE POD – CLIMATE WEEK

STLB 24: I know what humility means. 26/03: STLB Collective worship, 9:10am.

LIFTED Pupil Voice School Council, eco-warriors & fair trade meeting, 9:10am.

26/03 Spring Term SIP Link Professional visit – all day.

26/03: Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. 26/03: Full Governing Body meeting, 7:00pm, school.

27/03: YR-Y6 Easter Mass, Church, 10am. 27/03: LMT meeting, 4-5pm. 27/03: 6CB to The Easter Experience @ St Bartholomew’s Parish Church, 1:30-3:00pm. 27/03: Judges to visit Mr Bilinkewycz - finalist in Teaching Award category of Outstanding New Teacher of the Year 2012, 1:30-4:30pm. 28/03: 6T to The Easter Experience @ St Bartholomew’s Parish Church, 1:30-3:00pm. 28/03: The Proud Tree [Reception & Y5 Easter Service], 2:00pm Note change of date. VOLUNTEERS WANTED

28/03: The Big Sing Collective Worship, 3pm. 28/03: Staff meeting, 4-5pm. Led by Catriona Fletcher. 28/03: DRAMA CLUB – EXTENDED SESSION – dress rehearsal until 6pm.

28/03: Parent meeting – 6pm led by Catriona Fletcher. 28/03: Bolton Astronomical Society Talk for Y5 & Y6 pupils and parents, 6-8pm. 29/03: Y5 Virgin Money project – Bolton Market Enterprise Day – selling products.

29/03: Y6 to visit Hall Lee Bank Park. VOLUNTEERS WANTED 29/03: Y6 Masterclass, 3:45-4:45pm. 30/03: Y5 Bikeability. [Now April 2012] 30/03: Self-evaluation day & reports. 30/03: Famous for a Fortnight, 3pm. 30/03: Easter Egg Bingo, 6:30pm. VOLUNTEERS WANTED 01/04: Palm Sunday. 01/04: Happy Birthday Mrs Jones! 01/04: Happy Birthday Mrs Smith!

2 APRIL

SACRED HEART PASSION

APRIL THEME: Love one another…

02/04: No morning assembly. 02/04: Sacred Heart Passion 2011, 2pm. All classes. Parents / families welcome.

02/04: Staff meeting, 4-5pm. 03/04: Spring Term ends, 2:15pm

04/04: INSET day 4. 05/04: Maundy Thursday. 06/04: Good Friday. 08/04: Easter Sunday.

Thank you for your continued support as we together.

Yours sincerely,

Mªa [Œt[i[n JªŠh[n¡]on Catherine Parkinson

Hâ]a]d[·e]a]c[«e[r Deputy Headteacher

BULLETIN There is no Church bulletin this week.

PHOTO STORY