18 Jul 2007 - End of year Newsletter 2007
Dear Parents
THANK YOU
· For your support and encouragement throughout this very busy and successful year and also for your many positive remarks and the feedback on your child's End of Year Report slips. Please remember to return these, if you have not already done so.
Our splendid Summer Fayre raised £1,788 despite the poor weather. Thanks to everyone who came and supported - and a very special thanks to our Chairpersons, Jo Machon and Ellie Marlow, and to the rest of the PTA committee for their excellent organisation beforehand and to parents, staff and pupils for their help on the day. Unclaimed raffle prizes are - pink tickets - 76, 279,289, 490 and 705. All prizes can be collected from the office.
· To everyone who has already returned their Diocesan Secondary Education Questionnaire. Every family has been sent one and the Diocese is asking for everyone?s support in making a return by tomorrow. If your questionnaire didn?t arrive home please get another from school and return it by the end of term. This is a very important opportunity to express your views on what type of a Catholic secondary school you would hope to see for the people of Calderdale in the future.
Better Reading & Volunteer Reading Partners. Thank you for the continued support of our children and the help and encouragement you have given in assisting them to succeed in the essential life skill of reading Philomena Chapman, Maureen Coker, Pat Emmott, Surghra Khandker, Yvonne Mulvenny, Sharon Murphy, Maria Varley and Ron Walker. We also thank HBOS for their support of our readers through their Care in the Community scheme and thank the following employees for regularly reading with our children: - Daryl Arnold, Clare Green, Fiona Lilley, Janet McGowan and Sarah Worboys. If any parents or adults are interested in supporting our reading initiatives next year please contact school for details. Training and support will be given. We thank Mrs. Pauline Thomas for her splendid work in this area this year and for her tireless work in helping improve children?s life-chances for the last 21 years.
Class helpers - Once again thank you to the many, many helpers who have supported our children in one off activities and to those who have helped on a regular weekly basis:- Nora Quinn, Mary Kelly, Marie Melia, Cathy O?Connor, Liz Barnes, Doreen Terry, Noreen Pratt, Ron Walker, Angela Richards and Alison Pollard and John Coates who deserves such a big thank you for his help in supporting our efforts for Halifax?s entry in the Britain in Bloom competition - and sincere apologies to anyone we?ve missed out.
To our splendid staff who have worked so hard for our children all year and are continuing to do so even when it feels like ?running on empty?. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude for the quality and opportunities they provide and example they give. We say a special thank you to Pauline Thomas for her exemplary work at St Mary's. Pauline who is retiring, has shared her giftedness with the children and staff in so many ways, not just in terms of helping children with their learning but crucially in helping us all understand that life is given to each of us from God to share, flourish and be happy in. Pauline always wanted to make a difference. At St Mary?s she certainly has! This week we also say goodbye and thank you to Mrs Ruth Nolan and wish the family a happy and successful relocation. As you may know, Mrs Armstrong ?left? this week to go on maternity leave. We wish Helen and her husband well as they await the birth of their first baby. Finally, we take this opportunity to also send our best wishes to Miss Sarah Stephens who is to be married in August and who will rejoin us as Mrs Watkins. Thank you and good luck to all.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO.....
Our U9 football team who have topped a fantastic year, winning tournament after tournament, by becoming Calderdale Schools Champions after beating Old Earth in the final. Last Saturday both they and our U8?s were also champions in the St. Joseph?s, Brighouse tournament. Our U9 squad was : - Oliver Roberts, Joe Nolan, Owen Bairstow, Jacob Brown, Christian Solon, James Millington, Chris Parker, Harry Dunne. Our U8 squad was Will Melia-Tiffney, Ellis Jammeh, Sam Brant, Owen Mawer, Lawrence Okanga, Andrew Parker and Jack Farrell from Year 3 and Jake Turner from Year 2.
· We pass on a special thanks to all the staff and parents who have helped and supported our teams this year, helping with lifts and washing muddy kit etc and without singling anyone out for special attention thank Mr Neil Tomkinson, Miss Tighe and Mrs Dyson for all they have done for our teams (Steve McLaren watch out!).
· Our cricketers who were third in the Calderdale Schools Cricket Competition. Well done to Luke Stocks, Roisin McCallion, Tyler Nicholson, Joanna Jablonski,Hadley Greenwood-Brown, Beth Leeming, Reece Stafford, Molly Shaw.
· To our KS2 children who took part in the ?Excellence Cluster Showcase? at Park Lane High School. They were fantastic and a credit to the school and their families. Thanks again to our excellent staff for their encouragement and direction.
· To our Year 2 and Year 6 children (and staff) who have worked very hard and once again performed very well in the end of Key Stage SATs. Splendid stuff!
· Former pupils whose achievements were praised by Bishop Arthur at this week's St Catherine?s Awards Evening. Head Boy - Michael Ellinger, Best A level results ? Emily Gott, Best GCSE results ? Joseph Griffin and many more?Very well done to them all!
· Our U9 girls football who were runners up in the Calderdale finals. Olivia Roberts, Caitlin Roberts, Grace Norris, Grace Jefford, Grace Jones, Melissa Griffiths, Alhana Nicholson and Hannah Murphy.
· To the Rocky?s who won the Infants 5-a-side football. Team Jake Turner, Helena Turner, Andrew Benn, Rebecca Haley and Alfie Pollard.
REMINDERS
· End of term Awards Assembly and Leavers? Liturgy to which everyone is invited:-
Thursday 19th ? Leavers Assembly ? 1.45 p.m.
including awards and certificates for our children and farewells to our leavers.
NEXT YEAR
As a summary of this year, everyone has now received an End of Year Report which we hope you have found interesting and informative. Children returning in September have also received a letter indicating their new class and teacher. We would be very interested to know what parents think about this years Report format.
School re-starts on Wednesday 5th September at 8.55a.m.
In September we will be saying hello to Miss Louise Wannan and Mr Thomas Hughes, who will be joining our teaching staff.
You may also be aware that we are saying goodbye to Canon Joseph Finan who is retiring at summer and moving to Leeds. At a lovely End of Year Mass on Tuesday, we thanked Canon Finan for his great support of our school and his work as parish priest of St. Columba?s for 21 years. We pray that Canon Finan has a long and happy retirement and send him with our love and prayers as he leaves.
We welcome in turn the new parish priest of St. Columba?s, Fr Michael Mahady, who is moving to Halifax from St Francis? in Morley.
If you have children, family or friends who are wanting school places over the next few years and who haven?t registered with us, please ask them to do so very quickly. Closing date for applications to start in September 2008 will be 28th November, which is very early. We remind parents that baptised Catholic children have highest priority at Admission and that places will be tight.
FINALLY
We say goodbye to all our children who are leaving and especially any families who are leaving for the last time. We thank you for your contribution to St. Mary?s, your time, support and love. In turn, we hope that we have enabled your children and yourselves to be enriched and be the people that God wants you to be through the opportunities we have provided at our school.
We send you all our love and best wishes for a good summer,
Paul Copley & Staff
THANK YOU
· For your support and encouragement throughout this very busy and successful year and also for your many positive remarks and the feedback on your child's End of Year Report slips. Please remember to return these, if you have not already done so.
Our splendid Summer Fayre raised £1,788 despite the poor weather. Thanks to everyone who came and supported - and a very special thanks to our Chairpersons, Jo Machon and Ellie Marlow, and to the rest of the PTA committee for their excellent organisation beforehand and to parents, staff and pupils for their help on the day. Unclaimed raffle prizes are - pink tickets - 76, 279,289, 490 and 705. All prizes can be collected from the office.
· To everyone who has already returned their Diocesan Secondary Education Questionnaire. Every family has been sent one and the Diocese is asking for everyone?s support in making a return by tomorrow. If your questionnaire didn?t arrive home please get another from school and return it by the end of term. This is a very important opportunity to express your views on what type of a Catholic secondary school you would hope to see for the people of Calderdale in the future.
Better Reading & Volunteer Reading Partners. Thank you for the continued support of our children and the help and encouragement you have given in assisting them to succeed in the essential life skill of reading Philomena Chapman, Maureen Coker, Pat Emmott, Surghra Khandker, Yvonne Mulvenny, Sharon Murphy, Maria Varley and Ron Walker. We also thank HBOS for their support of our readers through their Care in the Community scheme and thank the following employees for regularly reading with our children: - Daryl Arnold, Clare Green, Fiona Lilley, Janet McGowan and Sarah Worboys. If any parents or adults are interested in supporting our reading initiatives next year please contact school for details. Training and support will be given. We thank Mrs. Pauline Thomas for her splendid work in this area this year and for her tireless work in helping improve children?s life-chances for the last 21 years.
Class helpers - Once again thank you to the many, many helpers who have supported our children in one off activities and to those who have helped on a regular weekly basis:- Nora Quinn, Mary Kelly, Marie Melia, Cathy O?Connor, Liz Barnes, Doreen Terry, Noreen Pratt, Ron Walker, Angela Richards and Alison Pollard and John Coates who deserves such a big thank you for his help in supporting our efforts for Halifax?s entry in the Britain in Bloom competition - and sincere apologies to anyone we?ve missed out.
To our splendid staff who have worked so hard for our children all year and are continuing to do so even when it feels like ?running on empty?. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude for the quality and opportunities they provide and example they give. We say a special thank you to Pauline Thomas for her exemplary work at St Mary's. Pauline who is retiring, has shared her giftedness with the children and staff in so many ways, not just in terms of helping children with their learning but crucially in helping us all understand that life is given to each of us from God to share, flourish and be happy in. Pauline always wanted to make a difference. At St Mary?s she certainly has! This week we also say goodbye and thank you to Mrs Ruth Nolan and wish the family a happy and successful relocation. As you may know, Mrs Armstrong ?left? this week to go on maternity leave. We wish Helen and her husband well as they await the birth of their first baby. Finally, we take this opportunity to also send our best wishes to Miss Sarah Stephens who is to be married in August and who will rejoin us as Mrs Watkins. Thank you and good luck to all.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE TO.....
Our U9 football team who have topped a fantastic year, winning tournament after tournament, by becoming Calderdale Schools Champions after beating Old Earth in the final. Last Saturday both they and our U8?s were also champions in the St. Joseph?s, Brighouse tournament. Our U9 squad was : - Oliver Roberts, Joe Nolan, Owen Bairstow, Jacob Brown, Christian Solon, James Millington, Chris Parker, Harry Dunne. Our U8 squad was Will Melia-Tiffney, Ellis Jammeh, Sam Brant, Owen Mawer, Lawrence Okanga, Andrew Parker and Jack Farrell from Year 3 and Jake Turner from Year 2.
· We pass on a special thanks to all the staff and parents who have helped and supported our teams this year, helping with lifts and washing muddy kit etc and without singling anyone out for special attention thank Mr Neil Tomkinson, Miss Tighe and Mrs Dyson for all they have done for our teams (Steve McLaren watch out!).
· Our cricketers who were third in the Calderdale Schools Cricket Competition. Well done to Luke Stocks, Roisin McCallion, Tyler Nicholson, Joanna Jablonski,Hadley Greenwood-Brown, Beth Leeming, Reece Stafford, Molly Shaw.
· To our KS2 children who took part in the ?Excellence Cluster Showcase? at Park Lane High School. They were fantastic and a credit to the school and their families. Thanks again to our excellent staff for their encouragement and direction.
· To our Year 2 and Year 6 children (and staff) who have worked very hard and once again performed very well in the end of Key Stage SATs. Splendid stuff!
· Former pupils whose achievements were praised by Bishop Arthur at this week's St Catherine?s Awards Evening. Head Boy - Michael Ellinger, Best A level results ? Emily Gott, Best GCSE results ? Joseph Griffin and many more?Very well done to them all!
· Our U9 girls football who were runners up in the Calderdale finals. Olivia Roberts, Caitlin Roberts, Grace Norris, Grace Jefford, Grace Jones, Melissa Griffiths, Alhana Nicholson and Hannah Murphy.
· To the Rocky?s who won the Infants 5-a-side football. Team Jake Turner, Helena Turner, Andrew Benn, Rebecca Haley and Alfie Pollard.
REMINDERS
· End of term Awards Assembly and Leavers? Liturgy to which everyone is invited:-
Thursday 19th ? Leavers Assembly ? 1.45 p.m.
including awards and certificates for our children and farewells to our leavers.
NEXT YEAR
As a summary of this year, everyone has now received an End of Year Report which we hope you have found interesting and informative. Children returning in September have also received a letter indicating their new class and teacher. We would be very interested to know what parents think about this years Report format.
School re-starts on Wednesday 5th September at 8.55a.m.
In September we will be saying hello to Miss Louise Wannan and Mr Thomas Hughes, who will be joining our teaching staff.
You may also be aware that we are saying goodbye to Canon Joseph Finan who is retiring at summer and moving to Leeds. At a lovely End of Year Mass on Tuesday, we thanked Canon Finan for his great support of our school and his work as parish priest of St. Columba?s for 21 years. We pray that Canon Finan has a long and happy retirement and send him with our love and prayers as he leaves.
We welcome in turn the new parish priest of St. Columba?s, Fr Michael Mahady, who is moving to Halifax from St Francis? in Morley.
If you have children, family or friends who are wanting school places over the next few years and who haven?t registered with us, please ask them to do so very quickly. Closing date for applications to start in September 2008 will be 28th November, which is very early. We remind parents that baptised Catholic children have highest priority at Admission and that places will be tight.
FINALLY
We say goodbye to all our children who are leaving and especially any families who are leaving for the last time. We thank you for your contribution to St. Mary?s, your time, support and love. In turn, we hope that we have enabled your children and yourselves to be enriched and be the people that God wants you to be through the opportunities we have provided at our school.
We send you all our love and best wishes for a good summer,
Paul Copley & Staff