Latest News

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Sports Day

  Thu 27 Jun 2019

  The sun was shining on our children at today’s sports day and the sporting talents of our children shone also. The children were a credit to themselves, and to the many parents who attended, through the way they took part in today’s events. The winning house was the house of Knock – well dome! All the children displayed the school games sports values of: determination, honesty, passion, self-belief, respect and teamwork. Congratulations to the children nominated by their teachers to receive a school games sports values certificate.

  

• Engineers Assemble

  Wed 26 Jun 2019

  Year 5 travelled to St Ambrose today to take part in a STEM Scientific-Engineering Challenge. The children got the chance to put their critical thinking, resilience, perseverance, questioning techniques, problem solving and collaboration to the test today.

  After a brief tour around the school we were taken to the lab by Mr McDonagh who itroduced us to a variety of civil, building and industrial engineers who had given up their time to come and help the children today. They were brilliant and talked and asked the children questions which were really thought provoking and challenging.

  The class was then split into two groups to tackle the challenges – one was Building a Bridge that could sustain the weight – luckily we had Chris Thomas – who has worked in the industry for 45 years and was a real specialist in bridges. He explained how the different types of bridges are built and how they hold weights and span distances. The children then set off – hard hats, hi-vis jackets and gloves on. They had to use their skills to build the bridge – i am happy to say we lost no one to the depths below as their bridges were constructed properly.

  The second activity was the Tetrahedron building. Using sticks and elastic bands the children constructed sets of Tetrahedrons which they then grouped together in 4’s to make even bigger ones. The final groups of 4 were then lashed together to make one large shape that we could all fit inside. The boys all complained that the girls were better at this challenge because, ‘they have to put bunches and plaits in their hair so know how to use bands!’ I just think they were a bit upset that the girls were amazingly quick at working this one out!

  We travelled by bus to and from the school and the behaviour of the children was brilliant. A credit to the school!

  

• Robinwood – Day 2

  Tue 25 Jun 2019

  Tuesday morning began with all the children being treated to a cooked breakfast before the morning activities began. From 9am, Year 6 were taking part in a wide range of tasks which tested their resilience, teamwork and cooperation skills. Highlights included problem-solving Crystal Maze style tasks in the Dungeon and the Crate Building Challenge. However, most challenging of all was the Piranha Pool, where groups had 40 minutes to complete a series of puzzles in order get themselves across a murky pool of water and out of their escape room, before a throng of bloodthirsty piranhas were released into the water below! Luckily all the children survived with arms and legs intact.

   

  After a brisk lunch, Year 6 had the opportunity to buy treats and souvenirs from the tuck shop and have team photos on Lord Dobroyd’s grand staircase in the centre of the castle. Then it was straight back into action, with the children thriving in high-flying exploits on the Zipwire and the giant swing.

   

  Tea tonight was a choice of pizza and pasta, before we finished the day with two more challenging tasks. All the children went to bed tired and happy with their day’s work.

  

• Robinwood – Day 1

  Mon 24 Jun 2019

  Year 6 have had a great first day at Robinwood. We arrived at 10:20, and after epic climb of doom to the activity centre, children were tasked with making their own beds and putting on duvet covers. Following a well-earned lunch, we were all excited and ready to go with our first activity… Only to be met by a clap of thunder and lightning over the lake! With the first activity cancelled, we took part in a team challenge called “The Eggstranaut”; where we designed, made and tested our own egg spaceships. Well done to Forest Group, who managed to drop an egg from two storeys without it breaking!

   

  Later on, some groups were able to do canoeing and raft-building on the lake. After a great tea of pizza and chips, we completed an evening Team Challenge, before celebrating Boris’ 11th birthday with a special birthday cake. Stay tuned for more updates.

   

  We have taken plenty of photographs, which we will be uploading to the website as soon as possible. We are currently having technical difficulties.

  

• Watersports at the Quays

  Thu 20 Jun 2019

  Year 5 embarked on the first Watersport session down at the Helly Hansen Centre. After much struggling with wetsuits, putting legs into arms and inside out, the children jumped in, literally.

   

  They were split into three groups and enjoyed Kayaking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and then the giant paddleboard which held ten children at once. Everyone seemed to have fun and were nice and cool in the spring sun. More next week.

  

• Wreck It Ralph Pixels

  Thu 20 Jun 2019

  As part of arts week Year 5 enjoyed a visit from Yana Kennedy the artist who worked with the class to create pix-elated portraits of themselves. All were brilliant and some decided to really use the artistic license and create some very unique versions.

  

• 30 minutes daily exercises for parent and child

  Thu 20 Jun 2019

  https://www.activekids.com/exercise/articles/10-exercises-for-a-great-parent-and-kid-workout

• School Games Values

  Fri 14 Jun 2019

  Children in year 4 celebrating their certificate of the value they displayed during today’s PE lesson. Well done!

  

• St Mary’s Superb Swimmers

  Thu 13 Jun 2019

  Just before the half term break the St Mary’s Swimming Squad excelled and won the Swinton Area swimming championships beating five other schools to claim the top prize.

   

  Today the squad travelled to Broughton Leisure Centre for the main Salford Schools Championships and against some very tough competitors, most swimming for local clubs, the team were brilliant and came fourth which is a fantastic achievement.

   

  Well done to all the swimmers from Year 4, 5 and 6 – Sophie, Pippa, Tyler, Finlay, Megan, Niall, Oliver, Emelia, Poppy, Emily, Ashley, Gabriel & Luke.

  

• Clean Air Week: 17th – 23rd June

  Thu 13 Jun 2019

  Children at St Mary’s are our primary concern and their health is at the forefront of our thinking. Next week is the National Clean Air Week and we are hoping that parents, carers, grandparents and the children will be doing their bit for our future.

   

  For all those able, assuming the weather is fine, please try and walk, scooter or ride to school. Leave that car at home and enjoy the fresh spring air and even if it is raining, put on the wellies, grab an umbrella and splash your way to school.

   

  If you do have to use the car, would it be possible to maybe car-share with a few families? Or even use our Park & Stride partner, Aldi, to drop the car and at least enjoy a short walk across the road.

   

  One of the biggest concerns for parents and children is cars. We know that outside the school gates in the morning and afternoon it is chaotic. If you are dropping off or collecting please do park sensibly and Turn Your Engines Off.

   

  We will be having some of the children acting as St Mary’s Traffic Wardens issuing tickets and advising those parents who flout the rules. Please be aware that the children are trying to look after their world and school for future generations and not just ours.

   

  Did you know?

  • Air pollution from exhausts is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease and cancer
  • Children who walk to school are healthier and perform better in class
  • 69% of all UK car journeys are short ones. Try walking or cycling instead.
  • Drivers and their passengers are exposed to fumes as well as people outside the vehicle.
  • Correctly inflated tyres can save fuel and reduce air pollution
  • A recent study has shown that by not ticking over we can reduce air pollution during peak travel hours by as much as 30%.
  • If you need to keep warm, your heater fan will still blow warm air for some time after you turn off your engine

   

  Thank you for all you support next week.