Latest News

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• 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.

  

• June Online Safety Update – Yolo

  Mon 03 Jun 2019

  YOLO is an anonymous question and answer app that works in combination with Snapchat. With the recent concerns regarding Snapchat and its frequent use for online grooming and abuse it seems the anonymity of Yolo is also in question. It also has a 13+ age rating which means parents of primary school children are advised to avoid allowing access.

   

  In May 2019 it became the most downloaded app only a week after its release and with no prior marketing or promotion.

   

  It has become hugely popular amongst children, particularly teenagers, as it offers them the opportunity to join in anonymous Q&A without having to reveal their identities, which often encourages more honest and open peer feedback.

   

  This can offer kids a real sense of self worth when they receive positive comments on their posts but can also have serious drawbacks if abused.

   

  Here at St Mary’s we strive to ensure that all our children are safe online and both they and parents are aware of any potential issues in the cyber world.

  

• Year 6 treat!

  Fri 24 May 2019

  We would like to say a massive well done to all of our year 6 pupils for their hard word and determination throughout SATs week. We are proud of every one of you! The pupils had a great time letting off steam in Victoria Park and having a bite to eat at McDonalds.

  

• The Orchard

  Tue 21 May 2019

  Year 6 children were today helping Mr Sabatino and the Eco-Committee in planting a selection of fruit trees for the new allotment area – or the Orchard as it has been fondly named.

   

  In thanks to a fantastic and very generous donation from Daikin UK and organised by our Year 6 parent, Mr Warrington, we are planning to create and build a fantastic area which can be used by all classes for growing fruit and vegetables. It will have amazing cross-curricular links with Geography, Science, Maths, Creative arts and much more.

   

  We hope to see the raised beds being made on site with Mr Sabatino, Mr Chadwick and the children of St Mary’s really being involved in the build. I think we will even have some of Daikin’s employees coming to lend a hand. We hope to have the allotment area finished by the end of the Summer term and ready for all to use.