Latest News
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Manic Miners
Fri 13 Apr 2018After lunch and the walk down the Orme it was time to visit the Bronze Age mines. Harriet our guide really enthused the children and their knowledge of the time period was fantastic. We donned the protective gear and entered the mines. There are five miles of tunnels below us but the children were not fazed. If anything they really wanted to enter the lower levels and look for artifacts and remains from the Bronze Age and Victorian eras.After learning that children as young as four or five used to work the mines Finlay quipped, “I’d be about the right size for that!”
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Time to get kitted up!
Fri 13 Apr 2018We finally arrived at the centre and after a tour of the grounds and letting the children draw lots to decide who’s having a top bunk we had dinner. The children have started to learn the layout of the site and all mucked in to serve each other dinner, clean away the plates and some were even asking to wash up!
After a bit of free time, we then went on to one of the most important parts of the Lledr Hall experience; getting our kit. This was actually the best year for children getting ready straight away (bar the usual lacing up boots issues) and the competition between the reds and blues really spurred them on!
Now on for the night ropes course…
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Laughter echoes round the valley!
Fri 13 Apr 2018Perhaps the best introduction to the ethos of Lledr Hall is the Nightline ropes course. It introduces the need for teamwork, honesty and that you must rely on your partner. It is also the most hilarious aspect of the trip! The children take turns in leading each other through the obstacles with only their voices as guidance. Sometimes this is impossible as the falls, tumbles, bumps and wandering are met with howls of laughter and squeals of delight (mostly from the staff).
Each of the teams negotiate the course in pairs and when they are deemed confident enough they both wear the black-out goggles and try and do it together. This is where it gets very interesting as those obstacles they think they remember suddenly become much trickier. At one point we had three children lining up to go through the tunnel whilst their ‘minders’ fell about laughing behind them.
It is a fantastic opener to the weekend at the centre and the bonding between all the children is clear to see. Tomorrow it’s time for the main events…
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St Mary’s Got Talent!
Mon 09 Apr 2018What talented pupils we have here at St Mary’s! Over 50 of our pupils showcased their talents in our annual St Mary’s got Talent infront of the whole school. Talents included singing and dancing, jokes, magic, drumming and balls skills it was a very entertaining afternoon.Well done to our first place winners Holly and Arusha, and runners up Jack and Sienna. Congratulations to everyone who took part – you are an inspiration to all of us!
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Wind and Flame
Mon 09 Apr 2018We have had a fantastic first day of the Summer term today. Our new Religion topic started with a bang… Literally! We have thoroughly discussed energy, namely wind and fire. In groups, we talked about all the uses of wind and fire, but also how they can both be dangerous.
We felt the effects of the wind on our balloons outside and are all looking forward to the rest of the topic learning about the Holy Spirit.
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Beaten finalists
Wed 28 Mar 2018Year 2 and year 3 took part in the Manchester United football in the community tournament.
Year 2 won all their league games, but unfortunately lost in the final 1-0.
Year 3 reached the final through winning the semi final, but lost 5-1.
A great team performance by both year groups – they made St Mary’s proud.
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Refugees and migration workshop
Wed 28 Mar 2018Year 6, through the help of the British Red Cross, explored the assumptions about the terms such as ‘refugee’, ‘migrant’ and ‘asylum seeker’.
They have come to understand why someone might have to flee their home. They analysed the harmful effects of unwelcoming, hostile or discriminating behaviour.
Finally, they then considered how individual actions can help someone feel more welcome.
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Stations of The Cross
Wed 28 Mar 2018Today we held our annual ‘Stations of The Cross’ reflection. Each class has helped in painting the stations and writing a prayer to represent each one. The children were thoughtful, reverent and listened carefully to the scripture as they walked through the story of the Stations of The Cross. Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who joined us in our prayer and reflection. We hope you all have a happy and Holy Easter.
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St Mary’s celebrates World Down Syndrome Day!
Wed 21 Mar 2018Today is World Down Syndrome Day and the children in school attended an assembly where they learnt about Down Syndrome and how people with Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21. The chromosomes in our DNA looks like funky socks!
The biscuits sold out very quickly and we have raised an amazing amount of £210 for the Down Syndrome Support Group called DSWest Pennine.
Our cook has promised to bake some more biscuits for the children who didn’t have a chance to buy one.
At the end of our assembly we watched a video published by the Down Syndrome Association to mark the celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. You can watch it here
Thank you for your kind donations.
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British Red Cross visits Yr6
Wed 21 Mar 2018Year 6 took part in a First aid workshop. They discussed the key actions that need to be administered when dealing with an unresponsive and breathing person.
Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing. Followed by turning on thir side before phoning 999.
This was then taken one step further when dealing with an unresponsive and NOT breathing person – administering chest compressions.
Finally, they hot to use a defibrillator on a mannequin.
It has helped the children to understand, cope with, and take action in a crisis.
