Once again we look back at what has been a very busy and exciting session for the staff and pupils here at Our Lady of the Missions Primary School.
Confirmations
This final term began with the Confirmation of our Primary Seven pupils at St. Vincent Church and St. Mirin’s Cathedral. Both masses were very moving and spiritual occasions for all who took part.
Our recent Leavers’ Mass was a most uplifting service. The children’s singing was outstanding! Special mention to our musicians, Mairead McGrotty and James Gallagher from P7 assisted by Lewis and Rachel Murphy and Kathleen O’Hara, all former pupils. Now we look forward to the Leavers’ Ceilidh on Monday night. Thanks to the PSA for funding this lovely evening, and thanks to Mrs Young and Mrs Doherty who made the corsages and buttonholes for the children.
Knights and Castles Exhibition
The Primary Five classes played host to parents at a very well attended Knights and Castles exhibition where everyone was transported back to Medieval times. Thanks to the parents who contributed their project management skills in the design and construction of some very elaborate model castles!
May
The month of May is always a very special month in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar when we honour Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May devotions were well attended and prayerfully led by Mrs Baird and Mrs Collins.
The Fatima Group were very impressed with our children during their talk at assembly and were very pleased to welcome staff, pupils and parents to the ‘Morning with Mary’ in St. Joseph’s Church.
We also celebrated First Communion in each of our local parishes. The children participated with great reverence and joy. They were a credit to their parents and to the school. Thanks to the PSA for funding the certificates and celebrations for the children.
Health Week
The Health week in May was for most pupils one of the highlights of the year. There were so many activities, exhibitions, visiting speakers and workshops organised by Mrs Haveron here in the school. The variety on the week long programme was immense with so many parents contributing their skills and talents. Thank you to everyone.
Money Week
Mrs Neil organised a highly successful “finance week” throughout the school and once again we welcomed many visitors and parents with particular talents in this field into the school and challenged the pupils’ finance skills and their ability to handle money sensibly. Well done to everyone.
LEPRA and Charitable Works
Charity is never far away from our hearts here at Our Lady of the Missions. This was demonstrated in our amazing fund raising efforts this year held during Advent and Lent and also as a result of our Lepra workout which raised nearly six thousand pounds. Many thanks to all who supported this worthwhile cause, and indeed for your contribution towards SCIAF, Mission Matters Scotland, Women’s Aid, the Kuya Centre in Manila and other chosen charities. Our total this year was a staggering £12,092!
Can I ask for your support on one last occasion? Miss Sweeney is going to the Good Life Orphanage in Kenya to volunteer during the holiday. We will have a NON UNIFORM DAY on Wednesday and a small donation would allow her to take a contribution directly to the orphanage. Many thanks.
Parent Council
The Parent Council has had another busy year. Members have met regularly both at regular council meetings and as part of various sub groups. Working on your behalf Anne Forsyth, chairperson and Gillian Boyle, vice chairperson have led the groups and ensured that discussions have ultimately resulted in very positive outcomes. The work of the Parent Council this year is detailed in their recently emailed newsletter. Thank you to Anne, Gillian and all Council members for their commitment to the school this session.
Parent Staff Association
A tremendous vote of thanks to the PSA led by Mr Joe Shaw, chairperson this session. The PSA continue to work tirelessly to raise funds and support pupils throughout the year with fun activities such as parties and ceilidhs for pupils and their parents.
The annual Summer Fete, which raised in excess of £3000, was a great success and testimony to the hard work and dedication shown by the PSA committee. Thank you to everyone concerned! Please see the PSA Summer Newsletter for an update on their activities this term.
Recent Successes
The Glasgow University Mathematical Challenge allowed a group of budding mathematicians to demonstrate their knowledge through a series of very challenging mathematical problem solving activities throughout the year. Overall, we were awarded two silver and ten bronze awards. Congratulations to Paul Hayes and Euan Stirling who attended the prize giving in Glasgow University to receive their Silver Awards.
P7 pupils, Holly Edgar, Jonathan Kent, Nicola Martin and Euan Stirling participated in the annual Rotary Club competition and came third in the East Renfrewshire heat.
Niamh Boyle and Sally Smart from P6 won through to the area finals of the K’Nex Challenge at the City of Glasgow College and put up a stalwart opposition to the finalists in their annual design and technology competition.
Brendan Coyle, Charlie Mone, Callum Holmes and Luke Gallagher from P6 won the East Renfrewshire round of the Euro Quiz and enjoyed participating in the final at the Scottish Parliament.
This year saw the introduction of football into Primary One – OLM 2007 and the award of Quality Mark and Disability Inclusive Status to our school football coaches. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our football coaches we now have teams throughout the school. Eight players were selected for the SFA 2020 squad and some of our teams took part in the finals of the Scottish Schools Cup and the Bridge of Weir Gala Day. Thanks to Paul MacConnell for coordinating proceedings.
The Matthew Carney Memorial Tournament was a brilliant day, demonstrating competitive spirit but true sportsmanship. Well done to Paul MacConnell, Frank McAndrew, Gary Sloan, Nick McCaffery, Lenny Gara and Frank Murray, football coaches from P7, for all of their tremendous work over the years.
Congratulations also to Ciaran McAndrew who was chosen by the P7 coaches to receive the Matthew Carney Trophy for his sportsmanship and good example to the other primary seven footballers.
Congratulations to Oonagh O’Sullivan P5b the overall winner of the Stamperland Logo Competition and well done to all our participants.
Cycling Proficiency/Bikeability
Thank you to Mrs Wright in our school office and to P5/P6/P7 staff members who, in all weathers, put the Primary Six pupils through their “Bikeability” training and prepared them for their assessment this week. This is a rigorous process to ensure the highest standards are maintained and that children are well prepared to take their bikes out on what can be very busy roads. Thanks to Mr Greg Brown and his team from East Renfrewshire Council who tested the children this week.
Sports Day
In order for sports day for almost 800 children to run like clockwork we require a high level of organisation and coordination. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year’s Sports Day highly successful, particularly to Mrs Devlin DHT who masterminded the programme! The house colours were in full view throughout the day and the children thoroughly enjoyed the ice cream provided by the PSA.
House System
As you know the “house system” was introduced this year with house winners being announced at our weekly assemblies. Each house has had the honour of receiving the trophy. The overall winning house for this year is St Conval’s and each member of the house will be rewarded with a visit from the Wee G interactive bus on Monday or Tuesday of next week – onwards and upwards for next year.
Retirements and Appointments
On behalf of everyone associated with Our Lady of the Missions Primary School I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Eileen Munro and Mrs Moira Logue, Pupil Support Assistants who are both retiring next week after long and fruitful careers. We have benefited from their tremendous talents and nurturing approaches. We wish them health and happiness for the future.
Congratulations to Mrs Maureen Cumming who will join us in August as a Principal Teacher appointed from St Joseph’s Primary School.
Miss Natalie Dunn, Miss Sarah McClay and Miss Marie Kane have secured permanent appointments in Our Lady of the Missions and return in August along with Miss Mairead Sweeney, Miss Gillian Quinn, Miss Rachel Lamb, Mrs Louise Collins, Miss Caroline McKenna and Mrs Lisa Kennedy who have all been awarded temporary contracts for next session.
We have two newly qualified teachers to complete our teaching staff, Miss Gemma Carroll and Ms Anne-Marie Kelly. Mrs Sharon Gillespie will return and Mrs Ann Munoz from Kirkhill Primary School will join us and will take up appointments as Pupil Support Assistants next session.
A special word of thanks and our best wishes are extended to Mrs Karin Gilhooly Head Teacher of Glenwood Nursery who takes an early retirement next week. She has been a wonderful colleague and friend who has given great dedication and service to the children here as part of the St Ninian’s Cluster of schools. We wish her well in everything that she sets out to achieve in the future.
Please note that school finishes at 1.00pm on Wednesday 26th June and re-opens for children on Wednesday 14th August (12th & 13th August being in-service days for staff)
I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, safe summer break. Many thanks again for all your support which makes Our Lady of the Missions such a great community. I look forward to working with you again in August. For those of you for whom this is your last contact with the school, I wish you and your families every good wish for the future.
Yours sincerely
Charles Jamieson
Head Teacher
