Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

This Primary 5 learner was delighted to see his thoughtful idea from back in August come to life on Monday 27th October. A large picture and quotation from Pope Francis has brightened Cathedral’s main stairwell for a number of years. Inspired by this, he suggested to Mr Young that we create a similar display featuring Pope Leo XIV in another stairwell. The new quotation has now been installed and reads:

“Dear young people, aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less.”

Pope Leo’s inspiring words will be a daily reminder of faith and ambition for the Cathedral school community, especially our older learners who are located in this part of the building.

On Saturday 25th October, one of our talented Primary 4 learners took part in an Irish dancing competition in Glasgow. She performed brilliantly, securing an overall third place in the prestigious Shamrock Feis.

Her hard work and dedication were rewarded with an impressive trophy and a stunning crystal Celtic cross, which she accepted with great pride.

We are incredibly proud of her achievement and the way she represented Cathedral Primary with such skill and enthusiasm.

On Monday 27th October, one of our Primary 7 learners proudly represented Cathedral Primary at the North Lanarkshire Council Pupil Conference.

This year’s theme focused on the use of mobile phones in schools—an issue that affects learners across the authority. Our Cathedral representative joined pupils from other schools across North Lanarkshire to share ideas, discuss different perspectives, and contribute to shaping a new local authority policy.

It was a fantastic opportunity for delegates to develop confidence, communication and leadership skills while ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in decisions that directly impact their learning. We are very proud of the thoughtful contribution this particular House Captain made on behalf of Cathedral school community.

Mr Young experienced a lovely moment during his walk around the school on Monday 27th October when he came across Primary 1 and 2 pupils learning the songs for this year’s nativity, ‘Angel Express’.

Although October might seem a bit early to begin rehearsals, co-ordinating a performance with an incredible 128 Primary 1 and 2 learners is no small task! From learning the songs and assigning roles to memorising lines and perfecting choreography, the production is always an exciting but ambitious undertaking. Thankfully, the production is in the exceptionally capable and creative hands of Mrs McCoy!

Excitement is already building and we can’t wait to see the magic come to life in the weeks ahead as Primary 1 and 2 prepare for their festive performance.

Cathedral school community gathered together on Friday 24th October to celebrate Mass in honour of St John Paul II, the extraordinary Polish pope whose dynamic leadership, unwavering passion, and courageous spirit guided the Church from 1978 to 2005. During the Mass, Cathedral’s ninety-one Primary 6 learners made a public commitment to channel the same energy, passion, and courage into their journey through the Pope Francis Faith Award, which they have now embarked upon. Each learner received a wristband to proudly wear as a visible sign of their commitment.

Information on the Pope Francis Faith Award can be accessed via the link below:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/olga/pope-francis-faith-award/

On Thursday 23rd October, as part of their Victorians topic, Primary 4 learners delved into the culinary traditions of the era by exploring organic watercress sandwiches —a popular delicacy among Victorian society. Through hands-on activities, the children learned how watercress was prized not only for its peppery flavour but also for its health benefits, especially during a time when nutrition was becoming a growing concern.

By preparing and tasting their own sandwiches using fresh ingredients, the pupils gained a sensory insight into Victorian life, sparking lively discussions about class, diet, and daily routines in the 19th century.

Mr Young spotted a fantastic art display outside Primary 3/4’s classroom on Tuesday 21st October, inspired by the wonderfully weird world of Tim Burton. Burton’s style mixes spooky themes with playful imagination, creating magical scenes that are both eerie and exciting. Our talented young artists captured this style brilliantly in their self-portraits, using charcoal for tone and shading, and felt pen to add bold lines and detail.

The results? Absolutely spooktacular!

Primary 6b were introduced to Marty the Robot for the very first time on Monday 20th October. Excitement filled the classroom as learners explored Marty’s capabilities and began to understand how this humanoid robot could transform their learning in computing science.

At the core of Marty’s design is a unique walking mechanism, with each limb powered by its own motor. This innovative engineering allows Marty to perform a wide range of realistic movements: walking, turning, kicking a ball, dancing, and even wiggling his eyebrows.

Over the next two weeks, Mrs McCulloch and Primary 6b will trial Marty as part of their computing science. Learners will have the opportunity to code Marty, experiment with problem-solving tasks, and collaborate in groups to design challenges that showcase his abilities. This hands-on experience will not only deepen their understanding of robotics and programming but also develop essential skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and resilience.

At the end of the trial, Primary 6b will present their findings and recommendations to Mr Young, making a case for the purchase of additional humanoid robots for Cathedral’s Investigation & Innovation Hub.