Cathedral hosted a consultation event around a new inspection framework/model on Wednesday 26th February. As a representation of Motherwell Diocese, learners from St Bernadette’s, St Brendan’s, Cathedral, Firpark, St John Paul II, St Mary’s in Hamilton and St Francis of Assisi in Baillieston worked with two inspectors from Education Scotland to share their views on what should and shouldn’t be involved in the inspection of schools. It was encouraging to hear learners from across all seven schools give careful consideration as to how inspections could capture the Catholic dimension of a school.
Please continue to pray for Pope Francis, as he remains in hospital:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/olga/2025/02/23/please-pray-for-pope-francis/
Mrs McMichael and Mrs Murphy from Cathedral’s Attainment Team hosted a targeted family learning workshop on Tuesday 25th February at which parents and carers had the opportunity to learn alongside their child using the Read Write Inc. Fresh Start programme. The Attainment Team also provided parents and carers with learning packs to further support their child’s learning at home. There was a great buzz around the room and parent/carer feedback on the sessions was exceptionally positive.
Celebrating their child’s First Holy Communion can place a significant financial strain on families and this is something Cathedral Primary has worked hard to address in recent years. We are delighted to announce that Cathedral received a stock of brand new communion dresses on Monday 24th February to add to our existing collection. Primary 4 parents and carers (as well as Primary 3 families looking ahead to next year) are invited to borrow from our extensive collection of communion dresses rather than go to any unnecessary expense, which could place them under financial pressure. Please call the school and ask to speak with Mrs Duffy or Mrs Campbell, who will deal with all enquiries discreetly.
A group of Primary 6 and 7 learners worked with the Tackling Poverty Team on Monday 24th February to explore how the cost of living is affecting them and other families and suggest what the council could do to help. The team were very impressed with the children’s insight and ideas around the three questions:
Loving and Merciful God,
Here at Cathedral Primary, Friday afternoon is often an opportunity for truly learner-led learning (rather than simply adult-initiated). The above Primary 7 learners spent part of the afternoon of Friday 21st February in their learning street’s Creation Station using the available materials to make intricate paper sushi. They told Mr Young that they intend to extend this learning next week by using their knowledge of electrical circuits to make a conveyor-belt for the sushi. How innovative!
Motherwell is twinned with the Bavarian town of Schweinfurt and our Primary 5 classes are currently enjoying learning about the geography, language, traditions and culture of Germany. These Primary 5 learners (with some Primary 4 pupils looking on with great interest!) turned their hand to a bit of tailoring on Friday 21st February when they worked together to make Lederhosen, the traditional leather breaches worn in southern Germany. Our learners were able to talk about the skills they were using and developing: designing, measuring, creating and working as a team. Meanwhile, just inside the classroom, another group of Primary 5 learners were making pretzels with their teacher. There’s NEVER a dull day in Cathedral!
Primary 4 hosted another successful coffee morning on Friday 21st February. As always, it was great to see the hall filled with families and friends enjoying a catch up over coffee and cake. There was also the added treat of a performance from our Gie it Laldie choir. The event raised a fantastic £630 for school funds.
Mark Huang, a good friend of Mr Young, lives 6000 miles away in Hong Kong and he got in touch on Thursday 20th February to let Mr Young know that Cathedral Primary and the forerunner of the school he attended in HK have something in common: they’re both 150 years old!
Cathedral Primary was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Clare Adamson MSP, Motherwell and Wishaw, on Wednesday 12th February: