Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

Mr Young won’t be at his usual spot saying ‘Good Morning’ to pupils and parents on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th October as he’ll be attending the annual national conference for Catholic Primary Head Teachers. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and will bring together almost 200 Catholic Head Teachers from across Scotland. Fr Gary Chamberland, Director of the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin, will be the main speaker.

Mr Young, who is the current President of CHAPS (Catholic Headteachers Association: Primary Schools), thought it might be helpful for Cathedral parents and carers to know what his two days out of school will entail. The conference programme can be accessed via the link below:

CHAPS conference 2024 Pilgrims of Hope

Mr Young enjoyed a sneak preview of Primary 7’s learning showcase, all about Amazing Africa, on Wednesday 2nd October. Through words, music, dance and art, the boys and girls presented an array of fascinating information on African geography, wildlife, culture and famous figures, including Nelson Mandela. The showcase concluded with an African proverb which offers wise advice to us all:

‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’

Well done, Primary 7, on your vibrant and fascinating showcase: your families and the rest of the school are in for a treat when they see it on Friday 4th!

House Captains held the first Smart School Council surgery of the year in the outdoor classroom on Wednesday 2nd October. The monthly surgery works alongside our suggestion box and gives Cathedral learners the opportunity to speak to House Captains about things they’d like to see change or improve in our school. Suggestions this month include getting more playground toys for Primary 1 pupils and offering more vegan options in the dining hall. House Captains will bring the various suggestions to the next Smart School Council communications team meeting and agree on those which will be taken forward during Term 2.

As part of our Campus Connections programme, a group of Cathedral pupils joined their friends from Firpark and Clydeview Primary Schools on Tuesday 1st October for ‘Beats of Brazil’. Learners from across the campus had great fun trying out the drums and enjoying a bit of limbo dancing. What a fantastic way for Cathedral pupils to live-out our second school value of ‘Connection’!

You can read more about Campus Connections via the link below:

Campus Connections | (glowscotland.org.uk)

As the month of October begins, a special display has appeared in the school library dedicated to Black History Month. We hope the books on this display will highlight the achievements of the black community, celebrate their many contributions to our country and help Cathedral pupils learn about key black historical figures who have helped make Britain and the world what it is today.

October’s wellbeing indicator is HEALTHY. Please use the prompts below to talk to your child about this indicator. This will help them complete their wellbeing wheel in school.

Nursery and Primary 1

• I can eat in the dinner hall (or ‘Cathedral Café’ in the nursery) with others.
• I can talk about foods that are healthy. 
• I can talk about foods that are unhealthy. 
• I can make and eat foods that are new to me. 
• I can make food from simple recipes. 
• I know how to be hygienic around food. 
• I drink water to keep me healthy. 
• I can look after my teeth. 
• I know when I need to wash my hands. 

Primary 2 – 4

• I can show good table manners.
• I can choose, make and eat a range of foods that are new to me. 
• I can follow a recipe to make healthy food for different events. 
• I know that my dietary needs change as I get older. 
• I know how to be hygienic around food. 
• I can sort foods into the main food groups. 
• I can explain my food likes and dislikes. 
• I know why water keeps me healthy. 
• I can look after my own personal hygiene. 
• I know how much sleep I need to stay healthy. 

Primary 5 – 7

• I have strategies to help manage and control my emotions.
• I take care of my own personal hygiene. 
• I can prepare and select a variety of foods for a range of situations. 
• I can describe and prepare a healthy eating plan. 
• I am aware of current healthy eating advice. 
• I can list the 5 nutrient groups. 

Two new Head Choristers and three Assistant Head Choristers were recently appointed by NSSP Choral Director, Mr Greechin. The appointments are not only in recognition of these five pupils’ singing ability but also of their commitment to the choir and their strong leadership qualities. Many congratulations to you all!

Our new Primary 1 pupils were formally welcomed to Cathedral Primary School at a special Mass in the cathedral on Thursday 26th September. Following the opening hymn, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know’, Fr Lamb said a prayer of blessing over the children, asking God to be with them throughout their journey through Cathedral Primary.

Our ‘Ignite’ junior chaplains were commissioned during the course of the Mass and each received a Blessed Carlo Acutis medal and prayer card. Cathedral teachers also renewed their commitment to their vocation as Catholic educators in the presence of the school and parish community.

Pupils raised the roof with the closing hymn, ‘If I were a butterfly’, specially picked for our Primary 1 learners.

For you gave me a heart

and you gave me a smile;

you gave me Jesus

and you made me your child.

But I just thank you, Father,

for making me ME!

As we reach the end of another exciting week of learning here at Cathedral, please make sure you’ve checked your child’s school bag for our ‘Talking to your child about their learning’ leaflet. An electronic copy can be accessed via the link below:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/nl/olga/talking-to-your-child-about-their-learning/

At their Smart School Council class meetings on Monday 9th September, pupils across the school were asked the question: ‘What can we change about or add to our learning street wellbeing areas to better support our wellbeing?’.

In response to the children’s suggestions, wellbeing baskets have now been added to learning streets. These include an MP3 player to listen to calming music, a worry monster, stress balls, mindfulness colouring books, fidget toys and a book of prayers. We hope these wellbeing baskets will be really helpful on those occasions when one of our learners needs a wee bit of space and quiet time.