Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

This Primary 2 pupil spent part of her recent long weekend painting this beautiful picture for Mr Young. She blended different shades of blue paint to create the striking background before painting the trunk and branches of a tree and adding paper leaves. The tree can, of course, be seen all around Cathedral Primary and Nursery and signifies that we are all connected and continually growing together as a community of faith and learning. The painting also features our school values of Love, Connection, Perseverance and Growth. Mr Young was  very touched by the beautiful gift, which will be given pride of place in our upstairs Meeting Room.

As we continue to look ahead to our inspection from HMIe, which is likely to take place between now and the summer holidays, this week’s Friday Focus is on personalised support.

Cathedral Primary is committed to providing high-quality personalised support so that all of our young learners achieve success and reach their full potential.

At classroom level, our ‘Active8’ approach to organising learning and teaching across each day allows teachers to provide differentiated teaching input to groups and individuals. This means that teaching input is carefully matched to each child’s ability and learning needs. Cathedral pupils have frequent opportunities to discuss their learning with their teacher, who helps them to set next steps.

Beyond the classroom, our ‘A Team’ provides targeted support to pupils to address gaps in their learning or support them in aspects of literacy or numeracy they are struggling with. Please click on the link below to access our ‘A Team’ leaflet:

A Team Parent info February 2024

Cathedral also offers several Health and Wellbeing interventions including ‘Seasons for Growth’ and ‘Cool Connections’.

Pupils with specific additional support needs have a GIRFMe plan which is reviewed and updated in partnership with pupils and parents/carers three times a year.

Of course, key to ALL personalised support is Cathedral staff knowing each and every pupil as an individual, responding quickly to changes in their circumstances and removing any barriers to their learning as soon as these arise.

“I can listen to new words and phrases and use them in context.”

In Cathedral Nursery this week, we have been focusing on sharing, kindness and building friendships. We introduced the story “Have you filled a bucket today?” encouraging the children to share their emotions through communication and play.

“I can independently choose resources to make choices in my everyday experiences.”

In the snack area, the children have been developing their independence in preparing meals using a variety of cutting, spreading and measuring tools.

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, is on 14th February.

Lent isn’t just about giving things up but, more importantly, doing something extra to deepen our faith and grow closer to God. To help us on our Lenten journey, Fr Lamb will celebrate Mass in the gym hall at 8.15am every Tuesday and Friday morning, beginning on Friday 16th February.

A warm welcome is extended to all pupils, parents, staff and parishioners.

Primary 4 took their audience on an exciting tour of North Lanarkshire during their Learning Showcase on Friday 9th February. The audience learned about the Ravenscraig steelworks, Carfin Grotto, different jobs and careers in North Lanarkshire and leisure opportunities to enjoy in the local area, including M&Ds. The showcase was filled with fun and humour from beginning to end and even included mini versions of Mr Young, Mrs Campbell and Mrs Duffy!

Well done to Primary 4 for showcasing their recent learning about living and working in North Lanarkshire in such a vibrant, fun and informative way. Thanks too to Mrs Tominey, Mrs Loose, Mrs McCulloch and Mr Feeney for all their hard work preparing the children for their big day.

As we continue to look ahead to our inspection from HMIe, which is likely to take place between now and the summer holidays, this week’s Friday Focus is on opportunities for wider achievement.

Cathedral Primary School is proud of its high academic standards and has an unwavering commitment to ensuring all pupils reach their full potential in literacy and numeracy. However, Cathedral also provides numerous opportunities for pupils to experience a variety of achievements in the classroom, the wider school community, at home and in the local and global community.  These opportunities and new challenges develop the confidence and resilience of our pupils.

OLGA Cathedral Primary School offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities (known as Come Clubbing @ Cathedral), providing pupils with opportunities to develop and hone knowledge and skills out with the classroom setting. These clubs are run by staff, volunteers and in conjunction with Active Schools and local organisations.  Extra-curricular clubs include weekly Friday Football which runs throughout the year.

Central to wider achievements in OLGA Cathedral Primary School is our bespoke ‘Rose Trainer Achievement Award’, named after the very first Head Teacher of the parish school (1878 – 1881). This special award helps Cathedral Primary School recognise and celebrate pupils’ wider achievements and acquisition of essential life-skills.  Pupils work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold across each of the seven levels (Entry Level, Infant Level 1, Infant Level 2, Junior Level 1, Junior Level 2, Senior Level 1 and Senior Level 2), gaining recognition for such things as being able to dress themselves independently, helping out with chores at home, making a difference in the local community, preparing a meal for their family and doing random acts of kindness.  Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates are awarded for each level, with a gold badge being awarded on completion of Entry, Infant 2, Junior 2 and Senior 2 levels.

Wider achievements are regularly celebrated at assembly and on the school website newsfeed.

A group of volunteers gave generously of their time on Wednesday 7th February to help out with our Nursery Ground Force Day. Following the cold winter months and recent storms, the small but eager team worked their socks off clearing and tidying the outdoor area of our nursery. What a transformation! Thank you to each and every one of you from the whole Cathedral family!

A group of Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils teamed-up on Wednesday 7th February for Ground Force Day. Armed with gloves, litter-pickers, rakes and even hack-saws (under the watchful eye of Mrs McCarthy, Mrs Findlay and Mrs Shevlin) this incredible army of workers gave Cathedral’s grounds a major spring clean. Thank you to each and every one of you! WHAT A TEAM!

A team of Cathedral pupils took part in the North Lanarkshire Active Schools girls tournament at Braidhurst High School on Tuesday 6th January. Apart from one draw against Ladywell Primary, the girls won all seven of their matches:

Cathedral v Glencairn PS: 7 – nil

Cathedral v Ladywell PS: 1 – nil; 1 – 1

Cathedral v Newarthill PS: 4 – nil; 2 – nil

Cathedral v Our Lady & St Francis: 3 – nil

Cathedral v Christ the King PS: 1 – nil

What an incredible result! Well done, team!

The staff wellbeing board in Cathedral’s staffroom received a makeover on Monday 5th February. Sweet treats are currently on offer for our hard-working teachers and support staff, there’s the chance to choose a book to curl up with on a dark winter’s night and also a wee reminder that Mrs Murphy’s famous Lenten scones are coming soon!

Many thanks to Mrs Murphy for co-ordinating our staff wellbeing activities and to the incredible Cathedral staff for all you do for our young learners each and every day. It doesn’t go unnoticed!