Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

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!

Cathedral had two wider achievements to celebrate on Monday 5th February. One Cathedral pupil walked away with the gold medal at the Western District Boxing Championship over the weekend and another was awarded a trophy for scoring a hat-trick during a match for the Motherwell girls under 12s. Well done to you both!

Cathedral enjoyed a friendly football match against St Brendan’s at Our Lady’s High School on Friday 2nd February. Cathedral were in the lead at half time but conceded a goal and then lost 2-1 following a penalty. Both St Brendan’s and Cathedral players were a real credit to their school communities.

Mr Young walked into Primary 5/6 on Friday 2nd February to find the class doing boxercise as part of their weekly two hours of Physical Education. The children were giving it 100% and were certainly working up a sweat during their exercise regime. If Mr Young is ever in need of a bodyguard, he now knows where to come!

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 Cathedral’s approach to Pupil Voice.

It goes without saying that Cathedral’s incredible learners are the most important individuals in our school. Every lesson, every assembly, every resource, every club, every trip, every special event, every change and improvement is about YOUR CHILD flourishing in their learning and reaching their full potential! Smart School Council puts Cathedral learners at the heart of change and improvement and, despite our large size, ensures every pupil has a voice.

Please click on the link below to find out how Smart School Council works and read about some of the improvements Cathedral pupils have led over the past few years.

Smart School Council