The National Schools Singing Programme has been running in Motherwell Diocese for the past year. After a hugely successful start in 
four Glasgow schools in the west of the diocese, the project has now been extended to Cathedral, St Bernadette’s and St Brendan’s Primaries as well as Our Lady’s High School.
Mr James Greechin, NSSP Choral Director, was in Cathedral for the first of his weekly sessions with Primary 4 pupils on Thursday 14th September and the boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed the various songs and interactive music activities. Mr Greechin will also take a P4 – 7 choir each week which will have the opportunity to sing at various school, parish and diocesan liturgies.
Singing and music have always been important in Cathedral Primary, so we’re very excited about this aspect of school and parish life being strengthened through the National Schools Singing Programme. You can find out more about the programme on the NSSP website:
Read Write Inc. Phonics is now into its third year in Cathedral Primary and, as an integral part of our holistic approach to teaching infant literacy, has led to increased attainment in reading and writing. Even at this early stage of the year, our new Primary 1s have learned 13 sounds and are already starting to ‘Fred Talk’ (blending these sounds into simple words).
Cathedral school community, along with parents and families, gathered for our first Mass of the year on Friday 8th September, the feast of Our Lady’s Birthday. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Stephen and the liturgy was led by Primary 6 pupils. The children, including our new Primary 1s, participated attentively and prayerfully and Fr Stephen complimented them on their beautiful singing and confident responses. 
Following the Fundraising Committee meeting
on Wednesday 6th September, we can confirm that this year’s ever-popular Family Night will take place on Friday 10th November. There will be the usual entertainment and stalls, with something to appeal to people of all ages. Tickets will be £3 for an adult and £1 for a child and will go on sale later this term. Please save the date in your diary!
Mr Young – with the help of Mrs Campbell – finally solved the mystery of the three blocks of standstone which, until 4th September, lay at the front of the school. It turns out they were part of the original school building in Park Street and, upon closer investigation, Mr Young noticed the date the school was founded (1895) carved into the stone. The stones, along with a statue of Our Lady, have now been relocated to a peaceful corner of the playground, providing Cathedral Primary with a beautiful memorial to our school’s long and rich history as well as a quiet outdoor space for prayer and reflection.
A recent reading book on the electric guitar really caught Primary 6b’s interest and the class were very excited to come across an actual
electric guitar in the music room. One pupil popped along to ask Mr Young if they could take the guitar up to their classroom and Mr Young (who had a wee bit of inside knowledge!) said ‘absolutely’, but on the condition that the pupil’s dad came in to play the electric guitar for the class. Mr Saunders was delighted to accept and spent the afternoon of Friday 1st September talking Primary 6b through the workings of the electric guitar and entertaining the children with some well known guitar riffs.
Cathedral Primary was a hive of activity on Thursday 31st August for ‘Meet the Teacher’. Pupils had the chance to show their parents/carers their
classroom and learning street, and parents/carers had the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher. The boys and girls were also given the very important job of talking their parents/carers through Cathedral’s new approach to marking and feedback, which is now up and running in every classroom.
Many congratulations to our twelve newly-elected House Captains. House Captains play a vital role in Cathedral Primary, not only representing our six Houses, but also heading-up the work of Smart School Council. Smart 
School Council gives every pupil in our school community a voice and is instrumental in bringing about ongoing change and improvement in Cathedral Primary School. 
Each and every parent and carer plays a vital role in helping their child maximise their potential and flourish in school. A range of opportunities have been planned between now and Christmas for parents and carers to get involved in their child’s learning and the life and work of the school. Please click on the link below to access our August – December Parental Engagement & Family Learning leaflet.