Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

As we look ahead to our inspection from HMIe, which is likely to take place between now and the summer holidays, we are introducing a new weekly feature to our website newsfeed, starting today (Friday 12th January). ‘Friday Focus’ will provide Cathedral parents and carers with important information relating to our upcoming inspection to ensure they are as prepared for the visit as pupils and staff.

This week focuses on the four main Quality Indicators which we will be inspected on:

1.3  Leadership of change

2.3  Learning, teaching and assessment

3.1  Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion

3.2  Raising attainment and achievement

Cathedral Primary has developed pictorial overviews which summarise our school community’s self-evaluation against the above Quality Indicators: these were sent out to all parents and carers via the school app on Friday 12th January. These accessible documents mean that everyone involved in the life and work of our school – staff, parents/carers, our partners and even our older pupils – have a clear understanding of how good Cathedral Primary School is.

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

Primary 1

• I take part in P.E every week.
• I can follow simple instructions in P.E. 
• I can explain why being active is good for me. 
• I can describe what activity does to my body. 
• I take part in active after-school clubs. 
• I am active outside of school. 

Primary 2 – 4

• I enjoy taking part in P.E. and being active.
• I can describe different ways of being active. 
• I can explain why being active is good for my health. 
• I set targets and know what I need to do to improve my performance. 
• I take part in active after-school clubs. 
• I am active outside of school. 

Primary 5 – 7

• I take part in physical activity every day.
• I take part in a variety of sports inside and outside of school. 
• I know why being active is important. 
• I know exercise uses up energy. 
• I know that different forms of exercise challenge my body in different ways. 
• I understand that fair play is important when taking part in physical activity. 

Children who turn 5 between 1st March 2024 and 29th February 2025 should be registered for primary school during the week commencing Monday 15th January 2024.

Here at Cathedral Primary, registration for August 2024 will take place from Monday 15th to Friday 19th January 2024, from 1.30 – 2.45pm each day. Parents and carers should come to the main entrance and will be directed to the dining hall.

A birth certificate and a current council tax notice must be produced at the time of registration.

Information for parent/carers about registration their child for Primary 1 can be obtained by visiting https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/primary-school-registration-p1

Information on submitting a placing request can be obtained by visiting https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/placing-requests

Information on submitting an early entry request can be obtained by visiting https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/early-entry

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2: 11, 12

You only need to cast your eye over our website newsfeed to see just what an incredible and exciting term of learning it’s been here at Cathedral.  As we arrive at the last day of term, please can I thank pupils and staff for all their enthusiasm and hard work throughout this term: you make Cathedral the very special school it is.

Please can I also thank parents and carers, clergy, parishioners and friends of the school for your ongoing support. It is very much appreciated.

I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

See you on Monday 8th January 2024!

This gaggle of Grinches tried to steal Cathedral’s Christmas spirit on Friday 22nd December, but nothing could dampen the fun of our annual Movie Duvet Day! After the busyness of the past few weeks, boys and girls across the school thoroughly enjoyed turning up in their pyjamas and cosying up with their friends to watch a Christmas movie or two during the course of the day… a special end to the term which Danish folk would describe as ‘hygge‘!

Cathedral school choir joined with Motherwell Diocesan Choir on Wednesday 20th December for the annual carol service in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral. The children’s contributions included ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten’, ‘Away in a Manager’ and a funky rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’. Many thanks to Mr Greechan for his work with our choir throughout this term and well done to the children for their beautiful performances during this year’s carol service.

After all the hard work of our Nursery Christmas show, Primary 3 – 7 Christmas concert and Primary 1 and 2 Nativity, Cathedral learners had the opportunity to BE the audience on Wednesday 20th December when M & M Productions performed ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The familiar story was retold with the usual pantomime drama, costumes, songs and humour (oh, yes, it was!) and the festive production was a well-earned treat for pupils (including our nursery children) and staff alike.

Primary 3’s recent Christmas Post enterprise project has raised a fantastic £109 for St Andrew’s Hospice. Not only did the boys and girls have lots of fun developing new skills through the project’s various activities, the children’s incredible teamwork has provided financial support to a vital local charity. Thank you and well done, Primary 3!