Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School

Two pupils and two members of staff from St Michael’s Primary, Moodiesburn, visited Cathedral on Tuesday 23rd May to find out about Smart School Council. Smart School Council, which gives every pupil in Cathedral a voice, has been in place for over a year and has driven forward a number of changes and improvements including the design of our new library and our anti-bullying poster campaign. Three of our House Captains led the tour and talked through how Smart School Council works. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed their visit and left inspired to get Smart School Council up and running in St Michael’s.

Primary 1 pupils took to the stage on Friday 2nd June for their Learning Showcase, all about people who help us. The children spoke out with huge confidence and entertained their families with lots of catchy songs, complete with actions.

What a journey the children have been on in their learning since they started school way back in August… the boys and girls are definitely ready for Primary 2!

Wider Achievements are an integral part of the Cathedral curriculum and a recent achievement of this Primary 4 pupil was truly remarkable. Over several visits to the swimming pool, he swam the equivalent length of the Strathclyde Loch and raised an impressive £342 for SCIAF. Well done!

The sun shone for our parish community’s First Holy Communions on Saturday 13th May, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. 52 Cathedral pupils received Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time.

The Cathedral was packed for the two Masses, celebrated by Fr Lamb and Fr Stephen, and the choir led the music beautifully. Each liturgy finished with the children singing a thanksgiving hymn called ‘You are my strength when I am weak’, followed by the entire congregation lifting the roof with ‘How great Thou art’.

Many congratulations to all of those children who received their First Eucharist and many thanks to their parents, families and teachers for preparing them for the sacrament. We keep the boys and girls in our prayers as they continue on their faith journey.

Cycling is an important life skill and cycling safely, with confidence, is key to enjoyment and participation. Cycling also helps to develop lifelong habits of regular physical activity.

Bikeability is based on the government approved National Standards for cycle training and the above Primary 7 pupils recently achieved Level 1 of the award. Many congratulations to you all!

Primary 2 pupils spent a fun-filled day at Five Sisters Zoo on Wednesday 10th May. As well as having the opportunity to see lots of different animals including bears, arctic foxes and red pandas, the children enjoyed a fascinating workshop on bugs and mini-beasts.

The boys and girls rounded off their visit with fun in the soft-play area and, before they left, were complimented by Five Sisters Zoo staff on their enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour. Well done, AMAZING Primary 2s!

Primary 6 pupils made the short walk to Motherwell Heritage Centre on Tuesday 9th May to enjoy a workshop on the Romans, a topic they’ve just rounded off in class.

The children were fascinated by the ancient artifacts and absolutely loved dressing up as Roman soldiers and learning how to tie a toga. It certainly brought history to life for our young learners!

Cathedral is so fortunate to have such a fantastic resource right here on our doorstep.

Primary 2 pupils took to the stage on Friday 5th May for their Learning Showcase, all about Knights and Castles. Parents and families were taken on a virtual tour (all in rhyme and punctuated with plenty of enthusiastic singing) around Scotland, visiting Stirling, Culzean, Balmoral and Edinburgh castles. There was even a surprise appearance of King Charles!

Mr Young said it was hard to believe the children on stage were only P2 as their confident, expressive reading was so impressive.

Well done, Primary 2!

Primary 3 pupils enjoyed a fascinating trip to New Lanark on Thursday 4th May. As well as the opportunity to explore the former 18th Century cotton mill village on the banks of the Clyde (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the children had three different workshops.

During the course of the day, the children were transported back in time to a Victorian classroom. Dressed as  Victorian pupils, the children practised cursive handwriting and completed arithmetic questions using an abacus.

The ‘Annie McLeod Experience’ was a huge hit with the children. They were taken on a fascinating journey of discovery by the ghost of mill worker Annie McLeod who told her story of life in New Lanark in 1820.

The children also enjoyed a guided tour to see how the the villagers of New Lanark lived. They saw an 1820s Millworkers’ House and found out that often ten or more people lived in one room!

What a very different world it was back in the Victorian era!

Mr Young and Mrs Duffy travelled to Lendrick Muir after school on 4th May to have dinner and spend part of the evening with the children. Both were delighted to see the children so happy and settled in the place they had called home for the week.

Mr Young and Mrs Duffy also got the chance to sample some of the delicious food the children had enjoyed during their stay. They’d certainly been well fed!

Mr Young would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the boys and girls on all their achievements at Lendrick Muir and to thank all of the adults who gave so generously of their time: Mrs McCoy, Mrs McLaughlan, Miss Cameron, Miss Degnan, Mrs Stevenson, Fr Stephen and Mr Feeney. So proud of you, Team Cathedral!