Our Lady and St. Francis Primary School

It was a short but busy week  for pupils last week.

We welcomed our new Primary One children and their parents on Wednesday for our first induction day.  The children got to meet with their buddies and teacher and spend some time in their classrooms. Our existing Primary One pupils put on a welcome assembly for them and did exceptionally well.

On Friday it was our First Friday Mass and coffee morning and P4/5 led the Liturgy.  Thank you to all who contributed, participated, helped or attended.

Primary Four children had a practice in the Church for their upcoming First Holy Communion on Friday too.

For our week ahead, our Primary 4 children will make their Confessions on Monday in preparation for First Holy Communion.   On Tuesday, they will have a retreat over at the Grotto, led by Mrs McMahon.

The Rag Bags will be collected on Tuesday, so if you’ve not already had a clear out, there’s still time!

P7s will be having anti-bullying sessions on Tuesday; P6s will receive this on Wednesday.

P7s will have their photographs taken by the Motherwell Times on Wednesday.  Also on Wednesday, Pupil Council representatives will attend a North Lanarkshire Pupil Council event and P1s will have their medical checks.

Wednesday is day two of infant inductions so we welcome back our new parents and children and kick off the afternoon with a tasty school dinner!

On Thursday, Taylor High staff will visit our P7 pupils and some of our budding footballers will attend a football festival at the Ravenscraig.  Mary’s Meals will pick up their backpack appeal collection, so again, if you’ve not already contributed there’s still time.  Primary 4 children will go back to Church for a practice before Saturday.

On Saturday, our first set of children make the Sacrament of First Holy Communion at 11 o’clock in St. Xavier Church.  A letter with final arrangements will be issued tomorrow with full details.  I am sure you will remember them and their families in your prayers.

…..and we are now in term 4!

This week, our Primary 1 and 2 pupils had a visit from Childsmile on Wednesday, and our Primary 5 pupils continued with their swimming block.  On Wednesday evening, our Confirmation Information Evening was very well attended by our Primary 6 and 7 parents.

Our nursery children visited the Transport Museum on Thursday and had a great time.

Looking to our week ahead, our Primary 7 pupils will be visited by Mr Mark Dorris from Taylor High School on Monday morning.  On Wednesday, our Primary 4 pupils will visit the Church as part of their First Holy Communion preparations, and Primary 5 will continue with their swimming lessons.

Friday is the last day of our school before our May Day holiday; on Monday 1st May the school will be closed to pupils and parents for the bank holiday.  Please also note, Thursday 4th May is an in-set day as our school is used as a polling station.

We are in the midst of collecting ‘Rag-Bags’ to raise funds for our school.  If you have any unwanted clothing etc. please hand in your bags this week as they will be being collected very soon.

Our Primary 7 pupils were visited by both the Maths and English departments this week and P5 swimming lessons continued.  P5 swimming lessons continued on Wednesday.

Our Primary 1 pupils were absolute superstars at their assembly on Thursday afternoon and there were a few proud and emotional mums at their performance.

On Friday, we had a non-uniform, fun day as part of our Lenten fundraisers.  A huge thank you must go to Mrs Taggart and Mrs Crooks for all of their hard work in organising our Lenten events this year.

For our week ahead – Taylor High English department visits and P5 swimming lessons continue.  Friday is our last day before our spring break, and we have a 2.30pm finish on Friday.

Friday is also movie day, and it is the last of our Lenten fundraiser events.  Please remember to send in your donation for this.

We hope you all have a restful break, and look forward to welcoming you all back on Tuesday 18th April.

Primary 7 had a visit from the English Department at Taylor High School.  This is will be followed up by 2 more visits, as part of their transition.

The school choir attended the Glasgow Music Festival on Tuesday and were very successful, placing 2nd and 4th.  Thank you to Miss McGhee for preparing and taking them and well done to all the children involved.  This is a great achievement.

Mr Maxwell attended the Cross Country finals in Shotts , where 11 children participated in various events.  Every child performed so well and we even had some personal bests.  Well done, everyone!

Primary Three visited the church this week and were shown around by Deacon Jim.  They were very well behaved and respectful, showing readiness for the Sacrament of Reconciliation next week.

All classes participated in Karate taster sessions this week, where they tried various poses.  We had quite a few naturals!

Primary 5 started their swimming block this week.  They represented the school very well and Miss O’Donnell was delighted with their eagerness to participate.

Friday was PJ and Onsie day.  This was part of our Lenten Charity events and we were delighted to see all children participating.  We have never seen so many different onsies and PJ’s.

This Week

We are delighted to welcome back Mrs Shearer this week, who will return to work on Wednesday.  The staff and pupils have missed her terribly and we are delighted to have her back.

Monday – English Department for P7.

Tuesday – P4 visit the church.

P3 make their Reconciliation at 6:30pm.  Children to arrive by 6:20pm.

Wednesday – P5 swimming

Thursday – P1 assembly at 1:30pm.

Friday – Non-Uniform Day and Fun Day for Lenten Charities.