With Christ, we live, love, learn and grow.
St Mary’s school newsletter
A note from Mr Smyth
Dear parents and carers,
What a busy first half term it’s been. The children have packed a great deal into six and a half weeks, and we’re proud of how hard they’ve worked and how positively they’ve settled into their new classes.
Thank you to our families and staff for all your support. We hope the children have a restful break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2 November.
Patrick Smyth, Headteacher
Dates and reminders
All Saints and All Souls Mass
Monday 2 November, from 8.45am. Please drop children in Years 3 to 6 at the door of St Mary’s Church, where their class teachers will register them. Children will walk back to school after Mass, so please send suitable clothing in case it rains.
Parents’ evenings
Thank you to the families who met with teachers this week and to the staff who gave their time. Mr Hodge’s appointments are planned for after the half term break.
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
We’ll be supporting the Poppy Appeal after the break. The school office has sent details to families.
Around St Mary’s
Books and cuddly toys
Local volunteer Pauline Barnes thanks everyone who filled the school porch with donations. The toys and books will go to children’s wards and A&E departments in Chorley and Preston, with some also going to children in Ukraine.
Visiting St Mary’s
It was lovely to show families around during our October open mornings. If you know someone looking for a Reception place in September 2027, they can contact the school office to arrange a visit and see the school in action.
£350 raised for CAFOD
Thank you for supporting Brighten Up the Harvest. The £350 you raised has been sent to CAFOD.
Football team reaches finals night
St Mary’s represented the school superbly at Westway. Goalkeeper Finn made a series of excellent saves in a narrow 1–0 defeat to St Chad’s. The team went on to lose another close game 1–0 to Christ Church Charnock Richard.
Well done to the players for their teamwork and determination. Thanks to Mr Hodge, the families who cheered from the sidelines, Chorley School Sports Partnership and the high school sports leaders who helped run the event, including former St Mary’s pupils.
Attendance
The school met its weekly attendance target of 97.0%. Year 3 led the table with 98.59%. Reception received one of Mrs Hargreaves’ new attendance certificates to display in class.
| Rank | Class | This week | Last week | Change (percentage points) | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Year 3 | 98.59% | 99.34% | −0.75 | Met |
| 2 | Year 6 | 97.87% | 98.03% | −0.16 | Met |
| 3 | Year 4 | 97.23% | 97.37% | −0.14 | Met |
| 4 | Year 1 | 97.20% | 98.15% | −0.95 | Met |
| 5 | Year 2 | 97.17% | 97.62% | −0.45 | Met |
| 6 | Year 5 | 96.67% | 97.07% | −0.40 | Below target |
| 7 | Reception | 94.41% | 93.37% | +1.04 | Below target |
| School average | 97.0% | 97.3% | −0.3 | Met | |
The school’s newsletter highlights that Year 6 pupils with 95% to 100% attendance were 30% more likely to reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths than similar pupils with 90% to 95% attendance.
Stars of the week
Our value this week was love. Well done to everyone recognised for their learning, kindness and care for others.
| Class | Star of the week | Value award | Dojo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Freyja for trying hard and following nursery rules. | Oliver for looking after a friend who was hurt. | Matilda |
| Reception | Libby for excellent pattern work in maths. | Aria T for being kind and caring to her friends. | Joseph |
| Year 1 | Corey for an excellent attitude to learning. | Logan for showing gentleness and patience in group work. | Rosie |
| Year 2 | Gloria for her animal adventure story. | Robert for showing compassion when a friend needed help. | Rayne and Maggie |
| Year 3 | Joshua for his accurate work in maths. | Joey for being kind and considerate to the children at his table. | |
| Year 4 | Jacob for great reading with Mrs Ash. | Zara for being a kind and thoughtful member of the class. | |
| Year 5 | Lucas for thoughtful contributions on virtues and the common good. | Holly for showing gentleness and putting others first in group work. | |
| Year 6 | Nathaniel for his science work on adaptation. | Ella for consistently showing compassion. |
Community notices
Youth Mass at St Gregory’s
Sunday 22 November at 6.30pm. A World Youth Sunday celebration for young people from across Chorley at St Gregory’s Church, Weldbank Lane. Everyone is welcome.
Tippy Toes Baby Bank winter appeal
The baby bank is collecting clean winter clothing and other warm items in good condition for children aged 0 to 5. The flyer lists the drop off points and gives Friday 23 October as the last day for donations.
October holiday activities
Chorley School Sports Partnership advertised a sports camp for ages 5 to 11 from 26 to 29 October, 10am to 2pm, and a Learn to Ride session for ages 4 to 12 on 26 October, 2.30pm to 4pm.
Sports camp venues were Lancaster Lane Primary School and Chorley St Peter’s CE Primary School. The camp was £22 a day or £80 for all four days, with free HAF places for eligible families. Learn to Ride was £27 at Chorley St Peter’s.
Interested in training to teach?
St Mary’s has welcomed trainee teachers through the Yarrow Schools Teaching School Alliance for more than a decade. The one year programme is for graduates and includes two extended placements in Chorley area primary schools, alongside training and support leading to qualified teacher status.
Contact Rob Horne or call the school office to speak to Mr Smyth.