Happy 2012 from everyone at school. It is great to start the New Year with a very positive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subject inspection report from Ofsted. I include a summary below: The overall effectiveness of ICT is good.

. Pupils enter the Early Years Foundation Stage with levels of attainment in ICT which are above national expectations. They make good progress throughout the school and, by the end of Year 6, leave with standards that are above national averages. This represents good progress.

. Pupils with special educational needs are given effective support by teachers and teaching assistants, and make the same good progress as other groups of pupils.

. Pupils’ behaviour in lessons is outstanding. Lesson observations and discussions with pupils indicate that they are very positive about ICT and are enthusiastic users of ICT to support their learning.

. Pupils are supported to learn how to become responsible users of new technologies in lessons and through assemblies and have a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe when using new technologies at school and at home. The quality of the curriculum in ICT is outstanding.

. The use of ICT to support learning across the school is outstanding. Pupils have very good access to ICT and it is used appropriately in many curriculum areas to develop their learning.  The Parents’ Association is very supportive of the developments for ICT and has made a substantial financial commitment in recent years.

. The school has plans to develop a virtual learning environment (VLE) to enable better access for pupils.

. Technical support is good and ensures that systems are reliable and available when needed.

. Staff have received training on how to keep pupils and themselves safe while using new technologies.

. Self-evaluation is accurate and the school has a good capacity to improve further. Areas for improvement include:

Follow this link to the newsletter:
http://www.st-mary-ce.lancsngfl.ac.uk/getfile.php?src=66/APRILNEWS.pdf

The children return to school on Monday, 1^st November after half-term. There are several extra events taking place this month which create lots of anticipation and excitement amongst the children.

 On Friday, 5th November, the Friends of St Mary’s School (FOSMS) will hold the annual Bonfire and Fireworks display on the school field. The barbeque will be served from 5:30 pm and the bonfire will be lit at 6 o’clock. If you have any wood to burn, please bring this on Friday morning and place it near the bonfire site. Everyone is welcome but please do not bring fireworks or sparklers.

The second week in November is a busy time when the football team will be playing in the Ribble Valley Small Schools’ tournament at Whalley on Friday, 12^th November. The children will also be attending the annual Autumn Fair on Saturday 13^th November. Then, two Year 6 pupils will be representing all the young people in the parish of Mellor when they lay a wreath at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

The annual Toy Sale will take place on Thursday, 18^th November to raise funds for the Christmas parties. If any parishioner has any unwanted toys or games or children’s books, please bring them to school from Monday, 15^th November. On Friday, 19^th November, we shall be raising funds for Children in Need by wearing something spotty. Lots of extra events for the children to enjoy in November!

Christine Taylor

Headteacher  

Every year, Holy Week has to start early in school. From 22"d March, daily worship will take place in the school hall led by different members of staff. Each act of worship will be based on the days from Palm Sunday to the Last Supper and then Good Friday to Easter Day. A range of interactive resources will be used for each day so that the children understand the significance of each event leading to the Resurrection. The children have also been designing, cutting and sewing a new altar cloth for our worship table. The Year 6 pupils drew and coloured their ideas which were then linked together and scanned into five pictures by Julia Allison; a textile artist. Julia then worked in class with the Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children. They cut and sewed the pictures which Julia then completed by oversewing. The final product was delivered to school and revealed to the children last Friday at the end of worship. It is displayed in the hall together with the drawings and looks fantastic! I am sure that it will be used for many years and the children will remember which part of the cloth belongs to each of them.

The annual Easter Parade and Open Afternoon will take place on Thursday, 1st April at 1.30 p.m. in the School Hall. All parents are welcome to attend. There will be a display of decorated eggs and colouring pictures in the Hall. Each child will design and produce an Easter bonnet and then walk around the Hall to display their hat. There will be children's songs followed by an opportunity for parents to walk around the classrooms to observe children taking part in a series of art activities.

The children start their Easter break on Thursday, Ist April and return on Monday 19"' April.

Happy Easter to all parishioners from the children, staff and governors.

Chris Taylor
Headteacher

Thank you to everyone who attended the Family Games night on Friday January 22"d. It was an evening of fun enjoyed by many.

A family event that helps to raise money for the school, with the help of the Rotary Club. If anyone would like a sponsor form or more information about this event - please contact Marie on 01254 812775.

It seems a long way off, but summer will be here before we know it! This is always a popular event, and is one of our biggest fundraisers. This year's event will be on the theme of 'Food and Farming'. Any donations of prizes will be gratefully received.

Thank you to everyone for continued support of the Friends of Saint Mary's School.