May Liturgy - On Friday we held our May Liturgy. This began with a service in the hall where each class contributed to our veneration of Our Lady during her special month. Through song, dance, pictures, Scripture and poems the children expressed their thoughts about Mary and their devotion to her. The whole school then processed out to the grotto where Mgr. Tom led prayers and the children presented flowers.

As many of you are aware Mrs Watts, one of the Upper Junior staff, died on Easter Tuesday after being ill since the previous July. Mgr. Tom blessed a May tree in Mrs Watt’s memory. It will bloom with pink blossom at this time of year, very appropriate as Mrs Watt’s had a great devotion to Our Lady. Parents and friends joined us to make this a very special liturgy. Thank you to the children, staff and to Miss Oke for their work during and in preparation for the liturgy.

First Holy Communion - On Saturday it was a delight to be present as the second group of children made their First Holy Communion. The children all looked so wonderful and the Mass was such a celebration. Congratulations to all the children and their families – Lilly Humphrey, Molly Clague, Isaac Morris, Daniele Di Cioccio, Shannon Palfrey, Francesca Di Cioccio, Eimear procter, Ares Garofano, Elliott Roels, Matteo Gaster, Alex Samber, Millie Hodgson, George Sutton and Callum Holden.

Fete - This week we are collecting gifts and tombola items for the fete on Saturday June 27^th. The week after the holiday there will be another opportunity to contribute to the collection of groceries. Mrs Tempest and Mrs Farrington –King’s class collected the most toiletry items last week and have won the extra break. Please do not send in books, DVDs and videos as we are not running this stall this year. A special request please for more offers of help on the day. The fete raises money which is used directly to provide extra special resources and opportunities directly for the children, every child benefits. It runs from 11am-2pm so any assistance during that time, before or in clearing up, even just for an hour or so, would really help. At present we have very few volunteers and this puts extra pressure on those who do help. Please be generous and contact Miss Oke with your availability.

PGL Residential - Year 6 are away at PGL this week with Miss Hague, Miss Oke and Mrs Jones and are having a good time. There is a short information meeting tomorrow at 3.15pm for year 5 and their parents in Miss Oke’s class about next year’s residential.

DIARY DATES 

Thursday 21^st May Years 3\4 to St Joseph’s Church for Mass

School closes at 3.10pm on Friday 22^nd May for the May week holiday

Monday 25^th-Friday 29^th May Holiday

Monday 1^st June 8.50am School opens for the summer term

Thursday 11^th June Mass 11am Corpus Christi

Friday 19^th June Bottle Mufti for the School Fete

Saturday 27^th June School Fete 11am-2pm

Monday 6^th – Friday 10^th July faith & Culture Week

Wednesday 8^th July New entrants afternoon (September 2009 intake)

Thursday 9^th July FOSM school disco

Friday July 10^th INSET day – school closed

Tuesday 14^th July Sports Day (reserve Wednesday 15^th)

Wednesday 16^th & Thursday 17^th July Year 6 play

Congratulations to – Adrianna and Mr & Mrs Leja on the birth of her little sister Maja, it is always so lovely to have a new member of our school community.

Music Concert - There will be a Music Concert on Friday 3^rd July and if any children are interested in participating there will be auditions at lunchtime on Thursday 21^st May for years 3, 4 and 5 and on Thursday 4^th June for Year 6 and infants in Miss Gartland’s classroom.

Well Done to Years 3 & 4 - On Tuesday the Lower Juniors visited Hampton Court as part of their study of the Tudors. They had a wonderful day and were very well behaved although Mrs Coll tells me that discretion became the better part of valour when Henry VIII challenged them as to where they were from and if any of them were Catholics!! I think the prospect of The Tower sprang to mind. Thank you to all the staff and parent helpers. These days, although they involve cost, are so important in re-enforcing what is learnt in lessons.

COMMUNITY

Sally Goes Home - For a couple of weeks we have had reports from Lea, our cook, about a small black and white cat visiting the school. She ran away when approached but on Friday she was spotted by Mrs Palfrey and Mrs Brown was able to pick her up and check her collar. She belonged to a lady from Cannon Court Road who was delighted when Mrs Brown rang her. Sally, the cat, had been missing for six weeks and was the one from the local poster campaign. Although very, very thin and in need of a visit to the vet and a bath, she was alright and is now safely home with her happy and grateful owner.  It was a lovely end to the week.

St Mary’s Pre-School Holiday Club – 27^th July-14^th August - Available for children aged 4-11. More information please see a member of the Pre-School staff. Remember the fun day on Tuesday 26^th May which includes Laura’s football club amongst other activities.

Maidenhead Advertiser Cash for Schools - Thank you so much for all your tokens. We have received a cheque for £680 which will be used for resources for the courtyard and playground.

May Holiday Play Schemes – see attached information -

FOSM SUMMER BALL - Saturday 4th July. - Preparations are well underway for the Summer Ball themed "Fast Cars and Flash Women (or is it Flash Cars and Fast Women?!). We've got Live Motown music, a great DJ, delicious food and even more excitement lined up. All profits go to the new school Library. Tickets will be on sale after half term so don't drive away from the school gates without putting it into your diary - Saturday 4th July.