Headteacher’s Blog – Welcome Back!

Dear Parents, Carers and School Community,

Welcome back to a brand-new academic year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break. It’s been wonderful to see the school come alive again with the energy, smiles, and excitement of our children returning to their classrooms.

The first few weeks have flown by, and I’m incredibly proud of how well our pupils have settled back into routines. From our youngest learners in Pre-School & Reception to our oldest students preparing for their final year, the atmosphere has been one of positivity, resilience, and readiness to learn.

New Beginnings

We’ve welcomed several new staff members and pupils to our school community, and I’m delighted to say they’ve already made a fantastic impression. Our new Reception children have shown great courage and curiosity as they begin their learning journey, and our Year 6 pupils are stepping up as role models with maturity and kindness. This week has seen the Year 6 children receive their prefect badges and the St. Mary’s School CAFOD Club have their first meeting. We have been very lucky to welcome Ben to our team from Fleetwood FC Community Trust. Running sports clubs at lunch times and running a range of sporting activities in after school club, he is a welcomed addition to the school team.

Exciting News: Our Schools Have Federated

I’m delighted to share that just before the summer break, our two schools (St. Mary’s and St. Francis’) have officially federated. This means after five years of working as a collaboration we are now working together under one governing body and continued leadership team, allowing us to strengthen our collaboration, share further resources, and provide even greater opportunities for all our children.

Federation brings many benefits:

• Shared expertise across both schools to enhance teaching and learning.
• Greater continuity for families with children attending both schools.
• Improved efficiency in how we manage resources and support services.
• A united vision for excellence, inclusion, and wellbeing.

While each school retains its unique identity and community spirit, we are now officially part of a wider family that is committed to working together for the benefit of every child.

Learning in Action

Across the school, classrooms are buzzing with creativity and ambition. Whether it’s exploring new books, diving into maths challenges, or engaging in thoughtful discussions, our children are showing a real love for learning. Teachers have been working hard to create inspiring environments and meaningful learning experiences—and it’s paying off! We have already experienced a drama workshop with the chaplain from Our Lady’s Catholic High School, in Fulwood. We have experienced a pilgrimage to Ladyewell, as part of the Jubilee celebrations where the children got to examine ancient religious relics and artifacts. Children in KS2 have started their work as mini police cadets thanks to Lancashire Police service. Lastly Christine Dewhurst spent the day with children across school running workshops where children learnt about how they can make a difference to the world.

Wellbeing and Support

We know that transitions can be challenging, and we’re committed to supporting every child emotionally as well as academically. All our staff have been ensuring that all pupils feel safe, heard, and valued. If you ever have concerns or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

Looking Ahead

There’s so much to look forward to this term: enrichment activities, school trips, parent workshops, and community events. We’ll be sharing dates and details soon, so keep an eye on newsletters and our school website.

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to all our families for your continued support. Your partnership makes a huge difference, and together we can ensure every child thrives.

Here’s to a successful, joyful, and inspiring year ahead!