YEAR 2 ENJOY A VISIT FROM FATHER HENRY
Father Henry visited Year 2 this week to share the story and meaning of Candlemas. The children were absolutely wonderful throughout his visit, listening carefully and showing great respect. They asked thoughtful, reflective questions that impressed Father Henry and demonstrated their growing understanding of the feast. Father Henry commented on how engaged and curious the children were, a real credit to themselves and the school. Well done, Year 2!
#WeWalkWithJesus
LENT AT ST MARIE’S – WE WALK WITH JESUS
We begin our Lenten journey next week on Ash Wednesday. Please check the times at your parish church and, if you can, take your child to receive their ashes. Ash Wednesday reminds us to turn back to God and prepare our hearts for Easter.
Lent is a special time of reflection and preparation before Easter. It is a season of prayer, giving and fasting as we prepare to celebrate the risen Lord. At St Marie’s, we see Lent as a very important and holy time, as we grow closer to Jesus and try to live more like Him.
As we begin Lent, we invite you to think about small changes you can make at home as a family. Simple acts of kindness, extra time for prayer, or giving something up can make a big difference. During Lent, we will be supporting those less fortunate than ourselves through CAFOD and the Good Shepherd Appeal, which helps local charities and families in need across our diocese.
St Marie’s Lenten Walks 2026
We are excited to begin our St Marie’s Lenten Walks 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to walk together in faith, reflect on our journey with Christ, and raise money for the Good Shepherd Appeal.
All parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited to join us. Children may take part in as many walks as they wish.
Lenten Walks Schedule
- Friday 27th February – Walking from St Francis (8:00am) to school
- Friday 6th March – Walking from St Vincent’s (8:00am) to school
- Friday 13th March – Walking from St William’s (8:00am) to school
- Friday 20th March – Walking from St John’s (8:30am) to school
- Friday 27th March – Walking from Holy Family (7:30am) and St Marie’s Cathedral (8:30am) to school
To help us plan safely, please complete the attendance form to let us know if your child will be taking part. We will also need parent and family volunteers to walk with us. If you are able to help, please indicate this on the form. Your support is greatly appreciated. Sign up here.
CATHOLIC LIFE AWARD!
We are delighted to announce that the second winner of the Fr Paddy Catholic Life Award is Noah in Year 5.
Noah has been recognised for always helping others and putting the needs of his friends first. He looks out for everyone and is always ready to offer support, encouragement and kindness.
He comes to school each day with a big smile on his face and a positive attitude. Noah leads by example and shows what it means to care for others and work for the common good.
He is a wonderful role model and truly lives out our Catholic Social Teaching by showing love, fairness and respect to everyone around him.
Well done, Noah! We are very proud of you.
#WeWalkWithJesus
Y3 MINI VINNIES PANCAKE POP-UP CAFÉ
Today, the Year 3 Mini Vinnies opened their Pop-Up Pancake Café. The children worked brilliantly as a team to make sure the café ran smoothly.
We had welcomers on the door who showed our customers to their tables. In the classroom, the order-taking and drinks team welcomed visitors and took their orders. The pancake team made sure there were enough hot and cold pancakes ready, while the toppings team carefully prepared each plate.
Once everyone had finished, the washing and drying team cleared the tables so we could reset the café for our next visitors.
We are proud to share that we raised over £90 for the Good Shepherd Appeal. A huge thank you to all of Year 3. Everyone showed fantastic teamwork, collaboration and problem-solving skills to make the Pop-Up Pancake Café a great success.
Well done, Year 3!
#WeWalkWithJesus
Click here for more information about the Good Shepherd Charity
WALK WITH JESUS
Thank you to all the children and families who joined us for our first Lenten Walk from St Francis. It was a wonderful way to begin our journey together in faith during this special season of Lent.
We started with the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi, beautifully read by Harriet and Ostin from Year 6. Their reverent and thoughtful reading helped us to reflect on being instruments of peace, love and forgiveness in our daily lives.
We then enjoyed a lovely walk down the hill to school, walking together in prayer and fellowship. On arrival, the children were warmly welcomed with hot buttered toast as a small reward for their efforts — very well deserved!
Lent is a time for prayer, sacrifice and giving. By walking together, we are reminded that our faith is a shared journey. Each small step we take — whether through kindness, generosity, or quiet prayer — helps us grow closer to Jesus and to one another.
Well done to everyone who took part. Your enthusiasm and commitment were a wonderful example of living out our faith in action.
We look forward to seeing many of you next Friday at 8:00am as we walk from St Vincent’s to school. All parents, carers and grandparents are warmly invited to join us as we continue our Lenten journey together.
Lenten Walks Schedule
- Friday 6th March – Walking from St Vincent’s (8:00am) to school
- Friday 13th March – Walking from St William’s (8:00am) to school
- Friday 20th March – Walking from St John’s (8:30am) to school
- Friday 27th March – Walking from Holy Family (7:30am) and St Marie’s Cathedral (8:30am) to school
To help us plan safely, please complete the attendance form to let us know if your child will be taking part. We will also need parent and family volunteers to walk with us. If you are able to help, please indicate this on the form. Your support is greatly appreciated. Sign up here.
All sponsorship money raised will go to the Good Shepherd Appeal to support people in need in our local community.
CAFOD Lenten Fast Day – Thursday 19th March
On Thursday 19th March, we will mark CAFOD Family Fast Day in school with our ‘Give It Up Challenge’.
Children can choose a simple lunch of homemade soup, bread and fruit for £3.00. All money raised will support CAFOD’s vital work helping communities around the world.
Parents and grandparents are warmly invited to join us from 11:30am. We will let you know when your child will be having their soup so you can join them.
All Donations can be made through ParentPay and this will go live next half term. Please keep an eye out for this.
This Lent, let us walk together in faith, strengthen our community, and support those most in need.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
#WeWalkWithJesus
FATHER LEE’S VISIT TO YEAR 4
On Friday, Year 4 were delighted to welcome Father Lee into school. His visit offered the children a reflective and thoughtful start to their Lenten journey.
Father Lee spoke to the class about the seasons of the Church, helping them understand how each season guides us through different parts of the Christian story. He focused especially on Lent, explaining its meaning and why it is such an important time in the Church calendar.
The children listened carefully as Father Lee retold the story of Jesus spending 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. This story helped the children think about their own experiences of challenge and growth.
Father Lee also invited Year 4 to reflect on the ways we might not feel completely free, perhaps when we are unkind, make poor choices or hold onto things we know we should let go of. He encouraged everyone to think about Lent as a journey: a time to become freer, kinder and closer to God.
The session ended with a quiet moment of prayer and personal reflection. Year 4 left feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to make the most of their Lenten journey.
We are very grateful to Father Lee for his time and for helping our children get ready to make the most of their Lenten journey.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH
During Lent, we are thinking about forgiveness and saying sorry. Lent is a special time when we try to grow closer to God. We think about our actions and try to make better choices.
This month, we are focusing on the Act of Contrition. This is a special prayer we say when we are sorry for our sins. It helps us to tell God we are sorry and that we want to try again.
We will be praying this version together in school:
O my God, because you are so good,
I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,
and by the help of your grace,
I will try not to sin again.
Amen.
Please practise this prayer at home with your child. Praying together is a lovely way to grow in faith during Lent.
#WeWalkWithJesus
