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Year of Prayer Preparing for the Jubilee Year 2025 In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 has been designated a Year of Prayer by Pope Francis, with a particular focus on the Our Father. ​ 'Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of his disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray..." ' Luke 11:1 ​ Someone once said that 'prayer doesn’t help our relationship with God, prayer IS our relationship with God!' and so when we become more devoted to prayer, we are building up that Divine friendship. Being Pilgrims of Hope means that we should always be growing in our love of prayer on our journey of Faith. “I would greatly desire that we devote 2024, the year preceding the Jubilee event, to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer.’ ” Pope Francis Prayer is a gift from God, a sacred connection that fosters a living relationship with the divine Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This year we have planned many opportunities for our school community to cultivate this relationship with God: ​ Prayer Cards Each child across school has been presented with a Year of Prayer prayer card. ​ Prayer Bags During this Year of Prayer, we have enhanced the prayer bags with various resources to encourage families to develop their relationship with God through prayer. The children will have the opportunity to take home the class prayer bag to encourage families to pray together. Stay & Pray This Year of Prayer, we are inviting parents and carers to attend a ‘Stay and Pray’ Session in school with their child. They will be able to set aside the distractions of their busy lives and embark on a faith journey together, as they reflect and grow in their love of prayer. Monthly Prayer Services ​ Class prayer services are held monthly where children plan and lead the service. Encouraging children to embrace their faith journey, our prayer services allow them to express gratitude, seek guidance and grow closer to God through prayer in word, gesture, silence and stillness. ​ Pope Francis’ Monthly Intentions ​ Click here to see Pope Francis’ 2024 Monthly Intentions paraphrased for children. Prayer Clubs ​ At our school, our faith journey extends beyond the classroom. Our extra-curricular prayer clubs provide a haven for our pupils to explore and embrace their faith, whilst also promoting a sense of unity. Pupils are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions and cultivate their love of prayer, while growing closer to God. Click here to go to the prayer club page. ​ Home-School Links During this Year of Prayer, we are asking parents and carers to join with us to support their children in becoming more devoted to prayer and grow in their love of prayer. During February half term, we asked our families to create one of Pope Francis’ Five Finger Prayers. ​ ​ ​ We shared family prayer ideas for the Feast of Corpus Christi. We will continue to add more home-school links throughout the year!

Prospectus Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make in their early years. As a parent you want your child to feel safe, secure and happy at school. At St Bernadette’s School all children are encouraged, supported and challenged to become the best that they can be. St Bernadette’s is a Catholic school and our motto “Learn to Love, love to learn” is at the heart of everything we do. St Bernadette’s is much more than an educational establishment it is a place where the children are offered stability and enrichment to learn effectively and develop into well rounded, responsible and respectful young people. On a recent Ofsted inspection the school was classed as outstanding for personal development and welfare, this is something we as a school are very proud of, the Ofsted inspection is available on the school website and I would encourage you to read it. A Cowings Headteacher Ethos St. Bernadette’s is much more than just an educational establishment; it is a beacon of hope and a place which has to offer: Children: The stability and enrichment they need to become well rounded individuals who are well prepared for the life ahead of them. Staff: A sense of fulfilment and achievement. Parents: A school which assists them in the religious formation of their children and offers them support and advice to develop their children socially, morally and academically. Implications Therefore we need to provide: Children: A broad and exciting curriculum which engages all. A safe and secure stimulating environment in which children are nurtured and supported. A set of moral values, which inform the choices they make. Staff: Quality professional development based on assessment of needs. Opportunities to network with other educational establishments. Parents: Up to date information on curriculum and pastoral matters. Opportunities to develop parenting skills Prospectus

School Meals At St Bernadette's our school meals are provided by Cityserve. They provide a nutritionally balanced meal for our children who have a school meal at lunchtime. The menu provided runs on a 4 weekly rolling cycle and includes healthy and nutritious options each day. If your child has a school meal please complete the menu choices below. Please only complete this once as this information will be used by the cook to order ingredients and produce the correct number of meals Dear Parents/Carers ​ I am writing to introduce myself as the Schools new Catering Supervisor. My name is Sharon Worth and I have twenty four years experience in this role. ​ I am passionate about providing our children with a tasty, healthy school lunch. Almost all of the food we serve is cooked from scratch using fresh locally sourced ingredients. We provide a salad cart with fresh bread daily. ​ I am developing a new menu for 2022 and have lots of ideas for the coming months which include tasting sessions at parent evenings and regular theme days. ​ If you would like to contact me about your child’s dietary needs, or for any queries about school lunches please email me at sharon.worth@birmingham.gov.uk ​ Kind Regards Sharon Worth

Vocations Welcome from Fr Fretch Ballesteros I was born in the Phillipines in 1989 and was raised by my mother and Father with my brothers and sisters. At the age of 16 I joined the seminary after deciding I wanted to become a priest. Later I travelled to the UK and completed my theological studies at St Mary’s College Oscott. I was ordained a deacon on 29th September 2016 and was ordained a priest at Corpus Christi Church in Stechford. In January 2023 I became the Parish Priest of Holy Family Church in Small Heath and work closely with the two schools in the parish, Holy Family School and St Bernadette’s. As a Vocationist Father, I live in a community and took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Founder was Father Justin Russolillo. On 20th September 1913, Justin was ordained a Priest. While kneeling before the Bishop for the ordination, he vowed to the Lord to found a religious Congregation to cultivate vocations to faith, priesthood and holiness. ​ On 15th May 2022, Pope Francis canonised 10 new saints of the Catholic church during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square including Blessed Justin Russollilo. Sister Maura Halpin A Sister of Mercy When I joined the Sisters of Mercy in London 60 years ago I had no idea what ‘JOB’ I would be doing. I could have been working in the convent or parish, as a nurse or as a teacher because our Foundress, Venerable Catherine McAuley founded our Religious Order to give education, healthcare and support to the poorest families in Dublin in mid-19th Century. It was a shock to leave rural Ireland and find myself in a very busy city. ​ Becoming a teacher was my second Vocation as being a Sister came firs t. I taught in a number of secondary schools throughout my teaching years. I was called away from teaching 30 years ago to do pastoral work within our Religious Order. This ministry took me to some countries that I would otherwise never have visited as some of our Sisters were working abroad. Now that I am ‘retired’ I feel so grateful to God for all the Blessings I have experienced. I have learned so much from saintly Sisters who are no longer with us. They were women of prayer and were totally committed to the people among whom they worked. Teaching colleagues too have inspired me and now I have time to reflect on how much the Church and society owe to all who work in education. Nowadays prayer has a special place in my day. It always was important but when I was busy I was often distracted in my prayer, always planning ahead. Now I value Mass daily and in particular I listen more attentively to the Word of God, to hear what God is saying to me each day, how much He cares for me and all his people. I hope this makes me a more compassionate and attentive Sister of Mercy when I meet people. ​ I meet people in the local Care Homes and those who are housebound when I visit with Holy Communion because these people cannot come to Church. I am privileged to feel welcome when I visit our schools, especially St Bernadette’s & Holy Family where I join them at their Masses. I support them in their joys & sorrows with my prayer and occasionally do home visits if asked by the Head Teacher. ​ Another ministry that is very special to me is support for the bereaved both in giving a listening ear and in helping them plan the funeral Masses and Services for their loved ones. This ministry sometimes reconnects me with former pupils in their time of grieving. Perhaps I could sum up my life as a religious Sister in the words ‘availability’ and ‘prayer’ and I am grateful to all who have supported me in my vocation over the past 60 years. If you would like support I can be contacted on the following email address: mhalpinrsm@hotmail.co.uk

Induction to School Reception 2020 Reception 2020 Reception Meeting 2020 Handbook 2020

History History Policy History Progression of Skills Knowledge & Skills Year 1 Autumn Year 2 Autumn Year 3 Autumn Year 4 Autumn Year 5 Autumn Year 6 Autumn Year 1 Spring Year 2 Spring Year 3 Spring Year 4 Spring Year 5 Spring Year 6 Spring Year 1 Summer Year 2 Summer Year 3 Summer Year 4 Summer Year 5 Summer

Computing Computing Policy 23/24 Computing Acceptable Use Policy 23/24 Computing Intent, Implement, Impact 22/23 Online Safety Policy 23/24 Knowledge & Skills Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

The Arts At St Bernadette’s we are encouraged to use our talents and gifts in everything that we do. This same principle is applied to the arts. We understand that children have natural and taught talents and it is important for us to develop, encourage and empower these individual talents. We showcase our achievements through displays, assemblies and show and tell sessions. This year, we will be curating year band exhibitions linked to the topic being studied within that year group. We will then create an exhibition of the children’s work to celebrate it. Year 2 Space Project To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Year 3 WW2 To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Year 4 Romans To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Year 5 Greeks To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Year 6 Mayans To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Knowledge & Skills Year 1 Topic Y1 Autumn Science Science Y1 Y1 Spring Y1 Summer Gymnastics Gymnastics Y1 Computing Computing Y1 Year 2 Y2 Autumn Topic Y2 Spring Y2 Summer Computing Computing Y2 Gymnastics Gymnastics Y2 Science Science Y2 Year 3 Topic Y3 Autumn Y3 Spring Y3 Summer MFL French MFL French Y3 Computing Computing Y3 Science Science Y3 Gymnastics Gymnastics Y3 Year 4 Topic Y4 Autumn Y4 Spring Y4 Summer MFL French MFL French Y4 Computing Computing Y4 Science Science Y4 Gymnastics Gymnastics Y4 Year 5 Topic Y5 Autumn Y5 Spring Y5 Summer MFL French MFL French Y5 Science Science Y5 Computing Computing Y5 Gymnastics Gymnastics Y5 Year 6 Topic Y6 Autumn Y6 Spring MFL French MFL French Y6 Science Science Y6 Computing Computing Y6 Gymnastics Gymnastics Y6

Ethos St. Bernadette’s is much more than just an educational establishment; it is a beacon of hope and a place which has to offer: Children: The stability and enrichment they need to become well rounded individuals who are well prepared for the life ahead of them. Staff: A sense of fulfilment and achievement. Parents: A school which assists them in the religious formation of their children and offers them support and advice to develop their children socially, morally and academically. Implications Therefore we need to provide: Children: A broad and exciting curriculum which engages all. A safe and secure stimulating environment in which children are nurtured and supported. A set of moral values, which inform the choices they make. Staff: Quality professional development based on assessment of needs. Opportunities to network with other educational establishments. Parents: Up to date information on curriculum and pastoral matters. Opportunities to develop parenting skills Prospectus The Pupil Premium The pupil premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. See the pdf document below for detailed information on our Pupil Premium impact for 2018/19 and the action plan for 2019/20 PP Strategies Impact 2020 PP Strategies Plan 2020-21 Pupil Premium Policy The McNally Award DSC_9907 2019 2019 2017 2017 2016 2016 Show More The McNally Award Every year in the summer term, one child from each year band, Nursery to year 6, is nominated to receive the McNally award. Staff within the year band, choose a child who has displayed an exceptional attitude towards school life throughout the academic year. Typically, these children will display impeccable manners on a daily basis. They will give their very best in every lesson and will be supportive of their peers and their teachers. The award was introduced in 2015, following the death of Mr John McNally who had been the charismatic Head Teacher of St Bernadette’s School until 2005. Mr McNally saw the school grow from 180 pupils to 700 pupils over a period of years. He was well respected in the local community due to his strong leadership and continuous drive to achieve high standards of discipline and academic success.

Phonics The school follows the Read Write Inc Phonics, which teaches children to ‘learn to read’ so they can then ‘read to learn’. In the summer term, children in our Nursery are introduced to letter sounds and throughout the Reception year and KS1, they are exposed to new sounds until they are confident identifying all 44 phonemes. Parents can support their children throughout the scheme by reading with their children every night and revising their speed sounds on a regular basis (link to speed sounds and pronunciation ). As children become more confident in recognizing the sounds they will begin to blend the sounds to form real words and nonsense words. The link attached illustrates a range of real and nonsense words for each of the set 2 and set 3 sounds. These are useful charts which will encourage children to use their phonic knowledge to decode a variety of words. Set 2 Sounds Quick Read 'oy' Quick Read 'ow' Quick Read 'ou' Quick Read 'or' Quick Read 'igh' Quick Read 'ee' Quick Read 'ir' Quick Read 'oo' as in zoo Quick Read 'oo' as in look Quick Read 'ay' Quick Read 'air' Quick Read 'ar' Set 3 Sounds Quick Read 'ur' Quick Read 'u-e' Quick Read 'tious' Quick Read 'tion' Quick Read 'ow' Quick Read 'oi' Quick Read 'o-e' Quick Read 'cious' Quick Read 'ea' Quick Read 'ear' Quick Read 'er' Quick Read 'ew' Quick Read 'i-e' Quick Read 'ire' Quick Read 'oa' Quick Read 'aw' Quick Read 'ai' Quick Read 'ure' Quick Read 'are' Quick Read 'a-e' Children are encouraged to progress through the scheme at a rapid rate. They will not necessarily need to cover every book in the scheme, and may be capable of accelerating through the scheme if they demonstrate a sound knowledge of words. In every year band, children are set according to ability and assessments are conducted every 6-8 weeks. As a result of these assessments, children may move up or down into a new setting group. An example of the assessment is here . The national phonic test is administered to pupils in Year 1 in June. On average, pupils need to be able to read 32 of the 40 words in order to pass the test. If they are able to read all set 1,2,3 sounds, they are likely to pass the test. If they score below 32, they will need to repeat the test in Year 2.

Catholic Life RE Curriculum Collective Worship Parish The Sacramental Life of the School Catholic Life St. Bernadette Our Patron Saint was born January 7, 1844 and baptized Marie Bernarde Soubirous. The oldest of six children, born to devout but poor parents, she was known by the pet name Bernadette. Bernadette was a sensitive, sickly child, plagued by chronic asthma. She was a notably good girl with a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin. On February 11, 1858, Bernadette, her sister and her sister’s friend went to gather wood on the bank of the Gave river in the French Pyrennes. To reach the gathering site, the three girls had to cross a small millstream. While the two younger girls went on ahead, Bernadette stopped to remove her shoes and stockings. Just then she heard a rustling sound which caused her to look up toward a small cave. There, in the opening of this little grotto, she saw “a girl in white, no taller than I, who greeted me with a light bow of the head.” The vision was very beautiful, clad in white with a blue girdle, whilst a long rosary hung over the arm. She seemed to invite the child to pray, and when Bernadette took her rosary from her pocket and began to say it, the vision also took her rosary into her hand and passed the beads through her fingers, although the lips did not move. When the five decades were finished, the vision smiled and disappeared. This was the first of 18 visions of the Blessed Virgin given to this humble peasant girl. The last one took place July 16th of the same year. The story of Lourdes is well known. Millions of people have visited this remote spot where Our Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette almost one hundred and fifty years ago. Bernadette remained a shy, sensitive child of God, shunning the attention of the world that the apparitions afforded. She delivered the message of Our Blessed Mother only to the proper authorities of the Church and left the outcome to God. Finally, in 1866, at the age of 22, she filled one of her heart’s desires when she was accepted into the convent of the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Nevers. Her work at Lourdes was done. The shrine to the Mother of God that Mary had requested was being visited by ever increasing numbers. Mary’s message of prayer and penance had been delivered to the world. God had blessed the work with miracles. Gladly, Bernadette faded from the picture. She likened herself to Our Lady’s Broom: “Our Lady used me, they have put me back in my corner,” was her way of expressing it. But her work for souls was not done. Our Blessed Mother had asked for penance at Lourdes. While many were cured of their afflictions in the waters at Lourdes, the heavy cross of illness still lay on Bernadette’s shoulders and she suffered this penance throughout her life. ​ On April 16th 1879, in her 36th year, she died peacefully in the arms of her sisters in religion at the convent of Nevers. Her life of suffering was over. In 1933, just 54 years after her death, Pope Pius XI added the name of this humble peasant girl to the canon of the Saints. For all time in the official records of the Church, she will be known as Saint Marie Bernarda, but in the hearts and on the lips of faithful she will always be St. Bernadette, little Bernard. May Bernadette, our glorious patroness, remember us, and with her prayers intercede for us at the throne of God, and may she direct toward us the mercy and kindness of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. ​