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All About our School Our School: List Head Teacher's Welcome I warmly welcome you to St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. At St Bernadette’s, we provide a safe, secure and happy environment where every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential. Our school motto, ‘Learn to Love, Love to Learn’, is at the heart of all we do. Our curriculum places Jesus at its centre and reflects Gospel values, nurturing a sense of purpose and faith in our children. We are delighted to share that our recent Catholic Schools Inspection report praised the exemplary behaviour of our children, recognising their deep understanding of Christian values. The report also highlighted that our staff are outstanding role models, creating a loving and nurturing environment where children are happy, confident and proud to be part of the St Bernadette’s family. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child, recognising every individual as created in the image and likeness of God. Alongside academic achievement, we offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities, encourage pupil leadership, and support the spiritual and social development of our children. Our talented and dedicated staff work closely with families, our parish and the local community. We believe that education is a true partnership and greatly value your involvement and support in your child's educational journey. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to St Bernadette’s. Miss E. Finnegan Headteacher Our School: About Us

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Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching (CST) underpins the work of the school and the principles are interwoven within our curriculum and wider school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation and to reach our sisters and brothers in need. These principles form part of Catholic Social Teaching, a body of work developed by Church leaders over the centuries. Pope Francis emphasizes that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. At St. Bernadette’s we place great emphasis on the importance that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds. We teach our children about the importance of putting the needs of others before ourselves, respecting the dignity of all people and how we are stewards of God’s beautiful creation with a duty to do all we can to preserve it for future generations. We use the CAFOD CST characters with our children to help them recognise CST within lessons. The following video is useful to watch to become familiar with the seven principles: CST in the Science Curriculum Click here for an Overview of 'CST in the Science Curriculum' All of God’s creation is sacred and reflects something of who God is. Caring for this earth is part of what it is to be a Christian. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of teaching about the God-centeredness of the earth, which clearly focuses on the responsibility all people have for caring for creation. The golden thread of ‘Care of God’s Creation’ runs through each science unit which links to the CST principles of: The Common Good Stewardship This ensures children develop their environmental awareness and understanding of their role in protecting our God given planet. What does Scripture say? ‘Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation.’ Genesis 2:15 ‘Creation proclaims the glory of God.’ Daniel 3:56-82 ‘God loves and cares for all creation.’ Matthew 6:25-34 ‘Creation and all created things are good because they are created by God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:26 What does the Church say? Charity in Truth: Caritas in Veritate – ‘The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole…Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others.’ What does Pope Francis say? “Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.” Laudato Si (24th May 2015) – ‘A scientific consensus says climate change is real and caused at least in part by human activity. A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. In recent decades, this warming has been accompanied by a constant rise in the sea level and, it would appear, by an increase of extreme weather events, even if a scientifically determinable cause cannot be assigned to each particular phenomenon.’ Loving God, We believe that the world is for everyone. We thank you for the gift of Creation. Help us to take care of the planet and all people who live on it. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of our learning at St Bernadette’s, especially in Topic. Topic allows us to develop our historical skills, pursue geographical enquiry, express our creativity, and build valuable projects based on a purpose. However, CST allows us to approach these lessons from a wider viewpoint. We use the CAFOD CST characters with our children to help them recognise CST within lessons. Here are a few examples of where CST has been linked to our Topic lessons. A lesson focusing on how men and women were split in Athenian and Spartan society. Is it right for women to be told what they must do based on their gender? A lesson focusing on the invasion of Greece by Alexander the Great. How would God react to slavery? A lesson focusing on the Viking raids in Lindisfarne. Why is it wrong to harm our fellow man? A lesson focusing on WW2 evacuation and the Blitz. A lesson focusing on the birth of democracy in Greece. Is it right for only rich men to vote? A lesson looking at the impact of Gandhi on British rule. Why did he protest for people who were the most in need? A lesson focusing on the differences between rich and poor Tudors. What can we learn from these indifferences? A lesson focusing on rationing. Why was it important for all members of society to receive the same amount of food? A lesson focusing on natural disasters and how we can help those that have been left in disasters. How can we help those in need? In Year 2, the children learn about important people that have helped other. Including Florence Nightingale, Edith Cavell, and Mary Seacole. Why do you think these people gave up their lives to care for others? During Black History Month, we learn about inspirational black people. Why is it important we celebrate these achievements? A lesson focusing on climate and biomes. How has our impact changed God’s creation? A lesson focusing on the structure of rivers, mountains, and earthquakes. How can we better understand God’s creation? A lesson focusing on glaciers. What can the rising sea levels mean for God’s creations? A lesson focusing on sustainability; reduce, re-use, recycle. Why should we make small changes?

St. Bernadette's Policies & Admissions Admissions Admission Arrangements If you would like your child to attend St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, please read the information below and follow the steps for the relevant entry point. School Visits We hold school tours in November. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mrs Smallwood to arrange a visit. Miss Finnegan, our Headteacher, will be delighted to show you around. Tel: 0121 783 7232 Email: admissions@stberns.co.uk Nursery (ages 3 and 4) How to apply: · Nursery applications are made directly to the school. · Please complete the online Nursery Application Form or get a hard copy from the school office. · We currently offer 52 full-time places (30 hours per week). Documents needed: · Child’s Birth Certificate (copy) · Proof of address · Baptismal Certificate (if applicable) Reception How to apply (September intake): · Applications are coordinated by Birmingham City Council (BCC). Please submit your Reception application via the BCC School Admissions portal by the published deadline. Catholic Supplementary Information Form (SIF) · In addition to your BCC application, please complete our Supplementary Information Form (SIF) so that the correct Catholic admissions criteria can be applied. · Provide proof of Baptism (if applicable) with the SIF and return it to the school office. · Documents to include with SIF · Child’s Birth Certificate (copy) · Proof of address · Baptismal Certificate (if applicable) In-Year Applications (Reception – Year 6) You can apply at any time outside the normal Reception admissions round. Children will be admitted where places are available. How to apply: · Complete the In-Year Application Form (available at stberns.co.uk ), or request a hard copy from the office (Tel 0121 783 7232 | Email admissions@stberns.co.uk ). · Return completed forms to: Mrs M. Smallwood , St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Hob Moor Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8QL , or email admissions@stberns.co.uk . If there are more applications than places: · We will apply our published oversubscription criteria (see the full Admission Arr angements). · If no places are available, your child will be placed on the waiting list. Details will be included in your outcome letter. Appeals If your application is unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel. · Late appeals will be heard at the same time as previously scheduled appeals or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. · Decision letters are normally sent within seven school days of the hearing. Key Contacts Contact: Mrs M. Smallwood, admissions@stberns.co.uk 0121 783 7232 Admissions 2025-2026 Admissions 2026-2027 Nursery Admissions 2026-2027 In Year Application Form Supplementary Application Form Appeal Timetable 2025 Consultation: Proposed Admissions Policy 2027–2028 We are consulting on our proposed Admissions Policy for 2027–2028 If you have any comments, please email Mrs Smallwood at admissions@stberns.bham.sch.uk Parish Boundaries for the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Mental Health & Well Being Mental Health and Wellbeing at St.Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School At St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community and recognise how important mental health and emotional wellbeing are to our lives. Our role is to ensure that everyone is able to manage times of change and stress, and that all members of our community are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. We also have a responsibility to ensure that our children, staff, and wider community learn how to maintain positive mental health, understand what affects their mental health, help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and know where to go for support. Therefore, we have developed a curriculum to help children become more resilient and aware of their own mental health and wellbeing. For children, mental health encompasses their emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing. It involves how they feel, think, and act, and is crucial for their overall development. Mental health affects daily life, relationships, and learning. In childhood, good mental health includes reaching developmental and emotional milestones, learning healthy social skills, and developing strategies to cope with challenges. We encourage the following abilities through our delivery: Resilience This is the ability to bounce back from challenges and adapt to changes, which is important for long-term well-being. Children develop the ability to manage stress, learn from mistakes, and build confidence. When children build resilience they form stronger relationships, have better problem-solving skills and manage their emotions better. Healthy relationships Healthy relationships with peers and adults can foster a sense of belonging and support. Children have healthy relationships when their communication is based on respect, trust, honesty and open communication. Healthy relationships offer support and encouragement, helping children to grow and develop their confidence. Children who learn to build and maintain relationships develop empathy and can communicate effectively. Self-regulation These are abilities that help children manage their emotions, behaviours, thoughts and choices of actions especially in the face of challenging situations. It is a crucial skill as it impacts learning, social interactions and overall well-being. Children learn how to manage and regulate strong emotions like anger, frustration and sadness. It is important for children to know how to control their impulses, by resisting the urge to act on immediate desires and rather make more thoughtful decisions. Children are encouraged to maintain attention on tasks and resist distractions. What we provide your child. We have several programmes and methods we use to encourage this. These programmes are described below. Compass This company are a NHS endorsed group who offer support to your child’s mental health through Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT). This service is offered at no cost to yourselves and we have many children who have really benefitted from their time spent in sessions. They can offer one to one sessions with a child or sometimes where more appropriate they offer parent and child meetings to help you develop together. These can take place in person at school, in a community place or online. Letter for Parents Intro to MHST Pupil Voice: A Year 4 pupil said ,”I learnt ways to calm down. I use these a lot. I use Happy Breathing.” A Year 4 pupil said, “They were awesome. They taught me to take a deep breath. I could talk about what happened and my feelings.” Throughout the year we will organise one-off workshops for parents as advertised in the newsletter. Their parent worker has a lot of experience in sharing ideas and knowledge that we could use as parents when our children are experiencing difficulties. You can self-refer to Compass or ask Miss Corkery, Mrs Taylor or Miss Finn and they can talk you through the process to receive your consent for a referral. Throughout the year we will organise one-off workshops for parents as advertised in the newsletter. Their parent worker has a lot of experience in sharing ideas and knowledge that we could use as parents when our children are experiencing difficulties. You can self-refer to Compass or ask Miss Corkery, Mrs Taylor or Miss Finn and they can talk you through the process to receive your consent for a referral My Happy Minds Children are led through a weekly informative programme where they are shown how parts of our brain drive how we feel. They watch short videos, play games, hear short stories for each section. hm1 hm2 hm7 hm1 1/7 My Happy Mind Happiness Heroes This is a group of KS2 children who meet regularly to share how to help their year band sort out little issues in the playground or the classroom. They will start the important role of Playground Ambassadors and will be trained in how to watch out for children that are sad or lonely on the playground. They will be trained in how to start a conversation to help others explain what they are feeling and what to do to help.

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

St Bernadette's Curriculm Curriculum All learning experiences are planned to offer the broadest educational opportunities to pupils. Everyday offers opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge. Learning is delivered through assemblies, visits, themed weeks, after school clubs, as well as through timetabled lessons for particular subjects. We employ a combination of setting and mixed ability grouping depending on the subject area. A range of strategies are used to motivate and address the needs of all learners. Whole class teaching, group work, paired work and individual study is used at appropriate times. Pupils are given the opportunity to take the initiative, make decisions, work co-operatively and sometimes independently, supported by the class teacher. Resources are varied and include textbooks, worksheets, audio-visual, ICT and interactive materials, all of which are intended to support learning. Curriculum: Student Life Foundation Stage Curriculum Developing creative, confident learners Children may enter Nursery in the school year in which they will be four years old and may start Reception in the school year in which they will be five years old. The Nursery and Reception Years follow the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum, which is based on seven areas of learning: Prime Areas Personal, Social & Emotional Development Communication & Language Physical Development Specific Areas 4. Literacy 5. Mathematics 6. Understanding the World 7. Expressive Arts and Design In order for new pupils to settle into school, we ensure that the Nursery and Reception children have their own: Early lunch sitting Outdoor play area Induction day. Curriculum: Academics KS1 & KS2 Children in KS1 (age 5-7, Yr1 and Yr2) and KS2 (age 7-11, Yr3- Yr6) follow the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum Consists of: Religious Education Core Subjects (English, Mathematics & Science) Foundation Subjects (Art & Design, Citizenship, Computing, Design & Technology, French, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education) Delivery of these subjects ranges from discrete lesson time, cross curricular elements through other subjects and in dedicated curriculum days. Curriculum: Text Curriculum: List Intent, Implement, Impact Curriculum Maths Science Topic Computing English PE MFL EYFS

Earth Ambassadors Welcome to the Earth Ambassadors! Who are we? We are an after school group who meet once a week to learn more about the effects humans are having on the planet. What do we do? We have followed the Marine Conservation Society’s Ocean-friendly Schools Award for the last 3 years. This involved meeting certain requirements which enabled us to explore, investigate, act upon and share about a given environmental problem. This year we chose to dive deeper into the affects of microfibres from clothes on the environment and the creatures that live in it. We have a link here to the different parts of our work. Would you like to join us? When you are in Year 6 you would be welcomed by Miss Corkery if you are motivated, interested, caring and want to know how to help look after our planet. Section 2 Evaluate Section 3 Act Section 1 Explore

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. The Grotto at Lourdes Full website for The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes can be found here https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/ Live stream from the grotto at Lourdes can be accessed below

Prospectus I warmly welcome you to St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. At St Bernadette’s, we provide a safe, secure and happy environment where every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential. Our school motto, ‘Learn to Love, Love to Learn’, is at the heart of all we do. Our curriculum places Jesus at its centre and reflects Gospel values, nurturing a sense of purpose and faith in our children. We are delighted to share that our recent Catholic Schools Inspection report praised the exemplary behaviour of our children, recognising their deep understanding of Christian values. The report also highlighted that our staff are outstanding role models, creating a loving and nurturing environment where children are happy, confident and proud to be part of the St Bernadette’s family. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child, recognising every individual as created in the image and likeness of God. Alongside academic achievement, we offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities, encourage pupil leadership, and support the spiritual and social development of our children. Our talented and dedicated staff work closely with families, our parish and the local community. We believe that education is a true partnership and greatly value your involvement and support in your child's educational journey. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to St Bernadette’s. Miss E. Finnegan 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

Altar Servers ‘Let the children come to me’. (Luke 18:16) Our altar servers play an important role in the spiritual life of our Catholic school community. Being an altar server is a valuable opportunity for our pupils to grow in their faith and to serve others at the Ch urch’s liturgy. As altar servers, they have the privilege of serving the altar, assisting with the preparation of the altar and communion elements, as well as performing other duties during the Holy Mass. They also help the congregation to pray by being good role models and setting a good example. We are blessed to have such devoted pupils, willing to serve the Lord, their school and church community in the worship of God in a prayerful and reverent manner. Any child who has completed the First Holy Communion programme can become an altar server. Please talk to Fr. Fretch if your child is interested in deepening their faith and fulfilling their vocation to serve others by becoming an altar server. School Altar Servers The Guild of Saint Stephen Our altar servers have recently been enrolled into the Guild of Saint Stephen. The Guild of St. Stephen is an international organisation of altar servers, founded in England in 1904 by Fr. Hamilton McDonald. The Guild has spread and developed since then, and is active in many parishes in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Altar servers take Saint Stephen as their patron saint. Saint Stephen is one of the first seven deacons chosen to assist the apostles in service (Acts 6) and the first martyr of the Church. The objectives of the Guild are: To encourage, positively and practically, the highest standards of serving at the Church's liturgy and so contribute to the whole community's participation in a more fruitful worship of God. To provide altar servers with a greater understanding of what they are doing so that they may serve with increasing reverence and prayerfulness and thereby be led to a deepening response to their vocation in life. To unite servers of different parishes and dioceses for their mutual support and encouragement.