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Catholic Life

DIOCESAN INSPECTION REPORT | MARCH 2024

Summary of Key Findings for Parents and Pupils

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  • Time is invested in making the relationships with families strong. Consequently, the school has a deep understanding of the social and emotional needs of all pupils, especially the most vulnerable, and gives these the highest priority.

  • Pupils embrace their responsibility, as part of a universal Church, to care for others.

  • Leaders prioritise links with the parish community and partner schools, and as a result, the Catholic identity of the school is strengthened.

  • Over time, pupils are able to use religious vocabulary to explain beliefs and the impact this has on everyday life.

  • The prayer life of the school is central, and parents greatly value the impact this has on their children.

OUR DIOCESAN VISION

“Listen, I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you, and eat with you and you with me”. (Rev. 2:20)

This Word of God challenges us as a Diocese to:

  • Worship God

  • Proclaim the Gospel

  • Serve everyone with love

 

Building on this vision we are encouraged to be rooted and grounded in a loving relationship with Christ. Formation in this relationship must undergird everything we say and do as a Diocese. To this end we need to commit ourselves, clergy and laity alike, to formation together as the People of God in Hexham and Newcastle. It is our responsibility to build up Christ’s Church.   

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CATHOLIC LIFE AT ST AIDAN'S

Catholic Life at St Aidan's is central to our mission to 'learn with Jesus and serve our community with love.' All members of our school community are involved in nurturing and living out the school's mission statement and are fully committed to providing every opportunity to ensure all children and adults know that Jesus is at the centre of our community.

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We follow Statements to Live By and share the Wednesday Word which is based on the weekly Gospel, an integral part of practice of the whole school.

OUR STATEMENTS TO LIVE BY

  1. We are all special

  2. I can say one good thing about myself

  3. I can say how I feel

  4. I can laugh and have fun

  5. I know what to do if I see anyone being hurt

  6. I understand that rights match responsibility

  7. I try to stand up for myself and others without hurting others

  8. I try to be just and fair

  9. I can tell you how I look after myself

  10. I think before I make choices that affect my health

  11. I can work, play, rest and pray each day

  12. Simple things can make us happy

  13. I try to love others and I love myself

  14. I try to follow our school and classroom rules

  15. I know I belong in a community that includes my school

  16. I know we are happiest when we are united

  17. I listen to what you say. I show that I am listening to you

  18. I cooperate with others in work and play

  19. I try to use words that make the world a better place (please, sorry, thank you)

  20. I try to appreciate the beauty and the wonder in the world around me

  21. I know that it is ok for me to make mistakes

  22. I can learn from my mistakes and failures

  23. I try to keep going when things are difficult and not give up hope

  24. I know what humility means

  25. I know when to ask for help and who to ask for help from

  26. I can recognise comfortable and uncomfortable feelings

  27. I know how to help others when they are in trouble

  28. I understand what trust means

  29. I try to forgive people when they hurt me

  30. I try accept forgiveness from others

  31. I know how to show I am sorry

  32. I understand the importance of peace

  33. I know what human dignity means and I show that I respect others

  34. I stand up for people who are being treated unfairly

  35. I notice that are the same and we are different

  36. I try to be accepting of others

CELEBRATION OF THE WORD: PRAYER & LITURGY

Acts of worship are important ways of celebrating and expressing our Catholic faith. It can take many forms from simple class prayers to a whole school Celebration of the Word and Mass.

children learn to be creative and enjoy their prayer life. They take an active role in planning and participating in acts of worship throughout the liturgical year.

 

Parents are welcomed each week to share in their children's class Celebration of the Word and they are also invited to pray together with their children at home via our Prayer Bear or Travelling Cribs. 

 

Classes attend Mass throughout the year and Fr David celebrates a whole school Mass with us each term.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM

Curriculum RE at St Aidan's follows Diocesan guidance using The Come & See published scheme. RE allows children to learn the scripture, symbols and meaning of their faith and make links between their learning, their beliefs and how they live their lives and serve others in the way that Jesus taught us.

 

Curriculum RE plans are shared termly with parents in our school newsletter.

RELATIONSHIPS & HEALTH EDUCATION (RHE)

Catholic schools, like all other schools in England, are required to produce a written policy following the guidance issued by the Department for Education on Relationships and Health Education(RHE) in primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in secondary schools. The DfE guidance can be found here. Catholic schools are also required to deliver RHE in accordance with the teaching of the Church. This approach is compatible with the guidance issued by the DfE.

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Why is RHE in Catholic Schools important?

RHE is part of the mission of Catholic schools to educate the whole person. It should be carried out as part of the holistic education which seeks to form as well as inform young people in preparation for adult life.

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What does outstanding RHE in a Catholic school look like?

In order for Catholic RHE to be fully effective it needs to:

  • Be faithful to the Church's vision of human wholeness whilst recognising the contemporary context in which we live today;

  • Involve parents as they are primary educators of their child;

  • Provide a positive view of human sexuality and dignity of the human person;

  • Equip young people with the ability to make practical judgments about the right thing to do in particular circumstances;

  • Explore and promote virtues which are essential to promoting respect and dignity;

  • Be delivered in an age appropriate way which reflects the development of the child;

  • Be part of the cross-curricular work in both primary and secondary schools;

  • Be sensitive to the needs of the individual pupil and recognise the mix of pupils with different sexual orientations, genders and family backgrounds in each class;

  • Be taken seriously by governors and teachers as an integrated part of the broad and balanced curriculum that Catholic schools offer;

  • Be delivered by competent professionals who understand the Church's teaching.

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Life To The Full

We use the Diocesan recommended 'Life to the Full' materials for RHE. Please see the leaflet below or contact the school for a parent login to have a closer look at the materials.

OUR LADY & ST AIDAN'S PARISH

Our Lady and St Aidan's is part of the Wallsend family of parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes. We are a welcoming Catholic community committed to fostering growth in faith, love of God and discipleship.

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For more information you can contact us via:

Facebook: Wallsend Catholic Churches

YouTube: Wallsend Catholic Churches

Email: wallsendcatholic.church@gmail.com

Website: Our Lady and St Aidan - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk)

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BEFRIENDING GROUP

A voluntary service offering one-to-one companionship for people in our community.

 

Volunteer befrienders will visit you at home, helping maintain links with the Parish and wider community.

 

What are the benefits of having a befriender?

Through the friendship and support offered by the volunteer befriender, many people may benefit from an improved quality of life and increased social contact.

 

Who is eligible for the service?

Individuals or couples living either in their own home or a care home who feel they would benefit from company and would like to maintain links with the parish and its wider community.

 

What support can the befriender give?

This will depend on the interests of the person and the befriender. As in all friendships both people come to an agreement as to what activities they want to do, e.g. having tea and a chat.  Befrienders are not allowed to become involved in personal care, domestic tasks, administering medication, financial/legal matters, or to offer formal advice.

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Who are our befrienders?

Volunteer befrienders are members of the parish who have offered their time. People of all ages from all walks of life become befrienders.

All volunteers have had statuary checks and your safety, privacy and wellbeing is their priority.

 

What happens next?

For more information, or to request a visit from a befriender, please contact the parish office by telephone on 0191 2623882, via email at wallsendcatholic.church@gmail.com or send a messgae on the contact us form here.

AN INVITATION TO THE SACRAMENTS
FROM FATHER DAVID SMITH

My name is Father David Smith and I am the Parish Priest for all three Wallsend Roman Catholic parishes. 

 

During a meeting with the Wallsend Catholic primary school Headteachers, we discussed the application process that has been in place for many years when it comes to having your children baptised or them being able to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation or First Holy Communion. I understand that many parents have been unable to commit to what in my opinion have been very robust entry requirements when it comes to being able to have your child begin or continue on their sacramental journey.

 

While I see the need to show a certain level of commitment to these Holy Sacraments and how we go about receiving them, I also see that sometimes a certain level of flexibility and understanding are required on the part of the Church and the Parish Priest. 

 

In other parishes I have developed a programme that strikes a healthy realistic balance when it comes to the delivery and attendance of sacramental preparation programmes. 

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BAPTISM

If your child has at least one parent who is a baptised Roman Catholic and you live in one of the three Wallsend Roman Catholic parishes, 

 

  • Our Lady and Saint Aidan’s 

  • Saint Bernadette’s 

  • Our Lady and Saint Columba’s

 

You are more than welcome to have your child baptised and all you need to do is get in touch with me on 0191 2623882 or wallsendcatholicchurch@gmail.com

 

If your circumstances are different and you have questions for me, please feel welcome to contact me and while I will always follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, I may well be able to help you so you have nothing to lose by getting in touch. 

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FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Your child needs to be baptised and have at least one parent who is baptised and willing to support their child on this sacramental journey. If you or your child have not been part of a traditional sacramental journey and feel you would like to be more deeply immersed into the sacramental life of the church then once again, do get in touch with me with your questions.

 

Best wishes,

Fr David Smith

ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
HEADTEACHER: MR D WATSON

We are a Catholic High School who serve the young people of North Tyneside offering an excellent education, first class pastoral care and guidance, and incredible extra-curricular opportunities. We welcome students from all across the borough: from our family of feeder schools and also from many other primary schools.

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At St Thomas More we are extremely proud of our school, its work and its outcomes. All of our community work hard to create and sustain a warm, welcoming and caring atmosphere within which all students, staff and visitors to the school feel valued and secure. The very positive and inclusive ethos, founded on our strong Christian values, is characterised most clearly by the excellent relationships that exist within school and beyond. St Thomas More is a happy and vibrant place where our young people develop and grow, academically, morally, socially and spiritually. They achieve excellent outcomes and are ready for the next stage of their lives.

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Our website contains information about all aspects of the school including recent activities and our regular newsletter More Life highlights our students’ great achievements. I’m sure you will find it very useful but if you have any further questions about St Thomas More, please get in touch.

 

School website: https://stmacademy.org.uk

COMMUNITY GROUPS:
13TH TYNEMOUTH SCOUTS

The 13th Tynemouth Scouts meet at our school on Monday evenings.

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HOWDON CHILDREN'S CENTRE

Keep up to date with what is going in in our area. For further information please contact Howdon Children's Centre on 0191 6432229 or Wallsend Children's Centre on 0191 6432699

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