The Cathedral School of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie

We always value feedback at Cathedral School and are all so pleased to hear that the children appreciate the opportunities that are provided for them.

As a staff we are so proud of the children, how hard they work, their positive and respectful behaviour, beautiful manners and most importantly their learning. All of the staff, governors and parents work together to ensure all the children at Cathedral School have everything they need in order to succeed.

We are a Right Respecting School and as such feel that Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must inform decisions that are made by stakeholders “Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities.”

Thank you Miranda for taking the time to write your card.

Cathedral Primary School’s Class 4 worked film-maker Sam Lawlor to to explore the history of film. Pupils researched the ages of cinema and scripted short scenes depicting different eras. After acting and filming on location around the Southbank, they practised editing techniques and using special effects.

Enjoy!

This morning, in assembly, we reflected on World Environment Day 2013 and thought about how we could reply to the letter from Zog, Zena, Zebo and Zelga. What environmental tips would you give them?

Huge congratulations to all of the children, parents and staff who contributed to Cathedral Primary School’s International Evening on Thursday 23rd May. This sell-out evening was an opportunity to celebrate our wonderfully diverse school community through song, drama, dance, music, origami and poetry. The performances were astonishing and included Serbian dancing, African songs, a range of poetry, gymnastics, Azonto dancing as well as a variety of music played on the accordion, piano and recorder and an excellent performance from the Cathedral School Choir.

This year we had over 30 performances showcasing the talents of our school community including the very professional Cathedral School Parent’s Choir who involved the audience by encouraging everyone to join in. Vanessa Fenton, who has spent 14 years at the Royal Ballet Company, performed beautiful piece of ballet from Swan Lake and The Cathedral School Staff Choir started the evening off with Consider Yourself at Home and Alouette followed by a captivating performance from our Drumming Club.  Drama club had the audience in fits of laughter while still being informative and highly entertaining. The performances finished with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem led by Io and her brother Abe who is  4 years old.

International Evening is also an opportunity to get together as a school community and taste a variety of foods from around the world, many thanks to all of the parents and staff who provided the food for the interval.

All the staff at Cathedral are incredibly proud of the children and believe that International Evening is an important way to showcase the quality of our arts provision. It is also a chance to demonstrate our commitment to developing International links and celebrate our own diverse community.

Finally we would once again like to thank all the performers, parents and staff who contributed to a superb evening.

We would love to read your reflections on International Evening 2013 – please feel free to comment on this post.

On Friday the 7^th June we will be hosting another parents coffee morning with parenting specialist Emua Ali at 9.30am in the school hall.  The theme this time will be ‘How to talk so your child listens’.  The session will as always be interactive giving you an opportunity to discuss your experiences with Emua and other parents. Everyone is welcome; if you would like to attend please let the school office know.

We are in the process of updating our School Development Plan and would value your contribution.

If you would like to find out more about Cathedral School’s Development Plan and help set priorities for 2013 – 14 please click here.

Congratulations to Year 6 who took part in a Kwick Cricket Festival today which was organised by the London PE and School Sports Network. The class have been training for this event with sports coach Elliott Flavell during their PE sessions this half term. They competed against children from a range of schools across Southwark. We were so proud to hear that the referees commented positively on their tactics, teamwork and manners.

As a result of their determination, training and teamwork they won the opportunity to represent Southwark in a London-wide Kwick Cricket Festival in the second part of the summer term. Well done Class 6! We are all thrilled for you.

This morning, during assembly we thought about Florence Nightingale and her contribution to nursing. If you would like to know more or complete the Florence Nightingale quiz, please click on the picture of the lady with the lamp.

If you would like to share your interesting Florence Nightingale fact, please comment on this post.

Thank you to Class 5 who led our worship at Southwark Cathedral this morning. They reflected on 3 passages from the Bible; Jesus Calls the First Disciples, The Wedding in Cana and The Parable of the Mustard Seed. They thoughtfully linked these stories to our school motto, “life in all its fullness” and each child planted a seed which they are going to nurture and bring to the Cathedral as part of their Year 6 leaver’s service next year.

Here are a selection of reflections:

“To me, this parable is like us all having many nets; all full of something that makes the world a better place. Some of our nets are full of kindness, or faith, talent, forgiveness and wisdom. We all have the nets; they represent who we are – however, we do not have a net for evil- because God always cleanses our sins. When our nets are full, we achieve something amazing, we are making ourselves better people.”

“Jesus said that the mustard seed will grow and grow to be the biggest plant, and what Jesus means is that the mustard seed is us, and we will grow in faithfulness. Also the school motto is full of peace, trust and worth, and it will last forever in us.”

“To me, the mustard seed represents a diminutive, new little baby, who is unnoticed and doesn’t yet know about the world. As the baby grows, it experiences life; faith, peace and truthfulness bloom, expanding inside the child. Branches forming on the tree represent growing successes and spreading the word of God. Life in all its fullness is like the tree, becoming the home of many creatures, unfurling its warmth and fullness. Birds build their nests in the tree’s loving arms; the sun sets and rises, animals are born, and leaves sprout, but the tree is always there.”

“I think that the parable of the water jars tells us that if you live life in all its fullness then others can enjoy it as well. In my mind, lives are the water at first, however, when we start knowing and enjoying things, we turn into the finest wine. The servants took the wine to the host and he was delighted; we can give that same delight to other people by living life to the full. Live life in all its fullness. That’s what we believe.”

“Wine is much more powerful and interesting, full of flavour and fun. To live life in all its fullness everyone should be having fun, enjoying themselves and living life to the greatest that it can be.”

Class 5 wrote prayers to end the service.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of the warm, happy souls in the world and the loving families that care endlessly for us.  Thank you for giving us life – challenging opportunities and colourful lives like wine. Thank you for your love, which surges through our hearts and bodies everyday. Thank you for giving us luck, kindness and peace in our lives. Thank you for helping our spirits grow and grow, like the mustard seed.

Amen

The Cathedral School community has been asked to contribute to a unique art project by acclaimed British ceramic artist Claire Twomey at the Foundling Museum.

Inspired by the acts of exchange and charity implicit in the Foundling Hospital story, Twomey has worked with children in care, former pupils of the Foundling Hospital School, local residents and many others to devise over 1000 individual good deeds. Placed between the base of a cup and its saucer, these instructions are revealed only when a cup is selected. In order to keep the cup, one must agree to complete the good deed; otherwise the cup must be replaced.

As the exhibition unfurls, the good deeds will be revealed. Uniform rows of identical cups will gradually transform as the unique, individual deeds are revealed on the saucers below. Beyond the walls of the Foundling, the cups will be dispersed; acting as mementos of good deeds done and an encouragement to do more for others.

The children, staff, parents, friends and governors of Cathedral School have been invited submit their ideas for good deeds to be included in the exhibition, in order to encourage positive behaviour and empower individuals to do a little good within their community. If you would like to submit a good deed, please leave a comment on this blog.

Exhibiton dates: 14 June 2013 – 15 September 2013, 10:00 – 17:00. For more information please visit exhibitions@foundlingmuseum.org.uk