Farewell, good luck and God bless you, Year 6!
On Friday morning we gathered as a whole school community children, staff and parents to say farewell to our friends in Year 6 as they prepared for the next stage of their exciting journey.
As the hall filled (it was a tight squeeze!), we looked at pictures of our friends throughout their time at our school. I've had to split the film into two clips to share it on this platform ...
Mr Crump and Mrs Glover reminded us of the absolute potential of each and every one of our pupils through reading 'What if ...' by Jackie French Koller ... including ...
What if Einstein never
used his brain
or the Wright brothers
never tried to fly a plane?
What if Beethoven
never tried to play?
What if Motehr Teresa
turned away?
The message to take away from this is that we all have something unique and beautiful inside; our task is to use this, to try, to have a go. If we don't, we ignore the huge potential to make a difference. Do your bit, be brave ... make a difference!
Remember all that you were reminded about your unique footprint and its impact upon the world... how it has grown with you and has left its mark wherever you have journeyed. Your footprint on this school has been amazing, Year 6, and we are so excited about the footprint that you will leave as you journey onwards in life.
We loved year 6 singing their leavers' song to us. You can sing along to it here:
We couldn't resist reminding you all, Year 6, how very special you all are. I won't make you read it all again ... but here are a few highlights:
In the entire world there is nobody, nobody like you. Since the beginning of time there has never been another person like you. Nobody has your smile, your eyes, your hands, you hair. Nobody owns your handwriting, your voice. You are special ...
You are the only one in the whole of creation who has been gifted with your particular abilities. You are rare and in all rarity there is enormous value and because of your great value there is no need to imitate anyone other than Jesus. You are special ...
You are special. Remember, God made you for a special purpose. He has a job for you to do than no one else can do as well as you can. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified. Only one has the unique and right combination of what it takes, and that one is you!
For your parents:
Remember to lay your knots / worries at this time in front of Our Lady Undoer of Knots - if we entrust our knots to her with our prayers she will begin to unpick them for us.
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
Pray for us
Year 6 were pleased to be presented with a really special year book packed full of photo memories and a USB stick, courtesy of our generous PSA. Next, the staff were humbled to receive a staff room hamper and the year 6 book corners will be even more exciting with the fantastic basket of books for each Year 6 class. Thank you so much for your thoughtful generosity!
And then onto the special awards. Congratulations to the following Year 6 pupils who were presented with awards:
Girls football award:
Monica
Boys football award:
James
Netball award:
Luwhat
Tim Brant Sports Shield:
William & Cerys
Helen Kelly Cup
for courage, consideration & compassion
Gabrielle
Elizabeth Ransom Cup
'strive to become the best you can'
Anais
Other pupils leaving our school at the end of this year gathered with our Year 6 pupils ready for the final traditional blessing. They were also joined by staff leavers: Mrs Pearce, Mrs Silvester, Mrs Baldwin & Mrs McCarthy. We also prayed for Mrs Estall who has already left our community. As each member of the community reached out with a blessing hand towards those leaving, we prayed:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn His face towards you
and give you peace.
Amen
Year 6 carried out their final act of service to the community as we left assembly. They formed an arch of friendship for the entire community to pass through.
Farewell, good luck and God bless to all of our leavers.
Come and visit us again soon, so that we know how you are getting on.
St Vincent de Paul School will always be your home!