CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE
Other matters pale in significance and it puts the experience of an Ofsted Inspection into context. Nevertheless, the Inspection did take place and, however confident the school might have felt about its outcome, it did make considerable demands and place strain on all concerned. The process of reporting back is lengthy and comments about its findings cannot be fully made until the final Report is published in mid-January. However, everything we have heard so far has been very positive and the school is expecting that the findings will be something in which we can all take great pride. For the time being, I will therefore simply thank all connected with St. Michael’s for their very hard work and for the wonderful support they have given to me and to one another before and during the period of the Inspection. Two members of staff leave us this week, Miss Gray and Ms. Casey. They have made excellent contributions to the success of the school in their respective departments and in the provision of extra-curricular opportunities for pupils. Over the years, Miss Gray’s guitar lessons have enabled many of our students to learn how to play to a high standard and we have all enjoyed their subsequent contributions to assemblies, concerts and to the liturgy. Ms. Casey’s Environment Club has also been very popular and among the many benefits it has brought to the school is the creation of our Garden of Remembrance. Both teachers will be really missed in St. Michael’s and I would like to warmly thank them for all they have done and I know the whole school joins me in wishing them well for the future. And so we come to the Christmas holiday. It is a time of rejoicing and there will be many ways in which we celebrate with one another. Presents will be swapped, families will come together and no doubt there will be parties too! ‘Love God and love your neighbour’ was the way Jesus Christ once summarised His message and, if we keep this at the centre of all we do, then Christmas should indeed be a peaceful and joyous occasion. My best wishes to all who read this, whether you are current or past members of St. Michael’s School.
G. A. Maxwell |
I write these notes at the end of what everybody connected with
the school will acknowledge has been a particularly busy and testing first
term. Overshadowing everything else, of course, has been the very sad loss
of Mr. Parker. The sentiments expressed by pupils, staff, parents and others
at the Mass for Mr. Parker in November show the high regard in which he was
held within our school community. I am sure that Mr. Parker and his wife
and family will be remembered in everybody’s prayers this Christmas
and beyond. There are other families within the school who have also suffered
bereavements this term and I know that they will be in our prayers, too.