Matthew 21:28–32

"Which of the two did the father's will?"

In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of two sons. One son says he will not help his father but later changes his mind and does what is asked. The other says all the right things but never follows through. Jesus reminds us that our actions speak louder than our words, and that what matters most is responding to God's call with sincere hearts.

As we continue through this school year, this Gospel invites us to live out our faith in the way we treat others each day. It is not enough simply to know what is right: we are called to put our faith into action through kindness, honesty and service. Every time we choose to work hard, be kind, and do the right thing, even when it is difficult, we are answering God's invitation to follow Him with our whole hearts.

October – The Month of the Rosary

October is a special month in our Church calendar — it is the Month of the Holy Rosary. During this time, we are invited to grow closer to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, by praying the Rosary and reflecting on the life of Jesus through her eyes.

The Rosary is a powerful prayer made up of quiet reflection, repeated prayers, and meditation on key moments (called mysteries) from Jesus’ life.

At school, we will be taking time throughout October to pray a decade, or decades, of the Rosary together, asking Mary to help us grow in faith, kindness and peace. Children may like to bring their own Rosary beads to use in class worship but we also have some in school that children are welcome to borrow. 

"Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, that we may follow your Son with courage and love."

Let us honour Mary with our prayers and our actions this October.

First Holy Communion

For children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 

Details of this year’s programme and this year’s registration form are available on the parish website: https://www.sacredheartstfrancisgorton.co.uk/sacraments 

The closing date for this year’s applications is 13th November 2026 and families will need to commit to weekly mass attendance as well as a number of Saturday meetings. The first meeting is  the 21st November at 11.45am. The First Holy Communion Mass for children on the programme will take place on the 26th June 2027. Please speak to Father Kevin after Mass if you have any questions. 

Secondary School Admissions

The application deadline is looming for current Y6 pupils!

Year 6 Parents and Carers, if you haven’t yet applied for a place at secondary school for your son or daughter, please remember to do so before October 31st. Manchester residents, please follow this link: 

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500322/secondary_school_admissions

Phonics

For those children who are still becoming secure in their phonic knowledge (mostly children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2), here are the sound videos to help you to use pure sounds with your children when they are reading and writing: 

https://vimeo.com/753929025/5eaa45c0aa?share=copy

https://vimeo.com/753931102/b9a2f8194f

How often should we read together? 

We strongly suggest: 

5 minutes of reading each day for children in Reception

10-15 minutes of reading each day for children in Years 1 & 2

15-20 minutes for children in Years 3 & 4

30 minutes of reading per day for children in Year 5 & 6

Please remember to continue to read to your children as well as listening to them read to you. Hearing how reading should sound is a valuable learning experience for your child and sharing a bedtime story is a wonderfully positive way to end the day. 

Reading Records

Please remember to sign your child’s reading record at least five times per week. Child in Y6 are welcome to complete their own entries as long as an adult in the home signs once per week. 

Here are some prompts for Y6 children from Miss Wynne, our Reading Leader: 

School News

Celebrations

Keep our children safe! 

PLEASE NO PARKING OR EVEN STOPPING ON KNUTSFORD ROAD!

Unless you have a blue disabled badge, please do not park or even stop on Knutsford Road opposite the school or outside the school between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm as clearly marked on the yellow signs on both sides of the road. 

In accordance with the Highway Code, please do not park within 10 metres of the junctions on Knutsford Road. I need to be clear that my staff are here to teach and care for your children; they are not traffic wardens or police officers. Please be respectful of other road users and our neighbours in order to reinforce the message we share daily with our children: Every Heart is Sacred. 

If you are experiencing difficulties navigating the roads near our school due to dangerous or illegal parking, you can report your concerns here.

Class Assemblies

During the autumn term, classes will be leading their peers in Faith Assemblies, then parents and carers will be invited to Class Faith Assemblies in the spring and summer terms. Here are the Class Faith Assembly dates for your diaries.

Class Masses

Families are very welcome to join us in Church. 

Parish of Sacred Heart & St Francis, Gorton

Click here for Mass times and other events in the Parish of Sacred Heart and St Francis, Gorton:

https://www.sacredheartstfrancisgorton.co.uk/mass-schedule