This October, we are proud to celebrate Black History Month—a time to recognise, honour, and learn about the incredible contributions of Black people to British history, culture, and society.

At Sacred Heart, we reflect not only on historical figures, but also on the everyday strength, resilience and achievements of our own families and community. Through stories, discussion, art, music and prayer, we are helping our children understand the importance of equality, dignity and hope, and encouraging them to be proud of who they are.

We give thanks for the rich cultural heritage within our school and ask God to help us become a country in which every single person celebrates diversity, stands up for justice, and shows love to all.

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

– Baroness Floella Benjamin

Black History Month
Manchester City Council have got a fantastic programme of events lined up across Manchester Libraries and schools to celebrate Black History Month.  The year’s theme, Standing Firm in Power and Pride honours Black British history with pride and purpose. Visit the libraries website pages for more information about events including:   

• 23 October, 10am: Manchester Libraries presents award winning bestselling author Tọlá Okogwu. This is a virtual event which is free, as part of Manchester Libraries’ school offer and is a multi-school virtual session. Sign up by contacting libraryschoolbookings@manchester.gov.uk and find more information about Tola here.

School News

Wear red for Manchester Food Bank

Friday 17th October

Each Autumn, CAFOD holds a Family Fast Day in which we are invited to come together as a community to fast, pray and raise funds to address issues of food and hunger around the world. This year, our Caritas team is asking for donations for the Manchester Food Bank in exchange for coming to school dressed in their ‘own clothes’ on the final day of this half term. 

As October 17th is also 'Show Racism The Red Card' Wear Red day, we invite our children to wear an item or two, or more if they choose, of red clothing on October 17th to show our commitment to changing hearts, changing minds and changing lives. 

‘Serve one another in love.’

Galatians 5:13 

This week, we appointed our new Year 6 Leadership Team! All 45 of our Y6 children now have an important role to play in overseeing the effective organisation of our busy school. From Prefecting duties at lunchtime to Eco-committee duties incorporating keeping our school litter-free, you will see our wonderful Y6 children helping to make our world a better place. 

Year 6 all worked very, very hard to prepare and present their applications for a range of posts, describing how their own talents and vision can support our school development. Mrs Jordan, Mrs Illidge and Mrs Botham were extremely impressed with their hard work and presentation skills - we definitely have some future lawmakers in our midst!

Please remember Year 6 in your prayers as they begin to carry out their roles with love, kindness and diligence. Thank you in advance for your service Y6; we already know that each and every one of you will be an amazing asset to the smooth running of our very special school.

Celebrations

Autumn Parents’ Evenings

November 18th, 19th and 20th - 3:30-5:30pm

You should have now received a ParentMail regarding our first Parents’ Evenings of the new academic year. If your child is in Reception, your Parents’ Evening will be bookable via the class teacher. Please note that bookings will close at 3:30pm on Friday 14th November in order to allow teachers time to prepare the data that they will share with you. 

18th & 19th November - Reception 1, Reception 2, Class 5 and Class 6

18th & 20th November - Nursery, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 7

19th & 20th November - Class 4, Class 8 and Class 9

When you arrive for your parents’ evening appointment, please use the pedestrian gate to access the school building and please allow additional time so that you can look at your children’s books before, or after, you meet with the teacher. Staff will direct you to the correct classroom or meeting room on arrival. 

As there is no childcare facility on site in the evenings at Sacred Heart, please try to leave younger children at home. If you do have to bring children along, please keep them with you at all times and please ensure that classrooms are kept tidy, ready for the next day’s learning. Thank you. 

THANK YOU TEACHING ASSISTANTS!

Friday 26th September was National Teaching Assistants Day. Thank you to all of our wonderful Teaching Assistants on this national day of recognition! We would be lost without their support, guidance and friendship; our school simply could not function without them. Our Teaching Assistants received beautiful roses in recognition of their hard work, delivered by some of our fabulous Year 6 children (so thank you to them, too!)

Reading

‘Children learn to read by reading.’ Marie M Clay

Just like learning to drive and learning to swim, the most effective way to learn to read is by reading… as often as possible! 

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

As children get older, they are welcome to read texts other than their school reading books, for example sporting articles, non-fiction books, newspapers and magazines. 

Gorton Library is a fantastic resource - all lending is free and staff are able to order any books your child would like to read that can’t be found on the shelves on the day of your visit. 

First News is a great resource that can be found in most large supermarkets - it’s a newspaper written especially for children and young people and bursts full of interesting articles and facts. 

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. 

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