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RE at St Bernadette's RE at St Bernadette’s Catholic School At St Bernadette’s, our faith is at the centre of everything we do. We are proud to be a Catholic community where every child is valued, loved, and encouraged to grow in faith, hope, and love. Religious Education is not just one subject among many — it is the golden thread that runs through our curriculum, shaping the way we learn, celebrate, and treat one another. All areas of our curriculum are taught through a Catholic lens, helping pupils to see the world and their learning through the values and teachings of our faith. Through our RE curriculum, Prayer and Liturgy, and daily witness to the Gospel, we aim to help each child develop a personal relationship with God and a strong sense of moral purpose. Together, we strive to follow the example of Jesus, living out our school mission by showing kindness, respect, and compassion in all that we do. RE Policy 25/26 RE Curriculum: About Us Below are the units of work covered this academic year in the RE curriculum for each Year Band. Nursery Knowledge.pdf Reception Knowledge.pdf Y1 Knowledge.pdf Y2 Knowledge.pdf Y5 Knowledge.pdf Y3 Knowledge.pdf Y6 Knowledge.pdf Y4 Knowledge.pdf RE Curriculum: Text Intent At St Bernadette’s Catholic School, Religious Education (RE) lies at the heart of our curriculum and shapes everything we do. It is far more than a single subject — it is the foundation of our mission to live out the Gospel values and share God’s love each day. Our curriculum is rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), These principles are Human Dignity, The Common Good, Participation, Subsidiarity, Stewardship, Preferential Option for the Poor, Solidarity, Distributive Justice and Promoting Peace. These key strands help our pupils to understand how faith can inspire action and make a positive difference in the world. RE Curriculum: Text Assessment of RE The RE Curriculum covers four strands: Scripture, Sacraments, Liturgical and Living as Christians. Three different units are assessed annually in each year Band, with each academic year focusing on a different strand. in line with Diocesan guidelines. Samples of work are gathered throughout the year and moderated against the diocesan end of phase expectations. RE Curriculum: Our Mission

Solihul Masking Supporting a Child Who Masks: Parent Guide Avoid Questions About the Day Asking “How was school?” or “What did you do today?” can increase anxiety. Focus on observing, listening gently and offering choices instead. Attend Workshops & Courses Attend school or external workshops on emotional regulation, masking and neurodiversity. Learning more equips you to respond calmly and supportively. Structured Routines Create consistent daily routines from morning to evening. Include all activities: meals, hygiene, independent play, homework, evening wind-down. Use visual timetables to make the day predictable. Remove completed activities from the schedule to give a sense of control and achievement. Visual Supports & Communication Boards Use consistent colours: one for directions, one for choices. Show simple images for each activity. Keep images clean: white background, no distractions. Place at child’s height for independence. Let the child choose or handle images for comfort and autonomy. Safe, Independent Activities Encourage activities your child can do alone or quietly: Counting, drawing, building, puzzles Running, skipping, movement Focus on activity and engagement, not discussion about the day. Observe & Respond to Stress Recognise outbursts, tears, or withdrawal as normal stress responses. Provide a calm, predictable environment to help your child regulate emotions. At school, we use zones of regulation Validate feelings without judgment: “I can see this is hard for you.” “It’s okay to feel frustrated or tired.” Offer multiple ways to communicate: talking, writing, drawing. Supporting Your Masking Child Emotionally Children need acceptance, predictability, and understanding. Remind them: It’s okay to be themselves. It’s okay to ask for help. They are not alone. Your child’s masking is not their fault—home should be a safe place to recharge. Supporting a masking child takes patience, understanding, and consistency. Using structured routines, visual supports, safe independent activities, and gentle emotional guidance can reduce stress and help your child feel secure and understood.

Vocations Welcome from Fr Fretch Ballesteros I was born in the Phillipines in 1989 and was raised by my mother and Father with my brothers and sisters. At the age of 16 I joined the seminary after deciding I wanted to become a priest. Later I travelled to the UK and completed my theological studies at St Mary’s College Oscott. I was ordained a deacon on 29th September 2016 and was ordained a priest at Corpus Christi Church in Stechford. In January 2023 I became the Parish Priest of Holy Family Church in Small Heath and work closely with the two schools in the parish, Holy Family School and St Bernadette’s. As a Vocationist Father, I live in a community and took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Founder was Father Justin Russolillo. On 20th September 1913, Justin was ordained a Priest. While kneeling before the Bishop for the ordination, he vowed to the Lord to found a religious Congregation to cultivate vocations to faith, priesthood and holiness. On 15th May 2022, Pope Francis canonised 10 new saints of the Catholic church during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square including Blessed Justin Russollilo. Sister Maura Halpin A Sister of Mercy When I joined the Sisters of Mercy in London 60 years ago I had no idea what ‘JOB’ I would be doing. I could have been working in the convent or parish, as a nurse or as a teacher because our Foundress, Venerable Catherine McAuley founded our Religious Order to give education, healthcare and support to the poorest families in Dublin in mid-19th Century. It was a shock to leave rural Ireland and find myself in a very busy city. Becoming a teacher was my second Vocation as being a Sister came firs t. I taught in a number of secondary schools throughout my teaching years. I was called away from teaching 30 years ago to do pastoral work within our Religious Order. This ministry took me to some countries that I would otherwise never have visited as some of our Sisters were working abroad. Now that I am ‘retired’ I feel so grateful to God for all the Blessings I have experienced. I have learned so much from saintly Sisters who are no longer with us. They were women of prayer and were totally committed to the people among whom they worked. Teaching colleagues too have inspired me and now I have time to reflect on how much the Church and society owe to all who work in education. Nowadays prayer has a special place in my day. It always was important but when I was busy I was often distracted in my prayer, always planning ahead. Now I value Mass daily and in particular I listen more attentively to the Word of God, to hear what God is saying to me each day, how much He cares for me and all his people. I hope this makes me a more compassionate and attentive Sister of Mercy when I meet people. I meet people in the local Care Homes and those who are housebound when I visit with Holy Communion because these people cannot come to Church. I am privileged to feel welcome when I visit our schools, especially St Bernadette’s & Holy Family where I join them at their Masses. I support them in their joys & sorrows with my prayer and occasionally do home visits if asked by the Head Teacher. Another ministry that is very special to me is support for the bereaved both in giving a listening ear and in helping them plan the funeral Masses and Services for their loved ones. This ministry sometimes reconnects me with former pupils in their time of grieving. Perhaps I could sum up my life as a religious Sister in the words ‘availability’ and ‘prayer’ and I am grateful to all who have supported me in my vocation over the past 60 years. If you would like support I can be contacted on the following email address: mhalpinrsm@hotmail.co.uk

Catholic Social Teaching Catholic Social Teaching (CST) underpins the work of the school and the principles are interwoven within our curriculum and wider school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation and to reach our sisters and brothers in need. These principles form part of Catholic Social Teaching, a body of work developed by Church leaders over the centuries. Pope Francis emphasizes that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. At St. Bernadette’s we place great emphasis on the importance that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds. We teach our children about the importance of putting the needs of others before ourselves, respecting the dignity of all people and how we are stewards of God’s beautiful creation with a duty to do all we can to preserve it for future generations. We use the CAFOD CST characters with our children to help them recognise CST within lessons. The following video is useful to watch to become familiar with the seven principles: CST in the Science Curriculum Click here for an Overview of 'CST in the Science Curriculum' All of God’s creation is sacred and reflects something of who God is. Caring for this earth is part of what it is to be a Christian. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of teaching about the God-centeredness of the earth, which clearly focuses on the responsibility all people have for caring for creation. The golden thread of ‘Care of God’s Creation’ runs through each science unit which links to the CST principles of: The Common Good Stewardship This ensures children develop their environmental awareness and understanding of their role in protecting our God given planet. What does Scripture say? ‘Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation.’ Genesis 2:15 ‘Creation proclaims the glory of God.’ Daniel 3:56-82 ‘God loves and cares for all creation.’ Matthew 6:25-34 ‘Creation and all created things are good because they are created by God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:26 What does the Church say? Charity in Truth: Caritas in Veritate – ‘The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole…Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person, considered in himself and in relation to others.’ What does Pope Francis say? “Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.” Laudato Si (24th May 2015) – ‘A scientific consensus says climate change is real and caused at least in part by human activity. A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. In recent decades, this warming has been accompanied by a constant rise in the sea level and, it would appear, by an increase of extreme weather events, even if a scientifically determinable cause cannot be assigned to each particular phenomenon.’ Loving God, We believe that the world is for everyone. We thank you for the gift of Creation. Help us to take care of the planet and all people who live on it. Lord in your mercy Hear our prayer Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is at the heart of our learning at St Bernadette’s, especially in Topic. Topic allows us to develop our historical skills, pursue geographical enquiry, express our creativity, and build valuable projects based on a purpose. However, CST allows us to approach these lessons from a wider viewpoint. We use the CAFOD CST characters with our children to help them recognise CST within lessons. Here are a few examples of where CST has been linked to our Topic lessons. A lesson focusing on how men and women were split in Athenian and Spartan society. Is it right for women to be told what they must do based on their gender? A lesson focusing on the invasion of Greece by Alexander the Great. How would God react to slavery? A lesson focusing on the Viking raids in Lindisfarne. Why is it wrong to harm our fellow man? A lesson focusing on WW2 evacuation and the Blitz. A lesson focusing on the birth of democracy in Greece. Is it right for only rich men to vote? A lesson looking at the impact of Gandhi on British rule. Why did he protest for people who were the most in need? A lesson focusing on the differences between rich and poor Tudors. What can we learn from these indifferences? A lesson focusing on rationing. Why was it important for all members of society to receive the same amount of food? A lesson focusing on natural disasters and how we can help those that have been left in disasters. How can we help those in need? In Year 2, the children learn about important people that have helped other. Including Florence Nightingale, Edith Cavell, and Mary Seacole. Why do you think these people gave up their lives to care for others? During Black History Month, we learn about inspirational black people. Why is it important we celebrate these achievements? A lesson focusing on climate and biomes. How has our impact changed God’s creation? A lesson focusing on the structure of rivers, mountains, and earthquakes. How can we better understand God’s creation? A lesson focusing on glaciers. What can the rising sea levels mean for God’s creations? A lesson focusing on sustainability; reduce, re-use, recycle. Why should we make small changes?

St Bernadette's Governors Information School Governors Governor Portal Governors: About Us St Bernadette's Governing Body Our Governors are an amazing group of volunteers who serve the parish of Holy Family in Small Heath. They support our school in educating children in a happy, calm and safe environment where they feel surrounded by God’s love. Governors play an important role in the leadership and management of the school. They are involved in the recruitment of staff, formulating the school budget and ensuring the curriculum we offer to the children in school is engaging, challenging and appropriate. The Governors are regular visitors in school, offering support and challenge in equal measures and holding the Head and senior leadership team to account. The Governing Body's aim is to work closely with the Headteacher, the leadership team and the staff, in order to help the children at the school achieve their full potential. They meet as a Full Governing Body four times a year and in addition to this, will meet in smaller sub- committees to focus on finance, staffing, admissions or curriculum. Our Governing Body is made up of 7 Foundation Governors who are appointed by the diocese, two parent governors, appointed by the parents, a Staff Governor and a Local Authority Governor. All serve for a term of four years. If you would like to contact the Governing Body, please forward hard copies of mail to Mr John Lenihan c/o St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Hob Moor Road, Yardley Birmingham, B258QL. Emails to be sent to m.smallwood@stberns.bham.sch.uk and given the title 'For the attention of Mr John Lenihan'. The School Governors Mr John Lenihan Chair of Governors (FG) Curriculum Governor / Finance Governor / Mathematics Governor Mrs Quinlan Vice-Chair Parent Governor / Foundation Governor Mrs Gemma Wrench Chair of Finance / Curriculum Governor Mrs Maria Winters Foundation Governor / RE Governor / Chair of curriculum Fr Fretch Ballesteros Foundation Governor / R.E Governor Mrs Vas Panayiotou Parent Governor / Safeguarding Governor Mrs P Moran Foundation Governor Mr Carlos De la Cruz Foundation Governor / Finance Governor Mr Iqbal Local Authority Governor Mr Carroll Staff Governor / SEN Governor / Finance Governor Services 4 Schools Clerk to Governors Admissions Committee Pupil Discipline Committee School Hearings Committee Curriculum & Standards Committee Terms of Reference Resources Committee Governor Information Terms Of Reference Dismissal Appeal Terms of Reference Curriculum & Standards Terms of Reference School Hearings Terms of Reference Admissions Terms of Reference Pupil Discipline Presentations to Governors RE KS2 English.pdf KS1 English.pdf PE.pdf Maths.pdf School Financial Benchmarking Governors: List Any correspondence to the Governors should be addressed c/o St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Miss A Cowings Head Teacher I joined St Bernadette’s School in 2002 as Deputy Head and was appointed as Head Teacher in 2006. Since my appointment I have always been a member of the Governing Body and work closely with the dedicated team of volunteers to develop provision within school. As Head teacher it is my duty to deal with the day to day management of the school. As a member of the Governing Body we provide the strategic management. We set the general direction of the school and consider ways that it can best be developed. As a team, we monitor the school’s progress and set annual targets for the school’s performance. The team of governors act as a critical friend to the Head, whilst providing me with the necessary support required to lead the school. John Lenihan Chair of Governors I was appointed as a Governor in March 2019. I am currently a member of the Resources Committee. I previously served as a Governor at Corpus Christi School in Stechford. After spending 50 years in the Printing Industry and having grandchildren in the school I am now looking forward to supporting St. Bernadettes pupils and staff in the challenging world of education. Mr C. Dela Cruz Foundation Governor I have been a school governor for a number of years and have seen a lot of changes throughout the years. I have really enjoyed being on the school governing board, and doing my best to contribute in ensuring the school provides the very best facilities, support for the teaching & non-teachingstaff, and to ensure all pupils to have opportunity and encouragement toreach their full potentials. Kristin Quinlan Foundation Governor I've been a Foundation Governor at St Bernadette's since 2016. My day job is working as Head of Legal and Company Secretary at a water company, so I have experience of working in corporate governance and I hope that I bring some of my skills and experience from that role to my role on the Governing Body. For me, the role of the Governing Body is to support and provide healthy challenge to the leadership team at St Bernadette's for the benefit of the pupils, and I really enjoy playing my part in that. G Wrench Parent Governor I have been a parent governor at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School since 2018. As part of my role, I am the link Governor for Literacy and also the Chair for the Resources Committee and a member of the Admissions Committee. I believe the children’s education, progress, personal welfare and development should be at the heart of all decision making at school. I am happy to be part of the Governing Body that will support the school in order to get the best outcomes for the children. T Moran Foundation Governor I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in February 2023. I was a teacher at St. Bernadette’s for thirty-three years, and I retired from St. Bernadette’s and teaching almost seven years ago. I hope that I can bring some of my skills and experience from my years of teaching to my role on the Governing Body. I look forward to supporting the pupils and staff of St. Bernadette’s in any way that I can. Fr Fretch Ballesteros Foundation Governor Vasiliki Panayiotou Parent Governor I would like to introduce myself as the new Parent Governor of St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School. My name is Vasiliki Panayiotou (please refer to me as Vas) and I joined the Board of Governor's on 20th December 2019. I am honoured and privileged to have been given this opportunity to represent the parents of the children that attend the school by Miss A Cowings. I will do my utmost for the best interests of all concerned, in connection with the school. Before I became a full time mother to our 2 girls I worked in telesales for a wholesale food distribution company for around 8 years and prior to that, I co-owned a business in floristry for around 20 years in Solihull. My eldest daughter, who is five, is in Year 1 at St Bernadette's and our youngest is 16 months old, going onto 6! I can't speak highly enough about St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School or all the staff in connection with the school. I remember when we visited the school during an open day and my first thoughts were about the impeccable behaviour of the children. Also, during the classroom visits we observed how the teachers interacted with the children and we saw the passion and commitment they have in everything they do. I turned to my husband and said, this is where I want our daughter to come and he agreed. We feel blessed that our children are and will be attending the best school Alex Carroll Staff Governor I have worked at St Bernadette's since 2001 and have been staff governor since 2020???? It is my privilege to be part of such a vibrant and hard working school community, both as a member of staff and governor. Cllr Zafar Iqbal Foundation Governor I was previously a Governor at St Bernadette’s, I have a long association with the school and was previously a Governor some years ago when my son attended. I am now an LEA appointed governor and as I live close by I have a genuine interest in supporting my local schools. Governors: List Governors: List

Pupil Absence Name of Child(Required) Class(Required) Date of Absence(Required) Reason for Absence(Required) Name of Parent(Required) Email Address(Required) Contact Phone Number(Required) Submit Click the link below to see the local authority advice for parents School attendance, advice for parents.

Parent Questionnaire Parent Questionnaire 2024 Results Previous Results Each year we encourage feedback from our parents by asking them to complete an annual questionnaire. These questionnaires give parents the chance to suggest ways in which school can improve as well as letting us know what we are doing well, so that we can continue to provide an enriching, exciting curriculum and learning experience for our pupils. 2021 2022 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

All About our School Our School: List Head Teacher's Welcome I warmly welcome you to St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. At St Bernadette’s, we provide a safe, secure and happy environment where every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential. Our school motto, ‘Learn to Love, Love to Learn’, is at the heart of all we do. Our curriculum places Jesus at its centre and reflects Gospel values, nurturing a sense of purpose and faith in our children. We are delighted to share that our recent Catholic Schools Inspection report praised the exemplary behaviour of our children, recognising their deep understanding of Christian values. The report also highlighted that our staff are outstanding role models, creating a loving and nurturing environment where children are happy, confident and proud to be part of the St Bernadette’s family. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child, recognising every individual as created in the image and likeness of God. Alongside academic achievement, we offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities, encourage pupil leadership, and support the spiritual and social development of our children. Our talented and dedicated staff work closely with families, our parish and the local community. We believe that education is a true partnership and greatly value your involvement and support in your child's educational journey. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to St Bernadette’s. Miss E. Finnegan Headteacher Our School: About Us

Computing Computing Policy 25/26 Computing Acceptable Use Policy 25/26 Computing Intent, Implement, Impact 25/26 Online Safety Policy 25/26 Knowledge & Skills Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Key Figures Each year, our computing curriculum highlights a key figure in the field of technology, offering students a chance to explore their life, achievements, and contributions to the digital world. Through engaging activities and projects, students learn about the impact these pioneers have had on the development of computing, helping them understand the diverse career paths and opportunities available in this dynamic field. This approach not only inspires curiosity but also fosters an appreciation for the innovative spirit driving the world of technology. (Click on an image below to find out more) Steve Jobs Steve Jobs – Reception Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple Inc. and a visionary in the field of personal computing. He played a key role in revolutionising technology through the development of iconic products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which transformed how people interact with computers and digital devices. Jeff Bezos Jeff Bezos – Year 1 Jeff Bezos is the founder of Amazon, a company that revolutionised e-commerce and cloud computing. Through Amazon Web Services (AWS), Bezos played a key role in advancing cloud technology, which has become essential to the modern internet and computing infrastructure. Grace Hopper Grace Hopper – Year 2 Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy officer who developed one of the first compilers, making programming more accessible. She also contributed to the creation of COBOL, an early programming language that became widely used in business and government applications. Alan Turing Alan Turing – Year 3 Alan Turing was a British mathematician and computer scientist widely regarded as the father of modern computing. He developed the concept of the Turing machine, a foundational model for computation, and played a crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II, significantly advancing both cryptography and computer science. Sir Tim Berners-Lee Sir Tim Berners-Lee – Year 4 Sir Tim Berners-Lee is the inventor of the World Wide Web, a system that revolutionised how information is shared and accessed globally. His creation of the first web browser and the introduction of key web technologies like HTML and HTTP made the internet widely accessible to the public. Annie Easley Annie Easley – Year 5 Annie Easley was a pioneering computer scientist, mathematician, and NASA rocket scientist who contributed to the development of software for spaceflight and alternative energy projects. She also worked on complex code that laid the groundwork for future space missions and helped break barriers for women and minorities in STEM fields. Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace – Year 6 Ada Lovelace was a 19th-century mathematician who is considered the world's first computer programmer. She is best known for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine, where she wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine.

Charity Fundraising The total raised for charity so far this year is £6456.55 "Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them." Proverbs 19:17 At St. Bernadette’s we are committed to educating the whole child which includes instilling a sense of moral and social responsibility, as well as recognising the importance of following the call of Jesus to live our lives with a commitment to the greater good. Through being committed to works of charity we are providing our children with the opportunity to practise selflessness, generosity and compassion, while teaching them the importance of serving others. This helps our children to understand the responsibility that has been placed upon us to do what we can to show our support and solidarity with all members of God’s Family. Our commitment to the support of those less fortunate than ourselves leads us to support both local, national and international organisations and charities in their work with those in need. This helps our children foster a sense of purpose and fulfilment that transcends academic achievement and helps create well-rounded individuals who are committed to making the world a better place. “So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.” Luke 11:41 Each half term, the children in each year band take the main responsibility for charity work and are encouraged to adopt a charity of their own c hoice. EYFS £944.55 Save the Children's work saves and improves children's lives around the world. They work to ensure children have healthcare, food and shelter, as well as learning and child protection services when children need it most. Nursery and Reception had a wonderful morning making Dens with our family and friends. You helped us to £208.55 for this fantastic charity. You also helped us to raise a further £736 for Nancy, a little girl in our nursery, who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. We held a disco for Nancy, and all of her friends, and we partied the afternoon away! Thank you to everyone for your generous donations. Nancy and her family are truly grateful for the love and support they have received over the last few months. Year 1 £678 Mission Together is the Catholic Church’s official children’s charity for overseas mission. They are part of a global Catholic organisation, which helps children around the world follow the example of Jesus: praying and sharing to support all God’s children, everywhere, regardless of background or belief. Money raised through Mission Together funds children’s projects in 157 countries. Year 1 organised a disco after school and held a ‘Guess the name of the Teddy and Dog’ competition. A group of children from year 1 then attended a special celebratory Mass at St. Chad’s Cathedral on Saturday 11th March where they read the prayers of intercession. The children were also presented with a certificate, thanking Year 1 for their fundraising efforts. Year 2 £1060 The British Red Cross has been helping millions of people in the UK and around the world get the support they need when crisis strikes. They are a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. They enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities and when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives. Thank you to everyone that bought a raffle ticket to help Year 2 raise money for the British Red Cross. Year 3 Year 3 are busy deciding on their charity for this half term! Year 4 £367.50 WaterAid work with partners in some of the toughest places in the world. Since 1981, across 28 countries, they’ve reached 28.5 million with clean water, 29 million with decent toilets, and 27.8 million with good hygiene. With these basics, entire communities have been able to unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. WaterAid have convinced governments to change laws, link policy makers with people on the ground, pool knowledge and resources and rally support from people and organisations around the world, making lasting change happen on a massive scale. Year 4 sold raffle tickets for their Holiday Hampers. Year 5 Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a leading, specialist paediatric centre, delivering some of the most advanced treatments, complex surgical procedures and cutting-edge research to over 90,000 children and young people from across the UK and beyond. Every patient and family benefits from their charity, but the impact of fundraising is much more than purely financial. It makes a real difference to the spaces, treatment and equipment they provide to children and their families. Year 5 held a charity disco to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital! Year 6 Heartlands Hospital Charity supports patients, families and staff at Heartlands Hospital & the Birmingham Chest Clinic by funding equipment, facilities and research through donations and fundraising. Year 6 will be raising money by selling tickets for their end of year production - Matilda! At St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, we also lead whole school charity events. This year we raised £158 during our MacMillan Coffee Morning. We took part in Jolly Jumper Day to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and raised £473. We asked everyone to wear their favourite festive pullover and donate £1 per person (or a donation of their choice). Over twenty members of staff from St. Bernadette's Primary School climbed Mount Snowdon in 2021 to raise money for two members of our school community. We raised £13,176. We helped Holy Family Church raise money by helping at the Christmas fayre. The children and staff from St Bernadette’s supported the church by holding a chocolate tombola! On Thursday 4th May, we celebrated the King's coronation in school. On this day the children were invited to wear red, white and blue and bring in a 50p donation and we raised £212. This money was used to raise funds for The Prince's Trust - a charity that is close to the King's heart. The Prince’s Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter what their background or the challenges they are facing. Year 5 and 6 performed for a Carol Service at Holy Family Church. They asked for a £1 entry charge with all proceeds going to Holy Family Church. The Mini Vinnies from Key Stage 2 held a cake sale for Father Hudson's Good Shepherd Appeal and raised an amazing £325 in one day! We also raised an additional £403.50 through the Good Shepherd boxes. We held an ‘Own Clothes Day’ on Thursday 15th December to raise money for the bereaved families, one of whom was a pupil at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School in Kingshurst. We aimed to raise £500 but as always, families demonstrated incredible kindness and generosity and as a result we raised £1395. This has now been sent to St Anthony’s to pass on to the families. Thank you and please continue to keep the families in your thoughts and prayers. We sold raffle tickets for our annual Easter Egg raffle week. We raised £440 which was donated to The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of our past pupil, Darcy. In many ways, the mere act of being charitable is its own reward. But being compassionate to people who are less fortunate is also something that God will reward. As part of our Lenten almsgiving, we collected food for the food bank at Lily’ Tea Parlour. Lily's is the first community project of its kind, supporting people with Dementia, Parkinson’s, Cancer and those people who need company. This project helps spreads awareness and gives support to those who may need it. Staff at school organised an afternoon tea social for the residents from Aran Court Care Home. Fun was had by all! FareShare Midlands said a big thank you to Haris and Niamh for their amazing help during our Tesco Food Collection! They helped to collect long life food, like pasta, rice and tins to be redistributed to charities across the Midlands, including food banks, homeless shelters and community cafes. FareShare Midlands relies on the dedication and generosity of volunteers, so they are very grateful for support! Nursery and Reception children decorated their own bonnet/hat to commemorate Holy Week and the coming of Easter. The children took part in a parade and were joined by some of the residents from Aran Court Care Home. We were so proud to have filled the shelves at SIFA Fireside with donations from our very generous families. SIFA Fireside support adults who are experiencing homelessness, or those who are at risk of homelessness in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. We offer coats to parents on a "Swap Shop" basis, the swapped coats can then be washed and hung ready for another parent whose child needs a new coat. “Love is not patronising and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” St. Teresa of Calcutta

World Religions Throughout their time at St Bernadette’s, all pupils learn about the main religions of the World. During normal curriculum lessons, there are many comparisons made with other religions. However, it is during the annual International Week that the pupils get the opportunity to study a world religion in depth. This usually also includes the opportunity to visit the place of worship of the religion that they are studying. The World Religions that are covered during International Week are as follows: Reception - Christianity Year 1 - Hinduism Year 2 - Buddhism Year 3 - Catholicism Year 4 - Sikhism Year 5 - Judaism Year 6 – Islam

A-Z List of Composers A-Z of Composers A-Z of Composers: List Isaac Albéniz Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y, more commonly known as Isaac Albéniz, was born on 29th May 1860 in Camprodon, Catalonia, Spain and died on 18th May 1909 in France. To classical guitarists the world over, he is known for his quintessential Spanish guitar repertoire. My younger brother, who is a professional guitarist himself, has been playing his pieces since childhood. Few realise that he was not actually a guitarist at all, but was in fact a virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He is best known for his piano works often based on Spanish folk music. Despite composing mostly for the piano, it is his transcriptions for guitar that are most well known today – particularly works such as Asturias (Leyenda), Granada, Sevilla, Cadiz, Córdoba, Cataluña, Mallorca, and Tango in D. Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician who was born in March 1685 and died in July 1750. This was a period of musical history known as the Baroque. He is perhaps the most well-known of the famous Bach family of musicians: Johann Christoph Bach (1642–1703), Johann Michael Bach (1648–1694), Maria Barbara Bach (1684–1720), Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788) to name just a few. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Art of Fugue, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Goldberg Variations, and for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. A master of the keyboard, Bach gifted the world such gems as The Well-Tempered Clavier and organ works too numerous to name individually. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Western art musical canon. Here are links to some of these great pieces. Mr Baker Sept 2019 Art of Fugue Brandenburg Concertos Goldberg Variations St Matthew Passion Mass in B minor The Well-Tempered Clavier Cello Suites 1 – 6 Air on the G string Chaconne, Partita No. 2 BWV 1004 (violin) Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker & Jack Bruce) The great drummer Ginger Baker died on 6th October this year aged 80 and so it seemed fitting to continue the musical A-Z with the group he was perhaps most famous for being in – Cream. Cream were a British rock band formed in London in 1966. The group consisted of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker. Bruce was the main songwriter and vocalist, although Clapton and Baker also sang and contributed songs. Formed from members of previously successful bands, they are widely regarded as the world's first supergroup as each player was considered to a master of their instrument. Their music spanned many genres of rock music, including blues rock, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. In their career, they sold more than 15 million records worldwide. The group's third album, Wheels of Fire (1968), is the world's first platinum-selling double album. In 1993, Cream were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here are links to three of their more famous songs. Mr Baker Sept 2019 White Room Sunshine of your Love I Feel Free Claude Debussy Claude Debussy was born 22 August 1862 and died aged just 55 on 25 March 1918. He is regarded as one of the greatest French composers of all time. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, seeking to paint pictures in the mind of his listeners by the quality of the sounds they hear. Despite being born to a family of modest means and little cultural involvement, Debussy showed enough musical talent to be admitted at the age of ten to France's leading music college, the Conservatoire de Paris. He originally studied the piano, but found his vocation in innovative composition, despite the disapproval of the Conservatoire's conservative professors. Debussy is responsible for some of the most recognisable piano and orchestral music of the twentieth century. He himself was influenced by Russian and far-eastern musical styles and he in his turn was to be a great influence on later composers such as Bartok, Messiaen and George Benjamin. All his music is easy to listen to but here are some links to some of my favourites. Mr Baker January 2020 La Mer La boîte à joujoux Fantaisie for piano and orchestra Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune Syrinx (for solo flute) Claire de Lune La fille aux cheveux de lin Deux arabesques Children's Corner Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp Edward Elgar Sir Edward William Elgar was born 2 June 1857 and died 23 February 1934. He was an English composer who many consider to be one of our greatest. Many of his works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations (including the world famous ‘Nimrod’ often played during remembrance services), the Pomp and Circumstance Marches (including ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ – played every year at the Last Night of the Proms), concertos for violin and cello, and two symphonies. He also composed choral works, including The Dream of Gerontius (based on a poem by Birmingham’s Saint John Henry Newman and first performed in Birmingham’s Town Hall in the year 1900), chamber music and songs. He was appointed Master of the King's Musick in 1924. Although Elgar is often regarded as a typically English composer, most of his musical influences were not from England but from continental Europe. He felt himself to be an outsider. It is worth noting that this self-taught composer was openly Catholic in a Protestant Britain where his Roman Catholicism was regarded with suspicion in some quarters. He never forgot his humble beginnings even when he became successful and achieved recognition for his music. Elgar has been described as the first composer to take the gramophone and recorded music seriously. Between 1914 and 1925, he conducted a series of acoustic recordings of his works. The introduction of the moving-coil microphone in 1923 made far more accurate sound reproduction possible, and Elgar made new recordings of most of his major orchestral works and excerpts from The Dream of Gerontius. Mr Baker February 2020 Nimrod Enigma Variations (complete) Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 – 4 Pomp and Circumstance March no 1 (from the proms ) Dream of Gerontius Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Urbain Fauré was born on 12th May 1845 and died on 4th November 1924 in Pamiers, Ariège, in the south of France. He was a composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the most important French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers such as Ravel. Fauré’s was not an especially musical family, but his talent became clear when he was just a small boy. Aged nine, he was sent to the Ecole Niedermeyer music college in Paris, where he was trained to be a church organist and choirmaster. Among his teachers was Camille Saint-Saëns (himself a famous composer of such works as ‘The Swan’ ), who became a lifelong friend. After graduating from the college in 1865, he made his living as an organist and teacher, leaving him little time for composition, so he didn’t become a successful composer until his middle age years. Towards the end of his life, Fauré was recognised in France as the leading French composer of his day and a national musical tribute was held for him in Paris in 1922. Outside France, Fauré's music took many years to become widely accepted, except in Britain, where his work was greatly admired during his lifetime. Fauré's earlier works are among his most accessible and below are some YouTube links to his more famous pieces Mr Baker August 2020 Pavane Op.50 - Piano Solo Pavane Op.50 – Orchestral Version Sicilienne. Requiem Op. 48 Dolly Suite Op. 56 Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 Après un rêve for cello & piano Percy Grainger Percy Grainger was born on the 8 July 1882 and died on 20 February 1961. He was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist who, in his adult years, lived in America and became an American citizen in 1918. During his career, he played an important role in reviving the public’s interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. It is highly likely that many will be familiar with his piano and orchestral arrangements such as the folk-dance tune "Country Gardens" among others. It is these well-known folk gems and stylistically similar compositions that I will link to here. Mr Baker August 2020 Molly on the Shore Country Gardens Blithe Bells Handel in the Strand Mock Morris Colonial Song Lincolnshire Posy Shepherd's Hey Walking Tune Joe Hisaishi With Olympics and Paralympics having taken place in Tokyo this year, I thought it would be a good idea to feature a modern Japanese composer this September. Joe Hisaishi was born Mamoru Fujisawa on 6th December 1950 in Nagano – Japan. He is most well known for his film music, especially the classic anime films of Hayao Miyazaki such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke among others from the Studio Ghibli company. He started learning the violin and the age of just four and he knew then that music would be central to his life. He also watched about 300 movies a year with his father. These two passions naturally saw him become a film composer after attending the Kunitachi College of Music in 1969 to major in music composition. He enjoyed his first success in 1974 when he composed music for the anime series called Gyatoruzu and he has never looked back. Why does he go by the name Joe Hisaishi when he was born Mamoru Fujisawa? Well it comes down to his admiration for the work of American musician and producer, Quincy Jones. Retranscribed in Japanese, "Quincy Jones" became "Joe Hisaishi". ("Quincy", pronounced "Kuinshī” in Japanese, can be written using the same kanji in "Hisaishi"; "Joe" comes from "Jones".) Below are some links to some of his film music. There is much more to find as he has produced quite a lot! Mr Baker September 2021 From the film – Howl’s Moving Castle Merry-Go-Round of Life From the film – Spirited Away One Summer’s Day From the film – Kiki’s Delivery Service Main Theme From the film – My Neighbour Totoro The Wind Forest From the film – Princess Mononoke Sound-track Suite (1998 version) Other pieces – Asian Dream Song Jacques Ibert Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert was born on 15th August 1890 and died on 5 February 1962. He was a French composer of classical music. Ibert took to music from a very early age and eventually studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he excelled winning its top prize, the Prix de Rome, at his first attempt- despite his studies being interrupted by his service in World War I. Ibert would go on to pursue a successful composing career, writing several operas, five ballets, incidental music for plays and films, works for piano solo, choral works, and chamber music. He is probably best remembered for his orchestral works including Divertissement (1928) and Escales (1922) – links to these and other works listed below. Mr Baker October 2021 Divertissment Escales Entr’acte (recorder & guitar version – a favourite of mine) Karl Jenkins Sir Karl William Pamp Jenkins CBE, who was born on the 17th of February 1944, is a Welsh multi-instrumentalist and composer, best known for works that include the song "Adiemus" (once used to advertise Delta Airlines), Benedictus and Requiem. Jenkins was educated in music at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music. He joined the jazz-rock band Soft Machine in 1972 and became the group's lead songwriter in 1974. Jenkins continued to work with Soft Machine up to 1984. Jenkins has won the industry prize twice. Something of a musical trademark is his notable use of ‘Vocalise’ where singers sing not words, but sounds. Mr Baker November 2021 Adiemus Song of the Plains Requiem - I. Introit Benedictus (The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace) Requiem - IX. Pie Jesu I'll Make Music