This is a GOOD school which is OUTSTANDING at meeting the needs of all learners.
(Inspection 2011)
Welcome back to the new term, we hope you all had a good christmas and new year and are ready for 2012.
St Paul's 1st VII Tag Rugby team victorious at Carr Hill tournament
Our school rugby team made up of 7 year 5 and 6 pupils attended the Carr Hill rugby tournament last Wednesday. Having had only a handful of training sessions and no match practice, our team were understandably anxious at the task that lay ahead. Once the first whistle was blown, however, any pre-match nerves were soon replaced with adrenaline and speed as Dylan Williams tore the opposition defense apart. Our team was as effective in defense as it was in attack with James 'The Ripper' Sidebottom tearing off so many tags he didn't know what to do with them all. In true rugby fashion, however, all the aggression was left on the pitches and our pupils showed excellent sportsmanship and manners both towards the referees and the opposition teams.
After a long and gruelling afternoon, we were faced with the all important final match against our neighbours Ribby with Wrea Green school. It was vital that we clinched the win to secure a spot in the next round. What was perhaps more vital was that Mr Scholz's side were successful in showing Mr Hall's side how to play a proper game of rugby (friendly banter was exchanged). When the whistle eventually sounded, it was with great enthusiasm that Wrea Green charged time and time again against our solid defense. Kristina Foucre and Jack Brett managed to fend off the attacks like a pair of battle worn warriors before Dylan finally broke their defense and countered for a try. To their credit, Wrea Green didn't give up and redoubled their efforts to break our try line. Our team's professional rugby star Jack Dey, however, chose that moment to turn on the style, ducking and weaving his way to an impressive individual try. The whistle was blown and relief and jubilation spread over the camp as we were announced joint winners of the tournament with Singleton school.
Our success means that we will now go through to the Fylde finals at Fylde Rugby club next month. Special mention has to go to our team members: Jack Brett, James Findlay, Dylan Williams, Kristina Foucre, Jack Dey, James Sidebottom and Ashley Donald whose grit and determination did our school proud. I'd also like to thank Mr Penney and his team of referees from Carr Hill school who all did a stellar job. Finally I'd like to thank Mr Sidebottom, Mrs Dey and Mrs Brett for coming out to cheer for our team. It really does make a difference to our children to know that they have such good support (and Mr Sidebottom's half time tactics talks were most welcome). Details of the next round will be posted on the newsletter as soon as they have been confirmed.
The Right Shepherds hits all the right notes with St Paul's audiences
After weeks of rehearsals and costume-making, the big performances of the junior production, The Right Shepherds, finally took place yesterday. After a very successful performance in the afternoon, the juniors pulled off a flawless show in the evening production. All the children sang with gusto and enthusiasm but special mention has to go to Kate Tomes and Sophie Simpson-Green whose beautiful singing helped to make the performances so magical.
Reverand Mike was quoted as saying that: 'in all my years of watching junior productions, this was by far the best production I have seen'.
One of our governors Mr Charnley was also appreciative of our efforts stating that: 'The sound was wonderful and I could hear it very clearly, even at the back of the church'.
Extra special thanks needs to go to Mrs Tomes for working relentlessly to create all the beautiful costumes for the production. Thanks must also go to Mrs Robinson for organising the parts and managing rehearsals. We also need to say a massive thankyou to Miss Towers whose beautiful and seemingly effortless piano playing topped off a magical performance and ensured there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Finally, we would like to thank the parents for all their support with helping children to learn their lines and for coming along to the performances on such a cold and wet Winters day.
