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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 School Council School Council Making a Difference St. Bernadette’s has an active school council in which 2 elected members from Years 1-6 meet and discuss views and ideas in our school, community and world. The Election Process Years 1-4: Children had to express to their teachers why they wanted to be in School Council and what qualities they could bring. Teachers discussed all candidates and voted for their Year bands councillors. Years 5-6: Children had time to write a speech on why they wanted to be a representative for their peers. They explained changes they wanted to make and ideas they had to continue to make our school a positive and welcoming environment. They then had to present this speech in front of their Year bands and teachers. The children were then asked to vote for 2 chosen candidates from their year bands using a ballot process. Each of the children were given a voting slip which they had to exchange for a ballot paper. The children then had to go to the voting booth and select their candidate by placing an ‘X’ in the box. What is our Vision? To have a school which is dynamic, a school that not only listens, but acts upon the views of its pupils. To further promote and express the voice of the child, not just within our school but within the City of Birmingham and with schools around the World. We hope to extend and share our ideas through further communications with other schools across the globe. What is our Aim? To raise people’s awareness that children have valid ideas. To be a voice for the children in our school. To make our school an even more friendly and pleasant place in which to learn. To make suggestions as to how our school could be improved further. To further improve our school environment. To raise money for charities. Responses to our Valentines Cards- Thursday 10th March School Council are delighted that Tahir Ali, the Member of Parliament for Hall Green and Moseley, has responded to the Valentines card we sent in support of refugees. The School Council members from Years 5 and 6 were so excited to open the envelope from The House of Commons and read Mr Ali’s response. We would like to thank Mr Ali for taking the time to respond to us and hope that we can continue to support refugees and asylum seekers together. Meeting with Asylum Seekers- Thursday 6th February School Council were lucky enough to meet with Janette, an asylum seeker who moved from Cameroon to the UK in 2023. Alongside her translator, we were able to ask some questions about her transition to the UK. We covered a broad range of topics such as her journey, change of culture, mental health and her family. School Council thought of some challenging and insightful questions and both of our visitors were impressed with the thought we put in. We looked at a map where we saw Cameroon and all the countries that bordered it. We could also see all the other countries that asylum seekers have come from and discussed why they may have chosen to move away. It was an interesting and thought-provoking lunchtime and we are grateful to our visitors for giving us a first-hand insight on what it is like to be an Asylum seeker. Orange Heart Campaign- Friday 14th February. For Valentine’s Day, we have made Orange heart cards to send to our local MPs. We wanted to show them that St Bernadette’s welcomes all and we support those who need it most. We are asking our local MPs to have more empathy and to continue to do all they can to support refugees and asylum seekers. We worked together to make cards, writing messages of support and drawing orange hearts. On Thursday, some school councillors walked to the post box to deliver these.

Prayer Clubs At our school, our faith journey extends beyond the classroom. Our extra-curricular prayer clubs provide a haven for our pupils to explore and embrace their faith, whilst also promoting a sense of unity. Pupils are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions and cultivate their religious practices. We understand the importance of nurturing the whole child, and our prayer clubs play a vital role in supporting their emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing. We invite all pupils from EYFS to Year 6, seeking a space for reflection and connection, to participate in these integral extra-curricular prayer clubs. December - Advent During Advent, we have the opportunity to gather as a KS2 family to share ideas about how we can be ready to meet Jesus. This year the children collectively created an Advent Reflection. They reflected on simple steps that they could take in their daily lives and explored how they could carry out our mission. Lent During Lent, we gather together to explore CAFOD’s Lenten calendar to help us journey through Lent. This year our Year 4 pupils reflected on Pope Francis’ Lenten message and began each session by exploring how Jesus speaks to us through the word of God. They explored daily readings and used CAFOD’s online Lent calendar to journey through Lent with their global family. The children created purple prayer cubes and encouraged each other to preform acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten Prayer Club Through the inspiring resources from Mission Together, we gathered together in prayer, exploring themes of repentance, sacrifice, and renewal. Our interactive sessions incorporated Lent-themed craft activities, providing hands-on experiences that reinforced the messaged shared in the weekly Gospel reading. May - The Month of Mary Our prayer club in May is dedicated to “Mary”. This year, the children were provided with the opportunity to learn about, explore and pray the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Each week the children explored and reflected on one of the four mysteries. June - The Sacred Heart During the month of June, children from Reception and KS1 have the opportunity to take part in a Sacred Heart Prayer Club. This year the children gathered together to learn about the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The children were encouraged to be prayerful and attentive during this special time. All children took an active role in the club; setting up the prayer table, writing and reading prayers, singing Hymns and listening to the word God. The children had the opportunity to create Sacred Hearts using a range of different materials, building upon skills they have learnt during their art lessons. They also reflected on the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and shared prayers of love and thanks.

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St Bernadette's Results & Data Results & Data KS2 Results 2024 Results & Data: Welcome School Data In accordance with government directives St. Bernadette’s will on an annual basis provide a public report about its priorities and provide data on progress and performance. Click the link below to go to the Gov.UK Schools Comparison site to view annual data for St. Bernadette's Find out more Results & Data: What's Happening

Collective Worship at St Bernadette's Collective Worship Collective Worship Policy At St Bernadette’s Catholic School, the children participate in communal acts of prayer and /or liturgical celebrations every day. Sometimes this will be in class prayer, other times it may involve children in the year band joining together in prayer or it may be in a key stage assembly or a whole school mass. Children are encouraged to learn a selection of traditional prayers in each year band, but are also encouraged to devise their own personal prayers. A list of prayers can be seen here for each year band. Prayers take place at the beginning of the school day, before and after lunch and again at the end of the school day. Every classroom has a focal point for prayer, which is appropriate to the liturgical season. Each classroom is also named after a Saint and the children learn about their saint and the lives they lead. Every year band will prepare a year band mass each month, which is held in school. We also have a key stage mass in school every term and a whole school mass which takes place at Holy Family Church every two to three weeks. Parishioners are invited to celebrate mass with the school and are asked to become prayer partners for children who are receiving the sacraments. The children are able to experience the liturgical Life of the church in many ways throughout the year, such as the Stations of the Cross during Lent, Rosary Club during the months of October and may and a Carol Service at Christmas. They also celebrate their Saint’s feast day and join in Mass, with their Sister school of Holy Family, during Holy Days of obligation. In addition to the children’s prayer life, the staff in school begin every meeting with a prayer. Different members of staff will lead the prayer, providing the staff with the opportunity to reflect on the Gospel Values. One training day every year is set aside for a staff retreat, with staff having had the opportunity to attend a retreat in Lourdes and Fatima in recent years. Father Fretch is our Parish Priest, who is a regular visitor in school. Sister Maura Halpin is also a regular visitor and together they support the children in the sacramental year bands of year 3 and year 6. They also visit the other year bands to support them in their RE lessons and in the preparation of mass. Collective Worship: List

We are delighted to announce that St Bernadette’s School has achieved the Live Simply Award, having successfully demonstrated that we are living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities. The assessor stated: It was wonderful to hear how the children were able to relate the actions they have been taking to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and how we are entrusted to look after God’s world. It was lovely to hear how praying helps them to feel calm, peaceful, safe, happy and grateful. The action you have been undertaking to build links with the Aaran Court care home and with the local parishioners was lovely to hear about and it was clear the children are enjoying interacting with the older generation. It was great to hear about the fundraising you are doing to support young people in Rwanda and how one of the children is now at Manchester university studying engineering. The children were knowledgeable about climate change and how the world’s poorest countries are the most impacted, it was fabulous to hear of the initiatives you are doing to make a difference. It was very interesting to see the difference in energy usage during your “digital down day”. We have decided as a school to pursue the CAFOD Live Simply award. This is an opportunity for us to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us.” To earn this award, we need to show as a school we are living: Simply- how we encourage our families to consume less in our daily lives. Taking the time to be more reflective, prayerful and considerate to others. In solidarity with the poor- being aware that other people might be experiencing difficulties, vulnerabilities, injustice or exclusion. Sustainably with creation- learning ways that can help rebalance our relationship with the environment. Remembering that God gave us this Earth for us to care for. We already do so much as a school to fulfil these objectives, but this year we have planned some special events which we will have a positive impact upon our global, local and school communities. The action plan is as below, some of the highlights are: Engaging with the vulnerable in our local community by writing Christmas cards to older people, inviting them in to watch our Christmas performances. Developing links with our local foodbank by taking collection of food and hygiene items from staff and children to donate regularly. Working towards the Oceans Friendly School Award, making concerted steps to reduce our waste in school and electing members of an eco-team to monitor this. Live Simply Action Plan Food bank collection This Lent we demonstrated how we can be ‘Generous and Grateful’ ‘Compassionate and Loving’ by inviting parents/carers to donate to a food bank that Mrs Buchannon had heard about The food bank is run by Teresa at the back of her café called Lily’s Tea Parlour. Every Friday a collection bin was placed at the Nursery and the gates at the front of school, with a list of items that were most needed. Mrs O’Brien, Mrs Robbins and Mrs Bchannon looked after the Nursery collection and Mr Wayne collected in the donations from the gate. Our parents/carers were extremely generous in donating plenty of items and these were then picked up by Teresa and given out to members of the community in need. We would like to give our thanks to all who felt that they could spare some provisions, especially at this time when costs of our own food and provisions is rising. Living in Solidarity We have been demonstrating our virtues of ‘Compassionate and Loving’, and ‘Generous and Grateful’ by inviting residents of Aran Court to our seasonal celebrations this year. On Wednesday 7th December 2023, we had extra members in the audience for the Christmas Performance of ‘Born in a barn’. The ladies and men really enjoyed their performances as can be seen below in the tweets and photos on the day. They loved getting to meet the cast of the play and our children were delighted to be able to get to chat to them in their costumes. The Wellbeing staff, Katie and Sharon sent us this lovely message when they got back to the home. We also had Year 4 making Christmas cards for the 80 residents of the home. "We had a lovely afternoon, thank you very much for inviting us. We felt very welcome in your school and your children were so well behaved too. Thank you for our refreshments - the ladies love a good cuppa!" When reception held their Easter Bonnet Parade on 29th March 2023, we invited the Aran Court residents in to watch the children proudly displaying their beautiful bonnets. Nursery and Reception were delighted to have an extra special audience. After the parade we invited our visitors to have tea and biscuits. As can be seen below they really entered into the spirit of the day and came with their own beautiful bonnets! Sharon and Katie who are staff members of Aran Court are pictured here having a well-earned cup of tea. They have always been delighted to join us in our celebrations. Our visitors also took a tour around our Easter egg competition entries and were really impressed with the effort put in to making the Religious Stories entries. We are also inviting the residents for an afternoon tea on Friday 26th May 2023 as this is our Vocations Day for the whole school. We will have some Mini Vinnies attending this tea, having a chat with them to find out more about their previous life, where they worked and just getting to know them better. Check back here soon for how this goes! Waste Management Results from the parent/carer environmental survey Many thanks for the replies to the environmental survey we sent out recently. We had 85 replies and this shows that there is an awareness and care for our local and world environment within our community. Below is a pie chart demonstrating how you consider single-use plastic when out shopping. Living Sustainably This shows there is a care towards using less but we all know sometimes the most convenient solution can be heavily plastic based eg, apples in a plastic wrapper or milk in plastic bottles. The pie chart above shows that it has sometimes been a decision for you to walk/take public transport instead of using the car. This shows you consider the effect of pollution on the air we breathe, and the cost of petrol makes this decision make sense. When asked what concerns you where you live 43 out of 85 people said litter/flytipping/waste management. It is all our responsibility to ensure we reduce our waste. When asked what your concerns were for the global environment some people said pollution. Some said plastic waste, others mentioned global warming/climate change. Our children are so environmentally aware and knew that we needed to do something as a school community about the plastic we dispose of. Although great efforts were made in our classrooms to recycle paper and card we did not have a dedicated recycling system in place for plastics. That all changed this academic year. Special plastic recycling bins were ordered and installed at key places within school. These were clearly labelled with the items which could be recycled within them. The Eco-wardens check the bins in their particular zone weekly and when these are full help Mrs Lennon empty these into the larger plastics bin for refuse workers to collect. Through the work we are doing for our Live simply award, the Eco-wardens and the Earth Ambassadors are all working together to help make our school more environmentally aware. We are grateful for your support to your children achieving this aim. Digital Down Day You may remember that on Monday 20th March, children and staff participated in Digital Down Day. During this day, teachers taught their lessons without laptops and interactive whiteboards, the staff in the kitchen switched off the ovens and served cold lunches and children arrived in bright clothing to light up our classrooms since the lights were switched off. We were so impressed with how this day was embraced by children, parents and staff members. We wished to highlight how making small changes to our everyday routines could have a massive impact upon our energy consumption and thus our impact upon the environment. The charts below show our electricity usage during the month of March. You can clearly see our reduced electricity usage on the 20th March, which was very similar to Friday 10th March – a snow day, where no children and a limited number of staff were in school. We are so proud, thank you for your support. The Eco-team

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

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

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

School of Sanctuary at St Bernadette’s For some time now, our news media has been reporting stories about migrants, refugees, small boats, the expense of housing people in hotels etc. Much of this has been quite misleading and dehumanising with inaccuracies and wrong ideas taking hold in the minds of many. As a Catholic school, St Bernadette’s is looking to explore the realities of the asylum system and the experiences of people going through it right now. Our mission statement makes clear that, “… We follow the ways of Jesus using our talents and gifts to make our school special.” We must never forget that Jesus himself was a refugee. We will therefore, be seeking to gain the award of ‘School of Sanctuary’. What is a School of Sanctuary? A School of Sanctuary is a school that has received a Sanctuary Award from City of Sanctuary UK or a partner organisation in recognition of its good practice in fostering a culture of welcome, belonging and solidarity for those seeking safety. (1) How can St Bernadette’s become a School of Sanctuary? To become a School of Sanctuary, a school must take an intentional and reflective approach to reviewing and refining school practice in relevant areas and demonstrate that they have implemented three key principles: LEARN Schools help their students, staff and wider community learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the issues surrounding forced migration. EMBED Schools are committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits everybody, including anyone in their community seeking sanctuary and working with people seeking sanctuary to co-produce their sanctuary efforts and practice. SHARE Schools proudly share their values and activities with their local communities and work collaboratively to build our movement of welcome. (2) As we move forward with the award, we will be partnering up with St Chad’s (who are already working hard in this endeavour), making collections for those in need and learning about the real experiences of people seeking refuge. We believe this will be of huge benefit to our children and community in an ever more precarious world. Notes (1) and (2) taken from the Schools of Sanctuary website. https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/award Day of Action Thursday 19th June The whole school took part in our School of Sanctuary Day of Action on Thursday of this week. They took part in a number of activities which they then shared with the rest of the school in a special assembly at the end of the day. We also had a number of visitors in school. Steph from Stories of Hope and Home helped run the day as did James from the Columban Fathers. Some of the children got the opportunity to interview asylum seekers who visited us during the day and heard their very moving stories. The energy, empathy and determination of the children shone through in the different activities and developed their understanding of the asylum process. Here is some of the activities and work they produced Our Day of Action – The Lampedusa Cross By Year 4 On our Day of Action, we learned about something special called the Lampedusa Cross. It’s a cross made from old pieces of wood that came from a boat full of refugees. Refugees are people who must leave their homes because of war, danger, or poverty. The man who made the cross is called Francesco, and he lives on an island in Italy called Lampedusa. He wanted to do something kind, so he made crosses out of the broken boat wood to remember the people who had been on that journey. We started the day by acting out the journey of a refugee from Eritrea. It helped us understand how scary and difficult it must be to leave your home and not know where you're going. We imagined walking through deserts, hiding, and crossing the sea. It made us feel thankful for what we have. Then we learned about the Lampedusa Cross and how something broken can become something beautiful and full of hope. We made our own crosses out of cardboard, wood, and paper. We decorated them with words like hope, peace, family, friendship, and kindness. We also wrote shape poems to show what hope means to us, and we learned a song about looking after one another. At the end of the day, we talked about what we had learned. We said that everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe, and that even small things — like smiling, helping someone, or saying kind words — can make a big difference. We made a promise to be kind, to stand up for others, and to bring hope to our school and the world. We can all be a sign of hope. Refugee Week: Stories of Hope and Home As part of our Refugee Week celebrations, pupils took part in a special day of learning and reflection themed around the idea of seeing the people behind the label. We began the day with a whole-school assembly, followed by reading My Name is Not Refugee, which encouraged children to think about the individual stories and emotions behind the word ‘refugee’. We then explored the journeys of famous refugees, including Malala Yousafzai, and had the privilege of interviewing Danny and Virginia from Stories of Hope and Home. These moving conversations helped us understand more about them as people—not just as refugees. In the afternoon, children created powerful posters and artwork inspired by these stories, along with thoughtful cover letters to send to Members of Parliament. The day ended with a sharing assembly, where classes presented their creative work and reflections. It was a meaningful and inspiring day that deepened our understanding of compassion, dignity, and the strength of the human spirit. Dear MPs, My name is Maverick and I am writing this because I would like to ask that you consider helping refugees. At school, we have been learning about refugees and some of us have even met people who have had to unwillingly leave their homes. Before, I thought the word ‘refugee’ was just a label. But now I know better than that. They aren’t just refugees. They’re humans, people, just like you and me. They have favourite colours, songs, loved ones. Some wish to be doctors, teachers or footballers. They miss their family and their homes, but they still have hope. They are kind, funny and full of dreams. They are people like us. Please help them and treat them with equality and dignity. One way you could do this is by giving them the right to work, so they can make their families proud. How would you feel if you had no job, no proper home, no family alongside you? Thank you for reading my letter. Please consider helping these poor people because they are people just like us. Yours sincerely, Maverick (aged 11) I am Eleanor and I am writing to you to ask for your assistance in helping refugees and asylum seekers across the country. At school, we had a day of action, which is where we dedicate our day to learning about refugees and asylum seekers. People from the Columbian Missionaries charity came in with two people, who are asylum seekers, from Columbia and Kenya. In reality, their just humans like us. They have hopes, dreams and feeling too. They have hobbies, passions and people they love. Even though they miss their families and friends, they have hopes for the future by traveling to the UK. In conclusion, I hope you can help all refugees and asylum seekers feel respected and cared for in the UK. One way you can help is by allowing them to work, so they can support their own families and not being able to rely on others for support. Thank you for reading my letter. Dear Jess Phillips, My name is Lily and I am writing to you because I want to ask you help refugees. We learn about refugees in school and we know that ‘refugee’ is just a label. People cross boarders for safety aren’t just refugees, they are humans. Humans who are just like us, they miss family, home and friends but they hope for good futures. Please make sure they are treated with kindness. You can do this by giving them rights to work so they can feel proud of themselves. Nobody should ever feel unwelcome. Thank you for reading my letter. I hope you are able to help them. Yours sincerely Lily (aged 11) Dear Jess Phillips, My name is Nuala and I am writing to you because I want to ask you to help refugees. At school, we have been given the opportunity to learn more about refugees, what they’ve been through and even meet some. Before this, I only heard the word refugee and thought it was just a title, but now that I have looked beyond the label, I understand they are so much more than that. They are human beings and they have hobbies, favourite colours just like us. Some have dreams of being doctors, nurses or teachers. They miss their families and loved ones, but they also have hope for the future. They are friendly, kind and most importantly people – just like us. They deserve the dignity and respect they are entitled too, they do not need to earn it. It is unacceptable that some refugees travel across the world to finally feel safe and then be treated like rubbish and be described as spiteful things in newspapers. All I ask is for you to help refugees and treat them with kindness – you never know their backstory. Please give your time and energy to make sure refugees feel welcomed, wanted and respected. Please give them the right to work so they can feel appreciated and so they can be financially stable. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I’m hopeful that everyone will remember that refugees are people, not just a word. Yours sincerely. Nuala, (Aged 11). To begin our day, Nursery used Google Earth to look at some different countries. We learnt that sometimes, there are people living in those countries who need to leave. We watched a clip explaining the meaning of ‘refugee’ We talked about the feelings of refugee children and thought about the kind of things they’d need to bring when leaving their home. We discussed why things such as shoes and clothes may be important, but toys were not needed. We shared a lovely prayer together and prayed for everyone impacted. Welcome, welcome everyone, We can play and have some fun. If you’re new or if you’re shy, We will smile and say hi-hi! Everyone belongs right here, We show love and bring good cheer. Welcome welcome everyone, Let’s be kind to everyone As part of our Day of Action, our enthusiastic Year 5 children took to the local community to actively promote the Lift the Ban campaign. They confidently approached local shopkeepers and members of the public, politely asking them to display posters, wear campaign badges, and sign petitions in support of giving people seeking asylum the right to work. The children showed great teamwork, respect, and courage, engaging in meaningful conversations and explaining the importance of the campaign. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining valuable communication skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of social justice and active citizenship. It was inspiring to see their passion and maturity as they made a real impact in their community. Year 1 made a banner – we will welcome you- for outside of school. Cards for new refugees to pass on to Steph from Stories of Hope and Home. Using the book Lubna and the pebble 1ML have discussed what it would feel like to be a refugee. We created our own pebble friend and held a prayer service together. At our school, we are proud to be working towards becoming a School of Sanctuary – a safe and welcoming place for everyone, especially those seeking refuge. In Reception, our youngest children have been learning all about what it means to be kind, caring, and inclusive. We enjoyed reading “All are welcome” by Alexandra Penfold. We shared the message that everyone is welcome in our school. The children listened to stories about refugees and talked about how we can help people feel safe, loved, and accepted when they arrive in a new place. To celebrate our unique identities, each child created a self-portrait, proudly showing that we are all different, but all equally special. We also made beautiful friendship chains, linking our names together as a symbol of unity and belonging. 2EH Loving God, Thank you for new friends. Help us to be loving and compassionate every day. Please keep safe those who are in danger and looking for a new home. Help us to welcome them with joy and kindness. Thank you for loving all people. Amen. 2EOB Dear God, Thank you for our school where everyone is welcome and safe. Please help us to open our hearts to children and families who have had to leave their homes because of danger or fear. Help us to understand how hard it can be to be new in a strange place, and to always show kindness and friendship. Give us the courage to stand up for those who feel lonely or scared and to make sure no one feels left out. Help us to make our school a place of hope, peace, and safety for everyone, no matter where they come from. Teach us to listen, to care, and to share what we have with others. Thank you for helping us be a School of Sanctuary, where everyone belongs. May we always remember to treat others with love and respect, just as you love us. Amen 2SH Loving and compassionate God, You who shelter the stranger and bind up the broken hearted, We come before You with humble hearts, Remembering all those who have been forced to flee their homes The refugees, the displaced, the weary travellers. Grant them safety and refuge, Open our eyes to their needs, And soften our hearts to welcome them with love and generosity. Teach us to be instruments of Your peace, To build bridges where there is division, To offer hope where there is despair, And to see Your face in every stranger we meet. Bless all who work to provide shelter, comfort, and justice, And inspire us to walk beside the vulnerable, Sharing our homes, our resources, and our friendship. May Your Spirit guide us to create a world where all are valued , All are safe, and all belong. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen Year 3 – Day of Action: Learning About the Lampedusa Crosses During our Day of Action, children in Year 3 learned about the Lampedusa Crosses — small crosses made from the wood of refugee boats that washed ashore on the Italian island of Lampedusa. These crosses are powerful symbols of hope, compassion, and solidarity with those fleeing conflict and hardship. Inspired by this, the children made their own Lampedusa crosses and decorated them with messages of hope and welcome. They also took part in a thoughtful prayer service, reflecting on the parable of the sheep and the goats. They linked this to the message of welcoming others, remembering the words of Jesus: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) To put their learning into action, the children made welcome cards to be given to refugees arriving in the UK, showing kindness and support to those in need. It was a meaningful and inspiring day — the children enjoyed every moment and learned so much about empathy, faith, and the importance of welcoming others. 3EG Dear God, Help us to welcome the strangers who have left their homes because there is war, sadness and disaster, Please make refugees who need to leave their unsafe homes and travel on long journeys feel safe in their new homes, Let us welcome Asylum seekers and refugees and help us to help them, We pray we can help them find shelter and warmheated friends, Help us convince the MPs to stop the ban, allowing them to find safe jobs, We ask you to give courage to asylum seekers when they need it, Please guide the refugees with courage, love and blessing Amen 3CK Dear Loving God, We pray for all refugees who are in danger. Keep them safe on their journeys and bring them to places of peace. May they feel welcome and at home when they arrive in our country. May all people treat them with the respect, kindness and compassion that they deserve. Help us to open our hearts to those in need and to remember them in our prayers. And to do as Jesus taught us, by being mindful of our thoughts and words. We ask You to bring an end to war and violence and to fill the world with peace. Amen. 3DA Dear God, Thank you for loving us and showing us how to love others. Please help us to care for people who have no homes especially refugees. They are far away from their countries and families and they need our love and kindness. This is the year of hope, and we want to brig hope to others. The Lampedusa cross reminds us that out of something broken, you can make something beautiful. May we always choose love instead of fear, and make our hearts be open, just like your arms are open to us. Amen June 2024 ‘I was a stranger and you made me welcome.’ Matt 25:35 Stories of Hope and Home is a charity that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Birmingham. They work hard to meet the needs of those they help, offering care and guidance to make life more settled and hopeful. This week’s poem is written by a refugee who has been supported by Stories of Hope and Home. It expresses the deep longing they feel for a dear friend far away, but in the final verse, they look ahead with hope for a new life—despite all they have been through. My Dear Friend My dear friend since I left you, Have passed so many years. Sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea And analysing my life. My dear friend... Winter has come and my sadness sat in my heart Spring came and flowers bloomed in my hair, As always the summer is empty in my soul, Flowers have not yet wilted in my memories. My dear friend... There was a loud laugh And cheerful tones in my eyes. But my dear friend... I hung my soul on empty walls, Like a frame waiting for an image Longing and sadness in my soul has not gone anywhere. My dear friend... There is a blank page in front of me My paint box is open again I will make life colourful again. May 2025 On Tuesday 6th May, staff at St Bernadette’s will take part in a special retreat day focused on the theme of welcoming others. We will be working with participants from Stories of Hope and Home , sharing experiences and learning how we can better support and stand alongside refugees and asylum seekers. During the day, staff will plan a range of activities for a ‘Day of Action’ on Wednesday 19th June, including letter writing, school visits, creative projects and liturgies. We are excited to be working with Emma from Asylum Matters to develop our ideas. The retreat will end with a special Mass celebrated by Fr John Boles. On 21st March, some of our Year 5 and Year 6 Mini Vinnies delivered the generous donations from families and staff to St Chad’s Sanctuary. While they were there, they also volunteered their time by helping to prepare food and hygiene packs for refugees. We are proud of their compassion and willingness to serve others in need. Easter Egg Competition 2025- Countries around the world As you know, we hold an Easter Egg decorating competition each year for children in KS1 and KS2. To celebrate our school’s cultural diversity, this year's theme was ‘Countries Around the World’. The entries were spectacular and incredibly creative! Thank you to all the families who took part, and a special thanks to Mr. Wayne and Miss Boron for organising the event. March 2025 Miss Finnegan's Family Story From Dublin to Birmingham My nan was originally from Portobello, Dublin, but her family’s roots stretch back even further - to France. They were originally Huguenot refugees who fled religious persecution and settled in Ireland. In the 19th century, my nan’s mother converted to Catholicism, a faith that became a guiding force in my nan’s life. My grandad was from Loughrea, Galway, where his family were dairy farmers. He moved to Dublin to start a job in the Military Police and that’s where fate brought him and my nan together in 1949. They were married at St. Kevin’s Church in Dublin and soon after they began dreaming of a new life in Australia. Their journey started in 1950 with a boat trip to Liverpool, followed by a stop in Birmingham, where they settled for a short time on Coventry Road in Small Heath. It was here that they heard life in Australia wasn’t as wonderful as people had made it out to be. If only they hadn’t listened, I might be sunning myself on Bondi Beach right now! My nan and grandad decided to stay in Birmingham and they made a life for themselves. They later moved to Edgbaston and then settled in Ladywood, where they raised a family of eight children. My grandad worked hard at Dunlop, while my nan owned two hairdressing salons and rented out flats on the Hagley Road. Although they were settled in Birmingham, it never truly felt like home for my nan. She would have returned to Dublin in a heartbeat if life had allowed it. Her faith remained a source of strength. She attended weekly Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Dudley Road, where her faith and the Irish community gave her comfort and belonging. Birmingham, however, became the foundation for future generations. My mum moved from Alnwick, Northumberland, to Birmingham, where she met my dad. They were married at St. Patrick’s and I was baptised there too. Even though my grandparents’ move to Birmingham wasn’t meant to be permanent and my nan always longed to return to Dublin, I’m grateful they stayed. Even though I no longer live in Birmingham, it always feels like home to me! My grandad on the left with his brothers. My Nan and her dad. School of Sanctuary February 2025 Mrs. Begum’s Parent’s Immigration Story Hi My name is Mrs Begum. I am was born in Birmingham and I would like to share my parents Migration story. My dad was born in 1950 in Dadyal, Pakistan and was one of 6 children. I wanted to start with how my Grandad came to England first which then paved the way for my dad’s journey. My grandad came in 1950 and after working very very hard was able to buy his own house. However, he didn’t live alone, along with my dad he actually lived with 15 other men in the same house it was very crowded!!! All of the men worked different shifts and very long hours. My grandad and dad took it in turns to cook during the day and the others helped when they could in between their shifts. It was very difficult at times as they didn’t earn a lot of money and worked very long hours. Any spare money they had was very rarely spent on themselves as they were all trying to support their families back home however they did enjoy the odd trip to the cinema. My Grandad’s hard work in England all those years ago then paved the way my father’s own journey. My dad came to England with my grandad in 1963 at the age of 13. This was not an easy thing to do but due to my Grandfather’s determination to give his son a better life that journey was made possible. They made the journey from Pakistan to England on an aeroplane which was very uncommon in those days. When my dad first came to England he went straight into Secondary school where he started his education. His first job was in a factory where they made electrical items and although the pay was not a lot he still managed to support his family back in Pakistan. He then became a truck driver but he always dreamed of furthering his education. A couple of years later he achieved his dream. He attended college and through hard work and study he became a Mechanical Engineer. One of the highlights of his career was actually building his own car along with his two colleagues. Their achievements were celebrated and published in the newspaper. My father then went on to start his own business in Mechanics and opened his own garage. In this time my Father also married my mother and started their own family. We lived in a diverse community with people from all over the world. We had heard that some people had faced racial discrimination but we had not experienced this. The community we lived in was loving, caring and very supportive of one another. We were so lucky as I know this was very different for others. We played together we went to school together and supported each other. In fact, the community was that close we even cooked and shared meals with each other. My parent’s English was limited when they first came to England but because of being integrated into such a loving community their English improved and they very quickly became fluent. I would like to say that the community they lived in continued to be a wonderful and safe place but unfortunately due to people’s attitudes changing towards immigration in the 1980’s my parent’s started to experience racial abuse which up to this point they had not. It was a very difficult time for them and other families that had settled in England from different parts of the world. Despite these difficulties they showed resilience, love and respect for others. They continued to raise their family with those same values and thankfully today we are living in one of the most diverse cities in the world full of different religions and different cultures and I think I am very lucky to live here. So thank you Mom and Dad for making that journey all those years ago. Mrs Begum Thank you to Jinette, a refugee from Cameroon and Steph, from the organisation Stories of Hope, for coming in to speak to the children of Saint Bernadette’s about the plight of asylum seekers. Olivia from 5CG wanted to show her thanks by making this amazing card to say thank you. Orange Heart Campaign – Week Beginning 10th February Children from Nursery and Reception took part in the Orange Heart Campaign, showing their support and solidarity for refugees. As part of this initiative, classes created posters with messages of kindness and hope, which were displayed around the school. On Valentine’s Day, the children made orange armbands to wear as a symbol of love and compassion for those fleeing war and persecution. We are proud of our children for embracing this important cause and spreading a message of kindness. A huge thank you to all the families who took part in the Orange Heart Art Competition. We were amazed by the wonderful range of creative and thought-provoking artwork submitted. As a token of our support for refugees, the children’s artwork will be taken to St. Chad’s Sanctuary, where it will serve as a message of kindness, solidarity and hope. Well done to all the children who participated, your artwork truly makes a difference! School Council have had a very busy 2 weeks! Meeting with Asylum Seekers- Thursday 6th February School Council were lucky enough to meet with Janette, an asylum seeker who moved from Cameroon to the UK in 2023. Alongside her translator, we were able to ask some questions about her transition to the UK. We covered a broad range of topics such as her journey, change of culture, mental health and her family. School Council thought of some challenging and insightful questions and both of our visitors were impressed with the thought we put in. We looked at a map where we saw Cameroon and all the countries that bordered it. We could also see all the other countries that asylum seekers have come from and discussed why they may have chosen to move away. It was an interesting and thought-provoking lunchtime and we are grateful to our visitors for giving us a first-hand insight on what it is like to be an Asylum seeker. Orange Heart Campaign- Friday 14th February. For Valentine’s Day, we have made Orange heart cards to send to our local MPs. We wanted to show them that St Bernadette’s welcomes all and we support those who need it most. We are asking our local MPs to have more empathy and to continue to do all they can to support refugees and asylum seekers. We worked together to make cards, writing messages of support and drawing orange hearts. On Thursday, some school councillors walked to the post box to deliver these. Miss Coley and Ms Mohammad are so proud of School Council for being so mature and thoughtful whilst we explore a complex topic. They are fantastic role models for the rest of school! Mrs Hussain's Story As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different Country. My dad moved to Birmingham when he was around 10 years old, with the intention to support his family back home in Pakistan. At such a young age, the weight of those responsibilities felt heavy as he had 4 younger siblings and his widowed mother thousands of miles away struggling to live in difficult conditions. He was the first in his family to move to England and longed to start a new life here, with the hope of inviting his family in the years to come. He had to grow up fast, working hard in school and doing whatever he could to help his family, even though he was still just a young boy who had also lost his father at such a young age. He lived in shared accommodation and at such a young age, this was a struggle. The people that he lived with were kind, but the adjustment to a new culture, language, and life wasn’t simple. My amazing dad spent hours studying, determined to make something of himself, but at times, it felt like he would never see his family again. He missed his old life in Pakistan, and the pressure to succeed was always a lingering thought in his mind. He yearned to make his family proud, but at such a young age, wasn’t quite sure how to. Both his determination and drive helped him to complete college, and he became an electrician, which provided him with somewhat of a stable income which meant he could support his struggling family back home. At the age of around 18, my brave dad made the bold decision to leave Birmingham and move to Leeds, a decision that I will be forever grateful for! This new move enabled him to begin a career and something that he is still passionate about today. It was a new chapter, one where he could build his future in the not so sunny but the incredible county of Yorkshire, a place that will always be home. After a few years he met my mum, who also made the huge move to England at the age of 19. After getting married, they eventually moved to a quiet, small village in Yorkshire. The village was a far cry from the hustle of the city, but it felt like the right place to settle down, start a family of their own, and create a life that my dad's own father would’ve been unbelievably proud of. Through it all, his journey was a testament to resilience—a young boy who had to become a man before his time, and in the end, built a life full of hope and new beginnings. My dad's humble beginnings in Birmingham will always be incredibly special to me and when I myself moved to Birmingham 5 years ago, I felt that I was continuing in his footsteps in a city he still loves to this day. I spent the first year reliving his steps, visiting the places he cherished and recreating old photographs from his youth. He still enjoys pulling out the comparison photographs and is adamant his are better, however I beg to differ! To this day, he will still tell me how to get to places and that I am completely following the wrong directions, and as always, he is entirely correct! I will be eternally grateful to both my parents for moving from their home country of Pakistan, although it is a place that will always be home for our entire family, the living conditions are still incredibly difficult to endure. If it wasn’t for their unwavering bravery, my entire family wouldn’t have the access to the incredible life that we are blessed with today. Birmingham will always be a special place to my dad, and even though my small village in Yorkshire will always be home for me, I’m glad that my amazing dad still has a connection to Birmingham through his daughter living here. January 2024 Pilgrimage of Hope: Refugee Journey On Monday 27th January, classes in KS2 and Year had the opportunity to take part in a Pilgrimage of Hope, reflecting on the journey of refugees. Station 1 Packing for a Journey : The children put themselves in a refugee’s shoes and imagined what they would pack if they had to flee their home at short notice. Station 3 The Long Journey : The children imagined the exhausting and dangerous journey, often across deserts, mountains, and forests, in search of safety. Station 5 Final Journey : The children reflected on the final stage of a refugee’s journey, where emotions mixed between relief, excitement, and nervousness as they arrived at their new home. Station 2 Emotional Goodbyes : They thought about the emotional goodbyes that refugees must face as they leave everything behind. Station 4 Refugee Camps : They paused to consider life in refugee camps, where some refugees wait years before being granted asylum. Station 6 A New Home : At the final station, they discussed what it might be like to arrive in a foreign land with a new language and culture. This pilgrimage was linked to the Jubilee Year's theme of Pilgrims of Hope, encouraging us all to walk alongside those who are displaced, offering empathy, support, and a shared journey of hope. It also reminded us to keep our hope in God, trusting that He was with us on every journey, and that with faith, we could bring hope to others. Watch this video capturing the pilgrims in 4KL. Miss Corkery’s Family Story As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award , we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different country. My family’s journey to Birmingham is a story of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. Like many families, we’ve experienced big moves and faced challenges along the way. It all began in Ireland, where both of my parents were born. My dad was one of seven children raised by a Headteacher Grandad and Granny, while my mum was the eldest of three, raised by my Granny, a housewife, and my Grandad, a sales representative. My dad graduated from Medical School in Cork 66 years ago, and my mum worked as a medical secretary at the General Hospital in Cork. They were married in 1964, and my brother was born soon after. In search of better career opportunities, my parents decided to leave Ireland and moved to London, where my oldest sister was born. Life in London wasn’t easy. Dad worked long hours, and my mum, alone in a new city, faced hostility from some of their neighbours, as Irish immigrants weren’t always welcomed. Despite the difficulties, they persevered. From London, they moved to Sheffield, where my next sister was born. But when a big opportunity came to move to Canada, my parents didn’t hesitate. They crossed the ocean, seeking a brighter future for their growing family. It was in Canada that my next eldest sister was born. Eventually, my parents returned to the UK, settling in Birmingham, where my dad became one of only six Paediatric Surgeons in the country at the time. Today, there are often that many in a single hospital! Birmingham became home, and it’s where I was born—the youngest of five siblings. My dad’s dedication to his work went beyond the hospital. He built connections with doctors from around the world, often welcoming them into our home, where my mum would cook for up to 15 people at a time! My mum was a tireless homemaker, caring for all of us and later working as a secretary at a multi-faith centre. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us, showing us the value of family, teamwork, and perseverance. Even in difficult times, they supported each other and ensured we had a loving home. At one point, all five siblings followed in their footsteps of dedication and service, becoming teachers in Birmingham—a testament to the values they passed on to us. When my mum fell ill last year, we returned the care she had always given us, looking after her in her final days. Her passing taught me more about living than I ever imagined. Watching my dad grow older is bittersweet, but it reminds me daily of the importance of family and how blessed we are. My family’s story is one of migration, determination, and love—a testament to how hard work and hope can create a brighter future. Mrs Canning’s Migration Story. I was born and raised in Dundalk, Co. Louth, sharing a secondary school with the Corrs, interviewing Steve Staunton for my school magazine and even managing to achieve fifteen minutes of fame next to Dustin the Turkey on Den TV. After completing my degree in University College Dublin, I was offered a place on a teacher training course in Ireland, specialising in English; I was also offered a teaching position in Dubai. But no, the bright lights of Birmingham were calling and in September 2008 I moved to Bartley Green. My plan was simple: train to be a teacher, finish the course in a year, and then head back home. Just one year, I told myself. Easy, right? Well, it turns out the universe had other plans. That one year turned into something much bigger, thanks to a city I never expected to fall for: Birmingham. Let me start with my first impressions. I arrived ready to dive into my studies but completely unprepared for the Brummie accent. "Yow alright?" threw me off entirely. Was it a question? A statement? A secret code? As much as I tried to embrace this new adventure, there were things I deeply missed: my family and friends, of course, but if I’m honest my deeper yearning was for Tayto crisps, Club Orange, and, of course, a proper portion of curry chips. No amount of hunting could replace those little comforts of home so I resorted to smuggling Lyon’s tea back after every trip to Ireland. The curry chip in my pocket did not fare so well! But as I settled in, something clicked. People from every corner of the world living, working, and celebrating together. It was like a living tapestry of cultures, and I was hooked. What made it even more special was knowing that my family’s roots were intertwined with Birmingham’s story. My parents had moved here in the 1970s, looking for work and a better life. My two older sisters were born here, adding to the family legacy. After seven years, they returned to Ireland, but the connection to Birmingham never really faded. Even my brother came back here years later for work. So, in a way, I wasn’t just starting a new chapter—I was continuing a family tradition. Training to be a teacher was no walk in the park. There were moments of self-doubt, cultural adjustments (little break, copybooks and principal, for instance), and the occasional day where I questioned if I’d made the right choice. Teaching phonics was particularly challenging. As an Irish person who struggled with ‘th’ words, it felt almost cruel to teach children how to pronounce “think” when I couldn’t get it right myself! I’d break out in a cold sweat every time a school trip to the Thinktank was mentioned—the irony wasn’t lost on me. Through it all, the resilience my family instilled in me kept me going. Hard work, commitment, and service to the community weren’t just words; they were a way of life. Birmingham’s people made it easy to stay. I found friendships that felt like family and communities that welcomed me with open arms; the staff at St. Bernadette's became my extended family. The city’s heartbeat—its mix of history, progress, and endless cups of tea—became my own. By the time I finished my course, the idea of leaving felt unthinkable. Fast forward sixteen years and I’m married to a Blues fan (much to the horror of my Villa-loving family) and have a two-year-old child with a very pronounced Brummie accent. Looking back, I came to Birmingham expecting a temporary stop. What I found was a home. It’s funny how life works like that. The city, with all its quirks and charms, became part of my story. So here I am, years later, still in Birmingham, still learning, still teaching, still missing Tayto crisps, and still trying to master the art of navigating Spaghetti Junction without panicking. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. December 2024 For some time now, our news media has been reporting stories about migrants, refugees, small boats, the expense of housing people in hotels etc. Much of this has been quite misleading and dehumanising with inaccuracies and wrong ideas taking hold in the minds of many. As a Catholic school, St Bernadette’s is looking to explore the realities of the asylum system and the experiences of people going through it right now. Our mission statement makes clear that, “… We follow the ways of Jesus using our talents and gifts to make our school special.” We must never forget that Jesus himself was a refugee. We will therefore, be seeking to gain the award of ‘School of Sanctuary’. Stories of Hope and Home Stories of Hope and Home is a project focused around building a community and creating a safe space in which Asylum Seekers and Refugees can explore and share their stories. It encourages and empowers them to discover their voice, allowing them to share their narrative in their own words, and helping to realise that their stories, individually and collectively have worth and value. By taking these stories: expressed through storytelling, poetry, theatre and other media; to others, particularly in educational settings, the stories become powerful points of encounter with other sectors of the community, helping to educate, to change perceptions and to build positive relationships. This year the money raised at our Carol service will be donated to this charity. Mrs Robinson’s Migration Story This week we have a migration story from Ireland to England in 1959. It is a story of true strength and resilience that Mrs Robinson’s family became settled in England. My parents came to England from Tipperary, in Ireland. They lived in a small village called Portroe. Mom and Dad went to school together and lived doors away from each other. My two older brothers were born in Tipperarary. Mom and Dad came to England in late 1959 leaving my two older brothers with our two sets of grandparents. They travelled here to find work as Dad had lost his job at the silver mines. When they arrived, they slept on the floor in my auntie’s living room. They found life very difficult, being turned away from lodgings and Dad turned away from jobs as soon as they spoke, as they both had very broad Irish accents. This upset my mom very much and I remember her telling us people were very cruel and harsh, she often said they would shout at her and called her dirty and other names. Mom was also missing the boys who were only 2 and 1 years old but they never gave up looking for a home or jobs in which to support their family. Eventually, they found lodgings in a hostel for a few weeks and dad got a job working for the council as a bin man, a job he came to love. Not long after this, they found a home in Hockley. Mum told us it was small, but it was a home, so mom travelled back to Ireland to bring the boys over as she missed them so much. This was in the early months of 1960. When she arrived back here with the boys, she was happy and started to make a life for her young family, dealing daily with people being unkind to her but she was strong and stood her ground. She told us about her first council home, it had no glass in the windows, and the family sat on tea chests and drank out of jam jars but she was proud of that home in Ford street Hockley. She made a home for the boys and the council fitted the glass in the windows. Shortly after she discovered she was expecting my brother Tom. She was a little unsettled as she had only her sister for support. Not long after, whilst she was cooking dinner for dad and the boys, there was a knock at the front door, she opened the door to find her mother and father with suitcases in their hand, they came over to see the boys as they missed them so much. A few days later my dad’s parents also arrived. Although my parents thought it was just a short holiday for both sets of parents, they never returned home. As the family grew and mum had support, she looked for work herself and worked at Lucas in Hockley. They employed a lot of Irish people, but her supervisor was often unkind to them calling them names. The family moved to Rednal as it had grown by another two. So, my three older brothers and sister spent lots of happy times on the Lickey Hills having family picnics with mom and dad. Mom often talked about the back-to-back house she lived in and the friends they made and how life became easier for them. My parents struggled living here at times, but they stayed strong as a family. We soon became a family of 8! Miss Abdi In 2015 I moved to Bristol from Somalia on a spouse visa. My husband was living here so I came to join him. We were living in a rented home and my husband had good job. Shortly after I gave birth to my daughter we were happily family. I moved away to Birmingham with my daughter after a few years and we stayed with my aunt. I was advised to go to a homeless centre to get somewhere to stay. I was given temporary accommodation. I lived there for a few months until I got my permanent home. I did not have any bad experiences while I was settling in England. I started going to college to learn English language but this was not too much of a struggle because I was doing my degree back home. While here, I studied health and social care level 3. After that I signed up with an agency and I started working. I worked in different schools as a Special Needs teaching assistant. This brought me to St.Bernadette's in 2022. I worked in different year bands with a lot of different children. I also did some 1:1 and group work here. I am settled here now and enjoy supporting the children in their learning. One of the most special times in my life was when I went back home to visit my family, two years ago. It was lovely time to see my family again. November 2024 Year 4 Charity Fundraising – St. Chad’s Sanctuary Each half term, children in each year group take responsibility for charity work, choosing a charity to support as part of their commitment to serving others. These activities provide our children with valuable opportunities to practice selflessness, generosity, and compassion while deepening their understanding of solidarity and the responsibility we all share to care for and support members of God’s Family. This term, Year 4 has chosen to raise money for St. Chad’s Sanctuary, a voluntary project supported by many friends, including St. Chad’s Cathedral and The Salvation Army. St. Chad’s Sanctuary is a place of welcome and hospitality for asylum seekers and refugees, offering practical support, English classes, and signposting to other services. This ties closely to our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, as we aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. From Monday 25th November to Friday 6th December December, Year 4 will be raffling tickets for their Holiday Hampers to support this wonderful cause. A single ticket will be £1, three tickets for £2 and five tickets for £3. Last year, the Holiday Hampers were extremely popular, filled with perfect treats for Christmas and this year’s are just as exciting! 🎄 Don’t miss your chance to participate and support such an important initiative. Below are examples of the hampers from last year! Miss Odeta's Journey – A Story of Resilience and Determination As part of our work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, we want to share some personal stories from our staff about migration. These stories, while not about asylum seekers or refugees, offer insight into what it’s like to start a new life in a different country. Miss Odeta, one of our valued teaching assistants, has an inspiring story to share. In 2006, 18 years ago, she made the brave decision to travel to England on her own. Two years earlier, Lithuania had joined the European Union, and at a young age, she sought independence and new opportunities. She had always been intrigued by England, a country she had learned about in school and seen in enticing images. While studying in Lithuania, she wanted to earn some money during the summer holidays, which led her to move here. She settled in Dorset, a place vastly different from the Lithuanian countryside she was familiar with. Living in a small seaside village, she noticed there weren’t many people or pavements around and assumed most of England was like this. Her perspective changed dramatically during her first visit to London, where she experienced the hustle and bustle of city life and realised the diversity of the UK. In her early days in England, Miss Odeta faced challenges. She worked in a laundry, travelling up a steep hill daily. Some of her colleagues displayed unwelcome attitudes, which made her feel undervalued. However, once she had talked diplomatically to the manager things improved. This shows Miss Odeta is driven by a correct, fair attitude to all people. Her life in England took a new turn when her son was born in Dorset. When he was five months old, they moved to Birmingham. In 2011 her son joined our school nursery and in 2012 Miss Odeta began volunteering at St. Bernadette’s. While volunteering in our nursery, she discovered a passion for working with children, leading her to complete Level 2 and Level 3 Teaching Assistant courses at Solihull College. During this time, she juggled her studies, work and motherhood, demonstrating remarkable perseverance. After completing her qualifications, Miss Odeta welcomed her daughter and continued to work night shifts in a care home while supporting her family. Her love for St. Bernadette’s inspired her to apply for a lunchtime supervisor role, where she worked for three years. Her enthusiasm and dedication motivated her to apply for a teaching assistant role last year, and she now works in Year 6, supporting both teachers and pupils. Miss Odeta’s story is a testament to her resilience, adaptability and passion for education. She has overcome challenges, embraced opportunities and dedicated herself to creating a positive impact in our school community. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team. Through these personal stories, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse journeys that make up our school community as we continue working towards our School of Sanctuary Award. In support of our School of Sanctuary Award over the next few weeks, we would like to share with you some of the stories from the staff about migration. Mrs Docker has written the story about how her mum and dad came to live in England. While these are not stories of asylum seekers or refugees, the stories give us an idea of what it is like to have to start a new life in a new country. As a Catholic School we would fully embrace any new arrivals no matter what their story or past. Although the Award is about enforced migration we can relate to each other better if we respect our differences. These could be from our customs including the type of food we eat, our first language or where we worship. The aim of achieving our award is to help people live in safety with a sense of belonging where they can thrive and live with dignity as well as contributing so much to our society. Our display in the entrance hall of school shows a map of the world and identifies the many countries around the world that our pupils and their families originate from. We are very blessed to have such a varied and diverse school community with a wealth and range of different experiences, customs and religions. Mrs Docker's Story “It is with total pride and an honour that I can share my own family’s migration story with you today. My mum had spent a privileged and very happy childhood growing up on the family farm in Galway Ireland where she was educated at a convent school and recalls such beautiful and simple tales of her life delivering eggs to neighbours on her push bike and travelling to mass on a horse and cart. My dad’s mother died when he was a baby and life was difficult as his father was left with 13 children to rear single-handedly. My dad often tells us how he had to walk to school (which he went to until age 14) without shoes. Mum and Dad chose to independently leave their beloved Ireland just like so many of their family and friends. The boat journey over to Liverpool was so daunting as they recalled how they had never stepped foot out of their own home place. Like so many young Irish, they left with a suitcase, their strong faith and beautiful values and a strong work ethic believing that England could offer them a bright future and most importantly employment. After a long and lonesome journey, the boat arrived in Liverpool port and it was there they called home. Although greeted with signs that said ‘No Irish need apply’, they both recalled how they were quickly helped by other Irish people and managed to get rooms. My dad ended up in a shared house where there were many men sharing a room and my mum lived with her elder sister (who had left Ireland a few years earlier) and helped her settle in. They soon found a circle of other people who were in the same situation as themselves - missing home, feeling unwanted at times and struggling to make a life for themselves. The resilience that they showed was incredible. Armed with their faith and a determined work ethic they made their way and secured work in a factory and enjoyed meeting up with fellow Irish at dances. Eventually Birmingham, with jobs in the car factories seemed the next step to an even more positive future. They often told us how Oxford Road in Acocks Green (which became their home for 60 years) was known as Little Ireland as every house had Irish families living in it. We are incredibly proud of our mum and dad who left their home country in order to build a better life. We were so fortunate to have had so many opportunities, a fantastic education and although we had very little money at times, we knew we were loved, we knew we were safe and we were taught beautiful values- to treat all people with respect and never forget your roots as well as knowing that where there is a will there is a way. This is a faith and a belief which I am proud to share at St Bernadette’s today. It is fitting that on their headstone it says, “they asked for so little but gave so much.” October 2024 Last week we celebrated our launch assembly as we work towards the School of Sanctuary Award. The children were exposed to the terms Migrant, Asylum Seeker and Refugee and began to develop their understanding of why some people are forced to seek sanctuary in a country other than where they were born. The children will begin to look at some of the reasons why people have been displaced from their country of origin and will begin to explore some of the prejudices that they encounter. Staff will listen to the stories of some of the Refugees that Miss Cowings met last week and will consider ways in which we can support them this academic year. Dear God, It is sad to think that people today live in a world where there is persecution and extreme suffering. We pray for anyone who is facing the prospect of being uprooted to find safety in a new place. We pray for protection and safety for people who are forced to leave home to seek safety elsewhere. We pray for strength and wisdom for those people who support refugees And for charity workers and agencies here in the UK who help refugees. We pray that refugees who need safety might find welcome in a new place, so they can feel secure and thrive in their new environment. We thank you for the many ways in which the UK has benefited from the creativity and resilience shown by many refugees in the past. Amen The children in y6 who were not at Alton Castle completed lots of work on Martin Luther King as part of Black History Month. We shared our hopes and dreams for the world, like Martin Luther King Jr. did in his famous speech, and thought especially about our hopes for refugees, asylum seekers and people who live their lives in fear and danger everyday (linked to School of Sanctuary). September 2024 Working Towards the School of Sanctuary Award This year, our school is excited to work towards the School of Sanctuary Award, an initiative designed to foster understanding and support for individuals seeking safety and sanctuary. During our recent inset day, staff received valuable training from our School of Sanctuary lead, Barbara, who provided insight into the programme's objectives. The Schools of Sanctuary programme aims to raise awareness about the experiences of those seeking sanctuary, challenge misconceptions and build empathy among our children, staff, governors, parents and the wider community. It also focuses on developing staff expertise in supporting new arrivals, ensuring that all children feel safe, welcome and are able to thrive in our school environment. Furthermore, we are encouraged to connect with local charities and community organisations to strengthen our shared commitment to welcoming those in need. Throughout the year, we will participate in various initiatives to raise awareness and support refugees in our local communities. Our activities will include:  Launch Assembly: We will hold a launch assembly next week to introduce the School of Sanctuary award to the children.  Literature-Based English Unit: A dedicated unit of work in English will focus on the theme of refugees, using literature to inspire and engage our children.  Shoebox Appeal: We will take part in the Christmas shoebox appeal to provide essential items for those in need.  Pilgrimage Day: Children in KS2 will participate in a ‘Pilgrimage Day’, walking in the shoes of refugees to raise awareness and foster empathy.  Guest Speakers: We will invite refugee organisations to our school to share their work and experiences.  Refugee Day: In June, we will celebrate Refugee Day with the theme of solidarity with refugees and their contributions to society. We are looking forward to an impactful year of learning, empathy, and community support as we strive to achieve the School of Sanctuary Award!

St. Bernadette's Policies & Admissions Admissions How to Apply. Check that your child meets the Admissions Criteria for St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School. Documents which must accompany the application: Birth Certificate Baptismal Certificate The completed application and requested documents should be posted or delivered to the school. St Bernadette’s School Hob Moor Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8QL Late applications for appeals will be heard by At the same time as previously scheduled appeals or within 30 school days of appeal being lodged Decision letters sent to appellant Normally within seven school days In-Year Applications An application can be made for a place for a child at any time outside the admission round and the child will be admitted where there are available places. An application should be made to the school by completing the in-year admissions application form which is available on our website at stberns.co.uk. A hard copy of the application form can be obtained by contacting the school office at enquiry@stberns.co.uk or by calling the school office on 01217837232 Completed application forms must be returned to Mrs M Smallwood St Bernadette’s Catholic School, Hob Moor Road, Yardley, Birmingham B258QL Where there are places available but more applications than places, the published oversubscription criteria, as set out in the admission arrangements for 2025-2026, will be applied. The full admission arrangements can be accessed from the school website or by contacting the school office to request a hard copy. Parents are advised to read the admission arrangements carefully before making their application. If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list and further information relating to this will be included in the letter sent from the school advising you of the outcome of your application. Please see the admission arrangements for more details. You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible. Applicants must be informed of the outcome of their application within 15 school days of its receipt. You have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if your application is unsuccessful. If you have any questions in relation to in-year admissions please contact Mrs Smallwood on 01217837232 or admissions@stberns.co.uk . Appeal Timetable 2025 Admissions 2024-2025 Admissions 2025-2026 Admissions 2026-2027 In Year Application Form Supplementary Application Form Parish Boundaries for the Archdiocese of Birmingham