*The below message is taken from the weekly Cathedral Record newsletter. The full Cathedral Record is available to pick up from the Cathedral or can be downloaded here.*
Following the break in to the Cathedral some weeks ago we received news this week that a 44 year old man had been arrested for the crime and was to appear at the Magistrates Court last Monday. Stuart, our Head of Security and Claire wanted to go along to witness the proceedings and pressured me to go along with them. Being unprepared on my day off, I had a bag of groceries and the remains of the Sunday joint in a bag in order to cook lunch for my mother later that day which created certain problems and a few laughs trying to get through the security checks to the building. On entry to the courts I was asked to pass the bag to the officer for a security check so I had to say to him that there was a leg of lamb in the bag. He stared at me thinking I was being funny and then after looking inside agreed there was a cooked leg of lamb in the bag. Another officer came over and asked how long I was intending staying as it looked like I had lunch and dinner with me! Anyway after assuring them I had no intention of assaulting anyone with the leg of lamb I was allowed in. After a considerable wait for our court to get underway we finally witnessed the individual plead guilty to the burglary at the Cathedral. Due to his previous record of convictions, he was remanded in custody until his case is heard in the Crown Court later this month.
St Nicholas’ Primary recently underwent an Ofsted Section 5 Inspection which took place on 13/14th September 2016. I regret to inform you that the overall effectiveness of the school has been judged as inadequate, and the school has been placed in the category of ‘Special Measures’. The inspection also recognised strengths within the school, namely the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils.
I wish to reassure all parents/carers that whilst the Governing Body, staff and senior leaders of the school are disappointed in this outcome, equally we are determined to put things right as soon as possible. We are already working very closely with the Archdiocese of Liverpool Schools’ Department and Liverpool LA Schools Improvement to implement a short and long term plan to enable the school to move out of the ‘special measures’ category as soon as possible.
Parents/ Carers of children in the school are invited to a series of arranged meetings to discuss the Ofsted report and respond to any question that they may have. These meetings will be attended by the governors and representatives of the Archdiocesan Schools Department and the Local Authority.
Dates of meetings: Wednesday 9th November at 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm
The meetings will start promptly and will last no longer than 45 minutes. Parents/Carers may choose which meeting to attend.
Headteacher Arrangements
I would also like to take this opportunity to notify you that Mrs Nice has made the decision to resign from her post as Headteacher at St Nicholas’ Catholic Primary with immediate effect. I would ask you to keep her in your prayers and thoughts as she moves on to ventures new.
New Interim Headteacher
I am pleased to inform you that, with the support of the Archdiocese and the Local Authority, the Governors have secured the assistance of a highly experienced Interim Headteacher to lead St Nicholas forward over the coming months. Mr Gary Senior is currently a member of the Schools’ Department of Liverpool Archdiocese in the capacity as Diocesan Schools’ Officer and has previously recently held the post of Headteacher in four very successful schools, in different local authorities across the North West.
Looking Forward…
As a Catholic family, we intend to respond to this immediate challenge in a positive way and for this to be effective, we need the support of all key members of the school community including parents/carers, staff, Governors, Archdiocese, LA and most importantly of all our wonderful children. Hopefully, the way we respond will enable us to quickly remind ourselves and live our school Mission in a true way where we will be “An inspiring aspirational community following the example of Jesus.”
Canon Anthony O’Brien
DEAN
