Church and Community Links

Rockcliffe Rocks!  Each year we hold our very own music festival!  A fantastic evening filled with music, fun and laughter and many, many members of our local community who all come out to support our wonderful school.  Our school pupils play starring roles, singing and dancing the night away at our hugely successful event.  Thank you for the support of parents, pupils, staff and the local community.  
We have an outstanding Friends of Rockcliffe and they certainly set the bar high with this amazing event- we are proud of our community and we are hugely grateful for our enthusiastic FOR members!  

16th September 2022

This afternoon Miss Lee, Mrs Batey and our School Council Representatives visited St Mary's Church in Rockcliffe, to sign the Book of Condolence, on behalf of the children at Rockcliffe CE School.  The children acted with respect and dignity and we spent some time quietly reflecting on the life of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

17th September 2022

A first for Rockcliffe CE School today as we went to support Carlisle United at Brunton Park.  The sun shone and the 40 children and 31 adults had a fantastic afternoon, made even better by the 2:1 win against Wimbledon AFC.  We were treated to a tour of the grounds, we met the team mascot and some of the players too!  The children were respectful and thoughtful throughout the minute silence and National Anthem and thank you to everyone who made this possible.  I think we'll definitely do it again, soon...

21st September 2022 

On Wednesday 21st September, we welcomed some very important visitors into our school- The Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle.  We first met them at Rockcliffe Rocks in the Summer and they were eager to come back and meet the children and staff.  We had a very informative assembly where we learned about the job of the Mayor and the history behind the chain, mace and sword- we are proud to have been their first official school visit! 
 

We wonder if any members of our own School Council will go on to become a Councillor and potentially Mayor of Mayoress of Carlisle. You never know!   

Year 1/2 have been learning about Harvest as part of their RE lessons.  On Friday 7th October, they worked as a team to make Harvest puddings.  Reverend Ian suggested some people in the village who might like to try some so the children went and delivered them.  
What a lovely treat! 

11th November 2022 
We will remember them.

Some Year four children went to our church to see where the poppies had been displayed.  Huge thank you to one of our wonderful parents who attached them to the railings for us.  We hope that visitors read our wonderful prayers. 
On behalf of Rockcliffe CE School, children added their own reflections to the Remembrance Book. 

Christmas Market  (1st December 2022) 
We had the pleasure of inviting members of the community in to our school for our first ever Christmas Market. 
Thank you to so many villagers who turned up to support our wonderful school and fabulous stall holders.

We were so excited to be joined by a very special visitor! 

NISCU  - 5th December 2022 
Northern Inter Schools Christian Union exists to provide children and young people with knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith.  Rachel joined us from NISCU to deliver some fabulous workshops throughout the school as we looked at the true meaning of Christmas.  She also kindly led our Collective Worship at the end of the day. 

Food Bank Appeal

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our food bank appeal.  We were overwhelmed by the generosity from our wonderful families.  Together, Rockcliffe School and Friends of Rockcliffe raised £135 from the raffles with chocolate bouquets made and very kindly donated by Mrs Walker.  
The £135 was then spent on lots of well-needed supplies to be given directly to the food bank along with all the items that were donated.  It will go a long way to helping others. 

A perfect way to end the term- Christingle 2022

On Friday 25th March 2023, we were joined by Rachel from NISCU.  Each class enjoyed a fully interactive Easter session in our local church.  Children collected souvenirs on their Quest to discover all about Holy Week.  

Can you identify any details from Palm Sunday?
What did Jesus give his disciples at The Last Supper?
Our children can answer these questions with the help of their 'souvenirs'.

Rota Kids 2023 (25.04.23)
Some of our RotaKids visited Carlisle Food Bank.  They found out how the Food Bank worked, sorted out their donations into the different piles of food and made up a bag, ready for collection.  The volunteers do an amazing job, helping people who need thie service:  the day before our visit, over 150 people accessed the Food Bank.  They were very grateful for our donation that will go towards buying fresh goods such as bread and eggs.  Thank you to RotaKids for raising this money and to Mrs Donohoe and Mr Parrini.  
   

Rota Kids 19.10.23
Rota Kids went to One World, Carlisle tp deliver the money they had raised for Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG)  They were incredibly grateful.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraising.  

World Mental Health Day 2023
On Tuesday 10th October 2023, we marked World Mental Health Day by wearing yellow.  It is a day to raise awareness of mental health problems.  Reverend Ian was in school to lead our Collective Worship and he talked about our current Christian Value- Strength.  He used a flower to show that you can support others to make them feel stronger, physically and mentally. 

The theme for Mental Health Day 2023 is 'Mental Health is a universal human right'

Christingle Service
Our huge thanks and appreciation for Reverend Ian who led a wonderful Christingle Service at our church.  Year 6 children were invited to light their candles.  
 

End of Term- Christmas Carol Service 
Thank you to Reverend Ian for leading our Carol Service.  The children sang beautifully and it was such a wonderful end to a very busy term. 
Merry Christmas everyone! 

Thank you Year 2/3 
The children from Year 2/3 class made some beautiful Christmas cards for those who will visit St Mary's Church over the Christmas period.  Thank you for such a thoughtful gesture.  Merry Christmas from all the staff and pupils of Rockcliffe CE Primary School.  

8th March 2024
Rachel from NISCU delivered some fantastic Easter Workshops in Key Stage 2 Classes.  We looked at the events of Holy Week as many people experienced an emotional rollercoaster. 

27th March 2024
We enjoyed a very special Easter Service together in the Church.  Thank you to Reverend Ian who always manages to make everyone smile .  Happy Easter to you all!

Autumn 2024
Harvest Festival 
Our Year 3/4 children walked up to the Rockclife Centre to sing Harvest Songs for everyone who attended the village coffee morning.  The village residents had a wonderful time! 

What a super Harvest Festival! 
A lovely opportunity to be grateful for the food we eat and to say thank you to God the Father.  Also, we would like to say a huge thank you to all of you for your kind donations. 

50th Anniversary Celebration of Cumbria at Carlisle Cathedral 
What a lovely night and an amazing event for our school choir to be involved in.  Thank you so much to Carlisle Cathedral for having us at such a wonderful service..  
From inspiring speeches to moving performances, the night truly reflected the spirit of Cumbria- its resilience, generosity and community pride.  

Remembrance 2024
On the 11th November, some of our wonderful year 6 children represented Rockcliffe CE Primary School at the Remembrance event in the city centre.