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Last week St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School in Bexhill was delighted to welcome Dr Kieran Mullan MP. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the school community and celebrate the achievements of the pupils. Dr Mullan was welcomed by a group of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, who led a tour of the school and spoke confidently about their learning and experiences. During the visit, Dr Mullan spent time in classrooms across the school, meeting children and staff and gaining an insight into the broad range of learning opportunities available to St Mary Magdalene's pupils.

Pupils were also able to share work linked to “Care for Creation”, including their involvement in beach cleans and wider activities that demonstrate their commitment to looking after the environment. In addition, Dr Mullan enjoyed a performance where one of the songs was accompanied by sign language actions, further showcasing the creativity and inclusivity of the school's curriculum.

A particular highlight of the visit was the presentation of a Writing Award to Joey in Year 5, who was the overall winner of a writing competition organised by Dr Mullan for schools across the Bexhill area. Faith, Imogen, Eszter and Thalia were also recognised for the high quality of their entries and were presented with certificates.

The School Council also played an active role during the visit, respectfully engaging Dr Mullan in discussion and pressing him on a wide range of local, national and international issues. This provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their confidence, curiosity and understanding of the wider world.

Dr Mullan commented very positively on the school, praising the excellent behaviour of the pupils, their confidence and eloquence when discussing their learning, and the high standard of work evident throughout the school. He was particularly impressed by the children's thoughtful responses to questions and the pride they demonstrated in their achievements. He also enjoyed observing the rich and varied curriculum opportunities available across the school.

Reflecting on the visit, Deputy Head Dermott McArdle wrote:

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"We are incredibly proud of the way our pupils represented St Mary Magdalene throughout the visit. Their conduct, enthusiasm and sense of community reflected the values that underpin our Catholic ethos and demonstrated the very best of our school."

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Source: St Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School, Bexhill