News - 12th September 2024

Dear Parents and Carers

As we embark on this new academic year, I'm delighted to pen the first newsletter, brimming with excitement for the journey ahead. Our school is abuzz with the energy of fresh beginnings and the promise of growth.

Our newest members, the reception class, have taken their first steps into school life with remarkable ease. It's been heartwarming to see them adapting so well, particularly during lunchtimes where they've been joining their KS1 peers. We are thrilled to welcome them full-time from Monday morning and Mrs Lawrence and I look forward to meeting with our new parents on Tuesday 17th at 6pm.

This week marked a significant milestone in our school's history – the grand opening of our new library. The event was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together the very fabric of our community. We were honoured to host esteemed guests from The Trust, our local committee, the Parish Council, our dedicated PTA, and the Mayor of Waverley.

The opening ceremony began with an inspiring assembly led by Mrs Evans, setting the tone for the importance of this new space in our school. The highlight was undoubtedly the moment when the Mayor, cut the ribbon – a symbolic gesture marking the beginning of countless literary adventures to come.

What followed was a day of wonder and creativity. Each class participated in engaging workshops within the new library, guided by the talented illustrator, Mike Byrne. Our older pupils in years 4-6 had the additional privilege of working with author Eve Ainsworth, an experience that I'm sure will inspire many budding writers among us.

The reactions from our pupils were nothing short of magical. Wide-eyed wonder and excited chatter filled the air as they explored the new library suite. This space is more than just a room filled with books; it's a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and the joy of reading. We're confident that this new facility will play a crucial role in our School Development initiative, fostering a love for reading across our entire school community.

Looking ahead, we're implementing a structured approach to library use. From next week, each class will have a designated weekly slot. Our dedicated teachers and librarians will be on hand to guide pupils in selecting books to take home, ensuring that the right book finds the right reader at the right time.

I must extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff. Their tireless efforts in sorting, scanning, and shelving books ensured that our library was picture-perfect for the launch.

On a practical note, I hope that parents found the recent 'meet the teacher' sessions informative and helpful. These sessions are designed to ensure you have all the necessary information about your child's education and know where to turn when you need support or have questions. If you're experiencing any technical issues in accessing school information or notices, please don't hesitate to contact the school office. We're here to help and want to ensure clear, open lines of communication with all our families.

As we close this first chapter of the new academic year, I'm filled with pride and excitement for what lies ahead. The enthusiasm I've witnessed – from our newest reception pupils to our eldest in Year 6, from our dedicated staff to our supportive parents – reinforces what a special community we have here at St Mary's.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. May it be filled with rest, joy, and perhaps a good book or two!

With very best wishes

Mrs Buckley
Headteacher

SCHOOL OFFICE REMINDERS

Dinner Money – Please ensure you book school dinners by noon on Wednesday for the following week.

Breakfast Club – Please ensure you book via Scopay.

Medicines – Please ensure any medicines are up to date and in the school office.

Sickness – Please inform us by 8.30 if your child is unwell and unable to attend school.

Payments – All school payments to be made via Scopay – we are unable to take cash payments.

Collections – If you are unable to collect your child please email or call the school office to inform them who will be collecting.

Long Term Collections – Please ensure your long-term collection arrangement details are in school – please email:
admin2@stmarys-godalming.surrey.sch.uk if you have any changes.

Contact Details – Please ensure the school office has your correct contact details, especially mobile numbers or change of address.
Lost Property – Please ensure that uniform is labelled to avoid any items being mislaid. Please can any lunch boxes also be labelled to avoid anyone picking up the wrong one.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

School Bulletin – is sent out fortnightly on Thursdays. This is used to communicate all important future diary dates, date changes and notices regarding school arrangements.

See Saw – is for class teachers to share photos and videos of their children’s learning and may be used for quick class reminders.

Emails – are sent out when there is a need to communicate to parents between bulletins.

Texts – are sent when there is an immediate need to communicate i.e. when a trip is running late.

Diary Dates – are sent out at the end of each term for the following term. These are also published on the school website, and in the bulletin.

Letters – are sent out regarding specific class arrangements e.g. trips, sports tournaments. These can also be found on the school website.

What’s App Groups – are set up by parents /class reps (informally) and are not formal school communications.

If you have any queries about dates or school arrangements, please ask the school office.

PARKING

Parents should not be using School Lane for drop off and/or pick up, inclusive of breakfast club.

There continues to be issues with parking on School Lane and access for residents. Staff at school are also having issues parking on arrival.

Please park either at the Catholic Church or the back of the school and walk to the school gates.

Please do not, under any circumstances, park across the gates which access the school or on the corner of School Lane as this causes traffic on the Petworth Road and obstruction.

Thank you for your cooperation

SCHOOL FUND
On a termly basis, we ask for a small contribution per family in order to support some of the extended opportunities that we provide. This may be used for additional resources for specific resources i.e. Art or a piece of equipment to be used by pupils on the school site.
In today’s economic climate, I am aware that parents are concerned about requests for financial support from schools. However, the reality of the situation is that, like all schools, in our latest budget we have had to make significant savings, which reflect reduction in our funding allocation from central government. It is only through continued careful management of resources that we have been able to afford to do this and protect the core curriculum resources.

With this in mind, your on-going support for the school fund would help us to continue to support these additional resources. For the academic year 2024 – 2025, we would like to ask each family to contribute £25 per term; however, anything you can contribute would be gratefully received.

STARTING SCHOOL

Secondary School
You need to apply online for a secondary school place by 31st October 2024. If you live in Surrey, you can find out all you need to know about school admissions and apply online at surreycc.gov.uk/admissions or you can call on 0300 200 1004

Starting School – Reception:
If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 you will need to apply for a school place. You can apply between 4 November 2024 and 15 January 2025.

If you live in Surrey, you can find out all you need to know about school admissions and apply online at surreycc.gov.uk/admissions or you can call on 0300 200 1004

HARVEST FESTIVAL
All classes will have a box available from Friday 20th September where you will be able to bring in donations. Please can we ask for non-perishable items only. A typical food parcel includes items such as:
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Cereal
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Soup
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Pasta
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Rice
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Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
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Lentils, beans and pulses
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Tinned meat
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Tinned vegetables
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Tea/coffee
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Tinned fruit
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Biscuits
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UHT milk
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Fruit juice
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Donations will be sent to Haslemere food banks.

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL VISION

Wisdom

Wisdom is a core Christian value in our school because we believe through wisdom good choices are made, that it encourages us to learn from our mistakes and encourages us to live our lives wisely for the benefit of all. "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’’ John 8:32

Hope

Hope is a core Christian value in our school because hope gives us energy and supports us through difficult times. "Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.’’ Romans 12:12 To act with hope is to aspire to greater things, to promote positivity and courageous advocacy.

Respect

Respect is a core Christian value in our school because we believe that all life is precious within the image of God and deserves to be valued. "Do to others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31 Our Christian value of respect means living up to the image of God with our school, our community and ourselves.

Community

Community is a core Christian value in our school because we know that together we are stronger and can achieve more. "Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.’’ Romans 12:16
Everyone in our school, local and global community are needed and valued.