News - 25th April 2024

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to the start of the summer term at St Marys, despite the weather trying hard to convince us otherwise. It's been wonderful to see the children return to school energised and eager for their new learning opportunities. We have many exciting events planned for the term, including a fantastic science week with some surprises in store (no spoilers!) and a super creative art week.

Our Year 6 students are working diligently in preparation for their SATS, showing great determination and focus. The rest of the school is equally engaged in their new topics, with many trips, visits, and residential booked to enhance our curriculum learning. If anyone could order us some sunshine with a little heat, we would be most grateful!

We have some exciting things to celebrate as well. Active April has been a great success, with some children already receiving certificates for swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and walking. We look forward to celebrating all these successes in our medal ceremony on the 3rd of May. A big thank you to all the children taking part and to their families and friends for the sponsorship.

A couple of special events to mark on your calendars are the St Mary’s Marathon on Tuesday, 30th April, which will bring Active April to a close. Pupils and staff will be running a marathon between us all, I have my running shoes and kit at the ready.

Secondly, Chiddfest on Saturday, 18th May. I am excited to announce that the line-up for the festival has been confirmed, and final preparations are well underway! This promises to be a spectacular day filled with excellent music, superb food stalls, and great drink refreshments.

All that's left to make this event truly remarkable is the presence of our vibrant crowd, bringing joy, atmosphere, and fantastic vibes to the festival grounds.

Please click on the link below to purchase tickets. I eagerly anticipate seeing you all there, as we come together to create unforgettable memories at this magnificent event.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chiddfest-2024-tickets-793070634617

I would like to express my gratitude to our wonderful PTA and Chiddfest Committee for their time, energy, and efforts in organising these events for the benefit of the village, the school and all of the children. The donations to the school make a significant difference in enhancing our curriculum offer and the school itself.

In staff news, it is with mixed emotions that I announce, at the end of the summer term, the departure of Mrs. Wright, our sports teacher, after 16 years of dedicated service to the school. Mrs. Wright began her career at St Mary's as a 'real teacher' (that one’s for you, Mrs Wright!), teaching in Year 6, before returning as our sports teacher, leading quality sports education throughout the school. While we will miss her, we are excited for her as she focuses on her fitness business full-time. So, it is not goodbye, but see you in the gym, running round the village or in one of your classes, keeping the rest of the village fit and healthy. Thank you, Mrs. Wright, for everything you have done for the school and the children of St Mary's.

Plans have been made for the future of sport at St Mary's, and I will share these with you in the next newsletter. For now, let's join together in thanking Mrs. Wright and wishing her all the best in her future endeavours.

Thank you all for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, we can make this summer term a memorable and successful one.

Best wishes

Mrs Buckley

Headteacher

PARKING
After several reminders there continues to be issues with parking on School Lane and access for residents. Staff at school are also having issues parking on arrival.

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

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.

MOBILE PHONES

We have noticed that there has been an increase in mobile phones being brought into school and handed into the school office.
Please urge your child not to bring their phone into school unless it is absolutely necessary. 

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Please also refer to attached document regarding mobile phone use.

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 2023 – 2024, we would like to ask each family to contribute £25 per term; however, anything you can contribute would be gratefully received.

SCO PAY
Please review Scopay for any outstanding payments due for school trips for next term.

Please ensure that Scopay is updated by midday on Wednesdays for lunch choices for the following week.

WEEK COMMENCING 15TH APRIL 2024
Reception – 98.1%
Year 1 – 96.4%
Year 2 – 92.6%
Year 3 – 98.8%
Year 4 – 91.6%
Year 5 - 100%
Year 6H – 98.3%
Year 6N – 93.06%

St. Mary’s School Vision

Reflecting virtues of Mary, our vision is for everyone to be inspired to blossom and grow, fulfilling their potential in all aspects of life. By exploring the Christian values of wisdom, hope, respect and community, our pupils understand the importance of being respectful, resilient social advocates, building a better world.