News - 8th February 2024

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have had a fantastic few weeks here at St Marys and I wanted to take a moment to share some of the highlights with you.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate Year 5 on their outstanding performance at Young Voices in the O2 Arena. It was a superb experience for our pupils, staff, and parents. The children were true ambassadors for our school and we couldn't be prouder of them.

Year 4 also had their moment to shine with their class assembly all about Ancient Egypt. The performance was brilliant, with fantastic singing and impressive acting skills. Well done to the Year 4 team for their hard work and dedication.

Last week, Year 3 enjoyed a wonderful day out at the Sea City Museum in Southampton. The trip provided a great opportunity for the children to enhance their knowledge about The Titanic, which is currently their topic of study.

This week, we are celebrating Children's Mental Health Week. During assembly and PSHE lessons, our pupils have been discussing strategies to maintain a positive mindset and promote positive mental health. They have also learned how to support their friends when they are struggling. It is important for us to nurture the well-being of our children and I am glad that we are addressing this important issue.
Year 5 also presented their class assembly on the fascinating topic of The Shang Dynasty. The assembly, superbly written by Mrs. Porter, was a true showcase of the talent and creativity of our students.

The outstanding props and scenery, made by Year 5 with the help of Mrs. Dickson and Mrs. Balchin, added an extra touch of magic to the performance.

Today, Year 4 have had an Egyptian Workshop Day at school. They have participated in a number of activities whilst learning about what happens following the death of a mighty Pharaoh, including tomb building, the mummification process, burial ceremonies and, finally, the crowning of the new Pharaoh. They have handled artefacts, done basic maths the Egyptian way, and played an easy Egyptian board game, ‘Hounds and Jackals’. It has been a wonderful day that has brought the children’s history learning to life.

As a reminder, tomorrow is an INSET day, leading us into the half term break. Please take this time to remind your children of the school's behaviour rules - be ready, be safe, and be respectful. We have a zero tolerance policy for any form of physical or verbal abuse towards pupils or staff, and we thank you for your support in reinforcing this important message.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a wonderful half term break. School will reopen on Monday, 19th February at 8.30am. I look forward to seeing all of our pupils arriving punctually and in full, correct school uniform.

Warm regards,
Mrs Sheila Buckley

Headteacher

PARENT PORTAL
We are excited to announce that we will be launching our new Parent Portal – Arbor. This will allow you to view your child’s attendance, book parents evening and view your child’s report. We are really looking forward to getting started with Arbor and invite all our parents to familiarise themselves using the link below. Getting started - Log into the Parent Portal and the Parent App. We will send further communication on the parental app and how to register via email. So please keep an eye out for this. We hope you are looking forward to using this new feature as much as we are! If you have any queries please contact the school office.

AMAZON WISH LIST
Thank you so much for the contributions so far. It is gratefully appreciated. As all schools face difficult financial times, we are always thinking of ways that parents may be able to help. We have added new items to it and staff will be updating it throughout the year so if you would like to contribute then please take a look:
https://amzn.eu/3jGVC9p

CLOTHES BANK
Reminder: we have a clothes bank onsite, by the school office. If you have any unwanted clothing/shoes/belts/bedlinen/soft toys/handbags, please bring into school and place in the recycling bin.

UNIFORM
Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct uniform when attending school.

Children should be wearing: Royal Blue Sweatshirt (logo), Grey trousers, shorts or skirt, White shirt, School tie (KS2), Grey socks or grey tights, Black or dark blue shoes. Long hair must be tied back for practical and hygiene reasons. Blue, black or white or hair coloured hair bands, slides and ribbons of a modest size are acceptable.

Children should not be wearing jewellery, large earrings, or colourful hair ties/bands or trainers on non PE days.

Please label all items of clothing to avoid it not being returned if lost.

REMINDERS:

Parents on site in the morning
A reminder that parents of Yr 1-6 pupils should not be on the school site in the morning. If you need the teacher to receive a message, please send it via the school office. The teacher will respond as soon as possible.

Punctuality
School gates open at 8.30am and all children should be in class for 8.35am for registration. Please ensure that your children are on time.
Please ensure that if your child is absent from school a message is left with the School Office by 8:30 in time for the register.
Please report absences to the school office, and not via the class teacher.

Parking
After several reminders there continues to be issues with parking on School Lane. 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.

 

Following Government guidelines, schools are no longer allowed to authorise requests for children to be taken out of school for a holiday during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you take your child out of school, you may face a penalty notice.

WEEK COMMENCING 29TH JANUARY 2024

RECEPTION – 99.2%
Year 1 – 94.6%
Year 2 – 97.6%
Year 3 – 95.3%
Year 4 – 90.8%
Year 5 – 97.8%
Year 6H – 90.7%
Year 6N – 94.7%

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.