Headteacher’s Newsletter – 6th June 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

The Branch

Please see the programme, at the end of this newsletter, from The Branch. They support and signpost a variety of children and adults in our community. If you are in need of support, please reach out, either through school or popping along to The Branch directly (it is just along from Sainbury’s). Emma Kennedy is available on a Monday morning from 8.30am in school. You will catch her at the school gates.

Parent Workshops at St Mary’s – creche available

Please join us for a CAMHS Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Parent Workshop – Introducing ‘The Brief Incredible Years: Empowering parents to manage and understand their child’s behaviour. Part 1 & 2.

Save the date:
Part 1: Tuesday 17 June 2025 3.00pm – 4:30pm
Part 2: Tuesday 1 July 2025 3.00pm – 4:30pm

The workshop ‘Brief Incredible Years’ is based on the book ‘The Incredible Years’ by Caroline Webster-Stratton. This program focuses on positive parenting strategies that support emotional and social development in children. The book is available for purchase (though not required for the workshop), or through Audible and some schools may lend copies. This is a parent-only workshop.

Please let the office know if you would like to attend so that we organise staff to look after your children.

St Mary’s Unplugged – 24 hours

A child told me the other day that he had so many sponsors. I responded with a very well done. The child told me that his parents and family didn’t think he could survive without technology for 24 hours. He said to me, ‘I can do anything I tell myself, even giving up my Xbox!’

Our FIRST platinum award winner!

Well done Ethan – 500 merits!

Multiplication and Maths End of Term Reward

Do you want your child to enjoy ice-cream and a bouncy castle treat for learning their multiplication tables? An afternoon of fun is on offer at St. Mary’s.

By the end of next term, your child will receive this reward if they:

• Reception – know doubles to 10 (1+1, 2+2, 3+3 etc)
• Y1 – can count in 2s, 5s and 10s
• Y2 – can multiply by 2, 5 and 10
• Y3 – know their 2,3,4,5,8 x tables in under 6 seconds
• Y4, Y5 and Y6 – know ALL of their tables to 12 x 12 in under 6 seconds

If your child has already received a certificate, their name will already be on the treat list. If you are concerned that your child has SEN but you have been trying hard at home regularly, this will also be recognised by the class teacher as they will have had the data for TTRockstars across the year.

Year 4 in action

Year 4 have been looking at still life in art (Cezanne). They arranged their own still life, photographed it, drew it and now onto painting.

School Photos

You will have received some beautiful class photos this week. We were very lucky with the weather and were able to take them outside. Please do purchase a lovely reminder.

Piano Lessons – 9 pupils have already signed up!

Piano lessons are now available with a music teacher during school hours or lunch breaks, with rotating times each week so children do not miss the same class regularly. A fun and flexible way to build confidence and learn piano-perfect for beginners. Lessons are 20 minutes long and cost £12.50.

If your child would be interested in this, please leave a message at the office for Mrs English.

Sports day is next Wednesday 11 June 2025

All parents are welcome to attend from 9.30am until 12.30pm.

Every child will compete in some sporting events to gain house points before doing two individual races which will start about 11.00am.

At 12.00 noon you are invited to eat lunch with your child on the field so please bring your blankets and your picnics!

The Friends have kindly arranged for some refreshments to be available for purchasing throughout the morning. We would prefer card payments for this or small change.

I look forward to seeing lots of you there and we may even get time for Parents races!

Please make sure your child has full PE kit in school on Wednesday that includes trainers and their coloured house T-shirt and a water bottle. If it is set to be hot, please apply sun cream before school and provide a sun hat.

Many thanks for your help with this.

Attendance

Class with overall best attendance	Year 2 – 100%
Overall school attendance	97.26%
Unauthorised attendance	1.10%

Dates for your diary

Kind regards

Mrs McQueen