Tag: Nursery

Headteacher’s Newsletter – 4th April 2025

Written by Mrs McQueen on 4 April 2025. Posted in Headteacher Newsletter.

Dear Parents and Carers

What a fabulous term we’ve had at St. Mary’s from fantastic class assemblies to amazing school visits to link in with our school topics. We’ve been to sporting events and the children of St. Mary’s have represented our school in so many ways. In fact, we came fourth in the Oxfordshire Boccia finals last night. Our school is going from strength to strength every day and what we offer our children is something I am very proud of. Our staff challenge when it is needed, support when times get tough and turn up every day to give the children of St. Mary’s the very best they can.

Easter Service

Thank you to everyone who attended our service yesterday. We may have had some technical difficulties but we are strong and the sun shone down on us and did not deter some lovely singing.

Nursery News

You all know that we are set to open our nursery next September and we are very nearly full, which is just fantastic. I can’t think of anything better than dropping your children at the same place every morning in preparation for a smooth transition to the school they will spend the rest of their time in. We had applied for the Department For Education grant before Christmas and have just received the news that we have been successful. So, what does that mean for the children of St. Mary’s? There will be refurbishment throughout the summer holidays of the whole EYFS area. We will get new fencing, outdoor area and furniture throughout for our new pupils. This also means that the money we had put aside for this can be used on other projects around the school.

Nursery visits for new starters to be arranged for next term.

Amazon Antics!

Year 5 had an amazing time visiting the rainforest this week.

Attendance

Class with overall best attendance	Year 3 – 100%
Overall school attendance	94.91%
Unauthorised attendance	4.28%

Have a lovely Easter break as the weather is set to be lovely next week and we look forward to welcoming
you back on Tuesday 22April 2025.

Kind regards,

Mrs. McQueen

Headteacher’s Newsletter – 21st March 2025

Written by Mrs McQueen on 21 March 2025. Posted in Headteacher Newsletter.

Dear Parents and Carers

Chipping Norton Music Festival

All our children in Years 1 to 6 took part in the Chipping Norton Music Festival this week. They performed class poems and the feedback from the judges was excellent.

CNS Multi-ball skills

Great fun was had by all children in Year 2 and Year 3 on Wednesday afternoon. As always the children were polite and really positive when playing with others.

The Branch

Parent Drop-In EVERY MONDAY MORNING 8.20am – 9.30am

Every Monday there is a Parent Drop-In, in the library run by Emma Kennedy from The Branch. If you have any questions about benefits, arrears, housing, debt support, parenting, or if you need help filling in forms please do come to reception, and you will be shown up to the library. Many families are struggling at the moment, and there is lots of help and support available that people often do not know about. Rather than have sleepless nights worrying about things, do drop in on a Monday and we will help signpost you to support for you and your family.

The Branch also runs Connect Café every Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm – 2.30pm, where you can go along for coffee, cake and craft – and there is also a help desk and Citizens Advice.

This term they also have the No Limits Programme on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. This programme provides laptops, mobile phones, Wifi and Data packages for those who need a devise to access training or employment. If you would like support with this, then please either call in on a Monday morning when you drop the children off at school or go along to Connect Café on a Tuesday at The Branch.

All appointments are confidential.

Financial news for September 2025

After sending out the recent parental survey, every parent agreed that the after-school clubs on offer were varied and great value for money. 100% of parents who responded, stated they would agree to pay more. As we manage rising costs in school, we have made the decision to increase the cost of clubs to £2 per session in September. This is still much cheaper than schools in the locality that offer clubs at an average of £5 or more per hour.

School lunches will also rise to £2.50 per meal in September 2025 (this is the first rise in several years).

Nursery in September 2025

We are now taking enquiries for nursery places in September 2025. We already have several parents interested in joining us. Please contact Mrs Taylor for further information. We will take children after their 3rd birthday.