Friday 11^th September 2026

 

Dear Parents,

 

It has been a wonderful first full week of the new school year, and it has been lovely to see the children settling back into school life, reconnecting with friends and getting stuck into their learning.

 

A special thank you to Class 6G for leading us in a beautiful class liturgy this week. Our class liturgies are always a special opportunity for us to come together in prayer and reflection, and we warmly invite parents to join us when their child’s class is leading. Class liturgies take place on Thursdays at 9.30am and we will let you know through the weekly newsletter when your child’s class is due to lead.

 

We also have some fantastic news to celebrate! St Mary’s has been awarded the Gold Award for the School Games Mark 2026. A huge well done and thank you to Mrs Ottlyk for all the hard work, organisation and enthusiasm that went into developing our sporting opportunities over the past year. We have enjoyed some fantastic sporting activities and events, and most importantly, so many of our children have had the opportunity to participate, challenge themselves and discover the joy of being active.

 

This week, we have also continued our work exploring Catholic Social Teaching, which has been the focus of our Collective Worship. We have been thinking about how our faith calls us to treat others with love, dignity and compassion, and how we can put these principles into action in our everyday lives.

 

This links beautifully with this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew 18:21–35, in which Jesus teaches us about the importance of forgiveness: “I do not tell you to forgive seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Forgiveness is not always easy, particularly when we have been hurt or disappointed, but Jesus reminds us that mercy and forgiveness are at the heart of how we are called to live with one another. As a school community, we will continue to encourage our children to show kindness, give others a second chance and remember that we all make mistakes.

 

Dates for your diary

• 14/09/2026 – Year 5 Parent Meeting at 9am
• 15/09/2026 – Year 3 Parent Meeting at 9am
• 17/09/2026 – 6P Class Liturgy at 9.30
• 21/09/2026 – Year 6 Parent Meeting at 9am
• 22/09/2026 – Year 4 Parent Meeting at 9am
• 23/10/2026 – Wear it Pink Day – Fundraising for Breast Cancer
• 24/09/2026 – 5B Class Liturgy at 9.30
• 01/10/2026 - 5C Class Liturgy at 9.30
• 08/10/2026 4D Class Liturgy at 9.30
• 15/10/2026 – 4T Class Liturgy at 9.30
• 22/10/2026 – 3A Class Liturgy at 9.30

Year Group Parent Meetings

We are delighted to be holding Year Group Parent Meetings during September. These meetings are a great opportunity for parents and carers to find out more about what their children will be learning this year, hear important information about their year group and meet the teachers who will be working with their children.

They are also an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to begin building those important relationships between home and school. We strongly encourage parents and carers to attend where possible.

The meetings will take place at 9.00am on the following dates:

• Monday 14 September – Year 5 Parent Meeting
• Tuesday 15 September – Year 3 Parent Meeting
• Monday 21 September – Year 6 Parent Meeting
• Tuesday 22 September – Year 4 Parent Meeting

We look forward to welcoming you into school and working together to make this a happy, successful and rewarding year for your child.

Happy Bag Collection on Friday 9^th October

If you are having a clear out at home or sorting through your wardrobes, we are holding a Happy Bag Collection on Friday 9th October. We welcome donations of unwanted clothing, shoes, sheets, duvets and covers and jewellery. Items can be brought into school at any time from now until the collection date.

The more donations we receive, the more funds the school will raise, helping us to purchase new resources for our children. At the same time, all donated items go on to support people in need across the world.

This collection reflects our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, encouraging us to think of others, act generously and support those less fortunate than ourselves, while also benefiting our own school community.

Thank you, as always, for your continued generosity and support.

Achievement Certificates

The achievement certificates this week are awarded to:

• Zeph in 3A
• Kristiano in 3E
• Mikhael in 4D
• Noah in 4T
• Franciszkain 5B
• Raphael in 5C
• Anthony in 6G
• Mma in 6P

 

The Headteacher’s award goes to Yanis in 3E

The Kindness Award goes to Teresa in 3A

The Swimming Award goes to Antonio 6G

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Sarah Fizul

Headteacher