St Mary's Weekly Update for 4th April 2025
St George's Day
We return to school during Easter Week and so the Church has translated the celebration of St George's day to Monday 28th April. However in school we are keeping our traditional chance for children in scouting organisations (see list of some below) to wear their uniforms to school on Wednesday 23rd April.
The Scouts – The largest scouting organisation in the UK, open to boys and girls.
Squirrels (4–6 years)
Beavers (6–8 years)
Cubs (8–10.5 years)
Girlguiding UK – Focuses on empowering girls with adventure and life skills.
Rainbows (4–7 years)
Brownies (7–10 years)
Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association – A traditional alternative to mainstream Scouts UK.
Beaver Scouts (5–8 years)
Wolf Cubs (8–11 years)
Other Youth Adventure Groups
Woodcraft Folk – A cooperative movement focused on social justice and nature activities.
Woodchips (Under 6 years)
Elfins (6–9 years)
Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Brigade – Christian-based youth organisations with outdoor and social activities.
Suitable for primary-age children through different sections.
St John Ambulance Badgers – For 5–10-year-olds, focusing on first aid and community service.
Royal Air Force Air Cadets (Junior Sections) – Some squadrons accept children from 8 years old in pre-cadet programmes.
Sea Cadets (Junior Cadets) – Nautical-themed activities, available from age 9.
Term and Summer Uniform
We break up for the Easter holidays today (4th April) at 2pm. Children return to school on Tuesday 22nd April for the summer term. When we return after the holidays we made the switch to summer uniform. There are no changes to PE kit but all children can wear polo shorts with dark grey trousers or shorts (school type) or summer dresses. Remember that jewellery isn't allowed but watches are.
Congratulations to Year 3 Ipswich and Doncaster, who were WOW Walk to School winners for March!
Mr Rushe to run the London Marathon for the NSPCC
We are excited to inform you that Mr. Rushe, one of our Year 3 teachers, will be running the London Marathon in support of the NSPCC on Sunday 27th April 2025. Mr. Rushe would greatly appreciate any donations you can offer to help raise funds for this incredible cause. Your generosity will go a long way in supporting the important work the charity does. If you would like to donate then please follow this link or scan the QR code below.
Supporting Our School Community
Like many schools across London, we are seeing a decline in pupil numbers, with around 60 fewer children enrolled compared to previous years—about the size of two full classes. While this does present some challenges, we remain deeply committed to providing the best possible education and environment for every child in our care.
How You Can Help
We are so grateful for the generosity and support of our school community, and there are several meaningful ways you can make a difference:
1. The School Maintenance Fund
As a Catholic school, St. Mary’s receives 90% of its funding from the Government, with the remaining 10% coming from parental contributions. These contributions help us maintain and improve our school’s facilities, resources, and overall learning experience.
If you don’t already, we kindly ask you to consider making this suggested contribution:
• £8.50 per month
• £102 per year
Every donation has a direct and positive impact on our children’s education.
2. Gift Aid
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your donation at no extra cost through Gift Aid. This allows the Diocese to reclaim tax on your contribution, making it go even further in supporting our school. To learn more about setting this up, please contact the school office.
3. Spreading the Word
One of the most powerful ways to support St. Mary’s is by sharing your positive experiences with others. If you know families looking for a nurturing, faith-filled school community, we would love for them to consider joining us. You can help by:
• Sharing our school website and promotional video (found on the homepage) or via Youtube: https://youtu.be/GodUGVvk1Q4?si=MCYSSvgLOUOLBRzu
• Encouraging visits to the school for a tour and introduction
• Highlighting our Ofsted and Catholic inspection reports
• Talking about how much your child loves coming to school and how they flourish and grow here
A personal recommendation from a current parent is one of the best ways to show prospective families what makes St. Mary’s special.
Your kindness, generosity, and belief in our school make all the difference. Together, we can continue to create a warm, inspiring, and high-quality education for every child at St. Mary’s.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our school family and for your help in this.
Year 2 London Fire Brigade Safety workshop
Year 2 had a fantastic morning last Friday learning all about fire safety in the home. The children had the opportunity to learn about common fire hazards and the importance of a smoke alarm.
They also learnt what to do in an emergency and how to call 999. Children had the opportunity to have lots of their interesting questions answered. Attached are two child friendly fire safety posters and plans showing what to do in an emergency and also a home free safety visit poster (for KS1 and KS2 children).
Year 3 Castles
This term, our Year 3 students have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of castles! As part of their Design and Technology learning, they have explored how castles were built and why they were designed the way they were.
We have also learnt about key features such as towers, battlements, and drawbridges. Then, we put our knowledge into practice by designing our very own castles! We have planned, created, and decorated our models, using a variety of materials and techniques.
The results were truly impressive! From sturdy stone keeps to colourful pennants flying high, each castle reflected the students’ creativity and craftsmanship. The children were proud to showcase their projects, demonstrating skills in planning, building, and evaluating their work.
We are so proud of their hard work and imagination. Well done, Year 3!
Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
Thank you for a great term everyone! Happy and Holy Easter to you all and a good time over the holidays too!
