St Mary's Weekly update for 28th November 2025 -
The First Sunday of Advent
The First Sunday of Advent
God of all,
fill us with joy and expectation
in this Advent season,
and move us to share our hope with others,
by being good neighbours,
that we might be found ready,
when you come in glory.
Amen.
CAFOD World Gift - Penny Jar
This year we are again asking that children don't send Christmas cards but instead contribute to the class penny jar. We will then use the money collected to buy world gifts from CAFOD.
cafod penny jar competition.pdf
FOSMI Christmas Shop
New School App
Please check the new app and the website (the class letters pages) and the school calendar to keep up-to-date on the Christmas activities between now and the end of term.
parent portal and parent app leaflet poster.pdf
We are no longer using the Parent Hub App all parents comms are being sent out on the Arbor Parent App. Please make sure you have notifications for this app turned on once you've downloaded it.
We suggest registering for our weekly email to ensure you still get this weekly update by clicking here.
Mary’s Meals Mondays is back!
Mary’s Meals Mondays will be returning once again this year!
📅 When: Every Monday from 24th November until Christmas
📍 Where: Parish Hall
🕣 Time: From 8:15am
🍎 What: Join us for a warm bowl of porridge, tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.
💙 Why: To raise money for Mary’s Meals, helping to feed children around the world.
Last year, thanks to your amazing support, we raised £1,031.36 — enough to feed 54 children for an entire year! Let’s see if we can beat that total this year and make an even bigger difference.
We hope to see you there each Monday morning — bring your appetite and your generosity!
School Governors
We have vacancies for Foundation governors on the school's governing body. Foundation governors are Catholic who are appointed by the Bishop to serve on school's governing bodies. There's training and support available.
Please have a look at this information and get in touch with us if you're interested.
Attendance
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting good school attendance, we would like to share some important reminders and updates.
Attendance Letters
Over the coming weeks, attendance letters will be issued to parents and carers where a child’s attendance has fallen below expected levels. These letters are designed to keep you informed and to offer support where needed. Good attendance plays a vital role in your child’s learning, progress, and overall wellbeing.
Term-Time Holidays
Please be aware that holidays taken during term time cannot be authorised. Schools are only permitted to grant leave in exceptional circumstances, and these must be approved in advance. We strongly encourage all families to arrange holidays during official school breaks.
Absence Before or After a School Holiday
Any absence taken immediately before or after a school holiday will be marked as unauthorised, unless medical evidence is provided. We have seen an increase in absence patterns around holiday periods, and this policy helps ensure fairness and consistency.
Examples of acceptable medical evidence include:
• A doctor’s note
• Appointment card
• Prescription or medication label
(Please note: phone calls alone cannot be accepted as evidence.)
Working Together
We understand that children may occasionally be unwell, and we appreciate parents letting us know promptly. Our aim is to work together with families to maintain strong, consistent attendance that supports every child’s success.
If you have any questions or need support with attendance matters, please contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Remember to be on time in the mornings - aim to arrive just after 8:45am. If you are late you can expect to wait.
Parent Line
A reminder that we don't allow snacks in school - this includes the after school clubs. If you want your child to have a quick bite to eat in the after school club please make sure they only bring in fruit. All infant children receive free fruit or veg as a midmorning snack. If you'd like your junior aged child to have a snack please send some fruit or veg in with them.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
