News - 17th July
Dear Parents/Carers,
I can’t quite believe we’ve reached the end of the academic year already – and what a year it’s been! I’ve felt incredibly lucky and proud to have taken on the role of Headteacher this year. It’s been a time of learning, settling in, and working closely with a fantastic team. I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement you’ve shown throughout – it’s made all the difference. Miss Hampshire and I have really appreciated the warmth and positivity from the whole school community as we’ve found our feet. We’re committed to listening, growing, and continuing to develop together – and we’re excited for what lies ahead.
The last couple of weeks have been a joyful whirlwind of activity. On Monday 7th July, Year 3 had a wonderful visit to Jack Salway’s garden – affectionately known as “Jack’s Jungle” – as part of their rainforest topic. Jack’s garden is a truly magical place, and we’re so lucky to have this community connection that enriches our curriculum. Many of you may remember it from Heritage Week last year, and Jack continues to welcome visitors – please see the attached flyer if you’d like to experience it for yourself.
The following day, Mr Hanson and Mrs Porter took our KS2 District Sports Team to Charterhouse to represent St Mary’s. Their behaviour, sportsmanship, and team spirit were exemplary – and to top it all off, they came first! This is the first time in my 14 years at the school that we’ve won the event, and it’s a huge achievement. Thank you to Mr Hanson and Mrs Porter for their dedication to coaching the team in their Monday after-school club, and to all the parents who supported with transport and encouragement.
Last week, we were joined by a group of students from Woolmer Hill – some of them former St Mary’s pupils – for their work experience. It was such a pleasure to see the respectful, helpful, and enthusiastic young people they’ve become. They threw themselves into supporting in classrooms and playing with the children on the playground – thank you to them for their help and positivity.
Year 5 also visited the Queens Mead site last week, and we’re excited about the upcoming development of our library’s outdoor area by Feltham Construction over the summer holidays. We’re grateful for this partnership and for the SATRO workshops they provided to support the children’s learning this half-term.
It’s been a brilliant fortnight for performances too. On Friday morning, we enjoyed our termly Rocksteady concert – a chance to see how far the bands have come and to enjoy some fantastic tracks, including songs by Queen and Bastille. Well done to all the performers and thank you to their band leader, Spencer, for preparing them so well. On Monday this week, Mr Hanson’s drama club delighted us with their fun adaptation of Shrek, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all! Last Thursday and Friday evenings, our marvellous Year 6 pupils took to the stage for their end-of-year production, Aladdin Trouble. Despite the heat on the hottest two days of the year, and a few sound hiccups on the second night, the children were fantastic, and we loved seeing their sense of humour and fun come through on stage! It was lovely to see so many families there to support all of our classes, and a huge thank you to the PTA for turning the event into a true celebration with a BBQ, bar, ice cream, strawberries, raffle and more. It was a wonderful way to come together as a school community at the end of the school year.
This week, we’ve been saying our goodbyes to our brilliant Year 6s. On Tuesday, they led a beautiful Leavers’ Service at St Mary’s Church, sharing their memories and reflections on their time at the school, and looking ahead to the next chapter. Thank you to Reverend Rachel and Helen for their support in making the service so special. Yesterday, the children celebrated with their end-of-year party, and tomorrow we’ll gather for the final Leavers’ Assembly. We are so proud of them all and wish them every success as they move on to secondary school.
Meanwhile, our current Year 5s have been given their pupil leadership roles for September, and I’m really looking forward to working with them in their final year at St Mary’s. Our new Head Boy and Head Girl have already taken the banner from their predecessors during the church service, and our new Deputies supported with the collection – a lovely moment of transition and a sign of the leadership to come.
On Wednesday, Year 4 enjoyed their final school trip of the year with a sunny visit to West Wittering beach, where they explored the physical and human geography of the coast. It was a lovely way to consolidate their learning and enjoy the outdoors. This afternoon, we held our annual St Mary’s Talent Show, with acts from every class showcasing a wide range of talents – well done to all who took part!
We also celebrated our termly REACH Award winners last Friday – a huge well done to Jack, Margot, Daisy, Max, Matilda, Oscar and Bertie for their wonderful demonstration of our school’s REACH values. We are incredibly proud of you all.
It’s been lovely to see Sapphire House enjoying their mufti day today as a reward for earning the most house points this half-term—well done to all involved! We’re excited to continue this half-termly house points competition from September. A big thank you also goes to Mrs Norton for organising the Summer Photography Competition. The entries were absolutely gorgeous and truly captured the spirit of summer—watching the video during last week’s celebration assembly brought smiles all around. We’re looking forward to introducing even more house competitions and opportunities in the coming year!
You should have received the Autumn Term club list this week, and we’re pleased to be offering a wider range of activities in response to your feedback. We hope there’s something for everyone to enjoy and get involved in next term.
As we look ahead, we also take a moment to say goodbye to a few members of our school community. Some children in other year groups will be moving on to new schools, and we send them off with our very best wishes – we hope they take happy memories of St Mary’s with them.
A particularly fond farewell goes to Mrs Balchin, who is retiring after an incredible 17 years as a teaching assistant at St Mary’s – and two more years before that working in the school kitchen. From building props and scenery for performances, to running cooking clubs and supporting in class, she has been a much-loved and invaluable part of our school. She will be sorely missed, and we wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement.
Finally, our collaboration with Chiddingfold Horticultural Society will come to a close in September as they celebrate their 175th anniversary at their Autumn Show on Saturday 6th September. We’d love to showcase as many St Mary’s sunflowers as possible at the event, so please return them to school on 4th or 5th September for measuring and transport to the village hall. If your sunflower is planted in your garden, feel free to send a photo and measurement so it can still be included. There will be prizes for the tallest, smallest, and the one closest to 175cm!
Thank you all for your continued support throughout this year. It’s been a year of change, celebration, and community, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together. I wish you all a restful, joyful summer break, and I look forward to welcoming you back in September.
With warmest wishes,
Alison Evans Headteacher
UNIFORM
Children can return to school in September in either Summer or Winter uniform:
Summer Uniform may be worn up until October Half Term.
This consists of:
•Plain white polo shirts (without designer logos)
•Pale blue and white check dress
•Royal Blue Sweatshirt (logo)
•Royal Blue Cardigan (logo)
•White socks
•Black or dark blue low-heeled shoes/sandals (for safety, open-toes or sling backs are not acceptable)
After October Half term, Winter Uniform must be worn.
This consists of:
•Royal Blue Sweatshirt (logo)
•Royal Blue Cardigan (logo)
•Grey trousers, shorts or skirt
•White Polo shirt (KS1)
•White shirt (KS2)
•School tie (KS2)
•Grey socks or grey tights
Long hair must be tied back for practical and hygiene reasons.
Blue, black or white hair coloured hair bands, slides and ribbons of a modest size are acceptable.
Rings, necklaces, chains and hair braids are not permitted.
Earrings may not be worn for any physical activity. If earrings are worn, they should be small studs.
Any child who is unable to remove or put in their own earrings should not wear them on PE lesson days.
No stick-on tattoos are allowed. Nails cannot be painted.
Unform can be ordered from: www.yourschooluniform.com
LOST PROPERTY
Please ensure that all clothing that comes into school is clearly named to avoid items being lost.
Items that are not claimed will go into the clothing bank.
Please also check the school uniform that is brought home belongs to your child.
SCO PAY
Future school trips are now on Scopay. Please review Scopay for any payments due for school trips for next term.
Please ensure that Scopay is updated for next term.
Please note, that children who are going into Year 3, will be charged for School Meals, unwell you are entitled to Free School Meals. If you would like to check your eligibility, please see attached.
BREAKFAST CLUB
Please ensure you book on to Breakfast Club prior to bringing your child. This allows the staff who manage this club an idea of numbers. It is important we have the right staff ratio for those who attend.
This is bookable via Scopay.
CLUBS
Clubs for the new academic year will be sent out shortly.
Places are limited so will be given on a first come, first served basis. Bookings will go live for these clubs on Monday 8th September. This is via Eventbrite.
Links will be found in the timetable sent out at the end of term. Bookings will close on Wednesday 10th September at 6pm.
MEDICINES
Please can you collect any medicine, pills, EpiPens, etc from the school office before the end of term.
Any over the counter medicines left will be thrown away.
A reminder to also return any allergy/medical forms to the office ASAP ready for the start of next term.
ATTENDANCE
We need to remind you that there are new Department for Education regulations in place regarding children’s absences. These took effect from 19th August 2024 which affect penalty notices issued for unauthorised absence from school.
The ‘National Threshold’, when it is appropriate to consider issuing a penalty notice, is 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. A school week means any week in which there is at least one school session. This can be met with any combination of unauthorised absence (e.g. 4 sessions of holiday taken in term time plus 6 sessions of arriving late after the register closes all within 10 school weeks). These sessions can be consecutive (e.g. 10 sessions of holiday in one week) or not (e.g. 6 sessions of unauthorised absence taken in 1 week and 1 per week for the next 4 weeks). The period of 10 school weeks can also span different terms or school years (e.g. 2 sessions of unauthorised absence in the summer term and a further 8 within the autumn term).
From autumn term 2024, only 2 penalty notices will be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within a 3-year rolling period and any second notice within that period is charged at a higher rate:
- The first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
- A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days.
- A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. In a case where the national threshold is met for a third time (or subsequent times) within those 3 years, alternative action will be taken instead, which will often include considering prosecution.
If you would like any further information regarding these changes, full details can be found here:
Working together to improve school attendance (Gov.uk)
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/at-school/attendance-and-absence/legal-processes-used-to-enforce-school-attendance-guidance-for-parents
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-improve-school-attendance
https://www.stmaryschidd.org/key-information/parent-information/school-attendance/
| Week Commencing: 7th July 2025 | |
| Year 1 | 93.3% |
| Year 2 | 99.2% |
| Year 3 | 96.9% |
| Year 4 | 93.9% |
| Year 5 | 96.6% |
| Year 6 | 97.6% |
CHRISTIAN VALUES
Dear Lord,
Thank you for all the opportunities we have
For the staff who help us to blossom and grow.
Please help us to always try our best and be ready, be safe and be respectful.
Amen.
