News - 7th September 2023

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back, I hope you all had a wonderful summer break.

Children have returned to school, happy and relaxed, where they are enjoying getting to know their new teachers. The school is buzzing with all the excitement of the new academic year. We are delighted to welcome our newcomers who have transferred from local Nurseries to our Reception Class as well as a number of older children who have joined us in other year groups.
We also welcome two new teachers; Ms Caitlin Norton will be the parallel Year 6 class teacher, working alongside Miss Emma Hampshire and Mrs Olivia Foster who will be working as a job share in Year 4 with Mrs Evans.

A gentle reminder of the school rules regarding dropping children at the gate at the start of the day. Pupils in Years 1 to 6 should be dropped at one of the school entrances at 8.30am upon opening. (I appreciate Year 1 and new pupils may take a little time to adjust to this, but if you could encourage them to do so and praise them for their maturity when they have achieved this). We are confident about the positive impact this has in regards to the children’s independence, how quickly the learning starts in class each morning and subsequently the impact that it has on progress and outcomes. Please ensure you leave the school grounds promptly at the end of the day; a reminder that dogs are not permitted on the school premises and children should not be playing on the school equipment. Thank you for your support with this.

This week, parents have had the opportunity to meet with the class teachers to find out about the day-to-day events in school, including curriculum, timetables and class communications. For those unable to make it, please contact the class teacher for the slides or information.

On Friday, Year 6 will be presented with their badges for the various roles they are undertaking as pupil leaders and it will be an opportunity to explain to their parents what their new roles entail. I am looking forward to my work with the Pupil Leadership Team, they are already showing great promise, demonstrating maturity, independence, and are super keen to help out in any way.
As a team, we are looking forward to the many exciting learning opportunities and events planned for this term, starting with our exciting Heritage Week, commencing on the 18th of September. We shall be welcoming local writers and artists into school to work with the children and pupils will have the opportunity to get out and explore what our wonderful village and community have to offer.
We look forward to inviting you all to celebrate your children’s talents and successes along the way this year.
Here’s to a wonderful autumn term!

Have a great weekend.

With very best wishes

Mrs Buckley
Headteacher

SCHOOL OFFICE REMINDERS

Dinner Money – Please ensure you book school dinners by noon on Wednesday for the following week.

Breakfast Club – Please ensure you book via Scopay.

Medicines – Please ensure any medicines are up to date and in the school office.

Sickness – Please inform us by 8.30 if your child is unwell and unable to attend school.

Payments – All school payments to be made via Scopay – we are unable to take cash payments for anything going forwards.

Collections – If you are unable to collect your child please email or call the school office to inform them who will be collecting.

Long Term Collections – Please ensure your long term collection arrangement details are in school – please email:
admin2@stmarys-godalming.surrey.sch.uk if you have any changes.

Contact Details – Please ensure the school office has your correct contact details, especially mobile numbers or change of address.

Lost Property – Please ensure that uniform is labelled to avoid any items being mislaid. Please can any lunch boxes also be labelled to avoid anyone picking up the wrong one.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

School Bulletin – is sent out fortnightly on Thursdays. This is used to communicate all important future diary dates, date changes and notices regarding school arrangements.

See Saw – is for class teachers to share photos and videos of their children’s learning and may be used for quick class reminders.

Emails – are sent out when there is a need to communicate to parents between bulletins.

Texts – are sent when there is an immediate need to communicate i.e. when a trip is running late.

Diary Dates – are sent out at the end of each term for the following term. These are also published on the school website, and in the bulletin.

Letters – are sent out regarding specific class arrangements e.g. trips, sports tournaments. These can also be found on the school website.

What’s App Groups – are set up by parents /class reps (informally) and are not formal school communications. If you have any queries about dates or school arrangements please ask the school office.

SCHOOL FUND
On a termly basis, we ask for a small contribution per family in order to support some of the extended opportunities that we provide. This may be used for additional resources for specific resources i.e. Art or a piece of equipment to be used by pupils on the school site.
In today’s economic climate, I am aware that parents are concerned about requests for financial support from schools. However, the reality of the situation is that, like all schools, in our latest budget we have had to make significant savings, which reflect reduction in our funding allocation from central government. It is only through continued careful management of resources that we have been able to afford to do this and protect the core curriculum resources.

With this in mind, your on-going support for the school fund would help us to continue to support these additional resources. For the academic year 2023 – 2024, we would like to ask each family to contribute £25 per term; however, anything you can contribute would be gratefully received.

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL VISION

Wisdom Wisdom is a core Christian value in our school because we believe through wisdom good choices are made, that it encourages us to learn from our mistakes and encourages us to live our lives wisely for the benefit of all. "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’’ John 8:32 Hope Hope is a core Christian value in our school because hope gives us energy and supports us through difficult times. "Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.’’ Romans 12:12 To act with hope is to aspire to greater things, to promote positivity and courageous advocacy. Respect Respect is a core Christian value in our school because we believe that all life is precious within the image of God and deserves to be valued. "Do to others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31 Our Christian value of respect means living up to the image of God with our school, our community and ourselves. Community Community is a core Christian value in our school because we know that together we are stronger and can achieve more. "Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.’’ Romans 12:16
Everyone in our school, local and global community are needed and valued.