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Safety Notice

Child safety is always our highest priority, and we count on your support to maintain a secure environment.

We want to share a gentle reminder about our entry procedures at the school office:

For security reasons, once a member of staff has granted you entry, please do not hold the door open or allow anyone to follow you in.
If you are inside the office area, please do not unlock the front door for other visitors.

It’s essential that our school staff are the only ones controlling access to the building. This helps us ensure every visitor is accounted for. Thank you for helping us uphold these essential safeguarding rules.

Upcoming Workshop for parents - Let's talk about... supporting your child with separation anxiety

Wednesday 10th December, 9am

Is the morning drop-off challenging for your child? Do you want to feel more confident and equipped to help your child manage those difficult feelings when coming into school? Join us for this focused, one-hour workshop hosted by the Mental Health Support Team (MHST). We understand how challenging separation anxiety can be, and this session is designed to offer practical, evidence-based tips and strategies specifically for parents. You will leave with actionable steps to confidently support your child, helping them feel safe, settled, and ready to learn after separating from their caregivers each morning.

School Photographs

Yesterday the photograph order forms were sent home in children’s school bags.

Please follow the instructions to order your preferred photograph.

The photographs will be delivered to school free of charge before the Christmas break but must be ordered by Friday 5th December.

Any orders after this are subject to a £4 p&p to your home address.

STARS Spring 1 Bookings:

Spring 1 bookings for STARS Breakfast Club and Afterschool Club up to Friday 13th February 2026 will be loaded into ParentPay next week. These will reflect your bookings based from the Google Form submission.
Please email any amendments to STARS@st-stephens.richmond.sch.uk by Monday 1st December
When published, please take the time the review your bookings to make sure they match your requirements. Should you find any anomalies to your submission, please email finance@st-stephens.richmond.gov.uk so that we can adjust these for you
Spring payments are due by Sunday 4th January
Payments can be made in ParentPay. If paying via childcare vouchers, we kindly request you only transfer the amount owed
In line with our cancellation terms, we request half a terms notice for any changes/cancellations to your booking pattern
Ad hoc bookings will be released following this

Parent Pay Payments:

We kindly ask for you to review your payment items in Parent Pay and close off any outstanding payments
Please ensure all STARS payment lines are kept up to date, from all ad hoc and historic bookings
We have several trips which are live and requiring payment, including:
- Year 6 Loudmouth Helping Hands – due Monday 1st December
- Year 6 trip to the Royal Courts of Justice – due Tuesday 16th December
- Year 4 April 2026 Residential to Marchants Hill PGL – check that all your instalments are up to date with the final instalment due by Friday 23rd January

Free Christmas Holiday Activities for Young People (FUEL/HAF)

We are delighted to share details of the FUEL (Feed Ur Everyday Lives) Programme offering free Christmas activities and food for young people aged 9-16!

Part of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, these sessions are run by Achieving for Children (AfC) and aim to provide fun, engaging activities and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

What's On Offer?

The sessions will be running at Hampton Youth Zone and Whitton Youth Zone on:

22nd December (includes a trip to Heatham House)
23rd December
5th January

Activities include: Art, Cooking, Arcade Gaming, Music, Roller Skating, a wide range of Sports (football, basketball, tennis), Team Games, and Festive themed activities! Food will be available at all sessions.

Who Can Sign Up?

Free places are primarily for young people aged 9-16 who are eligible for and receiving benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM).

A limited number of free spaces are also available for children who meet other criteria for support, including those accessing Pupil Premium or being supported by AfC Early Help/Social Care.

How to Book Your Place:

Families whose children are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals should receive a FUEL code from their school which is used for booking.

For more information on the activities, concessions, or to inquire about non-FSM spaces, please contact:

Email: justin.johnson@achievingforchildren.org.uk

ARE YOU FOLLOWING US?

For regular updates on all the exciting things we are getting up to in school, you'll need to follow us on Instagram @ststephens.cofe

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