News

St Stephen’s End of Year Round-Up: A Journey Through 2025–2026

As we reach the final days of the summer term, it is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible journey we have shared this year. Together, we have lived out our school motto of building each other up in love and learning. From welcoming our youngest learners to bidding a fond farewell to our oldest, every day has been a testament to our values of friendship, kindness, and resilience. Let us take a walk back through the year and celebrate our collective and individual milestones.

Autumn Term: New Beginnings and Community Connections

The academic year began with open arms as we welcomed our new Reception children. It is always a profound joy to welcome new faces to our school community, and we hope you felt instantly included. By October, these young adventurers were already taking the first of their seasonal walks in Moormead Park. At the other end of the school, our Year 6 children headed off to Hooke Court for their residential trip, which proved to be a significant time away from home that fostered true bonding and was a wonderful way to mark the start of their special final year at St Stephen's.

In the wider community, we proudly marked St Stephen’s Church’s 150th anniversary. Shortly after, during our Harvest Festival, families showed immense generosity with donations for the Richmond Food Bank, beautifully linking our school values and Christian traditions of caring for our neighbours. Our Literacy Fun Run kicked off our year-long reading drive, raising money for both new school books and the Malala Fund, proving our children are true global citizens who value service and thankfulness.

Kindness and respect were also at the forefront of the term. Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day reminded us of the beauty of individuality. In November, the whole school stood together in the playground for a poignant Remembrance Day service. Gathering in collective silence, our children showed immense respect as we reflected on the courage of those who came before us and our shared responsibility to build a peaceful future.

The term brought joyous personal and academic celebrations as well. We welcomed back Deputy Head Hannah Smart from maternity leave, successfully reuniting the trio in the Deputy Head’s office. We were also thrilled to announce that St Stephen’s had been ranked 81st in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 guide of the top 1000 English state primary schools, which was a massive collective achievement for us all.

Christmas at St Stephen’s is always a magical time. The excitement was palpable across the classrooms, from the tears of joy at the Reception Nativity to the bustle of the FOSS Christmas Market, where children carefully chose gifts for their loved ones while raising vital funds. We wrapped up the term with Year 2’s wonderful retelling of the Christmas story at the church, followed by our traditional Christmas lunch and Christmas Jumper Day.

Spring Term: Success, Growth and Innovation

January started at a breakneck pace with immediate sporting success. Our Dodgeball Team set a fantastic tone for the term by becoming County Champions. Learning stretched far beyond the classroom walls as Reception took their first big outing to Brooklands Museum, and Year 6 stepped into history with an insightful visit to the Royal Courts of Justice. Behind the scenes, the school office worked tirelessly to navigate the transition to the Arbor system, while our governing body welcomed Mel Neville onto the board. We also celebrated a beautiful new beginning as Mr Cain welcomed his daughter, Stella, into the world.

Together with our amazing FOSS team, we officially launched our Reading Revolution. This mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading for pleasure gave all our book corners an exciting, vibrant new lease of life. During Wellbeing Week and Safer Internet Day, the children thought deeply about being responsible digital citizens and supportive, inclusive friends.

Neurodiversity Week was a highlight of the spring term, featuring brave and insightful talks led by a selection of our Year 6 children who beautifully embodied our value of respect. We also saw our community's varied talents shine at the second annual FOSS Talent Show, which showcased the immense dedication and passion our children possess for skills and interests we do not always get to see during the regular school day. The busy term finally drew to a close with a beautiful Easter Service at St Stephen's, hosted by our Year 4 children.

Summer Term: Excellence, Adventure and Creative Expression

We launched ourselves into the summer term running. The very first week back saw Traditional Tales Day in Reception, Year 2 training diligently in scooter safety, and Year 5 visiting the Houses of Parliament. Year 4 showed great courage on their first residential trip to PGL Marchant’s Hill, enjoying a night away full of fun-packed adventure. Meanwhile, Year 6 began preparing for their SATs with immense resilience, and author Aoife Dooley visited our KS1 children to help us maintain our momentum and love for storytelling. We welcomed back Mrs Cotton to her teaching role in Year 4 following her maternity leave. 

This term truly belonged to the arts, sports, and academic brilliance. Our Year 3 and 4 choir proudly represented the school at the Richmond Music Trust singing festival and the Rose Theatre, while Year 3 expanded their cultural horizons with a visit to the Buddhapadipa Temple. Music echoed through the school with showcases from our choir and orchestra, alongside the wonderful Year 3 strings concert. Year 6 capped off their creative journey with an incredible production of Grimm - Once Upon A Musical.

Behind the scenes, our incredible FOSS team were also exceptionally busy brightening up our school environment. We extend our heartfelt thanks to them for giving our staffroom a fantastic makeover, as well as for all their hard work transforming our performing arts room and sensory room into such welcoming and inspiring spaces.

We also celebrated vibrant achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Across the school, we immersed ourselves in Diversity Week, while our incredible Year 4 Battle of the Books Team took home first place in the grand final, beating thirteen other schools to the top spot.

On the sporting front, our Dodgeball Team made it all the way to the National Finals, our Year 4 and 5 Dance Club shone at the London Youth Games, and we achieved the prestigious Platinum School Games Mark. To add to the celebrations, Danny Cain was named British Dodgeball Coach of the Year. Our Sports Days were an absolute highlight of the term, showcasing excellent teamwork and healthy competition.

Fond Farewells and Looking Forward

Now, we find ourselves in the final full week of term, which is always a time for reflection, gratitude, and a few emotional goodbyes. In our assemblies this week, our children and staff came together to show huge appreciation for every member of our community. In particular, we celebrated Nicola Collins, marking her incredible 20 years of dedicated teaching at St Stephen’s.

We also say a fond farewell to the staff members who are leaving us this year: Lydia Cuddy Gibbs, Naomi Mulholland, Rachel Cormack, Sarah, Khaleel, Jess Sellers, Gina Jayona, and Flo Daley. Thank you for everything you have poured into our school over your time with us; you will be dearly missed by everyone - and we wish you all well. 

Finally, to our Year 6 leavers: you make us so incredibly proud. You leave us as unique, courageous, and resilient global citizens, and true upstanders for fairness and equality. Your secondary schools are incredibly lucky to have you. Please remember that you are always welcome to come back and say hello, as you will always be a part of the St Stephen’s family.

Thank you to our entire community - staff, governors, FOSS, parents, and, most importantly, our brilliant children - for a spectacular year of love and learning. Have a wonderful, safe summer break!