St Mary's Weekly

Aspiring, nurturing, flourishing;  

together shining a light

'Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go'  Joshua 1:9

Courage

Welcome back to the Summer Term, everyone!  We've hit the ground running—literally! Last week was a whirlwind of activities starting with everyone, from our youngest to our Year Six's, getting their hands dirty in our Secret Garden. 🌱🍅 Then, we wrapped up the week with our Marafun extravaganza at the Aquadrome. 🏃‍♀️💨

This half-term, our value is 'COURAGE'. Mrs. Lee kicked things off in Collective Worship, introducing this powerful theme. We've also been chatting with Miss Devlin about her incredible journey preparing for the London Marathon alongside her dad—a true test of courage and dedication. 🏅👟

Running a marathon is an massive feat—achieved by less than 1% of people! It's not just a race; it's a long, challenging journey from the seed of an idea to the finish line. 🌍🏁 Miss Devlin's efforts are a shining example of courage, inspiring our entire school community to think big and act bravely!

Key Dates

This week...

Monday 22nd April - World Earth day



Friday 26th April - St George's House celebration afternoon


This half term...

There are lots more dates to come but we wanted to get as much information out as early as possible...




Wednesday 1st May - 08:45 - 10:00 - Class Parent Rep meeting



Thursday 2nd May - Polling day - emails were sent last week



Monday 6th May - Bank holiday - no school



Tuesday 7th May - Ducklings arriving for Reception



Thursday 9th May - 09:00 - 10:00 - Parent Workshop on RSE (Relationships & Sex Education)



Monday 13th to Friday 17th May - Year 6 - SATS week



Tuesday 14th May - Year 4 class trip to Batchworth Canal



Thursday 16th May - Year 3 - class trip to Hazard Alley



Friday 17th May - Non-uniform day and Bake Sale afterschool for PlaySkill charity



Friday 17th May - Year 6 - pizza and film afternoon to celebrate the end of SATs week



Saturday 18th May - Open morning at St Mary's Church - we will be supporting this event with the choir, children serving cakes as well as having a stall to promote us



Monday 20th to Friday 24th May - Art Week



Wednesday 22nd May - afterschool - Art Exhibition



Wednesday 22nd May - 17:30 - 18:30 - Year 6 Parent Meeting - Residential Trip



Thursday 23rd May - Year 1 class trip - Brooklands Museum



Friday 24th May - Movie Night to raise money for PlaySkill Charity




Monday 27th to Friday 31st May - Half Term



Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May OR  Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June 

Classroom painting weekend - we are looking at getting a painting party together for each year group to help paint your child’s classroom. Please speak to your parent rep if you can help


Next half term...

Monday 10th to Friday 14th June - Year 4 Multiplication Check and Year 1 Phonics screening



Wednesday 12th June - Reception trip to Whipsnade Zoo



Monday 17th to Friday 21st June - Year 6 Residential



Monday 17th to Friday 21st June - Years One to Five - English and Maths assessment week



Saturday 22nd June - Summer Fair - We will have performances from the Year 4’s that performed at the Three Rivers Dance Festival, before school gymnastics club, Karate club, and the KS1 and KS2 choir




Monday 24th to Friday 28th June - Science / STEM Week



Thursday 27th June - 9:30 - 15:00 - Years 3 & 4 - Aquadrome activities with Three Rivers District Council running the sessions for us




Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July - Sports Week 



Thursday 4th July - Sports Day - KS1 - morning followed by picnic lunch; KS2 - picnic lunch followed by sports afternoon



Thursday 4th July - 15:30 - 17:00 - Year 6 leavers party




Thursday 11th July 9.30 - 11.45 - Transition morning



Monday 15th July - Year 6 production - evening performance for parents



Tuesday 16th July - Year 6 productions - afternoon performance for parents



Friday 19th July - Year 6 Leavers Service at St Mary’s Church - all children to be dropped off at the church at the start of the day



Friday 19th July - 13:15 - End of term - No JD Club


Shining a light on... 

Effort & Progress in Learning Certificates

Congratulations to the children below who received a special certificate on Friday for 'Effort and Progress in Learning'.

Reception - Niven 

Year 1 - Luke

Year 2 - Tilly

Year 3  - Duke

Year 4 - Victor

Year 5 -  Lilly S

Year 6 - Pato

All the children that received certificates will be celebrating with Mrs Maxwell over a hot chocolate and marshmallows on Monday.

Above & Beyond 


Caleb, Olivia, Siddharth, Cianna, Ilan, Millie, Harper, Noah, Dillon, Henry, Minnie, Lilly D, Lilly G, Tom, Fletcher, Francesco, Matei, Duke, Marly, Amelie, Ava, Dolly, Amber, Violet, Jamie B, Lilly S, Henning, Kezia, Amber, Rowan

 Weekly Class Attendance

Whole School Planting

We kicked off with an incredible start last week, diving straight into a special project that promises to add a splash of green to our school. Each year group played a pivotal role in transforming our Secret Garden into an enchanting edible paradise.


Here’s a peek at what each class planted:


Reception and Year 1: got their hands dirty with different types of potatoes.

Year 2: explored the world of legumes by planting two varieties of peas.

Year 3: got into beans, sowing two different kinds to see how they flourish.

Years 4 & 5: experimented with colour by planting three types of tomatoes and sweet peppers, even making predictions about the colours of tomatoes they might harvest!

Year 6: took on the allium family by planting leeks, onions, shallots, garlic, and even cucumbers.


In addition to planting, our children engaged in learning activities to understand the life cycle of their plants and how best to care for them. This hands-on experience not only teaches them about the science of growth but also about responsibility and the joys of gardening.


We are all buzzing with excitement and can't wait to see the fruits of our labour! Keep an eye on our Secret Garden, as it transforms into a bountiful and colourful feast over the next few months. Happy gardening, and here’s to a term filled with growth and learning!

Marafun

What an extraordinary day we had last Friday at the Aquadrome! Our hearts are bursting with pride as we reflect on the incredible success of our Marafun event. Together, we showed the true meaning of community, compassion and courageous advocacy.

Thanks to your unwavering support, we raised over £2200 to aid Miss Devlin's noble cause in raising funds for Cardiomyopathy. 🏅 Every lap around the Aquadrome brought us closer to our goal, and your generosity knows no bounds.

But the magic of the day wasn't just in the numbers—it was in the spirit of unity and camaraderie that filled the air. From our youngest to our oldest, everyone played their part with enthusiasm and determination. 

Our Year 6 students, embodying leadership and kindness, supported their younger peers every step of the way. Parents, you were our unsung heroes, lending a hand wherever needed and cheering on our runners with boundless encouragement. Staff members went above and beyond, some sacrificing their day off to ensure the event ran smoothly. And let's not forget the incredible support from Miss Devlin's family—they were a beacon of strength and inspiration throughout the afternoon.

Together, we accomplished something truly remarkable—over 200 runners circling the Aquadrome with grace and finesse, shining a light on what our school community is made of. The sight of our older children applauding their younger counterparts as they crossed the finish line brought tears of joy to our eyes.

Thank you to each and every one of you who participated and contributed to this unforgettable event. Your dedication and belief in our children's potential remind us that together, we can achieve anything. Let this day serve as a reminder to our children that with determination and heart, they can conquer any challenge that comes their way.

Marafun.mp4

Playground Paradise

We are thrilled to share some exciting updates regarding our playground activities! As promised, we've been working hard to enhance playtimes by introducing a variety of engaging zones, and the response from the children has been absolutely fantastic! 

In Key Stage 2, we've created five dynamic zones to cater to different interests:

The Secret Garden: A serene space for calm activities like colouring, reading, gardening, and building with LEGO and Jenga.

The Sandpit: A sandy oasis for imaginative play and sandcastle creations.

Obstacle Course Zone: Featuring tyres and planks for constructing exciting obstacle courses to challenge agility and creativity.

Forest School Den Building: A wooded area where children can unleash their inner architects and construct cozy dens.

Climbing Frame: Our previous climbing frame.

Additionally, there's a wealth of sports equipment available for tennis, football, and imaginative game creation, ensuring that every child finds something they love.


In Key Stage 1, the playground has undergone a magical transformation as well:

The Sandpit: A delightful spot for digging, building, and imaginative play.

Obstacle Course Zone: Featuring tires and planks just like in KS2, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Forest School Den Building: Providing opportunities for imaginative play and outdoor adventures.

Upgraded Mud Kitchen: A revamped space for culinary creativity and messy fun.

Upgraded A-Frame House: Perfect for artistic endeavours like drawing and colouring.

Large Polygons: Inspiring budding architects to create their own architectural wonders and explore spatial reasoning.

We've been chatting with the children throughout the week to gather their thoughts, and here's what they had to say:

"It's amazing!"

"There's so much to do, I'm not sure where to start."

"I love everything, especially the sandpit!"

Following the introduction of our new play zones, we took the opportunity to ask the children what else they would like to see added to their playground paradise. One enthusiastic suggestion was for a zip wire! While we might not be ready to take to the skies just yet, we are excited to explore more possibilities in the future.

A massive thank you to Jay, Reggie's dad from Reception. His incredible contributions have truly transformed our playgrounds. Jay crafted a huge cupboard system for the KS2 area, ensuring all our new equipment is neatly stored and easily accessible. He is also the skilled hand behind both of our fabulous new sandpits and has done a fantastic job relaying the turf on the football pitch, among many other enhancements.

We're thrilled to see our children embracing these new opportunities for fun and exploration. Thank you for your continued support in making our playground a vibrant hub of joy and discovery! If you are keen to support further, you can add have a look at our Amazon Wish List or add a donation through SchoolComms.

Year 5 - Week Four -  with the 'Mini Police' Programme

This week, our Year 5's have been preparing a school assembly about everything they have discovered and learnt about the police. From creating their own presentations and scripts to perfecting their role-playing skills in small groups, it was a fantastic session. We can hardly wait to witness their performances as they take the stage and share their newfound knowledge with the entire school soon!

Miss Devlin - what a true inspiration you've been to our whole community. Your hard work and dedication have truly inspired us all. The entire school community cheered you on every step of the way! 


A total of £6,207 raised for Cardiomyopathy!

Information

2024 - 2025 Term Dates

Autumn Term

Autumn Term 

Thursday 5th September 2024 - Autumn term starts

Monday 28th October to Friday 3rd November - Half Term

Friday 20th December 2024 - Autumn term finishes

Spring Term

Wednesday 8th January 2025 -  Spring term starts

Monday 17th to Friday 21st February - Half Term

Friday 4th April - Spring term finishes

Summer Term

Thursday 24th April - Summer term starts

Monday 26th to Friday 30th May - Half Term

Friday 18th July - Summer term finishes

Attendance at school is the foundation to a child's future success and happiness. Over the coming weeks, we will be taking a letter from the alphabet, in turn, in order to highlight the importance of being at school and advice for parents and carers.

F is for Feedback: Attendance Matters! In our commitment to supporting every aspect of our pupils' success, we extend our feedback beyond academic and pastoral areas to include attendance. How? By providing detailed attendance reports during parent consultations, issuing letters for children whose attendance falls below 95%, 90%, or 80%, as well as recognising improvements in attendance. Additionally, we celebrate those achieving 100% attendance each term with certificates, acknowledging their consistency.

Playskill Charity

We will be focussing our attention on our final charity of this academic year - Playskill. As we have mentioned previously, this is a local charity that has supported a number of our children in our school community. 

Have a read of Maeve's story from the Playskill website - PlaySkill - Maeve's Story


So far, we have added in a few activities to help raise money for this amazing charity - 


Let us know if you have any other ideas to raise money for this fabulous charity.

Year 6 Parents 

KS2 Maths SATs event in Croxley Green

Tuesday, 30 April, 10:00am at Croxley Green Family Centre

Free event

Community

Representing our School at St Mary's Church Open weekend

Our school choir has been invited to perform at the upcoming St Mary's Church Open Day. This event provides an excellent platform for our children to share their vocal talent with the wider community and contribute to a joyous occasion. The choir will be performing a selection of uplifting and inspiring songs and is a wonderful opportunity for your child to gain performance experience, build confidence and make a positive impact through singing.   If your child is in the school choir, please complete the school gateway confirming if your child is able / unable to attend the event.

Details of the performance are as follows:

Date: Saturday 18th May 

Time: 12.00pm (Children to arrive for 11.30am and be in full school uniform)


We would love more children to be involved during the morning to show our fabulous school community.  We will have a school stall as well as serving refreshments. Please let us know if you would like your child to be involved in the event.

Facebook

We have such an amazing school and are looking at ways to promote ourselves in the wider community.  To do this, we will be developing our use of social media.  Please like our new Facebook page and any posts that you enjoy. 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550863361303

Facebook