Aspiring, nurturing, flourishing; 

together shining a light

St Mary's Weekly

‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’(James 1:19)

Friendship

In the hustle and bustle of our lives, there is one simple yet profound act that often gets overlooked - listening. This week, in our Collective Worship, we delved into the significance of listening in the context of friendship.


Friendship is more than shared laughter and good times; it's about understanding, support and empathy.  At the heart of these qualities lies the art of listening. When we truly listen to our friends, we make them feel valued and heard, strengthening our bonds that hold us together.


Active listening is the key to meaningful conversations. It involves not only hearing words but also showing genuine interest. By making eye contact, nodding in agreement and responding thoughtfully, it's a way of saying, "I care about what you're saying."

Some of our younger children might like to watch this clip again with an adult at home and discuss it together.

Value Spotters

There were lots of Value Spotters this week.  Below are a few that have been selected to share:


To Michael in Year 1, "You were kind to me on the way to school by listening to me."


To Dylan in Year 1, "Thank you for asking me if I was feeling better after being off sick."


To Charlie in Year 5, "Thank you for kindly asking Jack and Daryl what they wanted for lunch."

Shining a light on... 

House Points for this week

House Points so far this term

Effort & Progress in Learning Certificates

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

Year 1 - Rosalind

Year 2 - Henry

Year 3 - Minnie

Year 4 - Mary

Year 5 - Sam

Year 6 - Conor

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

Above & Beyond 

We have introduced weekly 'Above and Beyond time' to celebrate children that consistently go above and beyond our school's expectations. It is an opportunity to have a one to one conversation with Mrs Maxwell to share how proud we are of them. Children are selected by staff each week and can attend as many times in a term. 

This week's children that attended Above and Beyond time -

All of our Reception children for having such a great start to their St Mary's journey.


Years 1 to 6 - 

Ava- Rose, Erin, Orla, Eryk, Albie, Jemimah, Archie,   Sasha, Issy, Aaryan, Antony, Alice

Head Girl and Head Boy

This week the school have been introduced to our new Head Boy and Head Girl for the year. We are so proud of all the children that put themselves forward for this process.  Initially, they had an interview with Mrs Maxwell and Mrs Bartram. 

In the final round Owen, Thomas, Jack, Lily, Freya and Lillia presented in our whole school Celebration Worship last week. They talked about themselves and their ideas on how to improve the school. They did this brilliantly and all of them should feel incredibly proud of themselves. After all the children and staff in the school voted, we would like to introduce you to Lily and Jack. 


In next week's Celebration Worship,  the Positions of Responsibility for all of Year 6 and other children across school will be announced.

  Year Two

Year Two have completed their first book study this week – Grandma Bird by Benji Davis. The class loved exploring the adventures of a small boy named Noi. They have written some wonderful letters describing his life spent on the remote, stormy island with only Grandma and birds for company.


We have been securing our knowledge of place value in maths and are now more confident constructing, drawing and writing two-digit numbers.


As part of our wellbeing activities this week, we completed our self-portraits, focusing on how line, shape and colour can represent how we are feeling. The results are beautiful and reflect the individuality and spirit of the children in Year Two.

Baby Shower for Mrs Bennett

On Thursday morning staff gathered with Mrs Bennett, who is soon to embark on a beautiful journey into parenthood. We celebrated in style with a Baby Shower breakfast. Staff bought some of their favourite books in preparation for shared bedtime reading.

Art and Craft Club - Week 1

Our Year 1 to 6's have had great fun this week at the afterschool Art and Craft clubs on a Thursday.

Years 1 to 3 - creating rainbows

Years 4 to 6 - We're wondering what they are creating?

 Information 

Reception September 2024

If you know of any families who are looking for a school place for September 2024, let them know that we are currently holding personal tours.

KS2 Parent

Please can all KS2 parents remain at the front gate at drop off and pick up, rather than walk onto the KS2 playground or to the classroom doors. If you need to pass a message to your class teacher in the morning, please email Mrs Palmer at the admin@stmarys698.herts.sch.uk address and she will pass on all messages swiftly. 

Parent Helpers

We would love parents/family members to come in and help out in school. 

We have opportunities for listening to readers, helping on school trips as well as volunteers to support our Eco council with maintaining our garden and prayer gardens.


If you are interested in helping out with any of the above, please complete the google form (https://forms.gle/ahhyo2DxgSE5YmZP6) or email Mrs Palmer on admin@stmarys698.herts.sch.uk.   

Firework Event - FoSMS

A local estate agent have agreed to supply boards advertising our fantastic fireworks event in November. If you live on a main road and are willing to have a board in your front garden, please let Mrs Palmer know in the school office.

Panto payment

If you are yet to pay for your child’s panto ticket, please do so. This whole school event at Watersmeet Theatre was a fantastic success last year. The children (and staff) had an amazing time.

Parking at the beginning and end of the school day

We have a number of parents who have been given permission to park on SFR because they may have a disability themselves, a child with a disability, are heavily pregnant, have an injured or sick child etc. Currently, they have been unable to do so because other parents are parking on the road. Being late, wet weather or because it is easier than parking and walking cannot be a reason to park down our road. Please use the unlimited availability at Tescos.

Key dates for this half term

Tuesday 26th September at 13:00 - Year 1 - Watford Schools Trust workshop in school















Tuesday 17th October - Year 2 - Pirate day


Wednesday 18th October - 15:30 - 16:30 - opportunity for parents and children to come and find our more about ExploRE



Community

MacMillan Coffee Morning - Friday 29th September

We will be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday, 29th September supported by FoSMS.

By joining Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event, we'll be collecting funds to provide medical, emotional, practical and financial support for people facing cancer, as well as campaigning for better cancer care. There are now 2.5 million people in the UK living with cancer. By 2030, it is estimated to be 4 million people, and Macmillan’s goal is to be there for each and every one of them. All cake/ cupcakes/ biscuits contributions and monetary donations are highly appreciated. The funds raised will all be sent to Macmillan. If you are unable to attend the coffee morning and would still like to donate, please send in any donation to school with your child in a sealed envelope, labelled with your child’s name, class name and ‘Macmillan donation’.

FoSMS

Thank you to FoSMS for helping this morning with meeting and greeting parents attending the ‘Meet the Head’ meeting. 


Please support our school's PTA by reading the information and noting the dates in your calendar. They do amazing work to support all of our children.

FoSMS Flyer Sept 23 (3).docx.pdf

St Mary’s needs your votes to get a share of Tesco’s Community Grants fund

St Mary’s needs your votes to get a share of Tesco’s Community Grants fund

We have been successful in our application for the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects. Any grant received from Tesco will go towards helping children learn about the importance of looking after our environment.

Voting is open from the first week in July until the end of September and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop. Please vote for St Mary’s when you shop at:


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