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St Mary's Weekly
Jesus said, ‘….now I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.’(John 13:34-35)
Friendship - Kindness
Friendship - Kindness
The best thing about kindness is that it is contagious. Scientists call this the 'ripple effect'. This week in Collective Worship, we have been finding out about how if one person demonstrates kindness, it can inspire and encourage others to do the same. This creates a positive ripple effect that spreads through communities and can make our world a better place.
Kindness fosters empathy and compassion. It helps us to understand and care for others. It equips children with valuable conflict resolution skills as they discover respectful communication. We empower our children to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Kindness ripple.mp4Have a watch of this clip with your child and talk about the ripple effect.
Value Spotters
There were over 60 Value Spotters cards this week. Below are a few that have been selected to share:
To Coralie in Year 4, "You were kind and encouraged me in a game."
To Kezia in Year 5, "Thank you for playing with me and being my partner in PE."
To Anabelle in Year 3, "Thank you for cheering me up when I was a little upset."
To Florence in Year 2, "Thank you for being kind and helping me in Maths."
A simple smile can have a profound impact:
Smiling by Spike Milligan
Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled I realised
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile,
then I realised its worth.
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected!
Shining a light on...
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 Eliza
Year 2 Florence
Year 3 Simran
Year 4 Felix
Year 5 Emaan
Year 6 Dylan
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 -
Spencer, Millie, Lois, Ava, Cianna, Charlie, Kaiden, Lily, Jemimah, Toby, Iris, Mariam, Quinn, Tom, Scarlett, Jules, Darcie, Lilly, Henning, Lillia and Jack H
Coach Daryl
After working with our children for over 6 years, Coach Daryl is leaving St Mary’s on Friday 20th October 2023. The decision to leave St Mary’s has been an extremely difficult one for Daryl who loves his job and our school community. Daryl, together with his partner are hard working parents for their son Lorenzo. Given the current economic struggles we are all facing, Daryl has been compelled to accept an amazing opportunity that will help him support his young family. We know this news will be upsetting for many of our children, as it is for the staff and no doubt our parents. Please let the children know that they can chat to Daryl about his decision and new role.
Coach Jack will still be with us and school leaders are looking at how best to fill Daryl’s very special shoes, support Jack and of course our community.
Daryl is a much loved and respected member of our team and we will miss him hugely.
Our Councils
During Celebration Worship today we introduced everyone to our new council members.
Eco Council
Darcie and Orla - Year 1
Florence and Lily - Year 2
Marly and Witold - Year 3
Amber and Zainub - Year 4
Alessandro and Harvey - Year 5
Jamie G and Conor - Year 6
Ethos Council
Sylvie and Lois - Year 1
Henry and Jemimah - Year 2
Minnie and Charlie - Year 3
Reggie and Felix - Year 4
Lilly and Kezia - Year 5
Jack J and Susan - Year 6
Sports Council
Ilan and Eryk - Year 1
Harry H and Jaiden - Year 2
Francesco and Emmie - Year 3
Tilly and Aaryan - Year 4
Tilly and Michael - Year 5
Dylan and Owen - Year 6
School Council
Lola- Rose and Ava - Year 1
Archie and Toby - Year 2
Nicole and Reggie - Year 3
Mary and Audrey - Year 4
Henry and Emaan - Year 5
Lily and Jack H - Year 6
Next week, we will share the Year 6's Positions of Responsibility. It is important to us that all of our Year 6's hold a position of responsibility as this equips them with skills and values that will benefit them on their ongoing educational and personal journey.
Year Three
In Year Three, the children have been very creative! We thought about friendships in PSHE, which is also our current school value. In order to be a good friend, it’s important to work well as a team. This involves listening to each other and taking turns. We put this in to practise by working together to create different shapes and ideas out of a tangram puzzle.
In our computing lesson this week, we explored how devices can help us in lots of different ways. We created a painting using paint brushes and watercolours, and then re-created the painting digitally, using the Chromebooks. We discussed the differences between art and digital art, and came to the conclusion that even though technology made it easier to make edits to our paintings, nothing beats the feeling of putting a real paintbrush onto paper (and getting a little messy in the process)!
Year 1 - Terrific Toys Workshop
Year 1 had so much fun on Thursday with their History off the Page toy making workshop. Have a look at some of the photographs.
In the morning they were taken through a museum experience and explored a range of different old toys. The children had to explore how they worked and what was different about them to modern toys. The children then enquired and answered challenge questions as they moved around the museum.
After the break they became archaeologists! They explored how we can find out about the past through searching under ground. The children then explored different materials and were challenged to sort the materials into groups.
The final section of the day involved making their own toys! The children really enjoyed making their own versions of toys from the past we had experienced in the morning. This practical hands-on learning experience was great, the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learned so much.
Reception - Praying in service
Reception parents came into school for a blessing service led by Rev Nic Woolfe curate at St Peter's Church. Each Reception child was officially welcomed to St Mary's and received a 'My very first Prayers' from St Mary's Church and were prayed for by Nic.
Sport
Multi-sports Festival
Felix, Miles, Ben, Scarlett and Fletcher took part in a multi-sports festival organised by the School Sports Partnership. The children took part in a range of different sporting activities from tennis to golf, vortex throw and football. The event was organised to encourage children to participate in different sports. Over all the activities St Mary's scored the most points!
Hockey
Year 6 children took part in a hockey skills event organised and hosted by Merchant Taylors' School. The event allowed the children to learn a range of skills before putting it into practise through a games format. It was a great opportunity for the Year 6 children to meet others from different schools. Our thanks go to MTS for organising travel to and from the event.
Information
Information
Harvest Festival
Children in Years 1 - 6 will attend a Harvest Festival service at St Mary's Church on Wednesday 4th October. Please drop your child(ren) to the Church for 8.55am for a 9.00am start.
Reception children come to school as normal. If you have children in Reception and Year 1-6, please either drop all of your children to JD Club before 8.20am or bring your Reception child into school once you have dropped off your older child(ren).
If you have a child booked into JD, they will need to be with Jack and Daryl by 8.20am as they will be walking the JD children to Church.
We need some helpers with the walk back to school afterwards - please let Mrs Palmer know if you are available.
We will be collecting donations again this year for The Catholic Worker Farm and the Food bank.
Items can be brought into school on Monday and Tuesday. Alternatively, you are welcome to bring these in on Wednesday morning direct to St Mary's Church when you drop your child off
Below are some of the items -
tinned vegetables, fruit, casseroles, tomatoes, fish
snacks eg cereal bars, instant noodles, cup a soup
juice / squash
soup
coffee / tea
tinned rice/custard
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.
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.
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.
Play Equipment
Reminder that children, including younger siblings, should not be using the school equipment without a member of staff present. This includes at drop off and pick up times. Thank you for your support on this.
Key dates for this half term
Key dates for this half term
Wednesday 4th October am - Harvest Festival at the Church
Friday 6th October - Year 5 trip to MTS - Harry Potter Day
Monday 9th October 09:00 - 11:00 - Year 3 - 'Healthy Heroes' workshop delivered by the Sports Partnership
Monday 9th October 19:30 - 21:00 - FoSMS Committee Meeting at The White Bear pub
Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th October am - individual and sibling school photographs
Thursday 12th October - Year 5 - Viking day in school
Friday 13th October - non-school uniform day
Friday 13th October - anniversary service at school - 55 years in our current site
Monday 16th to Friday 20th October - ExploRE in all week - all classes will take part in workshops between Tuesday and Thursday
Tuesday 17th October - Year 2 - Pirate day
Wednesday 18th October - 15:30 - 16:30 - opportunity for parents and children to come and find out more about ExploRE
Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th October - Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 parent consultations
Community
Community
FoSMS - Fireworks Night Sunday 5th November
The Friends of St Mary’s School (FoSMS) are excited to announce that tickets for Fireworks Night go on sale this Monday (2nd October).
Adult £7, Child £5, Family of 4 £20 and Under 4’s Free!
Early Bird Offer
For a limited time only and exclusive to St Mary’s families if you use the code BOOM23 at checkout you will get a 25% discount off your ticket costs. Book your tickets at www.pta-events.co.uk/st-marys
FoSMS Fireworks Notice.docxMacMillan Coffee Morning - Friday 29th September
Thank you all who baked and donated cakes for our Macmillan Cancer Event. We are delighted to announce that £209 has been raised.
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.
Flu Immunisation
The flu vaccine is being offered at school again this autumn/winter. Please read the flyer for further information.
Even if you do not wish for your child to have the vaccine, please complete
The online form so that we can record your wishes. To give consent for your child to have the flu vaccine, please click here:
https://eastanglia.schoolvaccination.uk/flu/2023/hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Flu Consent 28092023.pdfSt 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:
Rickmansworth - WD3 1LX
Rickmansworth Express - WD3 4DF
Congratulations to Mr P who won £12 last week.
The School has sold 40 tickets towards a 100 goal. For further information and to purchase tickets please visit Your School Lottery - Support a school & maybe even win big!
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