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Aspiring, nurturing, flourishing;
together shining a light
'Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.'(Psalm 107:31)
Sharing, Giving, Thanking
Sharing, Giving, Thanking
On Wednesday, Years One to Six attended St Mary's Church for our annual Harvest Festival service. Gary Norman, our new vicar, welcomed us and encouraged us to be grateful for the variety and quantity of food we have. Year Six presented a drama around the biblical character of Zacchaeus which helped us to reflect on all that we have. The drama focused on the wisdom of being careful not to forget to share from our abundance. It focused on 3 key words: sharing, giving, thanking.
Thank you to everyone who donated food and money for local charities, including the Food Bank.
Value Spotters
Below are a few that have been selected to share:
To Willow in Year 4, "You help everyone when they are sad or hurt."
To Esmee in Year 4, "Thank you for playing with me and sitting on the coach with me."
To Dylan in Year 1, "Thank you for kaing certificates for others in your class and telling them they are doing a great job."
To Lily in Year 2, "Thank you for helping me when I fell on the floor."
To Millie and Isabella in Year 1, "Thank you for cleaning up water that someone else had spilt."
To Mrs Collett, "Thank you for helping the class to learn."
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 - Dylan
Year 2 - Lucy
Year 3 - Scarlett
Year 4 - Dolly
Year 5 - (none awarded as Year 5 were on a school trip)
Year 6 - Cole
All the children that received certificates will be celebrating with Mrs Maxwell over a hot chocolate and marshmallows on Monday.
Above & Beyond
The children below will attend Above and Beyond time on Monday as Mrs Maxwell wasn't in school last week.
This week's children that attended Above and Beyond time -
Cianna, Orla, Sylvie, Lois, Giana, Darcie, Charlie , Spencer, Jagger , Lola-rose, Rosalind, Eryk, Erin, Ava, Aavani, Louis, Aleyna, Millie, Suri, Mariam and Leo G.
Year Four
In Year 4 Science, we are learning about the states of matter. To investigate the change from a solid to a liquid we carried out an experiment, testing how quickly chocolate melts at different temperatures. First, we discussed the method that we would use and considered how we would make it a fair test. We recognised that the amount of water and the size of the chocolate would remain the same and the only difference would be the temperature. We discussed how we could vary the temperature by having different ratios of hot water and cold water and talked about how we keep safe when there is hot water around. We used thermometers to find out the temperature of each water tray. Each of the children then made a tin foil boat to float their chocolate in before carrying out the experiment.
'It was cool looking at how the chocolate melted.’
‘I proved that the hotter the water the quicker the chocolate melted.’
Year 4 agreed it was a fun experiment. Next week we need to think about how to make a tin foil boat that will float.
Year 5 Harry Potter day at Merchant Taylors
On Friday 5th of October, Year 5 went on a school trip to Merchant Taylors to experience a Harry Potter day. We were divided into their Harry Potter houses (Gryffindor, Slytherin, HufflePuff and Ravenclaw). With the help of students from Merchant Taylors', we took place in a range of Harry Potter themed activities such as playing quidditch, carving their own wands, making their own wizard hats and experimenting in a magic lab with many potions.
Perform Workshop for Reception, Year 1, 2 & 3
Discover Wonders
Our children grabbed their passports and jumped aboard as they took to the skies in Phileas Fogg's hot air balloon to discover the wonders of the world.
They walked like a wallaby in the Outback, saved polar bears in Iceland and revealed the legends of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Along the way, they met all manner of colourful characters from the four corners of the globe including the legendary Ozzy Outback, the Pyramid Rappers and Sammy Seal.
Information
Information
Reminder
Children are not to wear watches, jewellery or earrings during PE lessons.
School Photographs
Tuesday - Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and siblings.
Wednesday - Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 & 6 - 6 and Years 4 to 6 siblings.
If your child has PE on the day of the photos, please send this in a bag so they can change.
Football Trained Referees
As we prepare for Daryl to leave the school, please will football referee trained parents contact Mrs Palmer. She will set up a list of potential referees to call on if needed for matches. There will be no obligation to ref if your name is on the list. We realise that volunteering will depend on availability.
Child-friendly technology acceptable use agreement
At St Mary’s School, we know that it can be fun to use technology as part of your learning experience. We want everyone to be able to use technology, like computers and tablets, but it is important that you are safe when you are using them. We have created this agreement to help you understand how to be safe when you are using technology. You will be sent this via email, read it carefully and sign your name to show that you understand your responsibilities when using technology. Ask your teacher if there is something that you do not understand.
I will:
Only use technology, such as a computer, when a teacher has given me permission.
Only use technology for the reason I have been asked to use it.
Only use the internet when a teacher has given me permission.
Ask for help when I have a problem using the technology.
Look after the device and try not to damage it.
Tell the teacher if my device is not working or damaged.
Tell the teacher if I think someone else is not using technology safely or correctly.
Tell the teacher if I see something online that I think is inappropriate or that makes me upset.
I will not:
Tell another pupil my username and password.
Share personal information, such as my age and where I live, about myself or my friends online.
Access social media, such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Speak to strangers on the internet.
Take photos of myself or my friends using a school device.
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.pdfAttendance
DFE advice:
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice remains clear that children can continue to attend as normal unless they are unwell and have a high temperature. Further information on when a child is too ill for school is available. There is no requirement to be absent from school on a precautionary basis. School staff should continue to maintain their high expectations for face-to-face attendance.
Good attendance starts at primary school - children who have attendance of 97% or above achieve better outcomes in school and have the best opportunities in their adult life.
If you child misses school regularly, this will affect friendships as well as academic outcomes. It can be hard for a child who misses lots of school to form and maintain relationships with their classmates.
Being on time is also vital. Arriving late at school can be very disruptive for your child, their teacher and the other children in the class.
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.
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
Key Dates
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 (simple Vimings costume)
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 (simple pirates costume)
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
Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October - Half Term
Tuesday 31st October - Year 6 trip to Imperial War Museum
Tuesday 7th November - Reception trip to Odds Farm
Friday 10th November - Year 1 trip to Brooklands museum
Wednesday 15th November - Y6 Holocaust workshop in school
Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd November - Key Stage Two parent consultations
Community
Community
FoSMS Committee Meeting
Monday 9th October 7.30pm-9pm
at The White Bear pub
FoSMS would like to remind you that this coming Monday we will be holding our monthly committee meeting at The White Bear pub. All parents are welcome to come along and learn more about what we do, join in the discussion and discover how they can contribute. Our focus this meeting will be the upcoming Fireworks Night, but we will also discuss future fundraising events. If you have ideas please come along and share them with us.
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
As FoSMS Fireworks Night is such a great fundraiser for the school, we have flyers advertising the event and these need to be distributed. From next Monday FoSMS committee members will be at the Key Stage One gate with these flyers. If you would like to help us advertise and are happy to deliver some of these flyers close to or on the road where you live, then please come and see us. Your help would be much appreciated.
FoSMS Fireworks Notice.docxThe Class Reps have been busy organising rotas for each year group’s designated stall. If you haven’t volunteered for a slot yet, please do. It’s a lot more fun than you imagine it’s going to be and you’ll be doing something amazing by supporting a great cause!
Miss Devlin takes on the London Marathon 2024
Miss Devlin has taken on the challenge of running the London Marathon 2024. She is supporting the charity Cardiomyopathy UK. She is aiming to not only raise money but raise awareness of the symptoms of this disease.
Please click here to find out more about why this is such an important charity to her. Thank you in advance for your support!
Home Needed!
A friend of the school has a young albino lop rabbit to rehome. Unfortunately a family member is allergic. Comes free with an indoor cage. Please speak to Mrs Palmer if you are interested.
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.
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