St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
Friday 14th June 2019
Dear Parents,
Year 6 residential
Year 6 and the staff had a very happy time in France this week. Enormous thanks to the staff team who took Year 6 on their residential and made sure they had an unforgettable experience. If you haven’t seen the blog it’s well worth a read; Mr Cadman should take up a career in travel writing, Ernest Hemmingway has nothing on him! https://stmarysceprimaryyear6france2019.school.blog
Summer Fair
With the weather forecast on our side, we hope to see as many of you as possible at this event, which is one of the highlights of our year. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor James Chard will officially open the fair at 11:00 am. During his visit, Cllr Chard will also tour the school and have the chance to chat to families; I am sure he will leave feeling the warmth of the St Mary’s school community.
Parent survey results
Thank you to the 67 parents who took part in our recent survey, over 160 of you had already completed the “Parent view survey” this year. I asked parents to include their names so that I can respond personally to those of you with specific concerns or questions.
Below is a summary of the results. Of those parents that responded:
100% feel their children are safe at school 98% feel their children are happy at school 97% feel the school’s values and attitudes have a positive effect on their children 97% feel pupils are encouraged to develop a clear sense of right and wrong and behave well 94% feel there is a positive relationship between parents and the school 94% feel the school is well led and managed
Here are some positive comments and “room for improvement” comments received. Special thanks to Mr Flintstone in “Bedrock” class for his response!
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St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
“I can't put into enough words how fantastic St. Mary's is for both my children. They are nurtured and encouraged and are developing not only academically but emotionally too, it's a delight and a relief to watch this play out. We are very well informed and included as parents and feel a warm and approach ability from the staff that is the envy of friends and family who have children at different schools. I can't recommend St. Mary's enough!”
“Behaviour systems, looked after when feeling unwell or injured, general caring ethos and atmosphere, respect for elders and one another, listening to parents' feedback, two great teachers for both my children this year, listening when my youngest son was diagnosed with dyslexia and doing all within their funds to help. The awareness and striving for environmental changes in light of climate change.”
“Inclusion, emphasis on kindness and tolerance”
“The school is organised and communicates well with parents. The play areas / facilities available to the children are excellent. The children are given the opportunity to attend a wide variety of school trips and extracurricular activities. The school's PTA are a real strength, raising significant funds which greatly benefit the school and help us parents to be more involved in school life. Leadership team, teaching staff, support staff, resources, all round exceptional quality of education from a school that cares.”
“In a perfect world it would be good to have more clubs available on all sites but I understand how difficult that is.”
“More funding from LA, and expand provision of wraparound care.”
“Wider range of competitive sports available for pupils and/or larger squads for key sports. More arts available e.g. concerts and / or productions.”
“Reinforcing that the School has high expectations to do well. More homework, and expectations they do the harder questions.”
“Retention of excellent staff.”
“More music, drama and arts and sports.”
“More homework more clubs and inviting parents to help run these more sports.”
“I'm concerned about the level of traffic outside the 'Doves' entrance on the Infant site. A cross walk is needed there. Not sure what needs to be done in order to get one put there. Lots of parents and children cross the road to go to Waitrose and drivers along that route are routinely going more than 20mph.”
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St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
A note from Mrs Johnston
All three sites will be participating in Healthy Schools’ Week from 17th - 21st of June. At St Mary’s we will be promoting healthy eating and each year group will be involved in a variety of exciting activities.
Class teachers will be facilitating the preparation of a healthy snack in class. All food preparation will take into consideration any allergies and intolerances to ensure all children can be fully involved. If you would prefer your child didn’t partake in these activities please inform their class teacher as soon as possible via [email protected]
We are looking forward to the week ahead and will post the children's food creations on the school Twitter account for you all to see. Thank you for your on-going support this year with providing the children’s healthy snacks and lunches.
Autism awareness coffee morning
This week we welcomed Sally Evenhuis, a CAMHs practitioner who is running a project for autism in Richmond, who presented to staff and parents. If you were unable to attend but are interested to hear what she said you can see her presentation on the website: www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx. This presentation will also be available via the school website shortly.
School meals
Payments are now due for school meals on Tucasi. Please could you make your payments as soon as possible. A week's notice (during term time) is required in writing if you wish to stop or start school meals.
Charitable donations
A group of 29 boys from Hampton School are going to Malawi to continue the school’s work at the Hampton School Safe Haven and School in Senga Bay, Malawi. Mrs Freer’s son, Ben, an ex-St Mary’s pupil, is going this year and is hoping to take a big bag of donations to the children in the Safe Haven. If you have any of the following going spare, please could you drop them into any of the school sites and Mrs Freer will collect them: football boots (sizes 5-11), football kit, jewellery making equipment, paint brushes and rollers and reading books for their Primary school library (no books about witches and wizards please). Thank you!
A note from Peter Wilson
Moormead Community & Sports Pavilion (charity number 1179951) is working to transform the current eyesore into a new facility that will enhance our beautiful park and can be enjoyed by the whole community. The new Pavilion will include a café to provide refreshments and toilet facilities for park users. Use the link below to see the new Pavilion design.
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St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
Donations from our community, however small, are vital to show local support. Potential funders like London Marathon Charitable Trust are more likely to donate larger amounts if they can see that our campaign is supported by local people.
You can help by contributing to our crowdfunding campaign https://swlen.org.uk/projects/lets-restore-moormead-pavilion/
Your local Scout group needs you!
1st Twickenham All Hallows’ Scout group is looking for a couple of new assistant leaders & a treasurer. We’re a very outdoor active group, attended by many St Mary's children. We do lots of camping, walking, canoeing, cycling, Plogging, and more and there is plenty of scope to introduce subjects where you have a personal interest - the list of badges is almost endless! Ask any of the leaders & they’ll tell you it’s a tremendously rewarding role with plenty of opportunities to take part in fun activities as well as knowing you’re making a big contribution to our young people.
The treasurer role requires a couple of hours per month & four meetings a year & can be done by anyone with book keeping or accounting experience.
There may be a role here which suits a parent or grandparent, and remember that our Scout group is oversubscribed & taking on any of these roles guarantees your child a space. If you would like to know more please contact Nicola Meadley at [email protected] Thank you!
Diary date reminders:
Saturday 15th June FoSM Summer fair 1130 – 1500, middle site
Monday 17th June Year 5 Orange Tree Theatre trip
Tuesday 18th June Year 4 (4J & 4M) to Natural History Museum Year 5L to Hampton Court Palace
Wednesday 19th June Year 4 Royal Military School of Music summer concert Year 1 visit to Twickenham Apiary Year 3 Orange Tree Theatre trip
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St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
Thursday 20th June Year 5R to Hampton Court Palace Reception Blackbirds class assembly (link class 4B) Year 6 Orange Tree Theatre workshop in school
Friday 21st June Year 5W to Hampton Court Palace Year 3 Sycamores class assembly (link class Reception Robins)
Monday 24th June Year 3 cake sale after school
Tuesday 25th June Reception Robins to Orleans Gallery Year 4 to Orange Tree Theatre
Wednesday 26th June Year 2 trip to Littlehampton Reception Doves to Orleans Gallery Year 6 Orange Tree Theatre workshop Year 4 Brass concert for parents 1415 – 1515, junior site hall
Thursday 27th June Year 1 Circus skills workshop (in school) Reception Blackbirds to Orleans Gallery 6Z class assembly (link class Reception Doves)
Friday 28th June 0930 – 1230 KS2 (Yrs 3 – 6) sports morning, Orleans Park field
Friday 5th July 0930 – 1230 Infant (Reception – Year 2) sports morning, Orleans Park field
Have a lovely weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Angela Abrahams Headteacher [email protected]
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St Mary’s Church of England School
Infants: Middle: Juniors: Amyand Park Road Strafford Road Richmond Road Twickenham Twickenham Twickenham TW1 3HE TW1 3AD TW1 3BA
T: 0208 892 5840 T: 0208 249 6836 T: 0208 892 7849 F: 0208 891 1904 F: 0208 607 0420
E: [email protected] www.st-marys.richmond.sch.uk
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