Dear Parents and Carers,
The half term break may already feel like a distant memory, but we hope you were able to enjoy some wonderful time with family and friends.
Site Consolidation Drop-In Session
We are delighted to invite you to a drop-in session with us and Blue Iris to share an update on the site consolidation project. Come along between 3.00pm and 4.30pm on Thursday 27th November in the Rectory Gardens dining hall to explore detailed plans, see the next stages of development, and find out what to expect during the build. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the vision for our future site, and see how these changes will benefit the whole school community. Tea and coffee will be provided—we look forward to welcoming you!
School Photo Day Reminder
Individual and sibling photos are coming up next week. On Tuesday 18th November, all individual and sibling photos will be taken. If you have children at both Church Lane and Rectory Gardens, you are welcome to come to RG from 8:30am so they can have their photos taken together. Families with siblings based on just one site will have their joint photos taken during the school day. We look forward to capturing these lovely memories!
Bonfire Night Fun
Our Bonfire Night celebration over half term was a fantastic success, raising an amazing £1,300 for the PSA, who use these funds to provide wonderful opportunities and experiences for the children at St Mary’s. We enjoyed the brilliant drone show and fireworks at Ally Pally, proudly placed our handmade Guys on the bonfire, and the children glowed with excitement—quite literally—with their glow sticks. Burgers and refreshments were a big hit too. A huge thank you to the staff who gave up their holiday time, and to the parents and families who joined us and supported the event, even on such a wet evening.
Hornsey Parish Church Christmas Market Raffle
Children will be coming home today with raffle tickets to support the Hornsey Parish Church Christmas Market on Saturday 29th November, 1–4pm. Your support helps the church and contributes to this festive community event—thank you for taking part!
St Mary’s Christmas Fair
One of the highlights of the year, our Christmas Fair, is coming up on Friday 5th December, 5:30–7:30pm. Join us for a festive evening with Santa, a tombola, and lots of fun! Please make a note in your diary and help where you can—keep an eye out for more information coming soon. Just three weeks to go!
Christmas Fair 3 Weeks To Go 2025
African Drumming Celebration
The children at Church Lane enjoyed a vibrant African Drumming experience as part of our celebration of Black history and culture. They learned traditional rhythms, worked together with great enthusiasm, and showed wonderful respect and curiosity throughout. We are so proud of them all. A big thank you to the staff and visiting musicians for giving the children such an inspiring and joyful experience.
Pendarren Adventures
What an exciting and unforgettable trip the children had at Pendarren in the beautiful Welsh countryside! From canoeing across sparkling waters to exploring mysterious caves and taking on countless other challenges, they showed courage, teamwork, and endless enthusiasm every step of the way. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them—they were truly a credit to the school. A huge thank you goes to the dedicated staff who generously gave up their entire week and time with their families to make this wonderful experience possible. Their commitment created memories the children will cherish for years to come.
Smartphones and Children’s Wellbeing
Smartphones can be useful, but they also bring challenges—especially for children’s wellbeing. At school, we see the impact first-hand when issues are brought into school. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to give your child a smartphone—there are other options for staying in touch and keeping children safe. Always ensure you know exactly what your child is doing on any device and maintain open conversations about online safety and responsible use. For practical guidance and support, parents can visit NSPCC – Online Safety.
Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead—stay safe and try not to get too wet in Storm Claudia!
Jane O’Brien
Headteacher
