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18 Jul Newsletter – Edition 66 – 18th July 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1752845196156{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,As we wrap up another fantastic academic year, we wanted to share a few highlights and updates with you before the summer break.Celebrating Our Work Experience StarsOver the past year, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting 25 work experience students. Many are former St Mary’s pupils or from school families, one was a former pupil at my old school in Hackney — it’s so rewarding to see them back, all grown up and ready for their next adventure.Welcome Aboard, Karen! We’re excited to introduce Karen Skerritt, our new Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) who works for Haringey; she will be working closely with us to boost attendance and punctuality over the next academic year. If you see her on the school gate or at the office, please say hello.Year 3’s Big Playground Project Shoutout to our Year 3s who teamed up with Haringey Council’s design experts to help create the new playground in Priory Park. Don’t miss the opening event on Friday 25th July, 3:30pm–5:00 pm — everyone’s invited!A Message from Our Chair of GovernorsPlease see below a  thoughtful letter from Venetia Brown, our Chair of Governors. Our Governing Board along with our Senior Leadership Team work hard to ensure that St Mary’s continues to flourish and her words reflect on the year gone by.CoG End of Year Letter - July 2025Staff Farewells and Thank You We’re also saying goodbye to some valued members of our staff this term. A letter from me was sent to parents recently, sharing heartfelt thanks for their dedication and wishing them all the best for the future. I hope that you all had the chance to read it. Cheers to Our Year 6 performersA huge round of applause to Year 6 for their incredible Tut Tut production! The performance was truly outstanding — the singing was powerful and pitch-perfect, the acting was professional and full of heart, and the comedy had everyone laughing throughout. The energy and talent on stage blew the roof off, creating a memorable experience for all who attended. We’re so proud of all the hard work and dedication the students and staff put into making the show such a spectacular success.Wishing Year 6 All the BestAs Year 6 prepare to start their exciting journey at secondary school, we want to wish them all the very best. We know they’ll continue to shine wherever they go and can’t wait to hear about their next chapter.Another Reminder About Communication with Staff ahead of the new school yearPlease ensure that all communication to staff is sent via the school office email, rather than contacting staff directly on their individual work emails. This helps to ensure messages are received and forwarded to the appropriate member of staff efficiently and prevents emails from being missed or going into junk folders.It’s also important for our staff to have time to fully switch off from work and spend quality time with their families and loved ones. By sending emails through the office, you help us maintain this balance while ensuring your message reaches the right person during working hours. Thank you for your understanding and support.Looking Ahead with Excitement While goodbyes can be bittersweet, we’re excited for the year ahead. Enjoy your summer break — we can’t wait to welcome you all back refreshed and ready for new adventures!Wishing you all a wonderful summer break,Jane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1752845466630{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 18th July - Last Day Of Term
• Wednesday 3rd September - Children return to school
• That's about all we have for you right now!

04 Jul Newsletter – Edition 65 – 4th July 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1751641059922{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,With only two weeks left of the school year, the excitement is building at St Mary’s! We’re making the most of every moment as we prepare for all the fantastic events and celebrations ahead.What a Busy and Exciting Fortnight!We’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks here at St Mary’s! Our Reception children enjoyed a fantastic trip to Freightliners Farm, while Year 1 explored the great outdoors at Railway Fields. Year 6 took part in their Junior Citizenship programme and had successful Secondary Transition Days, helping them prepare for the next stage of their journey. Year 5 visited the Fire Station, gaining valuable insight into the important work of our local firefighters. We also had a lovely Nursery Assembly, showcasing the youngest members of our school community.Looking ahead, children will soon discover who their class teachers will be for next year – an exciting moment for all! Children’s reports will be sent out this year via email, with details of staffing for next year included. Please make sure we have your correct email address. We will also be holding a Leavers Assembly for Y6 and a Tower Service to say goodbye and celebrate our Year 6 children and the staff that are moving on.Don’t forget, the Year 6 production, Tut Tut, will be on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. And next Friday 11^th July, we’re hosting our Summer BBQ 6pm to 8pm at Rectory Gardens – a perfect opportunity to relax, have fun, and celebrate the year together. We hope to see you there!Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Information – New Format for AutumnYou may remember that St Mary’s has traditionally hosted two separate events: an Open Evening in the summer term, where families visited their child’s new classroom and met the upcoming teacher, and a Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Evening in the autumn term, where the focus was on learning expectations for the year ahead.We’ve found that there is often an overlap between the two events, and not all families are able to attend both. To make things simpler and more accessible, we will be combining these into one event held in the autumn term. This updated format will give parents the chance to meet the teacher, visit the classroom, and hear about the curriculum for the year—all in one session. We hope this change will be helpful for families and ensure key information is shared clearly and effectively. More details will be provided in September.A Huge Thank You to Our PSA and Volunteers!We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing members of the St Mary’s Parent and Staff Association (PSA), and to every volunteer who helped make our recent Summer Fair such a success. Your time, energy, and dedication made it a truly special day for our community.Thanks to your efforts—and the generous support of everyone who came along—we’re delighted to share that we raised an incredible £3,700! These funds will go directly towards enriching school life and creating more exciting opportunities for all our children. We couldn’t have done it without you.A special well done to everyone who auditioned for and took part in the St Mary’s Talent Show. From singing and dancing to a brilliant ventriloquist act, the children dazzled us with their confidence, creativity, and courage. They truly demonstrated the values we hold dear at St Mary’s—and we’re sure we’ve seen a few future stars in the making!As part of the St Mary’s community, we’d love for you to support the PSA in any way you can. There are lots of ways to get involved:

• Join the PSA Committee – help lead the planning and coordination of events.
• Be a PSA Helper – lend a hand on event days by running a stall, setting up, or supporting activities.
• Donate Items – contribute food, prizes or other items when needed for raffles, tombolas and more
• Come Along – attend events, have fun, and help raise funds simply by taking part!

If you’d like to get involved or find out more, please speak to Sally or Lorraine in the school offices.Thank you once again to everyone who helped bring the event to life—we are so lucky to have such a supportive and vibrant school community.Sports Day Success!What a fantastic Sports Day we had! With the perfect temperature and a brilliant turnout from families, it was a joy to see the school community come together to celebrate sport, teamwork, and determination. Congratulations to Grove House, who took home the trophy this year although Rectory were a jump and welly wang away from winning it!  A special mention goes to Malachi and Daniel, who broke the St Mary’s long jump record with a jump of 3.25m – an incredible achievement! Throughout the day, the children demonstrated excellent technique, teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. They encouraged and supported one another, showing the very best of St Mary’s spirit.A big thank you to Mr Oakley, Mr Allison, and all the fantastic helpers who worked so hard to organise and run the day – we couldn’t have done it without you. And thank you to all the families who joined us – your support helped make the day even more special.A Warm Welcome to Our New Families!We were delighted to welcome our new Reception and Nursery children and their families to St Mary’s at our recent Open Evening. It was a pleasure to meet so many excited children and supportive parents as they explored their new learning environments and met some of the staff who will be part of their journey. We also enjoyed seeing our new Reception children during their Stay and Play session. The children settled in beautifully—playing, exploring, and beginning to build early friendships. It was a lovely introduction to life at St Mary’s, and we’re so looking forward to welcoming them properly in September.Community ReminderAt St Mary’s, we are committed to upholding our values of respect, kindness, and care for one another. Recent events—both in the wider world and within our school community —remind us all of the importance of modelling positive behaviour and treating each other with dignity and compassion. If you ever have any concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff. We appreciate your continued support in working together to ensure our school remains a safe and welcoming place for all children and families.A Reminder About Communication with StaffPlease ensure that all communication to staff is sent via the school office email (office@stmarysn8.co.uk) , rather than contacting staff directly on their individual work emails. This helps to ensure messages are received and forwarded to the appropriate member of staff efficiently and prevents emails from being missed or going into junk folders.It’s also important for our staff to have time to fully switch off from work and spend quality time with their families and loved ones. By sending emails through the office, you help us maintain this balance while ensuring your message reaches the right person during working hours. Thank you for your understanding and support.Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1751647811915{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 4th July - Sports Day - more details to follow
• Tuesday 8th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm - Cast A but all children attend both performances
• Wednesday 9th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm- Cast B but all children attend both performances
• Friday 11th July - Y4 Crimson Trumpets & Trombones & continuers concert 11am
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Saturday 12th July - Hornsey Tower Open Day - see here for details Hornsey Tower Open Day 12 07 25
• Monday 14th July - Y4 Mini Massive concert @ Ally Pally (pm)
• Wednesday 16th July - Y6 Party in the Playground
• Friday 18th July - Y6 Leaver's Assembly - parents & carers welcome & Y6 children can leave afterwards
• Friday 18th July - Last Day Of Term
• Wednesday 3rd September - Children return to school

20 Jun Newsletter – Edition 64 – 20th June 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1750412847765{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,I don’t know about you but it’s been great waking up to the sun shining. Today, I experienced the delights of the Ducklings and Goslings outdoor foot spa. Whilst refreshing and fun, it led me to get slightly wetter than I anticipated with lots of excited, splashing feet!  Staff are trying to take learning outside, in the shade, of course, where they can and we are following the guidance from Haringey for schools in hot weather. We ask for your support by ensuring the children have hats, sun screen and plenty of water (the children can top up at the water fountains). You can see two information posters further down the newsletter.Paris For A Day And More Trips!We are coming to the end of the year and yet classes are still heading out on trips linked to learning, and for opportunities to experience new and different things. At the beginning of the year, we planned out trips carefully, to ensure that as children moved across the school they would get the same or very similar experiences that would enable them to flourish. I was very proud to hear how well the girls did in the cricket tournament last week, just missing out on a medal, but showing great team work, determination and real skill. I look forward to hearing all about Year 1’s trip to Railway Fields and Receptions trip to Freightliners Farm in the coming days.I witnessed first-hand the delights of Year 5’s Paris trip last Wednesday! Firstly, I want to say how fabulous all of the children were, we were all very proud of their positive behaviour and enthusiasm on what was a very long and hot day. I would also like to say a big thank you to all of the staff who volunteered to support the trip, arriving at St Pancras at 5.15am, returning on the Eurostar at 8.15pm and being back in school the following day as normal - we couldn’t do these things without your dedication and help. The children got to see many of the sites, experiencing the city and Metro and, of course, using their French skills to order their delicious crepes. Madam Williamson was a star, planning and organising the day. It is also important to recognise the amazing parents who got their children up, ready and arriving on time and then waiting patiently for our delayed train on the journey home. It’s amazing what we can all achieve together. I am looking forward to doing it all again next year!A Goodbye and Good Luck to Mrs MolloyMany of you will know Mrs Molloy who has worked at St Mary’s for 13 years, working in Year 2 Marigold class last year. She has been a great asset to St Mary’s, both as a class teacher working across the school, as a leader of writing and reading at Church Lane, and for her creativity and talent in art. Last September, she took up a brilliant opportunity for professional development, working as an Assistant Headteacher in Hackney. We were expecting her back this September but with aspirations to continue her leadership journey, she has secured a position as a Deputy Headteacher in another school. We will miss her very much and wish her the very best in her new chapter.WE NEED YOU!Lots of the things we are able to do at St Mary’s are supported by the Parent and School Association (PSA). This includes subsidising some trips and activities. Each year the PSA run a programme of events for the community to enjoy like the Christmas Fair, Bonfire Night and the Summer BBQ.  As well as for fun, they do it this to raise funds that support activities which your children can enjoy throughout the school year.As a member of the St Mary’s community, you are automatically a member and we hope that you can support the PSA in one (or more) of the following ways:

1. Make contact with the PSA – help to lead on the planning and organisation of events
2. Become a regular helper who can be called upon on the day of events to run a stall, set up or supervise
3. Donate food or items, when requested, that can be used for such things as the tombola
4. Come along, have fun and spend some money to help raise as much money as possible

Look out for requests from the PSA, and please offer to support, or contact either office if you want to find out more.See you at the Summer Fair and other events coming up this term!Please note the following dates and times for events in the next 4 weeks.Monday 23^rd June            Book Fair at Rectory Gardens – ALL parents are welcome to come up to look at the books – there are titles for all ages – after school each dayWednesday 25^th June     Non-uniform day in return for a tombola prize (something you’d like to win)Saturday 28^th June           Summer Fair @ Church Lane 12.30pm to 3.30pm – please come alongFriday 11^th July                  End of Year BBQ – all invited – at Rectory Gardens 5.30pm to 7.30pmCoffee Morning with the School NurseThis week, we offered a coffee morning for parents to listen to and speak with the school nurse. The parents who attended found it helpful and informative. Watch this space for further coffee mornings, and please come along to support them. It’s great that various services are giving up their time to come and support us in school.Homework SurveyWe are keen to hear your views on the current system in place for homework in your child’s class. This is often a difficult area, with many dividing opinions about the benefits, quantity and time. To make the best decisions for our school and children, we want to know your thoughts (and the children’s) as we review our systems for next academic year. Please click on the links below and complete the anonymous questionnaire so that your views are heard.HOMEWORK SURVEYWe’d also like to hear your general feedback about St Mary’s so please also complete this anonymous questionnaireTELL US YOUR VIEWSHave a lovely weekend and stay safe in the heat and sun,Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1750692053190{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Monday 23rd June - Reception to Freightliners Farm
• Monday 23rd June to Friday 27th June - Book Fair at Rectory Gardens
• Monday 23rd June - Y1 to Railways Fields
• Tuesday 24th June - Choir, Band, Ukulele & Recorders Assembly 9.10am RG
• Wednesday 25th June - Non-Uniform Day for Tombola Prize
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Paris Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.00-3.00pm
• Tuesday 24th June - Violin Concert Y4 Scarlet Class + Year 5/6 continuers
• Thursday 3rd July - Nursery Assembly 9.15am
• Friday 4th July - Sports Day - more details to follow
• Tuesday 8th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm - Cast A but all children attend both performances
• Wednesday 9th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm- Cast B
• but all children attend both performances
• Friday 11th July - Y4 Crimson Trumpets & Trombones & continuers concert 11am
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Monday 14th July - Y4 Mini Massive concert @ Ally Pally (pm)

06 Jun Newsletter – Edition 63 – 6th June 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1749222598557{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,Well, here we are in the last part of the school year – I can’t believe how quickly we’ve got here. Can you? This term is such a busy term with lots to look forward to and I'm sure it will race by. Please make sure that you keep an eye out for our emails and text messages and use the school calendar to make sure you don't miss any important dates or announcements.PSA Summer Fair - Saturday 28th June The Summer Fair is just three weeks away. Please get involved in any way you can, whether helping out on the day, or preparing cakes or even just coming along. It's always a very special day.School ReportsFor the first time, your child's school report will be sent out electronically this year, towards the end of term. Please make sure that we have your correct email address to ensure you receive it. You can check with either office to see what we have on file.A Day In The Life Of A PE TeacherDid any of you see the article in the Ham & High, celebrating PE and sport at St Mary's and the wonderful work done by Mr Oakley? If you missed it, you can read it here A Day In The Life Of A PE TeacherYear 4 MTC TestsAt this time of year, our year 4 children take part in the Multiplication Tables Check, a national initiative. Good luck to our Y4 pupils next week as they take up the challenge!Visit from Hong Kong StudentsWe welcomed 25 students from City University of Hong Kong who are on an exchange with Middlesex University. They visited Year 3 and Y5 and talked to them about Chinese culture and taught them lots of special skills. We have been so lucky to have these annual visits for several years now, thanks to Helen Midhage, a former St Mary's parent who works at Middlesex University. Thanks also to Mrs Beckett for taking the time to make the visit run smoothly. Have a look at the website post here Hong Kong Students Visit St MarysCrouch End FestivalThe Crouch End Festival runs from the 12th June to the 18th June with lots of interesting things going on in the local area. Our choir will be singing on Saturday 14th at the Hornsey Vale Community Centre from around 1pm, so please go along and support them if you possibly can. There is a poster below with more details or look at their website Crouch End Festival 2025Lost PropertyWe have so much Lost Property - particularly in Rectory Gardens. You might want to have a look at buying some name tags for the Autumn Term - these work out at around £10 for 60 stickers for first and second name - Clothing Name TagsBest wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1749658536672{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 6th June - Nursery to Railway Fields
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Thursday 12th June to Wednesday 18th - Crouch End Festival - see poster below
• Saturday 14th June - Choir performing at Crouch End Festival - Hornsey Vale Community Centre from 1pm
• Tuesday 17th June - Y4 Scarlet Class to Barbican
• Tuesday 17th June - Coffee Morning - RG - come & meet our School Nurse to talk about Healthy Living - 9.00am at Rectory Gardens
• Monday 23rd June - Reception to Freightliners Farm
• Monday 23rd June - Y1 to Railways Fields
• Tuesday 24th June - Choir, Band, Ukulele & Recorders Assembly 9.10am RG
• Wednesday 25th June - Non-Uniform Day for Tombola Prize
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Paris Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Tuesday 24th June - Violin Concert Y4 Scarlet Class + Year 5/6 continuers
• Thursday 3rd July - Nursery Assembly 9.15am
• Friday 4th July - Sports Day - more details to follow
• Tuesday 8th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm - Cast A but ALL CHILDREN need to be at both performances
• Wednesday 9th July - Year 6 Production - 6pm-8pm- Cast B but ALL CHILDREN need to be at both performances
• Friday 11th July - Y4 Crimson Trumpets & Trombones & continuers concert 11am
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Monday 14th July - Y4 Mini Massive concert @ Ally Pally (pm)

16 May Newsletter – Edition 62 – 16th May 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1747393258358{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,The sun has been shining (mostly!) and we have had a great couple of weeks at St Mary’s.Albert Hall Haringey Music Festival ShowreelWe’re still buzzing from the incredible performances at the Haringey Music Festival! A huge well done to all the children who took part – your talent, teamwork and enthusiasm shone through. You can watch the Instagram showreel of the Albert Hall performance, put together by the Haringey Music Service – it’s well worth a look. We are super proud of you all and Mrs Peacock and the staff that make this happen Haringey Music Festival ShowreelThermomix Demonstration – Monday 4.30pm @ RGEver heard of the Thermomix? It’s a clever all-in-one cooking system and we’re having a live demo on Monday at 4.30pm. If you’re curious (like we are!), come along and see it in action. Even better, if enough of us attend, the school could receive one for free! Let’s find out what it’s all about together.International Evening – Monday 19th May between 5.30-7.30pm @ RGJoin us for our much-loved International Evening – a celebration of cultures and community! Bring a dish, dress up in cultural clothes, and share a game or tradition. It’s always a highlight – we can’t wait to see (and taste!) what everyone brings.WIGUD – When I Grow Up Day – Wednesday 21^st MayChildren are invited to wear something that shows what they want to be when they grow up – whether that’s a doctor’s coat, football kit, or a homemade lanyard! They can also bring a book or item linked to their dream job. We’re also welcoming some amazing visitors to speak to the children – it’s going to be inspiring.School Street Reminder - Rectory GardensJust a gentle reminder that Rectory Gardens is a School Street. This means no driving on the road between 8am–9am and 2.45–3.30pm. Let’s keep our children safe, the air clean and prevent you from getting a penalty notice!SATs – Well Done Year 6!A huge congratulations to our Y6 children and staff – your calm, positive attitude through SATs week was fantastic. No fuss, just focus. Whatever the outcome, you should all be very proud. We are extremely proud of you all.Christian Aid FundraisingSome of us wore red to support Christian Aid this week – thank you for your donations! Naomi from the Church Team has taken the money away to count it up and will let us know the total soon.Bikeability – Year 4 and Year 5Year 4 and Year 5 have receiving Bikeability training, including Year 5 going out on the roads learning how to ride safely. It’s such an important life skill and we’re proud of their effort and determination.Exciting News (with a touch of sadness!)We’re delighted to share that our brilliant Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Lead, Aria Zavrou has been successful in securing a new role with the Haringey Inclusion Team from September. This is a position she’s been passionate about for some time, and we’re so pleased she’ll be able to bring her expertise and care to an even wider group of children and families. Of course, while we’re excited for her, we’re also incredibly sad to see her go. She has been a much-loved and valued member of the St Mary’s team for over 20 years (with a short break in the middle) and her impact on the school – and especially on our children and families – has been enormous. We will miss her warmth, her commitment, and her deep care for every child. There will be time to celebrate and say goodbye properly, but for now – a big congratulations and thank you from all of us.Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing many of you at the Thermomix demo and International evening next week.Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1747812823588{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Saturday 17th May - Jumble Sale @ Hornsey Parish Church HPC Jumble Sale 17 05 25
• Monday 19th May - Thermomix Cooking demonstration 4.30pm @ RG
• Monday 19th May - International Evening 5.30-7.30pm @ RG
• Tuesday 20th May - Coffee Morning @ RG - Foster Carer Recruitment info - from 2.15pm (for more information see here Fostering Information Pack - Haringey )
• Wednesday 21st May - When I Grow Up Day - see here When I Grow Up Day - 2025
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 5th June - Y3 to British Museum
• Friday 6th June - Nursery to Railway Fields
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Tuesday 17th June - Coffee Morning - RG - come & meet our School Nurse to talk about Healthy Living - 9.00am at Rectory Gardens
• Saturday 14th June - Crouch End Festival - choir taking part - more details to follow
• Monday 23rd June - Reception to Freightliners Farm
• Monday 23rd June - Y1 to Railways Fields
• Tuesday 24th June - Violin Concert Y4 Scarlet Class + Year 5/6 continuers
• Wednesday 25th June - Non-Uniform Day for Tombola Prize
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Paris Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Tuesday 1st July - Choir, Band, Ukulele & Recorders Assembly 9.10am RG
• Thursday 3rd July - Nursery Assembly 9.15am
• Friday 4th July - Sports Day - more details to follow
• Tuesday 8th July - Year 6 Production - details to follow
• Wednesday 9th July - Year 6 Production - details to follow
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm
• Monday 14th July - Y4 Mini Massive concert @ Ally Pally (pm)

For Your Information

• Do you like a JUMBLE SALE? You're in luck - Hornsey Parish Church at the bottom of Cranley Gardens is holding one on Saturday 17th May between 10am & 12pm. Go and bag yourself some bargains - HPC Jumble Sale 17 05 25
• We were very pleased that our Y3 children were involved in the consultation to redesign the children's playground in Priory Park - if you'd like to see the new plans have a look here Priory Park Playground Consultation Results
• Are you the parent/carer of an SEND child? Please see here for the latest Haringey newsletter for events, support and information Haringey SEND Newsletter - May 2025
• Jab First Boxing who run the Boxing Club at RG are offering a Box'n'Ball Half Term Camp - combining boxing and ball work - see here for more details BoxnBall Half Term Camp May 2025
• Free Boxing Club trial - Monday 19th May at RG for Y3-Y6 - see poster below
• Y5 Parents/Carers - St Thomas More are having some Open Mornings - see the postcard and go along to have a look STM Open Morning Summer Postcard June 25
• Have a look at the Olive Dining Summer Edition Newsletter Olive Dining Newsletter Summer Edition
• APY FC are holding trials for their youth football teams: Alexandra Park Youth Football Club are holding trials with a view to forming 2 new girls teams made up of girls from Y3, Y4 and Y5 as of September (current Y2,Y3 and Y4). This is a great opportunity to get in at the ground level and form a team with friends and other like minded girls. Please register interest and come along to try out, even if new to football.  The boys section are also looking to form 2 new U8 teams (Y3 in September) (see two posters below and use QR to register your interest)
• Activity Clubs for Summer Term RG RG All Clubs Summer 2025
• Activity Clubs for Summer Term CL CL All Clubs Summer 2025
• Term Dates 2025-2026 Term Dates 2025-26
• Olive Dining Summer Term Menus Olive Dining Summer 2025 Menus Weeks 1, 2 & 3
• Are you interested in cricket? All Stars Cricket Club have spaces for the summer term - see here if you are interested All Stars Cricket Summer 2025
• Does your child play a stringed instrument? There will be a Stringwise Summer Camp at Hornsey School for Girls in the Summer Holidays - see here for details (and poster below) Stringwise Music Summer Course 2025
• We are rebranding our ESOL class as a Parents Club - please see the poster to see some of the things we'll be up to. Come along and meet other parents and let's have a chat or cook some food Parents Club March 2025
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place

02 May Newsletter – Edition 61 – 2nd May 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1746185196144{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,I hope that you all enjoyed the Easter celebrations at the end of last term and, of course, the Easter break. It was great to see many of you process down Hornsey High Street with us on Donkey Day, enjoying the spectacle and the joy of the occasion.Easter at St Mary’s in the Ham & HighDid you see the article in the Ham & High about our Easter celebrations? If you haven’t, please take a look, especially if you have never been to our Donkey Day!  Ham & High Easter at St Mary'sA busy start to the Summer termOur enrichment curriculum kicked in as soon as the summer term started with trips and visitors into school. Every year we welcome the London Fire Brigade into school to do a workshop with the children on fire safety in the home. This is always focussed on Year 2 and Year 5 so that as the children move up the school they would have met with the LFB team twice, learning about what they can do to keep themselves and others safe.On Monday morning the Year 4 classes had an early start as they headed off to London Zoo and what a day it was! The sun was shining and they saw lots of different animals, learning about the many different animal habitats in line with their current topic. A big thank you to the parent volunteers that supported on this trip enabling it to happen. Some of the highlights were seeing some baby gorillas and the penguins and Roman, Scarlet class spider enthusiast, said, “My favourite part was walking through the spider enclosure because I got to get up close to some different spiders” while Carmen in Scarlet Class said, “I really enjoyed the gorillas because we learnt new facts like how dominant males have a silver back.” Y4 to London ZooHave you been to the Natural History Museum before? The children in Year 6 visited the museum this week to further learn about evolution and adaptation. They looked at fossils and had some really interesting discussions in the workshop that even had the adults joining in. Y6 to Natural History MuseumReception had a wonderful field trip Alexandra Palace to Wild in the Park where they met artist Laura Fox and had a brilliant day building dens and bridges and discovering plants and wildlife. Reception Go Wild!Crimson Class AssemblyWe were treated to a great assembly on Thursday by Crimson Class who showed off their learning in geography around natural disasters and science, animals and their habitats. As well as referring to their learning and the animals that they saw at the zoo, they also linked it to animals more locally, at Priory Park! Did you know there were animal predators in Priory Park? Who do you think might eat the worms? If you want to find out more, ask some of the children in Crimson Class who shared lots of knowledge and also treated us to some songs linked to their learning. Well done Crimson class and thank you to the parents that came along to watch and support their children.Impressive Rainforest Exhibition by Year 5If you didn’t make it up to Year 5 this week, then you missed out! Year 5 were showing off their learning in what appears to be one of their favourite topics so far. They exhibited their books and displayed work for all to see with some authentic forest sounds and props to help visitors feel the same love and excitement around the topic that they had. The purpose for this wonderful exhibition, and the cake sale they had, was to raise some money to buy an acre of rainforest in order to help save it from deforestation. As we know from Year 4’s learning, the rainforest is an important habitat for animals and so it is fantastic that Year 5 are trying to be ‘active global citizens’ trying to make a difference to the planet. They successfully raised enough money to go ahead and you can see some of their lovely work here Y5 Rainforest ExhibitionTop Tips for Healthier Digital Habits as a FamilyWe know that it’s a difficult time for families as we are realising the negative impact of having a smart phone and trying to navigate how to mitigate this, particularly if your children already have smart phones. This useful poster was shared with us and we wanted to share it with everyone as it has simple tips on what we can all do, parents and children to make our digital habits more healthy. Please take a look here Top Tips for Healthier Digital HabitsInternational Evening on Monday 19th May 5.30pm to 7.30pmInternational evening is a celebration of our similarities and differences, demonstrated through traditional dress and food that we all get to share. Every other year we invite families, children and staff to show off their cultural creativity with performances of song, dance and drama, however on the years in between we focus on the food and dress. An addition to this is traditional games! Can you share any traditional games? Can you cook some delicious food to share? Please see the poster for more details of how you can get involved.  We look forward to seeing you at our international evening.When I Grow Up Day - Wednesday 21st MayWe would still like to find volunteers for our When I Grow Up Day.Please see the letter that was emailed for all the details and have a think how you could help. It doesn't even have to be your current job - it could be the best job you ever had (or the worst at a push...!) or a job you did when you were younger, that led to what you do now. We would also love to have any ex-St Mary's pupils come along to talk about what they did after they left secondary school, or grandparents to talk about their work history.Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1746193853785{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Tuesday 22nd April - London Fire Brigade visiting Y2 & Y5
• Thursday 24th April - Class Photos - both sites
• Monday 28th April - Y4 to London Zoo
• Tuesday 29th April - Y6 to Natural History Museum
• Wednesday 30th April - Y5 Drop-in to see Rainforest work
• Thursday 1st May - Y4 Crimson Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 1st May - Y5 Drop-in to see Rainforest work
• Thursday 8th May - Y4 Scarlet Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Monday 12th May to Friday 16th May Christian Aid Week
• Tuesday 13th May - wear red and bring £1 for Christian Aid
• Thursday 15th May - Reception Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Monday 19th May - International Evening 5.30-7.30pm @ RG
• Tuesday 20th May - Coffee Morning @ RG - Foster Carer Recruitment info - from 2.15pm (for more information see here Fostering Information Pack - Haringey )
• Wednesday 21st May - When I Grow Up Day - see here When I Grow Up Day - 2025
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 5th June - Y3 to British Museum
• Friday 6th June - Nursery to Railway Fields
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Tuesday 17th June - Coffee Morning - RG - come & meet our School Nurse to talk about Healthy Living - 9.00am at Rectory Gardens
• Monday 23rd June - Reception to Freightliners Farm
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Friday 4th July - Sports Day - more details to follow
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm

For Your Information

• Year 2 and Year 5 received a visit from the London Fire Brigade and they would like us to share their Home Fire Safety Checker LFB Home Fire Safety Checker
• Hornsey Cricket Club in Tivoli Road, Crouch End are offering two free taster sessions on Friday 25th April and Friday 2nd May from 6pm to 7pm.  Contact hornseygirlscricket@gmail.com or 07921 881465 to register your interest. They are particularly interested in developing their girls teams but welcome all. If you can't make those sessions, you can try again on Friday 9th and Friday 15th May.
• Have a look at the Olive Dining Summer Edition Newsletter Olive Dining Newsletter Summer Edition
• APY FC are holding trials for their youth football teams: Alexandra Park Youth Football Club are holding trials with a view to forming 2 new girls teams made up of girls from Y3, Y4 and Y5 as of September (current Y2,Y3 and Y4). This is a great opportunity to get in at the ground level and form a team with friends and other like minded girls. Please register interest and come along to try out, even if new to football.  The boys section are also looking to form 2 new U8 teams (Y3 in September) (see two posters below and use QR to register your interest)
• Activity Clubs for Summer Term RG RG All Clubs Summer 2025
• Activity Clubs for Summer Term CL CL All Clubs Summer 2025
• Term Dates 2025-2026 Term Dates 2025-26
• Olive Dining Summer Term Menus Olive Dining Summer 2025 Menus Weeks 1, 2 & 3
• Are you interested in cricket? All Stars Cricket Club have spaces for the summer term - see here if you are interested All Stars Cricket Summer 2025
• Are you interested in finding out about the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement? Some parents/carers at St Mary's have set up a WhatsApp group to share support and information - details here Smartphone Free Childhood Movement WhatsApp
• Is your child interested in coding and over 11? Queen Mary University are holding a special afternoon on Tuesday 4th May (4.30-7pm) to celebrate 20 years of "Computer Science For Fun" - there will be a magic show & cake at the Stepney Campus - see here for (free) tickets Computer Science for Fun tickets
• May Half Term Holiday Camp - at HR Sports Academy :@ Mulberry Woodside Academy May Half Term Sports Camp
• Does your child play a stringed instrument? There will be a Stringwise Summer Camp at Hornsey School for Girls in the Summer Holidays - see here for details (and poster below) Stringwise Music Summer Course 2025
• We are rebranding our ESOL class as a Parents Club - please see the poster to see some of the things we'll be up to. Come along and meet other parents and let's have a chat or cook some food Parents Club March 2025
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place

04 Apr Newsletter – Edition 60 – 4th April 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1743775044236{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,The sun is shining and we are all enjoying it here at school. I hope that you are too.Easter Celebrations and ActivitiesThis week has been extremely busy for the St Mary’s community. The week kicked off with an Easter egg hunt and craft fair at the Church Tower which I hope you all enjoyed. On Wednesday, Derek the donkey, from Spitalfields Farm started the procession at Church Lane and led the children from Nursery to Year 2 along Hornsey High Street to our Rectory Gardens site, where the children from Year 3 to Year 6 were waiting for them. The children sang along the road and waved their palm leaves and crosses at passers-by, who also enjoyed the fun. Under the watchful eye of Derek the donkey, who appreciated the lovely grassy area in front of the school, the children and the church team from Hornsey Parish Church enjoyed singing and sharing the Easter story. Without Derek the donkey, the Year 3 children performed the story of Easter at Hornsey Parish Church this morning. It was lovely for the school community to come together to end the term. Thank you to everyone who came along to join us and to those adults that helped make these memories.Did you attend the E–Safety workshops for parents and carers?Thank you to the parents that attended the E-Safety workshops last week. The feedback from the parents who attended was that it was very useful, albeit a little frightening, as they learned about children’s internet use, what they may be exposed to, bullying online and the general challenges of keeping children safe. It would be great to know whether it would be helpful to run any more of these workshops as this is an extremely important topic and we want to help you to make the right choices for your children by sharing information. If we have enough interest, we would happily run another session. If this is something that you would find helpful and could commit to attending, please speak to a member of the office team who will keep a list of interested parents as we plan ahead for next term.Le Café FrancaisA big thank you to Madam Williamson who organised our French Café this week. The children had a wonderful experience enjoying their pain au chocolat, croissants and juice. This is a great opportunity for children to practice their French speaking and listening and experience the French culture through food. We look forward to the children in Year 5 further experiencing the French culture on their day trip to France in June. Thanks also to Ms Vidic for pitching in to help as well.Celebrating Sports and CreativityWe are very proud of the children who represented St Mary’s at a dance festival at Highgate School last week. We have some super talented dancers who we hope will continue to develop their skills and wow audiences as they continue through St Mary’s and beyond. As in previous years, children also entered the Haringey Basketball Cup. It was a tough competition and they didn’t come home with the cup but they did extremely well and again, made us all proud. We need to remember that talents come in many forms and by having a specialist teacher like Mr Oakley, we can nurture these, and grow possible sports people of the future! Similarly, the skills and talents of the children who play trumpets, trombones and violins have been showcased over the last two weeks. The standard is so good because of the hard work that the children put in and because of the adults that enable them to have this opportunity.Whatever the Easter break looks like to you, I hope that you enjoy some time for yourselves and as a family. See you back in school on Tuesday 22^nd April.Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1743755551602{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Monday 7th April - Hornsey Churches Easter Camp Hornsey Churches Easter Camp
• Tuesday 22nd April - London Fire Brigade visiting Y2 & Y5
• Thursday 24th April - Class Photos - both sites
• Monday 28th April - Y4 to London Zoo
• Tuesday 29th April - Y6 to Natural History Museum
• Wednesday 30th April - Y5 Drop-in to see Rainforest work
• Thursday 1st May - Y4 Crimson Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 1st May - Y5 Drop-in to see Rainforest work
• Thursday 8th May - Y4 Scarlet Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 15th May - Reception Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Wednesday 21st May - When I Grow Up Day - see here When I Grow Up Day - 2025
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Monday 23rd June - Reception to Freightliners Farm
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm

PSA Update

Thank you so much to the PSA for arranging some great events this term. Here is an update of the funds raised

• Christmas Fair: £2,400
• Bingo Night: £360
• Disco Night: £500
• Easter Egg Hunt: £300

Thank you also to the parents and carers who have come along to make these events such a success. Here's to a busy Summer Term of events and fun!

For Your Information

• Activity Clubs for Summer Term RG RG All Clubs Summer 2025
• Activity Clubs for Summer Term CL CL All Clubs Summer 2025
• Term Dates 2025-2026 Term Dates 2025-26
• Olive Dining Summer Term Menus Olive Dining Summer 2025 Menus Weeks 1, 2 & 3
• Are you interested in cricket? All Stars Cricket Club have spaces for the summer term - see here if you are interested All Stars Cricket Summer 2025
• Are you interested in finding out about the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement? Some parents/carers at St Mary's have set up a WhatsApp group to share support and information - details here Smartphone Free Childhood Movement WhatsApp
• Easter Cycle Training @ Lordship Rec 7th-10th April - see details here and below Easter Cycling Training Lordship Lane
• We are rebranding our ESOL class as a Parents Club - please see the poster to see some of the things we'll be up to. Come along and meet other parents and let's have a chat or cook some food Parents Club March 2025
• Request from After School Club - After School Club would very much like a Monopoly set, if anyone has one that is going spare. Please email swalker@stmarysn8.co.uk if you do! Thank you.
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place

21 Mar Newsletter – Edition 59 – 21st March 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1742569321567{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,I hope that you are enjoying the end of the week warmth, the weather is certainly brightening up a bit.When I Grow Up Day on 21^st May 2025 – we need your help!Can you offer some time to come and speak to some classes about your job (current or past)? We are looking for family members who can do a brief talk about their career, to inspire and open up possibilities for our children. Are you a builder, brain surgeon, social worker, musician, hairdresser, lawyer, designer, nurse, volunteer, IT developer or a lion tamer?!   Do you own your own business, do you volunteer, what special skill do you have? Do you have a former St Mary’s pupil who would like to share their educational journey, once they have left school? Whatever you do, we want to hear from you! If you are able to offer some time, please email swalker@stmarysn8.co.uk to volunteer.E–Safety Workshops (for parents and carers only) - Thursday 27th March Regularly, parents and carers talk to staff about children’s internet use, what they are exposed to, bullying online and the general challenges of keeping children safe and monitoring their use. We teach the children about E-Safety in school and but now we have a lesson for parents and carers. This is an extremely important topic and we want to help you to make the right the choices for your children by sharing information. We are hopeful that many of you will attend this meeting to find out more about E-Safety and therefore are running two sessions, one at 9.00am and one at 5.00pm. Due to the sensitive nature of some of the topics, this event is for parents and carers only. We hope to see you there.Term dates for 2025 – 2026We have just published next year’s term dates (see below in For Your Information or  or take a paper copy from the office). This allows you to plan holidays in advance to get the best deals, as we know the trips in the school holidays are expensive. We are trying all we can to improve outcomes for our young people, and one way of doing this is to ensure that they are in school as much as possible. Take a look at the chart below that demonstrates how absences from school mount up significantly over a 5-year period and how much learning is lost.[gallery ids="19596"]The goal is that your child has the minimum 96% attendance by the end of the academic year. We realise that children get poorly and sometimes there are family bereavements and suchlike, that of course are unavoidable. However, during the rest of the academic year, we ask that you do all that you can to get your child into school as there is a direct correlation between children’s attendance at school and outcomes in life.Royal Albert Hall ConcertWhat an amazing opportunity for children at St Mary’s and across the borough, to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. The children were amazing, sounded fantastic, behaved impeccably and made us all proud. Thank you to the adults who worked hard to make this happen, particularly our specialist music teacher Mrs Peacock. A big thank you to all of the parents and family members who went to watch and cheer the children on, we hope you enjoyed it too.Easter EventsEaster is approaching fast. Please join us on our Easter Procession Donkey Day on Wednesday 2^nd April where the children from Church Lane process along Hornsey High Street behind the donkey, waving their palm leaves. It is a sight to be seen! Also note the Easter Craft Fair on Saturday 29^th March, please come along for the Easter Egg Hunt (11am-1pm) and have a look at the Crouch End Craft Fair stalls (11am-4pm). Hornsey Church Tower is also open for tours.Big Walk & Wheel FortnightThe Big Walk and Wheel Fortnight starts on Monday 24^th March and runs for two weeks. Please join in by walking or wheeling your way to school. If you can’t manage the whole journey, then please try to take part for some of it, maybe getting off the bus one stop earlier to walk the rest of the journey. The aim of this is to encourage physical exercise whilst also having a positive impact on the environment for those that swap their cars for walking, cycling or scootering. Ask your children what they talked about in assembly.Have a wonderful weekend,Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1742571131369{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 21st March - PSA Disco at Rectory Gardens DISCO TICKETS RG Disco 21 03 25
• Monday 24th March to Friday 4th April - Big Walk & Wheel Fortnight Big Walk & Wheel Challenge
• Tuesday 25th March - Y4 Scarlet & Y5/6 Continuers - Violin Assembly 11am RG
• Thursday 27th March - Y2 Marigold  & Buttercup Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Thursday 27th March - E-Safety Workshop for Parents & Carers 9am & 5pm - more details here E-Safety Workshop March 2025
• Friday 28th March - An Evening of Musical Theatre @ Hornsey Parish Church - from 7.30pm TICKETS HERE Evening of Musical Theatre
• Saturday 29th March - PSA Easter Hunt & Craft Fair @ CL 12.30-2.30pm Easter Craft Fair
• Thursday 3rd April - Y4 Crimson & Y5 Continuers - Trumpet & Trombone Concert 11am @ RG
• Monday 7th April - Hornsey Churches Easter Camp Hornsey Churches Easter Camp
• Tuesday 22nd April - London Fire Brigade visiting Y2 & Y5
• Thursday 24th April - Class Photos - both sites
• Tuesday 29th April - Y6 to Natural History Museum
• Thursday 1st May - Y4 Crimson Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 8th May - Y4 Scarlet Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 15th May - Reception Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Wednesday 21st May - When I Grow Up Day - see here When I Grow Up Day - 2025
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Assembly - 2.40pm
• Friday 27th June - Reception Duckling & Gosling Eye Tests
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm

For Your Information

• Term Dates 2025-2026 Term Dates 2025-26
• Easter Craft Fair on Saturday 29th April will be a fantastic opportunity to do a bit of Easter shopping (and Mother's Day!) with lots of lovely stall holders plus an Easter Egg Hut + Hot Cross Buns - please put the date in your diaries and come along!
• We are rebranding our ESOL class as a Parents Club - please see the poster to see some of the things we'll be up to. Come along and meet other parents and let's have a chat or cook some food Parents Club March 2025
• There is also a talk at St Aidan's School on 27/3 to talk about a smartphone free childhood - details here Smartphone Free Childhood Talk 27 03 25
• Request from After School Club - After School Club would very much like a Monopoly set, if anyone has one that is going spare. Please email swalker@stmarysn8.co.uk if you do! Thank you.
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place

07 Mar Newsletter – Edition 58 – 7th March 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1741359462044{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,Welcome BackIt feels a little like spring has sprung into action! We have been enjoying some warmer days at school and some of our lovely flowers are already beginning to bloom. We are now two weeks into the second half of the Spring Term and the school is as busy as ever.Special eventsThis year, World Book Day came a little early to St Mary’s. Last Friday, we welcomed CBeebies star Andy Day, who entertained the children with extracts from one of his books. There was a great deal of excitement as Andy entered the hall…. he is very tall and very energetic!This week, we have celebrated Science Week with a special series of assemblies for all children, from Reception to Year 6, titled MAD SCIENCE. The assemblies were held at Rectory Gardens, with lots of engagement from the children. Here is a link to see what happened Science Week - Mad ScienceContinuing our celebration of World Book Day, our children dressed up to ‘Read Your Way’, which meant you could dress as a book character or just dress up in comfy clothes ideal for relaxing and reading. This morning, we welcomed parents and carers in to Stay and Share, this time a book with their children. Thank you for coming in. The children at Rectory Gardens welcomed Sita Brahmachari, author of Artichoke Hearts. She held a series of workshops, talking to children about what it means to be an author, helping them to develop their writing skills. The children at Church Lane had a mystery to solve.Across the school, children were encouraged to create ‘Potato’ book characters from their favourite books as part of a voluntary competition. The winners will be announced in the coming week. A huge thank you to all the children who brought potatoes in. Please see HERE for lots of lovely photos from today.Parents ConsultationsNext week on Tuesday 11^th and Wednesday 12^th, are the Parent Consultations, where you will have the opportunity to see how your child is progressing. If you have not made an appointment yet, you can use this link Parent ConsultationsBook FairThere will be a Scholastic Book Fair on both sites after school on Monday and during the Parent Consultations on Tuesday and Wednesday. For every book you buy, the school receives some commission to keep our library topped up, so please come and have a look.BingoTonight is Bingo Night – a PSA event for parents only. This is the first time we have held this event for a while so if you’re coming along, have a wonderful time, and enjoy our bingo caller, Mr Beardwell. Do you know your snakes alive from your two little ducks?Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1741696084044{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 7th March - World Book Day
• Friday 7th March - Reading Stay & Share - after drop off CL & RG
• Friday 7th March - Adult Bingo Night @ RG 7-9pm BINGO TICKETS - free
• Monday 10th March to Thursday 13th March - Scholastic Book Fair on both sites - Book Fair March 2024
• Tuesday 11th March - Parent Consultations - both sites  Parent Consultations
• Wednesday 12th March - Parent Consultations - both sites Parent Consultations
• Thursday 20th March - Y6 SATs Meeting for Parents/Carers 5pm
• Friday 21st March - PSA Disco at Rectory Gardens DISCO TICKETS RG Disco 21 03 25
• Monday 24th March to Friday 4th April - Big Walk & Wheel Fortnight
• Thursday 27th March - Y2 Marigold  & Buttercup Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Thursday 27th March - E-Safety Workshop for Parents & Carers 9am & 5pm
• Friday 28th March - An Evening of Musical Theatre @ Hornsey Parish Church - from 7.30pm TICKETS HERE Evening of Musical Theatre
• Saturday 29th March - PSA Easter Hunt & Craft Fair @ CL 12.30-2.30pm
• Thursday 24th April - Class Photos - both sites
• Tuesday 29th April - Y6 to Natural History Museum
• Thursday 1st May - Y4 Crimson Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 8th May - Y4 Scarlet Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 15th May - Reception Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Wednesday 21st May - When I Grow Up Day - see here When I Grow Up Day - 2025
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Assembly - 2.40pm
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm

For Your Information

• Last chance to book cheap theatre tickets through the London Theatre Week scheme - "London Theatre Week is back again in 2025 from Monday 17 February to Sunday 09 March! For a strictly limited time, book tickets to see some of London’s hottest musicals including The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked, and Back to The Future the Musical as well as smash hit plays like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and many more! London Theatre Week is the West End’s biggest promotion, giving you the chance to see over 50 amazing award-winning musicals and stunning plays with tickets from £15, £25, or £35!"  - use London Theatre Week
• Following on from our recent information regarding children and technology, you may be interested in this article from the BBC regarding Barnet Council who are considering a smart phone ban in schools SMARTPHONE BAN
• There is also a talk at St Aidan's School on 27/3 to talk about a smartphone free childhood - details here Smartphone Free Childhood Talk 27 03 25
• Request from After School Club - After School Club would very much like a Monopoly set, if anyone has one that is going spare. Please email swalker@stmarysn8.co.uk if you do! Thank you.
• Love Productions are looking for any keen and talented young bakers to apply for Junior Bake Off - see poster below and apply online here Junior Bake Off
• Interested in cricket? Middlesex Cricket Club have been working with the children in Y3 and Y4 this term, coaching them in cricket skills. Please have a look at their information leaflet to find out about opportunities to continue with this sport, including free and subsidised places Middlesex Cricket Opportunities
• If you are receiving any kind of child benefits have a look at this leaflet to see how different benefits can be used with other childcare schemes Combining Childcare Schemes
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place

14 Feb Newsletter – Edition 57 – 14th February 2025

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="grid" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1645189557802{background-color: #ffffff !important;}" z_index="" el_class="newsletter-intro"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1739549469954{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]Dear Parents and Carers,Here we are, already at the half term break. I hope that you get some down time for yourselves and an opportunity for some quality time with your loved ones.Class AssembliesWe have been entertained by our Year 1 and Year 3 classes over the past couple of weeks, as they showcased some of their learning for family, staff and friends. If you were in the audience, I hope that you enjoyed watching.Year 1 told us about their trip to London Zoo, with great enthusiasm and wearing their animal masks. They taught us about the different types of animals, their characteristics and what makes them different from one another. Do you know some of the characteristics of fish, reptiles and birds? Do you know what characterises an amphibian or mammal? They also entertained us with songs and Devora performed a piece on her violin. What amazing and talented children we have!What do you know about rivers? Well, Year 3 know lots and delivered a very informative assembly last week. Their learning had been made even more exciting and relevant by visiting the River Thames, looking at water quality and things that they found in the river. Again, they spoke confidently and sang beautifully as they entertained us all.Upcoming AssembliesWe have lots of special assemblies coming up for the children - keep an eye on the calendar and the dates below but we wanted to draw your attention to one shortly after we return.To mark the beginning of Lent, we will be holding a special Ash Wednesday assembly where the Church Team will invite the children to have the sign of the cross made on their foreheads with ash. Please discuss this with your children in advance of the assembly on Wednesday 5^th March, and decide whether you are happy for them to have the mark made. Thank you.Trips and Activities for Safer Internet DayAs well as Year 1’s trip to the Zoo, children in Year 5 visited Kew Gardens this week. It was a dry day but very cold and slightly muddy, however they all had a fantastic time as they learned more about their topic, rainforests. This week we have also had special assemblies around E-safety and have been learning more in class for Safer Internet Day. As well as one-off learning around E-safety, we also have learning embedded into our curriculum through Computing and Personal Social Health Education (PSHE). This is such an important topic and we look forward to inviting you to learn more about E-safety at a meeting next half term. Watch out for the date in school communication.UniformWith the half term holiday approaching, and the promise of warmer weather to come, I would like to remind parents/carers of the rules and expectations for uniform at St Mary’s as there is quite a lot of variation going on. If you are replacing uniform over half term, please bear in mind the information below:Please note our uniform rules are as follows:We wear school uniform:

• Grey or bottle green pinafore dress or skirt (not black)
• Summer dress – green and white gingham
• Long grey or black school trousers/shorts
• White shirt with a tie or white blouse/polo shirt
• Plain bottle green V-neck jumper/sweatshirt/cardigan or with school logo
• Tights or socks – white, grey, bottle green or black
• Black shoes (no open-toed or sling back sandals/shoes, slip-on shoes are not ideal for the school environment). If trainers, these must be black with no bright logos, flashing details or coloured laces/soles
• Long hair should be securely tied back. No large hair decorations. We strongly discourage children from having shaved, patterned hair styles
• No tattoo transfers or nail varnish to be worn
• Children who wear earrings should only wear studs for reasons of safety
• Small and simple analogue watches are allowed. No other jewellery should be worn
• Make up is not allowed

PE Kit

• No PE kit is necessary for Nursery
• Children will be allocated a House in their first term
• Children wear House colour T-shirt, black shorts in summer, and black tracksuit bottoms or leggings with a sweatshirt/hoodie in their House colours or black in winter
• Black plimsolls or trainers – no bright logos, flashing details or coloured laces/soles
• On PE days, RG & CL children can wear their PE kit to school
• For the second PE day, children can wear black trainers with their uniform
• Click here to see Mr Oakley's letter about PE kit Correct PE kit letter JO 13 02 25

We recommend that all uniform is labelled so that lost items can be easily returnedHave a great half term holiday and we will see you back in school on Monday 24^th February,Best wishesJane O’BrienHeadteacher[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1740412987964{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}"]

Important Dates - please make a note

• Friday 28th February 2025 - Andy Day CBBC Presenter assembly Reception to Year 6 - you can pre-order his book here Pre-order
• Tuesday 4th March - Year 1 Monuments of London Walk trip
• Wednesday 5th March - Y5 Pre Paris meeting for Parents 8.15am @ RG
• Thursday 6th March - Science Day
• Friday 7th March - World Book Day
• Friday 7th March - Reading Stay & Share - after drop off CL & RG
• Friday 7th March - Adult Bingo Night @ RG 7-9pm BINGO TICKETS - free
• Friday 21st March - PSA Disco at Rectory Gardens
• Monday 24th March to Friday 4th April - Big Walk & Wheel Fortnight
• Thursday 27th March - Y2 Marigold Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Thursday 3rd April - Y2 Buttercup Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Saturday 5th April - PSA Easter Hunt & Craft Fair @ CL 12.30-2.30pm
• Tuesday 29th April - Y6 to Natural History Museum
• Thursday 1st May - Y4 Crimson Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 8th May - Y4 Scarlet Class Assembly - 9.00am
• Thursday 15th May - Reception Class Assembly - 9.15am
• Wednesday 21st May - PSA Cake Sale @ RG - 3.15pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Thursday 22nd May - PSA Cake Sale @ CL - 3.30pm - please bring, bake & buy
• Wednesday 11th June - Y5 Trip to Paris
• Thursday 26th June - Y5 Topaz & Turquoise Class Assembly - 2.40pm
• Saturday 28th June - Summer Fair @ CL - 12.30-2.30pm
• Friday 11th July - End of Year BBQ @ RG - 6.30-8.30pm

For Your Information

• CBBC Presenter & Author will be giving a free assembly for children from reception to Y6 on Friday 28th February. To pre-order his book for a signed copy on the day please use this link and use the code DINODAY in order to get a discount on the books, and select DINO DAD to get free shipping straight to the school - Pre-order Andy Day's book
• Free half term cycle training - see here for details Free Half Term Cycling Training Feb 25
• Campsbourne Baptist Church are running a free one day holiday club in half term on Monday 17th February - click here for details on how to book Campsbourne Feb Half Term Holiday
• Coach Joel who runs the Boxing Club at Rectory Gardens is running a half term boxing camp - please see here for details Jab First Boxing Half Term February Boxing Club
• Request from After School Club - After School Club would very much like a Monopoly set, if anyone has one that is going spare. Please email swalker@stmarysn8.co.uk if you do! Thank you.
• Interested in cricket? Middlesex Cricket Club have been working with the children in Y3 and Y4 this term, coaching them in cricket skills. Please have a look at their information leaflet to find out about opportunities to continue with this sport, including free and subsidised places Middlesex Cricket Opportunities
• Please click here to read the February SEND Newsletter February SEND Newsletter
• If you are receiving any kind of child benefits have a look at this leaflet to see how different benefits can be used with other childcare schemes Combining Childcare Schemes
• Our Toddler & Parent Group on Monday mornings is becoming very popular - if you'd like your under 3 to attend (or know of someone) email lchristou@stmarysn8.co.uk to book a place
• CLUBS - Spring 2025 It's time to book your activity clubs for the Spring Term - click here to have a look at what's available HERE CL All Clubs List Spring 2025 RG All Clubs Spring 2025