Dear Parents and Carers,
With only 2 weeks left of school this term, we are in the midst of the Christmas season, making us all feel festive. We still have so much planned for the next two weeks so please ensure you have the diary dates at hand so you don’t miss anything.
Christmassy Things
The Naughty Elves have again made an appearance at both Rectory Gardens and Church Lane. They are up to mischief and entertaining the children with their antics so ask your children if they have seen them.
EYFS went to a Christingle making workshop last week, we have had our Advent Assembly, the choir sang at Alexandra Palace, we have displayed the Christmas hoops (made by each class) and switched on the St Mary’s Christmas lights. Hopefully you will be attending the Christmas Fair this evening between 5.30pm and 7.30pm and we are looking forward to the whole school Christmas nativity on Wednesday 18th December. Please see the Christmas Programme for all events Christmas Dates 2024
The Joy of Giving – Santa Fun Run and Hornsey Foodbank
The children will again be participating in our own Santa Fun Run and this year are raising money in memory of an ex-pupil, Esme Orike, who sadly died of a rare form of cancer in September aged just 13. Her mum was the school’s Chair of Governors for a while, only stepping down when Esme became ill. The children are asked to bring in a donation on the day of the Fun Run for the charity or, even better, make a donation via their JustGiving page Santa Run for Esme
During such difficult times with a cost-of-living crisis, we know that many families will struggle this Christmas. If you are in a position to do so, please could you donate food items to the Hornsey Foodbank, details can be found here Christmas Food Bank Appeal.
Maths Stay and Play & Baby & Toddler Drop In
It was great to see everyone who came to the maths Stay and Play this week. I was at Church Lane and we had so many parents and carers attend that we were running out of chairs!! The children thoroughly enjoyed having fun completing maths activities and games.
Did you know St Mary’s are now running a Baby and Toddler drop-in on Monday mornings from 9.30am to 10.30am? If you have a young child who is not at school, come along for a play, tea or coffee and a chat.
It’s important to call into school if your child is absent
Every school has a statutory duty to account for children who are not at school in accordance with Government guidance on Children Missing Education. What does this mean for you?
- Parents need to contact school and tell us why their child is absent from school on day 1, so that can be recorded
- If parents do not contact school, we will try to make contact using all details that are on the school system
- If by day 2 we have been unable to make contact with parents, school is required to do a home visit and seek advice from Children’s Social Care
- If on day 3, after these steps we have still not had contact, the last resort is calling the police
These systems are important to help safeguard children and we ask for your cooperation in reporting absences.
Important Information for Whole School Nativity
On Wednesday 18th December, we will have our whole school Nativity and all children will be based at Rectory Gardens for the day. Please look out for a separate letter with details of how this will work.
After School Club (ASC) Updates – Last Day of Term & Nativity Day
If your child/ren attend After School Club please look out for communication coming your way. One letter shares some information about ASC on the last day of term and the others will share information about ASC on the day of the whole school Nativity.
It looks like it’s going to be a wet and very windy weekend so please stay safe,
Jane O’Brien
Headteacher
