Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

A big well done to our Year 6 pupils this week, who have tackled their SATs tests with commitment and calmness. Following a SATs breakfast together each morning, the children then were prepared and ready for the tests that focus on their skills in maths, reading and writing. They are enjoying a well-earned chilled morning today as I write, with a celebratory visit to the park. 

Our reception children are also out and about today at Hampton Court and, of course, we are looking forward to this afternoon’s Year 2 singing showcase to end the week well. I wish the Year 2 children lots of success with their performance, and this chance to show off!

Talking of showing off, our children have generally been great at keeping to uniform norms over the year, keeping to high standards, with the revisions we made at the beginning of the year. As we approach this latter end of the school year, there are, however, some pairs of shoes creeping in, especially amongst older pupils that are not completely black. Please be reminded that only black shoes, with a black sole and no logos are permitted. 

One of life’s essential life skills is having the confidence and ability to communicate, including in front of an audience. This year, and into next, we are focusing on the acquisition of language skills and oracy for all our children, as one of our school improvement priorities. As part of this, we are promoting these skills through launching today our Poetry Recital and Story Telling Competition, celebrating oral performance skills. Here is the poster all about this. Your child’s teacher will talk more to the children next week, so all children can have their entry ready for after half term, as children perform to their classes, and then, for the finalists, they will perform to the school.

Don’t forget also it’s Charity Tuesday next week, supporting Tearfund; see below for details. Thank you for your generosity over the year in supporting our chosen charities. We’ll have fun on the day with our socks!

Also next week, following the success of our infant OPAL ‘stay and play’, we are doing the same at the juniors next Friday 23rd May. Do come along and see all the junior playground fun any time from 2.30pm.

In the meantime, have a great weekend, and enjoy the sunshine.

Our School Updates for Parents

Charity Tuesday - Tuesday 20th May

This will be the last Charity Tuesday event of the year and is supporting Tearfund, who work with local churches and organisations in more than 50 countries to tackle the complex challenges of poverty. Children should bring in their donation in a pair of old white socks, which they will then decorate at school and wear for the rest of the day - without shoes - where safe to do so! We hope this fun activity will raise a lot of money to support this locally based but worldwide charity. As part of their DT food tech topic, Y6 will also be making biscuits which they will be selling after school, at the Juniors, for the bargain price of 20p each, with all proceeds going to Tearfund. If any parents would like to help them run the stall, please could you arrive at 3.10pm to help set up. We hope to see you there to help us show our support to this great charity.

PTA Summer Fair - Y2 and Junior Choir

Please note that both the Y2 and Junior Choir will be performing at the PTA Summer Fair on Saturday 7th June. Details of timings will be sent out nearer the time.

Ice Pop Sale after school today

The Year 6 fundraising team are hosting another ice pop sale at both sites at pick up time today to raise money for the Year 6 leavers’ events. Ice pops will be 50p each. Cards will be accepted but only for purchases of £1 or more.

Reminder: Join in Prayer for the School 

Our next prayer meeting, open to staff, governors, parents and friends of the school will be on the junior site, in the creative space, on Wed 21st May at 6pm. Please do join us, even if you haven’t done so before! We usually gather for 30-45 minutes. 

Internet Safety - Parent guidance for Minecraft

Please see the attached poster with updated guidance that can help to keep your child safe on this platform.

Wider Community Updates

Raynes Park Little League - New Players Wanted (Current Y2 & Y3 pupils)

Raynes Park Little League are a non-profit, volunteer-led league providing low cost and enjoyable/fun football to the local community for over 50 years. They take children of all abilities and currently have an under representation for children who will be moving into Year 3 or Year 4 in September 2025. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

London Youth Games - Team Kingston Tennis Trials

Shout out to all our borough tennis players aged 11-18, register your interest in trying out for the Team Kingston London Youth Games mixed team competition via the QR code in the attached flyer.

Eligibility Criteria:

• On entry, junior players must have a World Tennis Number between 25-40.9 or no World Tennis Number to be eligible for this competition.
• On entry, senior players must have a World Tennis Number between 20-40.9 or no World Tennis Number to be eligible for this competition.
• Please note that you must either live in the borough of Kingston or go to school in the borough to be eligible for Team Kingston.

Trials will be run by Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club. You must be available to compete on 15 June at Wimbledon Park.

Reminder: Music in Kingston - Saturday 17th May

Join Kingston Music Service on Saturday 17th May at 12:00-15:00 for an afternoon of performances, workshops, and exhibitions from some of the most exciting music makers in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Taking place at All Saints Church, Kingston you will be able to:

• Try a variety of instruments.
• Learn about instrumental lessons, curricular music, and ensemble opportunities in the borough.
• Get involved in taster sessions from some of our wonderful exhibitors.
• Enjoy performances from young musicians across the borough.

See the attached poster for more details.

RBO Youth Opera Programme Applications (2025-2026)

The Royal Ballet and Opera have opened applications for places on their FREE Youth Opera programmes for the 2025-2026 season (beginning in September 2025). They invite applications from all enthusiastic young singers living in/around London, who will be aged 8 –11 on 1st September 2025.

• Young Voices Programme - Young singers who will be aged 8 on 1st September 2025 are invited to apply for their Young Voices programme – a FREE singing programme aimed at developing participants’ vocal skills and musical literacy.
• Youth Opera Company - Young singers who will be aged 9-11 on 1st September 2025 are invited to apply for their Youth Opera Company programme – a FREE in-house chorus which offers all-round training in the performing arts and opportunities to audition for the children’s chorus in the Royal Opera Company’s productions. 

All applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• A passion for and commitment to singing and good vocal control
• An interest in drama and performing skills
• The ability to collaborate well with others and follow direction

They particularly welcome applications from boys, those who are from a global majority background, and those who are disabled, as they are typically under-represented within our applicants.

For more information regarding the RBO Youth Opera Programmes and how to apply, please visit their website. Please submit your application by midnight on Friday 23 May. Should you experience any issues completing the application form, please contact youthopera@roh.org.uk in advance of the deadline.

Young Scientists Event - 28th & 29th May

Developing Minds Lab at Kingston University have asked us to advertise their upcoming annual Young Scientists event this month. This free event, takes place at Kingston University (Penrhyn Road campus), and promises to be a fantastic day filled with fun, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and a love for science in young minds. Their Young Scientists event offers a unique chance for children to explore the wonders of the scientific world, particularly about psychology and what psychologists do. Please see the attached poster for details.

Love the Ball Half Term Camp

Love the Ball are running a holiday camp in May half term for children aged 4-12 yrs at Coombe Hill Juniors. Please see the attached poster for details.

Ultimate Activity Camps at Holy Cross Prep School

Ultimate Activity Camps provide activity day camps for children aged 4-14 during the school holidays. Running this Summer at Holy Cross Prep School, children will enjoy a fantastic range of over 40 sports, games and art activities every week. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Key School Dates

Summer 1

• Friday 16th May - Y6 Leavers ice pop sale fundraiser after school - Infant & Junior site 
• Monday 19th - Friday 23rd May - Chums Week 
• Monday 19th May - Y3 Trip to Elm Road Allotments
• Tuesday 20th May - Charity Tuesday for Tearfund
• Wednesday 21st May - Gazelle Class French Breakfast @ 9am 
• Wednesday 21st May - Parent, Church & Staff Prayer Meeting @ 6:00-7:00pm
• Thursday 22nd May - Antelope Class French Breakfast @ 9am
• Thursday 22nd May - Y4 Saxons Workshops at Kingston Museum (am)
• Thursday 22nd May - Eagle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 23rd May - OPAL - Junior Stay and Play @ 2:30pm 
• Friday 23rd May - Y6 Leavers ice pop sale fundraiser after school - Infant & Junior site 
• Monday 26th - Friday 30th May - Half Term

Summer 2

• Thursday 5th June – Y3&4 Fitfence Fencing Day
• Friday 6th June – Y5&6 Fitfence Fencing Day
• Saturday 7th June – Summer Fair @ 1:00-4:00pm at the Junior site
• Monday 9th June – Y5 at Rose Theatre for Barnes Literary Festival (pm)
• Monday 9th June – Y6 Trip to Lavender Hill Magistrates Court
• Thursday 12th June – Turtle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Tuesday 17th June – Y3&4 Choir at KMS Primary Singing Festival @2:00pm
• Wednesday 18th June – Whole School Booknic
• Wednesday 18th June – Isle of Wight Parent Meeting @ 5:00-5:45pm
• Thursday 19th June – Macaw Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 20th June – Hedgehog Class Trip to Malden Hall Park
• Friday 20th June - Summer Solstice lunch menu
• Tuesday 24th June - Y5&6 Drone Workshops
• Tuesday 24th June – New Reception Parents Meeting @ 4:30-5:15pm
• Tuesday 24th June – Summer Concert @ 6:00pm in Junior Hall
• Wednesday 25th June – Fox Class Trip to Malden Hall Park
• Wednesday 25th June – Y6 Trip to LPO Brightsparks Concert @ Royal Festival Hall (pm)
• Wednesday 25th June – Y4 Celebration Evening @ 3:30 – 7:00pm
• Wednesday 25th June – New Nursery Parents Meeting @ 4:30-5:15pm
• Thursday 26th & Friday 27th June – INSET Days (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July – Wellbeing Week
• Wednesday 2nd July – Y6 New School Day
• Thursday 3rd July - Y6 Trip to BFI (Shaun the Sheep)
• Friday 4th July – Junior Sports Day (am)
• Friday 4th July – Rainbow Nursery closed – New children visiting
• Tuesday 8th July – Y6 Production @ 4:00-5:30pm
• Wednesday 9th July – Y3 Country Dance Festival at Kingsmeadow (am)
• Wednesday 9th July – Y6 Production @ 4:00-5:30pm
• Thursday 10th July – Learning Look - from pick up - 4:30pm
• Friday 11th July – Infant Sports Day (am)
• Monday 14th – Friday 18th July – Y6 Isle of Wight Trip
• Monday 14th – Friday 18th July – Chums Week
• Monday 14th July – Y1 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Tuesday 15th July – Y2 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Wednesday 16th July – Y3 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Thursday 17th July – Y4 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Friday 18th July – Y5 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Monday 21st July – Meet New Class Day
• Monday 21st July – Y6 Leavers’ Celebration @ 2:00-3:20pm
• Monday 21st July – Y6 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm
• Tuesday 22nd July – Church Service @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 22nd July - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Wednesday 23rd July – Friday 29th August – Summer holiday
• Monday 1st September – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 2nd September – Autumn Term Starts