Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

It’s been a lovely week at Christ Church, as the term gets in to full swing! Both myself and Mr Burkinshaw have spent some time visiting classes this week, from our new Starfish starters to those who have just stepped up to Year 6. It’s been great to see a high quality buzz of learning around the classrooms, and children meeting the high expectations the teachers are setting. We have seen lots of task commitment and engagement in learning, and the children demonstrating our Ways to Be so well.

I mentioned last week our focus this year on being a “flourishing school, flourishing for all”, building on the excellent outcomes our out-going pupils achieved last summer before going on to secondary school. We want to continue and grow this success with our four flourishing priorities over this year. 

We’ve also been pleased to welcome PS Catering as our new lunch provider this term, and it appears the children are really enjoying the menu. We’ve had a few practical issues to iron out, but we are thrilled so far with the new dishes on offer - the sights, the smells, the tastes!

A wonderful part of our wider school community is the work the PTA do to make a difference in our school, and it was the amazing fund-raising of the PTA last year that enabled us to install the astroturf pitch and the new climbing bars in the junior playground, among other things. Do get involved if you can! The PTA AGM is coming up next week on Wed 17th Sept at 7.30pm and they’d love to see you there.

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend and enjoy some late summer sunshine (or showers!).

Our School Updates for Parents

Collection of Children from school - age restrictions

In line with most other schools and all safeguarding guidance, we are ensuring that children are only collected from school by an adult or a young person in Y12 or Y13. Please note that we no longer allow children to be dismissed from school to school age siblings, unless they are in Y12 or Y13. Please be aware of this in organising your pick up arrangements from school.

Parent Identification Photos As know, we are collecting a photograph of each parent or carer (with their child) at the start of the year or at induction, and of anyone else (childminder, grandparent etc.) who regularly collects the child. This helps staff identify authorised collectors quickly and safely. Parents should email the office (office@ccnm.uk) with any photos, stating clearly the name of the child and who else is in the picture. This must be done by next Friday, 19th September.

Secondary School Admissions - September 2026

Please find attached the AfC Transfer to secondary school September 2026 presentation detailing the application process for your information. The Admission to Kingston's Secondary Schools guide and the Kingston schools brochure are available on the AfC website.  Kingston Secondary schools hold open events in September and October. Information for all schools is available on the Achieving for Children website and in the secondary admissions brochure. Check the school website in case you have to book a place. Secondary applications close on Friday 31 October 2025. If you have questions and concerns, please email kingston.admissions@achievingforchildren.org.uk for support. 

Free School Meals

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals. All children in key stage 1 are entitled to a free meal. Additionally, the Greater London Authority has provided funding to local authorities to extend this entitlement to year groups 3 to 6, from September 2023 to July 2024 which has now been extended for another year until July 2025. Children receive these entitlements automatically, however, if your child is enrolled for free school meals as a result of receiving certain benefits, this will generate additional funding for our school. You can apply online via the Kingston Council website.

Staff, parents and governors community prayer group 

Please come and join us for praying for our school community! We do this once a term for about half an hour in the creative space at the juniors. Our prayer meeting this term is Wed 1st October at 6pm.

Reminder: Clubs Autumn Term (start w/c 15th September)

Please remember to book club places for your child for this term if you have not already done so, for both Junior and Infant clubs. Many still have places. We have a wide range of exciting clubs which you can see a full list of, with booking details, on our website here. As well as sports and music clubs, also on offer are Dance, Drama, Spanish, Coding, Judo and Good News club. All clubs start next week.

Wider Community Updates

Sisters in Sport Netball Club

Sisters in Sport is a netball club with fantastic coaching at Holy Cross School in Coombe every Saturday morning. They offer an opportunity for girls to get involved in netball from ages 6 -16 with friendly non competitive coaching and games. Their Saturday lessons are 9am for Years 1/2/3 and 10am for Years 4/5/6. There is availability for this term. Please see their website for more information.

Kingston Skills Club

Fulham FC is looking to grow their recreational football on a Saturday morning at the YMCA Hawker Centre in Kingston. They are offering an exclusive discount for pupils at Kingston Schools who can receive 10% off if they book before the end of September. The discount code is: KINGSTON10. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Free Girls' Football Sessions - Green Dragons Community Programme

Green Dragons is Surbiton High School’s free Saturday community football programme for girls in school years 3 to 9.  The sessions are open to all, so participants don’t need to attend Surbiton High School to take part. They currently welcome girls from a range of schools across Surrey and various London boroughs. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

KMS STARter Groups

Ready for a musical adventure? KMS STARter Groups offer fun, friendly lessons for beginners, helping children learn instruments, play together, and love music. Please see the attached flyer for details.

CAPA - Coombe Academy of Performing Arts

This out of hours Performing Arts Academy is available to boys and girls (aged 9 upwards) from the local community. CAPA offers a unique opportunity for your son/daughter to participate in termly theatre performances within a small ensemble. Whether new to drama or an experienced performer there is something for everyone with the opportunity for all CAPA members to ‘tread the boards’ termly. Please see their flyer for details.

Mother Nature Science (MNS) - October Half Term Science Camp
MNS are delighted to confirm their Early-Bird Discount is now in place until Monday 6th October, for the new, safe, fun, educational Mother Nature Science - October Half-Term Science Activity Holiday STEM Camp 2025 - Spooky Science - taking place at locations across London. Don’t forget your Special School Basket Discount Code ‘coolschool20’ for an extra £20-off list price for full-week places. Please see attached flyer for details or find your closest camp location and Book now here.

YoungMinds Parent Helpline

YoungMinds is the leading national charity fighting for young people's mental health. They want to ensure that no young person feels alone with their mental health, and are able to access the right support when they need it. As part of their work, they offer a free and confidential helpline service for any parent or carer concerned about a young person's mental health aged 0 - 25. They provide a telephone and webchat service, and offer translation in over 200 different languages. If you would like to find out more information about their services and the support they can provide please visit their website or see the attached flyer.

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• Friday 12th September - PTA Welcome Drinks @ 7:30pm in The Royal Oak
• Wednesday 17th September – SEND Parents’ Coffee Morning @ 9:30am
• Wednesday 17th September - PTA AGM @ 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start in Infant Hall (new)
• Wednesday 24th – Friday 26th September – Y5 Trip to Carroty Wood
• Thursday 25th September – Infant Orienteering Day
• Wednesday 1st October – Parents Prayer Group @ 6pm
• Friday 3rd October – Harvest Service @ 9:30am
• Tuesday 7th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 10th October – PTA Break the Rules Day
• Monday 13th – Friday 17th October – Chums Week
• Tuesday 14th October – Y5&6 Soloists Concert @ 9am
• Wednesday 15th October - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Friday 17th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Wednesday 22nd October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Wednesday 22nd October – Parents’ Evening (Video appointments)  @ 3:45 – 6:45pm
• Thursday 23rd October – Parents’ Evening (Video appointments) @ 2:45 – 5:45pm (School closes 1 hour early) 
• Friday 24th October – INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 27^th – Friday 31^st October – Half Term