Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

I hope you and your family had some nice times over half term, enjoying the full range of Autumnal weather!

I am delighted to share with you today our SIAMS inspection report following our recent inspection. There are many things to celebrate in it and it is a credit to the whole school community. A big thank you to all our staff, governors, parents and, most of all, children in living and breathing our vision together as a school in ‘becoming the people God made us to be’. 

It seems appropriate for us in this season to begin our next iShare Learning theme in our collective worship this week of Light Shines in Darkness and this theme will take us up to Christmas, as we consider how we can be a light to others in combating darkness in the world in how we act, how we speak and how we relate to others. Our Pupil Leadership Team this half term, with suggestions from all classes, will be considering which charities we will be supporting around Christmas and into next year on our ‘Charity Tuesdays’.

Linked to this, we’ll be marking National Anti-Bullying Week next week, which this year takes the appropriate theme of ‘Power for Good’; don’t forget, this begins with ‘Odd Socks Monday’, as we celebrate our difference and diversity. 

Thanks to the PTA for organising our disco tonight in the junior hall, and I know they are also busy planning ahead for the Christ Church Christmas Fair! In case it is not yet in your diary, it’s Saturday 29th November between 1-4pm. 

You will have seen this week that work has started on our new boundary fence in our infant site. Thank you for your patience with this; the work is likely to last another couple of weeks. The School Streets scheme has also started, and it’s been good to see a quieter Lime Grove in drop off times in the mornings!

We have also been inviting design ideas for our new ‘Ways to Be Wall’ at the juniors; the deadline for this competition was going to be today, but we are now extending this deadline until Fri 28th Nov, given the unexpected delay we are encountering to getting the wall ready (see urgent call out below!). Our kind PTA are sponsoring this competition by funding some wonderful artistic prizes!

Have a lovely weekend, especially if you are enjoying a firework party or display.

Our School Updates for Parents

Individual & Sibling Photographs - Friday 14th November

Vancols will be at the Junior site next Friday 14th November to take individual photographs of all the children in Reception to Year 6, as well as sibling photographs before school. If you have requested a sibling photograph you should have received an email confirmation with your appointment time. 

Infant classes will be walked up to the Junior site during the morning for their individual photographs.

If Friday is normally your child’s PE day, children are welcome to wear their PE kit and there is no requirement to wear full school uniform. However if you would prefer your child to wear their full uniform for the photo, you are welcome to send them to school in this and they can bring in trainers to change into for PE if required.

Instrumental Music Lessons 

We believe music education is a vital part of a child's development, fostering creativity, discipline, and confidence. In addition to our wonderful weekly music lessons, we are proud to partner with the Kingston Music Service (KMS) to offer high-quality instrumental lessons right here at school. For more information, see our website. 

PTA Christmas Card Design Winner

Christmas has already come to our school in these last couple of weeks with children busily designing Christmas cards. We have also taken one of these designs for our SeOUL Estate Agent advertising boards and attached poster advertising our PTA Christmas Fair on Saturday 29th November, so congratulations to Yilin Wu in Lynx Class on her wonderful design, who will win a £10 Amazon voucher and chocolate reindeer. Runners up, who will each receive a chocolate reindeer are:

• Zachary Karimi
• Bertie Carley
• Thea Dommett
• Elliot Brockington
• Eliza Green
• Finn Seymour
• Amelia Bahrami

Reminder: Changes to dismissal/collection

Please can we remind parents that if someone different is collecting your child, or there is a change to your child’s usual end of day dismissal, you should notify the school in advance using our online Collection Change Form. This is monitored daily by the school office and communicated to class teachers and club leaders. If the change needs to be notified on the day after 2pm please call the office.

Urgent call out! Looking for a brick-layer 

As parents will know, we are looking to make the white wall in the junior playground in to a new colourful ‘Ways to Be’ wall - and we’ve been asking for ideas from the children. A parent has offered to paint the wall and get it ready for this, but unfortunately, we have discovered that the top few layers of the wall first need to be properly reconstructed as there is too much damage and wear from time. We are keen to progress this project, so wanted to put a shout out in case there are any parents/families in the bricklaying trade who could help with this first initial work. Please speak to Mr Duncan or just pop in to the school office if you would like to help or give us a quote for the work.

Reminder: School Streets Scheme

We would like to remind you that a trial School Street has been introduced on Lime Grove between Poplar Grove and Coombe Road from 3rd November 2025. This means that, with the exception of residents’ cars, no cars are permitted to drive down this section of Lime Grove at drop off and pick up times. The scheme is enforced using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). There are exemptions for vehicles registered to school staff, residents living within the School Street zone, emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders accessing the school. Please see the attached poster for more details.

Primary School Applications 

For any parents making primary school applications for September 2026 entry, you can apply online here. The closing date for applications is Thursday 15th January 2026. You must submit your application online and return any supplementary information forms to the school office by this date. Please ensure that you choose Christ Church New Malden CofE Primary School (and not Christ Church CofE Primary School Surbiton).

Nursery Applications

For any parents making nursery applications for September 2026, please complete this form. The closing date for applications is Friday 6th March 2026.

Wider Community Updates

Reminder: The Computing Lab - Free Session

The Computing Lab, run by Jam Coding, offers children the opportunity to develop computing and digital skills in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment. They are offering a free discovery session tomorrow, 8th November. Please see the attached for more details and how to book.

Kingston Family Hub & Children's Centres Programme

Old Malden Family Hub (formerly Old Malden Children's Centre) will be opening in November. Please see attached their programme for Autumn 2.

Upcoming Parenting Workshops – Old Malden Family Hub

AfC are running workshops on Thursdays from 10:00–12:00 for three weeks, aimed at parents with children up to ten, starting Thursday, 13 November, at the Old Malden Family Hub. Parents are welcome to attend one, two, or all three sessions depending on their interests and needs. Please note that a crèche will not be provided. Please see the attached poster for more information and to book your place.

Inner Drive Golf Junior Academy

Inner Drive Golf are excited to be launching their junior golf Academy starting this November! Places will be limited to small groups for this unique training Academy for young aspiring players, including golf specific fitness and expert golf tuition.Please see the attached flyer for information.

Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club

Please see the attached flyers for information on current opportunities:

• Junior Cricket
• Girls’ Cricket

St John's Christmas Fair

The St John's Christmas fair will be on Saturday 22nd November. Please see the attached poster for details.

Princess Alice Hospice Santa Fun Run

Princess Alice Hospice is delighted to be hosting two Santa Fun Run events this year — one at Bushy Park on Sunday 30th November and another at Sandown Racecourse on Sunday 14th December. Please see the attached poster for details.

Key School Dates

• Sunday 9th November - Remembrance Day Parade & Service from 8:45am
• Monday 10th – Friday 14th November – Anti Bullying Week
• Monday 10th November - Odd Socks Day
• Tuesday 11th November - Y5&6 Soloists Concert @ 9am
• Tuesday 11th November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Thursday 13th November - Leopard Class Worship @ 2:40pm 
• Friday 14th November - Individual & Sibling Photos
• Monday 17th – Friday 21st November - Y4 Learn to Ride Bikeability
• Tuesday 18th November - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Thursday 20th November - Learning Look from pick up until 4:30pm
• Friday 21st November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 21st November - PTA Break the Rules Day
• Friday 21st November - Special lunch menu: Children in Need
• Friday 21st November - Antelope Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 24th – Friday 28th November - Wellbeing Week
• Tuesday 25th November - Y5/6 Choir Singing in John Lewis (am) 
• Wednesday 26th November - Y1 Trip to Natural History Museum 
• Friday 28th November - Special lunch menu: St Andrew’s Day
• Saturday 29th November - PTA Christmas Fair at the Juniors
• Monday 1st December - SEND Parents @ 9am -10:30am 
• Tuesday 2nd December - Reception Try the Train Trip to Waterloo (am) (new)
• Tuesday 2nd December - Y3/4 Choir Singing at Christ Church Elderberry Cafe 
• Monday 8th – Friday 12th December - Chums Week
• Tuesday 9th December – Junior Christmas Production @ 4pm
• Wednesday 10th December - Christmas Lunch
• Wednesday 10th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 4pm
• Thursday 11th December - EYFS Nativity @ 9am
• Monday 15th December - Class Christmas Parties
• Tuesday 16th December - Y4 Trip to Rose Theatre (Cinderella) PM
• Friday 19th December - Christmas Service @ 9:30am
• Friday 19th December - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 22nd December – Friday 2nd January - Christmas Holiday
• Monday 5th January - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 6th January - Spring Term Starts