Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

It is with sadness we are announcing this week that we will be saying goodbye to Mr and Mrs Allum at Easter. Following his period of absence due to injury, Mr Allum has taken the difficult decision to retire, and so Mrs Allum will also be leaving our teaching assistant team and Connect team too, as they move to pastures new in April and begin the next season of their lives. The Allums first came to Christ Church in 2001, and so they have given a quarter of a century of service to the school! This is an amazing legacy and we have been blessed to have them both as part of our Christ Church community for so long. There will no doubt be opportunities to say more before the end of the term, and look back on their time with us, but for now, I am sure you will want to join me in sharing good wishes and prayers for them and in their adventures ahead.

Also moving on, at half-term is Miss Pereira, who has been a valued member of our teaching assistant team, and we wish her well for the future.

With the above in mind, please see the link to adverts for vacancies below.

We are also delighted to let you know this week of the appointment of Karen Churms, who will be joining us as our new School Business Manager, when Mr Duncan retires at the end of April. Karen will be beginning with us in mid-April, and taking up her role fully in May. We look forward to welcoming her to our staff team and leadership team. 

We also currently have a vacancy for a parent governor on our governing board. We are thankful for the time Andre Rickerby has given to this role up to last term. Please read the details here if you might be interested in putting yourself forward for this role, and being our next parent governor.

In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Our School Updates for Parents

Vacancies at Christ Church New Malden 

We are advertising, from today the current vacancies at our school for the summer term onwards:

• Site Manager 
• Connect Supervisor 
• Connect Playleader
• Teaching Assistant

If you are interested in any of these vacancies, you are welcome to have an informal discussion with Mr Meehan or Mr Burkinshaw to find out more.

Prayer Group

Once a term, there is an opportunity for staff, parents, governors and friends of the school to get together to pray for our school. This happens in the creative space at the juniors, and this term will be Wed 4th February at 6pm. We usually gather for about 30 minutes and all are welcome. 

STEM Lunch - Volunteers Needed 

We're hosting a series of STEM Lunch and Learn events where parents with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) expertise share their experiences with the children. If you work or volunteer in a relevant sector we would love to hear from you. Please email the school office with your name, role/profession and they will contact you with more information. Do also pass this invitation to anyone you know who might be able to help. Help inspire our future innovators! 

ADHD Embrace: Resources Now Available

Following a fantastic presentation from ADHD Embrace last week, we want to ensure all parents have access to the information which was shared during the session.  

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

Chelsea Women Under 18's v Manchester United - FREE TICKETS

Chelsea Women Under 18’s will be taking on Manchester United in the Women’s Professional Game Academy U21 League on Wednesday 4th February. These games in the past have featured Lionesses like Aggie Beever-Jones and it’s a great opportunity to get an early glimpse at some of the future stars in the women’s game. Tickets are available via this link by clicking on the blue “accessing your online account”.

Exciting Opportunity for Actors/Singers Aged 10 to 18

Thames Music Theatre (www.thamesmt.org) is mounting a production of the funny and original BODYWORK by Sir Richard Stilgoe OBE at the Epsom Playhouse in November for which auditions start on 8th February in Tolworth, for young people aged 10 to 18. Rehearsals take place in school holidays and on Sunday afternoons in September and October, so school events should not be impacted. Thames Music Theatre is a very successful theatre group run to high standards by national leaders in Youth Music Theatre for many decades, with involvement from schools all over the SW London and Surrey area, and this is a super opportunity to work with us on this fun piece! Click on the links for more information and have a go! Please see the applications page and information pack.

Local Wellbeing Support for Parents on Maternity Leave

The Maternity Leave Club is a weekly, in-person wellbeing circle for mums on maternity leave, held locally in New Malden. It’s not a baby class, but a calm, supportive space for mothers to reflect, connect, and feel less alone during early motherhood: with babies welcome exactly as they are. A free taster session is available. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Richmond Theatre: Junior Work in Theatre Course

Taking place Tuesday 7th April to Friday 10th April 2026, this fun, hands-on course is designed for ages 8-12 and offers an inspiring introduction to the world of theatre. Through practical workshops, guest talks, and creative activities, participants will discover how different theatre roles work together to bring stories to life on stage. During the course, children may explore a range of theatre areas, including Technical Theatre, Acting and Improvisation, Playwriting, Prop and/or Costume Design, Movement, Musical Theatre, Storytelling and Puppetry. You can find out more information and how to book tickets on their website.

Fun Holiday Code Camp: Prepare your Children for a Digital Future
Children try many activities during the holidays, but how do they help prepare for a digital world? Join Jam Coding this half-term holiday for an unforgettable tech adventure! instead of just playing games, your child will learn to build them. Open to all experience levels, from beginners to advanced (Ages 5-13), taking place at King's House School, Richmond and Shrewsbury House School, Surbiton. This holiday's themes are:

• Retro Gaming: Children will travel back in time to build their own versions of Arcade Classics.
• Minecraft Escape Rooms: Using Minecraft Education, students will use real code to craft and solve complex escape room puzzles.
• Is it all coding? Not at all: Children will have plenty of time to enjoy outdoor games and fun activities.

Explore the camps here.

Mother Nature Science (MNS) - February Half Term Camp

MNS are delighted to confirm Early-Bird Discount is now in place for the new, safe, fun, educational Mother Nature Science - February Half-Term Science Activity Holiday STEM Camp 2026 - Science Whizz - 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 and day-places. Please see attached flyer for details or find your closest camp location and book now here. 

February Half Term Golf Camp

Junior Golf Academy (JGA) are running golf camps this half term at Coombe Wood Golf Club. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Key School Dates

Spring 1

• Monday 26th January - Y2 Great Fire of London Workshop
• Monday 26th January - Y4 Rainbow Theatre Roman Workshop
• Monday 26th January - Y5 Rainbow Theatre Vikings Workshop
• Friday 30th January - Gazelle Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 30th January - PTA Break the Rules Day
• Monday 2nd – Friday 6th February - Chums Week
• Tuesday 3rd February - Safer Internet Day
• Wednesday 4th February - Y6 Junior Citizenship 2026
• Wednesday 4th February - Parents’ Prayer Group @ 6:00-7:00pm
• Monday 9th February - Y5 Trip to Buddhapadipa Temple (am)
• Tuesday 10th February - Charity Tuesday
• Tuesday 10th February - Spring Concert @ 9am
• Tuesday 10th February - Pancake Day Special Lunch Menu 
• Wednesday 11th February - (Nursery-Y5) Parents’ Evening @ 3:45-6:45pm
• Thursday 12th February - Chinese New Year Special Lunch Menu 
• Thursday 12th February – (Nursery-Y5) Parents’ Evening @ 2:45-5:45pm (School closes 1 hour early)
• Thursday 12th February - Y6 Learning Reviews (2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) (new)
• Friday 13th February - Y6 Learning Reviews (8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) 
• Friday 13th February - History Day
• Monday 16th - Friday 20th February - Half Term

Spring 2

• Tuesday 24th February - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Wednesday 25th February - Manor Park Mobile Farm Visit - Nursery/Reception (am)
• Wednesday 25th February - Y4 Trip to Natural History Museum
• Thursday 26th February – Hedgehog Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 27th February – SEND Parents’ Meetings @ 12:00-3:00pm
• Saturday 28th February - PTA Craft Fair (time tbc)
• Monday 2nd March – Y1 Zoolab Visit (pm)
• Monday 2nd March – Nursery Insight Visit - The Easter Story
• Wednesday 4th March - SEND Parents’ Meetings @ 12:00-3:00pm
• Thursday 5th March – World Book Day
• Thursday 5th March - World Book Day Special Lunch Menu (new)
• Thursday 5th March – Tiger Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 9th – Friday 13th March – Wellbeing Week
• Monday 9th – Friday 20th March – Y5 Bikeability
• Tuesday 10th March – Y3 & Y4 Soloist’s Concert @ 9am
• Friday 13th March – PTA Discos and Mufti Day
• Monday 16th – Friday 20th March – Chums Week
• Tuesday 17th March – Charity Tuesday
• Wednesday 18th March - Y2 Trip to Polka Theatre (am)
• Wednesday 18th March - Y5 Easter Experience
• Thursday 19th March - Learning Look from pick up until 4:30pm
• Saturday 21st March - PTA Easter Egg Hunt (time tbc)
• Wednesday 25th March - Y3 Trip to Butser Ancient Farm
• Wednesday 25th March - Easter Bonnet Parade at the infants
• Thursday 26th March - Lion Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 27th March - Easter Service @ 9:30am
• Friday 27th March - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 30th March - Friday 10th March - Easter Holiday
• Monday 13th April - Summer Term Starts