Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

I hope you all enjoyed a good weekend last weekend, possibly a longer one than usual!

It has been a very hot week, especially earlier in the week, but the children have coped well with hats, water, breaks, fans and, in some cases, dipping their feet in water at lunchtime!

It’s also been a fun and busy time at Christ Church this week, not least of all today’s junior sports day, where the children and the staff have all made it a brilliant team effort. The winning house from this morning’s events is Lime with 102 points, so congratulations to them. Elm were a close 2nd with 99 points.

Earlier in the week, we enjoyed our people leader candidates give their campaign speeches ahead of a secret ballot. I am pleased to announce that Mya Samrai and Freya Ralphs have duly been elected for these roles next year, and we all wish them well in their new role over next year. Well done to all candidates, whose campaigns were excellent. 

Next week, it’s our final Learning Look, straight after school on Thursday, so do join us if you can so the children can show off their learning to you.

We’ll also be letting you know all the staffing news and giving info about classes next Friday, which is also the day we will be sharing the children’s reports with you.

In the meantime, have a good weekend and keep cool!

Our School Updates for Parents

New Term Menu

PS Catering have announced their menu for the new term do take a look - children opting for hot lunches will choose their meals directly at the counter as before. There is no obligation to have a meal every day, and any child who does not bring a packed lunch will be offered a hot meal. If your child requires a “special diet” (any medically prescribed diet including food allergies) then please read the attached.

Clubs Autumn Term 2025

You will have had an email earlier regarding the clubs for Autumn Term 2025. Some people may have had an issue opening the link to the ‘clubs schedule of weeks’. Apologies for this, the correct link is here and will also be included in the ‘Useful Links’ section at the end of each parent update next term.

Reminder: School Street Scheme - Lime Grove

Following the positive feedback from parents in our consultation earlier in the year, we are pleased to advise that a trial School Street will be introduced on Lime Grove between Poplar Grove and Coombe Road from 1st September 2025.

This will mean that, with the exception of residents’ cars, no cars will be permitted to drive down this section of Lime Grove at the times of drop off and pick up, meaning there will be minimal traffic along the road at these times of day, keeping the area around our school much safer. 

School Streets support active travel by making it safer and easier for children and their families to walk, cycle or scoot, while also reducing local traffic congestion, poor parking and engine idling, which improves air quality.

The scheme will be enforced using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). There will be exemptions for vehicles registered to school staff, residents living within the School Street zone, emergency vehicles and Blue Badge holders accessing the school.

Kingston Council will be collecting feedback about the trial scheme through the "Let's Talk" page from August 2025, but in the meantime further information can be found here: School Streets web page."

Wider Community Updates

St John’s Fun Day

St John's is holding a Fun Day on Saturday 12th July. Free entry from 12:30pm - 4:00pm. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Next Thing Education Summer Tech Camp

Next Thing Education are running a Tech camp during the summer holidays at our junior site between 11th and 22nd August, from 9am–4pm daily for children aged 5–11 (Years 1–6). Every day, your child will design, build, and take home an invention they’ve made themselves – from buzzing robots and electric circuits to solar-powered gadgets and more. These are real, working STEM creations they’ll be proud to show off! Spaces are filling fast – see the attached for more information or book now on their website. HAF-funded places are available at selected locations. 

EDA Dance Holiday Workshops

Please see the attached flyers for more information on these Summer and Street & Contemporary workshops.

Summer golf camps for kids – Inner Drive Golf

Please see attached for details of a summer holiday golf camp for kids in New Malden. 

Spartans Basketball - Players Wanted - Girls currently in School Years 3-6

Please see the attached flyer for more details and how to declare your interest by 14th July.

Head2head Sensory Theatre

H2H are bringing their Ocean & Shore immersive experience to the Corner House in Surbiton over the summer - Sunday 10th August. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Get a Head Start on Back-to-School with Clarks

Clarks are inviting parents to book their fitting appointments early, to help them get a head start with their Back-to-School prep. They also offer Quiet Time appointments to help those who may find shopping at busier times overwhelming. This is the link to book appointments online and they are also extending their opening hours throughout August and the first week of September. Please see their handbook attached.

BREAD Lab June Newsletter and Study Opportunities

BREAD Lab are excited to share their June 2025 Newsletter, with the latest research updates and the following study opportunities from their team at Kingston University London. 

• NEAR-Kids EEG Study Update - We are running a paid research study on physical activity and self-regulation in children and have already completed 16 visits! We’re looking for children aged 7–14 years to take part. Please see the attached for more details. Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/cC0lL
•  New Study Alert: Join Our Exergaming Study for Children! - We are looking for children aged 7–14 years with traits of ADHD to take part in our GameFit Intervention Study at Kingston University. Please see the attached for details. Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/QhNNA

Local job opportunity - Home-Start

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow is a well-established local charity currently recruiting to their Operations Team. These roles are an opportunity to support their dedicated and passionate staff team as they work alongside families in need. To find out more, visit their website or see the attached flyer.

Key School Dates

• Tuesday 8th July – Y6 Production @ 4:00-5:30pm
• Wednesday 9th July – Y3 & Maypole Team - Country Dance Festival at Kingsmeadow (am)
• Wednesday 9th July - Y5 to Coombe Boys' School Production - "Guys & Dolls"
• 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 - Year 3 - Trip to Royal Academy (new)
• Thursday 17th July – Y5 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm (change of date)
• Monday 18th July - Y2 Choir Performance @ 2:30pm (new)
• Friday 18th July – Y4 Meet the Teacher @ 3:45pm (change of date)
• 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