Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

A very warm welcome to the start of our new school year. I hope you and your family have had some good times together over these last few weeks, either home or away.

It is always a joy to see our children return with excitement and hope for the months ahead. Whether you are new to our school family or returning after the summer, please know that every child here is known, valued and loved as a unique individual created in the image of God. Our vision is that each one of us is becoming the people God made us to be – a vision rooted in the promise of Jesus’ words: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Our focus on flourishing is lived out through our school vision strands of creating community, embracing diversity and achieving widely. We want our children to grow in confidence, kindness and curiosity; to celebrate difference as a gift; and to discover the wide range of talents and skills that God has given them. Working in partnership with you, we look forward to helping every child flourish in faith, learning and life.

We have a number of new staff members joining our team this term, so do say hello when you see new faces. We welcome new teachers Miss Harris, Miss Rudolph, Miss Friend and Mr Cook. Additionally, in our TA team, we welcome Mrs Svensson, Miss Jose, Miss Bath, Miss Dusting and Miss Khoury. We also welcome Miss Martin to our Year 3 teaching team, who is training with us this year and Mr Asanti, who is our new mentor at the junior school, replacing Mr Bevis. Finally, Mrs Hornby will be returning to us every Friday and teaching in Year 6. 

As we mentioned to you earlier this week, we have sadly had to say goodbye to Mr Newman. We are currently recruiting to fill the role he leaves, advertising this vacancy. If you, or know of anyone who may be interested, then please do share this advert. The children were able to see a video message from Mr Newman in collective worship today, and we hope he will be back to visit us over the year.

Meanwhile, our children have been looking smart and working smart at the beginning of this year, and there’s already been a great buzz in classrooms. A special welcome to our new Starfish and Turtle children who are beginning their school journey with us, and a number of other new children and families across the school.

Do enjoy your weekend and we’ll see you back next week!

Our School Updates for Parents

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.

Lime Grove Delay to School Streets Scheme

RBK has had problems with the system used to ratify which vehicles have permission to enter the Lime Grove School Street trial. Therefore, the introduction has been delayed until 3rd November. 

Reminder: New Term Menu

As you know, PS Catering have taken on catering for the school’s hot meals. We tested out their food on our INSET day and there was lots of positive feedback on the test and presentation see here. Do check out their menu for the new term - 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.

Reminder - Special Diets

If you haven’t done so already, and your child requires a “special diet” (any medically prescribed diet including food allergies) then please read the attached and fill in and return this form. Guidance on how to do so can be found here.

Reminder New Collection Safeguards

Password System: Each child has been assigned a unique collection password, which is now available on Arbor. To find it, please:

• Log in to the Arbor Parent App / Portal
• Click View Student Profile
• Select Report Cards
• Click Collection Password – this is a 4-digit number you can download
• If you have more than one child at the school, you will need to do this for each child.

Please share this password with anyone you ask to collect your child on your behalf. They will be asked to confirm it at pickup.

For guidance on how to use the Arbor Parent App / Portal please see here.

Parent Identification Photos: 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 Friday 19th September.

Changes to Collection: If someone different is collecting your child, you must notify the school in advance by 2pm at the latest using our online Collection Change Form. This is monitored daily by the school office and communicated to class teachers and club leaders.

Independent Travel Agreement (Years 5 and 6 only): Parents who wish their child to walk home alone must complete a permission form. Only when the school has agreed to the request will a child be dismissed.

For more details, see the Meet the Teacher presentations or the school website.

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 w/c 15th September.

Parent SEND Events

We will be having a coffee morning on Wednesday 17th September 9.30-11am at the Infants. All parents of children with SEND are warmly invited, you do not need to have a diagnosis or have talked to us about your child's SEND before. At this coffee morning the 'Pre and Post Diagnosis Support' team from our local NHS service will be visiting to explain what they can do to support parents whilst they wait for a diagnosis. Some of you may have already been referred to this team and it is a good chance to come and meet them in person. 

Also on Monday 1st December we will be having another coffee morning 9-10.30am. This will be hosted by the charity ADHD embrace and they will be discussing support for children with ADHD and attention difficulties. 

Please do email Mrs Roberts or Mrs Roe if you would like more information and we look forward to seeing you then! 

Wider Community Updates

Nationwide Emergency Alerts Test - Sunday 7th September @ 3pm

On Sunday 7 September at 3pm, the UK Government will carry out the second nationwide test of the Emergency Alerts system. During the test, mobile phones and tablets will:

• Emit a loud, siren-like sound for approximately 10 seconds, even if set to silent.
• Potentially vibrate or read out the alert.
• Display a message confirming that the alert is a test.

The Emergency Alerts system is designed to warn people if there is a risk to life, such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather. Find out more about Emergency Alerts on GOV.UK.

Children’s flu information webinars

The South London Children and Young People’s Community Immunisation Service are hosting two webinars for parents to discuss the flu vaccine. Parents can sign up using the links below:

• Wednesday 8 September, 14:00 – 14:45
• Monday 15 September, 18:00 – 18:45

During these webinars, they will explain the importance of vaccinating your child, the difference between the nasal and injectable flu vaccine, the MMR vaccine, and how to complete the e-consent form. There will also be a chance for parents to ask their nurses any questions they have.

Kingston Family Hub & Children's Centres - Autumn programme

Should it be of interest to you, please find attached the AfC programme for the first half of the autumn term.

Fulham FC Football Programmes

One of our parents has asked us to advertise the local football opportunities run by Fulham FC, and in particular their SEN football programme. They run weekly and one-off sessions including skills clubs, soccer schools, girls development centres, player pathway programmes, walking football and disability football clubs where their programmes provide specialist coaching for people of all ages with varied disabilities or special educational needs. Please see their website for details should any of these be of interest.

Parenting Group at Old Malden Family Hub

AfC will be offering a Family Links group at the new Old Malden Family Hub. This group is suitable for parents and carers of primary school aged children and is a course from the centre for emotional health. Please see the attached for more information.

Rhythmic Gymnastics at rhythmiQ

rhythmiQ is a local rhythmic gymnastics club offering fun and engaging rhythmic gymnastics classes for children aged 4-18 in Worcester Park and Sutton. See attached brochure for more information about 2025/26 timetable and classes. 

BREAD Lab Newsletter and Study Opportunities

Kingston University London are excited to share the BREAD Lab August 2025 Newsletter, with the latest research updates and the following study opportunities:

• EEG Study
• Exergaming Study

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• Wednesday 10th September – Y5 Carroty Wood Meeting @ 5:15pm
• Friday 12th September - PTA Welcome Drinks @ 7:30pm in The Royal Oak
• Wednesday 17th September – SEND Parents’ Coffee Morning @ 9:30am
• Thursday 18th September – Junior Orienteering Day
• 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 27th – Friday 31st October – Half Term