Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

Over this half term at Christ Church, we are thinking about our theme of Reaching High. For our children, this isn’t only about aiming for their very best in learning, but also about lifting their sights in kindness, perseverance and faith. Just as the psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord”, we encourage our pupils to look upward, to set themselves goals, and to trust that with effort, encouragement and God’s guidance they can achieve more than they imagine.

We have already seen some wonderful examples of this in classrooms and on the playground this week, and it has been lovely to read how our ‘Pupils of the Week’ so far have been excelling as they begin a new year. Our OPAL team will be meeting next week, to kickstart our next development points in improving our outdoor play further, building on last year’s success.

Helping to make this happen will be the PTA, so thank you to all who attended this week’s AGM, as we reviewed the year and looked ahead to our plans for this year. We are blessed to have an active and engaged PTA, who do some excellent fund-raising over the year to improve provision and curriculum for all our children at Christ Church. This year, we continue to focus on developing the junior playground further and developing the front of the infant site to give it a facelift, among other things. 

We also have a new PLT (Pupil Leadership Team) committee who are forming for the year ahead at the juniors, with Mya and Freya as our Year 6 pupil leads; this team will be leading on charity initiatives and curriculum events over the year. There are plenty of other leadership opportunities across the school, such as the Year 6 worship leaders, the Faith and Spirituality Group and we also have plans to develop a pupil ‘eco team’ over this year if you want to get involved in this! 

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend. 

Our School Updates for Parents

Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) Following the introduction of our new SFC approach in school, we now have a new team of parent champions who are leading on this initiative to support our children in going 'smartphone free'. There is also a parents’ WhatsApp group which you can join to learn more about this. The SFC team will also share some research and articles through this parent update over the year. If you'd like to get involved or just want to find out more, the SFC Champion team would like to invite you to an informal tea and chat get-together on Friday 3rd October from 2.30pm; this will be at the junior site in the creative space. So - get involved and join the conversation!

Also - another date for your diary: Jennifer Powers, from PAPAYA, the official SFC talks partner, is coming to Christ Church to give a parents’ talk to support your children in going smart phone free. Jennifer Powers is the Surrey and South West London regional lead for SFC. This will be Wednesday 15th October at 7pm in the junior hall and we strongly urge you to come to this if you can.

Year 5/6- Soloist Concert - Tuesday 21st October in the Junior Hall 9am

If your child plays an instrument or sings and they would like to take part, they can send in an audition video to Mrs Bond by the end of September (but sooner if possible). This will then give the teachers time to look through all of the auditions to choose a variety of performances for the concert, and allow time for rehearsing at school with the piano if needed. Parents and the children's classmates will be invited to watch the concert. Please aim to keep the pieces short. If your child chooses a song, stick to one or two verses and a chorus. Also, please ensure the lyrics are appropriate and that the song can be sung easily by a child (some pop songs are unsuitable for young voices). The children may sing in a group with friends if they can arrange a video audition together. We will be available to accompany instrumental pieces and songs if we can find the music (or you can send in a backing track). Please note that this concert is only for children in Year 5 and 6.  

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.

Wider Community Updates

Action Theatre Club

Action Theatre Club have sent us the attached posters for for their upcoming activities should these be of interest:

• Autumn Term Classes
• October Half Term Workshop

Soundsteps Free Music Sessions

Please find attached a flyer detailing Soundsteps Free Music Piano/Keyboard Sessions for children, with information on booking local options. 

Parent Advice Health Clinic

The Your Healthcare School Health Team, offer parents/carers of children attending Kingston Primary schools, access to a Parent Advice Health Clinic. For more information and how to book an appointment please see the attached poster. 

Free Education Support Course for parents

Looking to work in a school that fits in around your family? Join Aspire Education Academy's Fully Funded (FREE) Education Support Course starting on Monday 29th September!  The online sessions run ONLY in school hours and term times, to fit in around family life. Simply go to the 'Education Support Course' tab on their website or see the attached flyer for more information.

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• Monday 22nd September - Nasal Flu Immunisations (Infants & Juniors)
• 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
• Friday 3rd October - SFC Champion Team Parent Meeting from 2.30pm (new)
• 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
• Wednesday 15th October - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Wednesday 15th October - PAPAYA Parents’ Talk @ 7pm (new)
• Friday 17th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Tuesday 21st October – Y5&6 Soloists Concert @ 9am (change of date)
• 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