Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

It’s been a lovely sunny week at Christ Church, which has been good news for our Year 5s who have been at Carroty Wood since Wednesday, enjoying a whole range of outdoor adventurous activities. I am sure they will be returning today with lots of stories and happy memories. 

Talking outdoors, our OPAL team met this week, with ideas for next steps of how we further improve our playgrounds. Look out for more OPAL messages and call-outs for items in the coming weeks. We will be looking to replenish ‘small world’ items as well as planning new areas of play at both infants and juniors. The next steps at our junior site will be the furnishing of the new ‘Nook’ and launching a ‘design brief’ competition for the juniors in how we can transform the large white wall in that same area of the playground.

We are also pleased to announce that we have appointed a new Sports Coach this week, Lily Dusting. Lily already works in our team at the infants, but will gradually transition into this new role later in the year, and we are excited to welcome her to this role. More about this in the weeks to come.

Next week, do please come and join us to pray for our school community! We do this once a term for about half an hour in the creative space at the juniors, and the next one is next Wed 1st Oct at 6pm and it’s for staff, parents, governors and friends of the school.

As mentioned last week, in line with our new ‘smartphone free’ policy, we are pleased to welcome Jennifer Powers, Papaya Talks speaker and SFC leader, to Christ Church to share a talk with parents on going smart phone free on Wed 15th Oct at 7pm. The talk topic is 'Exploring the impact of social media and gaming on wellbeing - how to support your child to have a happier, healthier relationship with their digital devices.'  Please complete the form sent via email if you intend to attend this meeting so we have an idea of numbers for the event, which will be held in the junior hall. In the meantime, next week, we are holding a tea and chat event for parents to meet together, with our SFC champions in the juniors at 2.30pm on Fri 3rd Oct (in the creative space). There is also a parents’ WhatsApp group which you can join to learn more about this.

Next week is also our Harvest Service on the Friday. It is always a delight to get the whole school together in the church, so please do join us if you can for this lovely service!

We also have school tours coming up soon for parents who may be choosing a school for next September. Please do promote these to anyone you know who might be interested and who might be looking for a school where their child can flourish! Here’s the flyer with all the details.

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend.

Our School Updates for Parents

INSET days 26/27

For anybody planning ahead into 2026 and 2027, here are our INSET days for next academic year, and these are now published on our school website, along with all 2026/27 term dates. 

• Thurs 3rd Sept 2026
• Fri 4th Sept 2026 
• Mon 4th Jan 2027 
• Thurs 24th Jun 2027
• Fri 25th Jun 2027

Attendance policy reminder 

We ensure we publish all our dates early to minimise any confusion in booking holidays. We do not authorise any pupil absence for holidays in term time. See our Attendance Policy for details.

Collection of Children from school - age restrictions

In line with most other schools and all safeguarding guidance, we are ensuring that children are only collected from school by an adult or a young person in Y12 or Y13. Please note that we no longer allow children to be dismissed from school to school age siblings, unless they are in Y12 or Y13. Please be aware of this in organising your pick up arrangements from school.

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 (lucy.bond@ccnm.uk) 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.  

Reminder: 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. 

Reminder: 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

Flu Immunisation Catch Up Clinics

If you missed consenting for the flu immunisation for your child or they were absent on the day of the immunisations, please see the attached poster with details of catch-up clinics. You can also book an appointment here.

Soundsteps Free Music Sessions

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

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• 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
• Friday 3rd October - Y6 Leavers’ Donut Sale after school at both sites (new)
• Tuesday 7th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Tuesday 7th October - Y2 & Y5 Insight Visit (new)
• Friday 10th October – PTA Break the Rules Day
• Monday 13th – Friday 17th October – Chums Week
• Monday 13th October - Starfish Nursery Trip to Sainsbury’s (am) (new)
• Wednesday 15th October - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Wednesday 15th October - PAPAYA Parents’ Talk @ 7pm 
• Thursday 16th October - Y4 Insight Visit (new)
• Friday 17th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 17th October - Y2 Trip to the Science Museum (new)
• 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 27th – Friday 31st October – Half Term