Weekly Update from Mr Burkinshaw

Next week is a significant one for our school community. On Tuesday, we will have our church school inspection (SIAMS). During the day, the inspector will visit classes, meet children, parents, governors and staff, and we are confident that the inspectors will see the amazing work we do together. As soon as we get the report, we will share it with you.  

We were also delighted to welcome prospective parents for our first tour for Reception 2026 this week. It was encouraging to be able to share with them what makes our school so special, particularly the amazing community that exists around the school. We look forward to welcoming more prospective parents in the coming weeks.   

We know many prospective parents hear about us from friends and neighbours, so thank you for spreading the word. I am grateful to those parents who responded to last week's request to share their positive experiences of Christ Church. Do remember, if you are willing to post on social media, appear in a short video, or have marketing expertise you'd like to share, please fill out this short form.

In other news, our Y6 footballers took part in their first inter-school sporting event of the year, with Miss Dusting beginning to step into her new role. They played three games, winning one with an impressive 4-0. A great start to our sporting year! 

Finally, a quick reminder about our parent talk next Wednesday, October 15th, with guest speaker Jennifer Powers who will be "Exploring the impact of social media and gaming on wellbeing." She will also share practical ways on how to help your child build a healthier relationship with their digital devices. This is the last call to sign up, so please complete this form if you plan to attend.

Our School Updates for Parents

Parent Reps - Reminder

Mr Meehan and Mr Burkinshaw meet termly with the parent reps from each class and our first meeting of the year is on Tuesday 4th November. If you are a parent rep this year, please complete the form sent via email and you will be contacted by Mr Roberts in the school office. Thank you to those who have already replied.   

OPAL Collection 

We have postponed our CD collection due to our upcoming inspection to the week before half-term, so there is still plenty of time to find your old CDs.

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! 

Secondary School Application Deadline

A reminder to Year 6 parents/carers that the deadline for secondary school applications is Thursday, 31st October. Please complete the online application if you haven't already done so at eAdmissions.

Wider Community Updates

Important Safeguarding Notice: Children’s “Spy” Books

We want to make you aware of a recent issue affecting some popular children’s books by Andrew Cope, including the Spy Dogs, Spy Cats, and Spy Pups series. Some editions of these books include a printed web address at the back. This link used to go to the author’s website, but the domain is no longer under his control. It has since been taken over by another party and now leads to inappropriate adult content. The publisher, Puffin, has paused sales and distribution of the books and is working with schools, libraries, and retailers to remove copies from circulation. They have stressed that the website has no connection to the author or publisher.

What this means for you:

• If your child has any Spy Dog, Spy Cat or Spy Pups books at home, please check the back for website links and make sure they do not try to visit the site.
• It is safe for children to continue reading the stories themselves — the concern is only with the outdated link.
• We recommend talking with your child about the importance of not following web addresses in books without checking with an adult first.

We will continue to share updates from the publisher as more information becomes available.

October Half Term Coding Camp

Jam Coding are running their Superhero Animation Meets Robotics holiday camp, an unforgettable workshop designed to transform students from passive screen consumers into active digital creators. They will step into the director’s chair and learn how to build and command the technology they love. Their camp runs from 9am-1pm on 27th - 31st October at St Catherine's School, Twickenham - Booking Link. For more information please see the attached flyer or visit their website. 

October Half Term Golf Camps

Junior Golf Academy London run regular golf camps during all the school holidays for children aged from 5 to 16. Please see the attached flyer for details of their October half term camps.

Free Junior Hockey Trials for players age 6 to 18 years

The Old Kingstonian HC is a local hockey club for all ages from U8 up. This October, they are offering free trials for U8-U18 and have sent the attached flyer with more details.

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave - Sunday 19th October 

This award-winning family rave for families with 0-8 year olds (although all ages welcome) will feature an eclectic rave set. Dance together on a floor filled with foam, bubbles and balloons - topped by the parachute dance! Get crafty on the Wacky Wheadon Craft tables and all in PJs if you like as it is a Pyjama Party theme. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Capture Kingston 2025 Photography Competition 

This is an annual competition run by the Friends of Kingston Museum and Heritage Service to increase the photographic collection of Kingston History Centre. Entrants could win a cash prize but will also have their photographs become a part of the historic collection to be enjoyed by visitors and researchers in the future. The theme this year was Celebrating Kingston 2025, so they are looking for photographs of any events which took place as part of the 2025 celebrations in the borough. The deadline for entries is 31st October. Please see the attached poster or their website for information on how to enter. 

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• Monday 13th - Friday 17th October – Chums Week
• Monday 13th October - Starfish Nursery Trip to Sainsbury’s (am) 
• 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 
• Friday 17th October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 17th October - Y2 Trip to the Science Museum
• Friday 17th October - PTA Board Games Night from 7pm
• Monday 20th - Thursday 23rd October - PTA Craft Fair Launch Week
• Monday 20th October - Parents’ Evening (Video appointments) @ 3:45 – 6:45pm (Macaw class only)
• Wednesday 22nd October - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Wednesday 22nd October - Parents’ Evening (Video appointments)  @ 3:45 – 6:45pm (All classes)
• Thursday 23rd October - Parents’ Evening (Video appointments) @ 2:45 – 5:45pm (All classes except Macaw)
• Thursday 23rd October - School closes 1 hour early
  • Infants @ 2:05 p.m.
  • Juniors @ 2:20 p.m.
  • Connect will start early @ 2:05 p.m. and run until the usual time of 6:15 p.m.
  • Junior Drama club and Y3&4 Football club will both run from 2:20pm.
• Friday 24th October - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Monday 27th - Friday 31st October - Half Term

Autumn 2

• Tuesday 4th November - Parent Reps Meeting @ 9am
• Tuesday 4th November - Y6 Trip to BFI (Dig for Victory WW2 History Event) (new)
• Tuesday 4th November - Y3 & 4 Drumming Workshops (new)
• Wednesday 5th November - SEND Parents’ Meetings @ 12-3pm
• Thursday 6th November - Special Bonfire Night Lunch Menu
• Thursday 6th November - Leopard Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 7th November - SEND Parents’ Meetings @ 12-4pm
• Friday 7th November - PTA Disco + MUFTI Day
• Sunday 9th November - Remembrance Day Parade & Service from 8:45am
• Monday 10th – Friday 14th November – Anti Bullying Week
• Monday 10th November - Odd Socks Day (new)
• Tuesday 11th November - Y5&6 Soloists Concert @ 9am (change of date)
• Tuesday 11th November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 14th November - Individual & Sibling Photos
• Monday 17th – Friday 21st November - Y4 Learn to Ride Bikeability
• Tuesday 18th November - Nursery Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:00am
• Thursday 20th November - Learning Look from pick up until 4:30pm
• Friday 21st November - Reception Tour for Prospective Parents @ 9:30-10:15am
• Friday 21st November - PTA Break the Rules Day (new)
• Friday 21st November - Special lunch menu: Children in Need
• Friday 21st November - Antelope Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Monday 24th – Friday 28th November - Wellbeing Week
• Tuesday 25th November - Y5/6 Choir Singing in John Lewis (am) (new)
• Wednesday 26th November - Y1 Trip to Natural History Museum (new)
• Friday 28th November - Special lunch menu: St Andrew’s Day
• Saturday 29th November - PTA Christmas Fair at the Juniors
• Monday 1st December - SEND Parents @ 9am -10:30am 
• Tuesday 2nd December - Y3/4 Choir Singing at Christ Church Elderberry Cafe (new)
• Monday 8th – Friday 12th December - Chums Week
• Tuesday 9th December – Junior Christmas Production @ 4pm
• Wednesday 10th December - Christmas Lunch
• Wednesday 10th December - Junior Christmas Production @ 4pm
• Thursday 11th December - EYFS Nativity @ 9am
• Monday 15th December - Class Christmas Parties
• Tuesday 16th December - Y4 Trip to Rose Theatre (Cinderella) PM (new)
• Friday 19th December - Christmas Service @ 9:30am
• Friday 19th December - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 22nd December – Friday 2nd January - Christmas Holiday
• Monday 5th January - INSET Day (School closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 6th January - Spring Term Starts