Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

It was a joy to welcome our SIAMS inspector into our school earlier this week, to get a flavour of our school and, in particular, its Christian vision of ‘becoming the people God made us to be’. Our inspector spoke to leaders, governors, staff, children and parents, as well as joining collective worship and seeing RE taught across the school. He also met with our pupil ‘Faith and Spirituality Group’ to find out more about their views of RE and worship in the school. We look forward to sharing with you the SIAMS inspection report when this is published within the next few weeks.  

Thank you to those who gathered for our PAPAYA talk in the junior hall on Wednesday evening, which was a good opportunity to hear more about the Smartphone Free Childhood initiative. Here is a copy of the slides. There is also a parents' WhatsApp group which you can join to learn more about this, and join the conversation.

This week, we also launched at the juniors our ‘Ways to Be Wall’ competition; we are looking to the children to complete a design brief so that we can transform the white wall in the playground into something special. There are more details below.

We’ve also had the first meeting of our new ‘Eco team’ at the juniors. If this is an area that interests you, and you want to get involved, please let us know!

We are looking forward to our parent consultation appointments next week, to celebrate with you successes so far and set targets for the year ahead for your child. There is still time to make an appointment if you haven’t yet. 

Also, next week, we have our postponed next OPAL collection week! We would love you to bring in your old unwanted CDs next week, and we’ll have a bucket by each gate for this purpose.

Just a reminder for next week that we break up for half term on Thursday 23rd October (one hour earlier than usual) as next Friday is an INSET day.

Have a lovely weekend ahead.

Our School Updates for Parents

Ways to Be Wall Competition We are planning to restore and then paint and design on the large white wall in the junior playground, using the theme of our Ways to Be. We are looking to the children for ideas and asking for ‘design briefs’, as below. We shared this with children on Monday in collective worship, so thinking caps on! More news on the PTA prizes soon.

Our new 'Ways to Be Wall' needs to include the words of the Ways to Be, but also can include other pictures or patterns.

Each year group is asked to focus on a specific 'way' as follows:

• Y3- be kind
• Y4- be safe
• Y5- be respectful
• Y6- be your best

Your design brief which can be in words, pictures or diagrams must be clearly laid out on one A4 sheet of paper. There will be prizes, donated by the PTA, for the best design ideas and we will look to use some ideas to decorate the new 'Ways to Be Wall'. Your entries must be handed in to your teacher by Friday 7th November. 

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 this form and you will be contacted by Mr Roberts in the school office. Thank you to those who have already replied.   

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! 

PS Catering Vacancy

Our lunchtime caterers have a vacancy for a Kitchen Assistant working 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year, £7985.34 per annum. If you or someone you know would be interested in this position, please contact Erin Tomlin on erin@pscateringmanagement.com

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

Pharmacy First

The NHS Pharmacy First service is a national NHS initiative now available in community pharmacies across England. Pharmacy First enables children and adults to access prompt healthcare advice and treatment for common conditions directly from a pharmacist, without needing a GP appointment. Please see the attached for more information.

Met Police Youth Football Club

The MPYFC run mini football training sessions on Tuesdays at Goals, New Malden from 5pm. Please see the attached flyer for details.

SEND Football Sessions

Please see the attached poster for details of free and inclusive football sessions for players with additional needs.

Hockey Skills Club Autumn 2025

The Old Kingstonian Hockey Club is a local club offering hockey for the whole family from the age of four. 

They are opening their juniors weekday training to non-members this autumn and have sent the attached flyer with details.

Kingston Children's Centres - October half term programme

Please find attached their programme for the upcoming half term for families with children 0-8.

Key School Dates

Autumn 1

• Friday 17th October - PTA Board Games Night from 7pm
• Monday 20th - Thursday 23rd October - Chums Week (changed week)
• 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