We have had so much going on this week from the Y5 assembly, the art session at Beech Haven Care Home to the netball game on Wednesday after school. I don’t have enough paper for all the lovely things we have done this week but here is a lovely highlight from this afternoon.
Magical Mother’s Day Afternoon
Thank you so much to all the female representatives we had this afternoon. It was so lovely to see so many of you working with your children. I know the pupils were so excited to see you. Thank you to the PTA for bagging up all those yummy cakes!
Non-uniform day Friday 4th April – wear your favourite clothes for a £1 donation to the PTA funds.
All our children in Years 1 to 6 took part in the Chipping Norton Music Festival this week. They performed class poems and the feedback from the judges was excellent.
CNS Multi-ball skills
Great fun was had by all children in Year 2 and Year 3 on Wednesday afternoon. As always the children were polite and really positive when playing with others.
The Branch
Parent Drop-In EVERY MONDAY MORNING 8.20am – 9.30am
Every Monday there is a Parent Drop-In, in the library run by Emma Kennedy from The Branch. If you have any questions about benefits, arrears, housing, debt support, parenting, or if you need help filling in forms please do come to reception, and you will be shown up to the library. Many families are struggling at the moment, and there is lots of help and support available that people often do not know about. Rather than have sleepless nights worrying about things, do drop in on a Monday and we will help signpost you to support for you and your family.
The Branch also runs Connect Café every Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm – 2.30pm, where you can go along for coffee, cake and craft – and there is also a help desk and Citizens Advice.
This term they also have the No Limits Programme on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. This programme provides laptops, mobile phones, Wifi and Data packages for those who need a devise to access training or employment. If you would like support with this, then please either call in on a Monday morning when you drop the children off at school or go along to Connect Café on a Tuesday at The Branch.
All appointments are confidential.
Financial news for September 2025
After sending out the recent parental survey, every parent agreed that the after-school clubs on offer were varied and great value for money. 100% of parents who responded, stated they would agree to pay more. As we manage rising costs in school, we have made the decision to increase the cost of clubs to £2 per session in September. This is still much cheaper than schools in the locality that offer clubs at an average of £5 or more per hour.
School lunches will also rise to £2.50 per meal in September 2025 (this is the first rise in several years).
Nursery in September 2025
We are now taking enquiries for nursery places in September 2025. We already have several parents interested in joining us. Please contact Mrs Taylor for further information. We will take children after their 3rd birthday.
Non-uniform day Friday 4April 2025 – wear your favourite clothes for a £1 donation to the PTA funds
We took part in Book Week last week and this week we have been super scientists to celebrate Science Week! We were lucky enough to take part in workshops led by Alice from Science Oxford. The children were in awe of the amazing experiments and reactions.
Diversity
We have also been celebrating diversity in Collective Worship and understanding that diversity involves recognising and valuing the rich tapestry of human differences, fostering understanding and creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and respected and that’s what I wish for every child at St. Mary’s. Please talk to your child about this at the weekend.
Pizza Paradise in Acorn Class
This term’s home corner in Acorn Class has been a Pizzeria. Wood fired pizza has been made and delicious gelatos have been consumed. The children were so lucky to go to experience a real pizzeria restaurant, Pizza Express and make their very own pizzas. The children brought them back to school and said they tasted, ‘yummy!’
Lunchtime Football
Last Friday we had an amazing amount of children take part in our lunchtime football event. The children were split into girls and boys to encourage active participation during lunchtime. 74% of girls came to enjoy the activities which has counted towards our participation in England Football’s ‘Biggest ever football event’. Thank you to all who joined in you have earnt lots of house points for your team.
Mother’s Day Celebration Friday 28 March 2025 from 1.15pm – 3.00pm Come and make a beautiful Spring gift with your children and enjoy cake afterwards. A perfect way to end the week! Cakes supplied by the PTA.
Non-uniform day Friday 4th April – wear your favourite clothes for a £1 donation to the PTA funds
We are very excited to announce that we will be opening our very own nursery in September 2025. Our nursery will be called Little Acorns, in preparation for Acorn Class. Initially, this will be for 3 – 4 year olds but our intention will be to increase this to 2 year olds shortly afterwards. If you would like further information or a school tour, please email/phone the office and make an appointment to speak with Mrs Justine Taylor (Deputy Head Teacher and lead for nursery and EYFS).
World Book Week in pictures
Mother’s Day Celebration
Friday 28th March 1.15pm – 3pm Come and make a beautiful Spring gift with your children and enjoy cake afterwards. A perfect way to end the week!
Wednesday Winners!
The football team played against Bruern Abbey School and won all of their games. Well done everyone!
Harry Baker, a World Cup and Paralympian footballer spoke to the children about the ups and downs in his career. His story was inspirational and showed the realities of football at the highest level. Harry talked about scoring goals for England and how proud he was to represent his country. Having cerebral palsy, he had never dreamed of such a fantastic career. However, he did talk to the children about his attitude to failure at certain times in his profession and his initial lack of resilience to overcoming set backs and not being chosen for the squad for an Olympic games. His self-reflection throughout his presentation was extraordinary and you could have heard a pin drop in the hall as everyone was listening so hard! Follow your dreams and make the impossible something possible for you. He even took the time to sign autographs for all the children in Year 6.
Library Visits
The children in all year groups are again having the opportunity to visit the library and take out some ‘free’ books. Mrs Keyzor needed a shopping trolley for all the books that Acorn class borrowed yesterday.
World Book Week next week
Next week is World Book Week and there will be a variety of activities taking place for the children. On Friday 7March 2025, the children can come to dressed in their favourite PJs and bring with them their favourite book and a teddy. We will also be having a special lunchtime menu on Thursday 6 March 2025, which is displayed at the end of this letter.
Attendance
We have all been working hard on our attendance this term. To help us to support you and your child, please ensure that when make contact by either phone, email or ParentMail that you detail your child’s absence. Unfortunately, writing ‘stomach’ or ‘unwell’ does not help us to understand your child’s illness, especially if they have multiple absences.
Class with overall best attendance
98.86% – EYFS – Mrs Taylor’s class
Overall School attendance
96.30%
Lates
17 lates / 10 children
Unauthorised absence
0.41%
Dates for your diary
Monday 10 March 2025
Parents Evening – 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Tuesday 11 March 2025
Year 5 Singing Workshop at Chipping Norton School from 2.00pm – Music Festival
Wednesday 12 March 2025
Parents Evening – 3.30pm to 6.30pm
EYFS – visit Pizza Express in Banbury – cooking session
Wednesday 19 March 2025
Year 6 and EYFS – Height and Weight National Measurement programme
Thursday 20 March 2025
NSPCC Workshop – Years 2, 5 and 6
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Individual School Photos
Friday 4 April 2025
End of term – finish at 2.00pm for the Easter break until Monday 21 April 2025.
Tuesday 22 April 2025
INSET DAY – school closed for pupils
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Summer term begins – 8.25am
World book day lunchtime menu
Horrid Henry’s Greedy Crispy Bun – Crispy Chicken Burger served with Lettuce and Mayo in a fresh Bread Bap.
BFG Human Bean Burger – Homemade Bean Burger with Mayo and Lettuce served in a fresh Bread Bap.
Gruffalo’s Terrible Tusks Potato Wedges.
Jack’s Magic Beans.
Peter Rabbit’s Carrots and Baked Beans.
Dessert – Oompa Loompa Bar, a Chocolate drizzled Shortbread.
Isla has been so busy this week! Not only has Isla been read to so nicely, she has also helped Finley in EYFS. When he first met Isla he would scream and cry even if we were on the other side of the playground but this week he stroked her for the first time and even walked round the track with us – go Finley!
Adam also talked to Isla using lots of new English words – well done Adam.
Some children in Year 3 who came to show me their fabulous writing also got to stroke their furry friend.
The Duke of Edinburgh visits The Branch
Some of the children at St. Mary’s were lucky enough to meet the Duke of Edinburgh on Wednesday. Those children that take part in Nurture Gardening and Full Circle in school were invited to The Branch to be part of the official opening. We hope to have some lovely photos in the next few weeks to share with you.
Year 4 assembly
Year 4 assembly was great this week. The children told us all about their learning from Boudica to the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Year 1 – Puppet making
Year 1 were making puppets in DT and what amazing fun they had, linking this to their Toy topic. They were sewing using a running stitch and being very careful with a hot glue gun to attach fastenings – well done Year 1.
Attendance
Class with overall best attendance
Mrs English / Mrs Townsend’s Class Year 2 – 98.74%
We started off the week by watching Inside Out 2 and discussing our emotions. We talked about the feelings some of us find difficult but discussed the fact that no matter what the feeling, at times, they are perfectly normal feelings to be having and it is how we manage those feelings that matters the most.
As I was walking back to my room at the end of that day, Albert in Year 2 stated that he was feeling jealous of a child because they had been chosen to take something from the special treat box. Jo-Jo then reminded him that he had just received a merit and although a merit wasn’t a thing, it was just as important. Jo-Jo also continued with the fact that the feeling of jealousy was perfectly normal as we had talked about this. Albert’s response to this was so lovely and it made me so proud because sometimes I wonder whether the children are truly listening to me and on this ocassion they were! These are the children of St Mary’s and what great adults they will make in the future.
Mother’s Day Celebration at school – SAVE THE DATE
On Friday 28 March 2025, the children will be inviting mothers, a grandmother, aunty or significant female in their life to join them between 1.00pm and 3.00pm. The school will be split into family groups and you will have the opportunity to complete a craft activity with your child/children and enjoy cake provided by the PTA.
Questionnaire regarding After School Clubs / Holiday Clubs
Further to the Parentmail message sent out yesterday, the google form for this is still open. Thank you to all the parents that have already completed the form. Please see the link below. We need as many of you in our school community to complete the form so we have a better understanding of what is working and what can be improved.
Thank you for your support with this.
Attendance
Class with overall best attendance
Mrs Eaglestone / Miss Thorsby Year 3 – 97.44%
Overall School attendance
97.22%
Lates
31 Lates / 17 children
Unauthorised absence
0.14%
Kind regards Mrs McQueen
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