Headteacher’s Newsletter – 28th February 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
Harry Baker visits St Mary’s
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.
Kind regards
Mrs McQueen
(Headteacher)
