Dear Parents and Carers,
Today we have come to the end of a very busy and long half term. Can you believe it has been 8 weeks since we started back to school after the summer holidays?! I wish you all a very restful half term. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday 3rd November in winter uniform.
It has been lovely to welcome parents into school this week for parent/teacher meetings. We hope that you have found them useful to find out more about what your children have been learning and what they need to work on next. Year 2 parents, thank you for your understanding with regards to the Year 2 Parents’ evening appointments being postponed.
On Wednesday afternoon Suhani in yr5 presented a captivating assembly about Diwali and how she celebrates it. She spoke so confidently and had prepared thoughtful questions and slides for us. Thank you, Suhani.
Until the survey closes today, I cannot see your feedback. I look forward to looking at the results with the Senior Leadership Team, so that where possible we can act upon your suggestions. I know a couple of parents have mentioned to me that they would like more information about what the children are learning about in school. We are currently looking at how we can share this information with you in a way that is helpful for you and manageable for staff. Another thing we are looking to do is provide you with a regular opportunity to come into school, so that your children can share their books with you and talk to you about what they have been learning (this would be in between parents’ evenings) – watch this space for further information!
I know it seems early to talk about Christmas in October, but The Friends of St. Cuthbert Mayne are planning some wonderful events next half term to raise money for our school. Please see below for more details.
Do follow us on Instagram if you haven’t already https://www.instagram.com/saint_cuthbert_mayne/
God Bless,
Mrs. Amy O’Donovan
Headteacher
Collective Worship
On Monday, we explored Luke 18: 1-8 where Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. The message Jesus gives us in this Gospel is not to give up when things are hard and to remember to pray. We thought about how sometimes it feels like Jesus isn’t listening to our prayers because they are not answered straight away. One of our Year 6 pupils shared that she thinks this is because “Jesus always listens to our prayers but sometimes he needs time to listen and consider how our prayers fit in with his plan for us!” What an amazing and mature response!
Shoeboxes for the Ukraine
We would like to support the Cranleigh Rotarian’s Shoebox appeal for Ukraine to support children who, without our generosity, will not get Christmas presents. If you are able to donate, boxes needs to be in school for collection by 16th November. Please see the information here for further information regarding what to put into the boxes and how to label them etc.
Manners, and speaking respectfully
In school, staff always model speaking respectfully to each other and the children. We are noticing that a growing number of children can be quite rude in how they respond to adults or forget their manners when asking for something. Please support us by reminding your child that if they do not hear what someone says to them, we say “pardon” rather than what. Also, if we are asking for something, the sentence ends or starts with please and then we say thank you to the person when we have received the item we have asked for or the support we needed.
Learning in School this half term
We have had feedback about wanting to know a bit more about learning that takes place in school. To start with we will begin giving a little snapshot of each class at the end of each month.
Reception - In St David's Class we have been learning about the sacrament of Baptism. We have visited the church to see the font and we have all engaged in role play within class. We thank God for welcoming us into His family.
We have also have been working with a range of different media and materials to create self-portraits. We have done some great observational drawing, learning to look closely at a range of objects - including our faces - in detail. Here are our latest self portraits!
Year 1 - Once a week this half term, a group of Glebelands students have come to support Year 1 in their reading and maths. This has given them such a wonderful opportunity to embed their knowledge through fun activities.
Year 2 - In History, we have been exploring the question “How was school different in the past?” We asked thoughtful questions that we would have liked to ask someone who went to school in the early 1900s. We compared a modern classroom to one from the 1900s and identified the similarities and differences between schools then and now. Finally, we decided which time period we would have preferred to go to school in, giving reasons for our choices.
Year 3 - Year 3 have had a busy half term from making moving skeletons and hands to using incredible vocabulary in diary entries of the day Mount Vesuvius erupting. Year 3 have focused on their wellbeing, creating and caring for a wellbeing area within the classroom as well as drawing their emotions on World Mental Health Day.
Year 4 - were buzzing with excitement as they welcomed the school guinea pigs for a special afternoon visit! The children were thrilled to observe and feed our furry friends, learning about their habits and care routines in a hands-on way. It was a wonderful opportunity to foster empathy, responsibility, and curiosity, all the while enjoying the calming presence of Herbie who seemed just as delighted with the attention, and we’re already looking forward to their next visit!
As we come to the end of our inspiring theme of Faith, Hope and Love, Year 4 will be bringing home their prayer journals this week. These journals have been a meaningful part of our reflections, allowing the children to express their thoughts, prayers, and personal connections to the theme. We encourage families to take a moment to read through them together, celebrating the heartfelt insights and spiritual growth that have blossomed over the half term. It’s a beautiful way to continue the conversation at home and honour the journey we’ve shared.
Year 5 – In Year 5 we have been reading the novel ‘Rooftoppers’. It is the story of Sophie’s journey to find her missing mother. Part of her adventure involves exploring the rooftops of Paris. As part of our culminating activity for the novel, pupils created their own descriptions of Paris. They did a lovely job and Miss Robinson hopes to enjoy reading their original tales.
Year 6 - In science, we have been learning about classifying animals and plants by their characteristics and using classification keys to group and identify organisms. When learning about the four different plant types, we created a plant collage where different materials represented each of the different characteristics of the plants.
Friends of St. Cuthbert Mayne – Dates for your diaries
More information will be sent out after half term, but here are some important dates:
Year 6 parents – starting secondary school in September 2026
I know that your children have only just started in year 6, but the application process for Secondary schools is already open! Please see the information below from Surrey:
If your child will reach the age of 11 between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, they will be due to start secondary school in September 2026.
You can apply for a secondary school place from 1 September 2025.
The closing date for on-time applications for secondary schools is 31 October 2025.
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/secondary
Uniform
When we return to school after half term, the children should be in winter uniform. Please see details below:
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Winter Uniform
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EYFS and KS1 (Reception – Year 2)
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KS2 (Year 3-6)
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Boys
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Winter
Purple round-neck sweatshirt with school badge
White polo shirt
Grey trousers/shorts
Grey socks
Black shoes
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Purple V-neck sweatshirt with school badge
White long-sleeved shirt
School tie
Grey trousers/shorts
Grey socks
Black shoes
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Girls
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Winter
Purple cardigan with school badge
White polo shirt
Grey skirt/trousers/pinafore dress
Grey socks/tights
Black shoes
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Purple cardigan with school badge
White long-sleeved shirt
School tie
Grey skirt/trousers/pinafore dress
Grey socks/tights
Black shoes
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PE Kit
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Black shorts
Black or Grey Tracksuit bottoms
Purple T-shirt with school badge
Socks
Trainers
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Other
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Haircuts: No extreme haircuts, extensions or dyed hair; no shorter than grade 2 and must be blended (eg: No tram lines).
Hairbands: Plain yellow, purple or black hairbands and hair ties. Shoulder-length hair must be tied up.
Jewellery: No jewellery is permitted, except one pair of small round gold or silver ear studs which must be removed for PE.
Make-Up: Pupils cannot wear make-up or nail varnish.
School Bags: Reception & KS1 have the school book bags (no rucksacks) KS2 have a small bag for books (which must fit in their locker). Pupils are allowed no more than one keyring on their bag.
Watches: analogue or digital only. Watches that have internet connectivity or recording capability are not permitted.
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Reception 2026
We have just settled our Reception intake, but it is already time to think about 2026’s new intake! If your child is due to start school in September 2026 and you would like to find out more about St. Cuthbert Mayne Catholic Primary School, we will be running tours of the school so that you can see us in action and have the opportunity to meet with Mrs. O’Donovan, Headteacher on the following dates:
To book a place, please complete this form.
Interested in teaching?
Are you or someone you know interested in a change of career or have a passion for teaching? If the answer is yes, The Xavier Teach South East Hub have several events coming up with opportunities to find out more about teacher training. You can find out more on their website: www.teachsoutheast.co.uk or if you feel you just want to apply, there is a fast track application here.
