Dear Parents and Carers,
Happy New Year! In the words of children in Year 5, “This week has gone so fast, I cannot believe it is Friday!” We hope that you had a lovely Christmas and New Year – the children have been sharing lots of the joy of the time they spent with their families over the holidays.
On behalf of the whole staff, I would like to thank you all again for your generosity with gifts and words of thanks – these words in particular mean so much to the staff team.
There was a sense of calm around the school on Monday after we had all got over the shock of our alarm clocks going off again and it was lovely to welcome back so many eager and enthusiastic children (and parents) through the gate!
It was the feast of the Epiphany on Tuesday and Key Stage 2 attended Mass with the Parish. The children were incredibly well behaved and at the end of Mass a parishioner grabbed my hand and said how proud the staff should be and how impressive the children’s behaviour was. This was despite it starting to snow during the final blessing and Fr Alistair announcing this to the children causing a ripple of excitement! I think Fr Alistair enjoyed exciting the children and then sending them back to school!
Thank you for your patience with the changes to Breakfast Club and After School Club this week. We now have 3 new heaters in the Oak Room and it was positively toasty this morning when I popped in!
We start the week on Monday with Mass at 10am led by Year 4. As always, you are very welcome to join us for this celebration to mark the start of the spring term.
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
We explored John’s Gospel on Monday where he refers to the Word and the Light. We thought about who John was referring to and decided this must be Jesus as he brought the Word of God to Earth and shared God’s light through his mission. The children were challenged to spread their own light this week and shared how they had done this in Celebrations Collective Worship. Their responses included putting a smile on someone else’s face, sharing, inviting others to play, being kind to their teachers, opening the door for others and letting others go before them.
Charity
A group of children in year 4 have made bracelets that they will be selling in the playground next week for a £1 donation for the Brain Tumour Charity. They will be available to buy at break times next week starting on Tuesday.
Swimming
Year 2 start swimming next Thursday. We are still looking for volunteers to help with this over the course of the half term. If you are able to help, please contact the school office. Thank you in advance!
Online Safety
Digital devices are woven into everyday life for children and young people, but balancing the benefits with potential risks can feel challenging. This #WakeUpWednesday guide explores how screen use can influence sleep, emotional regulation, physical health and online experiences, offering clear context around why concerns about wellbeing are growing.
Written with schools and families in mind, the guide shares practical, realistic advice for setting boundaries, encouraging open conversations and building digital literacy. With insights from an experienced mental health professional, it supports adults to help children develop healthier, more mindful relationships with technology.
Attendance guidance sent out by the Department for Education.
Regular attendance is crucial for academic progress and overall development. Data clearly shows a direct correlation between attendance levels and later educational outcomes.
We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable and unforeseen; however, we actively encourage promoting good attendance. When a pupil's attendance falls below 94%, parents will receive a letter. If a pupil's attendance is significantly lower than this, parents will be asked to support further absences with medical evidence. These letters are standard practice regardless of previous reasons for absence.
We are here to support you and your child in achieving the best attendance possible. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. By working together, we can ensure pupils attend school regularly and benefit from their education. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to your child's education. Together, we can make a positive difference!
