On Thursday night I huffed and  I puffed and I blew up sixty balloons for an arch, under which our children could walk to mark the start of a day of celebrations for the feast of St Cuthbert Mayne. The day began with a special Celebration Assembly which saw Jerusalem House crowned as the winners of the inaugural MASTERMAYNE quiz – would you know what year the school was founded, or even when St Cuthbert Mayne was born? After lunch the children decorated (and wolfed down) biscuits in the school colours. The day culminated with Mass celebrated by Fr Alistair; it was wonderful to have such a good turn out from parents to join us in our celebrations – thank you for your continued support.

It's been a typically busy week, with Year 1 visiting Milestones Museum, Reception Class and the Faith Council visiting Wintershall for an Advent Workshop and Year 6 Netballers and Footballers both returning victorious from Wonersh and Shamley Green. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who enabled these wonderful opportunities for the children. 

Work has been going on behind the scenes from our Governors to look at our Mission Statement with a view to simplifying it and making it more accessible to the children. We would be interested to share these with parent and gauge your views next week – as such I would be most grateful if parents are able to join me for a Parent Forum next Thursday, 7 December at 9am in the parish room.

The Friends have been very busy in recent weeks preparing for the Christmas Fair on Sunday, 10 December at midday in the School Hall. The start time coincides with the end of Sunday Mass, so we hope to be able to welcome members of the parish community who do not have children attending the school. There will be a variety of stalls, some of which I’m delighted to report will be run by some of our Year 6 children.

The long weekend comes at a convenient point – just as people are beginning to flag during the business end of this long term. I hope that this will give everybody the little boost that is needed in order to maintain really good attendance over the next few weeks.                                                              

God bless,

Thomas Hall, Head of School

Prayer and Liturgy

At our Feast Day Mass Fr Alistair made reference to a portrait of St Cuthbert Mayne which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery (see below). As one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, the story of his ultimate demise is perhaps rather a gruesome one for primary school ears. Nevertheless, Fr Alistair spoke about our patron saint’s resilience, courage, strength and his constant quest for truth which makes him a first-rate example to us all.

Dearest Jesus, we thank You for the courage of the martyrs and for their witness of faith.  We ask for their intercession, that we may always put You first in our lives.  Amen.

Plant Soccer bookings for the Spring Term are now open online. CLICK

Positive Parking

We continue to be very grateful to all our parents that park and stride/cycle/walk to school, and to those that park safely and respectfully around the neighbouring roads.

We are aware that some people continue to park on the yellow zig-zag lines outside the school and the church car park. Rule 243 of the Highway Code states that road users must not park near a school entrance; for the safety of all the children at St Cuthbert Mayne, we would ask that all members of our community adhere to this rule and do not park on the yellow zig-zag lines.

We must also ensure that we are polite and respectful to local residents at all times.

Please show your children, by your actions, that positive and respectful parking is a way to show that you care about other pedestrians, neighbours and road users. Be a good role model!

For helpful information about road safety please visit: https://www.think.gov.uk/

Classlist

Classlist is the most effective way of staying touch with other parents. Please click this link in order to sign up.

READY - RESPECTFUL - SAFE

This year children have been introduced to three important principles that we follow at St Cuthbert Mayne. Why not start to use the same language at home - we want all our children to be...

Mary’s Meals would like to invite you to collect all your foreign currency* no matter how old or obscure.  Clear out your drawers and have a look under the sofa.  Currently, the charity feeds over 2.4 million young children one good meal every day in their place of education – by giving Mary’s Meals your foreign coins and notes, you can help feed the next hungry child.

Mary’s Meals feeds in over 18 countries.  Because of our low costs, we can do this for as little as £19.15 per child per year!  *We will also take UK coins/notes that aren’t legal tender

Donations can be left in the Cranleigh Parish Office, which is outside the SCM green school gates - double white patio doors - on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday mornings.   With thanks from Tracy in the parish office.

Our calendar for the term can be found here. We are beginning to populate this - a slow process initially as we learn to navigate our new website!

TRAIN TO TEACH WITH OUTSTANDING ITT PROVIDER XAVIER TEACH SOUTHEAST 

Take a moment to flick through XTSE's prospectus here or watch some of our 'success stories' here.

Want to find out more before applying? Attend one of the following up-coming events:

Wednesday 17^th January 2024 9.30-11am : SCITT Open morning event @ Salesian school, Guildford Road, KT16 9LU. Register here

Tuesday 30^th January 11.00-11.30am: Online information event. Join using this link

Follow XTSE on social media to find out about more events, or just pick up the phone today to the Xavier Teach SouthEast team on 01932 578 682 or email j.crome@xaviercet.org.uk