What a wonderful day we had in London last Saturday at the London Mini Marathon. Twelve of our keen runners limbered up to run along Birdcage Walk, past Buckingham Palace and then across the finish line on The Mall. They certainly saved the best to last as St Cuthbert Mayne went out in the last of 38 waves of children. It was a truly memorable experience for the children, and good preparation for my slightly longer route the following day. Thank you so much to all those who have sponsored me and have been so supportive – the most recent glance at my JustGiving page showed that I’m just shy of having raised £3000 for homeless charity Depaul UK. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch this week our Year 4 children have been learning how to stay safe on two wheels by completing their Level 1 Bikeability. The instructors commented on how focused and sensible the children were as they learnt how to set off, cruise, slow down, brake and stop as well as pedalling without feeling wobbly or out of control.  

Our Year 2 class also made their first trip over to the Leisure Centre for their first swimming lessons – thank you to parents.  

Year 3 children celebrated their class Saint’s Feast Day on Wednesday – thank you to Fr Alistair who came to talk to the children about the life of St George. 

As I write I can hear the speakers being tested to the limit in the Hall, as the children show off their dancing skills at the Disco. The children love these occasions and they're a great way of raising funds for the school.

Thank you for your support in encouraging your children to take pride in their appearance as they arrive at school. A reminder that our focus areas are: 

• Shirt tucked in 
• Cardigan worn properly - not off the shoulders 
• School shoes not trainers 

A reminder that next week we have a meeting for Year 4 parents and their children about the upcoming Multiplication Table Check at 3.15pm next Monday in the Year 4 classroom – please enter the playground as for pick up and come into the classroom that way. This is an important opportunity to hear how to support your children with this important step in their mathematical learning.

For various reasons our Celebration Assembly for this week will take place on Monday of next week - so next week's newsletter will have our usual updates on House Points and Certificates. 

God bless

Mr Hall, Head of School 

Liturgy 

St John describes how Jesus made several “I am...” statements over the course of His life. In last week’s Gospel we heard how Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who watches over his flock. Parents are of course the first ‘shepherd’ to their children, but as teachers we have the privilege of receiving that baton from you. As these young people grow it is incumbent on all of us to explore how they can become shepherds to one another.  

Loving God, you know us and care for us. Help us to remember that all people are loved by you no matter who they are, and to care for others in the world as you do. Amen. 

ONLINE SAFETY ADVICE

Cranleigh Prep School have invited our pupils and families to attend their Patron of Reading Lucy Strange’s new book launch on Thursday 2^nd May at 5.15pm, at Cranleigh Prep School.

We would very much like to extend an invitation to your pupils and parents to join us for this book launch.   - https://forms.gle/WXZ1gf6BTK8Gz9Vj6.

Her new book ‘The Island at the Edge of Night’ is most suited to Years 5 & 6 pupils.

In2Drama - FREE PLACES AVAILABLE

In2Drama are proud to be able to provide free places at the summer academy this year  (22nd-26th July at Cranleigh Arts),  following a very generous grant from the Wates Family Trust. We are determined  to find talented, enthusiastic performers who ordinarily may not be able to access the 1st class training provided by our industry professionals, due to financial constraints. We expect a high take up of  these places and would very much like to meet, hear and see students perform to ensure these coveted all paid for bursaries go to the right performers. Confidence building, communication and teamwork skills are vital to what we do, so we really hope we have a big turn out later this year.

Our ambassador, the West End and Broadway legend herself, Kerry Ellis,  is confirmed this year and will be teaching an audition masterclass. She will also be performing a professional show “An Evening with Kerry Ellis and Friends” at 7.30pm on the 26th July where a couple of lucky talented students will have the chance to sing alongside her in this professional show at the Cranleigh Arts Centre.

We intend to meet and hear potential academy performers who would like to win a bursary on the 11th May. Please write to me on phil@in2drama.com or register directly on https://www.in2drama.com/scholarship 

Please go to our website to understand more about what we offer.www.in2drama.com 

For Year 2 Parents - First Holy Communion for baptised Catholic children starting Year 3 in Sept 2024

As parents you will be aware that supporting your children through their FHC is an important part of their faith formation.  To support you in this we invite you to attend a parents’ preparation course on 28/2, 13/3, 10/4 and 24/4 from 7.30 to 9 pm.  The meetings will be held in person in the Cranleigh Parish Meeting Room and will be a necessary part of strengthening our faith community as you as parents prepare for this important moment.  This a requirement of your child being accepted onto the First Holy Communion Course which will start in September 2024. Please book your place by emailing cranleigh@abdiocese.org.uk by 30 January 2024.

Attendance

At St Cuthbert Mayne we place great importance on school attendance. Please see the graphic below which illustrates the cumulative effect of continued poor attendance at school. In the first instance we will always work closely with families to support improvement in attendance when necessary.

On 19 January Mr Hall wrote to parents outlining the possibility of Penalty Notices being issued to parents in the event of unauthorised absences. School attendance is rarely out of the headlines - this BBC article details plans to increase the minimum fine from September 2024.

The cost of a family holiday outside of term time can be eye-watering, but we would urge all parents to consider what sort of message they are giving their children about the value that they place on education if they choose to take their children on holiday during term time.

Useful Links:

Fines for parents for taking children out of school: What you need to know

School Attendance Policy

Cupcake Baking and Decorating Classes

As part of the 2024 Parish Talent scheme, our family is offering cupcake Baking and Decorating Classes. Before I started as a TA at SCM I spent 10 years running my own successful celebration cakes business from home, and I thought that I could pass some of that knowledge on to anyone that would like to learn and have fun whilst we are at it!

Please contact: Kirsty Kay-Russell on WhatsApp 07563 140611 or email kirstykayrussell@googlemail.com to book your space/s!

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/

Uniform

After a considerable amount of time spent moving our uniform supplier to Marks and Spencer we have been informed that they will be discontuing their service as a provider of bespoke school uniforms.  We have already contacted an alternative supplier.  Details will be provided but it looks like it will be October when we move to the new supplier.

The new supplier have already sent a sample product and the purple is closer to the school colour than the one Marks and Spencer supply so if you do require new jumpers and cardigans you mighty want to wait for the new supplier to take over.

Classlist

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

Safeguarding

Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility at St Cuthbert Mayne. Please see below for some useful links and resources for all families:

Family Lives – very useful parental information website, provides lots of links and resources - they also have a telephone support line for parents/carers. Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus)

Mental Health support – suitable for lots of families, especially at this time of year. Mental health support - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

NHS Talking Therapies – it may be helpful for any parents to be able to talk to someone and this is a self referral service Home Mind Matters Surrey - NHS Talking Therapies (mindmattersnhs.co.uk)

Family Conflict – SCC pages for parents. Our resources for reducing conflict between parents - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Your Sanctuary – Domestic Abuse Support Services. YS Home (yoursanctuary.org.uk)

Relate – resources for relationships –

Get Help | Relate

Find your online centre Relate

Drug and Alcohol Support Services

i-access Drug & Alcohol Service : Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (surreydrugandalcohol.com)

Catalyst – substance and mental health support

Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Service in Surrey (catalystsupport.org.uk)

Citizens Advice – another more general link but useful for newsletters at this time of year

Citizens Advice

Family Information Service – Families can search for services near to them

Family Information Service - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Online Understanding your child guides – Free for all Surrey residents – use access code ACORN.

Online Learning (heiapply.com)

Our Safeguarding Team: Mr Hall (DSL), Miss Wilkin (DDSL), Mrs Chalstrey (DDSL)

As a team we are always here to support, to be a listening ear, and guide in anyway you feel appropriate. Do get in touch with any member of the team via phone 01483 274961 or email DSL@stcuthbert-mayne.surrey.sch.uk

You are not on your own and many individuals or families do come and ask. 

Summer Teaching Internship Programme

Teach Southeast are offering a new, three-week internship programme which incorporates a paid scheme for secondary maths, computing and physics undergraduates (£300 pw) and an unpaid scheme for all other secondary subjects and primary teaching. Our aim is to help undergraduates in all subjects explore how rewarding and challenging a career in teaching can be.

As part of the programme, interns will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of school life, including: 

· Taking part in a bespoke training programme with other interns.

· Working closely with a mentor in a placement school to observe and teach lessons.

· The chance to meet with ECTs and SCITT trainees to get their perspective on the realities of  teacher training.

Xavier Teach Southeast - Undergraduate teaching internship

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.