Dear Parents and Carers,
I was overwhelmed by your support and presence at my Induction Mass on Sunday! Thank you for all your kind words, thoughtful cards and generous gifts. A big thank you to The Friends and everyone who helped with organising the refreshments after Mass. The Parish generously printed the orders of service and provided the cake too. It was very special to be surrounded by my family, friends, past colleagues, new colleagues, your lovely children, all of you and the parish! The celebrations lasted all day with lunch with my family when I left school. I feel really blessed to be part of this community.
On Tuesday, Year 6 had a great visit to Henley Fort as part of their history learning about World War II. I think there were some very tired adults and children by the end of the day though! Thank you to all the parents that supported them with transport for this visit or volunteered their help for the day– it would not have been possible without your help.
We look forward to welcoming you into school for parents evening on Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th February between 3.30 - 6pm. The booking platform will be open on Monday 3rd February at 3pm so that you can book an appointment.
God bless,
Mrs. Amy O’Donovan
Head of School
Collective Worship
Collective Worship
This week we used CAFOD’s Liturgy of the Word to launch Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope on Monday morning. We thought about what a pilgrim is, what hope means and how we can bring hope to others. In Mass at the start of term, Fr Alistair challenges us to learn the hymn for the jubilee year – we are working on that but also started to listen to the song that CAFOD have written for children that was written and performed by one of Mrs. Armstrong and I’s past colleagues who now works for CAFOD!
The Faith Council will be leading our focus on the Jubilee Year with Mrs. Newland. Watch this space to find out how we are taking part!
Before School
Sadly, I have received a number of complaints from parents regarding children who have been playing football or running around before school near the Church. I have spoken to all the children in collective worship to explain how it is not safe to be playing football in the mornings by the Church. This is the route through to school for many families and I do not want anyone to get hurt by balls or for there to be any damage to the Church or cars. It can also be extremely intimidating for younger children to have the bigger children running around them. Please could I ask for your support in ensuring that everyone feels safe on their journey into school and whilst they are waiting for the gates to open.
Volunteers
We would love to have some parents/grandparents help with reading in school. To volunteer, you will need to be committed to coming into school regularly, undertake a DBS and safeguarding training. Please contact the office if you can offer support with this.
Parents Evening
We look forward to welcoming you into school for Parents’ Evening on Tuesday 11th and Thursday 13th February between 3.30 - 6pm. The booking system will open on Monday 3rd February at 3pm.
Aiming High
Aiming High is one of the focusses of our mission statement and as part of our focus on this, we have been working really hard on the presentation of our work!
Look at this great writing from Year 4!
Wake Up Wednesday – Emotional Literacy
As we grow up, we’re inevitably exposed to new and challenging feelings – whether it’s sadness, fear or rage. These emotions can be tough to handle when we’re still learning about the world – and even once we’ve passed into adulthood – which is why emotional literacy is a vital life skill.
Of course, when emotions are running high, it can be tricky to help young people process these feelings in a healthy way, but it’s incredibly important that we do so as parents and educators. This free guide provides you with expert tips on teaching children to recognise their own emotions and deal with them in a mature manner. This week’s Wake Up Wednesday has tips to support with emotional literacy strategies.
Attendance and lateness
Please find below a reminder of the rules that were brought in by the DfE regarding attendance and requests for absence:
Dear Parent/Carer
If you consider that there are exceptional circumstances relating to your request for absence, please let the school have full details. Each application for a leave of absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Penalty Notices to Address Poor Attendance at School
A Penalty Notice may be issued as an alternative to the prosecution of a parent/carer for their child’s unauthorised absence from school (absence without the agreement of the school or not covered by a medical note) and will be used by Surrey County Council in the following circumstances:-
1. Pupils identified by police and Attendance Advice Officers (formerly Education Welfare Officers) engaged on Truancy Patrols and who have incurred unauthorised absences.
2. Leave of absence in term time (5 days or 10 sessions or more).
Please be aware that The Education (Pupil Registration)(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2013, which became law on 01 September 2013 state that Headteachers may not grant any leave of absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The Headteacher is also required to determine the number of school days a child can be away from school if leave is granted.
In such cases the Headteacher/Governing Body must decide whether there are exceptional circumstances. They may request that Surrey County Council issue Penalty Notices when the absence is not authorised.
Warnings will not be given where it can be shown that parents have been notified that such absences will not be authorised.
3. Finally, the issuing of a Penalty Notice will also be considered where it is judged that a parent is failing to ensure their child's regular school attendance.
This will be considered when a pupil has incurred 10 or more unauthorised sessions in the previous 10 school weeks, which may include a pupil arriving late after close of registration.
If you believe at any stage that your child’s absence from school may leave you liable to receive a Penalty Notice, it is extremely important that you act without delay to secure their regular attendance.
If you have any questions or require further support to achieve an improvement in your child’s attendance, please contact your child’s school or the Attendance Advice Officer.
Penalty Notice relating to Exclusions
If a child is excluded from school, Section 103 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 places a duty on parents/carers to ensure that their child is not in a public place without justifiable cause during school hours.
This duty applies to the first five days of each exclusion. Failure to do so will render the parent/carer liable to a Penalty Notice. (Alternative education provision will be made available from the sixth day of any exclusion.)
Amount Payable for a Penalty Notice and Consequences for repeat unauthorised absences
1. If you have not incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children in a rolling 3 year period since 19 August 2024, then the penalty notice will be charged at the rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80.00 if paid within 21 days of receipt of the notice. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
2. If you have incurred a penalty notice relating to this child/children since 19 August 2024, the rolling 3 year period will be activated from the date of the first penalty notice and the second penalty notice will be charged at the flat rate of £160.00, per parent/carer per child, if paid within 28 days. There will be no reduction for payment within 21 days. Failure to pay the Penalty Notice will result in Surrey County Council considering legal proceedings against you in the Magistrates Court.
3. If you have incurred 2 penalty notices relating to this child/children in the rolling 3 year period since the first penalty notice was issued, then you will NOT receive a third penalty notice – Surrey County Council will have no option but to consider a prosecution, per parent/carer per child, in the Magistrates Court under s 444 Education Act 1996.
Surrey County Council is not responsible for authorising pupil absence and therefore cannot withdraw any Penalty Notice requests without the written permission of the Headteacher.
Advice and support is available from an Attendance Advice Officer by contacting Surrey Attendance Service as follows :-
North West - Tel: 01483 518130 South West - Tel: 01483 517179
North East - Tel: 01372 833588 South East - Tel: 01737 737777
Parking
During the holidays, PCSO Aaron Baker emailed me as he had been in contact with Surrey County Council regarding the parking issues around our school. Please can we all work hard and work together to ensure the roads around our school are as safe as possible for the children as they arrive at and leave school. It is more important than ever to focus on this at the moment with the road works at the end of St Nicolas Avenue.
Points to remember please:
I know that a parent talked to the PCSO about having a walking bus. If anyone would like to volunteer to organise that - please get in contact with Mrs O’Donovan via the School Office. She would love to hear from you!
Spring term dates for your diary
7th February – INSET day school closed for children
11th and 13th February - Parents evenings from 3.30-6.00pm
