Dear Parents and Carers,
On Saturday, Mrs. Newland, Mrs. Sharpe (one of our Governors) and I attended a service at Arundel Cathedral, along with Year 6 pupils who received their Faith in Action awards. The children had worked all year towards their participator pins – keeping a journal of their reflections, prayers, research about saints and their final project which was to plan and lead a liturgy about Mary during the month of May. We joined several other Xavier family schools, as well as others from across the Diocese. We are immensely proud of our Faith in Action group and hope even more children join in next year.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding of the slight delay in sending out the reports on Friday. It was quite a relief for Miss Wilkin and I to discover it was a national issue and not anything we had done!
On Monday afternoon, the whole school enjoyed a sneak preview of the Year 6’s production of Pantastic! Then on Tuesday afternoon and evening they performed for their parents, families and friends. The children, Mrs. Hasler, Miss Wilkin and Mrs. Mugridge all worked so hard to make it such a success. From learning lines and songs, to prepping costumes and props, as well as painting the most phenomenal backdrops!
We celebrated our end of term awards on Wednesday afternoon where children were given certificates for living out aspects of our school mission consistently throughout the year. Some Year 6 children were also awarded with cups and trophies for their achievements and contributions to the school.
On Wednesday teachers joined Year 6 for afternoon tea after school and then on Thursday, we celebrated the Year 6 Leaver’s Mass and End of term Mass. Today, we said out goodbyes to Year 6 – we wish them all the very best as they start the next part of their journey. They have been a wonderful Year 6 cohort and everyone will miss them greatly. Thank you for your sense of fun, for working hard, for being great role models and for all of your contributions in your time at St. Cuthbert Mayne – we hope you pop back to keep us updated on what you have been up to!
Reception also had their sports day on Wednesday – with help from Year 6. All of the children participated so well and gave it their all! There was such a lovely atmosphere and great cheering from the families too!
Year 6 led a beautiful Mass on Thursday for the end of term and to celebrate the end of their journey with us at St. Cuthbert Mayne. Everyone sung with joy, spoke clearly – a special way to end the term together as a school and Parish family.
The hall was filled with excitement, smiles, laughter and joy this morning for St. Cuthbert Mayne’s talent show! The acts were excited and varied. It was a privilege to see the children shine and bravely perform in front of the school. Well done to our winners –Ted in Year 2, Hal and Isabella and their dance crew in Year 4 and Lexie in Yr5.
Thank you on behalf of all the staff for your kind messages and thoughtful gifts. We are very grateful for your support, and your kind words mean a lot to us.
Arrangements for the first morning drops offs:
Reception – you will have received details of your arrangements.
Year 1 - children and parents do come onto the playground. Mrs. Patrick will be out to greet the children.
Year 2 – children and parents do come onto the playground. Mrs. Woodhams will be out to greet the children.
Year 3 to 6 – parents for the first morning only, do feel free to come onto the playground if you or your child wishes you to. The teachers will come out to greet their classes.
From day 2 – Reception and Key Stage 1 parents bring children onto the playground unless your child is confident to do this independently. Key Stage 2, we ask you to say goodbye at the gate please.
Pick up arrangements
At the end of the day, pick up is at 3.15pm.
If you need to speak to the class teacher at the end of the day, please could we ask that you kindly wait until the teacher has finished dismissing first. This just ensures that all children are handed over safely to the correct adult at the end of the day.
Have a lovely summer holiday and we look forward to welcoming you back promptly by 8.50am on Thursday 3rd September! Can we achieve 100% attendance and everyone arriving on time?
God Bless,
Mrs. O’Donovan
Collective Worship
Matthew 13:1–9 (The Parable of the Sower)
In last Sunday's Gospel, Jesus told the parable of a sower who scattered seeds. Some seeds fell on the path and were eaten by birds, some fell on rocky ground where they quickly withered, some fell among thorns which choked their growth, and some fell on rich soil where they produced a plentiful harvest.
Jesus uses this story to help us understand how people respond to God's word. The seed represents God's message of love and truth. The different types of soil represent our hearts. When we listen carefully, trust in God and put his teachings into practice, we become like the rich soil that allows the seed to grow and flourish.
This Gospel reminds us that God generously shares his love with everyone. We are called to prepare our hearts to receive his word so that it can grow within us and bear fruit through our actions, kindness and faith.
Family Discussion
This week's Gospel invites us to think about how we listen to God and how we allow his love to grow in our lives.
You might like to discuss:
Family Challenge
Plant a seed, flower or small herb at home and watch it grow over the coming weeks. As you care for it, talk about how God's love grows in us when we pray, make good choices and show kindness to others.
Prayer
Loving God,
Thank you for planting the seed of your love in our hearts.
Help us to listen carefully to your word and to grow in faith, kindness and generosity.
May our lives bear good fruit and bring your love to those around us.
Amen.
Wake Up Wednesday
For many young people, the summer holidays can easily become dominated by phones, gaming, streaming and social media. This guide offers reassuring, realistic advice for parents, carers and educators who want to encourage 11- to 16-year-olds to spend more time offline without making technology feel like the enemy.
From phone-free challenges and micro-adventures to active travel, outdoor clubs and creative alternatives to scrolling, the guide focuses on small, achievable changes. It also highlights the importance of giving teens choice, responsibility and social motivation, helping them build confidence, wellbeing and healthier habits throughout the summer.
Attendance and Punctuality
This year, our average attendance has been 95.5%. 96% or higher is considered to be a good average attendance – something we would like to aspire to. Let’s make 2026-27 the year we all make a positive difference with attendance and lateness. Can we even reach 97%?
Ear piercings
Please make sure if your child is having their ears pierced that this happens at the very start of the holidays so that they have sufficient time to heal. Children are not allowed to wear earrings for PE lessons and need to be able to remove them independently.
Mobile phones in school
Reminder: From September, if Year 6 need to bring a phone into school as they walk, these must be an old style “brick phone”. Smartphones will not be allowed in school. “Brick phones” will still need to be handed into the office.
Dates for the first 2 weeks back
We know that one area we need to improve on is the communication of dates so that you have these as far in advance as possible. In September, we will share the annual calendar with you to help you plan for the year.
|
Week 1
|
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
1st
|
INSET day for all staff
|
|
Wednesday
|
2nd
|
INSET day for all staff
|
|
Thursday
|
3rd
|
School opens for all pupils
Reception in: Group 1 9.00 - 11.30am, Group 2 12.30pm - 3.00pm
|
|
Friday
|
4th
|
Reception in 8.40am - 1.05pm
|
|
Saturday
|
5th
|
|
|
Sunday
|
6th
|
|
|
Week 2
|
|
|
|
Monday
|
7th
|
2.45pm Introduction to Year Talk Year 6 and 1
Reception in all day
|
|
Tuesday
|
8th
|
2.45pm Introduction to Year Talk Year 5 and 2
|
|
Wednesday
|
9th
|
2.45pm Introduction to Year Talk Year 3 and 4
|
|
Thursday
|
10th
|
Start of term Mass led by Growing in Faith Team with KS2 children
|
|
Friday
|
11th
|
|
|
Saturday
|
12th
|
|
|
Sunday
|
13th
|
Education Sunday Mass at 11am (children to wear school uniforms)
|
Parking and Road Safety
As we start the new academic year, please also make sure that we start off by following the rules and being considerate to other road users. By doing this, we are role models to our children and ensure their safety.
Points to remember please:
