October Newsletter

As the nights draw in, and the leaves are beginning to turn golden brown, it is hard to believe that we are already in October. It has been a very good and productive half term with all our children working hard and enjoying learning. We recently received a letter from the House of Commons expressing ‘delight’ at the new of our ICT mark award.

Harvest Baskets

We always conclude our first half term with our special Harvest Mass. This gives the whole school community the chance to give thanks to the Lord for the Harvest and raise money for our brothers and sisters in Uganda as part of the Kanyike Project. We ask you to make a harvest basket and send it into school on Thursday 20 th October and we then sell the baskets after school, all of the money raised is sent to the Kanyike Project. If you wish to reserve your basket please label this clearly on the basket with your child’s name. For more information about the charity please visit http://www.kanyike-project.co.uk/

Friends of St Mary’s

The Friends of St Mary’s AGM took place on the 23rd of September. We welcome a new committee who are always keen to be joined by any new members and would be very grateful for any support; no matter how little it may be with planning, organising or selling tickets for events. The Friends have managed to raise an incredible £30,000 for the school over the last 3 years, which I am sure you will agree is fantastic and we are very grateful to them for all their hard work. This year they are raising money to continue to develop the outside environment, including adding to the trim trail, improving the library facilities and creating an outdoor classroom for the whole school to use.

Car Park (Health and Safety)

Unfortunately it is necessary to repeat this information about using the car park safely as people are still continuing to ignore my requests. Please turn left on entry into the car park and only park in designated bays. Use the grass areas only when the car park if full. The Town Hall car park is a free alternative after 3pm. Do not double park or park on the pavements. It is dangerous and I’m sure you all agree we do not want someone to get hurt as a result! We have been seeking advice from the Council about closing the car park indefinitely.

School Website

Just a reminder that we are now using Twitter to update the class pages on the school website. You do not need to have your own Twitter account to see the updates, you can

October Newsletter

simply click on the ‘class pages’ heading on the website and see what the children have been doing during the day, as well as any spelling lists or homework reminders. Please visit http://www.stmarysroyston.co.uk/ Also there is some ESafety information that you might find helpful at http://www.stmarysroyston.co.uk/curriculum/e-safety as well as the Herts ESafety newsletter under the ‘news section.’

RE

Years 5 and 6 attended a weekday Mass at church recently and parishioners gave good feedback about the behaviour and prayerfulness of the pupils. Other KS2 classes will be attending in the future.

The “Stick, Mark, Boom” stickers are being well received since we introduced them this year.

Dates for your diary

Art Day – Monday 10th October School Photographs – Thursday 13th October Parents Evenings - Tuesday 18th October 3.30-5.30 & Wednesday 6-8pm (please note

the times have changed from the school calendar) Harvest Festival Mass – Thursday 20th October at 2pm, half term ends at 3.15pm

INSET DAY – Friday 21 st October

Half term holiday – Friday 21st October to Friday 28th October School begins Monday 31st October at 8.50am Open morning – Wednesday 2nd November 10am to 12pm for prospective parents Remembrance Assembly – Friday 11th November at 10.45am Friends Quiz Night – Friday 11th November at 7.30pm Nasal Flu Vaccinations Yrs 1-3 – Thursday 17th November Children in Need – own clothes day – Friday 18th November Year 6 Duxford trip – Friday 25th November Friends Christmas Fayre – Saturday 26th November