Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Weekly News Friday 26th September 2025
Fri 26 Sep 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“Whatever gifts and talents we are given by God are to be shared with the entire community.” Saint Baldwin of Canterbury
Year 6 attend KCSP Beginning of Term Mass
Today our Year 6 joined the rest of the schools from our trust at our beginning of term Mass at Aylesford Priory. It was a lovely celebration which gave us the opportunity to join with others from across our community of schools.
The children’s behaviour as usual was exemplary.
The children enjoyed a picnic lunch and exploring the beautiful grounds of the Priory.
Afterschool Club
We have had to make the following changes to our Afterschool Club.
- We will no longer be offering the extended hours to 6:00p.m as there isn’t enough parents and carers interested to make this viable.
- We are increasing the cost of the club from £4:00 per session to £6:00 per session but are extending the time from 4:30 until 5:00 p.m.
These changes will come into effect at the beginning of Term 2.
Year 1 to Visit Victoria Park
On Wednesday 1st October Year 1 will be visiting Victoria Park as part of their Geography work. Please can parents ensure that the children have appropriate footwear and a suitable coat for the weather conditions. If the weather is bad the visit will be postponed.
Phonics Briefing for Year R Parents and Carers
On Monday 29th September at 2:30p.m in the school hall Miss Cole is holding a phonics and early reading briefing for parents and carers of children in our reception class.
The briefing will introduce parents to how we teach phonics and early reading using our phonics scheme “Little Wandle Letters and Sounds”. Learning to read is the most important skill children need as reading opens up all areas of the school curriculum.
Parents Evening
On Tuesday 7th October and Thursday 9th October we are holding the first Parent Evenings of the new academic year. The purpose of these meetings is to share with you how well the children have settled into their new classes and what the children may have to focus on over the next term. There will be no written report provided on this occasion.
Appointments will be available on both evenings from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Appointments can be booked in the school hall before and after school on Wednesday 1st October, Thursday 2nd October and Friday 3rd October.
“Out of This World”
On Thursday 2nd October our school catering team are offering a special “Out of this World” menu.
The children can choose either a:
“Crispy Crater” chicken or veggie burger
“Moon Rock Potatoes”
“Rocket Fuel Baked Beans” (Oh! Dear!)
“Pluto Peas”
“Shooting Star” shortbread with chocolate “Space Dust”
All sounds delicious!
Harvest Festival
On Friday 10th October at 2:00 p.m Year 3 will be leading us in our Harvest Festival.
We are looking for donations of tinned or dried foods to make up a “Harvest Table”.
The food donated will then be passed onto Vinnie’s Diner which helps provide food for the needy in the Ashford area.
Parking on the School Car Park
This is a reminder that parents and carers are not to park in the school car park. This is to ensure the safety of children entering and leaving the school.
Headteacher Retirement
Today you should all have received a separate letter outlining my decision to retire at Easter.
After 37 years in education, 25 of these at St Simon’s and following our recent successful OFSTED and Catholic School Inspections I feel the time is right for me to step aside and follow a different path away from education.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to have served St Simon of England for the past 25 years and thank everyone for the support I have received during my time at the school.
I understand that this news may come as a surprise and perhaps a bit of a shock but I would like to reassure you that our trust, the school governors and myself will do our very best to recruit new leadership for the school.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 19th September 2025
Fri 19 Sep 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“Trust the present to God’s love and the future to God’s care.” St Augustine of Hippo
This week we have been celebrating our school values of: Love, Peace, Faith, Courage, Forgiveness and Respect.
Love is the most important value as we see every child as an image of God and a gift of love.
We do our best to live up to the challenge that Jesus gave us in John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you…”
Each class chose one of our values to study and produced a beautiful display board for the school hall.
Year 6 to represent the School at our Trusts Beginning of Term Mass
Our Year 6 children will represent St Simon’s at Kent Catholic Schools Partnership Beginning of Term Mass at Aylesford Priory on Friday 26th September. All the schools in our trust will be attending the Mass and it will be a really joyful celebration.
After the Mass the children will have a picnic in the grounds of the priory.
The children will need to leave school at 8:45a.m so please can parents and carers make sure the children are in school on time. The Mass will also take place outdoors so children will need a waterproof or coat if rain is forecast.
Wearing of Coats
The weather is now turning wetter and colder. We will send children out to play in all but the very worst of weather conditions so children need to have an appropriate coat for the weather conditions at school.
Flu Vaccination
Every child in the school will have the opportunity to receive a flu vaccination on Friday 31st of November. Parents and Carers need to opt in for the vaccination. The school nursing team ask all parents to discuss this immunisation with your child and complete the seasonal flu form at www.kentimmunisations.co.uk before 4pm on 28th October 2025. Our school code is: KT141067
Phonics Briefing for Year R Parents and Carers
On Monday 29th September at 2:30p.m in the school hall Miss Cole is holding a phonics and early reading briefing for parents and carers of children in our reception class.
The briefing will introduce parents to how we teach phonics and early reading using our phonics scheme “Little Wandle Letters and Sounds”. Learning to read is the most important skill children need as reading opens up all areas of the school curriculum.
I look forward to seeing as many reception parents and carers as possible at the briefing.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 12 September 2025
Fri 12 Sep 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“Love each other as Jesus has loved us. He has given nothing less than his life for us.”
St Teresa of Calcutta
Today we celebrated our beginning of term Mass in St Simon’s Church. The children’s behaviour was excellent as was their singing. Well done children.
Year 6 Kent Test
We had a number of children in Year 6 that completed the Kent Test on Thursday. I must congratulate all the children on their attitude to the testing process as they all gave it their very best, they couldn’t have tried harder.
Reception Class
I am extremely proud of our new reception class on how well they have settled into life in the school. They are a credit to their parents and carers.
A big thank you to Miss Cole, Mrs Chambers, Miss Sharp and Mrs Chittenden who have helped make the children’s first start at “Big School” so successful.
Meet and Greets
Many thanks to all who attended our “Meet and Greets” this week. It is always a pleasure to welcome parents into the school and to discuss how the children are getting on.
Lateness in the Morning
We still have a few “familiar faces” who are arriving late in the mornings. This not only disrupts the rest of the children in the class it can be unsettling for the children who are late. Please can all make sure that they arrive at school before the gates are closed.
Friday Football
Friday Football started again this week for Year 5 and 6. We hope to include Year 4 later on in the term once we have established our Year 5 and 6 children. I keep praying that the weather will be kind to us on a Friday afternoon.
Syro-Malabar Feast of the Holy Cross
Sunday sees the celebration of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Education Sunday.
On Sunday at 1:30 Fr Jose and the Syro-Malabar community will welcome Bishop Joseph who will be celebrating Mass in the Syro-Malabar rite.
I am sure you will join me in wishing Syro-Malabar community the very best for the celebration and pray that they will have their faith renewed and strengthened.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 5th September
Fri 05 Sep 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.” Pope Francis
It was good to welcome everyone back to school after the summer break. It is always good to see the children returning with big smiles and yes, a few tears from some but I am sure that all will soon settle back to life in school.
We welcomed our new Reception Class and their parents to the school and although they haven’t attended a full day as yet they all seem to be enjoying “Big School”.
A warm welcome to Ms dos Santos our new Year 6 teacher I am sure everyone will help her as she joins our school family.
OFSTED Visit July 2025
This week you should have received our OFSTED report after they visited us at the end of last academic year. We are all very proud of our achievements everyone worked extremely hard to get such an excellent result.
The children must receive high praise as the inspection took place during the hottest time of the last term. I have picked out a few positive comments below:
“Staff at this inclusive school nurture and care for pupils. Pupils feel safe and staff keep them safe…
Pupils learn a broad rich curriculum. The school has high expectations for what pupils can achieve in their learning…
The school’s curriculum is well designed…it is ambitious and considers the needs of all pupils…
Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well. They actively engage in lessons and like a challenge. OFSTED July 2025
The full report can be read here: https://www.st-simon.kent.sch.uk/inspection-reports/
Meet and Greets
Next week beginning Monday 8th September we are holding our annual “Meet and Greets” from 3:30p.m to roughly 4:00p.m on the following days.
Monday Years 1 and 5
Tuesday Years 2 and 4
Wednesday Years 3 and 6
Our “Meet and Greets” are an excellent opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and find out key information.
Kent Test for Year 6
On Thursday 11th September 19 of our Year 6 children will be completing the Kent Test. This is usually quite an exhausting day as the children will start the process at 9:00a.m and will not finish until late afternoon. They are given rest breaks between each of the papers but can parents please make sure that the children have some early nights before Thursday so the children are rested and able to give their best on the day.
Beginning of Term Mass
On Friday 12th September at 9:30a.m in St Simon’s Church we will be celebrating our beginning of term Mass.
All our welcome to join us as we look forward with hope for what this new academic year will bring. We will say a prayer for all who have joined us this academic year and for those who have recently left us.
Syro-Malabar Feast of the Holy Cross
The Syro-Malabar Community today are beginning a week of celebration for the Feast of the Holy Cross. I am sure you will join me in wishing Fr Jose and the rest of the community the very best for this great feast.
Change to Pupils Entering the School
After a review of site security, we have decided that from Thursday 11th September Year 1 and 2 children will enter the school through the same gate as the other classes and then walk around to their classroom to be greeted by their class adult. This may take a short period for the children to get used to but will help to restrict access to the main school building and will be more secure for everyone.
The school gates are open from 8:30a.m until 8:40 a.m. We have a number of the same children who arrive after the gates close every day this isn’t acceptable and they are effectively compromising site security. Please can all parents and carers make sure their children are in before the gates are closed.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Thursday 10 July 2025
Thu 10 Jul 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“Anyone who needs me, and whom I can help, is my neighbour.” Pope Benedict XVI
This week the children had the opportunity to visit their new classes and teachers as part of preparing them for moving on next year.
On Friday everyone should have received their child’s final report of the school year. Remember that this is just a snapshot of how well your child has progressed over the course of the academic year.
If you would like to view their work and the work on display around the school, we are holding an open afternoon from 3:30p.m. until 4:30p.m. on Tuesday 15th July. It is also an opportunity to pop in and say hello to your child’s next teacher. Unfortunately, Ms Dos Santos our new Year 6 teacher won’t be available on this day.
Recreate Day
Well done to Year 4 who worked with the Royal Opera House on a Re-Create Day looking at the rights of children through song and dance. This was an excellent opportunity for the children to work with other schools across the nation. Thank you to the parents and carers who came along to support the children.
Year 4 Ukulele
Year 4 also showcased their talents on the Ukulele by performing what they have learnt with Mr P.C. Well done Year 4 and Mr P.C.
St Simon’s has got Talent
On Thursday we held the finals of our annual St Simon’s Has Got Talent competition when children from across the school performed in front of the whole school. Our Grand Finalists are… the children will decide on the overall winner early next week.
Congratulations to everyone who has taken part in the competition. It is great to see so much talent on display. Well done to our Year 6 judges for all their hard work.
Year Performance "School of Pop"
Year 6 performed their end of year play for the whole school and their parents and carers this week. The show was magnificent the children sang beautifully and the gags and puns throughout kept us all chuckling. Well done children.
Next Week
RockSteady Concert
On Tuesday 15th the children who are in the different bands are performing in a mini rock concert for the whole school. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.
Celebration Street Party
On Wednesday 16th July to celebrate the end of the school academic year we are going to hold a “Street Party” on the school field (let’s all pray for good weather).
The children will be able to:
- Wear non-school uniform
- Bring in a plate of food or some snacks to enjoy- we will provide the drinks.
- We hope to have a music area
- Games area- swing ball, Jenga etc.
- Area for running around/sports
- Chill out Zone for those who just wish to relax
This all sounds like great fun and was suggested by our school council as something they would like to see happen. Well done school council.
End of Term Mass
Friday 18th July we will be celebrating our end of term with Mass at 9:30a.m in St Simon’s Church. All are welcome to join us.
Leavers Assembly
On Friday 18th July at 2:00p.m we are holding our Leavers Assembly for our Year 6
Welcome Back Mrs Morrison
On Monday we welcome back Mrs Morrison as she returns from her maternity leave. I am sure everyone will be delighted to see her once again. She will be joining Mrs Macdonald in our Year 1 class in September.
Good Luck Mr Hunt
We wish Mr Hunt and his basketball team the very best of luck as they leave to take part in an international basketball competition in America during the summer break. I hope they enjoy their time and have great success.
Summer Fair
We raised £1322 in our Summer Fair so well done everyone a great effort. A small flowery purse was handed in after the event so if the owner would like to collect this from the school office.
Lastly Ms Freeman, Mrs Hyczko and myself are off for the weekend with Year 6 on their trip to PGL so if you all say a prayer that we have a safe trip and that Year 6 children let the adults get some sleep while we are away.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 4th July
Fri 04 Jul 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
This week we received a visit from OFSTED who carried out a Section 5 graded inspection. Many thanks to all who completed the questionnaire or spoke to the inspectors on Tuesday your views do count and are taken into consideration when the inspectors make their judgements.
I must congratulate the children and all the staff for their huge effort in showing the inspectors what a great school community we have. The hard work displayed by all in extremely hot conditions needs to be congratulated.
Unfortunately, the report will not be published until early next academic year but I am sure we will be pleased with the judgement once it has been published.
KCSP Sports Day
Well done to the team we sent out to the Julie Rose Stadium for the KCSP Primary Sports Day. The children enjoyed taking part and I am pleased to inform you that the team came back with three gold medals. Well done children and Mr Hunt and Mrs Dorman for accompanying the team.
Today we invited children from Victoria Road to join us in a friendly Rounders Competition. A good time was had by all the children.
Transition Day 1
Today we held our first transition morning when all the children moved up to meet their new teachers. We welcomed Ms dos Santos to the school who will be teaching Year 6 next year as Miss Freeman will be teaching Year 4.
Our next transition morning will be on Wednesday 9th July unfortunately Ms dos Santos will not be able to join us on this morning as she has to work in her existing school.
New intake Stay and Play
It was good to welcome some of our new reception children for Stay and Play sessions this week. We have two more sessions planned for Tuesday and Thursday next week.
Year 4 Create Day
On Tuesday 8th July year 4 will be joining an online Create Day with the Royal Opera House. The day will finish with an online performance with schools all over the country. Parents and carers are invited to join the children at 2:15p.m in the school hall.
Year 6 Performance
On Wednesday 9th July at 6:00p.m Year 6 will be performing their play “School of Pop” for their parents and carers at 6:00p.m in the school hall. I am sure all will be thoroughly entertained.
Year 4 Ukelele Concert
On Thursday 10th July at 9:20a.m Year 4 and Mr PC our ukelele teacher will be showcasing what they have learnt this year on the ukelele. Everyone is welcome.
St Simon’s has got Talent
Also, on Thursday 10th July at 10:45a.m we will be holding our finals of the St Simon’s has got Talent competition. Everyone is welcome to join us.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 27th June 2025
Fri 27 Jun 2025Quite a long Newsletter this week as it contains quite a bit of information.
Dear Parents and Carers
This week the children have been enjoying Sports Week. They have been competing in many different activities throughout the week. Many thanks to Mr Hunt for putting our Sports Week programme together.
Today we held our annual Sports Day, Family Picnic and Summer Fair.
Many thanks to all who turned up to cheer the children on, share in the picnic and help the children to raise funds for those “extras” that we can’t fund out of our main school budget.
Sports day and our Summer Fair would not be possible if it wasn’t for all the hard work from people in the run up to the events and from those who gave their time on the day.
Many thanks to all our volunteers and the staff who helped make today a huge success.
Year 6 Tag Rugby Festival
Well done to our Year 6 Tag Rugby Team who attended the Tag Rugby Festival at Ashford Rugby Club. I am very proud and pleased to inform you that the children won every game. Well done boys and girls and well done to Mr Hunt and Mrs Kirwan for accompanying the children.
KCSP Sports Day
We have a team attending the KCSP Sports Day at the Julie Rose Stadium on Monday 30th June. The children will be competing against all the other primary schools in our trust. I am sure that the children will thoroughly enjoy the day. The weather is expected to be very hot so please remember lots of drinks, a sun hat and the sun screen.
Gold Sports Mark
Mr Hunt has informed me that the school has just gained a Gold Sports Mark for all the sporting activities that we have taken part in over the course of this academic year. Well done to all the children and to Mr Hunt and our other support staff who have worked hard to make sure the children can take part in different sports.
School Trips this week.
Reception and Key Stage 1 all came back from their trip to Folkestone buzzing with excitement. All enjoyed their little adventure as for some of our children this was the first time some of them had visited the beach.
Year 6 travelled to Hastings via train on Thursday to visit Hastings Art Museum and the historic town of Hastings.
All our staff accompanying the children on both trips praised the children for their excellent behaviour.
Year 3 Class Mass
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of joining our Year 3 as Fr Jose celebrated Mass for the children in their classroom. The children were in excellent voice singing the hymns and taking full participation in the service.
New Reception for September
We are holding a number of “Stay and Play” sessions for our new intake children. All have been provided with the dates and times. Brief Summary below:
Group A Tuesday 1st July – 1:30-2:15pm and Thursday 10th July – 1:30-2:15pm
Group B Thursday 3rd July – 1:30-2:15pm and Tuesday 8th July – 1:30-2:15pm
YEAR 5 IMPORTANT NOTICE
The deadline for registering Year 5 pupils for Kent Test is midnight on 1st July. If you wish your child to take part in the Kent Test they can be registered by clicking on this link: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/kent-test
If any parents needs help with the process please do not hesitate to contact me.
Staff Changes
We have a few changes to staffing for September.
Last week we said farewell to Mrs Shoubridge who has moved onto another exciting role within a new sector.
Mrs Shoubridge will be greatly missed by us all and I am sure you will join me in wishing her the very best of luck in her new position and thank her for all that she has done for the school.
Mrs Ebenebe and Mrs Ling have both decided to retire at the end of this term.
Words can’t really express how much they have both done for the school. They will be missed and will leave a big gap in our school family. I am sure you will join me in wishing them the very best in what they do next and wish them both a very happy retirement.
We have appointed a new teacher Ms dos Santos who will be joining the school in September. I am sure everyone will do their best to welcome Ms dos Santos to the school.
Mrs Morrison will be returning from her maternity leave at the end of this term.
Class Teachers for September
Year R Miss Cole
Year 1 Mrs Macdonald and Mrs Morrison
Year 2 Mrs Hyczko
Year 3 Ms Adam
Year 4 Miss Freeman
Year 5 Mrs Warren and Mrs Williams
Year 6 Ms dos Santos
SENCO Mrs Chambers
Sports Coach Mr Hunt
Music Mrs Withey Harrison
Transition Mornings
We have planned two transition mornings for the children on Friday 4th July and Wednesday 9th July when the children will move up to their new classes.
Unfortunately, Ms dos Santos can only join us on the 4th July as she doesn’t reside in the Ashford area at present.
The children in Year 5 have however already met Ms dos Santos as she taught them mathematics earlier this term.
Dates for the diary
Monday 7th July Year 6 Dress Rehearsal to the whole school
Tuesday 8th July Year 4 Create Day Online with the Royal Opera House (performance to parents at 2:15p.m)
Wednesday 9th July Year 6 performance to parents and carers 6:00p.m
Thursday 10th July Year 4 Ukelele Concert 9:20a.m all welcome
Thursday 10th July Grand Final St Simon’s has Got Talent 10:45a.m. all welcome
Friday 11th- Monday 14th July Year 6 School Journey to PGL Marchants Hill
Tuesday 15th July Rocksteady Rock Concert 2:00p.m all welcome
Tuesday 15th July Open Evening 3:30-4:30p.m.
Friday 18th July Leavers Mass 9:30a.m St Simon’s Church all welcome
Friday 18th July Leavers Assembly 2:00p.m Farewell Year 6 all welcome
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 20 June 2025
Fri 20 Jun 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“The Mass is the centre of the Christian life and the nourishment of the soul.” Pope Saint Pius X
This week the Church celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi which means Body of Christ. On or around this feast day children will often make their First Holy Communion.
On Sunday 21st June at St Simon’s Church: Lena, Leon, Ify, Isabella and Granvil will be making their First Holy Communion.
Dominic will be making his First Holy Communion at St Teresa’s Church on the 21st also.
Liliana, Fabian, Gabriella have already made theirs on the 14th June at St Teresa’s.
I am sure that you will join me in congratulating all the children and remember to pray for them as they journey forward in faith.
Year 3 Class Mass
Fr Jose will celebrate Mass with Year 3 in their classroom on Wednesday 25th June at 9:30a.m. Parents and carers are very welcome to join the class.
Sports Week
This week the children will be taking part in Sports week which will end with our annual Sports Day, Family Picnic and Summer Fair. Let’s all pray for good weather perhaps a little cooler than the last few days.
We hope to start Sports Day at 9:30a.m with the whole school performing a Sports day dance on the field. Our Family Picnic will start around 12:00 noon and our Summer Fair at 2:00p.m.
We could still do with volunteers to help with Sports Day and the Summer Fair. If you think you can help, please contact me or the school office.
Many thanks to all who provided a donation for our Bottle Stall next week on Thursday 26th June we are looking for donations of cakes for our cake stall.
Tag Rugby Festival
We have a team of Year 6 children attending a Tag Rugby Festival on Tuesday 24th June at Ashford Rugby Club. We may have to pay particular attention to the weather as temperatures are predicted to be quite high early in the week and there is a chance the event may be postponed.
Well done to our Year 6 girls cricketers who took part in a cricket festival last week. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were a great credit to the school displaying great sportsmanship.
Reception and Key Stage 1 Classes Folkestone Trip
On Wednesday 25th June Reception and Key Stage 1 classes are off on a trip to Folkestone. The children are already very excited by the trip and I am sure that they will enjoy and learn a lot from the activities planned for them. Let us hope once again that the weather is kind to all of them.
Parents, please remember sun hats, sun screen and drinks bottles.
Year 5 Visit Hastings Museum
On Thursday Year 5 are visiting Hastings Museum to view the art works in the gallery. The children will be travelling by train. I am sure the children will have a great time.
All these trips this year have been subsidised by funds raised over the year. Our school council made the decision that they wished to take part in more school trips. A good decision children and a good use of funds that have benefited all year groups.
New Reception Intake for September
On Wednesday evening we invited parents and carers for our new reception class to the school to share key information for the children’s transition to the school.
It was good to welcome lots of new faces as well as some familiar faces of those who already have children at the school.
We still have some places left in our reception class so if anyone is aware of any parents and carers seeking a reception place for September ask them to contact the school office.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 13th June
Fri 13 Jun 2025Dear Parents and Carers
“May God the Father bless us, may Christ take care of us and the Holy Spirit enlighten us all the days of our life.” St Ethelwold
Sports Day, Family Picnic and Summer Fair
These are approaching very quickly all three events taking place on the 27th June. (let us all pray for good weather) We plan things this way so that working parents only have to book the one day off work.
Many thanks to all who took part in our non-uniform day and provided a donation to go towards our “Colour Raffle” for our Summer Fair. This is always a favourite stall for the children.
Next week we are holding another non-uniform day in return for a nice bottle for our “Bottle Stall”. Ideally, we like the bottles to be full, unopened and perhaps the type of bottles that adults may like to drink!
The children and their teachers are planning their stalls. We need you as parents to turn up and support the children.
If you are able to help at either Sports Day or the Summer Fair your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Choir at Mass on Sunday 15th June
Sunday is the feast of The Holy Trinity and the children are asked to join the Parish to celebrate this great feast and Father’s Day with their singing. Some of our past pupils will also be making their confirmation so it would be good to have as many children as possible supporting.
On Wednesday this week Fr Jose celebrated Mass with Year 4 in their classroom. Thank you, Fr Jose.
Year 4 Cricket
A team from Year 4 played in a Rapid-Fire Cricket Festival on Wednesday this week. They were playing against some stiff opposition. Mr Hunt and Mrs Shoubridge were very impressed with how well the children played and with their great sportsmanship.
Next Wednesday 18th June we have a team of Year 6 girls playing in a Quik Cricket Festival. The team have been keenly practicing every lunchtime in the run up to this so I am sure that they will give their very best.
Year 3 and 4 Cinema Visit
Year 3 and 4 will be visiting the cinema on Wednesday 18th June this will be followed by a picnic and games in Victoria Park. This trip has been subsidised using funds that the school council have raised.
New Reception Class Parents Meeting
On Wednesday we begin the transition process for our new Reception Class for September.
The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the parents to key staff and outline “Stay and Play” sessions and give key dates for when the children start school in September.
St Simon’s Has Got Talent
Plans are well underway for St Simon’s Has Got Talent competition when the whole school gets to celebrate some of the talents that the children have to offer.
The judges are ready and we are about to embark on the rehearsals throughout the next couple of weeks.
The live Final will then take place on Tuesday 10th July the time to be confirmed as Mr P.C and Year 4 will also be demonstrating all that they have been doing in Ukelele this academic Year.
The Rock Steady Bands will also be performing in a Rock Concert on Tuesday 15th July at 2:00p.m. all will be welcome to attend- perhaps if I invite our neighbours this will cut down on the complaints I receive about the noise!
With best wishes
Peter McCabe
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Weekly News Friday 6th June 2025
Fri 06 Jun 2025Dear Parents and carers
“The Holy Spirit helps us to view others with fresh eyes, seeing them as brothers and sisters in Jesus, to be respected and loved.” Pope Francis
Welcome back everyone I hope all managed to get some rest and relaxation over the half-term holiday.
This coming Sunday the Church celebrates Pentecost. This is the feast of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church – a gift which we now receive at Baptism, Confirmation and at Mass. Pentecost is often seen as the birthday of the Church as this is when Jesus’ disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit and went out to spread the Gospel.
STEM Week (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
The children have been enjoying taking part in some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities this week. Each class has been researching about a famous scientist/engineer and have been carrying out their own small-scale investigations e.g. Year 2 have been building “Spaghetti Marshmallow Towers” inspired by the engineer Gustave Eiffel who invented the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Year 6 have been designing “Egg Protectors” inspired by the work of Stephanie Kwolek who invented Kevlar.
A lot of learning has taken place this week and the children have been enjoying the activities undertaken.
Year 4 Multiplication Times Tables Check
Year 4 have completed their Multiplication Times Tables Check this week. While this is a formal assessment of their tables knowledge the children tend to enjoy this as it is completed online and they have been regularly practicing their times tables on Purple Mash and on Times Tables Rock Stars.
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
Next week the children in Year 1 and the children in Year 2 who didn’t make the check last year will be taking their Phonics Screening. The children shouldn’t be anxious about this as they have been “doing their phonics” since they were in Year R.
Year 6 Trip to the Marlowe Theatre
Year 6 visited the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury this Thursday to watch a performance of Pig Heart Boy based on the book by Malorie Blackman. The children enjoyed the performance and the trip on the train to Canterbury.
This trip was subsidised by the funds raised by the children.
Year 4 Class Mass
Fr Jose will be celebrating Mass with Year 4 in their classroom on Wednesday 11th June at 9:30a.m parents and carers are welcome to join the children.
Choir invited to Sing
The Choir are invited to sing at Mass on Sunday 15th of June to celebrate Father’s Day and the Confirmation of some of our past pupils.
St Simon’s Has Got Talent
If your child wishes to take part in this annual school event, they need to have completed their application form and returned this to school by Monday 9th June.
Mini Business Enterprises
We have some of our children run mini-business enterprises to raise money. Items will be on sale from Tuesday 10th June.
Year R coming into school from Monday 9th June
From Monday Year R will be entering the school through the main entrance. This is part of their transition for moving into Year 1 in September. They will also park any bikes and scooters in the school cycle shed. There will be a familiar adult at the main gate to welcome the children.
Sports Day, Family Picnic and Summer Fair
Our annual Sports Day, Family Picnic and Summer Fair are planned for Friday 27th June (Weather Permitting). The children are already getting themselves into training for Sports Day and they are preparing their stalls for the Summer Fair. We are holding a number of non-uniform days to collect items for some of our stalls:
Friday 13th June Items for our Colour Raffle
Friday 20th June Bottles for our Bottle Stall (nice bottles that adults like to drink raise the most money!)
Thursday 26th June Cakes for our Cake Stall
We could also do with donations of prizes for our main raffle so if any parents or carers know of any businesses that would like to donate a prize, we would be very grateful.
We could also do with parent volunteers to help us organise Sports Day and the Summer Fair. If you are willing to volunteer either speak to myself or Mrs Ling or contact the school office.
Most importantly we need you to join us on the day to support the children and of course pray for good weather!
With best wishes
Peter McCabe