Weekly News Friday 17th October 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
“Prayer brings us not only nearer to God but also nearer to one another.” Pope Benedict XVI
It is very hard to believe that we are now at the end of the first term of the academic year. Our new reception pupils have settled well into St Simon’s and have already attended a number of whole school events.
I am sure that all the children (and all the staff) are looking forward to a well-earned holiday next week.
The children are due to return to school on Monday 27th of October and the clocks will have changed so the evenings will be a lot darker in the run up to Christmas which the children will all be looking forward to.
Year 6 Admissions to Secondary School
The children who participated in the Kent Test will all have received their results by now. This will be for some a cause for celebration as they may have been awarded a “Grammar” grading while for others it may have caused disappointment as they may not have made the “Grammar” grade.
All the children however need to be celebrated for the hard work that they put in to their learning.
The online application for secondary school opened on the 1st of September and closes on the 31st of October 2025. Parents and carers will need to have applied for a secondary school by this date.
A copy of the Secondary School Admissions Leaflet can be found on the Year 6 Class page on our website. A copy has also been sent home with the children today.
If parents or carers need help with the application please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Admissions for Reception Age Children for September
Admissions for reception age children will soon open on the 7th November and will close on Thursday 15th January 2026. We are holding a number of open school events for prospective parents to come along and visit the school in action. The dates for these can be found here on our school website: https://www.st-simon.kent.sch.uk/admissions-to-reception-september-2026/
Parking Again
Unfortunately, I have been receiving complaints regarding inconsiderate and dangerous parking once again at dropping off and pick up times. Please can all make sure that they use care and consideration when arriving and leaving school. Another reminder is that parents are not permitted to park in the school car park unless they have been given permission by the school.
This is for the safety of all children.
Flu Vaccinations
The children will have the opportunity to have an annual Flu Vaccination on Friday 31st October. Parents must submit a consent or decline to the immunisations team. See Below:
School Nursing Team
“This is a reminder to parents to submit a consent or decline for the FLU vaccination via the Immunisation Service’s website https://www.kentimmunisations.co.uk/
Please submit your preference by the cut-off date 28/10/2025.
Your school’s unique code/URN is: KT141067”
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Arts Week
Plans are underway for an Arts week beginning Monday 3rd November. As part of the celebrations, we are holding a music celebration in the school hall at 2:00p.m on Thursday 6th November. All welcome however it may be a bit of a squash and a squeeze to get everyone in.
Mrs Withey Harrison
I would like to congratulate Mrs Withey Harrison on her role of directing the musical “Nativity” which is showing at The Queens Hall Theatre in Cranbook from 30th October until November 1st 2025 (Tickets available https://www.cranbrookods.org.uk/tickets).
Some of the cast will be performing in St Simon’s School Uniform so hopefully this is a good advertisement for our school. Well done Mrs Withey Harrison!
Lost and Found
A green purse/small bag has been handed into the school office if the owner would like to come and collect this after the half term holiday.
Next week is the Half Term holiday can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a restful holiday.
With best wishes
Peter McCabe