Dear 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 1^st 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 29^th 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 7^th October and Thursday 9^th 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 1^st October, Thursday 2^nd October and Friday 3^rd October.

 

“Out of This World”

On Thursday 2^nd 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 10^th 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