Weekly News Friday 5th September
Dear 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