Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you

Firstly, may I take this opportunity to say what a fantastic first half term I have had as the new Headteacher of St Matthew’s. It has been great to meet some of you at Curriculum Evenings and around school; I hope to continue to meet as many parents as possible at our events after half term. The children have had a wonderful start to the school year and have been amazing, as have our fabulous staff! May I also say a special thank you to our Friends of St Matthew’s for all their hard work and dedication – they have worked on so many exciting new initiatives this term already and we look forward to their Halloween movie nights this week!

First Holy Communion

On Saturday, our Year 5 children celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. It was a beautiful service and the children were so reverent. Thank you to the family members who attended the service and for all their support with the programme, particularly during a difficult time with so many COVID restrictions.

Special thanks must go to Fr Saji and all the catechists (Mrs Boyle, Mrs Broomfield, Mrs Quinn, Mrs Thomas and Mrs Young), who prepared the children so well. Thank you also to Paul Simpson, who assisted with the arrangements in Church. We are holding a special whole school Mass on Thursday morning in the Hall for the children of Year 5 and Year 6 who received the Sacrament in the summer. Unfortunately, in this instance, we are unable to invite any parents to this Mass, but please keep us in your prayers on Thursday.

PE Days

Please note the following PE days after half term and ensure your child comes dressed to school in PE kits:

Reception: Thursday

Year 1: Thursday

Year 2: Friday

Year 3: Monday

Year 4: Monday

Year 5: Wednesday

Year 6: Tuesday

Morning Start Times

Please be aware that, upon returning to school on 1^st November after half term, we will be opening the gates at 8.50am, as staggered starts are no longer required. All children will head straight to their classes, ready to start the day promptly.

Parents’ Evenings

Parents’ Evenings are taking place on Tuesday 9^th and Wednesday 10^th November. Information will follow in the first week back after half term as to booking appointments.

Halloween Discos

These are taking place on the evening of Wednesday 3^rd November after school from 4.30-5.30pm for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and from 5.45-6.45pm for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Please be sure to return your child’s slip and money (for KS1) and money (for KS2) to the Office if you wish your child to attend this.

After School Clubs

We are very excited to be able to start offering some after school provision. Please look out for the letters that will be issued regarding this and be aware that places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. We hope to continue to expand this provision as the year goes on.

COVID-19

We have remained diligent as a community this term and, as such, have seen very few positive cases in our school. Thank you for your ongoing support with keeping everyone safe. If your child has any of the following symptoms, they must stay off school and take a PCR test: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and/or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste. Please could we ask that parents inform the Office via email if your child tests positive during the school holidays, together with a screenshot of his/her test results.

Pupil Groups

Some of our exciting pupil groups are now up and running and have been very active this half term. For example:

• The Mini Vinnies led a hugely successful Harvest liturgy and food bank campaign for the People’s Kitchen – thank you for all your donations.
• The Eco Committee has started on its journey to become a ‘Plastic Free’ school and has carried out a litter pick identifying sources of plastic around school grounds.
• The football team has got off to a great start, with many amazing wins, and is through to the next stage of the Bishop’s Cup – well done to all involved!
• The Y6 Junior Leadership Team (JLT) has been elected. All children gave amazing speeches and it was a very close contest! Our new Head Boy and Head Girl are Sam B and Ava, Deputy Head Boy and Girl are Harry and Natalia, whilst our JLT representatives are Sam F and Jessica. Well done to all involved.
• Our School Council is now in place and about to begin its vital work with Mrs Longster and

Mrs Seymour.

• Our Outdoor Play and Learning team and Mediators have submitted applications and are to be announced soon.

Mr Cooper and Mrs Hope

We are sad to inform you that Mr Cooper (our Caretaker) and Mrs Hope (our Learning Support Assistant) will be leaving their posts shortly.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their years of dedicated service and extend our warmest wishes to them both. Mrs Hope is continuing to volunteer in school once a week and we look forward to welcoming Mr Cooper back into school for a cuppa and a catch up whenever he can!

Mrs Thomas

We would also like to inform you that, after 19 happy years at our school, Mrs Thomas will be retiring at Christmas. We wish Mrs Thomas and her husband a very long and happy retirement, although luckily we still have her with us for a little while longer so we don’t need to say our goodbyes just yet!

Once again, thank you to all of our families for your continued support. We hope you have a lovely half term break and look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 1^st November 2021.

Best wishes,

Mrs E Alderson

Head Teacher