Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

On this final day of term, it is a good time to look back over our year at Christ Church. There have been so many highlights, and I have really enjoyed my first year here as headteacher. All year, I have been so amazed by the breadth of achievement over this term by our children and the talents and skills they bring, whether in music, sport, reading, scientific knowledge, or whatever else. I was reminded of this breadth and diversity as I was looking through all the children’s end of year reports, which they can be so proud of. 

It’s been a super week of some end of term events, including a glorious Year 2 production with a great message about valuing everyone as unique individuals. The children and teachers did so well in bringing this show to the stage! We also enjoyed other events, such as the Year 6 Leavers’ celebration on Wednesday and the ‘winning house treats’ on Tuesday which involved ice cream and sponges (not in the same activity!). Our final celebration service together this morning was a very fitting way to end our year, and such a joy to see everybody together.

Another fitting end to our year is gaining awards for the school, and we are proud to announce two this week. We heard this week that we have been awarded from the British Council the foundation level of the International School Award! My thanks in particular to Mrs Robinson, whose great work in developing our French curriculum in the juniors ensured that we gained this award. Additionally, we have been awarded for the second consecutive year the Gold School Games Mark for our work in sport and PE, so thanks to Mrs Brooks, who has been leading this area this year.

You can also look further back than this week and see some of the activities that the children have been involved in over these last few weeks in our bumper July newsletter.

In our ‘Excellence Award’ worships earlier in the week, as we finished our iShare Learning theme of ‘Daily Bread’, we reflected how we see in the wonderful creation around us how everything works together and God provides for all living things (not just us!) in beautiful harmony. Whatever you and your family may be doing over this summer break, I hope and pray for us all that there is time to ‘stop and stare’ at the wonderful world we live in. 

We will then look forward to all coming back together in our Christ Church family in September, refreshed and ready for action again! We are blessed with a caring and wholehearted staff team at Christ Church and so I know they will all be giving 100% again in the new term. The involvement of parents, though, is crucial and so a big thank you for all your support for your children’s learning over the year and into the challenges and next steps that lie ahead for the next year. 

In the meantime, I pray that God may bless you with a wonderful summer, full of great times of refreshment and replenishment for your family. 

Our School Updates for Parents

Uniform Reminder - Shoes

If you are buying new shoes for your children over the summer holidays, please remember our uniform requirements. Children should wear black shoes that support children’s feet. Please buy sensible shoes that your child can manage on his or her own. Trainers can be worn, but they must be completely black (including black soles) with no visible logos. As part of our aiming for excellence, we will be looking closely at uniform expectations as we start the new year.   

Arbor App - downloading reports

For those year groups receiving a statutory report as well as the record of achievement e.g. KS2 SATs, please note there is a strange quirk in the Arbor App. This makes it appear that both the attached reports are the same. To download the second report please close the App and reopen it before downloading the second report.

Connect - Price Increase from September

From September we will be increasing the price of an afternoon session at Connect to £18.00 per day. For those with Connect contracts this will automatically be updated onto your contract from September. If you wish to make any changes to your contract please do email connect@ccnm.uk. Morning session prices will be remaining the same at £7.00.

PE Days for 2023-24

• Reception - Tuesday (in) & Thursday (out)
• Year 1 - Tuesday (out) & Friday (in)
• Year 2 - Tuesday (out) & Friday (in)
• Year 3 - Wednesday (in) & Friday (out)
• Year 4 - Monday (out) & Thursday (in)
• Year 5 - Monday (in) & Thursday (out)
• Year 6 - Wednesday (out) & Friday (in)

Free School Meals @ Juniors from September

In addition to the government's infant free school meal programme, The Mayor of London is funding free school meals for junior children. This starts in September for one school year - please see the attached letter from the mayor. This means that you will no longer be required to order a meal for your junior child. Children who are having a hot lunch choose their option on the day at the counter – the experience at other schools and at the Infants shows that children are much more satisfied with their meal and that there is much less waste. You can see the menu for next term on our website. Do please add details of any food allergies in your child’s student profile in Arbor so we can pass it on to the kitchen. (Please note we highlight this in different area on Arbor so it may appear blank when you view the profile)

Times of School Day for September 2023

A reminder again of our new school times, which begin on Tuesday 5th September, the first day of the Autumn term:

Infants

8.35am - 3.05pm

(registration period 8.35 - 8.45am)

Juniors

8.45am - 3.20pm

(registration period 8.45am - 8.55am)

Infant gates will open five minutes before at 8.30am. The junior outer gates will open five minutes before at 8.40am.

Wider Community Updates

Richmond Park Summer Activities

The Friends of Richmond Park are putting on a couple of days of activities for children in the park.  One is an Arts and Craft activity and the other is a Maths Journey.  They are free of charge and suitable for Primary School aged children. 

Summer Tech Camps

Looking for something different to keep your child’s inquisitive mind active this summer? Next Thing Education are excited to announce that we will be running STEM Camp on 24th July- 11th August at Christ Church New Malden Junior School, KT3 3HN and 14^th August – 1^st September at Kings Oak School, KT3 3RZ from 9 am to 4 pm each day (Early drop off from 8 am now available).  Each week they have a new exciting theme with new activities click here to see a few.

• Week 1 - Robotics, VR and Tech Fun 
• Week 2 - Minecraft Coding and Lego Engineering 
• Week 3 -Videography, Photography and Crafts 

Their camps are for ages 5-12.  Spaces are limited, don’t miss out and book today, simply visit: https://www.nextthing.education/summer-camps/

Free Gymnastics Taster Session

A local gymnastics company is offering a free 2 hour taster session for children this summer to try out their gymnastics classes with no obligation. Please see the attached advert for more information and how to book in to this free event this August. 

Swimming Summer Holiday Crash Course - Grand Avenue Primary School

There is a swimming summer holiday crash course being held at Grand Avenue Primary School, KT5 9HU, over 4 weeks of the summer holiday. Should you be interested, please see the attached poster for details and how to book.

Free and affordable summer family fun from Kingston Council

We have a selection of events and activities at our libraries, children’s centres, sports centres, youth centres, parks, Museum and Heritage Centre, along with other deals for children and families across the borough. Take a look at our dedicated Summer 2023 - Free and Affordable Family Fun page for all the latest information - we will keep updating it. 

Key School Dates 

• Friday 21st July - Term finishes today @ 1:15p.m. (infants), 1:30 p.m. (juniors) and Connect 5:15 p.m.
• Monday 4th September - INSET Day (school closed to pupils)
• Tuesday 5th September - School reopens for pupils, 8.35am for infants; 8.45am for juniors