Weekly Update from Mr Meehan

I hope you had a lovely half term. Though Spring seems slow in coming, it’s great to see some increased hours of daylight as the weeks go on. Our iShare Learning theme this half term is all about looking for new things, New Creations, supported by the Bible verse, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’.  You may have noticed work on a new creation in our junior playground over half term! We are excited to see this developing in the coming weeks, and the children have been very sensible, as we’ve had to adapt to a temporarily reduced playground. 

We are looking forward to celebrating World Book Day next Thursday. Pupils can either dress as their favourite WBD character or come in mufti. We have lots of exciting activities planned and also have a Special Lunch Menu that day.

Also, coming up soon, we have had a wonderful range of entries for our junior talent show happening in a couple of weeks. This will be a fun-filled evening, full of new creations, with wonderful talent on show. 

Well done to Hedgehogs yesterday in presenting their class worship, which transported us back to 1666! What a polished performance from everyone - super costumes, singing and a wonderful retelling of the events that led to The Great Fire of London. Our reception and nursery children also met some new friends on Wednesday, when the mobile farm visited, bridging with them guinea pigs, rabbits, chicks, goats, sheep, a Shetland pony, pygmy hedgehog and bearded dragon. 

In our class reps meeting this week, we had our Nourish managers as our special guests to discuss school meals, as well as focusing on our OPAL developments and our plans to move towards joining the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, and looking to implement this by September 2025; more details on this will follow in due course. Thank you to all our parent community for all your support, feedback and suggestions; these are all greatly valued. 

Also, don’t forget the PTA have been working hard to put together the next fund-raising event, the PTA quiz night next Friday 7th March. Don’t forget to get your team together!

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend.

Our School Updates for Parents

Pray for our School 

Our next opportunity together to pray for our school community is Wednesday 5th March at 6pm on the junior site (just come to the school office). This short prayer meeting (about 45 minutes) is open to any staff, parents, governors or friends of the school from church. Join us if you can!

Author Visit - Ross Montgomery 

Bestselling author, Ross Montgomery, will be coming to Christ Church on Wednesday 19th March, speaking to all the children. He will be signing his books, which you can buy, with a 10% discount, from Parrot Street. The deadline for ordering is the 10th March and 20% of all sales will go to the school. 

PTA Quiz

The much awaited PTA Quiz night is taking place on Friday 7th March (flyer attached). Please bring your friends and family and join us for a fun event where there will be other spot games to get involved with, drinks and nibbles to indulge in and adult company to enjoy! Main details are below:

• Over 18s only
• Team sizes 5/6 (no more than 10 can fit a table)
• Doors open 7:30pm, quiz starts at 8:00pm, hall closes 11:00pm.
• Nibbles included on the table
• Bar will be available for drinks
• Tickets £10/person - available through Arbor by going to School Shop, then products.

Nursery Applications

For any parents making nursery applications for September 2025, please complete this form. The closing date for early applications is Friday 7th March 2025.

Support Our School through the Governors' Fund

The Governors' Fund is a simple yet powerful way for parents to support the school and enrich every child's learning experience. For example, your donations help provide every Junior child with a Chromebook and allows us to access extra funding exclusive to church schools. Plus, donations can be Gift-Aided, increasing their value by 25% at no extra cost to you. While the PTA organises fundraising events and community activities, the Governors' Fund relies solely on direct donations to support essential school improvements. We’ve made donating quicker, easier, and more convenient so you just click the Donate button on the school website. We ask parents to set up a regular monthly donation to spread the cost and allow the school to plan ahead, but any contribution is greatly appreciated.

Treasurer to the Governors’ Fund Needed

The Treasurer plays a vital role in managing the Governors' Fund, ensuring financial transparency and accountability and helps ensure funds are used effectively to benefit the school and its pupils. The governors are looking to co-opt someone to the Governing Body with financial expertise or with experience managing funds in a business, charity, or voluntary organisation to this voluntary role. If this is you then please contact the clerk to the governors clerk@ccnm.uk

Wider Community Updates

Give your Cycling Confidence a Fun Spring Boost

Join Kingston Cycling Campaign and friends at 10.45am on Sunday 2 March 2025 for the return of their fun-packed series of family-friendly rides. Designed with all ages and cycling abilities in mind, this easy-paced ride will take you along quiet roads and traffic-free routes, starting and ending at Green Lane Recreation Ground in New Malden / Berrylands (park entrance opposite Franks Avenue, off South Park Grove). Organised by Kingston Cycling Campaign, with the support of Full Cycle Community Bike Project, invite your friends, neighbours and family, and maybe even discover a few new routes on this short cycle outing through the borough! Register for your free place here.

Junior Schools Music Workshop Day 

On Sunday 27 April, Hampton School is hosting its 25th annual Junior Schools Music Workshop for local Junior School pupils in Year 3 and above. On the day, they will be running a series of workshops for string, wind and brass players. In addition to this, they will be running a choir session for singers. The Workshop will start at 10.00am (registration from 9.30am) and will break for lunch and activities at 12.30pm. At 2.30pm there will be a concert in the Hammond Theatre presenting all the music prepared during the workshops. All parents will be very welcome to attend this concert, which will be free to attend. The course, including lunch and refreshments, is free of charge. To book a place this online form should be completed as soon as possible and at the latest close of business Monday 17 March.

KMS Music Explorers

Please see the attached poster for details of a 4 day music holiday programme being run by Kingston Music Service during the Easter holidays in Chessington. Children will explore a variety of musical instruments (including violin, viola, and cello—all provided free), develop rhythm and singing skills, and enjoy ensemble performances that build teamwork. In addition to music, there will be creative art and craft activities, dance and movement sessions, and a quiet library space for relaxation. Spaces are limited - register now for an unforgettable holiday experience!

Key School Dates

• Monday 3rd March - Y1 Zoolab Visit (pm)
• Monday 3rd March - Y5 Science Show at Surbiton Assembly Rooms 
• Monday 3rd March - Rearranged Hedgehog Class Parents’ Evening @ 3:45 - 6:45pm
• Tuesday 4th March - Rearranged Hedgehog Class Parents’ Evening @ 2:45 - 5:45pm 
• Wednesday 5th March - Y1 Insight Visit
• Thursday 6th March - World Book Day - Special Lunch Menu
• Thursday 6th March - Tiger Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Thursday 6th March - Parrot Street Pop Up at the Juniors @ 3:00 – 3:45pm
• Friday 7th March - SEND Parent Appointments @ 12:00 - 5:00pm
• Monday 10th - Friday 14th March - Science Week
• Tuesday 11th March - Year 3&4 Soloists Concert @ 9:00am 
• Wednesday 12th March - Junior Talent Show @ 6:00 - 7:30pm 
• Thursday 13th March - Macaw Class Trip to Wimbledon Synagogue (am)
• Thursday 13th March - Fox Class Worship @ 2:40pm 
• Monday 17th - Friday 21st March - Wellbeing Week
• Monday 17th - Friday 28th March - Y5 Bikeability
• Wednesday 19th March - Ross Montgomery Author Visit (pm)
• Thursday 20th March - Y4 Insight Visit (pm)
• Thursday 20th March - Owl Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 21st March - Reception Trip to Polka Theatre (am)
• Monday 24th - Friday 28th March - Chums Week
• Tuesday 25th March - Charity Tuesday
• Tuesday 25th March - Y6 National Child Measurement Programme (am)
• Wednesday 26th March - Y5 Easter Experience at The Baptist Church (am)
• Thursday 27th March - Learning Look - from pick up until 4:30pm 
• Thursday 27th March - Lion Class Worship @ 2:40pm
• Friday 28th March - PTA Break the Rules Day
• Tuesday 1st April - Y5/6 Cluster Choir Concert at Rose Theatre (pm)
• Wednesday 2nd April - Easter Bonnet Parade at Infants
• Thursday 3rd April - Y3 Trip to Butser Farm
• Friday 4th April - Easter Church Service @ 9:30am
• Friday 4th April - Term finishes early at 1.05pm (infants) and 1.20pm (juniors). Connect will finish at 5:15pm
• Monday 7th - Monday 21st April - Easter Holiday
• Tuesday 22nd April - Summer Term Starts