St Cecilia's News
January 2023
Spring Term
I hope that you have had a good start to the year.
I've spent today with other local Catholic Head Teachers at St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls in Carshalton. It was lovely to see so many past pupils doing so well in their learning. Ms Noone, the Head Teacher, enabled us to see many aspects of school life today, our focus was on modern languages, the more able and the wider curriculum for the social and moral development of young people.
It was great to see how the confidence and knowledge that the children build here at St Cecilia's continues to shine in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. We sat in on lessons and received several presentations from remarkable students. We were clearly shown how the team there carefully and thoroughly prepare young women for further academic study and the world of work.
Although we have started with Head Teachers today, we are now developing closer links for all of our staff with our local Catholic schools across Merton and Sutton, enabling subject leaders to develop new skills and share best practice.
Industrial Action by the National Education Union
We will have a partial closure when members of the NEU undertake action next week, three classes will be closed. It has been a difficult decision for many staff and I do respect the decision of all staff on whether or not to strike during these difficult times. I have asked class teachers who are members of the NEU to contact parents via Class Dojo to inform them of their decision. Where a teacher is not a member of the NEU and is not striking I have contacted parents via Class Dojo.
Year 6 Mission Week - Caring for the Homeless
Year 6 have their annual "sleepout" next week when they spend a few hours around the school site in a position of "homelessness." Many of them will be asking for money from those passing by. If you can make a donation please do, all funds raised will go to the Cardinal Hume Centre. We've attached a short video below to show you one aspect of the work of the centre. There are more videos for the centre on Youtube.
Happy Lunar New Year
A special happy Lunar New Year to all our families celebrating the arrival of the year of the rabbit, 恭喜發財, Gong hei fat choy!
Diary Dates
I have included many dates for you below, these can also be found in our online calendars. You may wish to note that Sports Day has been booked for Thursday June 15th and Years 1-6 will need to proceed straight to the David Weir Sports Centre on this date, not the school.
Football team
Congratulations again to the boys who played in the recent Surrey Finals in Dorking and managed to come joint third out of all the Surrey schools. I know that we published news on this to you on Class Dojo but I wanted to recognise their amazing teamwork and skill in the main newsletter. Many thanks to all the parents and staff who attend so many matches throughout the year to support the players in their endeavours.
Best wishes for the year ahead, look forward to seeing you at the PTA AGM!
Vince Burke
Head Teacher
Y6 Mission Week in aid of the Cardinal Hume Centre
PTA Annual General Meeting - Next Monday evening
Our PTA have been busy making arrangements for the coming term. They have their Annual General Meeting next Monday (30th January) evening at 7pm. The meeting will take place in the school library and online.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84022831144?pwd=a1ZFdkg4SEdEMXd2MG1tR1BsRXNEUT09
Meeting ID: 840 2283 1144
Passcode: 529936
PTA Years 2 and 3 Disco
After an amazing disco for years 4-6 we now have one for Years 2 and 3 on:
Friday 24th February from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. More details nearer the time, for now please save the date.
St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School
Email: office@stcecilias.school
Website: www.stcecilias.school
Phone: 020 8337 4566
Community News
Tamil Heritage Month
News from the London Borough of Sutton:
Please come to a free event to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month on Sunday 29 January, 1-4 pm, on the third floor at Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SM1 1EA.
Volunteers needs - Horse Riding for the Disabled
We are a registered local charity that provide over 350 riding and experience sessions, for children and adults with disabilities, each week. Most of the school groups who ride with us, and some of our individual riders, are from neighbouring schools within the Sutton, Croydon and Banstead areas.
The issue that we have is that we are in desperate need of some new volunteers, and we were hoping that any parents/contacts may be able to help us.
We are trying to get the message out in as many ways as possible as we don't want to cancel any riding lessons.
To find out more about the work we do you can check us out on our website at:
http://www.diamondcentre.org.uk/
Kind Regards
Kate
Kate Gordon RDA Head Coach & Co-ordinator
The Diamond Centre
Woodmansterne Road
Carshalton
Surrey
SM5 4DT
Tel: 020-8643-7764
Dates for your diary
January
30th - PTA Annual General Meeting at 7.00pm in the library and online, see link above.
31st - Y2 hatching chicks in science
February
2nd - Y6 Sleepout in aid of the Cardinal Hume Centre for the homeless.
6th - "EcoSchools Cut Your Carbon Week."
6th - Y5 Visit St Philomena's School for "We Will Rock You" performance
6th - Y5 Mission Week begins
10th - PTA Doughnut Sale
13th - 17th Half term
22nd - Ash Wednesday
24th - Attendance, Reading, Writing and Maths assessment reports published
24th PTA Disco for Years 2 and 3 from 6.30pm.
March
2nd - Parent Teacher Meeting
7th - Parent Teacher Meeting
8th - Lenten Mass for Y3-6 with Father Sean
16th - Y5 to the Royal Philharmonia
20th - ECAs end
30th March - End of term for Nursery
31st - End of Term for Easter at 1pm.
April
17th - Start of Summer Term
24th - Eco Schools "Get Loud on Litter" Week.
May
1st - Bank Holiday Monday - School Closed
8th - Coronation of King Charles II - School Closed
9th - 12th Y6 SATs Week
18th - Ascension Day Mass Years 3-6
23rd - Y5 trip to Greenwich Observatory
23rd - Y3 Assembly - Crowning of Our Lady's Statue
29th May - 2nd June - May half-term holiday
June
5th - INSET Day - School Closed
15th - Y1-6 Sports Day at David Weir Centre (Children go straight to the Centre)
23rd - Reports published
27th and 29th Parent Teacher Meetings
29th - Mass for Ss Peter and Paul Y3-6
July
10th-14th Y6 Residential in Dorset
12th Reception Class Visit to Bocketts Farm
19th End of Academic Year for Nursery
20th End of Academic Year Y1-6 at Midday
September
4th - Start for academic year for Y1-6 (EYFS start dates vary)