St Mary's Catholic Primary Schools Trust

Headteacher

Newsletter no. 16

16th January 2026

Dear Parents / Carers,

What a wet week we have had! Despite the unsettled weather and the fact that the children have often been unable to go outside for morning break and lunchtime, they have behaved exceptionally well. We know how important it is for children to have time outdoors to run, play, and burn off energy, so this has been challenging at times. Even so, the children have shown great resilience and focus, settling back into their learning calmly and sensibly when asked. Let’s hope for some drier weather next week.

We are also very pleased to welcome Mr Makin back this week following time off due to a foot injury. The children in St George Class have thoroughly enjoyed having him back. Mr Makin has shared how delighted he is with the progress the children have made during his absence and is very much looking forward to building on their knowledge and skills over the coming term.

Staff changes

After 23 years of dedicated service at St Mary’s Infant School, Mrs Anilal has decided that the time has come to embark on a new chapter and explore new opportunities. Over the years, she has supported and nurtured so many children, helping them with their learning and watching them grow and flourish.

During her time at St Mary’s, Mrs Anilal has worked across all year groups, and for the past five years she has been a valued member of the Nursery team, where she has played an important role in supporting our youngest children as they begin their educational journey.

Mrs Anilal’s final day with us will be Friday 30th January. We would like to thank her for her commitment and care over the years and wish her every success in her new adventure. She will always be a valued member of the St Mary’s family, and we hope she will come back to visit us in the future.

We would also like to reassure parents that the Nursery will not be understaffed. From Monday 2nd February, Miss Gengan, a Learning Support Assistant, will be transferring from the Junior School to join the Nursery team. She has already spent time in Nursery getting to know the children and becoming familiar with the routines. We hope you will join us in giving her a warm welcome to St Mary’s Infant School.

St Therese Class Liturgy

I had a wonderful start to my Wednesday morning by attending St Therese Class Liturgy with the parents. We heard about the special people in each of our lives and why they are so important to us. We heard who was special to the children and why. The parents were also given the opportunity to share why their child is such a bright light in their world and why they are so special to them.

Classes to Mass

On Monday 26^h January St Martin Class will be going to 10 o’clock Mass.

On Monday 2^nd February St Bernadette Class will be going to Mass. If you would like to join the children at Mass please meet them at the Church.

Big Garden Bird Watch

This weekend is the Big Garden Bird watch. As this links so well to our Science curriculum and our climate action plan -we would like the whole school to take part. So, over the weekend please take some time to look out of your windows at home and count how many birds you can see.

Your child will have bought a sheet of paper home today to help them identify birds we may see in Croydon.

Please take some time to look out of the window- name and count the birds.

Your child can bring the sheet back into school on Monday and we will submit the results on the RSBP website

Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing week 9^th–15^th February

Children’s mental health and wellbeing is always at the forefront of our minds so we will be joining the rest of the country in marking Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing week here at St Mary’s. The children will be taking part in a variety of activities throughout the week. This year’s theme is ‘’This is my Place’. We are always talking to the children about how important it is to express their emotions and to talk about how they are feeling

To celebrate being so unique we are asking the children to come dressed in something that makes them happy / special on Monday 9th February 2026.

Happy Bag Collection

On Tuesday 24^th February we have a HAPPY BAG COLLECTION. This is a way we can make money for the school as well as giving to charity.

“Our school fundraising scheme serves a dual purpose: providing financial support to schools and addressing reusable textile waste, all while promoting awareness of sustainability.

At Happy School Bag we offer schools the opportunity to raise funds and at the same time to help our environment by keeping valuable and reusable resources out of landfill. We specialise in collecting and buying quality second hand clothes, working together with the pupils, parents, and teachers to fundraise, recycle and educate.

This cost-free programme actively promotes recycling at school and encourages children to become involved in waste reduction.”

This is what they will accept as donations

Adult and Children’s clothing

Paired shoes

Fashion Accessories

Handbags, belts, hats scarves

Jewellery and perfume.

The clothing collected are sold to the second-hand market industry, it is exported to various countries worldwide, where thrift markets flourish, providing affordable clothing to disadvantaged individuals and vintage clothing enthusiasts alike. This practice also reflects a growing eco-friendly trend of acquiring second-hand clothes. Reuse represents a positive aspect of recycling, as it prolongs the lifespan of garments and helps divert them from landfills

Please have a sort through yours and your children’s clothes and bring any unwanted items into school before the 24^th February. Thank you.

Golden Table

I had the pleasure of having lunch with another 6 children with wonderful table manners.

This week I was joined by:

Riley in St Andrew Class

Ayden in St George Class

Adina in St Bernadette Class

Miriam in St Therese Class

Jerona in St Francis Class

Ciana in St Martin Class

It was clear that these six children have good table manners- they were telling me what they like to eat at home & who does all the cooking in the house.

Wednesday Word

Community

A word from the Saints

“ Whatever gifts and talents we are given by God are to be shared with the entire community”

St Baldwin of Canterbury

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for our school and parish communities. Please help me to say ‘Yes’ to you, and enrich the communities to which I belong

Amen