Headteacher

Newsletter no. 20

16th January 2026

Dear Parents / Carers,

We are fast approaching the halfway point of the academic year, and it is hard to believe that we are already in February.

This week, we were very fortunate to enjoy our first class assembly of the year.

Thank you to St Francis Class for presenting a beautiful assembly on Wednesday, focused on the theme of Diversity. They reminded us how special and unique we all are, and how fortunate we are to be part of St Mary’s Catholic Infant School, where everyone brings their own languages, family traditions, cultures, and strengths. Our diversity is what makes St Mary’s such a special place. St Francis Class shared this message through song, prayer, and a wonderful story, Mixed by Arree Chung. This is the link to the story if you wish to watch it with your children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp3cemzfRzY. It is a good way to have the conversation about diversity and celebrate our differences and what makes us all unique.

St Martin Class Assembly

On Wednesday 11^th February St Martin Class have their assembly for their parents.

Please come along and join in the collective worship at 9.15am

Contact Details

Could we please ask you make sure that all the details we hold for your child on our data collection sheet

i.e home address, email address, emergency contact details and telephone numbers are all up to date.

It is important that you inform the school office if there are any changes so that we can get hold of you in an emergency.

Thank you for your cooperation.

LATENESS AND ABSENSES

I would like to remind you how important it is for your child to be in school on time each day. The school day starts at 8.55am. We have seen an increase in the number of children who are coming in late. If this happens on regular occasions, children are missing out on important learning.

I would also like to reiterate the importance of informing the school when your child is absent. You must call in everyday that your child does not attend school.

As a school we monitor our attendance closely and work closely with the Croydon Educational Welfare Officer to ensure all our children are attending school.

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 f

Golden Table

I was unable to be on the Golden Table this week as I had to attend a meeting so Mr François Williams had the pleasure of having lunch with another 6 children with wonderful table manners.

This week I was joined by:

Luke in St Andrew Class

Ade in St George Class

Annie in St Bernadette Class

Raychel in St Therese Class

Joshua in St Francis Class

Levin in St Martin Class

It was clear that these six children have good table manners.

Wednesday Word

Goodness

A word from the Saints

“Happy are the young, because they have time before them to do good”

St Philip Neri

Dear Lord Jesus

You are the source of all goodness. Thank you for all the people who help me to grow in goodness and become the best we can be

Amen