St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School
ANTI-BULLYING
WORKSHOPS
‘Make a noise about Bullying’
“On 26th November Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in an Anti-Bullying Graffiti Workshop in school. We had
to make an anti-bullying poster on a colourful board using our graffiti skills taught by John and Tom. We
had to come up with our own anti-bullying slogan that we transferred onto the board using graffiti pens.
They taught us how to write in the graffiti style and how to make our letters look 3D.
We also made a banner using using spray cans and handprints inspired by the anti-bullying week, which
is now displayed at the entrance to the school for everyone to see. We all enjoyed the workshop and our
graffiti posters look amazing!”
by Daisy, Year 6
Dear Parents/Carers
Following on from the report written by Daisy regarding the Anti-Bullying Graffiti Workshop that
took place in school yesterday (see above), I would like to confirm what a great morning the Y5
and 6 had. The workshop was much fun and very ‘hands-on’ – do admire our very own AntiBullying banner covered with Y5 and 6 handprints – but most importantly, it reiterated the important
message we continually give our children about bullying.
The workshop followed ‘Anti-Bullying Week’ during which the children attended a whole school
assembly and took part in various activities in class.
As a school, we take bullying seriously and we will always address any bullying situation that
occurs. We have just reviewed our Anti-Bullying Policy and it will be put on the school website at
the beginning of next week.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all parents and carers that if they have any
concerns about school, they should contact me and I will always do my very best to help sort out
any issues. I am disappointed to hear that some of our parents choose to put negative comments
about our school on social media rather than approaching me for an honest discussion. We have
251 children in our school and they certainly keep us busy, offering us unforgettable moments as
well as challenging ones, but I would like to assure you that the ethos in our school is genuinely
caring for all, whether children or staff. I would like to quote a statement following a recent external
Local Authority Review: The school is truly inclusive. Provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social
and cultural development is one of its strengths. Diversity and equality are taught through the
curriculum and strengthened through the school’s ethos. In discussion pupils’ conclusion was that
St Mary Magdalene School is ‘a lovely school’ and ‘there is nothing we would want to change’.
If anyone doubts that, I invite them to contact me and I will organise for them to spend a bit of time
in our school and see for themselves.
Finally, I would like to thank all those who support the school and work in partnership with us in
order to make it a good place to be.
Miss Vanderschelden
Congratulations
Reception Starfish –
Janella & Ola
Year 1 Dolphins –
Grace & James
Year 2/3 Turtles –
Crystal & Taona
Year 2/3 Seahorses – Saskia & Lilly
Year 2/3 Owls –
Alex & Connor
Year 4 Penguins –
Lola & Sophie
Year 5 Toucans –
Macy & Joe
Year 6 Eagles –
Freya & Keia
STAR ANGEL
Finlay H.
A copy of this newsletter is also available on the school
website:
www.stmarymags.co.uk
SCHOOL CAR PARK
Please remember that access to the school car park from 8.40am to 3.30pm
is only granted to parents/carers who have been given permission by the
Headteacher.
Our car park gets very busy during the day with educational visitors from outside
agencies and deliveries, and it is full most of the time.
Thank you for your co-operation in ensuring that our school remains a safe place
for all.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
We have been monitoring attendance and punctuality throughout the school in recent
weeks and it has been noticed that too many children arrive to school too late.
Please note that the morning register is taken at 8.55am and all pupils are expected
to be in class ready for their lessons by that time. Any arrivals to school after this time
are marked as ‘late’. Persistent absence and lateness to school reduces your child’s
chances to become a successful learner and causes disruption to their own and other
children’s learning. Hopefully, by bringing this to your attention, we shall be able to raise
the high standards of our school attendance to an outstanding level and reduce the level of
lateness to school to none.
Year Group
R Starfish
Y1 Dolphins
Y2/3 Turtles
Y2/3 Seahorses
Y2/3 Owls
Y4 Penguins
Y5 Toucans
Y6 Eagles
Total
Attendance
weekly percentage
92.3%
100%
96.7%
95.4%
94.2%
94.1%
96.7%
97.3%
95.8%
Lateness
after 8.55am
2
5
2
1
3
6
5
2
26
WELL DONE Dolphins!
THE ATTENDANCE TROPHY IS YOURS AGAIN!
Days off school add up to lost learning
PTFA
Christmas Fayre
Friday 11th December
3.15pm start
Please come and join us for our annual PTFA Christmas Fayre at St Mary
Magdalene School.
There will be a variety of stalls, Santa’s Grotto and children’s Craft Corner,
homemade cakes, refreshments and much more to enjoy.
ALL VERY WELCOME
We also wish to invite all children and staff to support our PTFA in their fundraising
efforts and take part in the following fundraising days:
TINSEL MUFTI DAY
FRIDAY 4th December 2015
‘Bring Chocolate’ or £1.00 donation
Please wear mufti with a Christmas theme and a little tinsel.
(NO tinsel around the neck!).
PTFA Christmas Cards
Please return your Christmas Cards orders to the school
office by Tuesday 1st December 2015.
Each order raises funds for the PTFA and it would be
wonderful to raise as much money as possible.
Thank you
School Tea Towels
If you wish to order a school tea towel featuring children’s self-portraits please
return a completed order form together with your payment to the school office by
Friday 4th December.
Tea Towels will also be available at the PTFA Christmas Fayre BUT STOCKS WILL
BE LIMITED.
Infant Nativity
Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday 8th December 2.00pm
For school, grandparents and parents with very young children/babies only
Performance for Parents/Carers
Wednesday 9th December 6.00pm
Performance for Parents/Carers
Thursday 10th December 6.00pm
Please return your reply slips requesting tickets as soon as possible
(please note we can initially allocate only 2 tickets per family for a chosen performance).
Parents/carers wishing to take photo/video images during the performances will be required to sign
a declaration form before the start of the performance.
St Mary Magdalene School
JUNIOR ADVENT SERVICE
Wednesday 16th December 6:00pm
St Mary Magdalene Church
Please join us for our annual Junior Advent Service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Wednesday 16th
December at 6:00pm, where pupils from KS2 will be singing and performing.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Wednesday 16th December 2015
Please return your reply slip together with £2.03 by Wednesday 2nd December
if you wish your child to have Christmas Lunch in school on
Wednesday 16th December.
Please note that Christmas Lunch must be ordered in advance, as the cook will not
be taking orders on the day.
The usual school menu will not be available on that day.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Pupils entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals (EYFS/KS1) and Free School
Meals are NOT REQUIRED TO PAY but still need to order.
COMPETITION TIME 2015!!!
Design a Parish Christmas Card
St Mary Magdalene’s Parish would like to invite all children in Years 4, 5
and 6 to take part in their annual competition to design a Parish
Christmas Card!
Entries should be A5 size.
No words other than “Happy Christmas” on the picture and please use
pens that will photocopy.
Entries to be put in an envelope and marked “Christmas Card
Competition”.
Please send your card designs to the Parish Office or hand to the Priests.
The Winning entries will be used to advertise Parish Christmas Mass times.
The winner will also receive a £20 voucher.
Closing date for entries: Wednesday 9th December.
Please write your child’s name, date of birth, school name, contact
telephone number and which church they currently attend on the back of
the card.
GOOD LUCK!
Christmas Parties
Years 5 & 6 – Monday 14th December
Year 4 – Tuesday 15th December
Reception Class, Year 1 & Years 2/3 – Thursday 17th December
A £1.00 contribution per child towards food and refreshments would be greatly
appreciated. Please give your contribution to the class teachers.
Children are invited to wear their own party clothes to school on that day!
Bexhill Primaries Christmas Concert
Wednesday 2nd December 2015
7:30pm at the De La Warr Pavilion
Please come and support our Year 6 pupils singing and performing at the Bexhill
Primaries Christmas Concert on Wednesday 2nd December at the DLWP.
Tickets for the concert are now available from the box office at the DLWP at £5.00
per adult and £3.00 concessions.
MOBILE PHONE FOR SCHOOL CLUBS
We wish to advise all parents and carers using our Before and After School Clubs that we are currently
acquiring a mobile phone which will soon be available to use for emergency calls after hours. The
number will be posted on your December invoices.
St Mary Star of the Sea
Consultation on Admission Arrangements for the Academic Year 2017 – 2018
The Governors of St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School are consulting on their Admissions
arrangements for 2017-18. The proposed Admissions Policy and Procedures may be found on the
school’s website, at www.st-mary-star.e-sussex.sch.uk . The consultation period runs from 24th
November 2015 to 5th January 2016 inclusive. Comments should be addressed to: The Chair of the
Admissions Committee, St Mary Star of the Sea School, Magdalen Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East
Sussex, TN37 6EU, by 5th January 2016.
Consultation on Admission Arrangements for Community and Controlled School
for the Academic Year 2017 – 2018
Consultation on the county council's admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled
schools has opened on 23 November 2015 and will run until 31 January 2016. It is available on the
consultation hub via the link below:
https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/economy-transport-environment/consultation-on-admissionsarrangements-2017-18
You are very welcome to respond and comment, particularly in respect of the proposed changes.