Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
20th November 2019
Dear Parents,
‘We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone’ Ronald Reagan
Mini Vinnies Help at Parish Lunch I would like to publicly thank our Mini Vinnies who helped the parishioners at last week’s parish
lunch. Miss Habayeb (who helps lead the Mini Vinnies) reports:
‘The children were fantastic. They engaged very well with the seniors and threw themselves
wholeheartedly into serving, helping and conversing with them and the other adults. They all showed
very good initiative and were cheerful throughout. It was clear that the seniors enjoyed their
presence and their company. As I told the children, they were a credit to themselves, their families
and their school. We were certainly very proud of them.’
Mini Vinnies Shoe Box Appeal
Thank you also to all the children, parents, families and parishioners who supported our Mini
Vinnies with their Shoe Box Appeal. Miss Habayeb tells me that:
‘The children again showed
tremendous initiative in advertising
this event to their peers and getting a
good number of them to fill in
information for the friendly letter
which was put into the majority of
the boxes. The target was to fill 50
shoeboxes. They exceeded this,
because 60 boxes were filled! A
donation of £140 was given to the
appeal to help towards shipment
costs and which enables us to
include a bar code in each box so
that their destination can be tracked. Information on where their boxes ended up will be available in
January or February and we will keep you all updated. The Mini Vinnies and ourselves are very
grateful for the generosity of those who donated items and money – and to the school for enabling us
to use a big classroom to do all the packing.’
St Edmund’s Day Celebrations Last Friday we had a happy day celebrating our feast day together. We began the day by taking the
whole school to Mass in St Edmund’s church. The children prayed and sang beautifully, and many
parishioners commented on how they are all a credit to our school (including all the three year olds
who coped amazingly well with their first Mass in church.) In the afternoon Year 1- 6 enjoyed
playing games and doing fun activities with other children in their house groups before enjoying
their class party. It was a fun day with lots of delicious party food shared by all.
Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
Pupil Questionnaire
Last week we asked the children to complete a questionnaire we use periodically to check that
everyone is happy and settled here at our school. The majority of children are very happy, feel they
are challenged in their lessons, know what to do when they are stuck and all bar one child knows the
school rules (though a few admit to not always following the rules!) The only answer which gave me
and the teachers concern was the question about ‘do you know who to talk to in school if you are
worried about something’. Unfortunately, 21 children answered ‘no’. I have therefore, already
reminded the whole school in worship this week that we are all here to listen to each other and to
help whenever anyone needs help. I and the teachers are going to regularly remind the children that
they can speak to anyone - their teacher, teaching assistant, me, their best friend etc. as well as
speaking to you at home. I have also explained to the school that it is much better to talk about
something than to feel sad or worried on your own. I have also made sure that everyone, especially
all of the new children who have joined us this academic year, knows who Mrs Skeels is. As you
know, Mrs Skeels is our nurture and emotional literacy teaching assistant. It is her role to support
any child who needs extra emotional support for as long or as short a time as they need it. She has
her Rainbow Room where children can speak in confidence and enjoy lots of fun activities in a warm
and safe environment. Do please encourage your child to talk to any of us if they need to and do
please speak to Mrs Skeels or Mrs Demarchi yourself if you have any worries about your child in
school or generally; as I regularly say ‘if we don’t know, we can’t help’.
Swimming Gala
Last week a group of Year 5 & 6 children took part in the Abingdon Partnership Swimming Gala.
The swimming team were Sophie, Lauren, Fatima, Matilda, Gabby, Tommy, Sam, Shenara, Divine
and Kayshaun. Mrs Harris reports that they all did their best and she was very proud of their attitude
and focus throughout the event.
Wanted - exam invigilators
Fitzharrys and John Mason Secondary Schools are looking to recruit new exam invigilators to their
teams. The work is on a casual basis depending upon your availability and the exam timetable
throughout the school year. The salary is at Grade 4/Point 4/£9.55 per hour. Applications will be
processed on arrival and interviews and appointments considered thereafter. If you are interested in
occasional work, then an application pack is available on both schools' websites or via
recruitment@abingdonlearningtrust or directly from the exam manager
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Delany-White
Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
Diary Dates- PLEASE KEEP THESE HANDY
St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School DIARY DATES 2019/20
Date Event Monday, 18th November
Thursday 21st November Year 6 Abingdon Hospital IMPs trip
Friday, 22nd November 2.20pm
Non uniform day- donations for the Christmas fayre Gold Book
Monday, 25th November
Tuesday 26th November am Year 3 to Abingdon Museum
Wednesday 27th November pm Big Christmas Sing
Friday 29th November Year 1-6 Flu Vaccinations
Saturday 30th November 11-1pm Christmas Fayre
Monday 2nd December
Tuesday 3rd December Christmas Lunch
Wednesday, 4th December 2pm Advent Mass in school – all welcome
Thursday 5th December am
New nursery children home visits Year 4 to Ashmolean Museum Year 1 Dinosaur Museum, Woodstock
Friday 6th December am 2.20pm
Year 6 Carol Service at St Helen’s Church Gold Book
Monday, 9th December 2pm Foundation Stage Nativity for parents
Tuesday 10th December 2pm KS1 Nativity
Wednesday 11th December 2pm KS1 Nativity
Thursday 12th December pm New nursery children visit and welcome talk for parents
Friday, 13th December 2.20 pm Gold Book
Monday 16th December 6pm KS2 Christingle in Church
Tuesday 17th December 9:30-11am Nursery Stay & Play
Wednesday 18th December 3pm
Early Years Stay & Play for current families Term ends
Thursday 19th December INSET day- school closed
20th December – 5th January CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
Monday 6th January Children back to school Art & Poetry week
Wednesday 8th January 2pm Epiphany Mass in school – all welcome
Friday 10th January am 2.20pm
Vision screening, Reception class Art sharing assembly
Monday 13th January
Friday 17th January 9:30-11am 2.20pm
Nursery Stay & Play Gold Book
Monday 20th January
Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
Friday 24th January 2.20pm
Year 6 & Reception height & weight check Gold Book
Monday 27th January
Friday 31st January 2.20pm Gold Book
Monday 3rd February
Tuesday 4th February am NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe key stage assemblies and Year 5 & 6 workshops
Wednesday 5th February 2 pm Mass in School- all welcome
Friday 7th February 2.20pm
Year 5 trip to Rutherford Laboratory Gold Book
Monday 10th February
Tuesday 11th February 9:30-11am
Safer Internet Day Nursery Stay & Play
Wednesday 12th February 2:20pm Y5 Class Assembly
Thursday 13th February am St Helen’s & Katherine’s Love Languages Competition
Friday 14th February 2:20pm 3pm
Gold Book Break up for half term holiday
17th – 21st February HALF TERM BREAK
Monday, 24th February Children back to school
Wednesday 26th February 1:45pm Ash Wednesday Mass in school- all welcome
Friday 28th February 2.20pm Gold Book
Monday 2nd March Prayer Space & Book Week- Narnia theme
Wednesday 4th March am 2pm
Year 5/6 Hockey Tournament Year 2 Class Assembly
Thursday 5th March 1-4pm
World Book Day Year 5/6 Girls Football Tournament
Friday 6th March 2.20pm Gold Book
Monday 9th March 1pm 3.30-6:30pm
Science Week Fire Safety Talk for Year 5 & 6 Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 10th March 3:30-6:30pm Parents’ Evening
Friday 13th March 9:30-11am 2.20pm
Nursery Stay & Play Science Sharing Assembly
Monday 16th March
Tuesday 17th March Class photos
Wednesday 18th March 2:20pm Year 4 Class assembly
Thursday 19th March 3:30-5:30pm High Five Netball Competition at Fitzharrys School
Friday 20th March am 2.20pm
Primary Science ATOM Fayre at Fitzharry’s School Gold Book
Monday 23rd March
Wednesday 25th March 2:00pm 3:30-5:30pm
Lent Mass in School- all welcome Vale Netball Finals at Larkmead School
Friday 27th March Gold Book
Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
Monday 30th March
Tuesday 31st March 9 am KS2 Reconciliation Service
Friday 3rd April am 2pm 3pm
Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Bonnet Parade Stations of the Cross Break up for Easter holidays
6th April- 17th April EASTER HOLIDAYS
Monday 20th April Children back to school
Wednesday 22nd April 2pm Easter Mass in School- all welcome
Friday, 24th April 2.20 pm Gold Book
Monday 27th April
Tuesday 28th April am 9:30-11am
Year 3 Pizza Express trip Nursery Stay & Play
Friday 1st May 2:20pm Gold Book
Monday 4th May
Friday 8th May BANK HOLIDAY
Monday 11th May Key Stage 2 SATs Week Year 5 trip to the Ashmolean Museum
Friday, 15th May 9:30-11am 2.20 pm
Nursery Stay & Play Gold Book
Monday 18th May
Wednesday 20th May 2:20pm Year 3 Class Assembly
Thursday 21st May 2pm Ascension Day Mass in hall- all welcome
Friday, 22nd May 2pm 3pm
Our Lady Procession Children break up for half term
25th – 29th May HALF TERM BREAK
Monday 1st June INSET DAY- school closed
Tuesday 2nd June Children back to school
Friday 5th June 2:20pm Gold Book
Saturday 6th June 11am First Holy Communion at St Edmund’s Church
Sunday 7th June 2pm First Holy Communion at St Edmund’s Church
Monday 8th June
Tuesday 9th June 9:30-11am Nursery Stay & Play
Wednesday 100h June am Year 5 & 6 Quad kids competition TBC
Friday 12th June 2.20 pm Gold Book
Monday 15th June
Tuesday 16th June 12-4:30pm
Annual Schools Mass in Portsmouth Year 5/6 Cricket Tournament at Abingdon School
Wednesday 17th June 2:00pm First Holy Communion Mass in school- all welcome
Friday 19th June 2.20 pm Gold Book
Monday 22nd June Magic Maths Week
Friday 26th June pm Maths Fayre in hall
Monday 29th June
Wednesday 1st July 2:20pm Year 1 Class Assembly
Diocese of Portsmouth
ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PP
Tel: 01235 521558 Fax: 01235 532778 e-mail: [email protected]
www.st-edmunds-rc.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher: Mrs M Delany-White
Friday 3rd July INSET DAY- school closed
Monday 6th July
Tuesday 7th July Mini Vinnies retreat day
Thursday 9th July am pm
Sports Day & family picnic Meet the Teacher
Friday 10th July am 2.20 pm
Reserve Sports Day Gold Book
Monday 13th July
Wednesday 15th July 1:45pm 6pm
Year 6 Production Year 6 Production
Thursday 16th July Year 6 visit to Earth Trust
Friday 17th July 2pm Prize Day
Monday 20th July 1:45pm Leavers’ Mass
Tuesday 21st July 3pm Term ends
SUMMER HOLIDAY