14th February, 2025


Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for all your fantastic support this half term for all our school activities:

  • Class Masses, Mission Weeks and Class Assemblies
  • Sporting matches, local area walks and wider school trips
  • PA fundraising, Governor fundraising, Charity fundraising

We have certainly packed a lot into 6 weeks and it is noticeable that the children (and the staff!) are happy but also tired and well ready for a break!

It was great to catch up with so many of you at Parents Consultations this week.  We have been very impressed by the positive progress and excellent work ethic across the school this half term and we are looking forward to more of the same next half-term.  For now, the children have earned a great break.  We hope everyone will have the chance to enjoy some family time over the next few days and we look forward to seeing everyone on 24th February!

Have a lovely half term,

Gerry Flower

 


Catholic Life

Family Prayer Session

Please join us for our Family Prayer Session, which takes place every Friday morning from 8:15-8:30am in the school chapel. The aim is for families to gather and pray, the session is led by parents and all are welcome - please bring your children.

Follow the Mark 10 Mission here

https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/the-mark-10-mission

 

Jubilee Year 2025

A Prayer of Hope

Holy Spirit, our inspiration, in this Jubilee Year, you remind us of our call to grow in faith and love. Help us to hear you in scripture, to see Jesus in others, and to be united as God’s global family.

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope.

 

 


Lourdes Pilgrimage Fundraiser


News/notes

Class Teacher Vacancy

We are looking for a class teacher to join our friendly team from September. For more information, please click here.

 

Internet Safety Week

This week brought the exciting opportunity for our school to celebrate Safer Internet Day. This year, we have focused on the theme of 'Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online'. All children have explored this theme, amongst other internet safety concerns, within their classes and as a whole school during Thursday's assembly, which was ably led by our group of Digital Leaders. The Digital Leaders also led story time in Key Stage One and Early Years classes, choosing stories with an internet safety theme. Finally, a trip to ACS Cobham gave us the opportunity to celebrate the internet. The Digital Leaders enjoyed learning about 3D modelling and made their own keychains on a laser cutter. We hope that your child shares their learning with you to raise awareness of internet safety at home.

Please find below some extra information regarding scams, fake news and phishing. 

For more information on Scams and Fake News, click here.

For more information on Phishing, click here.

 

Blue Peter Badge for Music

Achieving a Blue Peter Badge for Music is a simple yet rewarding activity, with children receiving an amazing badge designed by Ed Sheeran AND free entry to over 200 attractions across the country. By just writing a little about their passion for music, and parents completing the details, children can receive this unique badge, and Mrs Kareem is hoping as many children as possible make the most of this opportunity. Please complete the below form, and let the office know your child has applied, so Mrs Kareem and the school know to congratulate your child when their badge comes through! Application form here and FAQ attached below.

Blue Peter badges FAQ | questions and answers about BP badges | Blue Peter Badge Help - CBBC - BBC

 

PA Sponsored Read

For more information and the sponsorship form, please click here.

 

Mr Simpson's Brighton Marathon

This year I will be running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 6th April for Alzheimer's Society. I will be running in memory of my amazing Gran who suffered with dementia the last few years of her life and for all people who suffer with dementia and their families. I would love to exceed my target and would greatly appreciate anything you can donate. Thank you. Mr Simpson

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ross-simpson-1716901734036?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

 

Chertsey Museum Half Term Activities

 

Parking

Please can we once again remind you to be mindful of your parking when collecting and dropping your children to school. 

Parking is available in the Coronation Rec car park which is just a short walk away from school. Alternatively, you can park for free at Hersham station car park on Walton Park with a permit which you can obtain by emailing the school office your car registration plate.

Please also note that parents dropping their children off for Breakfast Club or any morning clubs are not allowed to park in the school car park.

 

       


14 Feb 2025
Internet Safety Week
This week brought the exciting opportunity for our school to celebrate Safer Internet Day. This year, we have focused on the theme of 'Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online'. All children have explored this theme, amongst other internet safety concerns, within...
Read more
13 Feb 2025
Amethyst Class Mass
Amethyst Class welcomed Fr. Bill on Friday to celebrate our first Class Mass of the year. Thank you to all parents who were able to join us and to Fr. Bill for saying the mass. 
Read more
13 Feb 2025
Digital Leaders Trip
As part of our focus on computing this week, our Digital Leaders were invited to ACS Cobham to learn about 3D Modelling. The children enjoyed designing and printing their own named keychains.  For more photos, please click here.
Read more
10 Feb 2025
Talk for Writing
Year Six were invited to Reception to listen to their Talk for Writing presentation of The Enormous Turnip. We also enjoyed a short reading session whilst we were there!  For more photos, please click here.
Read more

Message from the Governors

Dear all,

We wanted to update you on how we next plan to use the money from your donations to the Governors’ Fund to help our school.

We have agreed to fund the purchase of five new interactive whiteboards, which will replace existing models in KS1 and KS2 classrooms that are unfortunately reaching the end of their natural life.

Technological obsolescence is an inevitability and replacement can be a significant expense.  As with the iPads, this is something that the Governors’ Fund can help the school cover.  

With advancements in ICT, interactive whiteboards are considered integral educational tools that enhance learning and support teaching.  Keeping them up to date enables teachers to take advantage of new media and teach innovatively.

If you don’t already give to the Governors’ Fund, may we ask that you consider it for 2025? You can donate to the Governors’ Fund here. Thank you for your generosity and for being such an important part of the Cardinal Newman community. 

The Cardinal Newman School Governors


Parents Association Notes

To contact the PA, please email: PA@cardinalnewmanschool.co.uk  

 

Y4 Cake Sale - Friday 7th March

 

 


Reception starters 2025

Please click here for more information on school applications if you have a child starting Reception in 2025.

Secondary school starters 2025

Please click here for more information on school applications if you have a child starting Year 7 in 2025.


Mobile phone use onsite

Please can we kindly remind you mobile phones should not be used onsite for safeguarding reasons. Thank you for your co-operation.


Brooklands Museum - School Membership card

If you would like to book the Brooklands Museum card for a weekend, please contact the office.

For more information about the museum, please visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com 


National Online Safety: Wake Up Wednesday Guides for Parents 

We would like to make you aware of our ‘online safety’ advice, guidance and support page called ‘Wake Up Wednesday - what parents / carers need to know’.

Wake Up Wednesday, created by The National College, aims to inform parents and carers on topics such as social media platforms, gaming, and IPad security. They include top tips, important reminders and reality checks on a wide range of online safety topics. They are a great resource to keep up to date with the issues children may encounter. 

We will post relevant articles of interest that should help you and your child here on our website.

 

We thank you for your ongoing support in assuring the safety of our pupils online.  


Vacancies

Class Teacher Vacancy

We are looking for a class teacher to join our friendly team from September. For more information, please click here.

Teach Southeast Teacher Training

TRAIN TO TEACH WITH OUTSTANDING ITT PROVIDER XAVIER TEACH SOUTHEAST 


We always welcome people who want to discuss routes into teaching – we might be biased but we believe there is no better job than teaching young people and shaping the next generation! We would encourage anyone thinking of teaching to get in touch so that they can come to visit and find out more. 

We are proud to be a partner school of Xavier Teach SouthEast, a SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) provider working in and around our local area. Xavier Teach SouthEast provides all trainees with high quality training, in both primary and secondary settings, to enable them to develop into competent and confident professionals.

Trainees are well prepared through first-rate complementary placements which ensure that they gain substantial practical experience, developing their evaluative and practical teaching skills effectively. In-school expert mentors and external subject trainers have consistently high expectations and work collaboratively to ensure training is coherent and highly relevant to the needs of trainees.

Xavier Teach SouthEast have had two consecutive Outstanding judgements and are highly regarded in the local area; we love working with them and hope you will too.

For more information please call them on 01932 578 682

Or visit the website to view their prospectus or sign up to a SCITT open morning  www.teachsoutheast.co.uk

 

Xavier Catholic Education Trust Vacancies

 

To find out more about vacancies within the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, please click here


Spring Clubs January 2025

Half Term Planet Soccer Camp (Y1-Y6)

Here is a link to our February Half Term Multi Sports Camp.

It is running from Monday 17th February to Thursday 20th February.

There are discounts for booking 4 days and sibling discount when booking 4 days.

Drop Off 8:30 - 9:30

Pick Up 15:30 - 16:30

https://bookwhen.com/planetsoccercamps60

 

 

External Run Clubs Spring Term 2025

Please see details of external clubs here.

Teacher led Clubs Spring Term 2025

Please see details of teacher led clubs here.

After Crafts - Please find flyer here

Engineering club - Please find flyer here

Footbellas Girls Football Club - Please find flyer here.

French Club - Please find flyer here

Ballet - For more information, please click here

Chess Club - Please book via Scopay from September 2024

Gaelic Football Club - Please click here for more information. Now finished until summer term 2025.

Irish Dancing - Please email lgsoid@hotmail.co.uk

iRock  - Please find flyer here

Judo class - Please contact Diane Capon on 07960 699 077 or email diane.capon@sky.com

Mini Dance Performers - Please click here for more information

MTech - an extracurricular music technology and creative composition course for children aged 7-13. For the flyer click here.

Spanish club - Please find flyer here

Ukulele club - Please book via Scopay. Dates this term are 6th November - 4th December. Please click here for more information. 

Planet Soccer - Please click here for more information. 

Homework Club (Y3-Y6)

Homework club runs from 3.15 pm - 4.15 pm Monday - Friday, cost is £5 (free if your child attends Whizz Kids after-school club). Please book and pay for via Scopay.

Music lessons - during school hours, music lessons can be arranged through Surrey Arts. Please contact them directly by telephone on 01483 519303, by email at surreyarts@surreycc.gov.uk or visit the Surrey Arts web page for more information. You can subscribe to the Surrey Arts newsletter here.


Lost Property

Please collect lost items from the lost property box in the KS1 playground.  Please label everything clearly so it can be returned to the owner. Please note it can take some time for items to reach the lost property box depending on where they were lost. 

Items not claimed from the lost property box will be disposed of periodically as it quickly builds up. Thank you.


Communicating with your child's teacher 

Messages for teachers can be put in your child's reading/homework diary/bookbag, eg. pick up arrangements, homework issues, lost property, requesting a meeting with the teacher or anything else you would like the teacher to know.

For KS2 children, please remind your child to tell the teacher that the message is in there.

Absences should still be communicated via the office. (see below)


Pick-up notes 

Please note that if someone other than a parent/carer is picking your child up, you need to let the teacher or the office know. Please put pick-up notes in your child's reading/ homework diary or bookbag. 

For KS2 children, please remind your child to tell the teacher that the message is in there.

Children will not be released with someone else unless we have been notified of it. 

If you do need to let the office know about a last minute pick-up change,  please do so before 2 pm if possible.

Thank you for your co-operation.


Y6 Independent Walkers

If your child is in Y6 and you would like to let us know they will be walking home from school independently, please email the office.


Y6 Mobile Phones

If Y6 children wish to bring their mobile phone to school, they just need to drop the phone at the school office before school and collect it after school.  Phones should be switched off please and not switched back on until children are off site. 

No need to complete any form or email the office. 


How to report your child being absent or sick

Please notify the school office every day your child is absent from school before 9 am so we can adjust dinner figures and complete the registers. Please either ring the school office on 01932 222536 and leave a voicemail or email absence@cardinalnewmanschool.co.uk. If you email us about an absence, you will not receive an acknowledgement reply due to the large volume of emails we receive in relation to this daily.  

If your child has a stomach bug, they should not return to school until 48 hours after the last episode of illness.

Absence Request

If you require a school absence for your child for some reason, please email the school office with the details. 


Wellbeing

Surrey Adult Learning

 

NHS Parent Portal

At the start of the new academic year, we would like to remind you of the NHS school and parent resources available on inourplace to ease moving up transitions.

Click here for:

  • easy-to-follow video resources for parents to help support emotional wellbeing during school transitions
  • online learning and resources with tailored material for supporting children with additional needs and considerations
  • signposts for practical support and ideas to ensure smooth transitions, including information on mobile phone use and technology
  • extensive additional e-learning content for parents on childhood development and emotional health from 0-19+ 

Crisis Helpline

Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service

Sleep and why it matters

Please click here for information on Sleep and why it matters. More videos can be found on the Childrens Health Surrey website here

National Sleep Helpline: We are here to help

At any given time up to 40% of adults and 50% of children (this rises to 80% with a SEND diagnosis) have difficulties with their sleep. Yet in a recent survey, almost 60% of adults felt there was a lack of support for sleep issues. Sleep problems can leave people feeling isolated and lonely. 

Our free helpline is run by trained sleep advisors, many of whom are specialists in working with SEND. We can talk to young people directly, or parents (we can also talk to adults, including older people, about their sleep issues). 

The helpline is open 5 times a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings 7-9pm, and Monday, Wednesday mornings 9-11am. The number is 03303 530 541. 

You can read more here: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/

Support groups and workshops for parents and carers

Parent Wellbeing Service, Barnardo's Referral Form

Please see information flyer here and referral form here for support from Barnardo's Parent Wellbeing Service. 


Parish News

St Erconwald's Mass times

Weekday masses
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday - 9.30am, Tuesday - 7pm (Adoration & Reconciliation at 6:30pm)
Thursday No Mass

Weekend masses
Saturday
Italian mass 4.45pm (except during August)
Vigil Saturday - 6pm
Sunday
Family mass - 9.15am
Traditional mass - 11.15am
On the first Sunday of the month, we have our Polish Mass at 1pm

For updates, please check St Erconwald's website here.

 

The Parenting Course at St Erconwalds

 

St Barnabas and All Saints Mass times

All Saints, Hersham
5:30pm Saturday, Vigil Mass
9:00am Sunday, Mass

St Barnabas, Molesey
11:00am Sunday, Solemn Mass
6:00pm Sunday, Mass

For updates, please check St Barnabas' website here.

 


eSafety and Safeguarding

Reminder: Keeping children safe online and in the real world

At Cardinal Newman School we are always reminding the children how they can keep themselves safe whether in the real world or in the virtual world. Class teachers regularly use the Zones of Regulation to assess how the children in their classes are feeling. Children are encouraged to share their worries using the ‘What I want my teacher to know boxes’ which are in each Key Stage 2 classrooms and the Worry Monsters which can be found in the Keys Stage 1 Classrooms.

Information to support parents can be found on the school website here.

Please continue to report any safeguarding concerns to Mr Flower (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or Mrs Burnham (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead).


Half Term
All Day
From 17 Feb until 21 Feb
17
February
World thinking day
All Day
22
February
Return from Half Term
All Day
24
February
Topaz Class Mission Week
All Day
24
February
Science Fair
1:00pm – 3:00pm
27
February
Movie night times tbc
All Day
28
February
Topaz Class Assembly
8:50am – 9:20am
28
February
Garnet Class Mass
2:30pm – 3:15pm
28
February
Book Week
All Day
03
March
Blue Class Mission Week
All Day
03
March
St David's Day - Guiding/Scouting Uniforms
All Day
03
March
Ash Wednesday
All Day
05
March
World Book Day - dress up
All Day
06
March
Opal Class Forest School
All Day
06
March
Blue Class Assembly
8:50am – 9:20am
07
March

To see the full Calendar of Events, click here.


School Day: 8.40 am - 3.15 pm     Office opening hours: 8.00 am  - 4.00 pm Monday - Friday

Arch Road, Hersham, KT12 4QT    T: 01932 222536   E: office@cardinalnewmanschool.co.uk