Newsletter 3 - October 2009

School visits
I encourage all teachers to organise at least one educationally based school visit each academic year.  The cost of each visit will be met by ‘voluntary contributions.’ However, if insufficient funding is donated to cover the cost of a visit it may have to be cancelled.  Parents who have already made a ‘donation’ to School Fund will automatically have any costs transferred from their donation and will therefore not incur additional expense.   Should any parent be unable to meet the cost of a visit they should have a word in complete confidence with the class teacher or Head Teacher.

It makes you think…

Gardening Club
Congratulations to our Gardening Club who were among the winners in the Rugby in Bloom 2009 competition. A group of children were recently presented with an award in the Mayors Parlour at Rugby Town Hall.

Act of Worship
Although this is a Catholic School and parents have clearly chosen St Marie’s for this very reason, I am obliged to point out that parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from any Acts of Worship.  In practice we do not anticipate that this will actually happen and would be saddened if this were so.

Reminder...
School is closed for Staff Training on Friday October 23rd.  Staff at St Marie’s will be undertaking training on the use of Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL).  School reopens to children following half term on the morning of Monday November 2nd.

Swine Flu
As had been widely predicted the autumn period is experiencing an increase in the spread of Swine Flu.  In the vast majority of cases it is not a serious condition.  If you have any concerns you are advised to phone:  0800 1 513 513. It is unlikely that any schools will close unless a considerable number of the teaching staff becomes infected and temporary replacements cannot be found.

Dates for your diary…
Nov. 6th Children preparing for their Confirmation will be offered the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Confession during the school day.
Nov. 9th ‘Big Chef – Little Chef.’ Details of this four-week course will follow shortly. This event proved very popular with parents and children at English Martyrs!
Nov. 25th  at 7pm Confirmation at St Marie’s Church for our Y6 candidates.

Stuart Hallahan
Acting Head Teacher