Dear Parents,
What an exciting and busy start to the new term we have had. Firstly, I would like to say how wonderful it has been to welcome so many new families to the St Edward's Prep Community. It was a great atmosphere as we opened the gates on Wednesday morning, seeing you around the school meeting each other and our staff. I am proud of how the children have started the year and I hope they have all enjoyed their first few days with their new teachers.
Here are a few photos from around the school this week:
Calendar Reminders
The online calendar is now up-to-date with all events, activities, meetings and sports information up to the October half-term. Click the button for further details.
- School Photography: This is taking place on Monday morning and you can read more below, including the plan for sibling photos.
- Settling in Meetings: For parents of Little Griffins to Year 2 after school on Wednesday. More information below.
- Little Hatchlings Stay & Play: The first session of the term is on Thursday 14 September. If you have a child aged 0 to 4, come and meet other families from the local community over coffee and cake and enjoy a morning of play, games and songs with our Stay and Play leader Miss Rush.
- Celebration Assembly: The first one of the term will be next Friday 15 September at 8.40am. All parents are welcome to join us in person or online via the Microsoft Teams invite that will be sent out next week.
- Welcome Back BBQ: Taking place after school on Friday 15 September. Find the link below to pre-order your food.
Key Information 2023-24
The following documents relating to your children's learning this term can now all be found on the page linked from the button below:
- Curriculum Overviews
- Timetables
- Homework Information
- Enrichment Lessons
You can also find the menus for the Autumn term via this link.
Staffing Update
I am delighted to announce the following title changes within our team, which reflect the hard work and dedication they have shown over the last year in helping to further develop the excellent provision we give our children at St Edward's.
- Mrs Tamara Hunt is now Deputy Head Academics, leading our teaching team in developing and delivering our innovative curriculum.
- Ms Saidya Mahmood is now Deputy Head Pastoral, leading plans for the personal development of our pupils and looking after our SEND provision and behaviour management.
- Mrs Kelly Turner becomes our Head of Early Years following her work developing our Little Griffins Nursery and our expertise as we continue to grow this area of the school.
I am sorry to announce that after this term Mrs Claire Rogers will be leaving St Edward's to specialise further in teaching Swimming. She has been an invaluable member of our team for four years, providing support as a Teaching Assistant, Swimming Teacher and a member of the Sports teaching team.
We will be advertising for her replacement soon.
School Photos on Monday
Don't forget that on Monday morning we have the photographer in school taking pupil photos in the hall. Please make sure they come to school in smart uniform, even if they have a Games or PE session later in the day. Details of how to order photos will follow soon.
Sibling photos: If your child has a sibling at our school, they will have their photo taken between 8.30-8.45am. Please make sure they have arrived at school by this time so we can get them ready in the hall.
Settling in Meetings Next Week
A reminder that next week there will be meetings for parents of children in Nursery to Year 2 after school on Wednesday 13 September so that you can spend time with your child's class teacher and get to know how their first week in their new class has been, as well as address any questions you might have.
- 4-4.30pm - Little Griffins and Reception
- 4.30-5pm - Years 1 & 2
If your child is staying at school, please leave them in Day Boarding while you attend the meeting.
Senior School Information Evening - Years 4 & 5
On Wednesday 20 September at 4.30pm we will be holding a session for parents of children in Years 4 and 5 to find out more about senior school options and the support we provide. Please save the date and we will be in touch next week to ask you to confirm your attendance.
Halal Food Provision
We have had a lot of recent enquiries from families about adding halal meat to the menu. We understand the importance of this for some members of our community. We are going to be providing halal options twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays as a start. We know all children's food preferences already so there is nothing parents need to do.
FREDs Welcome Back BBQ
A reminder that FREDs are hosting a Welcome Back BBQ on Friday 15 September from 4-5.30pm. Please complete the pre-order form linked below by 5pm on Monday 11 September so that we can reduce food waste in line with our climate pledge. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join the Class WhatsApp Groups
If you are new to the school and haven't yet been added to the WhatsApp group for your child's class (facilitated by the FREDs year group reps), please contact fredspta@gmail.com.
The reps for this school year are: Sian Saadeh (Little Griffins), Maria Nagri (Reception), Issy Kirk (Year 1), Julie Provino (Year 2), Jo Greenbank (Year 3), Nathalie Scaife (Year 4), Judy Walia (Year 5) and Tanya Roberts (Year 6).
I hope you enjoy the warm weather this weekend and I look forward to seeing you next week at the BBQ.
Best wishes,
Jonathan