St Paul's Newsletter
Friday 13th February 2026
Message from Mrs Evans
What an incredibly busy half-term it has been! Many classes have enjoyed trips out and it has been wonderful to visit classrooms and see all of the exciting learning that has been taking place. Our new corridor displays are up and each of these represents a different subject from across the curriculum. A huge thank you to the staff who have also worked so hard to get these together. Our displays are always a real celebration of our children and their learning, showing that we have so much to be proud of.
The children have had a great time 'breaking the rules' today and it was a brilliant way to draw the half-term to a close.
I can't believe that we are coming up to half way through our school year already! Thank you for all the support that you have shown us over the past few weeks - we are always grateful for your kind words and offers of help when it is needed. I hope that you all have a restful half-term - I think we are all hoping for some drier weather! We will look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday 23rd Feb.
Mobile Phone Policy
A polite reminder that mobile phones are not allowed to be used on the school site - we ask that they are away in a bag or pocket during drop off and pick up times. Please can we also remind parent helpers that mobile phones must not be used during school trips. A reminder will also be given to parent helpers before leaving school. A huge thank you to the community for your positive support in this change of policy.
Parking on the Road
We ask that our parents/carers are considerate when parking in the roads local to school. We have been receiving complaints again about cars parked on double yellow lines and across drives which has made these inaccessible to local residents. Please remember that double yellow lines have been put in place for safety reasons - in order to keep all of our pupils safe we ask that you do not park on these.
Attendance Overview
Next week you will be receiving an overview of your child's attendance. Please come and see the school office team if you have any queries about this.
Classes - since last newsletter
| Reception | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
|
96.24% |
96.27% | 95.96% | 95.30% | 96.07% | 96.18% | 96.09% |
Whole School - since the start of the year
| Our Target | Current Attendance | National |
| 97% | 96.01% | 94.99% |
Holidays in Term Time
I would like to remind all parents that holidays during term time will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. These cause disruption within the class due to children missing parts of the learning in topics which will later be built upon and can lead to children being unsettled on their return to school.
Holidays in term-time should only be taken for 'exceptional circumstances' which means that this would not be a regular (including annual) occurrence.
We are currently reviewing our attendance strategy and are closely monitoring the link between term-time absence and an increase in support needed for some of our pupils and families in school.
If you are considering a term-time holiday, I would really ask that you reflect on the confusion in the messaging to the children when they are taken out of school for a holiday having been told up to that point (and after) that they 'must' attend school.
Please look out for further updates about the changes to our strategy in the coming year.
Birthday Treats
A reminder that we do not allow cake or sweets to be given out on children's birthdays. If you are keen for your child to be able to share a treat with their class to mark the day, please provide a platter of fruit to be shared by the class or a new book to be added to the class library.
School Website
Please remember to make use of the school's website and calendar (which can be synced to your phone) for reminders and updates.
Support with Behaviour Concerns
A plea to parents/carers that if they have concerns about an incident that has taken place at school, that they avoid directly contacting other parents as this can lead to both misunderstandings and upset. We ask that any concerns are brought directly to school staff and that school are then left to deal with these. We will always follow up any concerns brought forward and would always prefer to find out more and resolve these within the school day (wherever possible) as this makes it easier for the children to accurately recall what has taken place. One of our key priorities is developing positive relationships across our community and this is something that our families can do to support us with this.
School Trips/Visits Policy
At St Paul's we have developed a rich programme of trips and visits to support our curriculum. Whilst parents/carers will always be asked for permission for their child to attend, these experiences have been carefully chosen and planned to enrich our pupils' learning and therefore we are always keen to enable as many pupils as possible to attend.
We are always keen to hear from parents/carers if they have any concerns about a trip or visit and will then invite them to come in and meet with us to discuss this concern further in the hope that together we can create a plan of support which will enable their child to take part.
Please do not be surprised to be asked to come in if you have not given permission for a trip/visit - we really value these opportunities to have conversations about concerns and to consider what can be done to support.
Developing Healthy Online Habits
We are aware that even our youngest pupils have regular access to devices such as iPads and phones to access activities online. We wanted to share some top tips with families to support them in helping their children to develop a healthy relationship with this technology. Parents and carers can do this by:
- Setting clear limits on the amount of time that these are being used daily
- Ensuring that devices are being used in an area that allows adult supervision at all times
- Discussing with children how to respond if they see something online that they do not like or if they are contacted by someone that they do not know
- Having regular conversations about what they are accessing
- Setting boundaries around online device use and bedtime – ensuring that there is a period of time when children are not using these before going to bed.
- Creating healthy habits, open discussion and clear boundaries early in children's lives is extremely important as it is much harder to put these in place once unhealthy habits have been formed. The following guide gives some suggestion
If you would like any further support with this please see the information on our school website here: Online Safety Advice for Parents
Alternatively, please contact Mrs Evans or Mrs Griffin to arrange a time to discuss this with them further.
PSA Updates
St Paul's PSA: ‘Bringing our school community together to create lifelong memories’
The PSA have done such a fantastic job in their fundraising over the last year which has made a visible difference to a variety of areas around the school. This year they have funded brand new libraries for both KS1 and KS2 which have made significant difference for our children. They have provided author visits, science and maths workshops and we are looking forward to having our astro turf repaired thanks to their fundraising efforts too.
Big Target: A new music room - look out for further information about this to come soon.
Remember to check out our events guide on the PSA page which is a guide for families about what our different events involve and how you can help:
Look out for upcoming events
PSA Store
Don't forget to head over to our PSA store to get involved in the latest events using the link below:
Second Hand Uniform
We have a large amount of good quality second hand uniform available, please use the link below and follow these instructions:
- Once on the website click on the three lines to the right.
- Scroll down to ‘find your school’
- Select Kingston upon Thames as our Local authority.
- Select St Paul’s C of E KT9 1AJ
Please carefully read the instructions on when to collect your items.
Easyfundraising
Easyfundraising turns your daily shopping into every day magic!
Easyfundraising partners with over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to a cause of your choice. It won't cost you any extra. The cost is covered by the brand.
Brands pay Easyfundraising a commission because when you start your shop from the Easyfundraising website or app, they can see we sent you to them. If you make a purchase, a commission is generated, and we turn that into a donation - magic!
Click the link above to register to use Easyfundraising - remember to search 'St Paul's Primary School, Chessington' when searching for your cause and turn on the donation reminder. Every little bit helps!
Class News
Reception
Last week in Reception we looked at 'Space'. We thought about how astronauts help us even from space! We made our own version of the solar system using balloons and paint and for our writing we thought about what we might bring to space with us and wrote a list. In PE we have been completing our 'Superhero training', climbing and swinging on ropes. In Maths we looked at ordering numbers to 1-10 and used a washing line to peg the numbers in order. This week we have been looking at the story 'Supertato' and thinking about words to describe Evil Pea and Supertato. We have used different resources in our creative corner to create the characters from the story and have made our own superhero masks which we have enjoyed using during our choosing time. In the outdoor area we have been using real potatoes to sort into different numbers and looking at who has more or fewer.
Reception Newsletter 2025-26
Year 1
This week in Year 1, we have been learning about fact files in English, focusing particularly on Amelia Earhart. We explored the features of a fact file and used time words to create sentences about her life and achievements. In Maths, we have been partitioning odd and even numbers and investigating the different patterns they create. In Science, we learned about different temperatures. We carried out an experiment to find out which glass of water was the coldest by using a thermometer carefully. We also had the wonderful opportunity to visit Wisley Gardens, which we absolutely loved! We saw a wide variety of plants, admired a beautiful waterfall, went on a nature walk and created nature art on a tree using leaves, sticks, and petals that we collected. In History, we interviewed some visitors and grandparents about what their childhood was like and compared it to our own experiences. It has been a very exciting and enjoyable week in Year 1!
Year 1 Newsletter 2025-26
Year 2
Year 2 were so proud to share their Geography posters about climate change with home. They worked incredibly hard on them and loved explaining their ideas. We have also enjoyed lots of drama over the last week. In Geography, we became weather presenters and shared our forecasts with the class – there were some fantastic performances! In English, we have been learning about adjectives. We explored words to describe Rapunzel and the witch through movement and expression, which was lots of fun. We are now creating our final piece of work on 'Rapunzel', a book the children have really enjoyed studying. In RE, our topic has led to many thoughtful discussions about what happens in a Mosque. The children have asked some brilliant questions and have shown great respect when sharing their ideas. In Maths, we have been focusing on doubling and halving to help us solve tricky problems. Year 2 have worked very hard and are becoming much more confident with these skills. Thank you for all of your support this half term. We really appreciate all the help you give at home. We are all looking forward to half-term and a well-earned rest!
Year 2 Newsletter 2025-26
Year 3
Year 3 have had an exciting few weeks, with our trip to the Natural History Museum and learning more about what causes volcanoes. We have started writing instructions in English, thinking about how we will create our seasonal tarts in DT. In Maths, we have been looking at strategies for solving missing number problems in addition and subtraction and applying our understanding to word problems too. We have looked at different soils in science and designed an experiment to test the drainage rate of different types of soil.
Year 3 Newsletter 2025-26
Year 4
Year 4 have had a fabulous past two weeks. In English we have really enjoyed reading The Story of Tutankhamun and learning all about Howard Carter and his discovery. We used what we had learnt to write a set of instructions on how to mummify someone. We then used these instructions in History and explored how to mummify a tomato. We had lots of fun filling them with salt and wrapping them in bandages. In Maths, we put our times table knowledge to use when learning short multiplication. We used our knowledge of regrouping ones into tens from column addition to help us. In Science, we continued looking at sound learning about pitch. We were able to use the ukuleles to experiment with changing pitch.
Year 4 Newsletter 2025-26
Year 5
Year 5 have been working hard on diving deeper into their knowledge on life cycles and the differences and similarities between them. We realise that all life cycles have similar stages, however, that maturity differs between different species and different classes of animals. We've had great discussions on why some animals need a longer time in gestation and why some animals go through metamorphosis. In Geography we've enjoyed looking at the Alps in further detail, but especially considering the impact of climate change on the region. In English, we've looked at our Greek myths and enjoyed writing our own alternative endings. We've worked incredibly hard on using powerful similes and adverbs. Finally, in our Maths this week we've enjoyed looking at the skill of multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000 as well as dividing by 10, 100, and 1000. We linked these skills to measures such as weight, capacity and even money.
Year 5 Newsletter 2025-26
Year 6
In Year 6 we have continued to work with great curiosity and enthusiasm across the curriculum. In Science, we explored the different components of blood, learning about the roles of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. We discussed how each part helps to keep our bodies healthy by transporting oxygen, fighting infection and supporting healing. In English, we have begun preparing for our upcoming biography writing by researching key facts about Charles Darwin. We contributed our findings to a shared fact board, helping us to build a strong foundation of knowledge that we will use when planning and writing our own informative biographies. In History, we have been thinking about the lasting impact of Ancient Greek philosophers. We explored how their ideas shaped the way people understood the world and considered what deep questions about life, humanity and the universe we still wonder about today. In Art, we have been putting the finishing touches to our final mural designs, created to communicate an important environmental message. We have worked hard to use bold imagery, thoughtful composition and careful colour choices to make our artwork meaningful and powerful.
Year 6 Newsletter 2025-26
Team Points
Congratulations to Reception and Sapphires who were the Team Points winners for the week beginning 2nd February, to Year 4 and Sapphires who were the team points winners for the week beginning 9th February and to Sapphires who were the team points winners for this half-term.
News from St Paul's Church
Wider Community News and Events
Junior Parkrun comes to Chessington
The Junior Parkrun is a 2k fun run which takes place weekly at many different locations across the country. We are excited to announce that they have launched a weekly event at Lovelace Primary School on Sundays at 9am. It is a free event, but you do need to register in advance using the link here:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/lovelaceprimaryschool-juniors/
It would brilliant to hear about some of our families taking part!
Miss C's Half-Marathon
Miss C is running the London Landmarks half-marathon on 12th April She is raising money for 'Hope and Homes for Children' who work to get children from orphanages back to their families. She is raising money through a just giving page - the link is here if you would like to support her:
Family Support Workshops
Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series of webinars will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by children and will aim to share evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their children with these difficulties. Please use the link below to find further information.
Safeguarding Information
What if I have a Safeguarding Concern?
A reminder to parents and carers that if you have a safeguarding concern about a child this should be brought to Mrs Evans (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or Mrs Griffin (Deputy DSL).
There is lots of information on the school’s website to support parents in keeping their children safe (particularly linked to online safety) which can be found by clicking on the link below:
Road Safety Around Our School
We ask that parents and carers are considerate of the other members of both our school and local community when parking for drop off and collection. Please do not park on yellow lines or on the corners of local roads - markings have been placed on the road in spots where it will become dangerous if a vehicle stops. Parking in these places makes it very difficult for families to check that roads are safe for crossing and we are aware that this also applies to our Year 6 pupils who are walking home alone. Please leave time to find a suitable place to park safely and work with us to make the local roads as safe as possible for our pupils and families.
Key School Policies
Please take some time to familiarise yourself with our School Policies: 'Separated Parents Policy' and 'Communication and Conduct Policy'. These have been put together in consultation with the governing body who have now adopted these. Click on the links below to access them; they can also be accessed on the 'policies' page of the school's website.
Separated Parents Policy Communication and Conduct Policy
Key Dates for Your Diary
New or changes to dates shown in blue
- Mon 23rd Feb: Children Return
- Tues 24th Feb: PSA First Aid Course
- Fri 27th Feb: World Book Day Whole School Dress Up
- Fri 27th Feb: KS1 Author Visit
- Mon 2nd March: Year 2 Wetlands Centre Trip
- Mon 2nd Mar: Class Reps Meeting at 10am
- Weds 4th Mar: Year 5 Easter Experience
- Thurs 5th Mar: KS2 Author Visit
- Tues 9th Mar: Year 6 SATs Briefing online
- Thurs 12th Mar: Parent/Carer Meetings 4pm - 7pm
- Fri 13th Mar: PSA KS1 Disco
- Fri 13th Mar: PSA KS2 Movie Night
- Tues 17th Mar: Early Finish at 2:30pm
- Tues 17th Mar: Parent/Carer Meetings 3pm - 6:30pm
- Thurs 19th Mar: Choir at Star and Garter
- Fri 20th Mar: PSA KS2 Disco
- Mon 23rd Mar: Height and Weight Check for Reception and Year 6
- Mon 23rd Mar: iRock Parents/Carers' Concert at 2:30pm
- Weds 25th Mar: Year 4 River Trip
- Fri 27th Mar: Easter Service at St Paul's Church 9:15am
- Fri 27th Mar: End of Term 2pm Finish
- Mon 13th April: Children Return
- Mon 11th May: Year 6 SATs week
- Fri 15th May: Year 6 Bowling Trip
- Mon 19th May: Class Reps Meeting at 10am
- Fri 22nd May: End of Half-Term 3:15pm Finish
- Mon 1st June: INSET DAY (school closed to children)
- Tues 2nd June: Children Return
- Mon 8th June: Year 1 Phonics Screening Week
- Mon 8th June: Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check
Remember to visit the calendar page using the link above and to link our school calendar to the calendar no your phone for automatic updates.
