Weekly update for 10th July 2026
Welcome to the last weekly update of this academic year. Looking back, it has been a very full year at St Mary’s.
There is far too much to fit into one newsletter, but I have tried to pick out a few of the highlights from each year group. A reminder that we finish at 2pm on Wednesday next.
Nursery
Our Nursery children have come a long way since September. They have learned how to manage the routines of the school day, play and work alongside others and become much more independent. They have been trying out our Forest School. Their phonics work has included listening carefully to sounds, rhythm and rhyme, alliteration and oral blending. They have enjoyed growing fruit, vegetables and flowers, meeting the animals at Hounslow Urban Farm and joining Reception for the Mother Goose pantomime. Most importantly, they now see themselves as part of St Mary’s and are ready for their next step into reception.
Reception
Reception have worked very hard on their phonics, moving through Phase 3 and into Phase 4 and learning to use their sounds to read and write simple sentences. Their confidence with number has also grown considerably. They enjoyed their visit to Hounslow Urban Farm, taking part in Early Years Sports Day and exploring new life by growing plants in the Early Years garden. They are now much more confident in managing their own things, choosing resources and explaining their ideas. They are very well prepared for Year 1 with 78% of them achieving GLD.
Year 1
Year 1 have worked particularly hard on their reading and phonics and approached the Phonics Screening Check very sensibly. Over 90% of them passed the check – well done Y1! One of the highlights was their visit to the Natural History Museum, where they took part in the Super Stegosaurus workshop, saw Sophie the Stegosaurus, looked at Mary Anning’s fossils and explored the dinosaur galleries. Their learning also took them onto the London Eye and a River Thames cruise, as well as to Tate Modern. Back in school, they used their computing skills to design, sequence and build their own rockets.
Year 2
Year 2 have had a busy final year in Key Stage 1. All of those re-taking the phoncs screening check passed – great work! Their Great Fire of London work was brought to life through a London Fire Brigade workshop in school, and they also enjoyed the Road Safety Magic Show. Their science learning included a visit to the London Wetland Centre, while their summer Outdoor Learning Day at Syon Park allowed them to explore the local area, enjoy stories and games outside and spend time together in one of our local green spaces. They have also produced some strong writing linked to texts including Beegu.
Year 3
Year 3 have settled very well into Key Stage 2. Their Ancient Greek focus day was a real highlight, with costumes and a full day of Greek-themed activities. They have also taken part in Scootability, visited the National Theatre and developed their understanding of other faiths through their visit to the Isleworth Deen Centre. Their summer science visit to Twickenham and Thames Valley Beekeepers’ Association gave them the chance to learn about pollination, the life cycle of bees and to watch honeybees working safely inside their hives.
Year 4
Year 4 have had some particularly memorable curriculum experiences. Their Viking Day was led by a Viking Lord and included shield designing, Viking law and order, traditional games and the opportunity to handle artefacts. They have also enjoyed a rivers visit linked to geography and science, Orchestra Unwrapped as part of their music curriculum and a visit to a Gurdwara while learning about Sikhism. Alongside this, they have continued to develop their clarinet playing and worked very hard on their multiplication tables.
Year 5
Year 5 began the year with their residential visit to PGL, where they worked together, tried new activities and developed their confidence away from school. Their visit to Shakespeare’s Globe supported their work on playwriting, while a London Fire Brigade session helped them think about safety and responsibility. Their geography work on energy and sustainability included a visit to the London Museum of Water and Steam. In English, they have explored some important themes through *The Boy at the Back of the Class* and *Hoot*, producing letters, poetry and persuasive speeches.
Year 6
Year 6 have had a very full final year. They worked hard in preparation for their SATs (nearly 90% of them achieved the age related standard in writing), but their year has included much more than tests. The two visits to Rome were, of course, a major highlight and gave the children the opportunity to visit some very special religious and historical sites. They also visited the Anne Frank exhibition at Gumley, took part in poetry work at the Southbank Poetry Library and attended Hounslow Citizenship Day. The Harlequins METTLE workshops helped them think about wellbeing and the move to secondary school. They have also supported younger children, organised the Leavers’ Fair and taken on the responsibilities that come with being the oldest children in the school. We are very proud of them and wish them well as they move on.
Across the school, the children have also enjoyed the Mother Goose pantomime, Writers' Toolbox, sporting competitions, Masses and liturgies, the Book Fair, the Art and DT Gallery, workshops, performances and visits from a range of organisations. These experiences matter. They help the children to make connections with what they learn in class and give them opportunities they will remember long after they have left St Mary’s.
Thank you to all of our staff for the work that goes into making these opportunities possible and to our families, governors and parish for their continued support.
A huge thank you to everyone at FOSMI who worked so hard to organise and run last week's Summer Fair. Events like these take an incredible amount of planning, preparation and teamwork, and we are so grateful for the time and energy that so many parents and volunteers gave to make the day such a success.
Thank you also to everyone who attended, donated, helped on stalls or supported the event in any way. Your generosity and commitment to our school community are greatly appreciated.
The Summer Fair was a wonderful opportunity for families, staff and children to come together and celebrate the end of another successful year. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and supportive parent community. Thank you for everything you do to support St Mary's.
Most importantly, well done to the children. They have worked hard, learned a great deal and have much to be proud of.
Dear God,
Thank you for all that we have learned and shared this year.
Thank you for our children, families, staff and friends.
Keep us safe during the summer holidays.
Help us to rest, enjoy time together and return ready for a new beginning.
Be with those who are leaving St Mary’s and guide them on the next part of their journey.
Amen.
Great British Summer Savings
Rising prices can make life's little treats harder to afford, especially during the school holidays when costs build up for families. This Government is determined to help, and that is why last month the Chancellor announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme.
From 25 June to 1 September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children's meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Combined with free bus travel during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England, families and young people will be able to enjoy experiences that make summer special, including visits to the kinds of cultural and educational attractions that enrich children's lives outside the classroom.
Summer Holiday Club at Gumley
A multi-activity holiday day camp offers an immersive, fun-filled experience tailored for all participants. Here’s a description of how such a camp can be structured to keep children excited, engaged, and looking forward to each new day! Click here for more info.
Term Dates for 2026-2027
Children return to school on Friday 4th September. Dates for the year are here:
After School clubs for the Autumn Term 2026
Y1 – Y6 SPANISH CLUB - AUTUMN TERM 2026
Join the SPANISH AUTUMN TERM at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School:
Wednesday AFTER SCHOOL CLUB (3.20 – 4.20pm) commencing 14th September
Please contact MARIA SANCHEZ on 07776 978499 or ma.sanchez@hotmail.co.uk to book a place!
