Cardinal Newman Catholic Primary School Parent Portal

22nd October, 2026

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

Happy Half Term everyone!

As we draw to the close of the first half term of the year- a half term packed full of learning opportunities and many memorable moments.

Our Day of Prayer on Wednesday was truly uplifting and children and staff had such a lovely day- we aim to repeat this experience in the future.

It was good to see so many of you at the Parent Consultation evenings this week.

Thank you for all the support you have given to the school and staff of Cardinal Newman this half term.

Have a lovely week and don’t forget the clocks go back on Sunday!

Best Wishes,

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.

Feast of St Philip Howard

We began our week by celebrating the feast of St Philip Howard, the patron saint of our diocese, and learning about Bishop Stephen Wang as he prepared for his ordination as our new bishop. Reflecting on the Scripture passage of the Good Shepherd, we explored what it means to lead, care for and serve others.

Through prayer and song, we asked God to bless and guide Bishop Stephen as he begins his ministry. Throughout the day, each class also spent time watching his ordination, sharing in this special moment in the life of our diocese.

Whole School Day of Prayer

On Wednesday 21st October, our whole school took part in a special day off timetable dedicated to prayer.

In September, staff met with Lucy Hall, our Xavier Primary Chaplain, to explore the vision for the day and plan a range of engaging sessions, incorporating practical, active and contemplative approaches to prayer. We were delighted to welcome Lucy back on Wednesday, as she helped us begin the day with a beautiful liturgy. Together, we reflected on Matthew 6 and Jesus’ teachings about prayer.

Throughout the day, the children worked in mixed-age groups and took part in four workshops led by our staff. There was a wonderful variety of experiences on offer, including Clay Pots, Christian Meditation, Visio Divina, Liturgical Dance and many more. Each workshop provided an opportunity for the children to explore prayer in different ways, through moments of stillness and silence, creative expression and movement.

It was a truly special day, and we were delighted to see the enthusiasm and engagement of all the children. Hearing their thoughtful reflections and wonderful feedback about their experiences was a real highlight.

It was a privilege to give the children time and space to be still and explore their relationship with God in different ways. We hope the experiences of the day will stay with them, reminding them that prayer can be found in the quiet moments, in the things we create and in the joy we share together.

Follow the Mark 10 Mission here

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

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.

News/notes

School Tours for Prospective Parents - Open Mornings

We welcome prospective Reception parents to our upcoming open days to learn more about our lovely school:

Friday 6^th November 2026: 10am – 12pm

Friday 8^th January 2027: 10am – 12pm

Please click the link here to book your slot.

We look forward to meeting you all.

Winter Uniform

Children are required to wear their full winter uniform after half-term. Please see our website here for further information.

Advent Card design

St Erconwalds are inviting children to design a picture for the front of their Advent cards that they ask parishioners to pass to friends and neighbours over the Christmas period. If over half-term you would like to submit a picture on the theme of Advent, then please drop them off at the Parish office or email to walton@abdiocese.org.uk by 31 October. Fr Ruslan will select the winning picture.

Secondary School Application Deadline

A reminder to Y6 parents to complete Secondary School applications by the deadline of October 31st if not already done so.

Consents and updates on Arbor

There have been a couple of new consents added to Arbor for administering Paracetamol and Antihistamines. Please can you action these as soon as possible, as we will not be able to administer medication to your child if required, without your consent on Arbor.

Parking

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.

Parents Association Notes

Please see letter from the PA here

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

Circus - 24th April 2027

Weekly Class Attendance

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

Vacancies at Cardinal Newman

We currently have no vacancies at Cardinal Newman School.

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

Teach SouthEast

Please find a list of the forthcoming recruitment events for Xavier Teach SouthEast. If you know of anyone considering a career change or who would like to know more about getting into teaching, please encourage them to come along! Additionally, our fast track form is now live on the website, so if you know someone already wanting to become a teacher or a brilliant TA or similar in one of our schools, they can use this link to apply now before DfE Apply opens for applications in October.

www.teachsoutheast.co.uk

Fast track apply here

Vacancies at the Xavier Trust

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

Autumn Term Clubs 2026

After Crafts - For more information, please click here

Ballet - For more information, please click here

Chess Club - Please book via Scopay

Engineering club - Please find flyer here

French Club - Please find flyer here

Footbellas Girls Football Club - Please find flyer here

Gaelic Football - Please book via Scopay

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

Karate - Please email waltonjka@gmail.com

Mini Dance Performers - Please click here for more information

Planet Soccer - For more information, please click here

Spanish club - Please click here for more information.

Theatre4kids - Please email julia@theatre4kids.co.uk

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.

Y6 Mobile Phones

If Y6 children wish to bring their mobile phone to school, they should 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. Please note that smart phones are not allowed.

All phones must be labelled with the child's name.

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.

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)

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