Headteacher's Newsletter

Friday 23^rd October 2026

Dear Parents,

What a Wonderful First Half Term!

What a fantastic first half term we have had! The first half term of the school year is always a particularly special time, full of new beginnings, exciting opportunities and moments of growth.

We have been delighted to welcome our new Reception children into our school family, while all our children have embraced the move into their new year groups and settled in incredibly well. It has been wonderful to see them growing in confidence, building friendships and engaging so enthusiastically with their learning.

Thank you for your continued support and for joining us at our curriculum evenings, assemblies, Stay and Pray and Stay and Share sessions. These opportunities to come together strengthen the special partnership between home and school, and we are grateful for the presence and commitment of our parent community.

Our charitable work this half term has focused on Harvest, with generous donations of food for local food banks and Cornerstone's Day Centre. Thank you to everyone who contributed so thoughtfully. These acts of kindness are a wonderful reflection of our Catholic Social Teaching in action, helping our children to understand the importance of compassion, generosity and looking out for those in need.

As we look ahead to next half term, we look forward to another special chapter in our school year. We will take time to mark Remembrance Day, reflecting on the importance of peace, gratitude and remembering others, before beginning our journey through Advent.

Thank you once again for being such an important part of our school community. We wish you and your families a restful and happy half-term break and look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term together.

Attached is our list of upcoming school events and important dates for your diary. As these dates will not be published on our website, we kindly ask that you refer to the attached list to keep up to date with what’s happening in school.

Family Time

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

The Autumn issue of Raring2go! Altrincham & Sale magazine is now available. The magazine gives information on family events and helps to support local businesses.

Please follow the Raring2go! Altrincham & Sale Autumn 2626 https://magazines.raring2go.co.uk/altrinchamandsale/autumn2026/

Highlights in this issue include:

• Family days out during half term
• Children's clubs and classes

Reception Class September 2027

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

Applications are now open on the Trafford website. To complete your application:

• Step1: Visit the Trafford school admissions portal and create a login. Trafford admission portal

State your preferred school on the portal

• Step 2: Complete the Supplementary application form found on our school website Supplementary form

Return the completed supplementary form and copy of baptismal certificate, if applicable, to the school infant department admin office by 15^th January 2027.

We look forward to welcoming our new families in September.

Parents’ Evening

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

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The next parents’ evening takes place on Wednesday 4 November 2026 between 3:45pm and 7pm.

Parents’ evening is an opportunity for parents to meet with class teachers to discuss how your child is progressing. Meeting slots are now available to book via the Arbor Parent Portal. Please click on Parents Evening – Wednesday 4 November 2026 from under the Guardian Consultations section of your child's profile page. If your child is in a class with two teachers, please just select the teacher you can see on Arbor as both teachers will be present at the meeting. Please note that Mrs Sheldon/Miss Kirk’s class parents evening will take place on Thursday 12^th November and this will be a separate consultation on the Arbor app.

If you haven't yet logged into your Arbor Parent Portal account, please follow these steps:

1. Visit login.arbor.sc
2. Click on ‘Forgotten Password?’
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set your password (Your username is the email address you have previously provided to the school)

We are looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 4^th November.

Attendance and Punctuality

School Values: Make a Difference Be Passionate about Learning Be Kind Be Respectful

Please note that holidays during term time are not authorised. Before booking any trips, we kindly ask parents to check our term dates to ensure holidays are arranged within the designated school breaks. You can view the 2026–2027 term dates here: St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Trafford: Term Dates and Times of the School Day

We warmly welcome parents to ask about school life. Your first point of contact is your class teacher. In addition, Mrs Farrell (infant deputy) and Mrs Sutton (junior deputy) and I are available to work in partnership with you to support your child’s learning and wellbeing. We value open communication and welcome all to work together for the benefit of all our pupils.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs A Harrop

Headteacher