Headteacher's Newsletter

Friday 28^th November 2025

Dear Parents, 

Headteacher’s Newsletter

Advent

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

This Sunday, we will begin Advent, a very special time in the Church when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Advent is a season of hope, peace, joy, and love, helping us remember the true meaning of Christmas.

During Advent, we will be reflecting on God’s promises and the true meaning of Christmas, learning how we can grow closer to Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions. We will have an Advent wreath with four candles, each representing one of the four weeks of Advent, to help focus on the spiritual themes of the season.

First Week of Advent – Hope
The first week of Advent is about hope. During the first week of Advent, the children will be learning about the importance of waiting and trusting in God’s promises. The first candle, called the “Prophecy Candle” or “Hope Candle,” reminds us that hope helps us stay strong and patient, even when we are waiting for something important. Children will begin to understand that Advent is a time to keep hope alive in our lives.

Mass Dates
During Advent we have lots of activities planned. Next week we will celebrate Mass on Thursday 4^th December in both the infant and junior hall at 9:05am. We would love you to join us if you can.

Please see the Advent Planner link for more detail.

PTA Christmas Fair

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The PTA Christmas fair is taking place tomorrow, Saturday 29^th November from 12noon. Thank you so much for all your generous donations and please do come along to support your school and enjoy this worthy and wonderful festive occasion!

Recycle Your Christmas Tree and Donate to Francis House Hospice

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

Will you be buying a real Christmas tree this year? 🎄

Registrations are now open for the Francis House Children’s Hospice Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme, in partnership with Just Helping and St Ann's Hospice, Greater Manchester.

You can now book your tree collection and recycling between 9th–12th January and make a small donation of your choice. That’s one less thing to worry about after the festive period!

Register now at Just Helping - Christmas Tree Recycling for Charity. Your support helps local families facing unimaginable challenges. With your help, no family needs to face their difficult journey alone, and Francis House can continue to provide a crucial lifeline when it matters most.

Since launching in 2012, the initiative has grown into a nationwide movement, raising over £7 million for charities across the UK. In 2025, Manchester’s collection raised an incredible £117,000 for Moya Cole Hospice (formerly St Ann’s Hospice), Francis House Children’s Hospice, Seashell trust, food banks, community groups and other Greater Manchester charities, while preventing 85,000 kg of CO₂ emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

Reception School Places- September 2026 Applications

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

As the local birth rate is currently very low, we have a higher number of Reception places available for September 2026. For this reason, we are actively welcoming applications from all families to St Vincent’s.

Places are available both within and outside our usual catchment area, and we also warmly welcome children who may not be Catholic but who support and appreciate our school’s values. If you, friends or family are applying for a reception class place for September 2026, please ensure the following is completed by the deadline date of 15^th January 2026:

• State your school preference via Primary School Admissions on the Trafford website (trafford.gov.uk) or your local authority where you reside
• Bring or send the completed supplementary application form along with a copy of the baptismal certificate, if appropriate, to the infant office, admissions@stvincent.trafford.sch.uk

Further information can be found on the admissions page of the school website or please contact our admin team on 0161 911 8040 (infant department) or email admissions@stvincents.trafford.sch.uk if you have any questions about the admissions process.

Whole School Dates List

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The key dates have been set for the academic year. On the list, you will see the date, event and location. The full list can be seen on this link St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Trafford: Key School Events and Dates and autumn 2 dates can be seen below:

AUTUMN 2

Attendance and Punctuality

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

Please note that holidays in term time are not authorised. Before booking any trips, we ask parents to check our term dates to ensure holidays are arranged within the designated school breaks.

You can view the 2025-2026 term dates here: ST VINCENT’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

You can view the 2026-2027 term dates here: ST VINCENT’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

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