Headteacher's Newsletter

Friday 26 September 2025

Dear Parents,

Mass and Liturgy Dates

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

We were delighted to see so many parents join us for our New Year Mass, it was a wonderful way to come together as our St Vincent family.

Our next Mass will celebrate the harvest. It will be held in the Junior Hall on Thursday 2 October, and we invite parents to join us as we celebrate together.

This Saturday we will remember the Feast of St Vincent de Paul. Please see a reflection attached about our Patron Saint.

 Harvest Time

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

 
At Harvest time we give thanks for all the food we have, and remember those in need. Each year, we ask for donations to support Cornerstones Day Centre for the homeless and the South Manchester Foodbank.

Please can donations be given to your class teacher during week beginning 29 September.

For more information, please see the Harvest Planner here

• Reception Tinned meat/tinned fish
• Year 1            Tinned fruit/rice pudding/custard
• Year 2            Coffee/tea/juice/sugar
• Year 3             Hand wash/toilet rolls/deodorant
• Year 4             Pasta/tinned tomatoes/tinned spaghetti/ beans
• Year 5            Jam/sponge puddings
• Year 6             Cereal

Curriculum Information

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

 Thank you for attending the curriculum meetings this week. It was great to see so many parents in attendance. The PowerPoints for each year group can be found on the following links along with the curriculum overview and subject specific information for the autumn term.

Phonics:           Phonics Workshop 2025-26.pptx

Reception:       Reception Curriculum Evening 2025-26.pdf

Year 1:             Y1 Curriculum Evening 2025-26.pdf

Year 2:             Y2 Curriculum Evening 2025 - 26.pptx

Year 3:             Y3 Curriculum Evening 2025-26.pdf

Year 4:             Y4 Curriculum Evening 2025-26(1).pdf

Year 5:             Y5 Curriculum Evening 2025-2026 (1).pdf

Year 6:             Y6 Curriculum Evening 2025-26 (2)(1).pdf

What Your Child Will Learn in Each Subject

If you would like to learn more about how children build their knowledge and skills, please take a look at the progression grids for each subject in the National Curriculum. These show how children develop their learning step by step, building cumulative knowledge from Reception through to Year 6 in each subject:

Phonics                        https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/phonics/120613

Reading                        https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/reading/134285

Writing                          https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/writing/134286

Mathematics                 https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/mathematics/134287

Religious Education      https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/religious-education/134288

Science                         https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/science/134289

History                           https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/history/134290

Geography                    https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/geography/134291

Music                             https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/music/134292

Art                                  https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/art-and-design/134293

PE                                  https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/physical-education/134294

Computing                      https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/computing/134295

French                           https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/modern-foreign-languages-mfl/134297

PSHE                              https://www.stvincents.trafford.sch.uk/page/pshe/134298

Please see the curriculum maps for each year group

 Reception 2025 EYFS Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 25-26.pdf

Year 1        2025 Year 1 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 2025.pdf

Year 2        2025 Year 2 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 25.pdf

Year 3        2025 Year 3 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 25(1).pdf

Year 4        2025 Year 4 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 24.pdf

Year 5        2025 Year 5 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 2025.pdf

Year 6        2025 Year 6 Curriculum Termly Overview - Autumn 25 (1).pdf

 How will I know how my child is progressing?

Parents are informed of how their child is progressing throughout the year. This is through a range of opportunities listed below:

6 November     Parents’ evening 3:45pm-7:15pm

5 December     Stay and Share (Y1-6) Parents visit the classroom to look at your child’s books, 08:30am

6 February       Stay and Share (Y1-6) Parents visit the classroom to look at your child’s books 8:30am

February          Interim Report

24 February     Reception parents ‘Stay and Play’ Miss Doherty’s class 09:05am

25 February     Reception parents ‘Stay and Play’ Miss Reid’s class 09:05am

26 February     Reception parents ‘Stay and Play’ Mrs Robinson/Mrs Wormall’s class 09:05am

19 March          Parents’ evening 3:45pm to 7:15pm

22 May             Stay and Share (Y1-6) Parents visit the classroom to look at your child’s books 08:30am

3 July               Stay and Share (Y1-6) Parents visit the classroom to look at your child’s books 08:30am

17 July             End of Year Report Friday

St Vincent’s School & Nursery – Open Morning Wednesday 15 October

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

We warmly invite prospective parents to join us for our Open Morning at St Vincent’s. This is a wonderful opportunity to see our school and nursery in action, meet our staff, and learn more about what makes our community so special.

The morning will begin with a presentation about St Vincent’s, including information about our school values and the application process. This will be followed by a guided tour of our classrooms and facilities.

We are proud to be an inclusive community where diversity is valued and celebrated. Everyone is welcome to come along and apply for a place.

To attend one of the following sessions 9:45am, 10:15am and 10:45am, please email your preference to admissions@stvincents.trafford.sch.uk

We look forward to welcoming your friends and family!

Applications for reception 2026 can now be received. To apply for a place, please follow the link to Trafford admission portal. Please also complete a supplementary form and return this to the infant office along with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate by the closing date of 15^th January 2026.

Smartphone-free Childhood

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

Many families are exploring the Smartphone-Free Movement, which encourages children to have access to a phone for safety and communication without the distractions and risks of social media. For example, some parents choose basic phones or child-friendly phones that allow calls and text messages, so children can contact parents when needed, but do not include social media apps, games, or unrestricted internet access.

We support this approach as it aims to:

• Support children’s well-being and focus on learning and friendships.
• Reduce exposure to social media pressures and screen time.
• Give families peace of mind while ensuring children can stay in touch.

If you’d like to find out more, you can explore Smartphone Free Childhood.

Please watch this video to learn more about the benefits of a basic phone without access to social media.  Their video is a moving account of the harm screen time can have on a child: Smartphone Free Childhood video: This made my kids stop begging for a phone

 Have you considered joining the PTA?  

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

The PTA is here to support our school by raising money to enhance, enrich, and improve the learning experiences of all children. Each year, we organise a variety of events that bring our school community together. To make these events possible, we rely on the support of parents and staff who volunteer their time and skills. Every year we also hold the PTA Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is a chance for parents to hear about the projects we’d like to fund to support children’s learning and give them those extra special treats. Please keep an eye out for a special invitation your children are making for you! We’d love to see as many parents as possible getting involved with the PTA.

📅          Tuesday 30 September at 6:30pm
📍       Infant Hall

 Whole School Dates List

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

 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 and Autumn 1 dates can be seen below:

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 2025–2026 term dates here: St Vincent's Term Dates 2025-26

We warmly welcome parents to approach us with any questions about school life. Your first point of contact is always your class teacher. In addition, Mrs Farrell (Infant Deputy), Mrs Sutton (Junior Deputy), and I are always 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