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Friday March 27th 2026

Lent is a time of reflection, thanksgiving and celebration. And as we come to the end of our Spring term, I think back over all the rich experiences the children have had since January. These include: Children’s Mental Health Week, Science Week and Storytelling Week; Safer Internet Day and World Book Day. Our children have been on a plethora of trips and excursions, the length and breadth of the capital and it has been delightful to welcome our parents, carers and extended family members to Class Assemblies, Mind Parent Sessions, Parent’s Evenings and our Lenten Liturgies. We work hard to plan and provide activities that are linked to the curriculum but also offer opportunities that nurture, develop and stretch the children's talents and interests.

We certainly saw the impact of nurturing these talents during our Liturgies this week. Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 each retold a different stage of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion. Thank you to the children for your wonderfully solemn and respectful performances this week and to the adults in your class who know how to bring out the very best in you. Parents and carers of Year 6 are invited to attend the Resurrection Liturgy on Monday April 20th at 9.00am.

Monday saw our Catholic Year 6 children meet with Canon Kevin for Reconciliation. This time of reflection allows the children to make room and be ready to share in the contrition and forgiveness offered through confession. At the same time, Year 3 were making their way to Lord’s Cricket Ground for an immersive and historical education day. The children learned about the incredible history of cricket, not just at the grounds but how cricket has unified diverse cultures, around the world, in the pursuit of sporting excellence. We also welcomed the first of several trainee teachers from our sister secondary, St George’s. Every year we host one- or two-day placements for these teachers in the making, allowing them a first-hand insight into the value and impact of an excellent primary education can afford. There are always one or two trainees who ask about changing to the primary sector after a day in our wonderful school.

Tuesday afternoons now see the top hall filled with dance and hip-hop music for the Street Dance Club. This club, along with all our other clubs will return for summer term and I encourage you to book and pay now to secure your place. Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer the free after-school sports clubs on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from Greenhouse. The Greenhouse centre is set to reopen soon and their staff are required to get things ready in the revamped centre on Bell St. Please remember to take advantage of the Greenhouse Easter Camp at North Paddington Youth Club, across the road from St George’s. After the glorious sunshine earlier in the week, our Year 2 class braved the wind and rain and cold for Forest School. I am a firm believer in getting out into the great outdoors to benefit from fresh air and nature. Not only is it good for our bodies, it is even better for our minds. The children always return from this trip grinning from ear to ear in spite the mud and muck, chatting excitedly about the things they saw and did. I encourage you to take some time this holiday to venture out for a relaxing walk in nature and, if not further afield, at least to Regent’s Park or Paddington Rec. As Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si, nature (including the city parks) is definitely our common home.

Up in Year 4, the children had their final session with Itsu Mobile Kitchen. This week the children were challenged to use their knowledge from previous sessions to plan and create a balanced meal. The children can now confidently choose and prepare ingredients, including employing a range of cutting techniques. I hope that this experience will inspire the children to continue choosing healthy options and foster their love of cooking, into their adult lives. After school, staff gathered in the top hall for a CPD with our MIND Support Worker. We are so very lucky to be able to offer this essential wellbeing service, not only to our parents and children but also our hard-working staff. Thursday morning saw the top hall transform into the Garden of Gethsemane with Year 4 Maundy Thursday Liturgy. This retelling also reminds us of the special message Jesus gives his disciples at the Last Supper and the humbling experience of Jesus washing the feet of his devoted followers. Those who were there will surely agree that the singing was particularly emotive. We ended our day with an Awards Assembly where children were awarded special badges to celebrate 100% Attendance for the Spring Term. It was then to the playground for the PTA Easter Bake Sale. Thank you to all who donated so generously to help raise funds for the PTA.

Today we welcomed our new RE Advisor to the school. Ms Wilson had the opportunity to speak to children who enthusiastically shared their knowledge and understanding of Religious Education at St Edward’s. She then joined us for the Good Friday Liturgy presented by Year 5. There was not a dry eye in the hall as the children retold the Stations of the Cross. It has been many years since I completed the Stations in Jerusalem but I was transported back to the Holy City. The solemn attention of the children in the hall was only bettered by Year 5’s storytelling and I would like to say a special thank you to all of the staff who have supported the children to deliver each of our Holy Week Liturgies this week. A special thank you to the Sisters of Mercy who were also able to join us for the liturgy.

I know are PTA are working tirelessly to raise money for school but also give back. It was lovely to see the surprise and delight on the children’s faces just before home time today as their class teachers handed out Easter Eggs, a gift from the PTA. From the beginning of April, we will be using Arbor for all payments, including trips and after school care. Please activate the Arbor App so that you can make payments and receive in-app text communication from the school. Please see elsewhere in the newsletter for details on how to easily download the app using a QR code. Year 6 parents, please note, you will now need to complete payments for Sayers Croft via Arbor.

Finally, the end of the full term heralds the Easter Reading Challenge. Children are to record all the books that they have read over the Easter break. As we look forward to our Summer Term, I wish to say thank you all for your continued support of our wonderful school. Children return to school on Tuesday 15th April—school gates open at 8:40 am. Wishing you a happy and holy Easter.

Mr. J Smith  

Head of School