Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Year 5 and 6 Residential 2025

  Wed 09 Jul 2025

  Message from Mrs Mitchell:

   

  We have had a great first day. We started the day with a scavenger hunt and then we built bug hotels. Groups have done archery, bushcraft and buggy build. We are now playing games in the field and having a go on the 'Cresta Run!' 

   

  Fingers crossed for a good night's sleep... 

   

  More updates and photos tomorrow.

  

• Maps

  Fri 04 Jul 2025

  Year 3 have had lots of fun exploring atlases and maps to locate places around the world.  They have been looking at data to focus on countries which visit Disney Land in Florida the most.  We then thought about reasons why some countries are represented, but also why some countries are not represented.  This afternoon, they learnt about a peninsula, we then used the atlases and maps to locate different peninsulas.  Miss Cook challenged us with some examples and non examples but we weren't fooled - we were able to explain that the United Kingdom isn't a peninsula because it's completely surrounded by water and isn't attached to the mainland, so we live on an island!

  

• The Good Shepherd - Arundel Cathedral

  Wed 25 Jun 2025

  Today members of our RE Council and Mrs Lawlor attended The Good Shepherd service held at Arundel Cathedral this year. The children had a lovely time joining with all the schools across the Diocese and were an absolute credit to the school 

  

• Year 3 Pulleys

  Wed 25 Jun 2025

  This week, Green class have had lots of fun learning all about pulleys in DT.  They have found out that a pulley is a simple mechanism that allows someone to lift a heavy object more easily. They have explored real life examples such as wells, cranes, and flags rising on their pole.  They then had a tremendous morning creating their own pulleys in the classroom using papercups. string, cotton reels and a range of construction materials. They had to record their findings to explain what went well and the changes they would like to make next time.

  

• The Storm - Year 3

  Thu 19 Jun 2025

  This week, Year 3 have been reading the book 'The Matchbox Diaries'. On their voyage to America, the ship hits a storm.  The children have reenacted a storm to help them develop ideas for vocabulary. They have planned their ideas and have written great descriptions using similes and adverbial phrases to add interest to their work.  Preparing for Year 4, they have tried paragraphing their writing to try and convey the buildup up of the brewing storm, the actual storm, and then the passing of the storm and the returning of calm waters. I am really proud of their efforts.

  

• Gardening Club

  Wed 18 Jun 2025

  It was a fun session for St Mary's Gardening Club today as it was time to dig beneath the soil and harvest this year's potatoes.

  It was a bumper crop, made all the more exciting as we entered the GYOP school's growing competition this year. To promote healthy eating and connect children to their food.

  Well done team ! 

  

• Year 3 Assembly

  Fri 13 Jun 2025

  Today Year 3 shared their Father's Day Liturgy with the school.  We offered our thanks and praise for the role our father figures play in our life.  We wish all those celebrating their fathers this weekend a happy and joyful time.

  

• Lectio Divina

  Thu 22 May 2025

  In school, we have been learning about different forms of prayer. One form of prayer which we take part in is Lectio Divina (which means divine reading). Lectio Divina is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures, it is a spiritual discipline of meditation on Scripture in which you slowly and prayerfully read and re-read a text in order to listen and apply God’s word to your life.   

  There are four stages of Lectio Divina and these can be thought of as compass points around a circle, with the Holy Spirit moving seamlessly between them. Lectio Divina helps us hear specifically and individually from God through Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and it helps to deepen our relationship with Him. 

  This can be a calming and prayerful experience which you can recreate at home with your family. 

  

• Wakehurst Place - Y3 Trip

  Thu 22 May 2025

  On Thursday, year 3 had a fantastic day at Wakehurst.  The children got to work with microscopes in the lab. to explore the different parts of a flower. They showed their wonderful knowledge by using correct terminology and really impressed our parent volunteers and Kew Gardens staff.  Later, we explored the gardens to look for evidence of pollinators and learnt that after pollination, the flower dies, leaving behind just the ovary where the seeds are made.  Did you know that the horse chestnut flowers are yellows, but after pollination they turn pink so that the bees know they've already been pollinated?!!!

   

  After parachute fun at lunchtime, we complete an art task using natural materials to create a piece of art that we'd been inspired by  - we had bees, gardeners, forests, and of course lots of flowers being created.  The children talked confidently and enthusiastically about their designs and rationale behind them.  We were joined by Frankie Fox and Prayer Bear who also had a wonderful day!  Thank you to Wakehurst and our parent volunteers - we had a great day and couldn't have done it without your help and support! 

  

• Swimming Gala

  Wed 07 May 2025

  On Wednesday, schools across Crowborough met for the annual inter-school swim gala. The St. Mary’s swim team delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing not only their athletic talent but also their exemplary sportsmanship throughout the event. Whilst being cheered on by many parents in the spectators’ seats, our swimmers demonstrated incredible determination, skill, and teamwork in every race.

  From thrilling freestyle sprints to demanding medley relays, each swimmer gave their best. Beyond the races, the team displayed true sportsmanship, cheering on teammates and applauding competitors alike. They represented our school with maturity, respect, and a spirit of camaraderie.

  We are immensely proud of every swimmer who took part. Their discipline, positive attitude, and resilience, both in and out of the water, make them exceptional role models for the school community. Overall in the competition, we scored third. Each team member contributed to a memorable and inspiring event. We congratulate them all and look forward to future successes in the pool. Well done, St. Mary’s and a huge thank you to Mrs Tanner and Ms Rickwood for their relentless hard work and support of the children!