Newsletter - 17.10.25
Dear Parents and Carers,
Over the past few weeks, our school has been filled with activity and joy as we welcomed many visitors into our community.
In October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, the children have been praying the Rosary, exploring its significance as a meditative prayer that reflects on the life, ministry, and death of Jesus, and on His Blessed Mother.
Congratulations to the Year 5 and Year 6 boys and girls who took part in the recent football tournament at St Richard’s. The children represented the school exceptionally well and demonstrated excellent teamwork throughout.
Last week, we were delighted to welcome two teachers from our link school in Sierra Leone. One of the visiting teachers, Edmond, shared the following with the school community:
"This visit has been more than a simple journey. It has been a rich experience of learning, sharing, and discovery. We have seen new teaching styles, explored different school systems, and experienced cultural values that have broadened our outlook and inspired us to bring positive change to education back home in Sierra Leone. We return home with not only fond memories but also valuable lessons, lessons that will help us nurture better classrooms, build stronger communities, and create brighter futures for our young people. Once again, our sincere appreciation goes to the Hastings Friendship Link both in Sierra Leone and in the UK, for your guidance, hospitality, and ongoing support. May this friendship continue to grow and inspire meaningful change for many years to come."
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the grandparents who joined us in school over the past few weeks to celebrate our Grandparents' Liturgies. Your presence and support mean so much to our school community and to the children. Thank you also to those who shared their reflections with us - we really value your kind words and continued support.
A special thank you to the parents and families who joined us for the Year 6 Mass. Your support and participation helped make the celebration a meaningful and memorable occasion for everyone involved. Well done to the pupils for their beautiful singing and confident delivery of the readings and prayers.
Open Mornings for families with children starting Reception in September 2026 will take place on Tuesday 4 November and Wednesday 5 November, from 9:30am to 10:30am.Each session will include a tour of the Early Years setting and the wider school. Please email the office to confirm your attendance: office@stmarymagsbex.e-sussex.sch.uk or, call 01424 735 810.
On Tuesday 21 October we will hold a MUFTI day in exchange for items that can be donated to Bexhill Foodbank. A reminder of the items that can be brought into school are below:
- Tinned meat/fish
- Tinned veg/fruit
- Pasta sauce
- Coffee
- Milk (UHT)
- Squash
- Fruit juice (long-life)
- Tinned custard
- Jam/Peanut butter
- Noodles
Your generosity will make a real difference - thank you for your continued support.
Friday 24 October will be an INSET Day, and the school will be closed to all pupils.
The last day of this half-term will therefore be Thursday 23 October, finishing at 3:15pm.
Wishing all of our children and families a restful weekend.
Mr. McKeever
Grandparents' Liturgies
Grandparents' Liturgies - 17.10.25
A few words from our grandparents:
It is so lovely to see how the children have all blossomed from Reception. The school has done a wonderful job, alongside the parents and of course grandparents. Beautiful Liturgy.
Thank you for the chance to come and spend time sharing this wonderful Liturgy.
What a beautiful Liturgy; thank you for letting us be part of it. The children are a credit to the school's teachings of the Catholic faith.
The Service was very beautiful and reflective.
What a beautiful morning - thank you for inviting me. The readings and singing were lovely.
What a fabulous, heart-warming Liturgy. It is so lovely to see how the children have grown in confidence.
We want to thank all of the staff for their brilliant work, and the love that you share with our grand daughter.
How lovely for us all to be invited here today - a lovely community within a lovely school.
Beautiful Service; love the simplicity, songs and prayers.
Thank you for a lovely Liturgy, the children were so well behaved and so confident now in standing and speaking before us. They were a joy to watch. Well done everyone.
Learning from across the school
Reception
In RE, we have been learning that we are all invited to be a part of God's family and we reenacted a Baptism.
We have all worked so hard in our first term at school and our teacher is very proud of us.
Reception - 17.10.25
Year 1
Year 1 have really been enjoying their English key text: Send for a Superhero. This week, we have been designing our own superheroes and describing them using adjectives ready for next week where we write our own superhero stories. It has been lovely to hear the children’s creative ideas for their characters and super powers!
In maths we have been exploring part whole models. We have been using the different resources to help us work out the whole but adding the 2 parts together.
In RE we have continued our learning about the Creation Story. We listened to Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis and talked about the message. We looked at pictures of the Earth now with rubbish and pollution and discussed ways we can help keep the Earth clean and healthy for everyone.
In geography we have been learning about maps and keys. The children have been creating their own maps of our outside learning area and using symbols and key to represent each area.
Year 1 - 17.10.25
Year 2
In PSHE, the children have been discussing what makes a family and understanding that there are many different types of families in society. They were able to say what families do for them.
In geography, the children have been learning the terms physical features and human features when talking about the coast. They are now able to identify caves, arches and stacks and they can also point out examples of the human features of the Weymouth coastline using Google Earth. The children then worked well together to create an advert for tourists in order to attract them to Weymouth.
The children have been developing the tone and texture of their still life drawings in their art lessons this term. They were able to listen to key advice and act upon it to improve their drawings to show light and dark.
Year 2 - 17.10.25
Year 3
Year 3 have had a very busy and exciting two weeks, culminating in our Grandparents' Liturgy, as well as progressing within their learning.
In maths, addition and subtraction with regrouping and exchanging has been the main topic of learning and the children have been working hard to set their columns out and work through a number of challenge questions to extend their learning.
In English, the class have been reading the BFG: they have created their own 'rotten recipes' and writing diary entries as the character of Sophie.
The class have also been learning about Laudato Si, the letter Pope Francis wrote to analyse our care for the environment - they have been using their Bibles to find passages in the book of Genesis and applying this to how we treat each other with dignity.
Additionally, Year 3 have been learning about muscles and the body in science; they had an opportunity to create their very own hand by using straws and string to mimic muscle movements.
Year 3 - 17.10.25
Year 4
Last week, the Year 4 pupils created their final products in their DT lesson on cooking. Their aim was to adapt their original biscuit recipes from earlier in the term with their own additional ingredients, such as icing sugar, sprinkles and chocolate chips. They then thoroughly enjoyed evaluating them through a taste testing session!
In music, the class have continued to learn about Samba music, ready for their upcoming topic about South America. Some children led the rest of the class with keeping the beat through hand percussion.
Finally, in RE the children have worked in the same groups all term to map out the journey of Abraham from the Old Testament. They were very pleased to present their final projects this week, with each section of his story being added at the end of each lesson.
Year 4 - 17.10.25
Year 5
In PE, our focus was on developing defensive skills in hockey. The children practised tackling by keeping their sticks flat, planting their feet for balance, and carefully timing their tackles. They also worked on communicating with their partners to coordinate their defensive strategies.
In history, Year 5 explored a range of Viking artefacts and discussed how these objects were used in daily life. They particularly enjoyed the opportunity to try on some of the artefacts, which helped bring the topic to life in the classroom.
Year 5 - 17.10.25
Year 6
Year 6 have worked so hard in art this week to produce their own self portrait using a grid method. The children chose the materials they wanted to use and there were some very unique pieces! The children demonstrated observation and proportion to create art in a photorealistic style.
We would like to sincerely thank all the parents, grandparents and families who joined us for our Grandparents' Liturgy and Year 6 Mass. Your presence made the celebrations even more special and meaningful. We truly appreciate your continued support throughout the year and for being part of these important moments.
Year 6 - 17.10.25
Certificates of Achievement
Well done to the following children for earning a Certificate of Achievement! Our certificates are linked to our Learning Powers: Curiosity; Concentration; Co-operation; Resilience and Self-improvement.
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Reception Barney: For working hard at home and at school and learning to read words. Harwin: For being a fantastic learner; always listening well and joining in with class discussions. |
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Year 1 Jorden: For showing our Learning Powers of concentration as he always gives his best attention to every task. Xander: For showing resilience in class by not giving up, even when faced with a challenge. |
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Year 2 Elijah: For always being a keen member of class discussions, and listening to advice in order to improve his writing. Kyrie: For working hard to develop his sentences using noun phrases and adventurous vocabulary. |
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Year 3 Saoirse: For consistently showing excellent concentration and co-operation in class; taking great care with her presentation. Logan: For showing great concentration and resilience in lessons, often completing extensions and extra challenges. |
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Year 4 Jude W: For great concentration in maths. Elgan: For excellent self-improvement in his writing. |
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Year 5 Harry: For consistently showing all of our Learning Powers and being a good role model. Dougie: For using all of our Learning Powers to give his best effort and show super determination, especially in writing. |
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Year 6 Joshua J: For using all of our Learning Powers to push himself and focus, especially in maths. Ryder: For showing resilience, especially in maths. |
Let Your Light Shine Certificates
Well done to the following children for earning a Let Your Light Shine certificate! Our certificates are linked to our School Vision and are awarded in recognition of pupils’ contribution to school life.
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