Welcome from the Head Teacher
As a practising Roman Catholic, I am extremely proud to be the HeadTeacher at St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School and Nursery. Since starting in September 2020, I lead an experienced, hardworking, outward looking and committed team who look forward to developing the school further for the children and local community. I have worked in Thanet throughout my whole career so know the area very well.
Dates for your diaryCalendar
Keep up to date withOur Facebook feed
19th June 2026
Latest Newsletter from Mr Marshall Loving God, As we approach the final weeks of this school term, help us to work calmly, kindly, and with grateful hearts. Give us the strength to meet our challenges, the wisdom to support one another, and the spirit of teamwork in all that we do. May we encourage each other, celebrate our achievements, and finish the term with joy and peace. Bless our school community and keep us united in friendship and faith. Amen. Dear St Ethelbert's Community, Celebrating Mrs Rydz's Remarkable Service It is with mixed emotions that we share the news that Mrs Rydz will be retiring this summer after an incredible 30 years of dedicated service to St Ethelbert's. Over the years, Mrs Rydz has supported and inspired countless children and families, and her kindness, patience, faith and commitment have made a lasting difference to our school community. She has been simply amazing, and her contribution to St Ethelbert's cannot be overstated. Mrs Rydz connection with the school goes back much further than her official employment. Having moved from London with her family, she attended St Ethelbert's herself alongside her siblings. At just 15 years old, she was already helping in the infant classes. In the 1980s, when her own children attended the school, Mrs Rydz volunteered her time before being offered a temporary contract, which later became a permanent position. Throughout her career, Mrs Rydz worked with many wonderful children. She began working in Reception alongside Sister Maria in what is now our music room, before supporting children in Year 1 with Mrs Pitt and in Year 2 with Teresa Ebden. Mrs Rydz also job-shared with another school mum and when a teaching assistant retired, Mrs Rydz hours increased, allowing her to continue supporting even more children. From 1995, Mrs Rydz also served as a lunchtime supervisor, becoming a familiar and reassuring presence throughout the school day. For many children, she has been one of the first smiling faces they saw each morning and one of the most encouraging voices they heard throughout their time at St Ethelbert's. On Wednesday, Ms Dowd and I were delighted to attend a special Celebration Mass at St George's Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson. During this wonderful occasion, Mrs Rydz was presented with a special certificate and medal in recognition of her outstanding service to Catholic education. It was a fitting tribute to her many years of dedication and commitment. Thankfully, we are not saying goodbye completely! Mrs Rydz will continue to be part of the St Ethelbert's family through our wraparound care provision for two days each week. I am certainly not ready to let her go fully just yet! It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Mrs Rydz. On behalf of all the staff, governors, children, parents, and past pupils whose lives she has touched, I would like to thank her for everything she has given to our school. We wish Mrs Rydz a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement with her husband, Derek, filled with joy, good health, and many wonderful memories. Thank you, Mrs Rydz. You will always be a cherished part of the St Ethelbert's family. Celebrating Mrs Francis Remarkable Service We would also like to pay tribute to Mrs Maureen Francis, our much-valued Vice Chair of Governors and Foundation Governor, who is retiring after an incredible 30 years of dedicated service to St Ethelbert's. Throughout her time as a governor, including a period as Chair of Governors, Maureen has provided unwavering support, wise leadership, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring the very best for our children, staff, and wider school community. On Wednesday, Mrs Dowd and I were delighted to attend a special Celebration Mass at St George's Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson. During this wonderful occasion, Maureen was presented with a special certificate and medal in recognition of her outstanding service to Catholic educationa fitting tribute to her many years of dedication and commitment. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Maureen, and we are deeply grateful for all the support, guidance, and leadership she has given over the years. We wish her a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement. Thankfully, we will still see Maureen around, as she continues to devote much of her time to St Ethelbert's Church and remains a cherished member of our parish and school family. Staffing 2026-2027 I am pleased to share our staff structure for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year at St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School and Nursery. I am thrilled to say that for a fourth year in a row we have no changes to staff. Please take the time to discuss these changes with your children to help them prepare for their new classes. Headteacher: Mr Marshall Deputy Headteacher: Ms Dowd School Manager and PA: Mrs Vernon Class Teachers and Classes for 2026-2027 Nursery (United Kingdom / Saint George): Mr Clinch Reception (Poland / Saint Jadwiga): Miss Rees Year 1 (Romania / Saint Andrew): Mrs Webb & Mrs Russell Year 2 (Hungary / Elizabeth of Hungary): Mr Linton Year 3 (Japan / Paulo Miki): Mr Pressley Year 4 (Italy / Catherine of Siena): Miss Todd Year 5 (India / Saint Mother Teresa): Mrs Lawrence Year 6 (France / Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Therese of Lisieux): Mr Evans and Mrs King Support Staff Our wider team continues to provide dedicated care and specialised interventions across the school: SENCO: Mrs James Sports Coach: Mr Miles Speech and Language TA: Mrs Cayley Learning Mentors: Mrs Taylor (year 6 morning and supporting academic achievement across the school in the afternoon) and Mrs Calver (year 4 in the morning and supporting social, emotional and mental health/ THRIVE across the school in the afternoon) SEND Teaching Assistants: Mrs Hitch (year 5) and Mrs Kelly (year 4) Support Staff Team: Mrs Redford (Nursery), Mrs Silchenko (Reception), Mrs Thorne (Year 1), Mrs Gill (Year 2), Mrs Silsbury (Year 3), Mrs Milgate (Year 3), Miss Webster (Year 5), and Mrs Bradford (year 6) Important Transition Day Information Our formal Transition Day will take place on Thursday 2nd July. On this day, current children will spend time in their upcoming classrooms with their new teachers.Children are to come into school as they do now. We will move the children up to their new class once settled in school. Likewise, they will return to their current classroom before dismissal. On this day, pick up and collect as you would normally do now. Our current Year 6 pupils will not be on-site at St Ethelbert's, as they are required to attend transition sessions at their respective new secondary schools. Please note that some secondary schools choose to run more than one transition day; please contact your child's specific secondary school directly to verify their exact arrangements and schedules. Welcoming Our New Families We are absolutely delighted to welcome our brand-new Nursery and Reception children into our school community. It was wonderful meeting so many parents on Tuesday evening during our induction session. Thank you for taking the time to join us and begin this exciting partnership. Welcome to St Ethelbert's! Year 6 residential I was delighted to visit our Year 6 children on their residential trip on Wednesday evening and again last night. It was wonderful to see them having so much fun, demonstrating excellent teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm throughout their stay. The children have enjoyed a wide range of activities during the day, keeping them busy and challenged, and in the evenings they have had the opportunity to relax and enjoy time together. On Thursday night, they enjoyed a delicious curry for dinner and on Wednesday night a campfire, which was a real highlight of the trip. The children have been a credit to the school, and it has been fantastic to see them making such special memories together. We will share more details and photographs from the residential in next week's newsletter as they only got back today and need a well earned sleep! God Bless Mr Marshall Headteacher Dumpling Squishies – Safety Warning – PLEASE READ Local councils are warning families about the safety of "dumpling squishies," which are highly popular soft toys shaped like little buns or dumplings that can be squeezed, stretched, or rolled between hands. While many are sold in exciting 'blind boxes,' high demand has led to a surge in counterfeit versions that often fail health and safety checks. Trading Standards officers have found fake versions that miss basic safety information, lack official CE or UKCA safety markings, and release hazardous chemicals into the air that can cause eye, skin, or lung irritation. Parents should check these toys carefully and stop using them immediately if they smell unusually strong (like petrol), leak, look poorly made, or seem suspiciously cheap. For further information, you can read the full report published on the BBC Newsround Website. As a reminder, toys should not be brought into school, so please ensure these items remain at home. Uniform Reminder – School Ties A gentle reminder that ties are part of our school uniform policy. Recently, several pupils have been coming to school without them. We kindly ask for your help in checking that your child is wearing their tie each day. We do have a limited stock of second hand ties and if you require one, please check availability with the school office. Thank you for your cooperation. Own Clothes Day for the Summer Fair Friday 26th June will be a non-school uniform day in exchange for a donation to the PTFA Summer Fair. Please bring an item for the fair listed in the photo. Thank you. PTFA Summer Fair We're excited to invite you to our annual PTFA Summer Fair on Friday, 3rd July, straight after school. There will be stalls, games, treats, and plenty of fun for the whole family. More volunteers are needed to help run stalls and support the event. Please email us at ptfa@stethelbertsschool.co.uk if you can help. Thank you for your support. Don't miss the performance by the School Choir! PTFA Summer Fair Raffle The raffle tickets were sent home in an envelope today. The tickets are priced at £1 each, if you purchase any tickets please complete the stubs and return them with money in sealed envelopes. There is a return box in the school office. Also, please kindly return unwanted tickets so we can sell them to others. There will be a lot of lovely prizes that are donated to PTFA: -Family entry tickets to Wildwood -Family entry ticket to London Tower Bridge -£25 voucher from Taylor Meat Ramsgate The draw will be at the PTFA Summer Fair on Friday 3rd July from 3:30 PM, we hope to see you all at the fair! PTFA AGM Tuesday 14th July 3:30pm The PTFA plays a vital part in the school community, and all the parents and carers are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is your chance to hear how the funds you have helped raise have been used for the benefit of the children at the school. The AGM is also an opportunity for you to elect the PTFA Committee, to represent the association throughout the forthcoming academic year. Nominations should be sent in advance of the AGM for existing committee members willing to stand for re-election and for anyone wishing to stand as an Officer or Ordinary Committee Member for the first time. Please complete the form if you wish to be nominated and return by 3 pm on Friday 10th July to the PTFA at ptfa@stethelbertsschool.co.uk. If anyone would like to discuss the roles in the PTFA or would consider volunteering with support initially, please feel free to email us. Year 3 Swimming – Term 6 The Year 3 swimming will start on Friday, 5th June at Ramsgate Swimming Pool. The children will start their lesson at 1.10pm and finish at 1.55pm. The children will be back at school and ready to be dismissed as normal. The programme will take place every Friday up to and including the 17th of July 2026. Your child will need to bring swimwear, goggles and a towel on these days. No spray deodorants are allowed, only roll-on. They must wear a coat as they may be cold walking to and from the pool. Sports Day Next week we have sports day for each year group. Please can children wear their PE kits for their sports days as well as their PE day (if different days). Sports day may not be the same day as their normal PE day. Please all come through the Dane Park Road entrance. If the weather is bad or even too hot, then we will try to rearrange the day. Normal PE days will resume week beginning 29th June. Nursery 22nd June 2.15pm Reception and Year 1 23rd June at 1.15pm Year 2 and Year 3 24th June at 1.15pm Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 25th June at 1.15pm PTFA Sports Day refreshments As we are expecting warm weather for Sports Day next week, the PTFA will be selling refreshments for parents and carers. Please bring some change, as we are unable to accept card payments. PLEASE NOTE that these refreshments are for spectators only and are not available for pupils. We kindly ask that pupils are not sent to school with money for this purpose. Each child will receive a free ice pole at the end of the sports day. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on Sports Day! Water bottles and fresh fruit/veg snacks To help keep our children healthy and ready to learn, please ensure your child brings a filled water bottle to school each day which they can then refill throughout the day. The bottle should be filled with water only and not juice. We also ask that any healthy snacks sent in from home are cut into bite size pieces to minimise choking hazards and support safe eating habits. Children will be encouraged to sit and eat before playing, helping them enjoy their snacks calmly and safely. Thanet Family Hubs Below are details of some upcoming courses taking place at Thanet Family Hubs Autism Awareness - 3-week course Explore, recognise and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of autistic individuals in this empowering course. Newington Family Hub, Thursdays 11th June - 2nd July: 10am - 12pm Northdown Road Family Hub, Fridays 3rd July - 17th July: 10am-12pm First Aid for Babies Join in our practical and supportive workshop to learn vital first aid techniques to confidently care for your baby in an emergency. Cliftonville Family Hub - Monday 8th June: 9.30am-11.30am Priory Family Hub - Tuesday 21st July: 12.30pm - 2.30pm Please note that these sessions are delivered by Kent Adult Education (KAE) and are not run by the Family Hubs, however they are being held within our premises. These courses provide valuable information and support for families and professionals, and we encourage you to share them with anyone who may benefit. Further details, including dates, times, and booking information, can be found in the attached leaflets. SEND Please click here for the latest Kent County Council Newsletter for SEND. Here you will find the latest news on Children's mental health, KCC SEND progress to date and further general advice, guidance and support. Children showing our school values this week Year Group Class Name/Saint Name Child Value Reason for Value Nursery United Kingdom Saint George Victor Inclusion Showing fantastic teamwork in the construction area and sharing with his friends Uthra Knowledge Making huge progress with her communication and language skills! Reception Poland Saint Jadwiga Jozef Inclusion Working together with his peers in the construction area and showing good teamwork skills Arthur Knowledge Remembering the different sounds the '-ed' suffix can make Year 1 Romania Saint Andrew Year 1 Knowledge Using excellent phonics skills to complete the check Year 2 Hungary Elizabeth of Hungary Gracie Knowledge Working hard to write a story using fully punctuated sentences Ralph Knowledge His good understanding of direction and describing turns in maths Year 3 Japan Paulo Miki Jennifer Knowledge Performing a poem from memory to the whole class Ella Knowledge Performing a poem from memory to the whole class Year 4 Italy Catherine of Siena Maymunah Knowledge Applying her calculation skills to real life problems involving money Zuzanna Knowledge Working hard to include fronted adverbials in her alternative ending Year 5 India Saint Mother of Teresa Henry Inclusion Showing an increasingly mature attitude! Well done Henry! Noah Knowledge Sharing information in RE about the Muslim faith Year 6 France Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Therese of Lisieux Tommy Inclusion Wanting to encourage and include other children in lunchtime games, setting a mature example to others Nikolas Inclusion Wanting to encourage and include other children in lunchtime games, setting a mature example to others all week Phoenix Inclusion Wanting to encourage and include other children in lunchtime games, setting a mature example to others all week Frank Thoughtfulness Wanting to donate a gift to another child to make them feel welcome Aislin Thoughtfulness Helping Mr Miles practise for Sports Day and by making amazing props for the Y6 production. Well done! Class Masses If you would like to join us for a class Mass, then you are very welcome. Children lead the Mass with readings and bidding prayers. Date Year Group attending Mass 25th June Year 4 2nd July Year 3 9th July Year 2 16th July Year 6 Leavers Mass Mass will be on Thursday mornings at 9.30am in St Ethelbert's church Attendance this academic year... Our attendance policy states that we aim for a 100% attendance Reception 82.5% Year 1 93.3% Year 2 93.6% Year 3 95% Year 4 97.8% Year 5 94.2% Year 6 94.2% Whole School this week 93% Whole School academic year to date 95.1% National Average academic year to date 94.85% PLEASE NOTE – IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE WRAPAROUND CARE STAFF AFTER 4PM THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 07400 170519 DIARY DATES 2025/26 June 2026 w/c 22nd Sports Week 22nd - Nursery Sports Afternoon 2.15pm 23rd - Reception and Year 1 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th - Year 2 and Year 3 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 25th - Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th Feast of St John 25th New YN and YR play and stay 4-5pm 26th/29th/30th Bikeability July 2026 2nd TRANSITION DAY 3rd SUMMER FAIR 3-5pm 9th Year 6 dress rehearsal to school - 1:00pm 9th Year 6 Production to parents - 7:00pm 15th End of Year Reports to parents 15th Year 6 Disco -6.00pm - 7.30pm 16th Year 6 Leavers Mass, Graduation and Afternoon Tea - 1.00pm 17th Benediction 1.15pm 17th Nursery Graduation 2.30pm 17th End of Term 6 for children 20th INSET day (4 of 5) 21st INSET day (5 of 5) 21st END OF TERM 6 PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS OR WRAPAROUND CARE ON FRIDAY 17TH JULY
12th June 2026
Term 6 Curriculum Newsletters
12th June 2026
Latest Newsletter from Mr Marshall Heavenly Father, We thank you for the example of Saint Michael, your faithful servant and protector. Through his courage and trust in you, help us to stand firm in faith, choose what is right, and show kindness to those around us. Saint Michael, watch over our school community and keep us safe in all that we do. Give us strength when we face challenges, confidence when we feel uncertain, and wisdom to make good choices each day. May we follow your example by serving God with joyful hearts, caring for one another, and bringing peace wherever we go. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Dear St Ethelbert's Community, What a difference a week makes! A heat wave last week; stormy weather this week and apparently back to warmth and sunshine from tomorrow. It will be just in time for Year 5 who will have an air conditioning unit installed in the classroom on Wednesday. The sun really hits the building hard on that side of the school in the summer months. The office and Year 6 already have air conditioning but Year 5 was always the next phase. They will now have their own unit from next week, which will make the learning environment much more comfortable during the summer months. The rest of the school doesn't get hit by the sun as much. Curriculum Newsletters Term 6 This week, you will receive our termly curriculum newsletter, which outlines what your child(ren) will be learning across all subjects this term. We encourage you to take some time to read through it and talk with your child about their learning, as this helps reinforce their understanding and enthusiasm for school. Please continue to support reading at home, even if it is just for ten minutes each day, and remember to send your child's reading record into school every day. Staffing 26-27 We would also like to let you know that details of the teaching and support staff for the 2026–2027 academic year will be shared with families in the next week or so in time for transition day in July. Thank you for your continued support in your child's learning journey. Working together helps ensure that every child can thrive and achieve their very best. Year 6 residential trip We would like to wish our Year 6 pupils a wonderful time as they embark on their residential trip from Wednesday to Friday next week. The weather forecast looks very promising, which should make the experience even more enjoyable. A couple of weeks ago, Ms Dowd and I visited the venue and were extremely impressed. It is a vast site with plenty of exciting activities for the children to take part in. The accommodation was comfortable, the food smelled delicious, so we are confident that the children are in for a fantastic experience. For some children, this may be their first night away from home, which can understandably feel a little daunting. However, residential trips are a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, independence and resilience, and children often return with a great sense of achievement and many happy memories. I will be visiting the site during the evening and look forward to seeing the children enjoying this special experience. For those children not going, please ensure they come into school as normal. Mrs King and Mrs Bradford will be completing some fun, creative activities with them. Premises work this summer We are pleased to share that a significant programme of premises improvements is scheduled to take place over the summer holidays. Yesterday, I attended meetings with two sets of contractors to finalise the plans and timelines for the work. A brand-new permanent boiler will be installed in the junior building, with work due to commence in the next couple of weeks. As part of this project, the temporary boiler that has been located in the car park has now been removed. Further improvements include the installation of a new perimeter fence in the car park, resurfacing of the staff car park with new tarmac, and the addition of security lighting. To further enhance safety for our school community and pedestrians, we will begin using the new entrance on Hereson Road from September, and the gate on Dane Park Road will be permanently locked. Inside the school, the Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms will be redecorated to provide a refreshed and stimulating learning environment. In addition, all internal lighting across the entire site will be replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting. These improvements represent a significant investment in our school and will help ensure that our children and staff continue to learn and work in a safe, welcoming and modern environment. God Bless Mr Marshall Headteacher Dumpling Squishies – Safety Warning – PLEASE READ Local councils are warning families about the safety of "dumpling squishies," which are highly popular soft toys shaped like little buns or dumplings that can be squeezed, stretched, or rolled between hands. While many are sold in exciting 'blind boxes,' high demand has led to a surge in counterfeit versions that often fail health and safety checks. Trading Standards officers have found fake versions that miss basic safety information, lack official CE or UKCA safety markings, and release hazardous chemicals into the air that can cause eye, skin, or lung irritation. Parents should check these toys carefully and stop using them immediately if they smell unusually strong (like petrol), leak, look poorly made, or seem suspiciously cheap. For further information, you can read the full report published on the BBC Newsround Website. As a reminder, toys should not be brought into school, so please ensure these items remain at home. Uniform Reminder – School Ties A gentle reminder that ties are part of our school uniform policy. Recently, several pupils have been coming to school without them. We kindly ask for your help in checking that your child is wearing their tie each day. We do have a limited stock of second hand ties and if you require one, please check availability with the school office. Thank you for your cooperation. PTFA Father's Day Gift Wrap There will be a Father's Day gift wrap event on Tuesday 16th June. The payment for each gift (£2.50) will be available through 'School Money' soon. The children can choose a gift from our various stock of items, which will be wrapped and ready for someone special. We are looking for additional volunteers to help the children choose and wrap gifts during the morning of the event. Any help would be very much appreciated. If you are able to support, please contact: ptfa@stethelbertsschool.co.uk Own Clothes Day for the Summer Fair Friday 26th June will be a non-school uniform day in exchange for a donation to the PTFA Summer Fair. Please bring an item for the fair listed in the photo. Thank you. PTFA Summer Fair We're excited to invite you to our annual PTFA Summer Fair on Friday, 3rd July, straight after school. There will be stalls, games, treats, and plenty of fun for the whole family. More volunteers are needed to help run stalls and support the event. Please email us at ptfa@stethelbertsschool.co.uk if you can help. Thank you for your support. Don't miss the performance from the School Choir! Football at Old Trafford Over the weekend Zachariah in Year 2 attended a football tournament with TSC at Old Trafford. What an incredible experience it was for him. As part of the tournament, Zachariah had the opportunity to play at Manchester United's famous stadium, walking out through the players' tunnel and onto the Old Trafford pitch itself. For a young footballer, it was a dream come true and an experience he will remember for the rest of his life. In addition to playing on the pitch, the players were given access to the changing rooms and enjoyed a backstage tour of the stadium, learning about everything that happens behind the scenes on a match day. This gave them a fascinating insight into the inner workings of one of the world's most iconic football venues. His team performed brilliantly throughout the competition, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up. Zachariah was delighted to be part of the squad and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of competing against teams from across the country. The whole experience provided valuable opportunities to develop teamwork, resilience, confidence and sportsmanship, while also giving him a chance to represent TSC on such a prestigious stage. Perhaps the moment that best sums up what the day meant to him came as we were leaving. Zachariah discovered a small piece of Old Trafford grass attached to his football boots and was absolutely determined to keep it as a souvenir! To him, it was a little piece of football history and a reminder of a very special day. As a family, we are incredibly proud of how he conducted himself throughout the tournament, and we are grateful to TSC for providing such a fantastic opportunity. Experiences like this help young people grow both on and off the pitch. Year 3 Swimming – Term 6 The Year 3 swimming will start on Friday, 5th June at Ramsgate Swimming Pool. The children will start their lesson at 1.10pm and finish at 1.55pm. The children will be back at school and ready to be dismissed as normal. The programme will take place every Friday up to and including the 17th of July 2026. Your child will need to bring swimwear, goggles and a towel on these days. No spray deodorants are allowed, only roll-on. They must wear a coat as they may be cold walking to and from the pool. Sports Day In two weeks' time we have sports day for each year group. Please can children wear their PE kits for their sports days as well as their PE day (if different days). Sports day may not be the same day as their normal PE day. Please all come through the Dane Park Road entrance. If the weather is bad or even too hot, then we will try to rearrange the day. Normal PE days will resume week beginning 29th June. Nursery 22nd June 2.15pm Reception and Year 1 23rd June at 1.15pm Year 2 and Year 3 24th June at 1.15pm Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 25th June at 1.15pm Water bottles and fresh fruit/veg snacks To help keep our children healthy and ready to learn, please ensure your child brings a filled water bottle to school each day which they can then refill throughout the day. The bottle should be filled with water only and not juice. We also ask that any healthy snacks sent in from home are cut into bite size pieces to minimise choking hazards and support safe eating habits. Children will be encouraged to sit and eat before playing, helping them enjoy their snacks calmly and safely. Thanet Family Hubs Below are details of some upcoming courses taking place at Thanet Family Hubs Autism Awareness - 3-week course Explore, recognise and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of autistic individuals in this empowering course. Newington Family Hub, Thursdays 11th June - 2nd July: 10am - 12pm Northdown Road Family Hub, Fridays 3rd July - 17th July: 10am-12pm First Aid for Babies Join in our practical and supportive workshop to learn vital first aid techniques to confidently care for your baby in an emergency. Cliftonville Family Hub - Monday 8th June: 9.30am-11.30am Priory Family Hub - Tuesday 21st July: 12.30pm - 2.30pm Please note that these sessions are delivered by Kent Adult Education (KAE) and are not run by the Family Hubs, however they are being held within our premises. These courses provide valuable information and support for families and professionals, and we encourage you to share them with anyone who may benefit. Further details, including dates, times, and booking information, can be found in the attached leaflets. SEND Please click here for the latest Kent County Council Newsletter for SEND. Here you will find the latest news on Children's mental health, KCC SEND progress to date and further general advice, guidance and support. Children showing our school values this week Year Group Class Name/Saint Name Child Value Reason for Value Nursery United Kingdom Saint George Augustine Knowledge Drawing his design and then using it to make a wonderful house from Lego! Isla Inclusion Joining in with yoga for the whole session, listening carefully and showing wonderful moves Reception Poland Saint Jadwiga Sahr Knowledge Trying really hard with his letter formations and has improved so much this week! Chester Thoughtfulness Supporting a friend who was having a hard time coming into school Aoife Thoughtfulness Giving up her coat to a friend who was cold. Very kind! Year 1 Romania Saint Andrew Chisoma Knowledge Explaining her understanding of left and right to the rest of the class in a position and direction maths lesson Otis Knowledge Identifying hazards and knowing how to stay safe, during a class fire safety talk Year 2 Hungary Elizabeth of Hungary Riley Inclusion Working well with others on a group task about animation Damian Thoughtfulness Helping others if they do not understand the task Year 3 Japan Paulo Miki Briella Knowledge Working so hard and improving her reading and comprehension Harper Thoughtfulness Helping her classmate in a maths lesson Year 4 Italy Catherine of Siena Agastya Knowledge Always showing curiosity and asking thoughtful questions during our lessons Blu-Belle Knowledge Working hard to learn her times tables up to 12x12 Year 5 India Saint Mother of Teresa William Knowledge Trying really hard in class and joining in more Iannis Inclusion Joining Year 5 and being a valued member of our class Year 6 France Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Therese of Lisieux Phoenix Inclusion Showing maturity and appositive mindset, Keep it up Phoenix! Lottie Knowledge Producing a fantastic first draft of her narrative poem Well done! Class Masses If you would like to join us for a class Mass, then you are very welcome. Children lead the Mass with readings and bidding prayers. Date Year Group attending Mass 18th June Year 5 25th June Year 4 2nd July Year 3 9th July Year 2 16th July Year 6 Leavers Mass Mass will be on Thursday mornings at 9.30am in St Ethelbert's church Attendance this academic year... Our attendance policy states that we aim for a 100% attendance Reception 92.5% Year 1 94.3% Year 2 93% Year 3 97.3% Year 4 97.8% Year 5 95.7% Year 6 97.8% Whole School this week 95.5% Whole School academic year to date 95.2% National Average academic year to date 94.8% PLEASE NOTE – IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE WRAPAROUND CARE STAFF AFTER 4PM THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 07400 170519 DIARY DATES 2025/26 June 2026 16th PTFA Father's Day gift Wrap 16th New YN and YR parent's information evening w/c 22nd Sports Week 22nd - Nursery Sports Afternoon 2.15pm 23rd - Reception and Year 1 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th - Year 2 and Year 3 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 25th - Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th Feast of St John 25th New YN and YR play and stay 4-5pm 26th/29th/30th Bikeability July 2026 2nd TRANSITION DAY 3rd SUMMER FAIR 3-5pm 9th Year 6 dress rehearsal to school - 1:00pm 9th Year 6 Production to parents - 7:00pm 15th End of Year Reports to parents 15th Year 6 Disco -6.00pm - 7.30pm 16th Year 6 Leavers Mass, Graduation and Afternoon Tea - 1.00pm 17th Benediction 1.15pm 17th Nursery Graduation 2.30pm 17th End of Term 6 for children 20th INSET day (4 of 5) 21st INSET day (5 of 5) 21st END OF TERM 6 PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS OR WRAPAROUND CARE ON FRIDAY 17TH JULY
9th June 2026
Over the weekend Zachariah in Year 2 attended a football tournament with TSC at Old Trafford. What an incredible experience it was for him. As part of the tournament, Zachariah had the opportunity to play at Manchester United's famous stadium, walking out through the players' tunnel and onto the Old Trafford pitch itself. For a young footballer, it was a dream come true and an experience he will remember for the rest of his life. In addition to playing on the pitch, the players were given access to the changing rooms and enjoyed a backstage tour of the stadium, learning about everything that happens behind the scenes on a match day. This gave them a fascinating insight into the inner workings of one of the world's most iconic football venues. His team performed brilliantly throughout the competition, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up. Zachariah was delighted to be part of the squad and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of competing against teams from across the country. The whole experience provided valuable opportunities to develop teamwork, resilience, confidence and sportsmanship, while also giving him a chance to represent TSC on such a prestigious stage. Perhaps the moment that best sums up what the day meant to him came as we were leaving. Zachariah discovered a small piece of Old Trafford grass attached to his football boots and was absolutely determined to keep it as a souvenir! To him, it was a little piece of football history and a reminder of a very special day. As a family, we are incredibly proud of how he conducted himself throughout the tournament, and we are grateful to TSC for providing such a fantastic opportunity. Experiences like this help young people grow both on and off the pitch. https://www.stethelbertsschool.co.uk/news/?pid=201&nid=9&storyid=17
5th June 2026
Latest Newsletter from Mr Marshall Loving God, as we begin the final term of this school year at St Ethelbert's, we thank you for all that we have learnt and achieved. Bless our pupils, staff, and families with perseverance, kindness, and joy in the weeks ahead. Help us to work hard, support one another, and use our gifts to serve you. May St Ethelbert inspire us to live with faith, courage, and compassion each day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Dear St Ethelbert's Community, Welcome Back to Term 6 Welcome back to Term 6! We hope that everyone had a restful half-term break and is ready for the final term of the academic year. This is always a busy and exciting seven-week term, packed with special events, celebrations and important milestones for our children. Please keep this newsletter close at hand, as there are many important dates to remember over the coming weeks, including Sports Days, transition days, Year 6 leavers' events, end-of-year reports, school trips and other key activities. We will continue to send reminders, but having the newsletter readily available will help ensure that no important dates are missed. Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Next week, our Year 1 children will take the national Phonics Screening Check. During the check, children are asked to read 40 words, made up of both real words and nonsense (alien) words. The pass mark has typically been 32 correct answers, although this is confirmed nationally each year. The children have worked incredibly hard throughout the year and have been practising regularly in school. We wish them every success as they complete the check on a one-to-one basis with Mrs Webb. To help your child do their very best, please ensure they get a good night's sleep, arrive at school on time and attend every day next week. The children will complete the check at some point during the morning sessions across the week. Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check Our Year 4 pupils will also continue completing the national Multiplication Tables Check next week. During the assessment, children answer 25 random times tables questions on a computer and have six seconds to answer each question. The children will complete the check individually with Miss Todd. Some pupils have already completed their assessment this week, while others will continue next week. Thank you for supporting your child with regular times tables practice at home. Please continue to encourage them and ensure they arrive at school on time each day. Parents will receive the results of both the Phonics Screening Check and the Multiplication Tables Check in their child's end-of-year report, which will be sent home in July. God Bless Mr Marshall Headteacher St Ethelbert's Engineers! A team of Year 5 pupils travelled to Canterbury Christ Church University to take part in the celebration event linked to the Primary Engineer Vehicle Programme which they took part in last term along with 12 other schools from around Kent. The children really enjoyed putting the vehicle, which they named Bertha, through its paces, completing a number of tasks including a straight line test and an incline test. Making some last-minute design adjustments the children persevered and adapted the design of Bertha improving the performance each time. They worked as a team to make the improvements and took it in turns to try out the adjustments. The children were congratulated on their resilience and determination by the judges. Mrs Lawrence said "I am extremely proud of all the children; their hard work, determination and teamwork. They are truly showing the values of our school: Thoughtfulness, Knowledge and Inclusion. Their behaviour and attitude were exemplary. They were a credit to the school and their hard work paid off as they finished up placing 1st overall! We are very proud of them all. Well done! Uniform Reminder – School Ties A gentle reminder that ties are part of our school uniform policy. Recently, several pupils have been coming to school without them. We kindly ask for your help in checking that your child is wearing their tie each day. We do have a limited stock of second hand ties and if you require one, please check availability with the school office. Thank you for your cooperation. School meal price increases Due to rising costs KCC and Caterlink have made the difficult decision to increase the cost of school meals. Please note that from 1st September 2026 the price of a school meal will increase from £3.37 per meal to £3.48 per meal. PTFA Father's Day Gift Wrap There will be a Father's Day gift wrap event on Tuesday 16th June. The payment for each gift (£2.50) will be available through 'School Money' soon. The children can choose a gift from our various stock of items, which will be wrapped and ready for someone special. We are looking for additional volunteers to help the children choose and wrap gifts during the morning of the event. Any help would be very much appreciated. If you are able to support, please contact: ptfa@stethelbertsschool.co.uk Special Visit: Kent Fire and Rescue Service On Wednesday, 10th June, we will welcome the Kent Fire and Rescue Service to our school for a special educational visit. They will deliver interactive, age-appropriate fire safety workshops to our children. These essential sessions are designed to teach life-saving skills in a fun and engaging environment. What the Children Will Learn: Our Community Heroes: Understanding the role of firefighters and what the service does daily. Emergency Action: How and when to correctly dial 999 for help. Home Escape Plans: Creating and practicing safe exit routes with their families. Fire Survival: Practical steps on staying safe if a fire ever breaks out. Electrical Hazard Awareness: Spotting common dangers like overloaded sockets and faulty chargers Year 3 Swimming – Term 6 The Year 3 swimming will start on Friday, 5th June at Ramsgate Swimming Pool. The children will start their lesson at 1.10pm and finish at 1.55pm. The children will be back at school and ready to be dismissed as normal. The programme will take place every Friday up to and including the 17th of July 2026. Your child will need to bring swimwear, goggles and a towel on these days. No spray deodorants are allowed, only roll-on. They must wear a coat as they may be cold walking to and from the pool. Sports Day In three weeks' time we have sports day for each year group. Please can children wear their PE kits for their sports days as well as their PE day (if different days). Sports day may not be the same day as their normal PE day. Please all come through the Dane Park Road entrance. If the weather is bad or even too hot, then we will try to rearrange the day. Normal PE days will resume week beginning 29th June. Nursery 22nd June 2.15pm Reception and Year 1 23rd June at 1.15pm Year 2 and Year 3 24th June at 1.15pm Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 25th June at 1.15pm Water bottles and fresh fruit/veg snacks To help keep our children healthy and ready to learn, please ensure your child brings a filled water bottle to school each day which they can then refill throughout the day. The bottle should be filled with water only and not juice. We also ask that any healthy snacks sent in from home are cut into bite size pieces to minimise choking hazards and support safe eating habits. Children will be encouraged to sit and eat before playing, helping them enjoy their snacks calmly and safely. Tesco Free Fruit and Vegetables for Schools We are thrilled to share that Tesco is kindly supporting healthy eating in our school by providing free fresh fruit and vegetables for our children! Since Early Years and KS1 already receive daily snacks, we are offering this wonderful donation to our KS2 pupils to enjoy during morning break times. The fruit and vegetables will be available on: Tuesdays: Years 3 and 4 Thursdays: Years 5 and 6 Thank you Tesco! Job Opportunity Join Our Team! We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our school community. We have an exciting opportunity available for a Teaching Assistant. For full details and application forms please follow the link: Kent Teach PLEASE NOTE THAT THE YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL MEETING (2027 cohort) ON MONDAY 8TH JUNE HAS BEEN POSTPONED a new date will be set Thanet Family Hubs Below are details of some upcoming courses taking place at Thanet Family Hubs Autism Awareness - 3-week course Explore, recognise and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of autistic individuals in this empowering course. Newington Family Hub, Thursdays 11th June - 2nd July: 10am - 12pm Northdown Road Family Hub, Fridays 3rd July - 17th July: 10am-12pm First Aid for Babies Join in our practical and supportive workshop to learn vital first aid techniques to confidently care for your baby in an emergency. Cliftonville Family Hub - Monday 8th June: 9.30am-11.30am Priory Family Hub - Tuesday 21st July: 12.30pm - 2.30pm Please note that these sessions are delivered by Kent Adult Education (KAE) and are not run by the Family Hubs, however they are being held within our premises. These courses provide valuable information and support for families and professionals, and we encourage you to share them with anyone who may benefit. Further details, including dates, times, and booking information, can be found in the attached leaflets. SEND Please click here for the latest Kent County Council Newsletter for SEND. Here you will find the latest news on Children's mental health, KCC SEND progress to date and further general advice, guidance and support. Children showing our school values this week Year Group Class Name/Saint Name Child Value Reason for Value Nursery United Kingdom Saint George Lottie Knowledge Using her phonic knowledge to write a sentence Malachai Thoughtfulness Being very caring when one of his friends fell over, showing great kindness and empathy. Reception Poland Saint Jadwiga Phoebe Thoughtfulness Always showing respect when sitting on the carpet. Well done, Phoebe! Asmin Thoughtfulness Being a kind and caring friend when they hurt themselves Year 1 Romania Saint Andrew Ivy Thoughtfulness Showing how kind and considerate you are. A thoughtful friend who uses kind words and makes everyone feel valued. We are very proud of you! Poppy Knowledge Always listening carefully, following instructions and setting fantastic examples to others. You are kind, positive and have a fantastic attitude to learning Year 2 Hungary Elizabeth of Hungary Anora Thoughtfulness Always being willing to help others Kayden Knowledge His accuracy in labelling a blank map of Kenya Year 3 Japan Paulo Miki Akorede Knowledge Working so hard to improve his comprehension skills Ella Thoughtfulness Helping others during her journey to school with the walking bus Year 4 Italy Catherine of Siena Scarlett Knowledge Working consistently hard in all lessons to maximise her learning Riley Thoughtfulness Treating others with respect and using good manners. Year 5 India Saint Mother of Teresa Bailey, Luiza Knowledge Showing off their engineering knowledge yesterday. An asset! Adriana, Joe Showing off their engineering knowledge yesterday. An asset! Year 6 France Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Therese of Lisieux Eve Thoughtfulness Supporting her friends to achieve their targets Phoebe Knowledge Continuing to produce outstanding written work Well done! Class Masses If you would like to join us for a class Mass, then you are very welcome. Children lead the Mass with readings and bidding prayers. Date Year Group attending Mass 11th June Year 2 18th June Year 5 25th June Year 4 2nd July Year 3 9th July Year 2 16th July Year 6 Leavers Mass Mass will be on Thursday mornings at 9.30am in St Ethelbert's church Attendance this academic year... Our attendance policy states that we aim for a 100% attendance Reception 94.2% Year 1 95% Year 2 95% Year 3 95% Year 4 92.1% Year 5 92.8% Year 6 93.9% Whole School this week 94% Whole School academic year to date 95.2% National Average academic year to date 94.9% PLEASE NOTE – IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT A MEMBER OF THE WRAPAROUND CARE STAFF AFTER 4PM THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 07400 170519 DIARY DATES 2025/26 June 2026 8th Year 6 Residential meeting (2027 cohort) - POSTPONED w/c 8th Yr1 and Yr2 PHONICS SCREENING 16th PTFA Father's Day gift Wrap 16th New YN and YR parent's information evening w/c 22nd Sports Week 22nd - Nursery Sports Afternoon 2.15pm 23rd - Reception and Year 1 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th - Year 2 and Year 3 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 25th - Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 Sports Afternoon - 1.15pm 24th Feast of St John 25th New YN and YR play and stay 4-5pm 26th/29th/30th Bikeability July 2026 2nd TRANSITION DAY 3rd SUMMER FAIR 3-5pm 9th Year 6 dress rehearsal to school - 1:00pm 9th Year 6 Production to parents - 7:00pm 15th End of Year Reports to parents 15th Year 6 Disco -6.00pm - 7.30pm 16th Year 6 Leavers Mass, Graduation and Afternoon Tea - 1.00pm 17th Benediction 1.15pm 17th Nursery Graduation 2.30pm 17th End of Term 6 for children 20th INSET day (4 of 5) 21st INSET day (5 of 5) 21st END OF TERM 6 PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS OR WRAPAROUND CARE ON FRIDAY 17TH JULY
Explore our NURSERY
‘Every child at St Ethelbert’s is to fulfil their academic, social, behavioural and emotional potential in the surroundings of a Catholic community, and in which each individual shares or respects the Catholic Church and Christian way of Life.’