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.
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2nd October 2026
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2nd October 2026
Latest Newsletter from Mr Marshall A Harvest Prayer Loving God, Thank you for the wonderful world you have made. Thank you for the sunshine, the rain, and the rich soil that helps our food to grow. We are grateful for the farmers, gardeners, and everyone who works hard to bring us our meals. At this harvest time, help us to remember those who don't have enough to eat. Show us how to share what we have, and to always be thankful for your many blessings. May we care for the earth, just as you care for us. Amen. Dear St Ethelbert's Community, It has been such a lovely and calm atmosphere around school recently, and yesterday afternoon was a wonderful example of this. It was fantastic to see so many different lessons taking place across the school, both inside and outside, with children engaged, enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoying their learning. In just one afternoon, I saw Forest School, Science, PE, Music, History, Art and Computing all taking place! Your children may have told you that they are now taught by different teachers for at least one afternoon each week. We introduced this approach last year and have expanded it further this year due to its success. In some classes, children are taught by the teacher who has a particular specialism, passion or leadership role in that subject. This gives our children the opportunity to experience different teaching styles and personalities, helping to prepare them for the transition to secondary school, where they will naturally work with a range of teachers. It also means that our teachers get to know children across the whole school, creating a real sense of one big school family. At the same time, we have seen the quality and standards of subject teaching continue to grow as teachers are able to share their expertise and enthusiasm. It is an approach that works incredibly well for us, and it is something that makes our primary school particularly special and unique in comparison to other schools. St Ethelbert's are attempting to be a part of a WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT next week! On Thursday 8 October, the National Literacy Trust and British Council are aiming to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most people reading online in 12 hours. As part of the National Year of Reading, the call is simple: whatever you're into, take 10 to read into it. Whether it's a book, comic, magazine, or a match report, reading for just 10 minutes supports wellbeing and can open new worlds. This year, in partnership with the British Council, Take 10 is becoming a global initiative. By drawing from the British Council's global network of education and cultural partners in 85 countries and territories, this record attempt will connect children, teachers, families and communities. The record event will include four exciting sessions with world-renowned authors and influencers, each designed to engage and inspire different age groups: 5-8 years, 8-12 years, 12-16 years and adults (aged 16+). Each session will also include a slot where participants will take 10 minutes to stop and read, creating a global shared reading moment. Each session will be repeated during the day at different times to make the event as accessible as possible to a global audience. St Ethelbert's will be signing up to the vent during the school day. We will let you know if we have helped to achieve a new World Record! New Head Boy/Deputy Head Boy and Head Girl/Deputy Head Girl – 2026-2027 Over the last two Monday's, during Collective Worship, a number of Year 6 children did a sterling job by standing up in front of the whole school and reading the speeches they had written, persuading the school why they wanted to become Head Boy or Head Girl. All the children spoke very clearly and passionately. The new Head boy and Head girl will help with the leadership of the school and be representing the school at events and when we have visitors. The whole school heard all the speeches and went straight back to class to vote. All the children in the school had one vote for Head Boy and one vote for Head girl. The speeches were confident, articulate and meaningful. This enabled all children to get used to a democratic election and prepare for job opportunities later in life. I am very glad to announce the election winners were: Head Boy: Jevon Head Girl: Holly Deputy Head Boy: Holden Deputy Head Girl: Lucy Prefects are: Luiza; Adriana; Chika; Joe; Bailey; Amily; Maisie; Erin Next week, I will be giving out more badges and responsibilities across the school for my 'school leadership council', 'librarians' and 'sports captains'. Coming Soon: Playground Activity Zones! We are very excited to announce that, led by our fantastic Sports Coach, Mr Miles, we will soon be introducing zoned activity areas across both the Infant and Junior playgrounds at playtimes. These zones will give children exciting opportunities to explore different activities, develop new skills, stay active and engaged, and make the most of their playtimes. There will be a wide range of zones, including basketball, bikes, hoops, skipping ropes, reading, quiet spaces, sand play, water play, sports and games, and much more! A huge thank you to our wonderful PTFA, who have generously agreed to kick-start this project with a fantastic £2,000 donation, helping to ensure that all children can enjoy the new zones every day. I have now signed off the orders, so we are hoping the first equipment will start arriving next week! This is just the beginning, and as the project develops, we will be able to add to and expand the zones, giving our children even more opportunities to play, explore, be active and have fun. School Car Park Update We are delighted to say that the new tarmac has gone down in our school car park this week, and it is already looking so much bigger, smarter and better! I must admit, I am itching to get the cars off the roads and into our new car park! However, the tarmac needs a little time to settle properly before we can start using it. There is still a little settling to do, along with some finishing work, and the lines are due to be painted during the half term break. We are just waiting for confirmation of the date when we will be able to drive on it, but I am really hoping this will be within the next couple of weeks. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding while we get this final stage completed. We are nearly there! Exciting News – Music is Taking Centre Stage at St Ethelbert's! We are delighted to share some fantastic news about the development of our music provision here at St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School and Nursery. As part of our commitment to providing a broad, balanced, and creative curriculum, we are continuing an exciting initiative to bring high-quality music education to every child in Key Stage 2. Every Key Stage 2 pupil (Years 3 to 6) will begin weekly instrumental lessons, delivered by a professional music tutor, completely free of charge. Each year group will focus on a specific instrument for the entire academic year: Year 3 – Glockenspiels Year 4 – Ukuleles Year 5 – Trumpets Year 6 – Recorders These sessions will take place for one hour each week during school time, offering all children the opportunity to develop their musical skills, confidence, and creativity. Music at the Heart of Our School We're incredibly fortunate to have Mr Evans, our talented music lead, who holds a degree in music. Mr Evans plays drums, guitar, and piano and regularly performs in our whole school assemblies for all children, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. More Opportunities to Explore Music In addition to whole-class instrument lessons, we will continue offering: Small group guitar lessons every Tuesday with a professional tutor for Year 3-6 An exciting lunchtime Band Club on a Tuesday – open to budding performers ready to take their music to the next level Further development of our wonderful school choir - including new choir folders We truly believe that music has the power to inspire, unite, and uplift and we can't wait to see our pupils grow in confidence and enjoyment through this musical journey. Photos of our new music lessons will be shared soon – watch this space! Harvest Festival – Monday 5th October We are pleased to announce that our Harvest Festival celebration will take place on Monday 6th October. As part of this, we are asking for donations of non-perishable food items, such as tins, pasta, rice, and cereals, to help support our local community. All donations will be sent to the Ramsgate Food Bank, and your generosity will make a real difference to families in need. Food can be brought in any day next week. We will make a lovely display in the hall. Wishing you all a relaxing weekend. God Bless Mr Marshall Headteacher Young Voices 02 London arena trip Announcement We are delighted to share that, after taking our choir to the O2 Arena to take part in the Young Voices concert over the last few years, we have decided that we want as many children as possible to experience this wonderful event. Following a review, we are therefore excited to announce that all children in Years 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to take part in the Young Voices trip this year! Please read the letter that was sent home this week carefully and make sure you complete the sign-up process. Payments will be made via SchoolMoney. Parents are very welcome to attend the evening concert and can purchase their own tickets directly for the event. The children will be brought back to school at approximately 11:00pm, and we ask parents to collect them from the playground as usual. The children are allowed to arrive at school a little later the next morning. Having attended the event myself last year, I can honestly say that it is such a wonderful and memorable experience, and I am incredibly proud that we are now able to offer this opportunity to all of our children in Years 4, 5 and 6. We cannot wait to see them take part! Holiday Requests and Attendance We would like to remind all families that, in line with government guidelines, any requests for a holiday during term time will not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances. Regular attendance is essential for children's learning and development, and absences can significantly impact progress. New Fines: Please be aware that last year the local authority updated its policy, and fines will now be issued for unauthorised holidays. Additionally, persistent lateness may also result in a fine. We strongly encourage all families to ensure children arrive on time and attend school every day unless genuinely unwell. Our overall school attendance is high at the moment and we were above national figures last academic year. We want this to continue as the year progresses. Ask About Games According to UKIE, 4 in 10 parents say that they don't talk to their children about making good decisions online. To make these conversations easier, 'Ask About Games' have published their Power Up Pact, designed to guide conversations about online video games and help families to agree on boundaries around screen time, spending, online interactions and age-appropriate content. To visit the website and download the app please follow the link: www.askaboutgames.com Just as parents would talk with their children about road safety or speaking with strangers, online safety is another life skill children need as they grow up. Small, regular conversations can help children understand what personal information is, how it is used, and how to make safer choices online. Year 6 parents - Secondary School Places It's time to start thinking about secondary schools! For children starting Year 7 in September 2027, applications opened on Monday 1 September and close on Monday 2 November 2026. You can apply for up to 4 schools: Put the schools in your order of preference. It is in your best interest to list 4 schools. Naming only one school does not guarantee your child a place at that school or give priority for a place over another child. You are not able to name the same school more than once. Details can also be found here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/secondary-school-places Non-Uniform Day for CAFOD A huge thank you to all our wonderful school families for supporting our non-uniform day last Friday! Thanks to your incredible kindness and generosity, our children raised a fantastic £165.68 for CAFOD. Following this brilliant effort, we are delighted to share that a representative from CAFOD will be visiting our school on Monday 5th October to speak to the children and explain exactly how this money will help global communities overcome poverty. Help Needed! We are looking for someone to help a local family with school drop-offs and pick-ups for their three children. The family lives in the Nethercourt area. If you live nearby and can help on any day of the week, please get in touch with the School Office. Thank you! HAF Vouchers Vouchers for the October half term break will be sent to all eligible families on 1st October 2026. If you have any problems or queries, please contact Mrs. Knol-Haines, Bursar, email bursar@stethelbertsschool.co.uk Nursery - Virtual Tour Experience our nursery space first-hand with our immersive virtual tour Sharing the Learning Monday 19th October at 2.30pm will be our first 'Sharing the Learning' of this academic year. All parents from Nursery to Year 6 will be invited into class to share the learning of this term. Children will be dismissed at normal time. Parents can go between classes if they have more than one child. Please come to normal gates for entry. Gates will only be open for five minutes so please arrive on time. Thank you. Parents Evening Parents' evening is due to take place Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October from 3.20pm – 6.00pm. You will receive a link to sign up. Appointments last 10 minutes. This will be a chance to speak to the teacher about how your child has settled into the new year, progress made, targets and view books. Data Collection In order to keep all information accurate and up to date we will be asking parents to complete a data collection form on parents evening. Blank forms will be available outside the classrooms and we would ask all parents to complete a form and hand it to the class teacher at the start of your appointment. This information will be kept strictly confidential and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Multiplication Tables Check On Monday 19th October there will be a Year 4 parent information meeting about the multiplication tables check. The meeting will be at 3.20pm after Sharing the Learning. Multiplication tables check: information for parents PTFA Meeting There will be a PTFA meeting on Tuesday, 6th October at 3.30pm. All welcome. 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. Kent Adult Education Please see attached information about the September Family Learning online courses, along with community workshops which are happening in Thanet, Canterbury and Dover. All courses are free to eligible learners and cover a range of topics designed to support family life, wellbeing and learning. For full information and to book your free place please visit : www.kentadulteducation.co.uk Scholastic Travelling Book Fair We are delighted and excited to announce that after its success last year, the Scholastic Book Fair will be returning to St Ethelbert's! The Book Fair will be on the KS2 Front playground before and after school on 1st and 2nd October and on Year 1 and 2 playground before and after school on 5th and 6th October. However, you are welcome to visit either playground on the day and time that suits you best. There will be over 200 books to choose from to suit all ages, interests and budgets. For every book that you purchase, you will help us to earn free books for our school. Like last year, we are unable to accept cash payments. If you wish to purchase a book, there will be a QR code to scan with your phone which will take you to the Scholastic website where you can make payment. We can't wait to see you all! Mrs Webb and Mrs Russell Important Reminder About Parking We ask all parents and visitors to be mindful of parking around the school, particularly on Lilian and Dane Park Road. Please remember that the parking spaces outside the Hereson Centre are designated for their visitors only, and the parking under the arches is private parking reserved for local residents. It is important not to park on double yellow lines and to be considerate to our neighbours and pedestrians at all times. Your cooperation helps us maintain good relationships within our community and ensures safety for everyone. Children showing our school values this week Year Group Class Name/Saint Name Child Value Reason for Value Nursery United Kingdom Saint George Isabelle Inclusion Becoming more confident in the Nursery and joining in with her friends Victor Inclusion Showing great teamwork skills in the construction area Reception Poland Saint Jadwiga Remy Inclusion Coming into school this week with a smile on his face and being super brave Isla Knowledge Showing fantastic phonic knowledge as well as letter formation this week Year 1 Romania Saint Andrew Phoebe Knowledge Her improved participation in phonics and reading sessions Edison Inclusion Supporting his friends and being an excellent example to others Year 2 Hungary Elizabeth of Hungary Luna-Mae Knowledge Using her listening skills in our maths lesson Violet Thoughtfulness Willingness to help others Year 3 Japan Paulo Miki Scarlett Thoughtfulness Working well with others in the classroom Stanley Knowledge Showing his excellent understanding of diet and nutrition in science Year 4 Italy Catherine of Siena Mia Inclusion Always showing kindness and consideration towards others Logan Thoughtfulness Always sharing his ideas with his classmates Year 5 India Saint Mother of Teresa Fleur Knowledge Challenging herself with her mathematical task Blu-Belle Knowledge Working really hard on her spellings Year 6 France Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Therese of Lisieux Jevon Knowledge Scoring 40/40 on his first SATS arithmetic! Billy Thoughtfulness Sharing with other children and showing kindness 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 8 October Year 2 15 October Year 6 22 October Year 5 Half Term 5 November Year 4 12 November Year 3 19 November Year 2 26 November Year 6 3 December Year 5 10 December Year 4 15 December KS2 Carol Service Christmas Holiday 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 98.33% Year 1 94.83% Year 2 91.67% Year 3 98.06% Year 4 95.39% Year 5 100% Year 6 94.07% Whole School this week 96% Whole School academic year to date 96.1% National Average academic year to date 96.2% Well Done to Year 5 for 100% attendance this week You will get a non-uniform day on Monday 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 2026-27 October 2026 5th World Teacher's Day 5th CAFOD Assembly 5th Harvest Festival 7th Book Fair collected 18th Feast of Saint Luke 19th Sharing the Learning - parents invited in from 2.30pm - thrive focus 19th Multiplication Table Check parent's info meeting 3.20pm 20th/21st Parents evening - 3:20 - 6:00pm 22nd END OF TERM 1 23rd INSET DAY (3 of 5) November 2026 2ND TERM 2 STARTS FOR CHILDREN Poppy sale 2nd Flu Vaccinations 9th Reception parent information evening for EY Profile 3.30-4pm 11th Remembrance – 2 minutes silence 16th - 20th Anti-bullying week 17th Times Table Rockstars Day - dress up 18th SEN Parents Evening 20th Children in Need – Non-uniform 23rd UK Parliament Week 30th St Andrew's Day December 2026 1st Christmas Tree and hoops up 2nd PTFA Gift Wrap 2nd PTFA Disco and infant Party (3.10-4.35pm) 9th Panto –Marlowe Canterbury Years 3-6 - Peter Pan 11th PTFA Christmas Fair (outside) 14th Nursery Christmas Concert 11:00am 14th Nativity Play (Reception) 2.15pm 15th Carol Concert (Juniors) 2.15pm & 6.30pm 15th Stay and Play - Spring Starters - Nursery 3.30-4.30pm 16th Christmas Dinner Day & Christmas Jumpers 16th Nativity Play (Y1 & Y2) 9.15am & 2:15pm 17th Granville Theatre Panto for YN- Y2 - Jack & the Beanstalk 18th Benediction - 1.15pm 18th END OF TERM 2
2nd October 2026
Well Done to Year 5 this week! 100% attendance You get a non uniform day on Monday
1st October 2026
Messages and notices from the PTFA
30th September 2026
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.’