--- title: "Newsletter test for training" url: "https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/newsletter-test-for-training" school: "St. Mary's Catholic Primary School & Nursery" --- # Newsletter test for training ![](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/f4c387c5a8b0f4fd354df544c8415350.jpg) With Christ, we live, love, learn and grow. # St Mary’s school newsletter Friday 16 October 2026 · [@stmaryschorley on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/stmaryschorley/) ## A note from Mr Smyth Dear parents and carers, What a busy first half term it’s been. The children have packed a great deal into six and a half weeks, and we’re proud of how hard they’ve worked and how positively they’ve settled into their new classes. Thank you to our families and staff for all your support. We hope the children have a restful break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on **Monday 2 November**. **Patrick Smyth, Headteacher** ## Dates and reminders ### All Saints and All Souls Mass **Monday 2 November, from 8.45am.** Please drop children in Years 3 to 6 at the door of St Mary’s Church, where their class teachers will register them. Children will walk back to school after Mass, so please send suitable clothing in case it rains. ### Parents’ evenings Thank you to the families who met with teachers this week and to the staff who gave their time. Mr Hodge’s appointments are planned for after the half term break. ### Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal We’ll be supporting the Poppy Appeal after the break. The school office has sent details to families. ## Around St Mary’s ### Books and cuddly toys Local volunteer Pauline Barnes thanks everyone who filled the school porch with donations. The toys and books will go to children’s wards and A&E departments in Chorley and Preston, with some also going to children in Ukraine. ![Donated cuddly toys and books filling the school porch](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/47a2e0f2a4c80597ea0c2509ffc2076b.jpg)![Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/db88ac32aa423fb65cd3fe17a4208926.png) ### Visiting St Mary’s ![](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/9a00744cc45caec1acab4583d730cb5a.jpg) It was lovely to show families around during our October open mornings. If you know someone looking for a Reception place in September 2027, they can contact the school office to arrange a visit and see the school in action. [Visit our admissions page](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/our-school/admissions) ### £350 raised for CAFOD Thank you for supporting Brighten Up the Harvest. The £350 you raised has been sent to CAFOD. ### Football team reaches finals night St Mary’s represented the school superbly at Westway. Goalkeeper Finn made a series of excellent saves in a narrow 1–0 defeat to St Chad’s. The team went on to lose another close game 1–0 to Christ Church Charnock Richard. Well done to the players for their teamwork and determination. Thanks to Mr Hodge, the families who cheered from the sidelines, Chorley School Sports Partnership and the high school sports leaders who helped run the event, including former St Mary’s pupils. ## Attendance The school met its weekly attendance target of **97.0%**. Year 3 led the table with **98.59%**. Reception received one of Mrs Hargreaves’ new attendance certificates to display in class. Week 7 · 12 to 16 October 2026 · Target 97% | Rank | Class | This week | Last week | Change (percentage points) | Target | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Year 3 | 98.59% | 99.34% | −0.75 | Met | | 2 | Year 6 | 97.87% | 98.03% | −0.16 | Met | | 3 | Year 4 | 97.23% | 97.37% | −0.14 | Met | | 4 | Year 1 | 97.20% | 98.15% | −0.95 | Met | | 5 | Year 2 | 97.17% | 97.62% | −0.45 | Met | | 6 | Year 5 | 96.67% | 97.07% | −0.40 | Below target | | 7 | Reception | 94.41% | 93.37% | +1.04 | Below target | | School average | 97.0% | 97.3% | −0.3 | Met | The school’s newsletter highlights that Year 6 pupils with 95% to 100% attendance were 30% more likely to reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths than similar pupils with 90% to 95% attendance. [Check eligibility and apply for free school meals](https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/free-school-meals/?page=2) ## Stars of the week Our value this week was **love**. Well done to everyone recognised for their learning, kindness and care for others. Week ending 16 October 2026 | Class | Star of the week | Value award | Dojo | |---|---|---|---| | Nursery | **Freyja** for trying hard and following nursery rules. | **Oliver** for looking after a friend who was hurt. | Matilda | | Reception | **Libby** for excellent pattern work in maths. | **Aria T** for being kind and caring to her friends. | Joseph | | Year 1 | **Corey** for an excellent attitude to learning. | **Logan** for showing gentleness and patience in group work. | Rosie | | Year 2 | **Gloria** for her animal adventure story. | **Robert** for showing compassion when a friend needed help. | Rayne and Maggie | | Year 3 | **Joshua** for his accurate work in maths. | **Joey** for being kind and considerate to the children at his table. | | | Year 4 | **Jacob** for great reading with Mrs Ash. | **Zara** for being a kind and thoughtful member of the class. | | | Year 5 | **Lucas** for thoughtful contributions on virtues and the common good. | **Holly** for showing gentleness and putting others first in group work. | | | Year 6 | **Nathaniel** for his science work on adaptation. | **Ella** for consistently showing compassion. | | ## Community notices ### Youth Mass at St Gregory’s **Sunday 22 November at 6.30pm.** A World Youth Sunday celebration for young people from across Chorley at St Gregory’s Church, Weldbank Lane. Everyone is welcome. ![World Youth Sunday flyer, Year of St Francis](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/f8c5d7873e870dac29ea48d9d53b7600.jpg) ### Tippy Toes Baby Bank winter appeal The baby bank is collecting clean winter clothing and other warm items in good condition for children aged 0 to 5. The flyer lists the drop off points and gives **Friday 23 October** as the last day for donations. ![Tippy Toes Winter Warmer flyer. Drop off at 3 Eagleton Way PR1 9SL, 294 Tag Lane PR2 3UY or 3 Hillpark Avenue PR5 0AS. Text 07852 304225 for details.](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/e5bf0c8e85980534acda02babee8cbb9.jpg) ### October holiday activities Chorley School Sports Partnership advertised a sports camp for ages 5 to 11 from 26 to 29 October, 10am to 2pm, and a Learn to Ride session for ages 4 to 12 on 26 October, 2.30pm to 4pm. ![October sports camp and Learn to Ride flyers with venues, prices and booking information](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/images/1a5037a3824797b8e8065d2b99312cee.jpg) Sports camp venues were Lancaster Lane Primary School and Chorley St Peter’s CE Primary School. The camp was £22 a day or £80 for all four days, with free HAF places for eligible families. Learn to Ride was £27 at Chorley St Peter’s. ### Interested in training to teach? St Mary’s has welcomed trainee teachers through the Yarrow Schools Teaching School Alliance for more than a decade. The one year programme is for graduates and includes two extended placements in Chorley area primary schools, alongside training and support leading to qualified teacher status. Contact [Rob Horne](mailto:r.horne@st-georges.lancs.sch.uk) or call the school office to speak to Mr Smyth. [Read the original newsletter (PDF)](https://files.schudio.com/st-mary-s-catholic/files/documents/16.10.26.pdf) ##### Location Hornchurch Drive Chorley Lancashire PR7 2RJ ##### Contact Us Mrs Wilson - 01257 262811 ##### Stay Connected - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/Chorley-St-Marys-Catholic-Primary-School-and-Nursery/61582073293231/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/stmaryschorley/) © Copyright 2017–2026 St. Mary's Catholic Primary School & Nursery School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://chorleystmarys.lancs.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)