Dear Parents/ Guardians,

As we reach the last few days of term and come towards the end of another year, I would like to thank you for all your care, help, understanding and support during what has been a very positive and productive year at Cardinal Newman.

We are blessed with enthusiastic children, supportive parents, insightful governors and dedicated school staff who form such a special community, which enables great things to happen. I would like to thank the PA for their tireless efforts raising funds this year for the school, totalling an amazing £23,833.64.

We have a great deal to celebrate this year!

Academic

We are not defined as a school by our academic results, however the children have worked so hard this year and it is only right to celebrate their successes.

Phonics: Outstanding phonics results in year 1, where 97% of our children reached the expected standard.

Y6 SATs

Our Year 6 results demonstrate years of building on solid foundations, which culminates in their final year.

The Reading statistic is especially rewarding for us as a school. It is always a target for all staff -that all children leave Cardinal Newman having reached the expected standard. We have focussed on developing our teaching of reading over recent years, which has contributed to this outstanding result. Ofsted recognised the strength of the reading provision at Cardinal Newman in their recent inspection:

‘The school has put in place a curriculum that is rich and ambitious for all pupils. This begins in Reception, where children get off to a strong start to their education. In English and mathematics, the school has meticulously planned pupils’ curriculum ‘pathways’ from early years through to Year 6. Along with high-quality teaching, this enables pupils to excel in these subjects.’

Ofsted March 2024

‘Pupils benefit from a high-quality phonics programme and effective teaching. This begins in Reception, where children get off to a flying start in learning to read. Swift support is put in place to address any emerging gaps in learning. Almost all pupils quickly learn to read, and they enjoy reading. Pupils get to know many high-quality texts. This contributes well to their understanding and acquisition of vocabulary.’

Ofsted March 2024

Broad and Balanced Curriculum

At open mornings, we are very keen to set out that our aim is for all our children to have the opportunity to excel in a range of different activities. Here are a few of the highlights from this year:

• Riverhouse Barn Art Gallery – every child in school publicly displayed their artwork and had the chance to take their family to view it
• Royal Academy Portrait competition (resulting in children having their work displayed at the Royal Academy of Art this summer)
• Year 4 classes performed in public in a combined choir at Dorking Halls
• Year 5 classes performed very confidently at Elmbridge Music Festival
• Year 6 Prayer Council attended Mass at Arundel Cathedral and visited the Birmingham Oratory
• School Council visited Houses of Parliament and Downing Street
• School Productions in all year groups, including Y6 Darwin Rocks, Y2 Florence Nightingale and Y4 Romans
• Year 6 Boys Football Team won the Royal Holloway tournament
• Year 5 Boys Football Team won the League
• Year 5/6 Girls Football Team won the League Cup
• Year 2 Football Team won the St Georges tournament
• Panathlon Team won the local area competition and competed at county level
• KS2 children competed at District Sports, demonstrating excellent team spirit and support for each other and gaining 4^th position
• KS2 children competed in the Sports Hall Athletics competition and gained 3^rd place
• Ten Y6 children competed in the National 11-14 Maths Challenge
• Whole School Science Fair for all year groups with winners participating in a Xavier Trust Science Fair at ACS in Cobham
• “Aim High” workshops for the local area were hosted at Cardinal Newman for children to fulfil their potential in Writing, Maths and Science

‘Pupils benefit from the many and varied extra-curricular activities and clubs on offer. Musical performances and other special events enable pupils to showcase their talents. Every pupil is encouraged to ‘shine’ in their own unique way’. Ofsted March 2024

Prayer and Liturgy

The prayer and liturgy of the school continued to blossom this year. Our children are continuing to lead some aspects of collective worship and they participate beautifully with the singing of hymns. Every child has participated reverently in whole school Mass and their understanding continues to grow. Children in Year 3 upwards have had the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration in our school chapel throughout the academic year. Our Year 6 Prayer Council have started and completed the Faith in Action award, the first time this award has been offered at Cardinal Newman.

It is at this time of the year that we prepare to say goodbye to Year 6 and we wish them all the very best for the future. I urge the children to remember a quote from the Year 6 production in whatever they go on to do, make sure that ‘you remain true to yourself’. To those families who are now leaving Cardinal Newman, please do stay in contact and let us know what the future brings.

We are incredibly appreciative of all the support we receive from all of our community, whether that be volunteering for trips, making financial contributions, sending appreciative emails of thanks, helping out with PA events, hearing readers or donating trees…. Thank you for all you have done to support our school this year. We wish you a very happy summer holiday.

Best Wishes

Gerry Flower

Thank you from the PA!