St William of York Parent Newsletter - Friday 17th October 2025

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www.swoy.lewisham.sch.uk

This week's letter from Mrs Mayers...

Hello

It has been a very lively week at school this week with lots of extra activities and exciting opportunities happening.

Year 3 just returned from a very successful trip to the Horniman Museum to learn more about bones, Year 1 went across to visit our church and explore what Baptism means and Year 2 travelled to St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday as part of their learning about The Great Fire of London. I’m sure there were some tired legs after they climbed 500 steps to the Whispering Gallery! It’s very special watching the children making those links between classroom learning and the wider world. Today, Years 1, 2 and 4 baked bread with Paris from Caterlink. Other classes will have the opportunity to do food workshops later in the year.

It was fantastic to see so many of you at our Parents’ Evening this week; it’s important to keep building those relationships between home and school. If you haven’t yet booked your child’s space, please do contact your class teacher or use the links below to book in for next Wednesday 22nd October.

Next week is our final week at school before the half term break.

  • Our School Council Reps will be selling items to support this year’s Poppy Appeal in the playground after school everyday next week. We would encourage cash but are able to accept card donations.
  • We will also be collecting Food Bank donations in the playground each morning.
  • On Friday, our fantastic SWOYSA will be selling Krispy Kreme donuts in the playground so please do support our school by purchasing a sweet treat!

I hope you all have a restful weekend.

Hayley Mayers (Headteacher)


This week's Friday Club was... Blu, Una, Chloe E, De'Andre, Anaiah and Kadie.

Well done to all of you! You have been recognised for being ACE and for consistently going 'over and above'.

School Information / Reminders

Parents' Evenings 

image of parents evening sign

Autumn Term Parents' Evenings started this week, next week (Wednesday 22nd October) will be the second evening.

Meetings will take place in your child's classroom with the class teacher between 4.00 - 6.30pm. 

If you have not already, please book your Parents' Evening Appointment using the booking links below: 

Nursery Parents' Evening Booking Link 

Reception Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr1 Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr2 Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr3 Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr4 Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr5 Parents' Evening Booking Link

Yr6 Parents' Evening Booking Link



Credit Union Young Savers 

Wednesday 5th November 8.45am 

In the school hall 

Would you like to start a young savers account for your child?

Credit Union Young Saver accounts are savings accounts for individuals under 16, designed to promote early financial literacy and regular saving habits by allowing parents or guardians to open and manage accounts for the child.

Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

We're excited to introduce OPAL, our new program that will bring fresh opportunities for creativity, play and exploration to our children.

We are looking forward to working with the children and our play leaders to redevelop our school playgrounds and approaches to play!

In the weeks ahead, we will share more about how this will look in our community and how families can support this important work.

To find out more about OPAL visit our website here.


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Arbor logoArbor

Parent Login: All primary guardians will have received an email with their login information. If you have not received it, please contact the office.

In-App Notifications: If you are not receiving In-App notifications, please follow these instructions to ensure you do not miss important messages & reminders: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002598038-Parents-not-receiving-push-notifications

Payments, we are now using Arbor Payments this includes school trips, clubs - small group music lessons, nursery lunches and nursery additional hours. 

  • School trips: https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008180414-Signing-my-child-up-for-a-Trip-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-the-Parent-App
  • Clubs (includes choir & small group music lessons): https://support.arbor-education.com/hc/en-us/articles/360008179494-Signing-my-child-up-for-a-Club-on-the-Parent-Portal-or-Parent-App

Jpg of cartoon childrenRainbow Breakfast and After School       Club at SWOY

  • Drop off from 7.30am for Breakfast Club
  • Collect at either 4.15pm or 6pm for After-School Club

Book your place in advance! Our school office is unable to book spaces.

Email: Rainbow.ASC@hotmail.co.uk Text or Whatsapp: 0785 477 4096

Dates for your diary

Parents' Evening
4:00pm – 6:30pm
22
October
Last day of half term
All Day
24
October
SWOYSA Krispy Kreme Sale
3:15pm – 3:45pm
24
October
School Closed - Half Term
All Day
from 27 Oct until 31 Oct
27
October
Return to School
All Day
03
November
Book Fair - available in the hall after school
3:15pm – 4:00pm
07
November
Yr5 & Yr6 Bikeability
All Day
from 10 Nov until 14 Nov
10
November
Book Fair - available in the hall after school
3:15pm – 4:00pm
from 10 Nov until 12 Nov
10
November

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We're lucky to live in South East London, with so many incredible places to explore nearby! Year 6 had a fantastic visit to the Horniman Museum, diving into the Ancient Kingdom of Benin. They discovered how some of thr famous bronze artworks were made and even got to handle some amazing replicas. As always, thank you to our parent volunteers, as these trips would not be possible without you! #stwilliamofyork #lewisham #selondon #year6trip #beninkingdon #learningbeyondclassrooms
6 days ago
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Beavers Logo

The Beaver Colony is the first and youngest section of the Scout Group. Beaver Scouts are young people aged between 6 and 8 years old.  For fun, friendship and activities that get you thinking as well as doing.

Our parish Scout Group meet on Thursday evenings (term time only) at Lewisham Scouts DHQ on St Germans Road.

We have a few spaces for new members who are turning 6 to join our Beaver Colony.  Check out our website http://www.12thforesthill.scoutsonline.co.uk/  and get on the waiting list now.

Adults - if you have a skill you could share with us, please get in touch.  We all love learning.  Could you be one of our volunteers with Beavers, Cubs or even our new Scout Troop we'd like to re-open in October?  Could you be a group Trustee?  Training and support provided.

Get in touch if you would like to find out more ahesketh@12thswoyscouts.org