St William of York Parent Newsletter - Friday 24th October 2025

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www.swoy.lewisham.sch.uk

This week's letter from Mrs Mayers...

Dear Parents and Carers

Though we are in our final week of the half term, our learning and enjoyment have not slowed down! We began our day with a very thoughtful and joyful Harvest Celebration of the World for all pupils in the hall. It was lead by our Year 5 class who read confidently and delivered a very important message; the world is our gift from God and it's more important than ever that we take care of it, and each other. We are also incredibly proud of our Nursery and Reception classes for standing up and performing their song (with Makaton actions) to the rest of the school. They are already showing great promise for their Nativity performance in December! Thank you so much to Mr Mayers, Mr Kane, Mrs Meara, Mr Morris, Ms Murphy, Ms Dempsey, Ms Lawler, Ms McDonagh and Mrs Shanahan who have worked so hard to support the children and develop their confidence.

Thank you to all those who have been able to donate an item (or more) to our Food Bank collection. It really does make such a huge difference to families in our community who rely on your generosity. If you find yourself in need of any additional support, as always, please do speak to me or Ms Thorn in confidence.

We have lots of exciting things planned for next half term including Bikeability for Years 5 & 6, National Outdoor Classroom Day, Forest School for our Reception class, Cyber Safety Workshops and more work towards our TfL Gold Award.

Dr Bike will be at the school on Tuesday 4th November so please do bring your child’s bike for a free service and road-worthy check!

I hope you have a restful half term and we look forward to seeing you all on November 3rd!

Hayley Mayers (Headteacher) 


Congratulations to...

photo of children with certificates

All our children who were awarded their Walk to School certificates this week. We are working towards our Gold Transport for London accreditation and this is just further evidence of how committed our pupils are to making a positive difference to their health, their community and the planet.


Congratulations to...

image of 2 boys with football trophies

Noah (Yr 3) and Cass (Yr 6) who both play for KSI. On the same day, both boys were awarded Man of the Match! We’re so proud to see our pupils showing ACE attitudes to learning and perseverance inside and outside of school. Well done!


Xmas for Schools - Christmas Card Artwork

You should have received an email / text today from Xmas for Schools - as the online ordering portal is now open.

Online ordering deadline: 29/10/2025

School Information / Reminders

road closed sign

Brockley Park will be part-closed from Monday 27th - Friday 31st October

Thames Water will be doing Sewer Renovation Work, therefore the road will be closed from St William of York up to Buckingham Lane. 

They have assured us that the road will be open for when the children return on Monday 3rd November. 


Secondary School Application Deadline - 31st October

If your child is in Year 6 - please remember that the applications are being accepted and that the deadline is 31st October (during half-term).  Please do not miss this important date (31 October 2025)


This week's Friday Club was...Ariah (Y2), Conor (Y3), Sey (Y4), Shivanna (Y6), Dawid Y5 and William (Y1).

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


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)

Opal play logo

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.


Arbor logoArbor - Parent App / Parent Portal

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

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
Yr5 & Yr6 Cyber Safety Workshop
All Day
17
November
RIOT ACT Road Safety Workshop (Yr4, 5 & 6)
All Day
20
November
Advent Breakfast
8:00am
28
November

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We're so proud to share that our children's incredible work for Black History Month is now on display at Lewisham Shopping Centre. If you're in the area, stop by to see their art! #SWOY #Stwilliamofyork #Lewisham #selondon #primaryschool #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth
19 hours ago
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Local News / Events

sport image

School Holiday activities at Better Leisure Centres

The Better run Leisure Centre’s are running a range of activities this October Half Term. Activities include:

  • Kids swim for £1
  • Soft play sessions
  • Swimming lesson Crash Courses
  • Additional Junior Gym sessions
  • SEND holiday camp at Alex Yee Ladywell Arena, run in partnership with Access Sport
  • Kids Football Camp at Bellingham Leisure & Lifestyle Centre

To find out more about what’s on offer please contact your nearest leisure centre for more information. https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/lewisham


clocks go back icon

Remember that the clocks go back on Sunday (26th) October. 


The Mayor of London Christmas Card Competition 

The Mayor of London is inviting London school children aged 4 to 14 to create a design for this year’s Christmas card based on the theme ’The Story of Christmas: Together in Hope and Love’. Click here to find out more.


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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


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