St William of York Parent Newsletter - Friday 21st November 2025

Follow us on Instagram

@swoyschoolse23 and @swoyeyfs

Check out our website: 

www.swoy.lewisham.sch.uk

This week's letter from Mrs Mayers...

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been an incredibly busy and exciting week in school! We’ve welcomed a number of visitors who provided enriching learning experiences for our pupils. Year 5 and Year 6 took part in Cyber Safe workshops, helping them learn how to stay safe and responsible online. Year 4 and Year 5 enjoyed taking part in the Bow Arts Celebration Events, showcasing their creativity and hard work. KS2 were also treated to an engaging performance by Riot Act, who delivered a drama workshop focused on road safety.

This week we also marked World Children’s Day, with pupils across the school reflecting on children’s rights as part of our ongoing journey towards achieving Rights Respecting School status. It has been a wonderful week of learning, creativity and celebration for our whole school community!

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big 'thank you' to Alfonso, who has been our parent governor for the last 4 years. He has been a fantastic addition to our Governing Body and has been a great support to our school. He has now finished his term as parent governor and therefore we are looking for another parent who would like to take on the role. If you are interested, please speak to myself or Ms Thorn about the role. If we have several interested parties, we will hold an election process.

Warm regards

Hayley Mayers (Headteacher) 


18 Nov 2025
Bow Arts Celebration Event
Bow Arts Workshops Bring Creativity and Collaboration to Year 4 and Year 5
Read more

Congratulations to... 

Klara has been awarded a special certificate for swimming 10m. She has been working hard during her swimming lessons and it has paid off! Well done Klara. Keep up the great work.


Congratulations to... 

Cyd was a mascot at the Millwall versus Preston North End Remembrance game last week. She was a fantastic mascot and had a brilliant time. What a memorable experience for her and her family! Well done Cydne.

School Information / Reminders

Breck Foundation – Parent Donations

Breck Foundation are coming to do some free workshops with our Year 4 and Year 5. They do not charge us for this training, but as a registered charity, we kindly ask parents to donate: https://thebreckfoundation.enthuse.com/cp/528a7/donate#!/

Breck Foundation was founded in 2014 in response to the tragic loss of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old boy who was groomed and murdered by someone he met online. Their work aims to prevent this from ever happening again.


Year 3 & Year 4 Family Mass

Sunday 7th December 2025

Join us at 9.30am at St William of York Catholic Church


🎄 Upcoming Christmas Festivities 🎄

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at school (already)! Please make a note of the following key dates for our festive celebrations:

  • Friday 28th November – Advent Breakfast (8:00am) Card payments only. All proceeds to St Christopher's Hospice
  • Friday 5th December – Christingle Service led by Yr4
  • Sunday 7th December – Christmas Fair
  • Friday 12th December – EYFS & KS1 Nativity
  • Tuesday 16th December – KS2 Christmas Carol Service
  • Thursday 18th December – Christmas Lunch
  • Friday 19th December – Christmas Jumper Day

Gift Sunday 

As in previous years, SWOY parish will be collecting gifts again this year to pass on to local charities for their Christmas appeals. Our gifts this year will go to the Salvation Army appeal and Christmas food items will be donated to the local food bank. We will be collecting gifts at all masses over the weekend of 29-30 November and during the following week until the weekend of 6-7 December. This year, we are asking for donations of:

  • New toys or gift vouchers for children and teenagers
  • Small Christmas food and other items - e.g., Christmas puddings, biscuits, chocolates, crackers

{item_alt_tag}

{item_alt_tag}

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


This week we have been marking Road Safety Week, an important opportunity to remind children and the whole school community about how to stay safe on our roads. Pupils have been learning about careful crossing, awareness of traffic, and making safe choices when travelling to and from school.

We have also been reminding our children to choose to walk whenever possible. Walking not only supports children’s health and wellbeing, but also helps reduce congestion around the school gates, making the environment safer for everyone. 

Dates for your diary

Reception Parent Workshop - Reading
All Day
24
November
Yr3 Natural History Museum
All Day
25
November
Reception Forest School
All Day
28
November
Advent Breakfast
8:00am
28
November
MP Ellie Reeves to Visit & Meet School Council
10:45am
28
November
Rock Steady Concert
2:15pm
03
December
Christingle Service led by Yr4
All Day
05
December
Christmas Fair
All Day
07
December

Thumbnail for Instagram post created 23 hours ago
swoyschoolse23 View Post
One of our favourite traditions here at SWOY is Buudy Time, where we pair our older and younger classes together. From story time to shared projects, our students build friendships they never forget - the kind that make our school feel like a family. Today, on World Children's Day, we celebrate the power of connection, kindness, and looking out for one another. Here's to the buddies who make our community stronger every day! #worldchildrensday #buddysystem #SWOY #Stwilliamofyork #catholicprimaryschool #SElondon #lewisham #education
23 hours ago
Follow

Local News / Events



Lewisham Food Bank Logo

This month we need:

  • CHRISTMAS TREATS (please see below)
  • Tinned meat & fish
  • Tinned fruit & veg
  • Tinned rice pud/custard
  • HALAL tinned meat
  • 1kg bags rice
  • Non-dairy milk
  • Cooking oil
  • Spreads
  • Sweet/savoury treats
  • Nappies (size 5+)
  • Sanitary Towels
  • Shower Gel
  • Deodorant
  • Toilet Roll

Lewisham Food Bank Christmas 2025


Salvation Army Toy Appeal 2025

 


{item_alt_tag}

Anisha's Christmas Chaos - At Moon Lane Books

Saturday 22nd November from 2.30pm, book your space online here.


{item_alt_tag}

{item_alt_tag}

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