St William of York Parent Newsletter - Friday 28th November 2025

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This week's letter from Mrs Mayers...

Dear Parents and Carers

Christmas has begun at SWOY!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Advent Breakfast this morning. It was wonderful to see such a fantastic turnout. We are delighted to share that all proceeds will be donated to St Christopher’s Hospice so thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Earlier this week, we welcomed our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) consultant, who has been working with us to plan some exciting developments for our playground. We look forward to sharing updates with you as these plans unfold.

Next week, we will begin collecting for the Foodbank again so please bring any donations in with you next week. 

Looking ahead, Year 4 will be leading our Christingle Service next week. We warmly invite you to join us in the school hall on Friday 5th December at 2.30pm.

And don’t forget...our Christmas Fair will take place at 12.30pm on Sunday 7th December! We hope to see many of you there as we continue our festive celebrations.

Warm regards

Hayley Mayers (Headteacher) 


25 Nov 2025
Yr3 Trip to the Natural History Museum
Year 3 Explore the Wonders of the Natural History Museum
Read more
18 Nov 2025
Bow Arts Celebration Event
Bow Arts Workshops Bring Creativity and Collaboration to Year 4 and Year 5
Read more

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Thank you local businesses...

A big thank you to our incredible local businesses who have very kindly donated wonderful prizes for our Christmas Fair on Sunday 7th December.  

Only 9 days to go - make sure you buy your raffle tickets for a chance to win some fabulous prizes!

Hunters Forest Hill - @huntersse23

Bolans Architect - @bolansarchitects

Pizzarte - @pizzartelondon

Take Flight Academy - @takeflightacademy

Lewisham Lanes - @lewishamlanes

Canvas and Cream - @canvasandcreamse23

Lovele Nails - @lovelenailsandbeauty

Cafe 41 - @cafe.41_ 

Neals Yard - @so.organically.me

Olives and More Forest Hill - @olivesandmoreforesthill

Better Things London - @betterthingslondon

Hobbledown Heath - @hobbledownheath

Anorak - @anorakonline

Moon Lane Ink - @moonlaneeducation

Babur - @baburrestaurant

Harmony Head to Toe - @harmonyheadtotoe

See below for the wonderful list of prizes you could win - please return your ticket stubs and money to the school office before the fair.

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


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🎄 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:

  • Wednesday 3rd December - Rock Steady Concert 2pm (Parents/families welcome)
  • Friday 5th December – Christingle Service led by Yr4 at 2.30pm (Parents/families Welcome)
  • Friday 5th December - OWN CLOTHES DAY 
  • Sunday 7th December - Yr3 & Yr4 Family Mass 9.30am (Parents/families Welcome)
  • Sunday 7th December – Christmas Fair 12.30 - 2.30pm (All welcome)
  • Friday 12th December – EYFS & KS1 Nativity 10am and 2pm (Parents/families welcome)
  • Tuesday 16th December – KS2 Christmas Carol Service 5pm (Parents/families welcome)
  • Thursday 18th December – Christmas Lunch in school (Children)
  • Friday 19th December – Christmas Jumper Day (Children)

 


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

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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


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Dates for your diary

Rock Steady Concert
2:00pm
03
December
Christingle Service led by Yr4
All Day
05
December
Christmas Fair
All Day
07
December
Yr2 to Theatre
All Day
09
December
Breck Foundation to visit Yr5 & Yr6
All Day
10
December
Yr1 to Theatre
All Day
11
December
Yr5 to Theatre
All Day
11
December
EYFS and KS1 Nativity 10am and 2pm
All Day
12
December

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swoyschoolse23 View Post
Year 3 had an amazing time at the Natural History Museum, taking part in the Dino Dig and discovering ancient fossils. They brushed, sifted and dug! We were very proud of their curiosity, teamwork and brilliant questions throught the day. #stwilliamofyork #catholicprimaryschool #lewisham #selondon #SWOY #naturalhistorymuseum #dinodig #fossils
23 hours ago
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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

 


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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