St William of York Parent Newsletter - Friday 9th January 2026

@swoyschoolse23 and @swoyeyfs

Check out our website:

www.swoy.lewisham.sch.uk

This week's letter from Mrs Mayers...

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful Christmas break and a very happy start to the New Year. It has been lovely to see the children return to school with such enthusiasm, ready to dive into a brand-new term of learning.

On behalf of the entire staff team, I would like to say a huge thank you for the incredibly kind cards, well-wishes, and generous gifts we received at the end of the autumn term. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated by us all.

I would like to say a very warm welcome to Ms Tomlinson and Ms Roa, who have joined our Nursery team this week and to say 'welcome back' to Mr Taylor; We are delighted to have Mr Taylor back with us teaching Year 4 following his shared parental leave.

We have an action-packed term ahead of us and class teachers will be sending out their termly letters and curriculum maps today so please do look out for and take a moment to read these.

Warm regards

Hayley Mayers (Headteacher)

Next Thursday (15th Jan) is Census Day

Caterlink will be serving a special themed meal, please see below.

If your child normally has packed lunch on Thursdays and would like to have this special themed lunch, please let the school office know by 3pm on Monday 12th January.

Children who normally have school dinner will have the theme lunch automatically - you do not need to contact the office.

Theme lunch Menu

Spring Term Parents' Evenings

Wednesday 4th February 2026

and

Wednesday 11th February 2026

4.00 - 6.30pm

09 Jan 2026

Spring Term Topic Maps

Please find our termly letters and curriculum maps here

Primary school admissions reminder – one week left to apply

If your child is due to start primary school in September 2026, the deadline for applications is on Thursday 15 January at 11.59pm.

Apply for a primary school place on the eAdmissions website.

Find out how to apply, admissions criteria and schools on our website.

School Information / Reminders

This week's Friday Club was... Bonnie, Arlo, Noah, Ruth, Sammy and Anastasia

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

Choir Restarts

Tues 13th January 2026

Small Group Music Lessons

Choir & small group lessons will restart:

Violin on Monday 12th January 2026
Choir on Tuesday 13th Jan 2026.

Safeguarding at SWOY

At our school, the safety and wellbeing of our pupils are our absolute priorities. We believe that a safe environment is the foundation upon which all learning is built, and we are committed to maintaining a culture of vigilance and care.

If you have any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of a child, whether it is your own or another student, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of our safeguarding team.

The staff members responsible for safeguarding at our school are:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Hayley Mayers
Deputy DSL: Ms Zoe Thorn
Deputy DSL: Nikita Ogston

You can contact these staff members via the school office, or by requesting a private conversation at the start or end of the school day.

Remember: if you are worried about a child, please share that concern. No matter how small it may seem, your information could be vital.

Rainbow 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...

Choir Starts

All Day

13
January

Kent Cricket Class Sessions

All Day

from 07 Jan and on Wednesday each week until 11 Feb

14
January

Deadline for Reception 2026 Applications

All Day

15
January

Kent Cricket Class Sessions

All Day

from 07 Jan and on Wednesday each week until 11 Feb

21
January

Kent Cricket Class Sessions

All Day

from 07 Jan and on Wednesday each week until 11 Feb

28
January

Kent Cricket Class Sessions

All Day

from 07 Jan and on Wednesday each week until 11 Feb

04
February

Yr4 Deptford Creekside

swoyschoolse23 View Post

What a fantastic Nativity performance from our Early Years and KS1 children! They told the beautiful story of Jesus' birth through joyful singing, confident acting and wonderful musical instrumentation. We are so proud of all of the children for their hard work and enthusiasm! Don't miss our KS2 Carol Concert tomorrow evening, starting at 5pm! #SWOY #Stwilliamofyork #catholicprimaryschool #SElondon #Lewisham #nativity #christmas #SE23

3 weeks ago

Local News / Events

${item_alt_tag}$

Recycle your real Christmas tree for free

Are you still holding onto your Christmas tree? You can drop it off for free at one of 14 locations across the borough by Friday 30 January. We’ll recycle it into wood chips to help keep our local parks looking great. Find your nearest local drop-off point.

${item_alt_tag}$

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